Vernon A Dynasty?

This is in todays Edmonton Sun Newspaper:

Vernon a dynasty?

By Con Griwkowsky ,Edmonton Sun

First posted: Saturday, May 7, 2011

CAMROSE — Destiny, meet date

The Vernon Vipers made sure they had a shot at becoming a Canadian Junior A dynasty with an unprecedented third straight RBC Cup championship.

Bryce Kakoske scored twice in a 4-1 win over the Wellington Dukes in Saturday’s early semifinal. Patrick McGillis salted the game away and David Robinson added an empty-netter.

“I haven’t had a hat trick before, so I wasn’t expecting anything,” said Kakoske, who could have had his hattie had he scored on a first-period breakaway. “It was nice just to get a couple out there.

“We thought we hadn’t played our best hockey yet and, slowly but surely, we’re coming around here. Hopefully, we’re saving our best for last. I think it’s going to be a good game.”

“We were just keeping it simple. When we get away from that, it goes downhill.”

Vernon notched their fifth straight win this week, putting on their strongest showing so far. They outshot the Dukes 41-23, controlling play right from the opening whistle.

“That’s something we talked about, trying to get better as the tournament went on,” said Vernon head coach Mark Ferner. “A lot better effort from start to finish.”

If not for the play of Wellington goalie Jordan Ruby, this one had blowout written all over it.

Vernon was full value for the W.

Elliott Richardson’s knuckleballer from centre ice midway through the third was the only bit of luck the Dukes could muster.

“We got the two (from Kakoske) before that real, uh, odd goal,” said Ferner. “That could break the backs of teams and it could go the other way, but our bench stayed real positive.”

Ferner downplayed the fact his team is on the verge of history.

“When we wake up, our guys will start focusing again,” said Ferner. “We’ve got three periods left ... or more. For all the hockey we’ve played and all the hard work we’ve put in, it comes down to at least three periods.”