Vernon Vipers stumble In Duncan:

This was in yesterdays Morning Star Newspaper:

Vernon Vipers stumble in Duncan

Published: February 25, 2012

With their B.C. Hockey League playoff hopes already in limbo, the Vernon Vipers took another blow Friday night as they fell 6-4 to the Cowichan Valley Capitals at the Island Savings Centre.

The 27-24-1-2 Snakes trailed the 28-21-1-3 Chilliwack Chiefs by three points for the final Interior Conference postseason berth heading into their Saturday-night tilt against the 29-18-1-2 Powell River Kings at Hap Parker Arena. Chilliwack had a game in hand.

Cowichan, third in the Coastal loop at 32-16-1-6, raced out to an early lead on goals by Jacob Charles (19th) and Brayden Sherbinin (9th), who scored with 18 seconds to play in the first period.

Vernon head coach Jason Williamson said Sherbinin’s goal should not have counted as he felt the Capitals had iced the puck on the play.

“They (officials) were very inconsistent and their explanation of calls they blew...when they blow calls, there’s no consequence. It’s tough to swallow,” he said.

Williamson was also irate after Viper captain Patrick McGillis was hit from behind by the Caps’ Keyler Bruce and went awkwardly into the boards. Linemate Colton Cyr challenged Bruce to a fight and picked up an instigator and misconduct.

“He (Cyr) may have deserved the instigator, but Patty got hammered from behind and both referees (Kirk Van Helvoirt and Ryan Benbow) missed it,” said Williamson.

McGillis (10th), batting a puck out of midair, got Vernon on the board midway through the second frame. Jedd Soleway made a nice move to beat a defender at the blueline to set up the play.

Vernon equalized on Colton Sparrow’s 11th of the season in the second period, but they gave up a late powerplay marker to former Salmon Arm SilverBack Brett Knowles (15th).

Devin Gannon (25th and 26th), another former SilverBack, scored just 17 seconds into the third frame, and again at 11:34 to make it 5-2.

The Vipers attempted a comeback on goals by Aaron Hadley (14th) and John Knisley (10th), but Cowichan’s Matt Browne iced the game with an empty-netter in the final second.

“Our guys were battling and competing, but came up just short,” said Williamson.