Vipers Seek Road Warrior Spirit:

This is in todays Morning Star Newspaper:

Vipers seek road warrior spirit

Published: October 12, 2012

For the Vernon Vipers to climb the B.C. Hockey League table, they will need to play some stellar road hockey.

A lack of bite in opposing rinks was the Snakes’ undoing last season; they went a dismal 8-21-0-1 on the road, and pulled up short of the playoffs. Sitting third-last in the BCHL at 3-4-0-2, they have a couple away games this weekend, starting tonight in Salmon Arm against the SilverBacks (3-5-0-1).

They visit the Chilliwack Chiefs, second overall at 6-2-1-1, Saturday night.

“Last year, that was our Achilles heel, being on the road,” said Vipers’ head coach Jason Williamson. “We need to start to win some road games, and that comes down to confidence.

“It’s definitely baby steps. We’re a young hockey club that needs to gain some confidence and then we’ll be good.”

Williamson hopes the Vipers can build off their 2-1 overtime win against the West Kelowna Warriors last Saturday in Vernon.

“We played two top teams on the weekend; the Penticton game (4-2 loss to the league-leading Vees) was a one-goal game until the penalty at the end,” he said.

“I don’t think we played as well on Saturday but we got the outcome.”

The Chiefs have yet to lose in regulation at Prospera Centre (3-0-0-1). They kept that statistic in tact by pulling a huge 4-3 comeback win over the Langley Rivermen Wednesday night.

Trailing 3-0 heading into the third period, the Chiefs went on a four-goal rampage with just over six minutes to play.

“They’re a real tough physical team and they’ve arguably got the best goalie in the league (Mitch Gillam, 5-3-1, 2.27 GAA, .940 SAV),” said Williamson.

“They’re doing it by committee on scoring, and they’re in your face. They’re an old-school hockey club. Harvey (Smyl, Chilliwack head coach/GM) likes that.”

The SilverBacks, meanwhile, are riding a two-game win streak after they pillaged the host Nanaimo Clippers, 4-3 in OT, and Cowichan Valley Captials, 4-2, last weekend.

n Third-year Viper forward Aaron Hadley was named player of the month for September. The Castlegar native registered four goals and two assists in seven games.

“He’s just a veteran guy that’s doing all the little things that help you win games,” said Williamson. “He gives you an honest effort every night, and it’s a good message to our guys that if you play hard, you’ll be rewarded.”

SNAKE BITES: Viper forward Mitch McAllister (shoulder) is ahead of schedule on his rehabilitation, and could be back in the lineup as soon as next week. Forward Braedan Russell (hand) is still day-to-day...There is a Viper fan bus going to Salmon Arm for tonight’s game. $25 gets you bus fare, game ticket and Panago pizza. The bus leaves Wesbild Centre at 5 p.m. Call the Viper office at 250-542-6022 for more information...BCHL season ticket holders can take advantage of the $150 early bird price for the 13-game ticket package for the 2014 RBC Cup, May 10-18, in Vernon. The standard rate is $199. Deadline is Dec. 31...Vees’ forward Mike Rebry has committed to the Western Michigan University Broncos for 2014-15. Rebry, who leads the Vees with 5-6-11 in eight games, will joins Penticton teammate Sam Mellor at WMU...Former Viper forward Marcus Basara, now with the Warriors, is riding a seven-game point streak. The Port Moody product has 5-4-9 in nine games.