Schamerhorn Settled In Vipers Pit:

This was in Friday's Morning Star Newspaper:

Schamerhorn settled in Vipers pit

Graeme Corbett

Friday, January 16th 2015

Jarrod Schamerhorn was on the ice a few minutes before practice to work on second scoring chances Wednesday afternoon at Kal Tire Place.

Vernon Vipers' forward Anthony Latina ripped a low shot from the slot, and the 6-foot-2 Kelowna netminder flashed a pad, intentionally directing the rebound off to the side for an awaiting Thomas Aldworth, who was just as merciless in trying to pick the corners as Schamerhorn scrambled to recover.

Having shooters of that calibre constantly testing him has helped him ermerge as a bona fide starter in the B.C. Hockey League.

"The top three lines are all killer guys" said a heavy-breathing Schamerhorn, moments after the drill.

"They all know where to shoot and they're probaly the best players in the league.
"You've got to practice like you play. It's fairly cliche, but the players are trying hard like it's a game situation and it obviously makes me better and more prepared for the games."

When Vernon acquired the lanky tender from the Merritt Centennials for future considerations this summer, it was with the intention that he would caddy for incumbent Danny Todosychuk.

While Todosychuk, 20, has been teriffic, racking up three shutouts and a third-best 2.40 goals-against average in 11 starts, he has been hampered by injury. There was also the matter of a six-game suspension for his part in a late-game line brawl against the West Kelowna Warriors, who visit the Vipers tonight (7:00) at the Big Wheel.
"it's been a bunch of bad luck with Danny," saod Vipers' assistant coachEric Godard. "But I know both goalies are really pulling for each other and they want each other to do well. That's just being good teammates."

Added Schamerhorn: "Danny is a great goaltender. He pushes me in practice all the time and I think that's why it's been so great. He's probably the best goalie partner I've ever had, and we get along really well."

The Snakes, second in the Interior at 26-11-1-2, entertain the Coquitlam Express (15-22-1-4) Saturday at Kal Tire Place. Vernon is riding a four-game win streak, while the Express are on a four-game skid. The third-place Warriors (21-15-0-5) are 5-5 in their last 10.

Schamerhorn was a bit of a goalie vagabond before getting his chance in Vernon, having played for six teams in three different leagues over the three previous seasons. He racked up 14 games of WHL duty between the Portland Winterhawks and Lethbridge Hurricanes before finishing last year with the Centennials.

The 19-year-old Schamerhorn ranks third in BCHL wins (18), sixth in goals-against average (2.78) and seventh in save percentage (.908). His three career shutouts have all come this season.

"It's awesome," said Schamerhorn, of his ice time. "It was obviously a surprise with Danny getting injured, but it's an opportunity and I've taken it and just try to go with the flow."

But just like the rest of the Vipers early in the season, it seemed to take Schamerhorn a while to really settle into his role. On nights when the Snakes struggled in their own end, Godard said Schamerhorn usually kept them competitive.

"At times, it was the whole team that was kind of shaky," said Godard. "During some of those games, he was certainly a calming factor for us.

"He's really stepped up and is playing really well for us. He's putting the work in at practice, and it shows."

Schamerhorn credits head coach Mark Ferner for holding the Vipers more accountable.
"He's a lot harder on guys defensively and everybody's bought in," he said. "He's got everybody playing the best they can, wich is awesome.

"Defensively, all the shots I'm getting are from the perimeter. Very rarely do I get anything from the slot."

When asked what drew him to goaltending, the laid back Schamerhorn laughed: "I loved it just because of the gear. I thought the gear was the coolest thing in the world.
"When I was probably in Atoms, I started being a goalie. I kind of fell in love with it and stuck to it."

The Vipers will have to look out for Coquitlam sniper Corey Mackin, who has a 12-point cushion as the BCHL's scoring leader. The 19-year-old Philadelphia native has 37-32-69 in 42 games.

Coquitlam's Brett Supinski, another Pennsylvania product, is right behind Mackin with 29-28-57 in 42 games.

The Warriors have a pair of top-20 scorers in Liam Blackburn (14-41-55 in 41 games) and Jason Cotton (20--23-43 in 41 games).

SNAKE BITES: The Vipers Liams-Coughlin and Finlay- are ranked eighth and 15th in BCHL scoring. Coughlin, a Boston native, has recorded 16-32--48 in 39 tilts, and the shifty Finlay has amassed 17-28-45 in 37 games. Aldworth is tied with Supinski for second in goal scoring with 29 snipes.