Late Surge Pushes Snakes Past Cents:

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Late surge pushes Snakes past Cents

By Graeme Corbett - Vernon Morning Star Published: January 11, 2009

The Vipers used a third-period rally to stop the last-place Merritt Centennials 4-2 in BCHL action Friday night at Wesbild Centre.
The Vipers’ Braden Pimm earned the winner a minute into the third period after Chris Crowell found him all alone in front of netminder Kyle Nielsen with a heads-up pass from the side wall. With all kinds of time, Pimm (21st goal) outwaited Nielsen before going top shelf.
First star Connor Jones iced the game for Vernon (30-10-1-2) at 5:41 on the powerplay after his twin brother Kellen moved the puck up ice on a quick transition. Connor corralled the rebound off Kellen’s shot and banged it past Nielsen.
“Me, Kellen and Sahir (Gill) are really getting a lot of chemistry... all three of us are pretty quick. We’re not the biggest guys, so we just gotta really move our feet, take turns and do a lot of passing. It’s working out really well.”
The Cents (7-33-0-3) quieted the 2,300 BCHL fans early after Vipers’ d-man couldn’t quite bat down a Merritt clearing attempt. Jordan Grant (16th) collected the loose puck in the neutral zone and broke in on netminder Graeme Gordon (22 saves), beating the North Vancouver product with a gorgeous deke before roofing the puck.
It was defenceman Steve Tresierra’s first game with the Cents since being traded from the Vipers to Merritt Thursday afternoon.
“It’s weird being on the other side, but I definitely have a bigger role on the team here,” said Tresierra, a Golden product. “I’m more of a leader in the dressing room and logging a lot of ice time.”
Kellen, on miscommunication between Nielsen (32 saves) and his d-man, and Connor, on a nice feed from Steve Weinstein, had Vernon’s goals in the first period.
Tresierra is all-too familiar with the Vipers’ style, and knows how quickly they can turn a game around.
“It was just a couple of minor breakdowns and they capitalized on it. We’ve just got to figure that out and play well defensively as well as offensively.”
Added Cents’ assistant coach Bill Birks: “We’re ecstatic to get him (Tresierra). He’s come here with a good attitude, and we’re rebuilding and he’s going to be a big part of that.”
The Vipers came out flat in the second frame, and the Cents took advantage. Dustin Johnson one-timed a rebound off the post and in after Merritt rushed up ice on the powerplay.
“You can’t play like that and expect to win every night,” said Connor. “We had an alright first period and were lucky to get the lead. Kell (Kellen) got a pretty nice gift from their goalie, so without that it’s a little bit different game.
“You can’t let teams like Merritt hang around. If they get a goal with five minutes left, you don’t want to be pulling your goalie against them.”
The Vipers, who are on a four-game win streak – picked up two d-men – Cam Brodie and Mike Leidl – from the Burnaby Express on Thursday. They were at the game, but didn’t arrive from the Mainland in time to dress. They were expected to play as the Vipers visited the Penticton Vees (24-13-0-6) Saturday night.