This is in todays Morning Star Newspaper:
Snakes set to host All-stars
Published: January 13, 2009
The Vernon Vipers’ Andrew Hammond knows all-star games aren’t kind to netminders. With the focus primarily set on offence, and with defence reminiscent of river hockey, it’s the goalies who pay the price. Despite knowing he’ll likely get lit up like the Griswold’s family home at Christmas, Hammond is going into tonight’s 39th annual B.C. Hockey League All-Star Game (7:30 p.m., Wesbild Centre) with a good attitude. And a sense of humour. “It’s one of those things where I’ll start putting sunscreen on Monday or Tuesday because it’ll probably be pretty high scoring,” laughed Hammond, referring to the sunburn he’ll likely get from the constant glow of the goal light. “It’s really me for myself. The team really won’t be out there defending me, they’ll be looking to score goals. “All the goalies in the all-star game are going to have a certain amount of pride on the line, and that’s something that you never want to let go.
“It’ll be a good chance to showcase myself.”
The Snakes have three other players suiting up – forwards Connor Jones and Braden Pimm, and defenceman Kyle Bigos.
“It’s all about having fun,” said Jones, who has 14-25-39 in 44 games. “You get to meet new people and have new teammates for a little bit. There’s going to be lots of skill out there and some really nice passing plays.
“But you can’t go out there and expect to go 50 per cent. You’ve still got to expect to work hard, because if you don’t, you can get hurt like that.”
The Salmon Arm SilverBacks’ Mark Zengerle is the Interior Conference’s top scorer with 27-48-75 in 39 games, while the Powell River Kings’ Darcy Oakes leads the Coastal Conference with 34-43-77 in 45 games.
Prince George Spruce Kings’ all-star Sam Muchalla (broken arm) will miss the game, and the Westide Warriors’ Chad Gehon (acquired from the Trail Smoke Eaters at Saturday’s BCHL trade deadline) and Justin Schultz are both questionable.
The BCHL has decided not to add replacements for the injured players.
“It’ll be a good chance to showcase myself.”
The Snakes have three other players suiting up – forwards Connor Jones and Braden Pimm, and defenceman Kyle Bigos.
“It’s all about having fun,” said Jones, who has 14-25-39 in 44 games. “You get to meet new people and have new teammates for a little bit. There’s going to be lots of skill out there and some really nice passing plays.
“But you can’t go out there and expect to go 50 per cent. You’ve still got to expect to work hard, because if you don’t, you can get hurt like that.”
The Salmon Arm SilverBacks’ Mark Zengerle is the Interior Conference’s top scorer with 27-48-75 in 39 games, while the Powell River Kings’ Darcy Oakes leads the Coastal Conference with 34-43-77 in 45 games.
Prince George Spruce Kings’ all-star Sam Muchalla (broken arm) will miss the game, and the Westide Warriors’ Chad Gehon (acquired from the Trail Smoke Eaters at Saturday’s BCHL trade deadline) and Justin Schultz are both questionable.
The BCHL has decided not to add replacements for the injured players.
No comments:
Post a Comment