Snakes Snuff Smoke Eaters:

This is in todays Morning Star Newspaper:

Snakes snuff Smoke Eaters

Published: February 08, 2009

The Trail Smoke Eaters hung with the Vernon Vipers for 40 minutes, but got left in the dust as the Snakes fired five third-period goals to smother the Smokies 6-0 Friday night at Cominco Arena.
Netminder Graeme Gordon recorded 20 saves before 1,000 B.C. Hockey League fans for his second shut out and 13th win in 16 games with the Vipers (37-11-1-3).
Vipers’ assistant coach Jason Williamson credits a strong forecheck for the bulk of the Vipers’ offence.
“They kind of got back on their heels and our guys just kept coming,” said Williamson. “We got a lot of chances and they just seemed to go in.
“They were just trying to sit back and feed off turnovers, but our defence was good at moving the puck and getting it up ice.”
Mike Collins (scoresheet credits Braden Pimm) recorded his 21st goal late in the first frame, assisted by Chris Crowell and Pimm. This line has been hot, as each linemate is riding a four-game point streak.
After a scoreless second period, the Vipers opened up in the third, starting with Cory Kane’s 19th at 2:32.
First star Kellen Jones then pocketed two straight, the first off a good cycle with brother Kellen Jones and Sahir Gill. The second came shorthanded as Smokies netminder Paul Barclay (25 saves) mishandled the puck, allowing Kellen, a Montrose product (near Trail), to walk in for his 14th goal.
“We just kept playing the same way, and then we wore them down in the third period and they had nothing left,” said Kellen. “The chemistry on the team is really good right now. We’re having fun in practice, everyone is buying in, and as a result, we’re winning games.
“It’s always nice to play well in my hometown and score a few goals, but the win is what’s important.”
Added Williamson: “That kid (Kellen) was flying all night.”
Goals by Collins (again, scoresheet credits Pimm) and Cole Ikkala (sixth) 19 seconds apart late in the third iced the game for Vernon, who have won seven straight. Trail fell to 25-25-2-2.
“I liked what we did for parts of the game, and then it became an absolute meltdown,” said disappointed Smokies’ head coach Jim Ingram. “It was a complete mental lapse from our first line right through to our fourth, and onto our defence and goaltender.
“The work ethic I saw last night was unacceptable.”
The Vipers visited the Westside Warriors (32-16-1-4) Saturday at Royal LePage Place and will face the host Merritt Centennials (10-40-0-3), who have won three of their last four, Tuesday at Nicola Valley Arena.