Vipers Schedule:

Now that the Vernon Vipers 2009-10 regular season schedule is now out, I have had the chance at looking over it. Gone are the four straight back to back to back to back games vs Salmon Arm like last year in and around the Christmas break. I wasnt a big fan of the four game mini series, no matter who they played. The Vipers first 25 games of the season are basically all vs Salmon Arm, Trail, Williams Lake, Prince George, Quesnel, Penticton & Merritt. Other then one game vs Westside, Cowichan Valley, Burnaby & Alberni Valley the Vipers play Salmon Arm (3 times) Trail (4 times) Williams Lake (3 times) Prince George (two times) Quesnel (4 times) Penticton (2 times) & Merritt (3 times) You think they could have mixed up the matchups-teams a little better then that, especially so early to start the season. Im happy about this, the Vipers only have 3 Sunday afternoon games (2pm) this season, not a big fan of coming to the rink and watching hockey Sunday afternoon. This season Vernon will have just 5 midweek games, keeping most of the games for the larger weekend crowds. (Good idea, not very good turn outs for the midweek games) Over the years I have noticed having back to back home games isnt the greatest idea, one of the nights always draws the smaller crowd. I really liked last years Vipers schedule when Vernon played just four back to back home games all season, this spreading the home games out a little more, giving the non-season ticket holders more of a chance to maybe come back and watch that second game the following weekend, rather then not going to that same game following a home game the night before. This season the Vipers play 9 back to back home games. (Not a big fan) I'am very thrilled and excited to see all BCHL teams visit the Wesbild Centre, unlike last year where only certain teams come to town.

Here are some of this years Viper games that you may want to see,


2009-09-11 vs Salmon Arm Silverbacks 7:00pm (Home Opener)(RBC Cup Banner raised to the rafters)

2009-09-26 vs Williams Lake Timberwolves 7:00pm (The Timberwolves first visit back since re-joining the league)

2009-10-03 vs Penticton Vees 7:00pm (Re-match of last years 2nd Round Playoff Matchup)

2009-10-04 vs Burnaby Express 2:00pm (Former Viper John Digness makes his first & only return to Vernon since being traded last year just days before the trade deadline)

2009-10-21 vs Merritt Centennials 7:00pm (Former Viper Steve Tresierra makes his first return of the season)

2010-01-29 vs Powell River Kings 7:00pm (Re-match of last years BCHL League Finals)

2010-01-30 vs Langley Chiefs 7:00pm (Langleys first visit to the Wesbild Centre since the 2007-08 season)

2010-02-21 vs Surrey Eagles 2:00pm (Surreys first visit to the Wesbild Centre since the 2007-08 season)