Vipers’ Depth Too Rich For Millionaires:

Vipers’ depth too rich for Millionaires

by Don Klepp | Added 2009-11-08

Seven different Vipers scored en route to a 7-1 win over the Millionaires in Quesnel Saturday evening.

Vernon’s depth compared to Quesnel’s lineup was quite apparent in the game. The visitors were able to shut down the main Quesnel threats, Trever Hertz, Taylor Holst, and Darick Ste. Marie. Meanwhile, all four Viper lines posed offensive threats.

The Viper “prairie dog” line of Darrin Robak (Red Deer), Patrick McGillis (Calgary), and Drew George (Regina), struck first in this game. At 6.16 of the first period, George snapped a shot past Luke Siemens, who played so well in Quesnel’s recent visit to Vernon. Robak and McGillis drew assists.

On a Quesnel power play, Matthew Herskovitz tied the score at 8.53. However, at 14.18 Darrin Robak put the Vipers ahead for good. It was Robak’s second goal in the two games he has played as a Viper forward while the Jones twins are at the World Jr. “A” championship. Line mates McGillis and George were both in on the play.

Belying the Viper lead, the Millionaires out shot the RBC champions in the first period, 12 to 7. They continued their dogged defensive play in the second period, allowing the Vipers only 4 shots. However, the Vipers scored on two of those shots, both by the Pimm line.

At 6.10, Jonathan Milhouse was the recipient of some strong back boards work by Braden Pimm and Mike Collins. Milhouse tucked the puck by Siemens on the short side. Just over three minutes later, Pimm’s power play goal made the score 4-1 for the Vipers.

Thirdc period goals by Rob Short, Collins, and Sawyer Mick salted the game away for the Vipers, who have now won 13 in a row and 20 of 21. Collin’s 14th of the season, which leads the Vipers, was a thing of beauty. On the business end of passes by Milhouse and Pimm, Collins roared down his left wing and fired a high, hard shot past Siemens. At that point, Michael Smith was sent in to replace Siemens in the Quesnel goal.

Dylan Walchuk continued to shine in the absence of centre Connor Jones, playing well defensively and chipping in with an assist on Rob Short’s third period goal. He has tallied 8 points in the 4 games the Jones twins have been in Summerside.

Other rookies who have excelled recently are Darrin Robak, Pat McGillis, and Drew George. Robak is a robust defenceman who has adjusted well to his temporary role as a fourth line winger. He provides the Vipers with an option as a swing man in case teammates are forced to miss games.

Lost to some extent in the continuing Viper offensive outbursts has been the solid and occasionally spectacular goaltending of Graeme Gordon. Big and athletic, he has improved his concentration this year. While it’s true that his league leading goals against average of 1.58 partly reflects the fact that Vernon surrenders the least shots in the league, he also has a very good save percentage of 93.00, which is bested only by Sean Bonar’s 93.30 percent.