Eleven years ago today (March 28th 2009) In Game 6 of the Interiordivision Finals best of seven series vs the Salmon Arm Silverbacks, Vernon Vipers forward Connor Jones scores three goals in a 3-1 win over the hometown Silverbacks. Andrew Hammond made 30 saves in the win, while Bryan Gillis made 36 saves in the loss in front of 2,108 fans at the Shaw Centre. With the win, Vernon wins the best of seven series 4-2 and advance to the BCHL League Finals vs the Powell River Kings.
Boxscore-Game Summary,
https://bchl.ca/stats/game-summary/4500
Connor Jones Player Profile:
https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/38011/connor-jones
Two years later,once again in the deciding game of the Interior Division Final, Steve Weinstein stood up in the Viper dressing room and said, "Two years ago Connor Jones scored a hat trick to lead us to our clinching victory against the Silverbacks. Who's going to be Connor tonight?"
ReplyDeleteThere was a long silence. Finally, Dylan Walchuk said he would be Connor. Dylan then went out and scored four goals to spark the Vipers' 5-4 win.
Wow! What great information Don. These were probably the greatest years in Vipers history in my mind. Mark Ferner was able to recruit great players year after year to keep the tradition of hockey excellence alive and well in Vernon. Even if we didn't come away with a Championship every year the Vipers were a strong, competitive and exciting team every year which is what kept the fans happy and coming back for more. We can only hope that the Vipers organization can change their ways and make Vernon a destination for hockey excellence.
ReplyDeleteI think the Vipers should retire Connor & Kellen Jones jersey's. These two fully deserve it and are both Viper legends! These two brothers/twins were or are arguably the most exciting players and dynamic duo hockey fans in Vernon have ever seen. Would the Vipers win or go to three straight Royal Bank Cups without the Jones twins? These two kids took a lot of pain, punishment and abuse but fought through it, game after game. There speed, skill and play making ability, made highlight's on a regular night.
ReplyDeleteConnor Jones is 6th on Vernon's Junior hockey all time points list with 198
Kellen Jones is 13th on Vernon's Junior hockey all time points list with 173
Connor Jones is 7th on Vernon's Junior hockey all time goals list with 80
Kellen Jones is 4th on Vernon's Junior hockey all time assists list with 134
Connor Jones is 7th on Vernon's Junior hockey all time assists list with 118