Vipers Player Profile With #35 Blake Voth:

107.5 Kiss FM's, Rob Abramenko sit's down one on one with second year Vernon Vipers goaltender, Blake Voth in a series of rapid fire questions. Check it out,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVoaT_i6wSo

For previous Viper video's click on the link below,

http://www.1075kiss.com/local-first/vernon-vipers/1178-viper-fans-toss-toys

Vipers Tame Growling Bulldogs:

This is posted on the Vipers website:

Vipers tame growling Bulldogs

by Don Klepp | Added 2011-02-05

“It was just a good old-fashioned hockey game, with a little bit of everything,” said Vernon Coach Jason Williamson after his Vipers prevailed by a score of 4-1 over a determined group of Alberni Valley Bulldogs on Saturday.

“Their squad deserves credit,” said Williamson, “coming into our building and trying to take the game to us. At times they bottled us up pretty well, and Slubowski made some big stops. But in the end our guys found ways to get the puck past him.”

In a hard-hitting first period, the Bulldogs out shot the Vipers 12-6 as they went with an all-out forecheck. Kirby Halcrow was solid for the Vipers. His best stop was on defenceman Connor Varley, on a back door play.

Each team created four scoring chances in the opening frame. Frank Slubowski, who had saved 41 of 42 shots when the teams played to a 1-1 draw December 11 in Port Alberni, absolutely robbed Marcus Basara and John Knisley in the first.

Dylan Walchuk was able to beat Slubowski, with a power play goal at 9:58. On the left side in the Alberni zone, Darren Nowick slipped a puck through to Walchuk, who reached forward to one-hand the disk over the goalie’s catching glove.

In a second period that saw less neutral zone congestion and more end-to-end action, the Vipers had eight scoring chances while the ‘Dogs created five. Each team scored once, but there could have been several more if not for fine goaltending, especially by Slubowski.

The veteran netminder robbed Dane Muench whose backhand was headed top shelf. Then, he stoned John Knisley, who was in all alone.

He couldn’t stop David Robinson’s deflection at 1:40, however. Hustling, Robinson went to the net in the wake of Steve Weinstein’s end to end rush. Robinson was able to get his stick on Weinstein’s backhand pass at the goal mouth.

A couple of minutes later, Bryce Kakoske beat Slubowski, but his wicked wrist shot went off the cross bar.

The Bulldogs then responded with an aggressive three-man forecheck, which netted a Josh Mitchell goal at 4:38. After the Vipers tried to be too fancy at their blue line, Casey Bailey and Dylan Nowakowski set Mitchell loose for a forehand deke and a deft backhand to the top corner.

The middle frame also featured two fights. First, rookies Colton Sparrow and Marley Keca had a spirited but largely harmless bout. Then, veterans David Robinson and Mike Puddifant got into a slugfest where both combatants landed several heavy blows. In the end, Robinson got the better of Puddifant with three blows to the face.

The save of the game came in the third period. The score was 2-1 when Dylan Nowakowski got a short handed breakaway. At high speed, he put a good move on Kirby Halcrow, but Halcrow stayed with it and smothered Nowakowski’s backhand.

Then, goals by Darren Nowick and Kyle Murphy salted the game away for the Vipers. Nowick’s eighth of the season was a real beauty. Streaking down the right wing, he accepted a perfect pass from Malcolm Lyles and rifled the puck over Slubowski’s left shoulder at 12:31.

Murphy found the same spot at the top of the net with a slap shot from the high slot at 14:18.

Game Notes:

• The Bulldogs recorded 29 shots while the Vipers had just 22, which was just the eighth time this season the Vipers have been outshot.

• Tyler Berkholz, whose hit on Phil Patenaude on December 11 sidelined the Viper D-man for six weeks, missed the game with an injury suffered when smashed by Penticton’s Derik Johnson in Sunday’s 7-2 win over Penticton. Johnson was issued a match penalty and a three-game suspension for the hit.

• Former Vipers and local minor hockey products Trent Dorais and Sawyer Mick played physical games for the Bulldogs, as did D-men Connor Varley and Kyle Weber.

• Former Bulldog Ryan Renz had an uneventful game for his new team, although he did register 5 of the Vipers’ 29 hits.

• The Vipers now have 76 points from their 54 games, which puts them 6 points ahead of Penticton and 8 points ahead of Salmon Arm in the race for top spot in the Interior Division. However, the Vees have played 53 games and the Silverbacks have played 52, so all three teams are still in the race.

Vernon 4 Alberni Valley 1

I was at tonight's game as Vernon defeated Alberni Valley 4-1 in front of 1,621 fans at the Wesbild Centre.

Starting Goaltenders:

Vernon: Kirby Halcrow
Alberni Valley: Frank Slubowski

1st Period: The Vipers welcomed back veteran defenceman, Adam Thompson to the lineup after missing a few games with a concusion. Both teams come ready to play tonight with lots of jump in a very spirited hockey game. The Bulldogs come out hitting early and often really laying some big punishing checks on Vernon. Marcus Basara setup Vernon product, Colton Sparrow who was stopped in front by Frank Slubowski, Sparrow picked up his own rebound but missed on the net on his second opportunity. On the same play Sparrow then picked up the puck behind the Dogs goal, setting up Basara in front who was robbed by Slubowski. Alberni Valley would then get two good chances, one on a wrap around that was stopped by Kirby Halcrow, Halcrow had to be sharp keeping his pad tight against the post as the puck was wedged between the pipe and his skate as the Bulldogs with a few wacks couldnt get the puck past the former Quesnel Millionaire goaltender and then Connor Varley was stopped in front on a second chance. Vernon would get the first powerplay and capitalise. Steve Weinstein setup Dylan Walchuk who was left alone in front, getting his backhand past Slubowski at 9:58 giving the Vipers a 1-0 lead. Weinstein with the lone helper. A very fast pace opening period with very few whistles made for a very entertaining hard hitting 1st period. John Knisley just about made it 2-0 after getting a pass through the slot but ripped his shot high and just over the net. Lars Hepso with a chance at the side of the Viper net, couldnt get the puck past Halcrow who looked to have troubles handling the puck tonight, giving out several rebounds. Alberni Valley one of the more chippier teams that have come into the Wesbild Centre this season laid out a huge check to the head on Vipers assistant captain, Bryce Kakoske with no call on the play. The Bulldogs would get a late powerplay and come very close to tying the game. Dylan Nowakowski was able to walk in from the corner untouched, and then roofed his shot high and over Kirby Halcrow who was going down, but hit the post. On the same play Nowakowski fed Connor Varley who jumped up into the play but couldnt beat Halcrow who come to challenge making the pad save. Vernon would kill off the minor. Alberni Valley had lots of jump, really forechecking the Vipers most of the period. A very even played 1st as Vernon was up 1-0 after 20 minutes of play. The Bulldogs outshot the Vipers 12-6.

2nd Period: The Vipers would get off to a good start jumping ahead 2-0 after Steve Weinstein's shot from the corner was tipped in front by captain, David Robinson at 1:40 with Weinstein drawing the only assist. Just over minute later Malcolm Lyles with a nice move in the neutral zone created a two on one, before setting up Patrick McGillis, McGillis beat Slubowski but hit the crossbar as Vernon come close to a 3-0 lead. But back come Alberni Valley as Lars Hepso was stopped in front with traffic in front of Kirby Halcrow. Brandon Adams was then stopped by Halcrow. The Bulldogs slowly started to take over the edge in play and were really moving the puck well, getting the play in deep before Dylan Nowakowski setup Josh Mitchell in front who beat Halcrow at 4:38 cutting the lead to 2-1. Nowakowski and Casey Bailey collected the assists. AV controlled the better of the play before Colton Sparrow dropped the gloves with Marley Keca who was cut from the Vipers training camp-pre season lineup the past two seasons. This didnt slow down the Dogs as Alberni Valley still kept coming with some good presure but again no real good scoring chances. The Vipers who seem to never play well in the second period had just a single shot in the first half of the period. Just past the midway mark Vernon would get just their second shot on goal before former Salmon Arm Silverbacks defenceman, Mike Puddifant went after David Robinson, before both players dropped the gloves in a very good scrap. On the play the Vipers would come out of the play with a powerplay. The Vipers didnt look very good on the man advantage as the Bulldogs killed off the minor before Vernon would head right back to the powerplay just a minute or two later. On the man advantage the Vipers setup Dane Muench in front who was stopped by Slubowski who come across the crease making a big pad save. Vernon looked much better on this powerplay but was unable to score as the Dogs killed off the minor. Alberni Valley who laid out several high head shots tonight, got away with another high check to the head after Adam Thompson took a huge elbow to the head with no call on the play. Vernon who was outplayed in the first half of the period slowly started to turn the period around with a few chances. Malcolm Lyles with a nice pass setup Bryce Kakoske in the slot, who beat Frank Slubowski but hit the crossbar. The Vipers controlled the better of the play in the final five or so minutes before Sam Mitchell was stopped by Halcrow in the final minute and a half on a chance at the side of the goal. In the final minute of play Marcus Basara and John Knisley went for a loose puck, before both players just about collided with one another before Knisley picked up the puck going in for the breakaway but couldnt beat Slubowski who stayed with the Viper rookie making the blocker save keeping the Dogs in the contest. Alberni Valley was the better of the two teams in the 2nd but was down 2-1 after 40 minutes of play.

3rd Period: Both teams got off to a bit of a slow start with not much action early on. Ryan Renz who was facing his former team for the first time, was caught along the side wall sending Brandon Adams and Lars Hepso in on the two on one, Adams kept and shot but couldnt beat Kirby Halcrow who stood tall making the save. The Vipers would then get an early powerplay, Dane Muench with a shot from the slot was stopped by Slubowski who made the routine save. With some good pressure at the blueline the Bulldogs got the puck past Brett Corkey wich allowed Dylan Nowakowski to go in for the breakaway, but on the play Malcolm Lyles showed some good hustle just getting back in time to get enough of his stick in and around Nowakowski who still got off a good shot but couldnt beat Halcrow who stayed with the Bulldog forward making a nice save on the shorthanded breakaway. The Bulldogs would kill off the minor. Back come John Knisley who ripped a shot from in close but just missed the far corner missing the goal. Bryce Kakoske then missed the goal on a chance from in close. Lars Hepso was stopped at the side of the Vernon net on a Alberni Valley scoring chance. The Vipers slowly started to dump the puck in deep and keep all four lines fresh, as the period went on, the Vipers speed and skill slowly started to show who the better team was as the Vipers slowly started to take over the edge in play. Malcolm Lyles with a nice move at the Vernon blueline carried the play in over the AV blueline before making an unreal pass to a streaking Darren Nowick who ripped his shot past Frank Slubowski at 12:31 giving Vernon a 3-1 lead, in a goal they desperatly needed at this point in the hockey game. Lyles with the only assist on the goal. Just under two minutes later Bryce Kakoske did all the work inside the Bulldogs zone knocking the AV d-man off the puck before setting up Kyle Murphy in front who ripped his shot past Slubowski at 14:18 giving Vernon a 4-1 lead as the Vipers were now taking over the hockey game. Kakoske with the lone helper on the goal. At this point the Bulldogs couldnt get much of anything going as the Vipers were the better of the two teams in the 3rd really stepping up their play. AV would get a late powerplay but unable to capitalise as the Vipers killed off the minor. In the end the Vipers would defeat the Bulldogs 4-1. Alberni Valley outshot Vernon 11-8.

Top Players: (Vernon)

Malcolm Lyles (1 assist) What can you say about Malcolm Lyles. Lyles who is slowly starting to come into his own as of late as become a fan favorite playing his best hockey of the season. For the second straight game Lyles looked very solid at both ends of the rink. Didnt play as physical as we have seen him play in the past but made some real nice moves at both ends of the rink. Really reads the ice well, can skate like the wind and loves to jump up into the play. Had a few good rushes tonight. What a pass Lyles made to Darren Nowick setting up Vernon's third goal. Very impressive.

David Robinson (1 goal) Robinson took several shots-wacks in behind the play, especially in the first two periods before dropping the gloves with Mike Puddifant in a great scrap. I thought the Viper captain battled hard and worked very hard tonight, played well.

John Knisley I thought showed alot of hustle tonight, come up with a few chances. Really used his speed tonight.

Marcus Basara played in spirts tonight. I thought Basara who has done this in the past in a few games, played very well in the opening period but then only looked good at different times through out the remainder of the game.

Dane Muech was another Viper who played well in spirts. Muench who has struggled since arriving in Vernon after coming over at the BCHL trade deadline hasnt really done much for the Vipers but I thought looked fairly good at times in different times of the hockey game tonight.

Colton Sparrow who dosnt see alot of ice time, played a very spirited game this evening. The Vernon product played with alot of energy and emotion looking very good in the first two periods. Dropped his mits with former Viper tryout Marley Keca in the 2nd period. Seemed to add a little spark to the Vipers lineup tonight.

Steve Weinstein (2 assists) Weinstein played very well on the Vipers blueline. Looked very well defensively, making a few smart plays.

Kirby Halcrow (28 saves) Halcrow made a few tough saves from in close early in the opening period as well as early into the 2nd, but made his biggest save of the night stopping Dylan Nowakowski on the shorthanded breakaway that could have changed the game. I dont think Kirby played his best game, seemed to be fighting the puck at times as well as giving out some pretty big rebounds.

Top Players: (Alberni Valley)

Connor Varley looked very impressive on the Dogs blueline. A very good skater, likes to jump up into the play. Had two good chances tonight, played very well defensively.

Frank Riddle who was cut by the Vipers two seasons ago after training camp-the pre season played solid on the Bulldogs backened. Was one of the more physical AV d-men.

Casey Bailey (1 assist) Had a strong game up front for Alberni Valley. Had some good chances, jumped up into the play, seemed to always be in and around the net.

Lars Hepso was another Bulldog who come up with a few good chances, also in and around the net looking for opportunities.

Oliver McCluskey played very well up front for the Dogs.

Sam Mitchell had one or two good chances, played physical.

Liam Darragh was by far the most physical player for Alberni Valley. A bigger kid who didnt let back on the physical play. Was very agressive and knocked a few Vipers around.

Frank Slubowski (18 saves) You cant fault Slubowski on any of the four goals tonight. This wasnt a 4-1 hockey game. Slubowski who is one of the better goaltenders in the BCHL made some big saves keeping the Bulldogs in tonights game, giving them a chance to win. Dosnt give up alot of rebounds or second chances.

Game Thoughts: (Vernon)

After playing one of the best games of the season in a 3-2 victory over the league leading Powell River Kings, the Vipers havnt seemed to play a full 60 minutes in any of the games since that big win over the Kings. Yes the Vipers have played some of the league's more weaker teams in that stretch but Vernon just hasnt seem to get back to their game plan. Tonight we saw the Vipers play Viper hockey and play a very good hockey game. Going into tonights game I was worried Vernon may be looking ahead to their matchup with the Penticton Vees tomorrow night, but that wasnt the case. In one of the more entertaining games over the past few weeks, the Vipers had to work hard and earn the two points tonight in a hard fought victory. Other then the first half of the 2nd period I thought Vernon played a very good game at both ends of the rink. Like I said earlier this wasnt a 4-1 game, the Vipers speed and skill and a few turnovers scored two quick back to back goals in the 3rd opened up the game a little. Tonights game could have went either way for both teams in one of the more spirited games of the season, especially since both teams only face each other twice all season. For the first time in while Vernon was outshot. With the win and Trails 6-0 victory over Penticton, Vernon moves six points up on the second place Vees.

Game Thoughts: (Alberni Valley)

I was very impressed with the Alberni Valley Bulldogs tonight, this team sure didnt play or look like a 6th place hockey club. The Bulldogs forechecked the Vipers early and often to start the game and played very physical most of the game. AV is a very hard working team and has some kids that can put the puck in the net as well as solid goaltening. I wouldnt want to face these kids in the first round of the playoffs. Alberni Valley gave Vernon a good run and a bounce here or their could have changed the outcome. The Bulldogs are one of if not the most chippiest team I have seen all season, AV really likes to come in with the high hits, giving the Vipers atleast three good checks-elbows to the head. Very chippy in behind the play as well. But overall a very entertaining hockey game.

Scratches:

Vernon:

Phillip Patenaude
Zach McPhee
Mike Zalewski (Concusion)

Alberni Valley:

Tyler Berkholtz
Tanner Hicks
Colton Sobchak

3 Stars:

1st Star: David Robinson (1 goal)
2nd Star: Kirby Halcrow (28 saves)
3rd Star: Darren Nowick (1 goal)

For more on tonight's game check out the boxscore,

http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=839877&link=bchl

(Game Preview) Alberni Valley @ Vernon:

Alberni Valley (22-23-4-3) @ Vernon (31-10-4-8)

Tonight is the second and final meeting of the regular season between the defending back to back Royal Bank Cup Champion Vernon Vipers & the Alberni Valley Bulldogs. The Vipers come into tonight’s game riding a three game winning streak after coming off a 2-1 overtime victory Wednesday night over the visiting Nanaimo Clippers. The Bulldogs come into tonight’s game riding a one game winning streak, after a 7-2 win on home ice over the visiting Penticton Vees Sunday afternoon. Tonight is Alberni Valley’s first game of a current four game road trip.

Last Game Played:

Wednesday, February 2nd Vernon defeated Nanaimo 2-1 (Overtime)
Sunday, January 30th Alberni Valley defeated Penticton 7-2

Next Game:

Saturday, February 5th Penticton @ Vernon
Saturday, February 5th Alberni Valley @ Salmon Arm

Let's take a look at the Vernon Vipers:

Games Played: 53
Wins: 31
Losses: 10
Ties: 4
Overtime Losses: 8
Home Record: 14-5-2-4
Road Record: 17-5-2-4
Streak: Three game winning streak
Last Ten Games: 9-1-0-0
Goals For: 172
Goals Against:126
Standings: 1st Place

Since the 2003-04 regular season Vernon is 9-3-1-2 vs. Alberni Valley

Since the 2003-04 regular season Vernon has outscored Alberni Valley 60-40

Since the 2003-04 regular season Vernon is 4-2-0-2 at home vs. Alberni Valley

Since the 2003-04 regular season Vernon is 5-1-1-0 in Alberni Valley

Alberni Valley’s last win in Vernon was a 4-2 victory back on Friday, November 10th 2006

The Vipers are 4-1-0-2 in their last seven games at home vs. the Bulldogs

The Vipers are 5-1-1-0 in their last seven games on the road vs. the Bulldogs

The Vipers are 6-2-1-1 in their last ten games vs. Alberni Valley

The Vernon Lakers changed their name to the Vernon Vipers to start the 1995-96 season. Here’s a look at the Vipers all-time regular season record

Games Played: 953
Wins: 614
Losses: 244
Ties: 15
Overtime Losses: 83

For more stats & former Vernon Junior Hockey Team rosters & lineups please visit Paul’s Vernon Junior Hockey History website,

http://members.shaw.ca/vernonfranchise/index.html

Returning Players:

Bryce Kakoske (90)
David Robinson (90)
Blake Voth (91)
Steve Weinstein (90)
Adam Thompson (90)
Dylan Walchuk (92)
Patrick McGillis (91)

Departing & traded players from last years team:

Connor Jones (90)
Mike Collins (90)
Braden Pimm (89)
Cory Kane (90)
Jonathan Milhouse (89)
Kellen Jones (90)
Rob Short (89)
Cole Ikkala (90)
Dan Nycholat (89)
Kevin Kraus (89)
Curtis Gedig (91)
Garrett Noonan (91)
Sahir Gill (92)
Darrin Robak (91)
Graeme Gordon (89)

Vernon’s Powerplay vs. Alberni Valley this season:

0-8

Vernon’s home record vs. Nanaimo this season:

0-0-0-0

Vernon’s road record vs. Alberni Valley this season:

0-0-1-0

Vernon’s scoring leaders vs. Alberni Valley this season:

Darren Nowick (1-0-1)
Trevor Fitzgerald (0-1-1)
Adam Thompson (0-1-1)

Kirby Halcrow (0-0-1 Record)

Key’s and Notes to tonight’s game:

-The Vipers have just one loss in their last ten games

-The Vipers have the league's 6th best penalty kill

-Blake Voth is 1-0 in his career vs. Alberni Valley

-Vernon needs to jump on the Bulldogs early, a team that has struggled away from the dog pound having just six wins on the road

-The Vipers have the league’s second best goal’s against, giving up just 126 goals this season

-Vernon is 18-3-3-7 when scoring the games first goal

-The Vipers are 13-7-1-1 when giving up the first goal of the game

-Vernon is 8-3-1-2 vs the Coastal Conference this season

-Ryan Renz is facing off against his former team for the first time. Renz was traded by the Bulldogs to the Prince George Spruce Kings on the BCHL trade deadline before being traded to the Vipers.

-The Vipers have just two games away from home, left on the schedule

-The Vipers are ranked 13th in the CJHL National Rankings

-Blake Voth (23-10-3 Record, 4 shutouts) is second in the league's top ten goaltenders with a 2.12 GAA

-Vernon's powerplay is 13th in the BCHL

-The Vipers have just one loss in the last eleven road games

-Kirby Halcrow is 0-0-1 in his career vs. the Bulldogs

-The Vipers need to come up with a full 60 minutes

-Since tying the Bulldogs 1-1 back on December, 11th Vernon is 11-2-1-2

-Let’s hope the Vipers don’t look past the Bulldogs, waiting for a first place showdown with the Penticton Vees tomorrow night

-Tonight is the second game of a current three game home stand

Let's take a look at the Alberni Valley Bulldogs:

Games Played: 52
Wins: 22
Losses: 23
Ties: 4
Overtime Losses: 3
Home Record: 16-9-2-0
Road Record: 6-14-2-3
Streak: One game winning streak
Last Ten Games: 5-4-1-0
Goals For: 154
Goals Against: 163
Standings: 6th Place

For more info, stats and great coverage on the Bulldogs, please visit the Hammers Bulldogs blog, http://www.hammersdogs.blogspot.com/

Returning Players:

Sam Mitchell (90)
Casey Bailey (91)
Josh Mitchell (91)
Tyler Berkholtz (92)
Trent Dorais (91)
Frank Riddle (90)
Frank Slubowski (90)

Departing & traded players from last years team:

Mitch MacMillan (89)
Mark MacMillan (92)
David Dziurzynski (89)
Tye Lewis (89)
Kevin Ross (90)
Johnny Rogic (90)
Matt Hatch (90)
Warren Muir (89)
Nick Cecere (90)
Jeff Reppucci (91)
Robert Lindores (91)
Adam Hout (89)
Pearce Eviston (92)
Scott Lewan (89)
Ryan Renz (93)
Brody Lynott (91)

Alberni Valley’s Powerplay vs. Vernon this season:

1-5

Alberni Valley’s home record vs. Vernon:

0-0-1-0

Nanaimo’s road record vs. Vernon:

0-0-0-0

Alberni Valley’s scoring leaders vs. Vernon this season:

Casey Bailey (1-0-1)
Brandon Adams (0-1-1)
Kenney Morrison (0-1-1)

Frank Slubowski (0-0-1 Record)

Key’s and Notes to tonight’s game:

- Trent Dorais , Sawyer Mick , Frank Riddle & Marley Keca will all be facing off against their former team tonight. Dorais and Mick played with the Vipers while Riddle and Keca both were at the Vipers training camps at one time.

-The Bulldogs play five of their remaining eight games away from home

-Alberni Valley is coming off a four game home stand where the Bulldogs went 2-2

-The Bulldogs are 7-1-3-2 vs. the Interior Conference this season

- Frank Slubowski (19-21-4) is 8th in the league’s top ten goaltenders

-Alberni Valley has the BCHL’s 6th ranked powerplay

-The Bulldogs have a league 5th best penalty kill

-Alberni Valley is just five points up on the 7th and 8th place Cowichan Valley Capitals and Coquitlam Express

-Frank Slubowski is 0-2-1 vs. the Vipers in his career

-Goaltending will be key

-The Bulldogs will have to have a full team effort in order to knock off the Vipers tonight, Alberni Valley has to try and take the crowd out of the game early and get off to a good start

-Since a 1-1 tie with Vernon back on December 11th Alberni Valley has gone 7-9-1-1

Here’s a look at the season series between these two teams:

Saturday, December 11th @ Alberni Valley: Tied 1-1

SCORING SUMMARY

PERIOD 1

No Scoring

PERIOD 2

Vernon Vipers at 8:49 - Darren Nowick from Trevor Fitzgerald and Adam Thompson

PERIOD 3

Alberni Valley Bulldogs at 0:52 (PP) - Casey Bailey from Kenney Morrison and Brandon Adams

Vernon outshot Alberni Valley 42-27. Kirby Halcrow made 26 saves in the tie, while Frank Slubowski made 41 saves in the tie.

http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=840243&link=bchl

Here's a look at both teams rosters:

Vernon:

Dylan Walchuk (20-29-49)
David Robinson (28-16-44)
Bryce Kakoske (14-28-42)
Kyle Murphy (13-22-35)
John Knisley (9-24-33)
Michael Zalewski (12-17-29)
Adam Thompson (6-18-24)
Malcolm Lyles (7-17-24)
Marcus Basara (11-12-23)
Aaron Hadley (9-14-23)
Steven Weinstein (5-17-22)
Darren Nowick (7-15-22)
Patrick McGillis (11-10-21)
Brett Corkey (1-19-20)
Trevor Fitzgerald (7-11-18)
Ryan Renz (4-10-14)
Max Mowat (1-11-12)
Colton Sparrow (1-5-6)
Zach McPhee (3-1-4)
Dane Muench (1-2-3)
Philip Patenaude (0-1-1)

Kirby Halcrow With Quesnel (5-18-1 Record, 3.56 GAA)
With Vernon (7-3-1 Record, 2.19 GAA)
Blake Voth (23-10-3 Record, 4 Shutouts, 2.12 GAA)

Alberni Valley:

Josh Mitchell (14-39-53)
Casey Bailey (25-25-50)
Sam Mitchell (15-28-43)
Tyler Berkholtz (19-17-36)
Kenney Morrison (7-23-30)
Trent Dorais (11-16-27)
Colton Sobchak (8-17-25)
Connor Varley (8-16-24)
Brandon Adams (10-11-21)
Lars Hepso (6-13-19)
Dylan Nowakowski (7-11-18)
Liam Darragh (3-10-13)
Sawyer Mick (6-6-12)
Justin Morello (5-6-11)
Mike Puddifant (2-9-11)
Tanner Hicks (1-9-10)
Marley Keca (4-3-7)
Oliver McCluskey (2-5-7)
Konrad Litke (2-4-6)
Frank Riddle (0-6-6)
Kyle Weber (0-3-3)

Frank Slubowski (19-21-4 Record, 2 Shutouts, 2.79 GAA)
Kiefer Giroux (3-4 Record, 1 Shutout, 3.50 GAA)

Malcolm Lyles Post Game Interview:

Vernon Vipers colour commentator, Don Klepp interview's Vipers defenceman, Malcolm Lyles after the Vipers defeated the Nanaimo Clippers 2-1 in overtime at the Wesbild Centre Wednesday night. Lyles scored the overtime winner and was named 1st star of the game.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNshDBxbj2c

Vipers Sink Clippers In Final Second Of Overtime:

This is in todays Morning Star Newspaper:

Vipers sink Clippers in final second of overtime

By Kevin Mitchell - Vernon Morning Star

Published: February 03, 2011

Malcolm Lyles was determined to make something happen out of nothing as the Vernon Vipers struggled against the stubborn Nanaimo Clippers Wednesday night at Wesbild Centre.

It was pretty much a mattress sale (yawner, sleeper) most of the night before 1,400 fans who made the most noise when councillor Jack Gilroy drained a 100-foot putt during the first-intermission frolicks.

The Vipers didn’t find the net until 15:13 of the third period when captain David Robinson – Gilroy’s nephew – tapped in a rebound past Nanaimo goalie Charles-Andre Pelletier.

Lyles, a gyrating, natural-born thriller, brought the small house down with 1.1 seconds left in the first overtime as the Vipers escaped with a 2-1 B.C. Hockey League victory. It was the 19th time Vernon has gone to extra time this season.

“Earlier in the game, the goalie gave me the entire left side open so I took it again when I saw it,” smiled Lyles, who went coast to coast, dished to Kyle Murphy at the Clipper blueline, waltzed around a defender, took a return feed, and shot low from the right side.

The Clippers, who sorely missed injured veteran forward and captain Colton Cyr, and three other regulars, played a smart road game, skating with the Vipers and containing them outside.

David Domsodi scored his 17th of the season with 6:34 left in the second period, beating Vernon tender Blake Voth in tight on a rebound. Brodie Jamieson and Victor Newell drew the assists.

The Vipers dominated an early powerplay with Murphy striking iron and getting stymied by Pelletier, who slid cross crease for the save of the night.

“They came out with a lot of jump, credit to them,” said Lyles. “We don’t come in thinking any team’s gonna be a cakewalk, but they definitely surprised us with how much jump they had. We pulled it off, sticking to our systems.”

Robinson connected for his 28th of the year after Bryce Kakoske drove down the middle, had a shot blocked, retrieved the puck and shot again. Murphy deflected the wrister off Pelletier’s pad and Robinson cashed in the rebound.

“You have give them credit I guess,” said Robinson. “They played well and they cracked down defensively and it was a bit frustrating for us. We didn’t get as many shots as we’d like. It took us a while and eventually I got a greasy one there at the end which was nice and got us rolling.”

The Vipers improved to 31-10-4-8, four points ahead of the Penticton Vees atop the Interior Conference. Vernon hosts the Vees Saturday night, 24 hours before entertaining the Alberni Bulldogs.

The Clippers, who were outshot 36-24, went to 25-22-1-6, leaving them fifth in the Coastal loop, two points behind the Victoria Grizzlies.

“We know we played a good game,” said Nanaimo centre and top pointgetter Andrew Gladiuk. “We made some mistakes there, breakdowns on backchecks and stuff, and they capitalized a couple of times. Everybody played good and our goalie played really well to keep us in it.”

The Shipmen, who stuffed the Merritt Centennials 6-1 to open their road trip Tuesday night, also face the lowly Prince George Spruce Kings and Quesnel Millionaires.

“We’re hoping to jump one or two spots out there so hopefully we can get some points on this northern road trip,” said Gladiuk.

Nanaimo head coach Bill Bestwick, who had his 20 per cent team ownership bought by a trio, including hockey broadcaster Kelly Hrudey, on Wednesday, felt his club played their hearts out. He was watching video 20 minutes after the game, trying to figure out how the Vipers rallied for the win.

“We did a lot of things right for 55 minutes,” said Bestwick, whose son Brett, an ex-Clipper, is an assistant with the Clippers. “The first goal (by Robinson) was very disappointing and we got through that, and we were a second away from maybe going into the next overtime period.

“I think our kids maybe let their foot off the gas with an offensive zone faceoff with 13 seconds remaining and didn’t think anything could possibly happen and of course it did. Kudos to Vernon. They’re obviously a real, real good hockey team and I’m really proud of our kids to be able to play here tonight and come out with a very valuable point.”

SNAKE BITES: Gladiuk’s snap shot bounced off Voth’s shoulder and was rolling on the goal-line before being cleared by a Viper defender with 30 seconds left in regulation...Patrick McGillis wired a shot off the back glass and went wide on a great feed by Dylan Walchuk, both during the second period...On Vipers’ injured reserve were d-man Adam Thompson and forwards Mike Zalewsky and Zach McPhee...Junior B call-up Brent Baltus (Oceanside Generals of Parksville) got a regular shift and had a couple of scoring chances for the Clippers...Bestwick sent out the Fitzgerald triplets – Leo, Myles and Gerry – as a unit a few times early in the game. The Port Alberni trio are all 5-foot-7 with good speed and hands...Viper grad Mike Collins is the Hockey East Player of the Month. He garnered 11 points in January with the Merrimack College Warriors.

Former Viper Collins Records First Career College Hat Trick:

Former Vernon Vipers forward, Mike Collins recorded his first career college hat trick last Saturday night in a 7-1 victory over Vermont. Monday Collins was also named the Hockey East Pro Ambitions Rookie of the Week. Collins played two season's in Vernon (2008-2010).

This was posted on the Merrimack website:

January 29, 2011

Collins’ Hat Trick Highlights 7-1 Win for #14 Merrimack

NORTH ANDOVER, MA – Mike Collins (Boston, MA) picked up his first career hat trick, while Joe Cucci (Melrose Park, IL) added a career-best four assists as 14th-ranked Merrimack downed Vermont 7-1 in front of the fifth sellout crowd of the season Saturday night at Lawler Arena.

Merrimack (15-5-4, 9-5-3 HEA) will conclude its season-series with Northeastern Friday night at 7 p.m. at Matthews Arena while Vermont (5-15-4, 3-11-3 HEA) will host Providence next Friday.

The victory gives the Warriors their first-ever seven-victory month since joining Hockey East. They went 7-1 in January, 4-1 at home.

Senior captain Chris Barton (Calgary, AB) tallied two goals and an assist, becoming the first Warrior since Anthony Aquino in 2002 to net 100 points. He is just the 10th Warrior to accomplish the feat since they joined Hockey East.

The Warriors came out flying, as Barton, Collins and Carter Madsen (Okotoks, AB) all netted first-period goals giving the hosts the 3-1 lead through one period.

Barton picked up his 10th of the year and second of the game, getting a rebound off an Adam Ross (Red Deer, AB) shot from the point at 6:29 of the second.

Merrimack never relented, scoring three times 2:49 apart early in the third, as Barton set up Collins on the power play at 4:34 for his second of the game.

Ryan Flanigan (Rochester, NY) made it 6-1, knocking in a loose puck off a Fraser Allan (North Battleford, SK) shot at 6:07 for his seventh of the season.

Collins wrapped up the scoring with his first-collegiate hat trick, ending Madore's night 16-seconds later with a wrister over his glove.

In addition to multi-point nights for Collins, Cucci, and Barton, Flanigan (goal, assist), Madsen (goal, assist), and Stephane Da Costa (Paris, France) (two assists) also posted two points in the victory.

Merrimack's power play was 3-for-6 in the victory, while the nation's second-ranked penalty kill was a perfect 5-for-5.

The Warriors outshot Vermont 37-23, including 15-8 in the first, as Joe Cannata (Wakefield, MA) stopped 14 shots before giving way to Sam Marotta (Bridgewater, MA), who turned aside all eight shots he faced.

The 15th win of the season for the Warriors is one shy of last year's output of 16, which was the most they accomplished since joining Hockey East.

Mike Collin's Player Profile:

http://www.merrimackathletics.com/sports/mice/2010-11/bios/Mike_Collins

For full highlight's from the Merricmack-Vermont game, click on the link below

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQkaGKVzk50&feature=player_embedded

Vipers Win Another In Overtime:

This is posted on the Vipers website:

Vipers win another in overtime

by Don Klepp | Added 2011-02-03

Malcolm Lyles scored with 1.1 seconds remaining in the first overtime period to defeat the Nanaimo Clippers 2-1 on Wednesday.

For the third straight game, the Vipers won in overtime, a trend that concerns Vipers’ head man, Mark Ferner: “We have to bear down as hard in the first period as we do when the game’s on the line. You never know which play is going to make the difference in the game.”

His words nearly proved prophetic after the Vipers were unable to convert several good scoring chances in the first two periods.

On the power play midway through the first period, Kyle Murphy’s sharp angle shot glanced off both posts and out. A few seconds later, he had the same shot from just outside Charles-Andre Pelletier’s crease. This time, Pelletier slid across to rob the Viper centre.

The Clippers had started the game well, registering the game’s first five shots before a Gerry Fitzgerald penalty at 7:13 helped the Vipers turn the tide. However, Pelletier played well throughout the period and the game was scoreless going into the first intermission.

Again, the Clippers started the second period with a strong forecheck, a strategy that resulted in a Mike Domsodi goal at 6:34. Netminder Blake Voth stopped shots by Brodie Jamieson and Victor Newell, but Domsodi collected a juicy rebound and deposited a backhand past Voth.

Nanaimo had chances to increase the lead, with four power plays in the second and third periods, but the Vipers allowed only one scoring chance while down a man. They also came close to scoring shorthanded, but Patrick McGillis missed the top of the net by a couple of inches.

The Vipers showed more urgency in the third period, but were unable to break the goose egg until David Robinson scored with 4:47 remaining in regulation.

Bryce Kakoske made the play, finding a rebound deep in his team’s zone and carrying the puck all the way to the high slot in front of Pelletier. Kakoske’s low shot came off Pelletier, but first Kyle Murphy and then David Robinson made contact and the game was tied.

In the overtime, the Vipers generated four of the five scoring chances, including Lyles’s winner.

In his words, “Kyle won a tough faceoff back to me by our net and I skated it up ice and gave it to Pat McGillis. He got it across their line to the faceoff dot. Somehow he slipped it to me through the defenceman’s skates. I just shot it low and it went in on the far side.”

Lyles, who had a strong two-way game for the Vipers is having a good week. On Tuesday, he committed to the University of Massachusetts-Lowell for next year. Coach Ferner believes that “Malcolm has become one of the premier defencemen in this league because of his athleticism and his growing knowledge of his position. But I believe that we haven’t yet seen the best of Malcolm Lyles; he’s getting better all the time.”

Game Notes:

• The Vipers have now played a league high 19 overtime games, winning 7 and losing 8, to go with 4 ties.

• The Clippers dressed five Quebecois players. Two others, Zach Martin and Yannick LaFlamme, were out with injury.

• The Vipers were without the injured Adam Thompson and Mike Zalewski. Also, Zach McPhee was called up to play in Kamloops for the Everett Silvertips, who have injury woes of their own.

• David Robinson’s goal was his team-high 28th.

• Ryan Renz has now been involved in three overtime wins against the Clippers this year. While playing for the Alberni Valley Bulldogs, he scored an OT winner on September 18, and he assisted on Josh Mitchell’s winner on November 4.

Much Deserving Scholarship:

Id like to take this time to congratulate, Vernon Vipers defenceman, Malcolm Lyles after hearing yesterday that the 20 yr old d-man has committed to play for the University of Massachusetts-Lowell Riverhawks for next season. Myself along with several other Viper fans all agree Malcolm has really come into his own and is one of if not the most improved player from the start of the season. Lyles came to Vernon after playing the past two season's with Boston College. One of the league's strongest hitters and strongest skaters Lyles is very hard to knock off the puck and very hard to play against. One of the more awkward looking skating styles, Lyles looks alot more comfortable jumping up into the play more and carrying the puck. One of the more stronger Vipers I have seen in many years, Lyles is very strong and very quick. You knew at the start of the season, Mark Ferner would help improve Lyles game and it has showed. Congrats Malcolm and all the best in the upcoming playoffs with the Vipers and your future with the Riverhawks.

John Knisley Post Game Interview:

Vernon Vipers colour commentator, Don Klepp interview's Vipers forward, John Knisley after Vernon's 5-4 overtime victory over the visiting Prince George Spruce Kings last Friday night. Knisley scored the overtime winner earning 1st star.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMmaS8v6Hw0

Vernon 2 Nanaimo 1 (Overtime)

I was at tonight's BCHL game as Vernon defeated Nanaimo 2-1 in overtime in front of 1,437 fans at the Wesbild Centre.

Starting Goaltenders:

Vernon: Blake Voth
Nanaimo: Charles-Andre Pelletier

1st Period: Just a minute and a half into the game Dane Muench fed a wide open Dylan Walchuk who was left alone at the top of the crease but Walchuk couldnt connect on the pass. The Clippers come back as Blake Voth had to stay ground as Nanaimo had atleast two if not three wacks away at the loose puck at the side of the Vipers net but Voth was able to keep his pad tight against the post and not allow the puck to squeak in shortside. It took the Vipers the first five minutes before they would get their first shot on goal as Nanaimo was outshooting Vernon 5-1 at this point. Two minutes later the Vipers would get their first powerplay of the night and would get two real good chances. Vernon moving the puck well, opened up some ice allowing Bryce Kakoske to setup captain, David Robinson in the slot who fed Kyle Murphy at the side of the goal, Murphy who had Charles-Andre Pelletier out of position hit the far post missing the open cage. On the same powerplay the Vipers again setup Murphy at the side of the net who was this time robbed by Charles-Andre Pelletier who come across the crease making the big pad save, keeping Vernon off the scoreboard. Vernon with two good chances couldnt capitalise as Nanaimo killed off the minor. From here on in it was the Vipers who carried the better of the play as the Clippers were outplayed most of the opening period. Steve Weinstein's point shot was redirected in front by Marcus Basara who's shot just missed the net. The Clippers who didnt look very good in the opening period finally come up with their only real good scoring chance of the 1st after Leo Fitzgerald redirected his shot just up and over Blake Voth. Clippers forward, Kyle Kramer took a puck to the face off a shot from his own teammate, Kramer shook it off and stayed in the hockey game. At the buzzer Nanaimo would get their first powerplay of the night, wich would start at the beggining of the 2nd period. Vernon was the better team and outplayed Nanaimo but the game was 0-0 after 20 minutes of play. The Vipers outshot the Clippers 12-8.

2nd Period: Nanaimo would start the period on the man advantage, Vernon's penalty kill wich was very strong all game kept the Clippers to the outside as Nanaimo was unable to register a single shot on the man advantage. In the dying seconds of the powerplay Patrick McGillis in alone in the slot just ripped his shot high and over Charles-Andre Pelletier as Vernon would kill off the penalty. Just as the powerplay ended back come the Vipers as McGillis setup Dylan Walchuk on a parcial two on one, but Charles-Andre Pelletier come across the crease making a big pad save keeping Vernon off the scoreboard. On the next play the Clippers would head right back to the powerplay but again Nanaimo struggled as Vernon would easily kill off the minor. A few minutes later Blake Voth made a big pad save off Victor Newwell's point shot. On the same shift Voth was forced to make another save from in close but couldnt handle the rebound before, Mike Domsodi jumped on the rebound and beat Voth at 6:34 putting Nanaimo up 1-0. Brodie Jamieson and Victor Newell collected the assists. Just a few minutes later Nanaimo would get another shot on the man advantage as the Vipers got into a bit of penalty trouble to start the second period. Graeme McCormack unloaded a big shot from the point that was kicked out by Blake Voth. This was the only real good scoring chances as the Clippers failed on yet another powerplay. Patrick McGillis alone in the slot didnt get off a good shot and missed the net, as the Vipers didnt seem to be getting alot of quality shots or chances in the middle frame. The Clippers come very close to taking a 2-0 lead after Graeme McCormack's point shot hit something on it's way to the goal, beating Voth but hit the post. The Vipers would get a late powerplay but couldnt really muster much offence as the Clippers killed off the minor. I dont think neither team really played all that well in the 2nd as Nanaimo was up 1-0 after 40 minutes of play. Shots were even 8-8.

3rd Period: Vernon looked very disorganised in their own end in the opening minute as three Vipers couldnt decide who should grab the puck as all three got tangled up deep in their own end, as Vernon had troubles at times clearing the zone. Nanaimo would get a real early powerplay after a lazy penalty by Dane Muench giving the Clippers the man advantage. Voth made a save off Graeme McCormack's point shot, as the Clippers could only muster a single shot as Vernon killed off the minor. This was Nanaimo's only shot of the period until the final two minutes. As the period went on Vernon seemed to slowly get things going and setup deep in the Nanaimo zone but couldnt get any real quality shots as the Clippers looked to be frustrating the Vipers. Vernon carried the play at times but couldnt get any real good scoring opportunities. The Vipers would get a powerplay but it wouldnt last long as Darren Nowick would take an extra wack at Charles-Andre Pelletier after he made the original save, sending Nowick to the box for slashing. Four on four Malcom Lyles did all the work going in and around three Clipper players before dishing off to David Robinson in front who tipped Lyles shot just wide of the goal on a great scoring play. Vernon just wasnt getting the bounces tonight. With just five minutes remaining Kyle Murphy setup David Robinson in front who beat Charles-Andre Pelletier at 5:13 tying the game 1-1. Murphy and Bryce Kakoske picked up the helpers. Nanaimo who was getting outplay at times wasnt even really in tonights game as the Clippers got just their second shot of the period with two minutes remaining. The Clippers come very close to taking the lead with just thirty seconds left after Blake Voth took a Nanaimo shot up high, as the puck went up and over Voth and landed in the crease before Brett Corkey saved the day clearing the puck from the goal area. It was tied 1-1 after 60 minutes of play. Vernon outshot Nanaimo 12-7.

Overtime: The Vipers were heading into their third straight overtime game after knocking off Prince George and Trail, both in overtime over the weekend. Not much action in the opening few minutes before Vernon would get a three on one but back come the Clippers who charged back into the play breaking up the odd man rush as the Vipers were unable to record a shot. Malcolm Lyles big shot from the point was stopped by Charles-Andre Pelletier who had to look behind him to make sure he had the puck. Marcus Basara then cut wide and went hard towards the goal but was stopped by Charles-Andre Pelletier who was very solid all night. When it looked like we were heading to double overtime Kyle Murphy and Malcolm Lyles with some nice passing allowed Lyles to skate in over the Nanaimo blueline, make a quick move and then rip his low shot fivehole past Charles-Andre Pelletier at 4:59 giving the Vipers their third straight victory as Vernon's bench jumped onto the ice. Vernon outshot Nanaimo 4-1.

Top Players: (Vernon)

Malmolm Lyles (Overtime winner) Was Vernon's best player this evening. For the second straight home game, Lyles has been one of if not the Vipers better players. Earlier today Lyles committed to play for the University of Massachusetts-Lowell Riverhawks next season carried the play alot tonight, made some nice heads up plays, jumped up into the play, acting like a forward and played well defensively all at the sametime. Lyles was very good one on one and was very hard to knock off the puck tonight. Had a few good scoring chances.

Max Mowat I thought played very well on the Vipers blueline. Mowat who has played well on and off the past few games looked very steady on the backend, didnt make alot of mistakes.

David Robinson (1 goal) Vernon product David Robinson looked very good up front for the Vipers. Robinson and linemate Kyle Murphy really looked good and play very well tonight. Robinson scored the game tying goal, carried the puck alot, was skating well and going to the goal.

Kyle Murphy (2 assists) Murphy was very strong tonight for Vernon. This was one of Murphy's better games. Was very good down low and in and around the net.

Top Players: (Nanaimo)

Samuel Labrecque played very well on the Clippers blueline. Was very steady all night for Nanaimo.

Graeme McCormack was Nanaimo's best defenceman and one of their better players. McCormack was very solid on the Clippers blueline, got several good shots off from the point, come very close to giving Nanaimo a 2-0 lead but hit the post.

Ryan Stanimir was the Clippers only real forward that stood out. Stanimir is a good skater, that was good with the puck. Showed some signs of flash but the Clippers didnt really generate alot of offence for anyone really to look very good up front.

Charles-Andre Pelletier (34 saves) Was very solid between the pipes for the Clippers tonight. Made two pad saves off the Vipers early in the first (on the powerplay) and early in the 2nd (just after a penalty kill). This kid dosnt give up alot of rebounds and gave his team a chance to win.

Game Thoughts: (Vernon)

Tonight's game reminded me alot like last Friday's game (5-4 overtime win over Prince George) Like PG Nanaimo had no business even being in tonight's game, or even going to overtime. The Vipers didnt play their best hockey tonight, but just like the PG game last weekend, I thought the Vipers outplayed the Clippers and were the better of the two teams in the 1st and at times outplayed Nanaimo and were the better of the two teams in the 3rd. At times in the 2nd I think Vernon played down to the same level as Nanaimo but also had a few good chances where they should have scored. The Vipers did get some good chances at times but didnt get off a very good shot or missed the net, wich dosnt help. I really liked the Vipers penalty kill, they kept the Clippers to the outside and gave up very little chances and shots, plus come up with a few good shorthanded chances of their own. In the end a wins a win and tonight's win now moves them four points up on idle Penticton in the race for 1st place in the Interior Conference.

Game Thoughts: (Nanaimo)

I wasnt very impressed with Bill Bestwick's Clippers, other then having one of the more bigger clubs that I have seen this season and some solid goaltening, the Clippers didnt look good at all. Yes Nanaimo was playing their second game in back to back nights (Knocked off Merritt last night 6-3) but Nanaimo just didnt seem to have much of anything tonight. They really struggled on the powerplay, didnt get alot of shots or pucks towards the goal, & had troubles coming up with any kind of offence all night. With the single point in the overtime loss, Nanaimo does now move to within two points of 4th place Victoria.

Scratches:

Vernon:

Zach McPhee
Mike Zalewski (Concusion)
Adam Thompson (Concusion)

Nanaimo:

Colton Cyr
Mike Dopke
Yannick LaFlamme
Zach Martin

3 Stars:

1st Star: Malcolm Lyles (Overtime winner)
2nd Star: Charles-Andre Pelletier (34 saves)
3rd Star: Kyle Murphy (2 assists)

For more on tonight's game check out the boxscore,

http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=840027&link=bchl

Lyles Heading To Massachusetts:

This is posted on the Vipers website:

Lyles heading to Massachusetts

by viper staff Added 2011-02-02

The Vernon Viper hockey club is pleased to announce that 20 year old defenseman Malcolm Lyles has committed to play for the University of Massachusetts-Lowell Riverhawks for 2011-2012.

The Riverhawks play in Hockey East which also includes Lyles former team, the Boston College Eagles. Patrick Cey, a former Viper, also plays for the Riverhawks and was recently named Hockey East player of the week.

Malcolm has steadily improved throughout the season and has become one of the premier defenseman in the league. His skating ability and strength are among the best in the BCHL. His style of play has made him a fan favourite.

The Vernon Vipers would like to congratulate Malcolm on this recent achievement and wish him continued success.

(Game Preview) Nanaimo @ Vernon:

Nanaimo (25-22-1-5) @ Vernon (30-10-4-8)

Tonight is the second and final meeting of the regular season between the defending back to back Royal Bank Cup Champion Vernon Vipers & the Nanaimo Clippers. The Vipers come into tonight’s game riding a two game winning streak after coming off a 2-1 double overtime victory in Trail Saturday night. The Clippers come into tonight’s game riding a one game winning streak, with a 6-3 win over the hometown Merritt Centennials Tuesday night. Tonight is Nanaimo’s second game of a current five game road trip. Vernon leads the season series 1-0

Last Game Played:

Saturday, January 29th Vernon defeated Trail 2-1 in double overtime
Tuesday, February 1st Nanaimo defeated Merritt 6-3

Next Game:

Friday, February 4th Alberni Valley @ Vernon
Friday, February 4th Nanaimo @ Prince George

Let's take a look at the Vernon Vipers:

Games Played: 52
Wins: 30
Losses: 10
Ties: 4
Overtime Losses: 8
Home Record: 13-5-2-4
Road Record: 17-5-2-4
Streak: Two game winning streak
Last Ten Games: 8-1-0-1
Goals For: 170
Goals Against:125
Standings: 1st Place

Since the 2003-04 regular season Vernon is 8-4-0-2 vs. Nanaimo

Since the 2003-04 regular season Vernon has outscored Nanaimo 46-41

Since the 2003-04 regular season Vernon is 6-0-0-1 at home vs. Nanaimo

Since the 2003-04 regular season Vernon is 2-4-0-1 in Nanaimo

Nanaimo’s last victory in Vernon was a 4-3 double overtime win back on Friday, January 16th 2009

The Vipers are 6-0-0-1 in their last seven games at home vs. the Clippers

The Vipers are 2-4-0-1 in their last seven games on the road vs. the Clippers

The Vipers are 6-2-0-2 in their last ten games vs. Nanaimo

The Vernon Lakers changed their name to the Vernon Vipers to start the 1995-96 season. Here’s a look at the Vipers all-time regular season record

Games Played: 952
Wins: 613
Losses: 244
Ties: 15
Overtime Losses: 83

For more stats & former Vernon Junior Hockey Team rosters & lineups please visit Paul’s Vernon Junior Hockey History website,

http://members.shaw.ca/vernonfranchise/index.html

Returning Players:

Bryce Kakoske (90)
David Robinson (90)
Blake Voth (91)
Steve Weinstein (90)
Adam Thompson (90)
Dylan Walchuk (92)
Patrick McGillis (91)

Departing & traded players from last years team:

Connor Jones (90)
Mike Collins (90)
Braden Pimm (89)
Cory Kane (90)
Jonathan Milhouse (89)
Kellen Jones (90)
Rob Short (89)
Cole Ikkala (90)
Dan Nycholat (89)
Kevin Kraus (89)
Curtis Gedig (91)
Garrett Noonan (91)
Sahir Gill (92)
Darrin Robak (91)
Graeme Gordon (89)

Vernon’s Powerplay vs. Nanaimo this season:

0-3

Vernon’s home record vs. Nanaimo this season:

0-0-0-0

Vernon’s road record vs. Nanaimo this season:

1-0-0-0

Vernon’s scoring leaders vs. Nanaimo this season:

David Robinson (2-0-2)
Brett Corkey (0-1-1)
Zach McPhee (1-0-1)
Marcus Basara (0-1-1)
Trevor Fitzgerald (0-1-1)
Bryce Kakoske (0-1-1)

Blake Voth (1-0 Record)

Key’s and Notes to tonight’s game:

-The Vipers have just one loss in their last eight games

-The Vipers have the league's 7th best penalty kill

-Vernon will have to jump on the Clippers early and try and put this game out of reach, not allowing Nanaimo in the hockey game

-Blake Voth is 1-0 in his career vs. Nanaimo

-The Vipers have the league’s second best goal’s against, giving up just 125 goals this season

-Vernon is 18-3-3-7 when scoring the games first goal

-The Vipers are 12-7-1-1 when giving up the first goal of the game

-Vernon is 7-3-1-2 vs the Coastal Conference this season

-The Vipers have just two games away from home, left on the schedule

-The Vipers are ranked 13th in the CJHL National Rankings

-Blake Voth (22-10-3 Record, 4 shutouts) is second in the league's top ten goaltenders with a 2.16 GAA

-Vernon's powerplay is 13th in the BCHL

-The Vipers have just one loss in the last eleven road games

-Kirby Halcrow is 0-3 in his career vs. Nanaimo

-With the Vipers two points up on second place Penticton, tonight is a good opportunity for the Vipers to move four points up on the Vees who have the night off

-The Vipers need to come up with a full 60 minutes

-Since defeating the Clippers 3-2 back on December, 12th Vernon is 10-2-1-2

-Tonight is the first game of a current three game home stand

Let's take a look at the Nanaimo Clippers:

Games Played: 53
Wins: 25
Losses: 22
Ties: 1
Overtime Losses: 5
Home Record: 16-9-1-2
Road Record: 9-13-0-3
Streak: One game winning streak
Last Ten Games: 6-3-0-1
Goals For: 1780
Goals Against: 186
Standings: 5th Place

Returning Players:

Andrew Gladiuk (91)
Kyle Kramer (92)
Brayden Jaw (92)
Colton Cyr (91)
Mike Domsodi (90)
Victor Newell (93)
Todd Gebert (90)
Nick Bell (91)
Tristan Lowenberger (92)

Departing & traded players from last years team:

Luc Olivier Blain (89)
Teal Burns (92)
Cody Bremner (90)
Carson Schell (89)
Joe Perry (89)
Nicholas McIntyre (90)
Tyler Mah (90)
Mike Puddifant (91)
Ty Morton (91)
Loic Boivin (90)
Rhys Hadfield (91)

Nanaimo’s Powerplay vs. Vernon this season:

0-2

Nanaimo’s home record vs. Vernon:

0-1-0-0

Nanaimo’s road record vs. Vernon:

0-0-0-0

Nanaimo’s scoring leaders vs. Vernon this season:

Myles Fitzgerald (0-2-2)
Victor Newell (1-0-1)
Leo Fitzgerald (1-0-1)

Charles-Andre Pelletier (0-1 Record)

Key’s and Notes to tonight’s game:

-Andrew Gladiuk (22-37-59) is 17th in league scoring

-Nanaimo has the 11th ranked powerplay in the BCHL

-The Clippers have the league’s 12th best penalty kill

-Nanaimo is the first BCHL team in history to have triplets playing on the same team. (Leo Fitzgerald, Myles Fitzgerald & Gerry Fitzgerald)

-The Clippers are just two points back of 4th place Victoria

-Nanaimo who is above 500 on home ice has just nine wins away from home and are three games below 500 on the road

-The Clippers are 5-8-0-0 this year vs. the Interior Division

-Since falling 3-2 to Vernon back on December 12th the Clippers are 7-8-0-2

-Tonight is Nanaimo’s second straight game after knocking off the Centennials last 6-3 in Merritt

-The Clippers will be playing back to back games, so getting off to a good start will be key

-Specialty teams will be key

-Nanaimo has to keep the game simple

-The Clippers have just one victory at the Wesbild Centre since 2003-04

Here’s a look at the season series between these two teams:

Sunday, December 12th @ Nanaimo: Vernon wins 3-2

SCORING SUMMARY

PERIOD 1

Nanaimo Clippers at 12:09 - Victor Newell from Myles Fitzgerald

PERIOD 2

Vernon Vipers at 8:52 - David Robinson from Bryce Kakoske
Vernon Vipers at 11:10 - David Robinson from Marcus Basara and Brett Corkey

PERIOD 3

Nanaimo Clippers at 4:21 - Leo Fitzgerald from Myles Fitzgerald
Vernon Vipers at 9:50 - Zach McPhee from Todd Skirving and Trevor Fitzgerald

Vernon outshot Nanaimo 29-16. Blake Voth made 14 saves in the win, while Charles-Andre Pelletier made 26 saves in the loss.

http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=840250&link=bchl

Here's a look at both teams rosters:

Vernon:

Dylan Walchuk (20-29-49)
David Robinson (27-16-43)
Bryce Kakoske (14-27-41)
Kyle Murphy (13-20-33)
John Knisley (9-24-33)
Michael Zalewski (12-17-29)
Adam Thompson (6-18-24)
Marcus Basara (11-12-23)
Aaron Hadley (9-14-23)
Malcolm Lyles (6-17-23)
Steven Weinstein (5-17-22)
Darren Nowick (7-15-22)
Patrick McGillis (11-10-21)
Brett Corkey (1-19-20)
Trevor Fitzgerald (7-11-18)
Ryan Renz (4-10-14)
Max Mowat (1-11-12)
Colton Sparrow (1-5-6)
Zach McPhee (3-1-4)
Dane Muench (1-2-3)
Philip Patenaude (0-1-1)

Kirby Halcrow With Quesnel (5-18-1 Record, 3.56 GAA)
With Vernon (7-3-1 Record, 2.19 GAA)
Blake Voth (22-10-3 Record, 4 Shutouts, 2.16 GAA)

Nanaimo:

Andrew Gladiuk (22-37-59)
Ryan Stanimir (19-33-52)
Graeme McCormack (10-29-39)
Kyle Kramer (15-19-34)
Mike Domsodi (16-16-32)
Brayden Jaw (8-22-30)
Colton Cyr (15-14-29)
Victor Newell (9-19-28)
Samuel Labrecque (15-11-26)
Gerry Fitzgerald (8-16-24)
Brodie Jamieson (6-18-24)
Zach Martin (10-9-19)
Yannick LaFlamme (5-14-19)
Myles Fitzgerald (6-10-16)
Leo Fitzgerald (7-8-15)
Brett Hartskamp (4-7-11)
Jesse Ursic (3-4-7)
Todd Gebert (1-4-5)
Nick Bell (0-3-3)
Mike Dopko (0-2-2)
Danick Malouin (0-2-2)
Tristan Lowenberger (0-1-1)

Charles-Andre Pelletier (17-20-1 Record, 2 Shutouts, 3.40 GAA)
Charles-Alexy Premont (8-7 Record, 3.49 GAA)

The Great One At 50:

This was in the Morning Star Newspaper:

The Great One at 50

By Kevin Mitchell - Vernon Morning Star

Published: January 29, 2011

Mark Ferner has a cherished photograph of him close to the L.A. Kings’ Wayne Gretzky in front of the Anaheim Mighty Ducks’ net.

“Unfortunately, I was never good enough to be out there against him so I might have been asking him for a stick,” joked Ferner, a d-man who enjoyed two tours of duty in Anaheim.

Gretzky turned 50 this week and his birthday and hockey career have been widely covered by the sports media. I found it surprising that No. 99, when mentioning Gordie Howe scored 20 goals as a 50-year-old NHLer, figured only Howe, Mark Messier and Chris Chelios could have played in the show at such an advanced age.

Gretzky, who noted his skating was a huge part of his game, had slipped in his 40s and he didn’t believe he could have competed at 50.

Well, he spun more records than Wolfman Jack and entertained NHL fans for 20 wonderful years until his retirement in 1999.

Guess Wally Gretzky knew his kid was something special when he collected 13 goals and 26 points in four games at the Quebec Pee Wee Tournament, including seven snipes in a 25-0 ambushing of a Texas entry.

Ferner, head coach of the two-time defending Royal Bank Cup champion Vernon Vipers, describes Gretzky as “an unbelievable player and a great ambassador for the game.”

Of course the biggest trade in NHL history – August, 1988 – sent The Great One to L.A. and jumpstarted franchises in Anaheim and San Jose.

“I don’t think there would be teams in San Jose or Anaheim if Gretzky hadn’t gone there,” said Ferner, 45, who also played alongside Wayne’s brother Keith with the American League Rochester Americans.

The Vipers have looked to Southern California the past few years and uncovered nuggets like Kyle Bigos, Kevin Kraus, Stevie Weinstein, Cory Kane and Ryan Santana.

My buddy Greg Heakes, a White Rock product who used to cover sports alongside me in Nanaimo, has been in L.A. for about a decade. He works for La French Presse Agency and plays in a men’s rec league where all six teams wear Canadian NHL team jerseys. His son has been coached by former Philly Flyer Mel Bridgman.

Heakes has played some summer hockey with Bigos and because of the puck boom down there, now scouts California for the Lethbridge Hurricanes and the Coquitlam Express.

“What I have noticed about Gretzky’s impact here in California is that the sports growth in Southern California can be attributed to him more than anyone else,” said Heakes, on his way to cover the Super Bowl in Dallas.

“More and more California players are getting drafted into the NHL each year and joining WHL teams and it really has a lot to do with Gretzky giving hockey the exposure here it needed to become as popular as it is. There is almost a pre-Gretzky and post-Gretzky hockey era in southern California. Before Wayne arrived it was a fringe sport with a hardcore group of expat Canadians and locals playing on the few aging rinks around Los Angeles.

“Now they are building new rinks in different parts of L.A. which means more ice time for youths, girls and adult leagues. Kids are now starting to play ice hockey at younger and younger ages instead of gravitating over from their local roller hockey league which was the case in the past. High school leagues are also starting to pop up with the Ducks recently creating one in the Anaheim area. The other main high school league is run out of the Kings’ practice facility in El Segundo.”

Heakes said tickets to the Kings and Ducks games are highly affordable. However, minor hockey is only for the rich so more kids sign up for football, baseball and basketball.

“If they ever find a way to make hockey cheaper for kids here, look out!”


Agar a great skater and shooter

We lost a fine gentleman and one of this city’s greatest hockey players Friday.

George (Corky) Agar died in Vernon Jubilee Hospital following a massive stroke. He would have been 65 on Feb. 7.

One of the original Junior A Vernon Blades, Agar went on to play for the Saskatoon Blades of the Saskatchewan Junior League before seeing eight games with the pro Western League L.A. Blades in 1965.

“Corky played my second year with the Blades and he was only 16,” recalls Bob Stein of Vernon. “He was a very good player. We would have loved to have him hang around but his dad had contacts in Saskatchewan.”

Agar starred with the WIHL Nelson Maple Leafs from 1968-70, later joining the semi-pro Leafs again in the 1977-78 season after playing several seasons of pro hockey in Germany.

He was with the Flint Generals of the IHL for two big seasons. He compiled 35-44-79 to win the Garry F. Longman Memorial Trophy as Outstanding Rookie in 1971.

The same award went to Glenn (Chico) Resch two years later. The top rookie honour has since been won by Ed Belfour, John Cullen, Tommy Salo and Marty Turco.

Corky was blessed with a beautiful smile, fast skating stride and wicked shot. He also played a solid game of golf and had recently just began retirement after serving as the regional manager of BCAA.

His late father, George, was a superstar playing-coach with the 1956 Allan Cup champion Vernon Canadians. The team was adored and honoured with a huge downtown parade after they won the best-of-seven national final over Chatham, Ont.

Snakes Trim Trail In OT:

This is in todays Morning Star Newspaper:

Snakes trim Trail in OT

Published: February 01, 2011

If you do David Robinson a favour, it doesn’t take long for him to pay it back.

At least that was the case Saturday night at Cominco Arena where the Vernon Vipers clipped the Trail Smoke Eaters 2-1 in a B.C. Hockey League double-overtime thriller before 1,000 fans.

Robinson got bailed out by Vernon netminder Kirby Halcrow when the Smokies were awarded a penalty shot in lieu of a minor he earned while the teams were at 3-on-3 in double OT. Halcrow hung with Smokies’ sniper Travis St. Denis to make the stop.

On the very next shift, the Viper captain went forehand-backhand to beat first star Trail netminder Kiefer Smiley shortside for the winner on a rush started by second star defenceman Malcolm Lyles. Dylan Walchuk sprung Robinson (third star) with a nice pass on an odd-man rush.

The Smoke Eaters (30-19-2-2) came out hard, outshooting Vernon 6-1 in the early going. Eric Walker opened the scoring for the hosts at 2:33, assisted by Dylan Tappe.

“We were slow coming out of the gate. They took it to us pretty good,” said Vipers’ head coach Mark Ferner. “But we weathered the storm.”

Darren Nowick completed the regulation scoring with three seconds left in the first frame. Walchuk corralled a partially blocked point shot and fed it to Dane Muench, who went cross-crease to Nowick for a tap-in on the powerplay.

This is the Vipers’ 18th foray in to overtime this season, and forward Kyle Murphy said it does take a toll.

“We’re certainly getting used to it, but it’s tough, especially in your second game of the weekend. We’re thrilled to get the win,” he said.

“There weren’t many penalties so it was just 5-on-5 hockey and both teams were rolling lines.”

The Vipers, first in the Interior at 30-10-4-8, lost forward John Knisley early on when he re-aggravated a hand injury, forcing Ferner to juggle his lines.

“It gave us the ability to mix some lines around. It kind of got everybody going,” said Ferner.

The Smokies, who finally have close to a full roster, went 7-3-1-1 in January. It is the first time since the 2003-04 season that they finished the month above .500.

“The trade deadline helped,” said Ingram, who landed forward Nic DeSousa from Prince George. “If you look at it, the last three weeks we’ve picked up DeSousa, (Sam) Mellor and St. Denis.”

St. Denis and Mellor, two key offensive components, missed the first part of January due to injury.

The Vipers play six of their eight remaining regular-season games at Wesbild Centre. They entertain the Nanaimo Clippers (24-22-1-5) tonight at Wesbild Centre.

In KIJHL action Saturday night, the Revelstoke Grizzlies got 2+1 from Brandon Perger as they grounded the North Okanagan Knights 4-0 at Nor-Val Sports Centre.

Former Viper Collins Named Hockey East Pro Ambitions Rookie Of The Week:

Former Vernon Vipers forward, Mike Collins was named the Hockey East Pro Ambitions Rookie of the Week. Collins played two season's in Vernon (2008-2010).

This is posted on the Merrimack website:

January 31, 2011

Collins Named Rookie of Week; Hockey 12th Nationally

NORTH ANDOVER, MA – Following the first seven-win month since joining Hockey East and a home weekend sweep of Vermont, Mike Collins (Boston, MA) was named the Hockey East Pro Ambitions Rookie of the Week while Merrimack moved up 12th nationally.

Collins picked up his first career hat trick and a career-high four points in a 7-1 victory in front of a sellout crowd at Lawler Arena and a regional audience watching on NESN live across New England. He tallied two power play goals, as Joe Cucci (Melrose Park, IL) had four helpers (three on the power play), while Chris Barton (Calgary, AB) netted two goals and an assist, including his 100th career point.

With a 15-5-4 record, Merrimack ranked 12th in this week’s USCHO National Poll, its highest ranking ever. The Warriors are fourth in Hockey East with a 9-5-3 record, two points behind third-place Boston University with two games in hand.

Merrimack visits Northeastern Friday before hosting UMass Saturday at 7 p.m. as part of French-Canadian Night at Lawler Arena. Limited tickets for Saturday’s game are available online at merrimackathletics.com or by calling the ticket office at 978-837-5364.

Merrimack is also offering a special four-game ticket package that gives all fans tickets to all four remaining home games for the price of two games. The offer is good through Saturday and can be purchased only at the ticket office between 10 am and 4 pm.

Former Viper Genoway Suffer's Leg Injury In 4-2 Loss:

Former Vernon Vipers defenceman, Chay Genoway left Friday’s 4-2 loss to Colorado College in World Arena with an apparent leg injury in the opening minute of the second period. Genoway is one of six former BCHL grads up for the Hobey Baker Award, played one season in Vernon (2005-06).

This was in the Grand Forks Herlad Newspaper:

Published January 28 2011

Sioux men lose Genoway, game to Colorado College

UND senior captain Chay Genoway left Friday’s 4-2 loss to Colorado College in World Arena with an apparent leg injury in the opening minute of the second period.

By: Brad Elliott Schlossman, Grand Forks Herald

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — This Friday night loss may be a lot more painful than the last two.

UND senior captain Chay Genoway left Friday’s 4-2 loss to Colorado College in World Arena with an apparent leg injury in the opening minute of the second period.

Genoway was checked hard into the end boards by Colorado College senior Tyler Johnson, who was not penalized on the play. Genoway immediately hit the ice and was in obvious pain. The game stopped for several minutes while he was attended to by trainers. Genoway eventually left the ice, but not on his own power.

There was no immediate word on the severity of Genoway’s injury.

“I don’t know what it is,” UND coach Dave Hakstol said. “Obviously, everybody saw him go off the ice and what it appeared to be, but I don’t know.”

The Sioux, who were trailing 2-0 at the time of the injury, went on to lose their third straight Friday-night game. UND (18-8-2, 13-6 Western Collegiate Hockey Association) previously lost series openers to Minnesota and Nebraska-Omaha. They managed to gain splits in both of those series and will try to do the same at 8:07 tonight.

The Tigers built a 4-0 lead through two periods and survived a late charge by Jason Gregoire and the Sioux. It took a dazzling goal by Gregoire at 9 minutes, 3 seconds of the third to break a shutout bid by Tiger goalie Joe Howe (38 saves), and Gregoire scored a rare three-on-five goal four minutes later to make it a two-goal game.

Ultimately, UND had to kill penalties – notably a five-minute major for contact to the head on Mario Lamoureux — for most of the final 10 minutes and that thwarted the comeback effort.

“They may not have been the reason or the sole reason that we lost a hockey game,” Hakstol said of the penalties, “but they sure didn’t give us an opportunity to win the game.”

The Tigers (15-11-1) received a goal and an assist from fourth-liners Alexander Krushelnyski and Jeff Collett, while freshman Dakota Eveland and sophomore William Rapuzzi also chipped in tallies.

Although UND fell behind 2-0 after one period, the Sioux actually carried much of the play in that frame, outshooting the Tigers 20-8. Once Genoway went down, Colorado College outshot the Sioux 19-7 in the second.

If Genoway is out for an extended period of time, the Sioux will have to learn how to win without him once again.

Last November, Genoway was injured by an illegal check from behind into the boards by St. Cloud State’s Aaron Marvin. He suffered a concussion on the play and was unable to return for the rest of the season.

The Sioux struggled immediately last year after Genoway’s injury, going 6-10-4 in the first 20 games without him. Eventually, UND went on a run and won the Broadmoor Trophy as the Western Collegiate Hockey Association playoff champion.

In the offseason, the NCAA granted Genoway a medical redshirt. Genoway decided to use it instead of signing one of several professional offers.

Genoway started the season slow, but picked up the pace considerably recently. He tied a program record for the longest point streak by a defenseman by tallying a point in 12 straight. That streak ended last Saturday against Nebraska-Omaha.

The three-time all-WCHA player and WCHA scholar athlete was considered a candidate for the Hobey Baker Award this season.

UND had a chance to reclaim first place in the league standings as league-leading Denver – one point ahead of the Sioux – is idle this weekend. So is Minnesota-Duluth, which is tied for second with UND.

But that pursuit will have to wait another day.

“It wasn’t a good team game for us,” Hakstol said. “We need a heck of a lot better. We’ll start to look forward to tomorrow night.”

Notes: Freshman defenseman Dillon Simpson didn’t make the trip because of illness. . . Forward Derek Rodwell and forward-defenseman Joe Gleason made the trip but did not play. . . Colorado College played without freshman sensation Jaden Schwartz, who suffered a fractured ankle while playing for Team Canada at the World Junior Championship. Schwartz is expected to be out another month. . . Colorado College actually has averaged more goals per game since Schwartz has been out. . . World Arena, located in the shadows of Cheyenne Mountain, has typically been a difficult place to play for the Sioux. Last season, UND earned its first sweep in the building since January 1999 thanks to a stirring comeback win in the series opener.

Former Vipers Gill & Noonan Along With Three Other Terriers Are BU's Future:

The New England Hockey Journal assesses the performance of the five freshmen skating regularly in the Terrier lineup. Wich include former Vernon Vipers forward Sahir Gill & Vipers defenceman, Garrett Noonan. Gill played two season's in Vernon (2008-2010) while Noonan played just one season in Vernon (2009-10)

This was in the New England Hockey Journal:

January 24, 2011

From NEHJ: Future is now for BU's fab frosh

by Andrew Merritt

Editor’s note: This article originally appeared in the January 2011 issue of New England Hockey Journal.

There aren’t many superlatives left in Jack Parker’s illustrious coaching career. Over his 37-plus years behind the Boston University bench, he’s become one of the most successful coaches in college hockey history, and he’s had ample time to collect the best, worst, most talented, least talented, quickest, slowest and just about every other -est teams on his long resume.

So when he mentions that this season’s edition of the BU Terriers is the youngest team he’s ever coached, even in his understated manner, it’s hard not to be a little taken aback.

With 17 freshmen and sophomores out of 26 players, and an average age at the start of the season of just a shade over 20 years old, the Terriers are indeed a very young bunch. And at the very center of that group is a cadre of freshmen who have shown through the first three months of the season that for BU, the future is now.

Up front, Charlie Coyle (Weymouth, Mass.), Sahir Gill and Matt Nieto entered the winter break having played all 17 of BU’s games. Gill had 4-12-16 totals at the break, putting him atop the Hockey East freshman scorers’ list. Coyle was right behind him, and although Nieto hasn’t produced points like his offensive classmates, he’s seen regular time on BU’s top line with Coyle and sophomore Alex Chiasson.

On defense, Garrett Noonan (Norfolk, Mass.) and Adam Clendening have been paired up for most of the season, and while an all-freshman defensive pair might have most coaches wadding their line charts into fine pulp on the bench, Parker (Somerville, Mass.) has been able to trust the two 18-year-olds all season long. In fact, all five of the freshmen who’ve seen regular ice time have shown themselves to be more than ready for prime time.

“They were thrown in the fire pretty quickly,” Parker said. “We’ve had almost a complete turnaround from our team that won the national championship two years ago. Between graduation and defections, guys signing early, it’s almost a whole new everything, and the returning guys weren’t playing those roles of power play and penalty killer, they were playing on the third and fourth lines.

“The guys we brought in, we brought in to be the power-play guys and the key guys on the first two lines. That’s why they’re getting the ice time they’re getting.”

So it was part of the plan that the freshmen would factor into whatever the Terriers did this season. But at the midway point, BU just happens to be one of the better teams in the nation, having entered the Christmas break ranked 11th in the country and third in Hockey East. So those freshmen whom Parker had to gamble on this year have already paid dividends.

Coyle grew up watching BU hockey and hoping to emulate his cousin, former NHL and BU star Tony Amonte (Hingham, Mass.). His abilities were an obvious giveaway that he was ready for the big time, but he’s also had a certain “it” factor, a sense for the game that few possess even as grizzled seniors, let alone as fresh-faced rookies.

“I don’t think there’s any question we thought he would step in and be a top-two line center for us, play power play, get as much ice time as anybody else on the team,” Parker said. “We thought that was what his role would be when we got him, and he hasn’t disappointed; he’s even more durable and gets more ice time than we (expected).

“I wouldn’t say he’s overachieved; he’s had a great first half to his freshman year, and we thought he would.”

“I’ve kind of grown up wanting to come here, worked my whole life to get here,” Coyle says. “I think we adjusted well to it, and we’ve been doing our fair share on ice and off the ice.”

One of the Terriers’ two captains says the freshmen were embraced early by a team that knew it needed them.

“The one thing we didn’t want them to do is feel intimidated or pressure to do or act a certain way, because we knew they were going to be such a big part of this team,” said Chris Connolly, a junior who learned by watching the captains his freshman year — Matt Gilroy, Brian Strait (Waltham, Mass.) and John McCarthy (Andover, Mass.). “We wanted them to feel comfortable, speak up, work hard to do everything the upperclassmen did, because we count on them as much as the upperclassmen this year.”

Gill comes from Terrace, British Columbia, a river city buried high in British Columbia that’s so small he’ll play in front of more people at TD Garden in the Beanpot in February. Yet he’s got a dose of the familiar in one of his classmates, Norfolk, Mass., native Noonan, who played in juniors with Gill for the Vernon Vipers of the British Columbia Hockey League last season.

Their skill sets are the reasons they’re good hockey players, but it’s not unreasonable to believe their familiarity with each other is part of the reason they’ve adapted to life at BU so well.

“Garrett and his family have been great; they’ve been really good to me,” said Gill, who had his Thanksgiving dinner with the Noonans. “It’s kind of nice for my mom to know that someone’s looking after me here.”

Noonan wasn’t originally part of the Terriers’ plans. While Gill was drawing the program’s attention early on, Parker and his staff didn’t start to look at Noonan until last January, when it became clear that the Colorado Avalanche were going to be able to entice not just either Kevin Shattenkirk or Colby Cohen to leave school early, but both defensemen. Suddenly, BU needed an impact blueliner, and Noonan was their man.

“I think when you choose BU, you come here to win,” Noonan said. “There’s a standard here, and that’s to win, and all of us have done that in the past.”

Noonan’s blue line partner says the formula for the freshmen’s success has been simple.

“You take care of your body off the ice, work out, stretch after practice and before practice, eat well and get to bed at a reasonable hour every night,” Clendening said. “Just the normal stuff a hockey player does.”

But normal isn’t really a word that fits the situation in which the BU rookies find themselves. Still, they’ve acclimated about as smoothly as one could hope, and it helps that there’s a pretty talented roster around them.

“You’re playing with good players,” Nieto says. “They make you better, you help them look better, so it’s been a good adjustment.”

As a result, the youngest team Parker has ever coached might have its eye on a few other superlatives, too.

Vipers Player Profile With #14 Aaron Hadley:

107.5 Kiss FM's, Rob Abramenko sit's down one on one with first year Vernon Vipers forward, Aaron Hadley in a series of rapid fire questions. Check it out,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRkizwu33aY

For previous Viper video's click on the link below,

http://www.1075kiss.com/local-first/vernon-vipers/1178-viper-fans-toss-toys