Saturday, January 16, 2010

Jones twins combine for six points as Vipers sink BCHL All-Stars

Press Release

To say that the Vernon Vipers struck a blow for team cohesion over individual excellence would be something of a stretch. After all, the defending Fred Page Cup and National Champions have no shortage of high-end speed and skill on their roster.

But the Vipers did prove a point on Wednesday when they posted a 7-2 win over the BCHL All-Stars at the Frank Crane Arena in Nanaimo. Vernon showed that their game could thrive against the best roster of talent the rest of the league could assemble.

The defending champs struck early into regulation, as Mike Collins beat All-Star starter Frank Slubowski just 5:48 into the first period. Vernon then doubled the lead just 21 seconds later when Bryce Kakoske converted a Braden Pimm feed in tight past the Alberni Valley Bulldogs netminder.

The scoring picked up in the second period as the team's traded five goals. But it was bad news early for the All-Stars, as Sawyer Mick and Connor Jones put the Vipers in command with a four-goal lead. BCHL goals leader Mitch MacMillan did strike soonafter, beating Blake Voth on a breakaway to put his team on the board. Braden Pimm and Mark Zengerle then exchanged tallies prior to intermission.

The All-Stars did not get the push they needed to begin the third period, and Vernon ultimately salted away a commanding victory with goals from Collins and Rob Short in the final frame. Despite the uneven final score, the teams did display more intensity and hustle than is found in a typical All-Star showcase. Vipers captain Kevin Kraus even set a physical tone midway through the second period, hammering a pair of opponents in his own end before moving the puck up ice.

Graeme Gordon played the first half of the game for the Vipers, while Voth picked up the win in relief. Nanaimo Clipper Loic Boivin and Penticton Vee Sean Bonar followed Slubowski in net for the All-Stars. The final shots on goal tally favoured Vernon by a 29-26 margin.

Kellen Jones, who played in the game with a full facial visor to protect a healing jaw, picked up MVP honours for the Vipers after a three-assist effort. Salmon Arm SilverBacks sniper Mark Zengerle took home the BCHL Stars MVP honour after scoring once and assisting on MacMillan's goal.

Game Summary:

1st Period:

5:48 - VER 1-0 -Mike Collins from Connor Jones and Kellen Jones
6:09 - VER 2-0 - Bryce Kakoske from Braden Pimm and Cory Kane

Shots: Vernon - 7; All-Stars - 10

2nd Period:

12:52 - VER 3-0 - Connor Jones from Kellen Jones
13:08 - VER 4-0 - Sawyer Mick from Connor Jones and Kellen Jones
15:44 - VER 4-1 - Mitch MacMillan from Mark Zengerle
16:08 - VER 5-1 - Braden Pimm from Dan Nycholat
18:32 - VER 5-2 - Mark Zengerle from Mike Krgovich and Mitch MacMillan

Shots: Vernon - 12; All-Stars - 10

3rd Period:

15:19 - VER 6-2 - Mike Collins from Bryce Kakoske and Curtis Gedig
15:50 - VER 7-2 - Rob Short from Sahir Gill

Shots: Vernon - 10; All-Stars - 6

Power Plays: Vernon - 0/0; All- Stars - 0/2

(Nathan also is a writer for Maineiacs Post to Post and the Maine Hockey Journal. He can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

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