KAKOSKE SCORES TWICE TO LEAD VIPERS TO CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

Press Release

CAMROSE, Alta. – Bryce Kakoske had a pair of goals to lead the offence as the Vernon Vipers advanced to the championship game at the RBC Cup for the third year in a row with a 4-1 semifinal win over the Wellington Dukes on Saturday.

Kakoske is one of three players – along with defencemen Adam Thompson and Steve Weinstein – who can win an unprecedented third straight RBC Cup on Sunday. His first goal, with 8.6 seconds left in the first period, broke the ice against Wellington goaltender Jordan Ruby, who stood on his head in the opening frame to keep the Dukes in the game.

Patrick McGillis and David Robinson also scored for the Vipers, who are the first team to ever earn a chance for three straight national titles – the 1992 Vernon Lakers lost in the semifinals and the 1983 Prince Albert Raiders failed to get out of the SJHL playoffs, ending their run of six straight league championships.

Elliott Richardson scored the lone goal for Wellington, a flip in from centre ice that skipped past Vernon netminder Kirby Halcrow to pull the Dukes to within a goal at 2-1 eight minutes into the third period. Ruby turned in his best performance of the tournament, making 35 saves, but it wasn’t enough to keep the Dukes from their second RBC Cup semifinal loss; they lost 3-2 to the Humboldt Broncos in 2003.

(Nathan can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)