NOWICK’S THREE POINTS LEAD VIPERS TO WIN OVER KODIAKS

Press Release

CAMROSE, Alta. – Darren Nowick scored twice and added an assist as the Vernon Vipers opened defense of their National Junior A Championship with a 4-2 victory over the host Camrose Kodiaks in the 2011 RBCCupcurtain-raiser on Saturday night.

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Michael Zalewski and John Knisley added a goal and an assist each for the Vipers, who have lost justonceat the tournament in the last three years – a 6-5 overtime loss to Dauphin in last year’stournamentopener.

Coming off a 22-day layoff following their loss to Spruce Grove in the Alberta Junior Hockey Leaguefinal,the Kodiaks fell behind 2-0 just six minutes in on goals from Brett Corkey and Nowick, but cut the leadinhalf before the end of the first period on a Mario Boilard power play goal at 16:30, on just the thirdshotof the game for Camrose.

The Vipers continued to apply the pressure in the second period, outshooting the Kodiaks 9-5, butCamrosegoaltender Dalyn Flette, as he did time after time during the AJHL playoffs, kept his team in the gameandwithin a goal after 40 minutes.

Zalewski made it a 3-1 game five minutes into the third period, snapping a shot over Flette’s glove onapartial breakaway, but the Kodiaks’ power play struck again midway through the third period, as SamJardinescored to cut the lead to a single goal once again.

But the Kodiak comeback was not to be, as Knisley cleaned up the rebound of a Nowick shot to round outthescoring and clinch Vernon’s 31st win at the national championship, nine more than second-placeCamrose.

The Vipers will enjoy an off day Sunday before facing Portage in Monday’s early game (3:30 p.m. MT),whilethe Kodiaks will look to rebound and earn their first win when they take on Wellington on Sunday night(7:30p.m. MT).

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