Vipers Beat Humboldt

Each game is a big game here at the RBC, but when you are playing the defending champions there is always a little added pressure....BUT the Vernon's played just like they know how to and as a team they came together and beat the Humboldt Broncos 7-1. Once again the Vipers fans were loud and proud and cheering on the Vipers all the way...in fact even more were there tonight...and I even heard our fans cheering all the way from Vernon!

Another big game set for Wednesday night against the host, the Victoria Grizzlies. Victoria may have lost their first game, but when they hit the ice for their game number two, they showed everybody why they deserve to play in this tournament and it should be a great battle between the two BCHL teams.

All the Vipers are doing great and still very much enjoying their stay here in Victoria...Coach Mark Ferner was also seen on A Channel News!!! I would also like to give a BIG hello to all the Vipers parents that were able to make the trip out to sheer on their boys! And I heard their are still a few on their way!

GOOOOOOOOOOOO VIPERS!!!!!!!!

RBC Is Great!

Hey Viper fans! The RBC has been so great! I want to that the organizers for inviting me and the rest of the mascots to take part in this event! It's great to be able to walk around the Bear Mountain Arena and see alot of Vipers fans and cheer on the team! There is a lot going on all day here...the have a "Cub House and Spirit Den" set up outside with live music, an arcade, BBQ and fun hockey games and I am meeting alot of people and fans from all over cheering on their teams and soaking in the RBC experience! The weather was awesome on Sunday...the sun was fighting the clouds all day...and the Vipers game was very exciting! The Vipers scored just 13 seconds into the game and I think it surprised everybody in the rink as it happened so fast...no one sure how it happened! I know we have a lot of fans cheering from home and I want to thank all the Vipers fans who were able to make the trip to Victoria! The players are so grateful to have such great fans! Talking to the players they are all having a great time, their hotel is very, very nice and during the days the players are trying to relax, have fun and play their best! Don`t forget to listen to all the Vipers games on 107.5 Kiss fm with Todd Miller, who by the way is also having a great time broadcasting for everyone!

GO VIPERS GO! GO VIPERS GO! GO VIPERS GO! GO VIPERS GO! GO VIPERS GO!

Vernon's Andrew Hammond comments on RBC-opening win

From BCHL Website

British Columbia Hockey League insider Garrett James had a chance to catch up with BCHL Goaltender of the Year Andrew Hammond after his Vernon Vipers began the RBC Cup with an impressive 4-2 win over the Summerside Western Capitals.
GJ: How did you feel about tonight's game?
AH: I thought we played a good two periods to start it off and kind of in the third let off the gas pedal a little bit. We definitely played a good 40 minutes and the second period was probably as good hockey as we've played all year.
GJ: How does it feel to be playing in the RBC Cup?
AH: It's special. There's 143 teams that start out and we're fortunate to be one of the five that are left. We couldn't ask for anything more.
GJ: How do you deal with playing in a high-profile event like the RBC Cup?
AH: I think it can only benefit you. Obviously if you play well your stock will go up and if you don't play so well it will go down, but there aren't many guys on our team who are worrying about that. We're focussed on a team first appraoch and winning the championship at the end of the day.
GJ: What were your thoughts on Summerside?
AH: I think they were a little bit surprised. I think we kind of put them on their heels a bit with that quick first goal. I think a lot of teams are surprised by our cycle game, but overall they had spurts where they were very solid. They battled back (with a pair of goals) near the end.
GJ: What do the Vipers need to work on?
AH: I think we need to play 60 minutes. You don't really know what the difference is going to be in the game and luckily for us there were two penalties that put us on the power-play at the end of the game. Otherwise, it's a two-goal game and if they get a quick one they're one goal away.
GJ: How are you feeling in net?
AH: I felt pretty good today. I didn't have too many shots but I've felt pretty good since playoffs started so I'm kind of riding out a hot streak.

Vipers To RBC

Wow, all this traveling has taken me away from my blog! But I can't believe how great our boys are doing! Just to get caught up the Vipers played against the Grande Prairie Storm in the Doyle Cup and won 4 straight games! Playing at the Civic Arena wasn't ideal for the Vipers but they made the most of it and won two at home before heading up North to win two on the road. At the Civic the Vipers adapted to the WAY smaller ice surface and skated circles around the Storm. Credit to the Storm, they never gave up, but just couldn't beat the Jones twins! Up in Grande Prairie Ryan Santana was back in the line up...and very happy to be back! But some of the other boys were fighting a very bad flu bug the whole trip which made playing hockey even harder for them...but I of course couldn't be more happy with the out come...a sweep of the series and the Doyle Cup to put into the trophy case! It was also great to see all the fans welcome the Vipers home when their bus pulled up...you can actually see the clip on the CHBC News website! The boys are happy...but not finished yet! They are now heading to Victoria for the RBC!!!!! Now I'm excited as I've been asked to go as well and participate in the opening ceremonies! So I will do my very best to keep everyone updated on a regular basis and try to get some of the players to be guest writers on my blog! Thanks for all your fan support and if you can't make it to Victoria don't forget to listen on 107.5 KISS FM and I know we will hear you cheering from Vernon or where ever you may be!

Vipers Up 3 Games To 1

After a devastating overtime loss on Tuesday night the Vipers came back on Wednesday night to win their own overtime game, 3-2. Wednesday night game was decided in the 3rd overtime by Sahir Gill after he scored an amazing goal to finally beat Powell Rivers goaltender Carsen Chubak. When it was all said and done the Vipers took 70 shots at the Kings net with only 3 going in....hats off to their net minder. On the other end of the rink Andrew Hammond was just as stellar for the Vipers, making unbelievable saves and keeping our boys in the game and out of trouble. Great news is the Vipers lead the series 3-1, bad news they are already on a bus heading back to Powell River for a game 5 on Friday night. Wednesday nights game was by far the most exciting, thrilling, intense game that I have seen in a very, very long time!!!! Both teams were strong offensively and defensively and were both determined to win. Game five should be another excellent playoff hockey game with the Kings in a "do-or-die" situation. I will be here cheering as loud as I can and hoping to see the Vipers come home with the Fred Page Cup!

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO VIPERS!!!!

Vipers Take Game 1 & 2

The Vipers were in Powell River for games one and two of the BCHL Finals and came back with two wins! Friday night Vernon won 4-0 and on Saturday night they had another shut-out this time winning 3-0. Its was a great way to start the series and now its time to play in the Den! Games 3 and 4 take place in Vernon on Tuesday and Wednesday. This is what hockey fans wait all season for! Vernon doesn't want to make another trip to Powell River so they will be working hard to take the next two games. But don't think Powell River is throwing in the towel anytime soon. The high flying offensive coastal champions will be finding a way to get past the Vipers Defense and get back there top scoring power play unit.

Both games will be fast and furious and definitely super exciting! With the BCHL Fred Page Cup on the line, this is hockey you DO NOT want to miss! Can't wait to see another packed Vipers pit, so get your tickets right away!!!!

Vipers Take On Kings

The Vernon Vipers have already loaded onto their bus and are heading to Powell River. The long bus trip that includes 2 ferry rides started at about noon on Wednesday for the Vipers and they will play two games on the coast on Friday and Saturday night. The Vipers all watched game 7 of the coastal finals on Tuesday night waiting to see if they would be facing the Victoria Grizzlies or the Powell River Kings and after letting Victoria win 2 in a row the Kings finished the series with a 4-1 win in Victoria. The Vipers will play back in Vernon on Tuesday and Wednesday night next week and tickets are on sale now. If necessary games 5 and 7 would take place in Powell River on the 10th and 14th of April and game 6 would be in Vernon on Sunday April 12th. It is set to be a very intense series with the Kings finishing the regular season first in their division and also having one of the best offensive teams in the league and Vernon having one of the best defensive teams! All hockey fans should get their tickets early to grab a great seat and come out and watch the BCHL Finals!! As for the Vipers, the guys that were out last series were able to rest and should be ready to roll for the finals. If you are not car pooling and taking the trip to the Sunshine Coast (for tickets in Powell River call 604-485-7550) you can listen live with the voice of the Vipers, Todd Miller and 'The Professor' Don Klepp, on 107.5 KISS FM and on the BCHL Fanzone. Both games in Powell River start at 7:30pm...if you want to watch you can subscribe to the Pay-Per-View on the BCHL website at http://www.bchl.bc.ca/

Can't wait to see everyone again in Vernon at the games! And if you haven't got your tickets yet call the Vipers Office at 250-542-6022 or visit them in the Wesbild Centre 10am-4pm Mon-Fri!!!!