Local Boy Bryce Kakoske Talks About RBC

"The RBC is a once in a lifetime experience for most guys and teams and it's been pretty amazing. The way everything is put together and you don't have to worry about anything. We can just focus on playing our games.

The fan support has actually been pretty good! I didn't know that we would have so many fans come and make the trip to Victoria. It's been a great surprise and it's great to look into the stands and see the fans.

Since I've been here most of my time has been spent at the hotel or at the rink but on our day off a few of us went on a school visit. I went with Biggy (Kyle Bigos), Amies (Nick), Trent (Dorais) and Kaner (Cory Kane) to play floor hockey in front of a whole elementary school. We played floor hockey with three different groups and talked to the kids. No other hockey team had ever visited the school before so they were pretty excited and all the students and teachers said they would be cheering for us at the RBC.

My family is here in Victoria as well which is special. I've had a chance to hang out with them a bit and it's really nice to see my jersey in the stands!

As for the hockey games or rituals we are all just taking it like it's a normal hockey road trip, we want to stay focused and play how we've been playing all year.

Being called the team to beat has made it a bit harder with some added pressure as teams really come out hard to play us but again we just have to focus and just play our game. In the game against Victoria we were down by two goals going into the third but in the dressing room we could tell we weren't done yet and we knew we could do it...and we did!

One on One with Number Two!

Kevin Kraus has never played hockey in May and is sure glad he is this year! I had a chance to talk to the Vipers Defence man and he told me all about his RBC experience.

`The first couple of days at the RBC was a real eye opener! It took a little bit to settle down, but after we played the first game we really focused on getting back to business and playing hockey. It`s an unreal feeling being here and playing hockey in May. We worked hard as a team all year, going to the gym, all the games and it payed off for us but we still have a lot of hockey left!

We haven`t done much since we`ve been here. We are focused on playing hockey and have been at the hotel for most of the time. We get up, eat and head to the rink, either for practice or games. Most of my time has been spent at the hotel or on a bus going back and forth to the rink. The hotel (Bear Mountain Weston) is the nicest hotel I think I`ve ever been in though! The rooms are unreal and the beds are awesome.

I did go downtown Victoria on my day off. Myself and Mike Liedl, who I room with, went downtown with his parents but we ended up just having lunch and heading back because it was raining so much.

Having a day off after playing 3 games in 3 nights is nice, some of us are tired but we are in good shape, we will get our rest today but we are excited to get to our next game and the rest of the tournament.

Last night`s game against Victoria was definitely an eye opener and when their fourth goal was scored we realized we had to get our act together and pick it up and get on our game. When the second period was over we were in the dressing room talking about how we have come back before and we can do it again. We were pumped to get back out on the ice and make our come back.

It`s great to hear our fans as well. There are a few big sections with a group of our fans and to look up and see their jersey's and hear them is great.

We are all enjoying our time here in Victoria and getting a chance to enjoy a few things around us, like swimming in the pool here at the hotel, but we are here to play hockey and that is our only focus and we are concentrating on our games.`

Keep posted for more player one on ones on my blog!

A Close One...But It's Still A Win!

So far it was the best game of the round robin series at the RBC! Vernon took on the Victoria Grizzles and it started of great for the snakes! Cory Kane and Mike Collins set up a goal for Captain Chris Crowell and the Vipers had a 1-0 lead going into the second period....where the chant of the Vipers fans turned into the roar of the Grizzlies players and fans! Victoria would tie up the game at one a piece and Bryce Kakoske would set the Vipers up to be up again by a goal but then before anyone knew it the Grizzlies would strike 3 times in less then three minutes and the Vipers were looking at a 4-2 score going into the final period...and not in their favor! The Vipers fans never gave up cheering and the Vipers never gave up in the ice and Mile Collins and Kellen Jones would tie up the game and send it into overtime! Now I will be honest...I am not a big fan of overtime hockey...every single fan was sitting on the edge of the seat and no one could predict what was going to happen as both teams were putting in their all...and both teams wanted the win! A win for the Vipers would mean a guarantee into the semi-finals and a loss to the bears would mean only one win in three games played. But the Vipers came out strong, fast and determined and Ryan Santana and Rob Short would assist on Cole Ikkala`s overtime thrilling goal!

The game goes to show that ANYTHING can happen at the RBC and every team wants this and don`t count any team out...specially the Vipers! I`m looking forward to the next game...game 4 vs Kingston on Thursday night!!!

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!