Thursday, April 23, 2009

Vernon Advances to RBC Royal Bank Cup

A sweep in the Doyle Cup ... just one of those things that make you go hmmmm. First thought is what does that say about the comparison between the two leagues. I suppose when you go deep into the playoffs, there has to be some consideration given to extenuating circumstances such as injuries. Another consideration might be the layoff between the AJHL Championship to the start of the Doyle Cup. I'm not sure either holds enough weight simply because that is all part of the process.

I would rather say that it is a result of all the little things being done right by a team that has been conditioned to win by its peers. The Vernon Vipers were pushed hard all season long by the seven other teams in the Interior Division of the BCHL. For the first third to the midway mark of the season there was a see-saw battle going on for the top spots in the division, with no one team having a clear handle on the pole position.

The parity in the BCHL Interior Conference was so pronounced that I believe it is what shaped the Vernon Vipers into the Pacific Region Champions that they are heading into the national championship in May. The RBC Royal Bank Cup allows for the four teams that can emerge out of their respective regions as champions to meet a host team in a five team round robin tournament. After playing each team once, one team is eliminated from the tournament setting the stage for a pair of semi-final games that lead into the championship game on Mother's Day.

The Prince George Spruce Kings were there two years ago as the host team and they certainly did not disappoint. 15 hours after setting a record for the longest game played in tournament history, the Spruce Kings laid claim to a silver medal. That year the host team handed the Alberta champions a devastating loss that left the Camrose Kodiaks head coach one win shy of tying the all time winning record at the tournament. When looking for turning points in a franchise, that win by Prince George would be one for serious consideration. As seen recently in the Prospects Camp, the Spruce Kings are showing that they are a destination of choice for players looking to prove their place at the Junior A level.

Back to the Vernon Vipers, the team didn't exactly start out as a house on fire but, with the pressure to maintain position in the standings, they did find a way to make all the pieces of the puzzle come together. The success of the Vipers speaks volumes for the level of skill and talent and the compete level of the teams that pushed them and helped shape their winning ways. Now that the Vipers have moved through the BCHL and the AJHL ... it’s hard not to consider them heavy favourites at the RBC Royal Bank Cup.

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