Vipers take commanding 3-0 lead, Alberni Golf Club update, Canucks at Oilers tonight on THE PEAK, Hasselberg to Coach Comox Valley.....

The Vernon Vipers have taken a 3-0 lead in the Fred Page Cup series after a 4-3 win last night in Vernon.

They can advance to the Doyle Cup and win their third straight league title with a Game 4 win tonight in Vernon.

A tough luck goal for the Kings and a good luck goal for the Vipers was the difference in this one, as a puck thrown at the net from the corner ended up hitting either Sean Maguire or a Kings defender before ending up in the back of the net. It's hard to comment on the topic of goaltending when you didn't see the game, but I can only assume that Michael Garteig was less than impressive to get the hook in such a HUGE game. Looking at it from the outside, it looks like a good coaching move if you get the win. It maybe looks like  bad move when one goes in like that to decide the game. Garteig would've had that one, is my thought, but maybe it was just the perfect storm of bounces to see it go in. I feel for Maguire and the Kings after that one though.

If the Vipers can pick up one more win in the next four games they will pull off the "Three-peat" a pretty rare feat. Only two Junior A teams in Western Canada have won three straight league titles since the year 2000. The Humboldt Broncos were Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League Champions from 2007 to 2009. My alma matter, The O.C.N Blizzard, were Manitoba Junior Hockey League Champions from 1998 to 2003, winning five straight titles. There have been three separate three-peats in BCHL history, the most recent being the 1980 to 1982 Penticton Knights. The Nanaimo Clippers were champs from 1978 to 1980, and the Kamloops Rockets won three straight from 1962 to 1964.

 Vernon franchises have repeated twice before as the Lakers, winning the BCHL in 1988 and 1989, as well as 1991 and 1992. You could say that the Vipers are on the verge of entering some pretty elite company.

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Moving along to something more in line for those who aren't playing hockey still. Golf. Here's your Alberni Golf Club "Men's Club" update with thanks to Gerry Fagan.

Several Men took part in the Blind Partners optional event on Sunday. The way this works is, you pay $5 in the pro Shop before teeing off. When all men have teed off the Club Captain draws names out of a hat and that's who your partner is for the day. You may not even be playing in the same group as your partner. Your net score and your partner's net score is where you finish is the event. By all accounts all seemed to enjoy this format.

Coming first was the duo of Ron Clark and Darrell Van Os, second was the team of Glen Trask and Livio Tedesco, third it was Gerry Blender and Bill Morin. Fourth went to Mel Trelvik and Dennis Debolt, the final prize was won by Gary McLeod and Fred Fredrickson.

In the ball sweep Dennis Debolt collected 3 ball for shooting a gross 78, while Jim Proteau came in with a gross 79, winning 2 balls. On the net side of things Livio Tedesco shot a 66 taking home 3 balls and Bob Matlock carded a 69 to win 2 balls.

Closest to the pin were won by Wayne Johnstone on # 2, Jim Proteau won the charity closest to the pin on # 4 taking home $24, Livio Tedesco on # 13 and Bill Morin on # 17.

Up next for the Men’s Club is the Westwind Pub Partner with a Pro competition. When you come into the clubhouse on Sunday morning, you pick a number out of a hat, the corresponding Pro playing in the Masters tournament will be your partner for the day. Your net score added to the Pro’s gross score is where you will finish in our event. It doesn’t matter what the Pro has shot already just what he shoots on Sunday. He could be dead-last in the field and come through with a spectacular round as your partner.

This is an individual event, be sure to register in your own foursome or as a single and you will be placed on a team. This event will be tee times, starting at 8AM there will be a group going off # 1 and at the some time another group will be teeing off # 10. In other words there will be two groups going off at 8:00 another two groups at 8:07 and so on until all the men's club are away. The usual fee of $10 applies. Don’t forget to register for the money pot, ball sweep and Charity closest to the pin for $2 each. 

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The Canucks try to exact some revenge on the league-worst Oilers after a 4-1 loss at home on Saturday night as they visit the Oil at Rexall tonight. Get all the action on 93.3 The Peak FM, part of the Canucks Radio Network with the pregame show on the air at 5:30 and the play-by-play to follow at 6:00

From the Canucks website, click to read the PREVIEW GAME NOTES and LINEUP 


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And one more late news item, thanks to Barb for the heads up....Former Bulldogs Assistant Coach and Assistant GM Kevin Hasselberg is the new Head Coach of the Comox Valley Glacier Kings. Congrats to Kevin on getting the job, and all the best to him and his family in the future. 

Here's the announcement from the Glacier Kings website:


The Glacier Kings would like to welcome Kevin Hasselberg as our new head coach for the 2011 - 2012 season. Kevin is an experienced and inspirational leader who loves to teach. He is passionate about the game of hockey, the fundamentals and discipline of structuring a culture consisting of Family Values, Trust, Integrity, Industriousness, Comaraderie and Enthusiasm. We would also like to welcome Kevin's wife Leah, daughter Shaunie and son Dyllan to our community. To contact by e-mail: hass_k@telus.net