Vipers Fall to Muskegon 8-4
Published on January 4, 2006 under International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Roanoke Valley Vipers News Release
ROANOKE, VA - The Roanoke Valley Vipers, member of the United Hockey League (UHL), hosted the defending Colonial Cup Champion Muskegon Fury for the first time Wednesday night, but fell by a final score of 8-4.
Muskegon had a 3-1 lead by the end of the first period, getting goals from Ryan Keller, Billy Collins, and Bill Zalba. Petr Jelinek got the Vipers on the board at the 15:30 mark, scoring a shorthanded goal off a rebound from a Mike Wiggins shot blocked by Clayton Pool. Vipers fans were brought to their feet, when at 14:03 of the period, they saw new acquisition Charlie Elezi drop the gloves for the first time as a Viper with Fury tough man Ken Fels. The period continued eventfully, as Gray Shaneberger suffered a shoulder injury after being tripped by the dive of a Fury player and crashing into the boards behind the Muskegon net. Surprisingly, no penalty was called on the play.
The Fury added two more goals in the second period, with a goal from Trevor Johnson and Collins' second of the night. The two goals were matched with an L.P. Martin goal at 15:51, off assists from David Beauregard and Jelinek. Jamie Hodson exited the game after allowing Collins' second goal with 7:43 remaining in the second period, as Shawn Conschafter was brought in to mind the Vipers' net for the first time since December 2nd after spending nearly a month on the IR.
Conschafter didn't fare much better against the tough Fury, as they added three more to the score in the third period. David Wrigley, Keller, and Fels each added a goal in the period for Muskegon. Mike Wiggins scored at the 10:30 and 19:13 marks for the Vipers, but to no avail, as the time on the clock ran down and the final buzzer sounded. New signee Jonathan Charette had an assist on Wiggins' second goal. Charette, a 21-year-old defenseman who spent the earlier part of the season in Jacksonville of the SPHL, joined the Vipers today along with defenseman Erick Lajoie, also a former member of the Barracudas. The Vipers remain hampered by injuries, as left wing Mike Krelove was added to the IR today. Krelove joins D-man Branislav Kvetan and forwards Mark Scott and Matt Miller.
The Vipers fall to 11-16-4 (26 points), but look to get back on the winning track this weekend as the Kalamazoo Wings come to the Valley for the first time this season. The Vipers and K-Wings will be in action on Friday and Saturday, January 6th and 7th at 7:35p.m. each night. Come out and support your Vipers and take advantage of the new lower ticket prices in the goal and center ice sections! Call (540) 345-PUCK (7825) to get your tickets today while good seats still remain! Vipers hockey - Catch the Fever!
International Hockey League 2 Stories from January 4, 2006
- IceHogs pick up shootout point against Mallards - Rockford IceHogs
- Vipers Fall to Muskegon 8-4 - Roanoke Valley Vipers
- Muskegon's Bouchard and Fort Wayne's St. Pierre earn monthly honors - IHL 2
- Muskegon's Wrigley named UHL Rookie of the Month - IHL 2
- Komets to Host Mallards, Trashers in Weekend Doubleheader - Fort Wayne Komets
- Countdown to Face-Off - Kalamazoo Wings
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