Vipers Losing Streak Continues

February 6, 2006 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Roanoke Valley Vipers News Release


LAST WEEK'S GAMES: The Vipers continued to suffer tough-luck losses on the road this past week, as they dropped two in Richmond and one in Adirondack. The losses didn't come without an effort on the part of the Vipers, however, as they lost to the Frostbite Friday after giving up three third period goals, and as they fell in Richmond Saturday by the difference of just one goal, as three consecutive RiverDogs goals erased the 2-0 lead the Vipers had gained in the first period. The Vipers remain in the cellar of the United Hockey League Eastern Division with a 12-26-5 record and 29 standings points.

Wednesday, February 1st at Richmond

Richmond RiverDogs 4, Roanoke Valley Vipers 2

The Richmond RiverDogs jumped ahead of the Vipers last Wednesday night, scoring three second-period goals to gain a 3-0 lead on Roanoke Valley. Matt Miller and Mark Scott started a Vipers rally in the third period, with goals coming at 6:05 and 14:07 respectively, but John DiPace scored an empty-netter at 19:35 to put the win in the bag for Richmond, as the Vipers fell by a final score of 4-2. Mike Wiggins continued his point-scoring streak, as he was given assists on both Miller's and Scott's goals.

Friday, February 3rd at Adirondack

Adirondack Frostbite 6, Roanoke Valley Vipers 4

Erick Lajoie opened up scoring on Friday night in Glens Falls, scoring his first goal of the season at 2:07 of the first period. The Frostbite struck back with two quick ones within the next four minutes of play to take the lead. Mike Wiggins extended his point-scoring streak with two consecutive goals at 12:06 and 15:41 as he reclaimed the lead for the Vipers. Scott Drevitch would tie the game at three apiece before the end of the period, however, beating Trevor Cunning on the power play at 18:03. David Beauregard would reclaim the Vipers lead at 5:46 of the second period before Drevitch would tie the game yet again at 15:23 with his second goal of the night. At 8:20 of the third, Drevitch would give the Frostbite their final lead as he scored his third goal of the night for a hat trick. Mike Berry would add an insurance goal for Adirondack at 17:55 to make the final score 6-4.

Saturday February 4th at Richmond

Richmond RiverDogs 3, Roanoke Valley Vipers 2

Mike Wiggins and David Beauregard gave the Vipers a 2-0 lead with two first period Vipers goals at the 10:31 and 15:22 marks of the period. The RiverDogs struck back in the second period, however, scoring three straight off the sticks of Joey Bastien, Mike Oliveira, and John DiPace. Neither team would score in the third period, as the Vipers fell by a final score of 3-2.

THIS WEEK'S GAMES: The Vipers will travel to St. Charles, Missouri and Moline, Illinois this weekend to take on the Missouri River Otters and the Quad City Mallards on Friday and Saturday nights. Roanoke Valley's next home game will be Wednesday, February 15th as they host the Richmond RiverDogs at 7:05p.m.

VIPERS TEAM LEADERS

Goals: David Beauregard (28)

Assists: David Beauregard (28)

Points: David Beauregard (56)

+/-: Jonathan Charette (-2)

PIM: Rico Fatticci (91)

Shots: David Beauregard (142)

VIPER BITES

-Vipers goaltender Trevor Cunning was nominated for the Southern Sports Supply UHL Goaltender of the Week for the week ending 2/5/06. Cunning suffered three losses this past week, but made a total of 82 saves over three games against Richmond and Adirondack.

-Left wing Mike Wiggins received the team's nomination for the Sher-Wood UHL Player of the Week for the week ending 2/5/06. Wiggins, who was acquired in a trade from the Fort Wayne Komets in mid-December, is riding an 11-game point-streak going into this week's games, which originally began on January 7th. Wiggins has 23 points (16G, 7A) in 21 games as a member of the Vipers.

IN THE COMMUNITY

Nathan Riddell and Mike Krelove will coach the "Basics of Hockey" program at Bonsack Elementary on Tuesday, February 7th from 2:30-3:30p.m. Nathan and Mike will teach the kids in the program some hockey fundamentals like shooting, passing, and puck handling, and the kids will break into teams and scrimmage during the second half of practice. The third week of the three-week program will take place on Thursday, February 16th at the same time and location.

Gray Shaneberger and Charlie Elezi will visit Mrs. Rexrode's and Mrs. Suggs' first grade classes at Monterey Elementary School on Tuesday, February 7th from 1:15-1:45p.m. to read books with the students and do a question and answer session at the end.

Vipers players will be at the Church Avenue American Red Cross Donor Center in downtown Roanoke on Tuesday and Wednesday, February 7th and 8th to sign autographs for donors. The schedule of players who will be appearing is as follows:

Tuesday 2/7, 1:00-2:00p.m. - Trevor Cunning and Jonathan Charette

Tuesday 2/7, 4:00-6:00p.m. - Petr Jelinek and Alex Jerofejevs

Wednesday 2/8, 1:00-2:00p.m. - Trevor Cunning and Jonathan Charette

Wednesday 2/8, 4:00-6:00p.m. - L.P. Martin and Erick Lajoie

Vipers mascot Stryker will be visiting Colonial Elementary School in Blue Ridge on Friday, February 10th from 8:00a.m.-1:00p.m. visiting classrooms and promoting the students' outing to a Vipers game on February 18th.

Don't forget the Vipers ongoing Coat and Blanket Drive sponsored by Grand Home Furnishings. All season long you can bring a new or gently used coat or blanket out to the Vipers game to be placed in one of the drop boxes, which are located throughout the arena and concourse areas. All donations will go directly to the Roanoke Rescue Mission.

Contact Matt Rosen at (540) 345-PUCK (7825) or mrosen@valleyvipershockey.com to book a visit for your classroom or community group from Vipers players!

NEW LOWER TICKET PRICES!

The Vipers have just introduced new, lower ticket prices in the Goal and Center Ice Sections for the remainder of the 2005-06 season! Tickets in the Goal Section are now just $9.50 and tickets in the Center Ice Section are now just $12.50! Kids 12 and under can get in for $7.00 and kids six and under can get in for just $6.00! Call the Vipers office at (540) 345-PUCK (7825) to get yours today! Don't miss a minute of the action!

COME OUT AND SUPPORT YOUR VIPERS!

The Vipers are proud to offer families an affordable package for attending hockey games! Take advantage of the Pepsi Four Pack - for any Wednesday or Sunday Vipers home game, get four tickets, four hot dogs, four Pepsi soft drinks, and four Pepsi tee-shirts for just $40 in the Goal Section or $50 in the Center Ice Section! Call (540) 345-PUCK (7825) to purchase your Pepsi Four Pack today!!!

ASK COACH WILEY

Have you got a question for Vipers Head Coach Jim Wiley? Visit the Vipers website at www.valleyvipershockey.com and click on "Coach's Corner" under the "Fanzone" section to submit your question, then check back each week to see if yours was chosen!

VIPERS GAME BROADCASTS

The Voice of the Vipers, Matt Rosen, is your play-by-play guy for all 76 Vipers games throughout the season. Rosen will join you 15 minutes prior to the start of each game for the Vipers pre-game show on 3WR/Fox Sports Radio, which is 910AM in Roanoke and 990AM in the New River Valley. A link to listen to 3WR via the internet can be found at www.valleyvipershockey.com. Fans wishing to watch the game can also access the B2 Network broadcast link via the Vipers home page as well.



International Hockey League 2 Stories from February 6, 2006


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