Vipers Week in Review
March 27, 2006 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Roanoke Valley Vipers News Release
LAST WEEK'S GAMES: The Vipers played well all week in games Wednesday and Friday against the Richmond RiverDogs and Saturday and Sunday against the Elmira Jackals, but they capped off the week with a 6-5 win over the Elmira Jackals to break their eight-game losing streak in front of a home crowd.
Wednesday, March 22nd @ Richmond
Richmond RiverDogs 5, Roanoke Valley Vipers 2
Jan Jas and Matt Elich each scored for the Vipers, but the Richmond offense would outdo that of Roanoke Valley, as they scored three power play goals on Shawn Conschafter and the Vipers. Conschafter faced 39 shots for 34 saves, but it wouldn't be good enough for a win Wednesday night at the Richmond Coliseum, as the Vipers fell by a final score of 5-2.
Friday, March 24th @ Richmond
Richmond RiverDogs 4, Roanoke Valley Vipers 2
The Vipers took an early lead on a John Osborne goal at 18:36 of the first period Friday night at the Richmond Coliseum. Mike Wiggins would add to what Osborne had gotten started with a goal of his own just 58 seconds into the second period to give the Vipers a two-goal advantage. Joe Pace would get the RiverDogs one closer at 4:32, but it would be Bobby Kukulka who would tie it up at 3:38 of the third. Glenn Ridler and the Vipers defense were able to hold the âDogs off until just 32 remained on the clock. Todd Grant scored the game winner at 19:28 after a bad turnover, and John DiPace added an insurance goal at 19:57 on an empty net. The Vipers dropped the heartbreaker to their in-state rivals by a final score of 4-2.
Saturday, March 25th vs. Elmira
Elmira Jackals 6, Roanoke Valley Vipers 4
Roanoke Valley and Elmira played tug-of-war with the lead throughout the first period, as the Vipers saw goals from Matt Elich, Jan Jas, and Alex Jerofejevs, but the Jackals would jump ahead with four consecutive goals, three coming in the third period at 2:04, 9:41, and 17:11, to make it a 6-3 Jackals game. John Osborne's late third-period goal came a bit to late for the Vipers to begin a rally with just 1:10 left on the clock, and the final score was left at 6-4 in favor of the visiting Jackals.
Sunday, March 26th vs. Elmira
Roanoke Valley Vipers 6, Elmira Jackals 5
Sunday afternoon's game at the Roanoke Civic Center began in similar fashion to Saturday's match, as the two teams battled back and forth for the lead. With the scored tied at three apiece, the Vipers took advantage of several good scoring opportunities and tallied three straight third-period goals to make the score 6-3 in their favor. Mark Scott, Alex Jerofejevs, and Mike Wiggins all had a part in the scoring parade. Wiggins ended the afternoon with a whopping five points (2G, 3A), taking part in five of the Vipers six goals, and both Jan Jas (2G, 1A) and Mark Scott (1G, 2A) added three points apiece. Wiggins and Jas, who have both stepped up their offense since the departure of former captain and leading scorer David Beauregard two weeks ago, both ended the week with totals of seven points. The Jackals made the game close toward the end, scoring two goals during the last five minutes of play, but Glenn Ridler made several outstanding saves in net, and the Vipers defense helped "The Ridler" hold off the Jackals for the win.
THIS WEEK'S GAMES: The Vipers will take their last road trip of the 2005-06 season this week, traveling first to Richmond on Wednesday to take on the RiverDogs, and then heading to Glens Falls, New York for their final road game against the Adirondack Frostbite. They will conclude their season series against the Elmira Jackals with two games on Saturday and Sunday evenings. The Vipers will be home for good after the four-game trip, with six games left on the schedule at home in April.
VIPERS TEAM LEADERS
Goals: Matt Elich (31)
Assists: Mike Wiggins (25)
Points: Matt Elich, Mike Wiggins (54)
+/-: John Osborne (-1)
PIM: Carlyle Lewis (231)
Shots: Mike Wiggins (246)
VIPER BITES
-Vipers goaltender Glenn Ridler was nominated for the Southern Sports Supply UHL Goaltender of the Week for the week ending 3/26/06. Ridler played two of the Vipers' four games this past week, including a big win over the Elmira Jackals on Sunday, during which he made 33 saves on 38 shots, and made several key saves late in the game.
- Rookie left wing Mike Wiggins received the team's nomination for the Sher-Wood UHL Player of the Week for the week ending 3/26/06. Wiggins ended the week with seven points (3G, 4A), four penalty minutes, and an even +/- rating in four games against the Richmond RiverDogs and Elmira Jackals. The key game of Wiggy's week was Sunday's win over the Elmira Jackals, during which the winger netted two goals and tallied three helpers for a total of five points, giving him a part in all but one Vipers goal.
IN THE COMMUNITY
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 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!!!
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.
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International Hockey League 2 Stories from March 27, 2006
- Goaltenders continue to shine - IHL 2
- Jackals Go 2-1-0, Snap 7-Game Home Losing Streak - Elmira Jackals
- Mallards Finish Unbeaten Week with Win Over Hogs - Quad City Mallards
- Kalamazoo Wings Week in Review - Kalamazoo Wings
- K-Wings Announce On-Sale Date for Playoff Tickets and Slogan for 2005-06 Playoffs - Kalamazoo Wings
- Vipers Week in Review - Roanoke Valley Vipers
- Four games in March draw over 20,000 to the Rockford MetroCentre - Rockford IceHogs
- Mechanics perfect 4-0-0 over last week - Motor City Mechanics
- Lewis named Player of the Year as USHL announces awards - IHL 2
- Kalmikov Named UHL Player of the Week - Elmira Jackals
- Rod Branch named UHL Goaltender of the Week - Motor City Mechanics
- Elmira's Konstantin Kalmikov and Motor City's Rod Branch earn weekly honors - IHL 2
- Adirondack Frostbite Weekly - Adirondack Frostbite
- Fury look to hold lead down the stretch - Muskegon Lumberjacks
- Muskegon Fury notes - Muskegon Lumberjacks
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