Vipers Week in Review
April 11, 2006 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Roanoke Valley Vipers News Release
The Vipers head into their last week of the season, playing three games at home at the Roanoke Civic Center beginning Wednesday at 7:05p.m. as they host the Richmond RiverDogs. They will close out the season with two against their former captain and leading scorer, David Beauregard and the Danbury Trashers on Friday and Saturday nights at 7:35p.m. each night.
LAST WEEK'S GAMES: The Vipers began their six-game homestand, which will close out the season last Wednesday at home against the Adirondack Frostbite, to whom they lost 6-3. The Missouri River Otters came into town for two on Friday and Saturday nights, and took the season series by winning both, leaving the Vipers' season record against the Otters at 1-2-0.
Wednesday, April 5th vs. Adirondack
Adirondack Frostbite 6, Roanoke Valley Vipers 3
Mark Scott, Jan Jas, and Mike Wiggins all scored for the Vipers, but it was Sylvain Cloutier who would make the difference in the game, scoring four goals for a hat trick, three of which came in the third period as the Vipers' 3-2 lead was overtaken by Cloutier and the Frostbite, who won by a final score of 6-3. Scott and Wiggins ended the evening with two points apiece. Rob Kapuscinski and Chris Affinati made their Viper debuts Wednesday after being picked up from the Pee Dee Cyclones of the SPHL.
Friday, April 7th vs. Missouri
Missouri River Otters 6, Roanoke Valley Vipers 5
The Vipers kept right in the game and battled back and forth with the River Otters throughout Friday's game, but Roanoke's late rally, which was started by Mark Scott and Sean Starke came just short, as they were unable to get a sixth goal to tie the score and dropped game one of the two game set to the Otters by a final score of 6-5. Kelly Shields played 31:35 in net in his debut for the Vipers, making 19 saves; Glenn Ridler took the tough loss by allowing just one goal after Shields' departure from the game, which turned out to be the game-winner. The feisty backstop made 21 of 22 saves against him in the loss. Mike Wiggins and Jan Jas each tallied three points for the Vipers on the night.
Saturday, April 8th vs. Missouri
Missouri River Otters 2, Roanoke Valley Vipers 0
Goaltending was the name of the game Saturday night, as Glenn Ridler shined, making saves on 34 of 35 shots for the Vipers. Roanoke's offense couldn't pick it up though, as they were shut down by the River Otters. The Vipers allowed an empty-netter to former Roanoke Express defenseman Tim O'Connell at 19:32 of the third period, which made it a 2-0 River Otters final.
THIS WEEK'S GAMES: The Vipers will finish off the 2005-06 season at home with their final three games this Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. The Richmond RiverDogs will head to town Wednesday to play a make-up game, for which the match originally cancelled on November 5th due to poor ice conditions at the Roanoke Civic Center. The Danbury Trashers will then come to town on Friday and Saturday, April 14th and 15th at 7:35p.m. each night to help the Vipers close out the regular season.
VIPERS TEAM LEADERS
Goals: Mike Wiggins (34)
Assists: Jan Jas (31)
Points: Mike Wiggins (64)
+/-: Chris Affinati (-2)
PIM: Matt Miller (141)
Shots: Mike Wiggins (287)
VIPER BITES
~ Defenseman Alex Jerofejevs was placed on a team suspension on Sunday, April 9th so that the Riga, Latvia native could accept the invitation he received to represent his country by playing for the Latvian National Ice Hockey team. The Vipers were sad to see the big D-man leave the Valley a week early, but were proud to allow Jerofejevs to accept such an honor, and all of his Roanoke teammates, coaches, staff, and fans wish him and the Latvian National Team the best of luck.
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!
VIPERS ACCEPTING DEPOSITS FOR 2006-07 SEASON TICKETS!
Call Amy Webb at the Vipers office at (540) 345-PUCK (7825) to place your deposit of $25 per seat on your 2006-07 season tickets! The Vipers have not released the new 2006-07 season ticket and partial-season ticket package prices yet, but expect to do so in the next month. Questions may also be directed to Amy by calling the above number or by emailing awebb@valleyvipershockey.com.
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!!! Wednesday, April 12th is your last chance to take advantage of this special offer!
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 April 11, 2006
- Frostbite fall to Fury 4-1 - Adirondack Frostbite
- Vipers Week in Review - Roanoke Valley Vipers
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
