They are known around the Viper den as Brownie, Sandy and Latts. Together, they have jumpstarted Vernon’s offence in the B.C. Hockey League playoffs.
Derek Brown, Jordan Sandhu and Josh Latta clicked for 13 points as the Vipers snagged a 2-0 lead in their first-round best-of-seven series with the Salmon Arm Silverbacks.
The trio rang up three snipes and three helpers as the Snakes stopped the Silverbacks 6-4 Saturday night in front of 1,845 fans at Kal Tire Place. Game 3 in the series goes tonight at the Shaw Centre in the Shuswap with the fourth game Wednesday, also in Salmon Arm.
“I don’t remember when we were put together, but I don’t see us separating anytime soon,” said Brown, who counted 11 goals in 18 regular-season games after being obtained in a trade with the Alberta League’s Bonnyville Pontiacs. “We’re just keeping it simple. We’re a dump and chase line and we’re quick through the neutral zone which makes us effective.”
Brown, a 20-year-old Edmonton product who has a scholarship to Arizona State Sun Devils for next season, pocketed four goals through two playoff rounds with the Pontiacs a year ago. He loves the post-season dance.
“The compete level is a lot different and the big thing is you’re playing for something now. We’re a good team and we’re expected to go a long ways. I can see in our room that everybody is up for the playoffs.”
Sandhu opened the scoring just 2:33 into the first period Saturday, set up by Brown. Salmon Arm levelled things on a powerplay goal by rookie Hudson Schandor at 11:05, but the Vipers reclaimed the lead 23 seconds later on Brown’s second of the series.
The first 3:22 of the second period belonged to Vernon, who scored three times in 76 seconds to chase Silverbacks starting goalie Reid Cooper.
Jimmy Lambert made it 3-1 Snakes at 2:05, rookie Connor Marritt converted 68 seconds later, and Brown set up former Gorilla Latta for his second of the series eight seconds later to chase Cooper in favour of Kyle Dumba.
The Silverbacks pulled to within two at 5-3 on goals 52 seconds apart from team MVP Rhett Kingston and Most Improved Silverback Julia Timba at 11:31 and 12:23, respectively.
Vipers captain Jagger Williamson, with his second of the series, and Trevor Adams with his first for Salmon Arm, traded goals before the end of the wild second period.
Sandhu, an 18-year-old Richmond resident and also an Arizona State commit, figures the Vipers can amp things up the rest of the series.
“We feel we have more to give and that’s a good sign if we feel we’re not playing to our full potential and we still bring out four points,” said Sandhu. “If we go all out in the next 120 minutes, we will hopefully come out of here in four games.”
The former Alberni Valley Bulldog says the Vipers went extra hard in practice last week as head coach Mark Ferner prepared them for the new season.
“Guys stayed after practice working on skills and faceoffs. Seven games can go by quick and you wanna give it your all and keep your season going as long as you can. Especially with this team. I love this group of guys; we’re all pretty much brothers. Our goal is to go all the way or bust.”
Sandhu says Brown’s laid-back attitude made him an instant favourite throughout the lineup.
“He brings a little bit of everything. Obviously, he’s very fast. The guy’s got a pro-level shot, he’s got good hands, he’s shifty and he can be physical. He’s a great guy off the ice and that’s the most important thing. He’s real easy to get along with. It’s been real fun playing with him and Josh.”
SNAKE BITES: Cooper and Dumba combined to make 38 saves while Ty Taylor made 18 saves for the Vipers…Ex-Viper D Mitchell Oliver clicked at 3:56 of overtime as the Bulldogs surprised the Victoria Grizzlies 5-4 in a Sunday matinee before 856 fans at the Q Centre. Alberni Valley, who leads the series 2-0, finished 29 points behind the Island Division-champion Grizzlies. Oliver finished with 2+1…The Trail Smoke Eaters shut out the host West Kelowna Warriors 4-0 Monday night to take a 3-0 stranglehold in that series. The Penticton Vees are up 2-0 on the Coquitlam Express, while the Wenatchee Wild hold a similar edge on the Merritt Centennials…Matthew Kopperud, Jackson Munro and Joey Berkopec of the Cents barely escaped a fire last week at the home of their billets, Rich and Jessica Culbertson. A GoFundMe account has been set up to support the family, and those looking to donate can access the campaign by following this link: gofundme.com/culbertson-house-fire. Fans of the Langley Rivermen, who hosted the Cents the day of the fire, raised $1,800. The Culbertsons had a few days earlier won the $10,000 grand prize in the Cents; 50-50 raffle.
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