2010 RBC Cup

ROBINSON’S TWO LEADS VIPERS INTO WIN COLUMN

DAUPHIN, Man. – After a minor stumble, the road to a sixth National Junior A Championship is back on track for the Vernon Vipers.

Taking to the ice less than 24 hours after a 6-5 overtime loss to the host Dauphin Kings, the Vipers got a pair of goals from David Robinson and timely goaltending from Graeme Gordon in the third period in a 4-2 victory over the La Ronge Ice Wolves on Sunday night at the 2010 RBC Cup.

The Vernon win leaves both teams at 1-1 in the five-team round robin.

Jonathan Milhouse struck early for the Vipers, tipping a Curtis Gedig point shot past La Ronge netminder Joel Danyluk at 3:56, but it took just 28 seconds for the Ice Wolves to pull even off the stick of Doug Lindensmith, who snapped a shot past Gordon.

The second period was all Vernon, with the Vipers outshooting La Ronge 18-9 in the frame and getting the only two goals, both off the stick of Robinson, including the eventual game-winner on the power play when he pushed a loose puck past Danyluk.

Adam Thompson made it 4-1 eight minutes into the third period before Lindensmith’s second of the game rounded out the scoring with less than two minutes to go.

The Ice Wolves out shot Vernon 12-9 in the third period, but were on the short end of a 35-26 shot clock overall.

La Ronge may have lost more than just a game – Danyluk, who has played a huge role in La Ronge’s run to the national championship – left the game with two seconds left in the second period with an undisclosed injury. He was back on the bench for the third period, but was replaced between the pipes by Adam Bartko.

Both teams will enjoy an off day Monday before getting back to action Tuesday. Vernon takes on Oakville in the matinee (2 p.m. CT), while the Ice Wolves face the host Kings (7 p.m. CT) in a rematch of the ANAVET Cup.