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PROUDLY THE OFFICIAL PIZZA PROVIDER TO THE SPRUCE KINGS Vipers hit playoffs full of confidence By Scott Douglas for The Free Press Vernon Vipers’ head coach Troy Mick had a long checklist of things he wanted his team to accomplish in their final reg-ular-season game. He crossed them all off in a 7-4 victory over the Prince George Spruce Kings Sunday afternoon at Civic Arena. The win secured second place in the Interior Division and home-ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs beginning Friday night (8:00) at Civic Arena against the Spruce Kings. “You couldn’t script it any better,” said Mick. “We let them score some late goals after the game was out of reach, but other than that I’m thrilled with the way the guys played today They did everything they needed to do and more. It’s a great way to end the season and head into the playoffs on a high.” The veterans led with emotion, the rookies added some jump, Chris King stood on his head and the powerplay clicked. The Vipers scored four powerplay goals with Barclay Folk counting a shorthanded tally midway through the second. Scott Krahn went top shelf with a rebound four minutes into the first to spark his teammates and 1,600 fans. “Obviously 1 haven’t been very happy with my play this season,” said Krahn, who was a healthy scratch for Saturday’s 4-1 loss to the Penticton Panthers. “It takes a big man to admit he hasn’t played up to his potential, but it takes a bigger man to suck it up and come through and be a clutch player. “My teammates need to see me be that guy If they fed off my energy great. The playoffs are a whole new season and I have to continue playing the way I did today.” Goaltending doesn’t seem to be a problem for the Vipers, who are the defending national champions. Krahn played a Pavel Bure-like first period, split the Spruce Kings’ defence with ease and broke in alone three times. Chad Clower made it 2-0 late in the first with a tic-tack-toe powerplay goal on a feed from Folk and B.J. Gaustad. Rookie David Morelli scored early in the second right after starter Chris King made two sensational saves. “I needed a game like this — everyone needed a game like this," said King, who made 33 stops, including several highlight reel head-shakers. “We did what we needed to do today We got home-ice advantage and now it’s time to make some noise. Today was a great game for this team, but I think our best is yet to come.” Folk got his 16th with eight minutes left in the second followed by Chris Vail’s (20th) winner. The inspired winger grabbed the puck off a face-off and dribbled a low shot past Spruce Kings’ starter Kevin Lapointe. Ironman Jace Digel (only Viper to play all 60 games) hit the 20-goal milestone in the third with a powerplay tally, while Reilly Olson got his 10th midway through the period to make it 7-1. Vipers’ leading scorer Kenny Magowan (31-37-68) collected three assists. Enderby’s Billy Collins scored three goals in the third for the Spruce Kings and squared off in fights with Gaustad and Neil Harrison. “We needed to come back like that in the third to get a bit of confidence," said Collins. “We wanted to get home-ice advantage, but we didn’t get the job done. Starting a series on the road is a disadvantage, but if any team is used to the travel it’s us.” The playoff atmosphere increased right off the opening face-off when Viper captain Kori Davison force-fed Adam Knight a heaping helping of rights with the drop of the puck. Vernon penalty-minute leader Jason Williamson (204) danced with Matt Labarbera 10 seconds later to set the tone for the feisty affair. Davison and Knight went again in the second period. A melee early in the third resulted in Prince George back-up Dean Schultz getting the toss after getting into a scrap with Vernon’s Todd Smith and then travelling the length of the ice to try and entice Viper goalie Chris King into a bout. “I’m not going to fight a guy in a situation like that,” said King, who earned huge hometown approval by showing Schultz his posterior. “We’re more than willing to play that style of game, but if we stay focused and disciplined we’re going to be in good shape.” The winner of the Vernon-Prince George semi will face either the Penticton Panthers or Merritt Centennials in the conference final beginning March 24.