Shields brace sees off Blaze

Mar 24 2008 The Journal

HOT shot Colin Shields scored a brace for the second night running as the Vipers won for a third time in competitive action at the Skydome to boost their play-offs hope last night.

The win means the Vipers ended the regular season as the only team to complete a clean sweep of away wins against the newly-crowned league champions and British Knockout Cup winners.

The Blaze chose to give their ex-Viper and statistical-best-in-the-league netminder, Trevor Koenig, a night off, with Steve Fone replacing him.

Fone had saved 56 shots in the 4-1 away win against the Basingstoke Bison but was less impressive against the Vipers, conceding three goals by the end of the second period. Ben Storey put the Vipers ahead after linking up with Shields and Derek Campbell and after the first break, the puck was sent beyond Fone’s reach by a second defenceman, Mark Gouett.

Former Vipers captain Jonathan Weaver put the Blaze on the scoreboard but Shields struck from close range to make it 3-1. Again though, the Vipers couldn’t defend a two-goal lead and Barrie Moore made it 3-2 on a powerplay.

Shields made it 4-2 and also contributed two assists to the Vipers’ winning effort which means the 28-year-old Scot finishes the regular season as top points and goal scorer with 70 points (35+35) from 53 appearances.

Cardiff Devils’ Mike Garrow’s 38th-minute shot proved to be the decisive moment in Saturday night’s 4-3 home loss for the Vipers.

Max Birbraer reacted quickest to a rebound to put the visitors ahead on two minutes but his score was cancelled out by Shields’ deflected shot.

Birbraer produced an instant shot to put the Devils ahead again and on 23 minutes it became 3-1, when Brad Voth scored on a powerplay. The Vipers made a skater advantage pay on 35 minutes, Jeff Hutchins making it 3-2. Left unmarked in the middle Garrow made it 4-2 before Shields netted his second of the night.

BLAZE: Moore and Weaver 1+0.

VIPERS: Shields 2+2, Storey 1+1, Gouett 1+0, D. Campbell, Jackson and Hutchins 0+1.

VIPERS:Shields 2+1, Hutchins 1+1, D. Campbell and Wilson 0+1.

DEVILS: Birbraer 2+0, Garrow 1+2, Deschatelets 0+2, Hill and Tone 0+1.