(Ideal Images Photography)

By Josh Hall | @Vancan19

in the running despite slow start

Junior ‘B’ Red Deer Vipers looking for hot stretch run ahead of playoffs

Jan 12, 2024 | 3:49 PM

It’s not been a banner year for the Red Deer Vipers, though it hasn’t been for a lack of trying — and that also doesn’t mean their fate is written in stone.

More than anything, the team has had to face an onslaught of bad luck on the injury front, leading them to a 9-19-0 record through 28 games.

That’s good enough for fifth in the seven-team Northern Division of the Heritage Junior ‘B’ Hockey League (HJHL). The top six teams qualify for the playoffs, and with Ponoka well out of it in seventh at 1-27-0, a post-season berth is on the horizon.

The team has 10 games left on the schedule, and while one goal is to perform well, perhaps getting hot going into the playoffs, they’d also love some more fans to come on down to Servus Arena for the remaining home games.

“We have a very young squad, with 13 rookies this season, and we’ve had a lot of injuries, particularly to our veteran defensemen,” says Head Coach Matt Michalezki.

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“That’s created a rough start for sure, and I’d say we’ve played three or four games where we left Ws on the table. That reflects in the standings.”

Captain and veteran blueliner Bosten Lajeunesse, earlier in the season, was sidelined for seven weeks with a broken hand. He recently returned for one game before re-breaking the same hand in an off-ice accident.

(Ideal Images Photography)

Brandon Kalinowski, who holds the record for most games played as a Viper, has led the team as captain in Lajeunesse’s stead. He recently missed three games due to suspension, however, and is eligible to return Jan. 13.

“We’ve had to push through with guys playing different roles. I’ll likely be moving some defensive forwards back to D,” the coach says.

“Our young group is full of compete. Our 18-year-olds have the most dedication and that’s good for the program moving forward and as those guys get older. We’ll be seeing in the years to come a massive swing in where the Vipers sit among other HJHL teams.”

Despite being in fifth place, the Vipers do have wins over the three other teams who they’d potentially face in the first round of the playoffs — Airdrie, Mountainview and Three Hills. They’re yet to beat Rocky or the high-flying Sylvan Lake Wranglers.

Michalezki notes a drop-off in attendance as the season’s worn on, and encourages Red Deerians to give the team a shot down the back stretch.

“This is a highly skilled league,” he says. “People under-estimate the skill level that Junior ‘B’ holds, but if you come out and watch a game, it’s easy to get hooked.”

Tickets to see the Vipers play at Servus Arena are less than $10 at the door.

There are 10 regular season games remaining:

Jan. 13 @ Mountainview (Didsbury) – POSTPONED DUE TO WEATHER

Jan. 19 @ Three Hills

Jan. 26 @ Mountainview (Didsbury)

Jan. 27 @ Rocky Mountain House

Feb. 3 @ Servus Arena vs. Rocky (HOME GAME) – 8 p.m.

Feb. 4 @ Cochrane

Feb. 10 @ Servus Arena vs. Three Hills (HOME GAME) – 8 p.m.

Feb. 16 @ Airdrie

Feb. 17 @ Servus Arena vs. Strathmore (HOME GAME) – 8 p.m.

Feb. 18 @ Servus Arena vs. Sylvan Lake (HOME GAME) – 7 p.m.

More information is at heritagejunior.com and on the Vipers’ Facebook page.