Hudson Valley Hockey Team Clinches Conference Title in 1st Year

The Vipers win! THE VIPERS WIIIIIIIIIIINNNNNNN!!!!!!!!

The Hudson Valley Vipers Take a Bite Out of Hockey

Did you have any idea that the Hudson Valley had a new minor-league hockey team? They are new as of this year, and they are one of the best things that have happened to the Hudson Valley since the Hudson River itself! The Hudson Valley Vipers are a Senior AAA full contact minor-league hockey in the American Premier Hockey League. Their mascot is Vic Viper and his 'Hyper Vipers' play in the "Snake Pit" at the McCann Ice Arena in Poughkeepsie, NY.

I just got to say, I love going to Vipers games. They are lively and energetic, and the gameplay is terrific. It is really amazing that we have something like this in Poughkeepsie. I've met so many cool people in the stands, and the atmosphere is great for people of all ages and all interests in hockey. People are starting chants every five seconds, and there is even a guy with a giant bass drum adding that extra "umph!"

The Hudson Valley Vipers won the East Division Playoffs, defeating Niagra Falls on Saturday, May 11th. This is an incredible feat since this is only the Vipers' first year in existence! This season, out of the 20 games the Vipers have played, they have won 14 games, lost 5, and tied 1.

I got to speak with defenseman No. 22, Trevor Souza on the Hudson Valley Vipers ahead of the playoffs. He's had 13 assists and 3 goals for the season. Souza has played hockey practically all his life, saying "since I could walk practically." Souza found out about the tryouts from his friend Sean, and then his parents also saw the tryout posting on Facebook. Trevor Souza told me,

Personally, it feels great to be playing fun and competitive hockey with a bunch of good guys... I think it's pretty cool representing the Hudson Valley Vipers and the Hudson Valley in general. Being from Hyde Park, there's been little hockey in this area growing up besides watching Marist games when I was a kid. I traveled a lot to play, and to finally have a hockey team in Poughkeepsie feels amazing. To bring the game of hockey to a place where it particularly has not been super popular, and to make more people fans of the sport, is a great feeling.

Your Hudson Valley Vipers will be heading to Toledo on May 18th to battle it out for the APHL Finals.