Was at tonights BCHL game as Vernon defeated Westside 5-1 in front of 2,011 fans at the Wesbild Centre.
1st Period: Off the opening faceoff, just three seconds into the game Captain Chris Crowell dropped the gloves with Brad Plumton. On the Vipers opening rush, Sahir Gill made a nice feed over to Kellen Jones who snapped a quick shot from the circle, Kevin Jebson had troubles with the shot, getting a peice of the shot with his glove but couldnt hold on, the puck was laying loose in the crease before a Warriors d-man cleared the zone. Just a minute and a half into the 1st, the line of Cole Ikkala, Rob Short & Cory Kane made a nice rush up ice, as Short fed Kane in front who beat Jebson fivehole putting Vernon up 1-0. The Vipers had some chances early, getting some quality shots on Kevin Jebson. Jebson looked sharpe early, playing his angles well, not giving up any rebounds. The Warriors looked a little flat footed to start the game, but seemed to get there legs going as the game went on, Craig Eisenhut had Westsides first good scoring chance, after getting a nice chance in front but was stopped by Andrew Hammond. Braden Pimm had a great chance to put Vernon up 2-0 going in on a breakaway but couldnt beat Jebson, who made the save. Vipers had some good chances in front and were up in shots at this point of the game, 8-3. Westside ran into some penalty trouble, going down two men. Vernon moved the puck well on the two man advantage but couldnt get many quality shots off. The Warriors would kill off the first minor and then with just seconds remaining in the second minor, Kevin Kraus made a bad pinch at the line, Captain Ron Kelly scooped up the loose puck, going in on the breakaway but Hammond shut the fivehole stopping the Warriors veteran. With eight minutes to go in the period and a mad scramble in the Warriors crease, Rob Short thought he put his hockey club up 2-0 as the Vipers scored but the goal was dissallowed as a Viper player was in the crease. Shortly after Westside started skating, and taking the body. The Warriors got some good jump, getting the play in deep and now had some of there best chances of the period. Andrew Hammond was sharpe, looking very confident making some key saves down low. Westside couldnt beat the former Warrior, and were down 1-0 after 20 minutes of play. Vernon outshot Westside 14-10.
2nd Period: Three and a half minutes into the 2nd period Braden Pimm won the draw in his own end, Pimm carried the play up ice, as the play developed the Vipers controlled the play down low as the puck come back to the point, Adam Thompson through the puck on net, Jebson made the pad save, kicking out the big rebound right to Chris Crowell who was all alone in front putting the Vipers up 2-0. Westside couldnt seem to muster much of an offensive attack in the early goings, not getting a shot on goal within the first six to seven minutes. The Warriors would finally get a great scoring chance, Matt Betker rang a shot from in close off the post. Brad Plumton laid out a cheap hit on Sahir Gill, Gill went down to the ice and then went to the Vipers dressing room, before returning to the bench shortly after. With the Warriors on a powerplay, John Digness had a great scoring chance, going in on the breakaway but Jebson stopped the Vipers veteran keeping Westside in the game. A scrambly period with very little scoring chances, as tempers started to heat up as Westside started to lay the body on the Vipers. Joel Woznikoski caught Cory Kane in the neutral zone with his head down, Kane was levelled to the ice, Steve Tresierra went right after Woznikski dropping the mits with the Warriors aggitator. Kane left the game after taking the open ice hit and didnt return to the Vipers bench. Connor Jones put the Vipers up 3-0, but the goal should have been credited to Kyle Bigos. Bigos took a shot from the point, Jebson once again kicked out the shot, giving up the big rebound, the puck shot straight out front, going off a Westside d-man in front and into the net past Jebson. Jones was in front of the goal, inches away from the puck, but never touched it. The Warriors played a very physical 2nd period, laying out some solid checks. At the buzzer Kevin Kraus was beaking at the Warriors bench, Brad Plumton started beaking back towards Kraus and then stuck out his stick towards Kraus, as the linesmen had to get between the two players. Vernon was up 3-0 after 40 minutes of play in a fiesty period. The Vipers outshot the Warriors 9-8.
3rd Period: Westside would start the 3rd on the powerplay, getting some good chances in the early goings of the PP but couldnt capitalize. Vernons penalty kill looked very good killing off the minor. Ron Kelly laid out a big hit in front of the Vernon bench as the Warriors physical play continued, Mike Collins didnt seem to like the check, as Collins dropped the gloves with Kelly. With Westside on the powerplay just over five minutes into the final frame Justin Schultz wired a shot just inside the post beating Hammond with a wicked shot as the Warriors were on the board for the first time, Vernon was up 3-1. Off the faceoff the Vipers would get the play in deep and just seconds after the Warriors goal, Kellen Jones fed Sahir Gill in front who beat Jebson, as Vernon regained there three goal lead, going ahead 4-1. Vernon's goal seemed to take the wind out of the sails of the Warriors. Kevin Jebson who looked sharpe in the first period, seemed to be fighting the puck in the 3rd, giving up rebounds, and having troubles controlling the puck. Vernon's defence played a very defensive 3rd not giving Westside much room or quality chances, limiting there scoring chances. The Warriors best chance of the period came when Justin Schultz's point shot seemed to have fooled Hammond, as Hammond through up his blocker at the last second keeping the puck out. The line of Connor Jones, Kellen Jones & Sahir Gill looked very good and were dangling for most of the game, this line looked very sharpe in and around the Westside goal, getting some good chances in close. The Vipers would put this game away late, a miscue by the Warriors d-men at the blueline as Braden Pimm & Cole Ikkala both got tangled up with the loose puck, before Pimm got the puck up towards Ikkala, Ikkala would go in from center for the breakaway, putting a nice move on Jebson, putting Vernon up 5-1 and in full control. Garrett Watson was doing alot of yapping late in the game, trying to find a dance partner. Vernon would play dump and chase for the final five or so minutes, eating up alot of the remaining time left on the clock. In the final minute Captain Ron Kelly gave three crosschecks on Chris Crowell, before Crowell dropped the gloves with Kelly. Crowell had words with the Westside bench on his way to the dressing room, then the Warriors bench was having words with the Vipers bench. Cole Ikkala & Brad Plumton were having words and then were both tossed from the game. Vernon would defeat Westside 5-1 improving to 5-1 against the Warriors this season. The Vipers outshot the Warriors 11-6.
Top Players: (Vernon)
The line of Connor Jones (1 goal), Kellen Jones (1 assist) & Sahir Gill (1 goal) was Vernons best line. I really like the addition of Gill to the Vipers top line. Gill adds alot of skill and finess up front. These three kids were really skating hard all night, playing with a ton of energy, buzzing around the Westside net. All three kids had some great chances in close.
Cole Ikkala (1 goal & 1 assist) looked very impressive all game. Ikkala has really stepped up his play as of late and has really started to develope into a future prospect. Ikkala played with alot of hustle, used his size along the boards and in front. Looked very confident with the puck, nice to see this kid playing so well.
Chris Crowell (1 goal) Crowell with two big fights, played very good tonight. This was the Crowell of old, getting involved in two fights, yapping at the visitors bench, trying to get under guys skin. Played with that edge, showed alot of emototion.
John Digness looked very good on the penalty kill, was stopped shorthanded on a breakaway. Digness played well at both ends of the rink, saw alot of icetime, always puts in a full effort.
Adam Thompson (2 assists) Played very well on the Vipers blueline. I was very pleased with his positioning, added in with two assists, wasnt afraid to get involved in the rush. Skated well, looked very confident.
Andrew Hammond (23 saves) Hammond played very well for the 2nd straight game, allowing just one goal in each of the last two games. Hammond played his angles well, looked very confident, was very solid down low tonight. Got lucky for the 2nd straight game, having a shot go off the post.
Top Players: (Westside)
Justin Schultz (1 goal) This kid is an incredible d-man. Very good skater and puck handler. Scored a very nice goal tonight. Had a few chances. Played very well defensivly.
Tyler Krause was all over the ice tonight, this kid was always involved in the play. Showed alot of hustle, very aggresive on the forecheck, got back into the play defensivly many occasions. Worked hard all game.
Grayson Downing was another of those kids who was out there alot, always involved in the play. Wasnt afraid of getting in the corners and in front of the net. Hard worker.
Game Thoughts: (Vernon)
Other then a few lapses, the Vipers looked good tonight and were the much stronger team. Vernon carried the better of the play for most parts of tonights game, having way more scoring chances, and overall puck possesion. I dont think the Vipers played very physical, but were the ones sure taking the but end of the physical play for most of the game. A fiesty game with lots of emotion coming from both benches. These two teams dont like one another and it showed tonight. Vernon looked very good on the draw, winning alot of faceoffs. The Vipers have more skill and talent up front, atleast it showed tonight with getting the better chances. The Vipers have owned the Warriors this season so far, going 5-1 against them, where as in past years have really struggled having all kinds of troubles trying to beat this team. Bryce Kakoske and Ryan Santana both didnt play for the second straight game, any word on why? Cory Kane didnt return to the Vipers bench after taking that open ice hit from Joel Woznikoski, anyword on Kane? I dont think Steve Tresierra returned after his fight with Joel Woznikoski, anyword on him?
Game Thoughts: (Westside)
The Warriors played a very physical game, but had troubles for most of the night to create or get many scoring chances. This is a big team who likes to play physical and isnt afraid of the rough goings. Laid out some big checks all night. A few undissaplined penalties, along with having troubles with shutting down Vernons offence tonight, cost Westside. There was no agressive forecheck from Westside, like were use to seeing in the past, I dont think Mark Howell will be pleased with the clubs performance. The Warriors started off a little flat footed and seemed to have troubles getting going. Some defensive miscues allowed to a few break downs in there own end.
Scratches:
Vernon:
Nick Amies
Bryce Kakoske
Ryan Santana
Westside:
Tyler Miller
Jordan Gidaro
Brett Howe
Devon Murtagh
3 Stars:
1st Star: Andrew Hammond (23 saves)
2nd Star: Chris Crowell (1 goal)
3rd Star: Cole Ikkala (1 goal & 1 assist)
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