Westside 4 Vernon 1

Was at tonights BCHL game as Westside defeated Vernon 4-1 in front of 1,455 fans at Royal Le Page Place.

1st Period: The Warriors got off to a quick start, getting the play in deep and working the puck at the Vipers blueline, with some quick puck movement, you would think Westside was on an early powerplay, no man advantage here, just some hard work and a slow start to tonights game by the Vernon Vipers who looked to have some bus legs after playing last night in Trail. The Warriors moved the puck well around the Vipers zone, and just 2:14 into the period Grayson Downing beat Andrew Hammond down low. Assists going to, former Victoria Grizzly Cam Reid & Michael Quinn. Hammond and the Vipers defence thought the veteran goaltender had covered up the loose puck, but the Warriors didnt quit, finding the loose puck and beating the former Westside Warrior. The Vipers didnt have there legs going, and it showed getting off to a slow start. But shortly after the Westside goal Vernon would get the first powerplay of the game and it didnt take long, As Kyle Bigos wired a shot from the point, wich beat Kevin Jebson at 5:13 tying the game 1-1. Assists going to Kellen and Connor Jones. Some good forecheck by the Jones Twins down low started this play, wich resulted in the game tying goal. From here on in some very exciting back and forth action, with both teams getting some chances. Vernon had a great chance shortly after there game tying goal, a shot from the point was directed in front, where a wide open Cole Ikkala had all day in front, but was stoned by former Burnaby Express goaltender Kevin Jebson. Jebson couldnt handle the rebound, as Kory Kane was then stoned on the rebound as Jebson fell on the loose puck, stopping the play dead. Two glorious chances by the Vipers. A very entertaining period, Jordan Gagne & Chad Gehon were flying up and down the wing for the Warriors, on the other side the Jones Tiwns along with Sahir Gill was buzzing for the Vipers. Westside had a few close scoring chances in and around the Vipers net as Hammond had to be sharpe. A very entertaining 1st tied 1-1 after 20 minutes of play. Westside outshot Vernon 12-10.

2nd Period: A slow start to the middle frame, both teams struggled in the early going, looking a little tenative. It took both teams the first five minutes to finally get things going and shortly after it was the Vipers who would get the first powerplay chance of the 2nd. But it was Westside who was the stronger team, really forcing the Vipers, as Vernon was having all kinds of trouble working there second man advantage of the game. As the Warriors penalty killers were doing a solid job, halfway through the PP Vernons defence got caught in there own end and couldnt get out, this resultuing in the Vipers taking two minors. With the Warriors now on a foru on three powerplay it didnt take long after some nice puck movement, Westside moved the play down low and former Trail Smoke Eater, Chad Gehon beat Andrew Hammond down low at 7:21 putting the Warriors up 2-1. This was Gehons first goal as a Warrior. Assists going to, Cam Reid & Cory Pritz. Some nice passing from Reid & Pritz who found Gehon open on the play. Westside would keep up the presure getting pucks towards the net on the next several rushes. The Warriors would go up 3-1 at 11:26 when Quinn Gould beat Hammond down low, assists going to, Captain Ron Kelly & Justin Schultz. Hammond and the Vipers complained to Andrew Guest on the play the goal was kicked in. Guest and the linesmen got into a huddle but the goal stood giving Westside the two goal lead. Vernon would get into penalty trouble playing most of the 2nd period shorthanded. The Vipers penalty killers played well, giving up the lone powerplay goal of the period. Jordan Gagne with a shot from the slot was stopped by Hammond. A quick shot from the point, where superpest Trevor Bailey tipped a shot just wide of the net on another Warriors chance. Vernon couldnt muster much of an offensive attack, having all kinds of trouble getting the puck in deep. The Vipers couldnt seem to get in across the line, as the Warriors defence was playing a tight checking game, not giving the Vipers much time or space. Vernon was caught standing still on several occasions, as the Warriors were really flying, moving the puck well. Garrett Watson with a quick shot from inside the circle, was stopped by the glove hand of Hammond who had to look behind him on the play. Late in the period Mike Leidl was beat just inside the line, Grayson Downing blew by the veteran d-man, going in all alone, but was stopped by Hammond, who went down to the butterfly and then kicking up the left pad to keep the puck out. On the play Vernon was given another penalty, wich continued into the 3rd period. Westside was up 3-1 after 40 minutes of play. The Warriors outshot the Vipers 13-8.

3rd Period: With Westside on a powerplay wich was carried over from the end of the 2nd period, Vernon would get into penalty trouble taking another minor, this putting Westside on a two man advantage. Just 1:31 into the 3rd Jordan Gagne beat hammond on the powerplay putting the Warriors up 4-1 and in full control. Assists going to, Justin Schultz & Trevor Bailey. Vernon would kill off the remainder of the 2nd penalty. The Vipers now seemed to get control of the play, getting the puck in deep, as the Jones Twins & Sahir Gill worked the cycle well down low, creating some chances in and around the net. Connor Jones with a quick shot from the circle, was stopped by Jebson. Vernon put some good presure on the Warriors for a solid four-five minutes but couldnt capitalize on there chances. The Vipers now seemed frustrated, taking some undisaplined minors as the Warriors went back on the powerplay. Trevor Bailey was stopped in close by Hammond, who was under fire. The Vipers penalty killers were once again busy playing most of the final period on the penalty kill. The Vipers would take the next five straight minors, including Adam Thompson who would head for the showers getting a ten minute misconduct in the second half, this giving Westside another two man advantage, but the Warriors couldnt get the powerplay to work. Mark Howell would call a timeout to rest his troops and try and plan out the teams powerplay. Vernons penalty killers looked very strong, killing off the Warriors powerplay. This could have been a different score if the Warriors powerplay was clicking. Late in the 3rd the Vipers managed to get some good rushes up ice, but couldnt seem to get pucks towards the goal. The Warriors defence looked very good in there own end, playing a solid tight checking game. As the final few minutes were winding down, the Vipers looked frustrated and a little tired. In the final minute of play, Westside would take two minors, this putting Vernon on a late two man advantage, but it was a little too late. Mike Collins was robbed on the powerplay by the glove of Kevin Jebson. Jebson played well standing his ground for most of the game. Kory Kane with a wicked wrist shot from the slot, fired high and wide over the head of Jebson. The final buzzer would sound as the Warriors who now have points in there last 11 games, snapped the Vipers 7 game winning streak. Vernon outshot Westside 12-10.

Top Players: (Vernon)

The line of Kellen Jones (1 assist), Connor Jones (1 assist) and Sahir Gill showed alot of hustle. Played well especially in the 1st period.

Ryan Santana played well, showed lots of hustle and determination for most of tonights game. Carried the puck alot, was very strong in close and around the net. Was once again hard to get off the puck.

Top Players: (Westside)

Kevin Jebson didnt see alot of action but when he was forced to make the save, he made it. Looked very confident between the pipes for the warriors.

Jordan Gagne (1 goal) Was by far the Warriors best player tonight. Gagne was flying up and down the wing, showing lots of speed and skill. Showing lots of hustle, really skated well. Had many great scoring chances.

Justin Schultz (2 assists) Played well on the blueline, chipped in with two assists. Very smooth skater.

Cam Reid (2 assists) Faced the Vipers for the first time as a member of the Westside Warriors. Looked very good up front. Was buzzing around the Vipers net, making the Vipers pay adding two assists.

Chad Gehon (1 goal) The former Trail Smoke Eater looked very dangerous up front. Another solid performance, flying up and down the wing, getting chances. A bigger kid who adds size and scoring, really looked good.

Trevor Bailey (1 assist) Did another superb job at getting under the skin of many Vipers. During the pre game warmup Bailey was trying to get under the skin of Cameron Brodie. Bailey was chirpping away all night, yapping away with the Jones Twins.

Cory Pritz (1 assist) A solid defensive game. Jumped up into the play at times. Pritz is a solid d-man who plays well game in, and game out.

Game Thoughts: (Vernon)

Vernon got off to a slow start and it cost them, as just 2:14 into the game the Warriors beat Hammond down low on a play where Hammond and the defence thought they had the puck covered. It took the Vipers a good five minutes to get going, had trouble all night getting there legs going. Looked tired at times through out the game. The Vipers couldnt seem to compete with the strong play of the Warriors, lossing in on alot of the one on one battles and races for the puck. Had troubles getting in across the line and getting pucks towards the net in the 2nd period, only getting 8 shots on goal. The Vipers have to stay out of the penalty box if they want to win or have a chance at winning any game. It dosnt matter who your playing, but playing shorthanded for most of the 2nd and 3rd periods isnt going to give you a chance to win. Some very questionable calls made in the 2nd and 3rd. If the Vipers didnt play most of the 2nd and 3rd period on the penalty kill, this also could have been a different game. Vernon is currently on a four game road trip, tonight being the second game. After a big 6-0 win last night in Trail, the boys probally didnt get home till around 4am or so, then having to board the bus this afternoon and head down to Westside to face a strong Warriors hockey club who has been playing some of its best hockey of the season, is going to be tough on any team. Vipers need to regroup and get ready to jump back on the bus for a game in Merritt Tuesday.

Game Thoughts: (Westside)

Westside got off to a quick start, scoring early but after the Vipers tied the game shortly after it was a fairly even played 1st period. Playing most of the 2nd and 3rd periods on the powerplay really helped, having most of the action in the visitors end. This could have been a much different score if the Warriors powerplay was clicking. This was the first chance I have had a chance at watching the Warriors, since last facing the Vipers back in early January. I was very impressed. Westside moves the puck well, added some size and scoring with Cam Reid and Chad Gehon. Mark Howell really has his troops playing well so late in the season. What was with Howell calling a timeout late in the 3rd. The Warriors were up 4-1 and on a two man advantage, do you really need to call a timeout and rally the boys? Come on. I dont think that was such a bright move, dosnt look good coming from the other side. Just as bad as running up the score on a team when the games full in hand. I think tonights attendance was one of the biggest ones I have seen at any Vernon-Westside game over the last three seasons. For such a decent crowd, there sure wasnt much of an atmosphere, it was like a morg in there.

Scratches:

Vernon:

Cody Ikkala
James Kerr
Nick Amies

Westside:

Tyler Miller
Jordan Gidaro
Brad Plumton

3 Stars:

1st Star: Chad Gehon (1 goal)
2nd Star: Ron Kelly (1 assist)
3rd Star: Cam reid (2 assists)