Vernon 5 Trail 1

Was at tonights game as Vernon defeated Trail 5-1 in front of 1,802 fans at the Wesbild Centre.

Starting Goaltenders:

Vernon: Graeme Gordon
Trail: Garrett Beckwith

1st Period: Just over a minute into the opening period Nick Amies made a nice pass up the middle, catching the Smokies napping as Connor Jones went in all alone but was stopped by Garrett Beckwith. A very tight checking period with very little scoring chances but some good flow going back and forth at both ends of the rink. Graeme Gordon got caught out of his net clearing the puck, Darnell Dyck scooped up the Gordon clearing attempt, firing the puck towards the empty Vernon net as Gordon was hustling back, as the puck just went wide of the net. Some good physical from both teams in the 1st. As the period went on, the Vipers seemed to carry the better of the play, Vernon with some very nice plays going through the neutral zone but couldnt connect on the scoring play. The Vipers looked very good with the puck at times but struggled on and off with some of their passing all night. Vernon carried the edge in play as both teams played one another tight. It was scoreless after 20 minutes of play. Vernon outshot Trail 9-6.

2nd Period: Trail got the puck in deep off the opening draw, the puck was throwen out front, where Colin Lidster and Darnell Dyck both tried to lift the puck over a down and out Gordon, Lidster got the final shot off before Gordon slid his stick across the crease robbing the veteran Smoke Eater on a glorious scoring chance. On the next play the Vipers would get a powerplay, some nice passing from Kevin Kraus and Jonathan Milhouse who setup Mike Collins at the side of the net who beat Beckwith at 1:15 putting Vernon up 1-0. The play got a little sloppy and sluggish at times as both teams once again had few scoring chances. Kevin Kraus couldnt get the puck in deep on a dumpin, Darnell Dyck, Scott Jackson & Tye Lewis come back the other way three on one, as the Smokies missed the net on a errand pass wich went into the corner, as the Vipers got lucky. Scott Jacklin made a nice heads up play to Tye Lewis who snuck down the left wing and then roofed his shot high over Graeme Gordon as the Smoke Eaters tied the game at 10:28 of the 2nd period. Jonathan Milhouse had a good chance in front but was stopped by Garrett Beckwith. The Smokies changed their game plan a little in the 2nd, Trail stepped up the strong forecheck, really forcing the Vernon d-men. With Trail on the powerplay Tye Lewis & Darnell Dyck were both robbed by Gordon who made the first save in close and then slid over with the huge pad save to keep the Smokies off the board. On the same man advantage the puck come back to the point, Steve Koshey's shot went off the post as Trail come very close to taking the lead. Vernon would kill off the minor. The Vipers come very close to taking the lead after Kellen Jones hit the crossbar on a great chance in front. Both teams got into a little penalty trouble in the middle frame taking some undisaplined minors. Travis St. Denis with a nice tip in front, somehow couldnt beat Gordon as the puck just went wide of the goal. Late in the period with a scramble in front of the Trail net, Sawyer Mick beat Beckwith down low to score his first goal as a Viper putting Vernon ahead 2-1 at 17:55 Steven Weinstein & Patrick McGillis collected the assists. Vernon was up 2-1 after 40 minutes of play. The Vipers outshot the Smoke Eaters 12-9.

3rd Period: Off the opening draw Braden Pimm got the play in deep, cut hard towards the goal and then rang his shot off the post on a great scoring chance. Shortly after Colin Lidster broke in down the wing, trying to get around a Viper defenceman, Lidster was stopped in close by Gordon. Trail stepped up the aggressive forecheck, wich seemed to give the Vipers troubles at times early in the 3rd. The Smokies played Vernon tight for most of the game before the Vipers seemed to turn it up a notch and really take over as the period went on. Braden Pimm driving towards the net was stopped shortside by Beckwith. Beckwith played well tonight, a bigger kid who dosnt give out many rebounds. Trail got into some penalty trouble and it cost them, Kevin Kraus with a screened shot from the point beat Beckwith high putting Vernon up 3-1. Mike Collins and Braden Pimm with the assists. Seconds after the 3rd Vernon goal, Cole Ikkala beat Beckwith down low at 11:43 after a nice give and go play down low. Sawyer Mick & Dylan Walchuk collected the assists. Vernon was really skating hard now, as you could see the Vipers were the better of the two teams as the Vipers carried the edge in play for the remainder of the 3rd. Vernon laid out some good solid checks in a fairly physical game. Late in the period with Trail on the powerplay, it was the Vipers who took over the play. Cory Kane & Jonathan Milhouse went in two on one shorthanded, Milhouse setup Kane who burried it past Beckwith at 18:43 giving Vernon the 5-1 lead, Kevin Kraus also picked up an assist on the goal. Vernon would defeat Trail 5-1 tonight moving to 4-0 as Trail dropped to 0-3. The Vipers outshot the Smokies 19-5.

Top Players: (Vernon)

The line of Sawyer Mick (1 goal & 1 assist), Cole Ikkala (1 goal) & Dlyan Walchuk (1 assist) looked very strong for the Vipers up front. Mick played a physical game, driving towards the goal. Mick was down low and in front mucking and grinding it up all night. Ikkala also played physical and was good down low, Walchuk looked very dangerous with the puck, especially in the 3rd making some unreal moves breaking into the zone.

Graeme Gordon (19 saves) played well, made some huge saves at key times of the hockey game to keep the Vipers in the game. Gordon's two huge pad saves on Lewis & Dyck in the 2nd period were highlight real saves.

The line of Braden Pimm (2 assists), Jonathan Milhouse (1 assist) & Mike Collins (1 goal & 1 assist) was also very strong for Vernon up front. Here's a line that could be a top line on any other BCHL club if not the Vipers. These three kids played very well tonight, Pimm & Collins really play well together, always know where one another is. Pimm once again was very strong with the puck, a workhorse who is very hard to knock off the puck.

Kevin Kraus (1 goal & 1 assist) Played a strong game at both ends of the rink, coughed up the puck once in the 1st period but settled down as the game went on.

Dan Nycholat looked very solid on the Vipers blueline, I was also impressed with Nycholats play last night in Trail.

Top Players: (Trail)

Garrett Beckwith (35 saves) This kid played well until he didnt get much help from his defence in the 3rd. A bigger kid plays his position well, dosnt give up many rebounds. Gave his team a chance to win.

Graeme Strukoff played very well on the Smoke Eaters backend, a very smooth skater looked very strong with the puck. Reads the ice well.

Darnell Dyck had a few good chances but couldnt beat Graeme Gordon.

Tye Lewis (1 goal) Was also impressive up front for Trail. Had a few good scoring chances, was always involved in the play.

Colin Lidtser played strong against Vernon tonight, had some good chances, really used his size in and around the Vipers net.

Game Thoughts: (Vernon)

Vernon carried the edge in play and was the better team tonight, but in no means was an easy victory. The Vipers unlike last night had to work extra hard to get full credits for tonights win. Vernon's speed, skill and overall solid four lines were too much for Trail in the end. The Vipers with some real nice setup plays, couldnt finish after having troubles with their passes. The more I watch this team, the more I am amazed at how good this team looks this early into the season. Vipers powerplay was clicking tonight scoring three goals. Played well on the penalty kill as well, scoring shorthanded. A few minor let downs but overall Vernon played well.

Game Thoughts: (Trail)

You knew we would see a different Smokies team tonight, Jim Ingram wasnt going to allow his team to get waxed like last night's 7-1 loss in the teams home opener. Trail worked and played hard for most of the game, they held their own against the defending National Champs but in the end were no match as the Vipers scored three times in the 3rd to ice the win. The Smoke Eaters have a few guys with good size, some quick wheels up front and got solid goaltending tonight. Overall I think Vernon is the better team and it showed in the 3rd. Both teams took a few undisaplined penalties. Both teams had few scoring chances, a very tight checking game with some good physical play.

Scratches:

Vernon:

Erik Soderlund
Darrin Robak
Drew George
Rob Short (Injured)

Trail:

Matt Wilkens
Eric Walker
Matt Malenstyn

3 Stars:

1st Star: Kevin Kraus (1 goal & 1 assist)
2nd Star: Braden Pimm (2 assists)
3rd Star: Graeme Gordon (19 saves)