Was at tonights BCHLs exibition game as Vernon defeated Westside 6-3 at the Wesbild Centre. (didnt announce tonights attendance)
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon: Graeme Gordon
Westside: Michael Smith
Due to the storm the power went out during warmup, the backup lights and music come back on right away but the main lights were still out for a few minutes, this is when Warriors veteran d-man, Joel Woznikokski started skating the centre line beaking off at the Vipers team, nothing ended up taking place as the lights would eventually come back on.
1st Period: Off the opening faceoff Vernon got the puck in deep, moving the puck well in the Warriors zone creating chances in the first two minutes. After some nice passing, and puck movement the Vipers couldnt score, off a defensive breakdown #6 (wasnt on the lineup sheet) snuck in behind the Vernon defence and went in on the breakaway but was stopped by Graeme Gordon. On the play the Vipers were called for hooking with the Warriors getting the first man advantage of the night. The power would go off once again during the stopage in play as both teams had to wait several minutes before the lights would come back on. Westside would take advantage on the powerplay after some quick passing, Kyle Singleton from the side of the net fed, Shawn Hochhausen who beat Gordon in front putting the Warriors on the scoreboard first. The Vipers would get a powerplay of their own shortly after but couldnt connect on the man advantage. Vernon would carry most of the play from here on in for the remainder of the period. The Vipers speed and skill seemed to much for the Warriors as Vernon moved the puck well getting all kinds of chances in the 1st. The Vipers would eventually tie the game after some nice three way passing, Patrick McGillis made a nice pass over to Connor Jones who went cross ice to Kellen Jones who beat Smith tying the game 1-1. Shortly after the Vipers would lose veteran forward Jonathan Milhouse who was tossed from tonights game after being called for checking from behind. Vernon would kill off the minor after a strong penalty kill. Westside really struggled offensively recording just two shots in the first 15 minutes of play. Michael Smith had to be sharp making some big saves keeping the Warriors in the game as the Vipers dominated the opening period but the game was tied 1-1. Vernon would outshoot Westside 14-3.
2nd Period: In the opening minutes the Warriors would get an early powerplay but couldnt connect as the Vipers would kill off the minor. Just as the penalty expired Cole Ikkala with some nice moves cutting through the neutral zone, carried the puck over the line leading Vernon on the three on one, Ikkala decided to shoot but was stopped by Smith. Both teams went back and forth in the first few minutes getting chances at either end as Westside seemed to finally start moving the puck. It didnt take long before Vernon would once again take over and dominate the remainder of the period. The Vipers really moved the puck well creating all kinds of chances in close but couldnt beat Smith who played very well between the pipes. Dylan Walchuk had Smith down and out but fired the puck high and over the net, Kellen Jones in front was stopped by Smith. Patrick McGillis who looked very strong up front for Vernon rang a shot off the post. The Vipers had many great chances but also needed to hit the net, after missing on some glorious opportunities. Cory Kane with some great speed, cruised through the neutral zone and then wired a shot high and wide over the top right corner. The Warriors offence was no where to be seen, only recording seven shots in the 2nd period. Chris Volonino would beat Gordon at the nine minute mark putting Westside up 2-1 with the lone assist going to, Michael Spring. Just after the Westside goal, the Vipers would pull Graeme Gordon in favor of Tyler Steel who played the remainder of the game for Vernon. Gordon would allow two goals on 10 Westside shots. Just minutes later the Vipers would reply as Cole Ikkala tied the game 2-2 after Rob Short & Dan Nycholat recorded the assists. In the second half Rob Florentino would drop the gloves with Kyle Singleton, Florentino got Singleton with one good punch, sending him to the ice. Both players were given 5 minutes for fighting and were tossed from the game. Before the 2nd ended Singleton was back on the ice on a regular shift with Westside and remainded in the game. The Vipers once again controlled the edge in play but it was tied 2-2 after 40 minutes of play.
3rd Period: Connor Jones just about gave Westside an early lead after a blind pass up the middle wich ended up on the stick of, Colton Sissons who suprised Tyler Steel, Steel ended up making the save. The Warriors come very close to re-taking the lead. The Vipers depth and scoring took over as Vernon would score three goals in under three minutes. Kevin Kraus made a nice pass over to Jesse Halikas who beat Smith at 5:14 giving Vernon their first lead of the game. Just over a minute later Connor Jones put the Vipers up 4-2 with Brendan Persley & Darrin Robak getting the assists. Just over a minute later Drew George scored a nice goal beating Smith at 7:55 putting the Vipers up 5-2 and in full control. Patrick McGillis & Jesse Halikas collected the assists. Vernons speed and depth up front was just too much for the Warriors, as Vernon was firing everything towards Michael Smith who kept the Warriors in tonights game until the 3rd period. Darrin Robak snuck in from the point but hit the post. The Vipers got a little sluggish at times even though they controlled the play. Westside would get a late goal after a scramble in front of Tyler Steel, Anthony Fadel would beat Steel down low as the Warriors cut the lead to 5-3 but just over two minutes later Dylan Walchuk would put the game away at 18:17 adding his first of the night with Cole Ikkala and Drew George adding the assists. Vernon outplayed Westside for most of the 3rd and now move to 3-0 in the pre season with the 6-3 victory. The Vipers outshot the Warriors 11-6.
Top Players: (Vernon)
Connor (1 goal) & Kellen Jones (1 goal) both looked very strong up front for the Vipers. Very strong with the puck down low.
Cole Ikkala (1 goal & 1 assist) Played very well up front. Ikkala has impressed me so far during training camp and exibition play.
Patrick McGillis (2 assists) This kid looked very strong tonight, really moves the puck, good fast skater who reads the ice well. Made some real nice moves out their tonight. I was very impressed with McGillis's play. Come close to scoring in the 2nd after hitting the post.
Drew George (1 goal & 1 assist) Played well up front, very good play maker.
Dylan Walchuk (1 goal) Looked very strong up front, this kid may be small but can skate, has some unreal hands down low.
Nick Amies played a solid game on the blueline. Made some nice heads up plays tonight, looked very strong defensively.
Steve Weinstein also looked good on the backend. Seems to have gained a ton of confidence this season.
Garrett Noonan looked very solid for Vernon. This kid can skate, really likes to move the puck, made a few nice moves carrying the puck through the Westside zone.
Cory Kane played good, had some good chances.
Top Players: (Westside)
Michael Spring (1 assist) Made some nice heads up plays, reads the ice well.
Shawn Hochhausen (1 goal) Played well for Westside tonight.
#6 (wasnt on the lineup sheet) I was impressed with his play tonight. Had a few chances when getting the chance.
Michael Smith kept the Warriors in tonights hockey game until the Vipers blew the gates open early in the 3rd. You couldnt fault Smith on any of the six Vernon goals. Played very well tonight, made some big saves in the 1st and 2nd periods, giving his team a chance to win.
Game Thoughts: (Vernon)
The Warriors were no match tonight, Vernon outplayed them for most of the hockey game. If it wasnt for Michael Smith, this game and score could have been alot worse. The Vipers offensive attack seems to be clicking early on in the pre season now scoring 21 goals, and giving up just 8. Vernons speed and skill was just too much for Westside, Vernon looked very good in the 2nd but couldnt hit the net missing on some glorious chances. The Vipers look like they may have an explosive team this year, of course their is still some work to be done in other area's. Vernon s d-men were getting caught on the pinch tonight, if Westside would have had a little more firepower up front, they could have got burned. So far this team can score in bunches, I seen them score four quick goals in just a few minutes in Salmon Arm and then again tonight, scoring three goals in just over three minutes.
Game Thoughts: (Westside)
I wasnt fairly impressed with the Warriors tonight, this team other then Michael Smith had all kinds of trouble offensively. The Warriors with just two shots in the first 15 minutes of the game couldnt generate much offence. The team was having troubles breaking out of their own end, but give them credit they held the Vipers until the 3rd and could have easily pulled one out if maybe they would have got that early 3rd period goal on the bad pass from Connor Jones. Westside did play physical and was always in the faces of the Vipers after the whistles.
Team Rosters:
Vernon:
Connor Jones 90
Kellen Jones 90
Cole Ikkala 90
Jesse Halikas 91
Dylan Walchuk 92
Jonathan Milhouse 89
Rob Short 89
Cory Kane 90
Drew George 91
Brendan Persley 93
Patrick McGillis 91
Steve Weinstein 90
Nick Amies 92
Darrin Robak 91
Dan Nycholat 89
Garrett Noonan 91
Rob Florentino 89
Graeme Gordon 89
Tyler Steel 93
Westside:
Kyle Singleton 90
Oliver Koo 90
Tyler Krause 91
Drew Morrison 92
Darren Gillen 91
Colton Sissons 93
Andrew Wiebe 91
Shawn Hochhausen 92
Chris Volonino 89
Michael Spring 91
Teegan Waugh 92
Jeff Lorenz
Joel Woznikoski
Ryan Renz 93
Izaak Berglund 91
Matt Maher 90
John Petrash 91
Anthony Fadel 91
Michael Smith 91
Chris Kingdom 90
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