Was at tonights BCHL game as Vernon defeated Cowichan Valley 14-0 in front of 1,802 fans at the Wesbild Centre.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon: Blake Voth
Cowichan Valley: Laurent Brossoit
1st Period: Before tonights game the Vipers held a moment of scilence for former PA announcer Wayne Buck who passed away earlier this week at the age of 68. Cowichan Valley would get the first good scoring chance just over two minutes into the game after Mike Hammond went in behind the Vernon defence but was stopped by Blake Voth. Shortly after the Vipers would get the first powerplay of the night but couldnt take advantage. Vernon wouldnt look back after dominating the remainder of the period from here on in. Connor Jones out waited Laurent Brossoit before putting an unreal move on the Caps goaltender, before going high giving the Vipers the 1-0 lead at 6:56 Kellen Jones with the lone assist. Just over two minutes later with the Capitals on the powerplay Connor Jones would score his 2nd goal of the night shorthanded after Kellen Jones picked up his 2nd assist of the night. The Vipers had the better of the chances and this was while shorthanded, Cowichan Valley was up 2-0 in shots early but were now being outshot 8-3. Vernon would kill off the minor as the Vipers would explode for six goals in the next seven minutes. Rob Short & Cole Ikkala went in two on one, Ikkala beat Brossoit at 11:53 putting Vernon up 3-0, Short & Dylan Walchuk collected assists. This was the end of the night for Brossoit as he was pulled in favor of former Victoria Grizzly Alexandre Peck. Brossoit gave up three goals on just nine Vernon shots. Off the next faceoff Mike Collins would collect the puck, skate in over the Caps line and beat Peck at 11:42 putting the Vipers up 4-0. Braden Pimm collected the lone assist. Aaron McGill then gave Collins a shot to the head while celebrating his goal, Collins gave a crosscheck back to McGill as both players headed to the box. Cowichan Valley would call a timeout, and make a quick goaltenders change once again. Peck was now pulled after allowing one goal on one shot, as Brossoit headed back between the pipes for Cowichan. The Vipers didnt led up there, just seconds later Braden Pimm put Vernon up 5-0 and in full control scoring at 12:08 Mike Collins & Bryce Kakoske would pick up the assists. Just seconds after Pimms goal Sawyer Mick would beat Brossoit at 12:35 as the goals kept coming. Kellen Jones would get the lone assist. Cowichan Valley started hitting hard as the period went on, going after the Vipers with some decent checks. Just three minutes later Kellen Jones scored at 15:23 putting Vernon up 7-0 Sawyer Mick & Connor Jones collected assists. Vernon completely dominated the opening period having the puck on a string, as anything the the Vipers through on net, ended up going in. The Capitals would record just one shot in the final 10 minutes of the period. Connor Jones would get his third of the night in the final minute at 19:32 putting the Vipers up 8-0. Mike Collins & Nick Amies picked up the assists. The Vipers were up 8-0 after 20 minutes of play. Vernon outshot Cowichan Valley 17-4.
2nd Period: With the Vipers on a powerplay Cole Ikkala would defeat Brossoit at 1:43 as the Vipers jumped ahead 9-0. Garrett Noonan would collect the assist. The Vipers would take their foot off the gas as the play seemed to slow down a little, it looked more like a pond hockey game for most of the 2nd. Even with Vernon taking their foot of the gas the Vipers still dominated the edge in play. Vernon with many chances took the pass instead of going for the shot, in some areas the Vipers were forced to take the shot. Mark Ferner rested his top two lines for most of the period and the Vipers still carried most of the play. Cory Kane went in for the parcial breakaway but was stopped by Brossoit in close. Vernon with five powerplays could have blowen this game wide open. Cowichan Valley couldnt generate any offence, as the Caps were having troubles even getting control of the puck. This is what kind of night it was, Rob Short stepped over the blueline taking a shot towards the net, and somehow the puck went in as Shorts long shot beat Brossoits glove at 14:14 Dylan Walchuk with the assist. Just seconds later Connor Jones scored his fourth of the night at 14:56 as the Vipers went up 11-0. Kellen Jones & Jonathan Milhouse collected the assists. Just under a minute later Garrett Noonan walked in from the point, untouched Noonan found the back of the net at 15:44. This was Noonan's first career BCHL goal, Braden Pimm & Kevin Kraus with the assists. The Vipers were up 12-0 after 40 minutes of play. Vernon outshot Cowichan Valley 13-2.
3rd Period: Off the opening draw Eric Soderlund who made his Vipers debut tonight went for the big hit, wich forced a two on one. Joey Massingham fed Nick Anderson at the side of the net who missed the net on a great scoring chance. Cowichan would get a powerplay early to start the 3rd but it was Vernon who had the better scoring chances. Kellen Jones & Jonathan Milhouse went in two on one, Jones fed Milhouse who was stopped by Brossoit who made a nice pad save. The Caps couldnt get the puck out of their zone, as Milhouse stole the loose puck going in for the parcial breakaway but was stopped again by Brossoit. On the same penalty kill Cory Kane just about stole the puck from a Cowichan d-men wich would have sent Kane in for the breakaway. The Vipers penalty kill looked very strong, getting three or four real sild scoring chances. Vernon would kill off the minor after the Caps didnt record a single shot on the man advantage. Connor Jones would score his fifth goal of the night at 3:54 putting Vernon up 13-0. Kellen Jones & Sawyer Mick collected the assists. Vernon once again sat back for most of the period as the Capitals would get their best chances of the night. Blake Voth had to make his biggest save of the night after a scramble in front of the Vipers net with the puck bouncing around Voth made two nice saves in close to keep his shutout bid alive. Chapen LeBlond with a nice move around a Vernon d-man, cut wide and then got a quick shot off from the circle but was stopped by Voth. After recording just six shots in the first two periods the Capitals now had six shots already in the final frame. Sawyer Mick with some good hustle went in for the breakaway but was stopped by Brossoit who made some good saves in the 3rd after giving up 12 goals prior. The Vipers with some good quality chances could have had another two or three goals but Brossoit made some big saves. Cole Ikkala was stopped in front after coming close to scoring his third goal of the night. Cowichan would get five powerplays in the 3rd but couldnt capitalize. The Caps with a two man advantage still couldnt buy a goal after some strong penalty kill by the Vipers. Rob Short with a wicked shot from the circle beat Brossoit for his 2nd goal of the night put Vernon up 14-0 at 12:23. Shorts goal was unassisted. Brendon MacDonald with a quick shot from in close couldnt beat Voth after some pushing and shoving evolved after the whistle. Connor Jones with a great chance late was stopped by Brossoit after coming close to scoring his sixth goal of the game. The Vipers would hang on for the 14-0 victory improving to 10-1 as Blake Voth made 16 saves for his first career BCHL shutout. Shots were even 10 each.
Top Players: (Vernon)
Eric Soderlund made his Vipers debut tonight after having troubles getting his release from his former US Hockey team. Soderlund looked very solid, not missing a beat, especially for a kid who hasnt played since the pre season. Soderlund adds some much needed size to the Vernon blueline. I was very impressed and really liked this kid during training camp and the pre season & now tonight.
The line of Connor Jones (5 goals & 1 assist), Kellen Jones (1 goal & 5 assists) & Cory Kane (2 assists) looked very dangerous up front. Connor & Kellen made it look so easy tonight, both kids looked like they had the puck on a string. It didnt matter what Connor through on net, somehow the puck ended up in the back of the net. Connor was one goal away from tying the Vipers goal of most goals in a game. Former Vipers Captain scored six goals in a Playoff game vs Cowichan Valley back in 1996 wich is a BCHL record.
Cole Ikkala (2 goals & 1 assist) Played a heck of a game. Ikkala who looked very strong last night played very well again tonight. Nice to see Cole do well in front of his father who was up for tonights game. Ikkala come close in the 3rd to recording his first career BCHL hattrick.
Rob Short (2 goals & 1 assist) Played his second straight strong game. Nice to see Short back in the Vipers lineup after missing the last eight games with a leg injury. Short adds alot to the team and it has showed in back to back games. Short is by far the Vipers best penalty killer and adds alot of jump and energy to the team.
Sawyer Mick (1 goal & 2 assists) Looked very good for Vernon tonight. Mick played well getting some good chances while Mark Ferner sat his top two lines in the 2nd period. Mick had a great chance to get his 2nd goal of the night, but was stopped on a breakaway in the 3rd.
Garrett Noonan (1 goal & 1 assist) Played very well on the backend. Noonan looked very good at both ends of the rink, nice to see him score his first career BCHL goal.
Top Players: (Cowichan Valley)
Brendon MacDonald showed lots of grit and hustle all night. No matter what the score was, this kid was skating hard, battling in the gray areas and didnt back down from the rough stuff. Was in the face of many Vipers, yapping back and forth with Vipers Captain Kevin Kraus and then got into a minor scrum in front of the Vernon net after being stopped by Blake Voth.
Game Thoughts: (Vernon)
Wow what a game! I would have never expected a game like this. The Vipers put on a clinic in the 1st period and most of the game. Vernon took its foot off the gas as this could have easily been a 20-0 final score. The Vipers had all the bounces and luck tonight, it didnt seem to matter what they through on net, the puck ended up in the back of the goal. Vernon was clicking all game, with some highlite real goals and plays. You have to wonder if the Vipers broke any BCHL records with some of the teams goals in the 1st period, their were a few that were seconds apart. Vernon looked like they had the puck on a string most of the game. Vernon had 11 players that had two or more points tonight. With the addition of Eric Soderlund, the Vipers now have a 24 man roster, whos the odd man out? Drew George sat out his 2nd game as a healthy scratch, you have to wonder of his days are numbered?
Game Thoughts: (Cowichan Valley)
Other then the Caps getting some chances in the 3rd after the Vipers sat back for most of the period, Cowichan dosnt have much of a team. This is one of the biggest blowouts I have seen in many many years, one of the biggest blowouts I can recall watching was back in 1996 when Trail first joined the league and the Vipers blew out the Smoke Eaters one night at home 17-2. The Capitals didnt have much going all night, having all kinds of trouble keeping the puck out of their own net and zone. Cowichan Valley couldnt stop the Vipers speed and skill up front, they allowed several Viper players to walk right in being out touched. The look on Scott Robinsons face said it all, Robsinson looked stunned each and everytime the Vipers found the back of the net, anyone know why he pulled Brossoit after giving up three goals, putting in Peck & then giving Peck the yank after giving up one goal on one shot and then leaving Brossoit in goal for the remainder of the night? Cowichan looked awfull and one of the worst performances I have seen in years.
Scratches:
Vernon:
Darrin Robak
Drew George
Brendan Persley
Patrick McGillis
Cowichan Valley:
John Mejia
Matthew Johnston
Jackson Garrett
Shawn Mueller
Taylor Pears
3 Stars:
1st Star: Connor Jones (5 goals & 1 assist)
2nd Star: Kellen Jones (1 goal & 5 assists)
3rd Star: Sawyer Mick (1 goal & 2 assists)
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