Was at todays BCHL game as Vernon defeated Alberni Valley 4-1 in front of 1,728 fans at the Wesbild Centre.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon: Graeme Gordon
Alberni Valley: Frank Slubowski
1st Period: A very quick hard hitting opening period with some good action at both ends of the rink. The Bulldogs come out skating hard, really moving the puck well, and playing the Vipers physical. Both teams had some decent chances at either ends, Frank Slubowski made a nice blocker save off Mike Collins, but couldnt handle the rebound after Jonathan Milhouse gathered up the rebound, getting a quick shot off but again Slubowski made the save. Sam Micthell was stopped by Graeme Gordon after a nice pad save down low. I thought Alberni Valley had the better jump to start todays game, having the better of the play in the early goings. The Dogs aggresive forecheck and physical play forced the Vernon defence to turnover the puck several times in their own end. Dylan Walchuk with a wrap around, just about beat Slubowski as the puck come through the crease and sat at the other side of the post in the crease before Alberni cleared the puck from harms way. Dan Nycholat with a quick shot from the circle just ripped his shot missing the far corner. Warren Muir opened the scoring at 9:31 beating Gordon as the Dogs jumped out to the 1-0 lead. Former Vernon Viper Trent Dorais & Ryan Corbiell picked up the assists. But 33 seconds later Rob Short beat Slubowski at 10:03, as Cole Ikkala & Dylan Walchuck collected the assists after some nice passing to get the game tying goal. A fairly even played period other then some turnovers in the Vipers end, as it was tied 1-1 after 20 minutes of play. Vernon outshot Alberni Valley 16-10.
2nd Period: Vernon really started going in the middle frame, Nick Amies carried the puck up ice, making a nice move through the neutral zone before getting a shot off wich seemed to handcuff Slubowski at 2:41 the goal was unassisted. It looked like another Viper player had scored the goal, after Amies shot looked to have been parcially stopped by Slubowski, as a Vernon player rushed the crease and tapped in the loose puck, but the goal was given to Amies. The Vipers were really skating hard, moving the puck well most of the 2nd period getting some good chances. Jonathan Milhouse was stopped at the side of the net on a good scoring chance down low. Alberni Valley didnt look like the same team in the 2nd period, only putting up three shots on net. The Bulldogs looked tired, getting no offensive attack going as the Viper defence played fairly well. The Vipers dominated this period getting tons of chances moving the puck well. Jonathan Milhouse would put Vernon up 3-1 at 10:10 as Braden Pimm & Mike Collins collected the assists. Just after the Viper goal Vernon would get its first powerplay of the game, with some good puck movement the Vipers worked the puck around, getting some good quality shots as Frank Slubowski played well. Alberni's penalty kill then took over and did a great job at forcing the Vipers back into their own end, as Vernon couldnt seem to get the puck out of their own end in the finals seconds of the man advantage. Dylan Walchuk with some good hard work down low, put the Vipers up 4-1 at 17:52 with Mike Collins & Jonathan Milhouse getting the assists. Vernon looked really strong in the middle frame really taking it to Alberni Valley. The Bulldogs couldnt muster any attack as most of the play was in the Dogs zone. Ryan Corbiell was tossed from the game late in the period after checking Patrick McGillis from behind in the Alberni Zone. Vernon was up 4-1 after 40 minutes of play. The Vipers outshot the Bulldogs 14-3.
3rd Period: Scott Lewan come out to start the 3rd period for the Dogs after Frank Slubowski gave up four goals on 30 shots after two periods of play. With Vernon on the man advantage wich was carried over from the end of the 2nd period, Bryce Kakoske moved in from the point, and then got a quick shot off from the slot but was stopped by the knob of Scott Lewans stick. Lewan had to be sharp as the Vipers got three or four real good scoring chances early. Lewan made a big pad save off Rob Short and then another nice save in close off Dan Nycholat. Alberni Valley would kill off the minor but shortly after would head back to the penalty box. Kevin Kraus with a point shot hit the post after coming close to giving the Vipers a four goal lead. The Dogs would kill off the minor in a not so exciting 3rd period. Alberni didnt have much gas left in the tank, getting very few scoring chances. Captain Kevin Kraus made a heck of a defensive play, sliding across to break up Johnny Rogic on a good scoring play. Sam Mitchell with a nice move in close, cut towards the goal but was stopped by Gordon. The Dogs would get their first powerplay of the afternoon but couldnt seem to mount much of an attack as the Vipers killed off the minor. Patrick McGillis with speed, come down the wing and then got a quick shot off as Lewan made a nice quick pad save on the play. Just before the midway mark Tyler Berkholtz & Garrett Noonan dropped the gloves in the Vipers first fight of the season. Alberni would get its second man advantage of the afternoon but once again couldnt capitalize after Vernon killed off the minor. Kevin Kraus dropped then dropped the mits with Matt Hatch in the Vipers zone. In the final minute of play Warren Muir beat Gordon in close but rang his shot off the crossbar. In the end Vernon would knock off Alberni Valley 4-1 improving to 11-1 and moving to within one point of the first place Penticton Vees. The Vipers outshot the Dogs 9-7.
Top Players: (Vernon)
The line of Sawyer Mick, Bryce Kakoske & Patrick McGillis looked very impressive this afternoon. Mick looked very good especially in the 1st period. Was finishing his checks and getting in front of the net banging bodies. McGillis who is playing in just his 5th BCHL game looked very well up front. Was skating hard, played with alot of energy, had some good chances this afternoon. Kakoske had a few good chances today, come very close to scoring in the 3rd on a nice shot from the slot.
The line of Rob Short (1 goal), Cole Ikkala (1 assist) & Dylan Walchuck (1 goal & 1 assist) Walchuck was dangling all over the ice, went through three Alberni players and still managed to get a shot off. Walchuck was all over the ice today, showed alot of hustle at both ends of the rink.
The line of Mike Collins (2 assists), Jonathan Milhouse (1 goal & 1 assist) & Braden Pimm (1 assist) also played and looked very solid this afternoon. Collins seemed to know where everyone was at all times, made some real nice passes to setup two goals. Milhouse aslo played well, scored a nice goal from a real hard angle at the side of the net.
Nick Amies (1 goal) Scored his first career BCHL goal today on a nice rush up ice from the neutral zone. Amies looked very strong at both ends of the rink, played with alot of confidence.
Steven Weinstein also played and looked fairly good on the backend for Vernon. Ive been really impressed with Weinsteins play this year.
Top Players: (Alberni Valley)
Frank Slubowski (26 saves) made some nice saves in the first two periods giving his team a chance to win. Didnt have much help in the 2nd as the Vipers were buzzing in and around the goal all period. I was suprised to see them give him the hook after two periods.
Scott Lewan (9 saves) For a kid who was sitting on the bench all afternoon, to come into the 3rd period of a hockey game down 4-1 played fairly well, making some big early saves to start the period. Looked very confident between the pipes. I was fairly impressed with this kid.
Warren Muir (1 goal) Played well, had a few chances. Come close to getting his 2nd of the afternoon but hit the crossbar late in the 3rd.
Game Thoughts: (Vernon)
For this being the Vipers third game in three days, the guys played and looked fairly well out there this afternoon. Yes the defence caused a few turnovers in their own end but overall Vernon played a good solid game getting the win. Even after playing their third game in three days I didnt think the Vipers looked all that tired today. I cant believe how well these kids are playing together and at how well the team has done this early into the season. What a great weekend, going 3-0 playing two tough teams (Penticton & Alberni Valley) What can you say about the defence, giving up just two goals in three games. Drew George sat out his 2nd sraight game as a healthy scratch, I said it last night, you really have to wonder if George's days in Vernon are numbered?
Game Thoughts: (Alberni Valley)
The Bulldogs played a great opening period, really taking it to the Vipers physically, this team has some size and can really skate and move the puck well. Alberni Valley had some chances but only managed to get the one goal past Gordon. A very entertaining 1st period. It looked like the Dogs ran out of gas in the final two periods, this wasnt the same team that I saw in the 1st. Very few scoring chances, couldnt put together a good solid rush up ice, very few shots in the final two periods. The team quit skating and hitting. Giving up three goals in the middle frame really cost them. You wonder if the Dogs first game of the three game trip was in Vernon, we may have witnessed a different game-score?
Scratches:
Vernon:
Darrin Robak
Drew George
Brendan Persley
Adam Thomspson
Alberni Valley:
Brody Lynott
Casey Bailey
Zack Mazo
Colin Phaneuf
3 Stars:
1st Star: Dylan Walchuk (1 goal & 1 assist)
2nd Star: Mike Collins (2 assists)
3rd Star: Jonathan Milhouse (1 goal & 1 assist)
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