Was at todays BCHL game as Vernon defeated Burnaby 4-2 in front of 1,616 fans at the Wesbild Centre.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon: Graeme Gordon
Burnaby: Harrison May
1st Period: For the second straight night Vernon carried the early edge in play but once again very few good scoring chances. Todays 1st period reminded me alot like last nights 1st period vs Penticton. The Vipers had some good early pressure buzzing in the Burnaby zone, Braden Pimm setup Jonathan Milhouse in the slot who was stopped by Harrison May. For the second straight game the Vipers were getting alot of shots from the outside, where Harrison May was seeing all of them, with very little traffic in front. Vernon was firing everything towards May getting out to an early 6-0 lead in shots. Both teams playing their third game in three days showed at times through out todays game, as the Express looked like they had the bus legs going in the 1st period after a long trip up from Trail last night. Vernon would get the first powerplay of the afternoon but couldnt take advantage as the Vipers powerplay has been struggling so far this young season. Burnaby didnt have much jump as the team was outplayed for most of the period. The Express would get a late powerplay wich would carry over into the 2nd period. Vernon with some good pressure but no real solid scoring chances. It was scoreless after the first 20 minutes of play. The Vipers outshot the Express 11-4.
2nd Period: Vernon would kill off the remainder of the penalty wich was carried over from the end of the 1st period and then get their second powerplay of the afternoon early to start the period. The Express would kill off the minor, just as the penalty expired Rich Manley jumped out of the box catching the Vipers d-men off gaurd going in for the breakaway putting a nice move on Graeme Gordon putting the Express up 1-0 at 2:44 the goal was unassisted. Burnaby looked much better in the middle frame, finding their legs and using their size and physical presence to their advantage. Burnaby played a very physical period laying out some huge checks. The Express also come up with some chances in the first half of the period, Brad Reid was stoned by Gordon at the side of the net. With Gordon down and out, the puck come to Reid at the side of the net, Reid went high as Gordon kicked up his leg at the last second making a highlight real toe save. The Express had their most offensive attack early into the period. At times both teams looked tired as the play went back and forth with very little action. The Vipers come close to tying the game after ringing a shot off the crossbar. Vernon couldnt seem to generate much offence or pressure. Late in the period the Vipers got a bit of a scare after Jonathan Milhouse took a knee on knee from Tod Fletcher. Fletcher was called for kneeing as Milhouse had troubles getting off the ice, as he was helped down to the Vipers dressing room but did manage to return to the bench to start the 3rd and finished the game. With Vernon on the man advantage the Vipers moved the puck well, creating chances. Mike Collins setup Dylan Walchuk at the side of the net who beat May with just 8.7 seconds remaing on the clock. Collins & Dan Nycholat picked up the assists. It was tied 1-1 after 40 minutes of play. Vernon outshot Burnaby 13-8.
3rd Period: Vernons #1 line of Cory Kane and the Jones Twins got the puck moving down low, with some good cycle this line was buzzing in and around the net. Kane with a wrap around come very close to sliding the puck past May. The Vipers with some good pressure deep in the Burnaby zone had some chances early having the better of the play. The Vipers would take their first lead of the game after Mike Collins beat May at 6:15 putting Vernon up 2-1. Jonathan Milhouse collected the lone assist. The Vipers would then get another powerplay, Adam Thompson would wire a shot from the point wich smashed the end glass inbehind Harrison May wich forced both teams to head to the dressing rooms. A long delay after the rink staff had troubles putting in the new glass, after installing the new glass both teams headed back onto the ice as the refs went over to check out the glass, both teams were then ordered back to the dressing rooms as the rink crew come back out to take out the new peice of glass and replace it with another new peice of glass. The original glass was too short and not thick enough, forcing the arena staff to replace it with the matching glass thats already in place. The ice was then re-flooded, after a long delay both teams returned to the ice and the game contiued. Vernon did get a few good chances on the PP but couldnt find the back of the net. The long delay seemed to energize both teams as I thought the second half of the 3rd was the best and most entertaining hockey of the game. Both teams had chances at either ends of the rink. Just before the midway mark Konrad Sander beat Gordon but hit the post, the puck come back out to Luke Challier who then fired the rebound past Gordon to tie the game at 10:42. Sander picked up the lone assist. Just over a minute later the Vipers battled back with a good solid shift, Braden Pimm setup Jonathan Milhouse who beat May at 11:43 to re-give Vernon the lead. Pimm & Mike Collins collected the assists. Burnaby would get just their second powerplay of the afternoon but couldnt get by the Vipers strong penalty kill. Rich Manley was stopped by Gordon on a good save. Gordon then stopped Jon Puskar after a solid scoring chance. With under two minutes remaining the Express would get a late powerplay, but couldnt manage to get things organized as the Vipers strong forecheck kept the Express pinned in their own end, finally Burnaby would clear the zone getting Harrison May to the bench for the extra attacker, but it didnt take long before Mike Collins would fire his long shot into the empty net scoring shorthanded at 19:35 with Dylan Walchuck getting the lone assist. The Vipers would defeat the Express 4-2 improving to 8-1 and moving back to within two points of the Interior Division leading Penticton Vees. Vernon outshot Burnaby 10-8.
Top Players: (Vernon)
The line of Connor-Kellen Jones & Cory Kane played fairly well. Kane had a few chances, while Kellen and Connor looked good down low.
Mike Collins (2 goals & 2 assists) Looked very good up front for the Vipers. Collins battled hard, was very dangerous in the offensive zone.
Adam Thompson played another good game on the backend. Looks very cool and calm out their on most nights.
Graeme Gordon played very well, making many key saves. Made an unreal toe save on Brad Reid at the side of the net.
Top Players: (Burnaby)
Harrison May (31 saves) The Vipers have now faced three very solid goaltenders this weekend, all who played very well giving their teams a chance to win and it was no different this afternoon. May who looked good saw most of the shots with very little traffic in front.
Rich Manley (1 goal) A bigger kid that plays physical and can score. Had some good chances tonight, was dangerous with the puck most of the afternoon.
Matt Ius is another big kid on this Burnaby Express roster. Can skate and handle, another player who looked strong with the puck.
Konrad Sander (1 assist) Played well this afternoon. Rang a shot off the post after coming close to scoring.
Jon Puskar took a pounding by the Vipers, was hit once in the neutral zone in the 1st period and then hit hard in along the side wall and was down for a few minutes before getting back up again, and playing on the next shift. Took a high stick early in the 1st, this kid is tough, very rugged player.
Game Thoughts: (Vernon)
Todays game had alot of similar similarities like last nights game. Like last night the Vipers carried the better of the play during the 1st period but had very few real good scoring chances. The Vipers got alot of shots on goal but like last night, most of the shots were from the perimiter with no traffic in front. Vernon does need to work on the powerplay, after going 2-16 over the weekend. Im very impressed with keeping the shots against down in all three games. The Vipers d-men were getting beat on several occasions as the Express entered the Vipers zone. The Vipers for the second straight night lacked that jump and energy we are all use to seeing, well I heard from a few fans tonight, rumor is a handfull of players are sick-have the flu. Nice to see the boys never quit and gutted one out in the 3rd for the win. Lets hope they can rest up this week and get ready for a big rematch with Penticton Friday night. I thought the Vipers played well for the most parts of todays game.
Game Thoughts: (Burnaby)
A very big team with strong goaltending. The Express looked a little tired to start todays game but seemed to get going as the game went on. Both teams looked tired at times especially in the 2nd period. Give the Express credit they didnt give the Vipers much room to create or setup chances. I dont think the Express will be happy with this road trip, going home 0-3 Burnaby also didnt quit and could have easily tied todays game. For being a big team they sure dont use their size and physical presence all game, the Express really stepped up the physical play in the 2nd period but didnt do much hitting in the 1st and 3rd periods.
Scratches:
Vernon:
Darrin Robak
Rob Short (Injured)
Brendan Persley
Burnaby:
Matt Ridley
Zac Ashdown
Clay Wilson
3 Stars:
1st Star: Mike Collins (2 goals & 2 assists)
2nd Star: Jonathan Milhouse (1 goal & 1 assist)
3rd Star: Rich Manley (1 goal)
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