Walchuk Sparks Vipers:

Walchuk sparks Vipers

by Don Klepp | Added 2009-11-06

In Prince George, Dylan Walchuk’s hat trick led the Vernon Vipers to a 5-2 victory over the Spruce Kings.

Judging from the cheering behind the Viper bench, a full contingent of Walchuk family and friends was on hand to witness the native of McBride score his first BCHL hat trick. His first goal brought the Vipers into a 1-1 at 8.03 of the second period. His other two goals gave the Vipers insurance in the third period when the Spruce Kings were pressing for an equalizer. The last was deposited into an empty net at 18.47.

For the second game in a row, and only the second time all season, the Vipers went behind in the first period. On an assist from Joe Morgan, RJay Berra took advantage of a Viper miscue to record the only goal of the first period, even though the Vipers out shot the hosts 10 to 5.

Vernon continued to have the edge in play in the second period, out shooting Prince George 11-6. Following Walchuk’s opening goal, Sawyer Mick set up Drew George’s fifth goal of the year to put the Vipers ahead, 2-1.

High scoring Brooks Robinson and Sam Muchalla, who had been bottled up for the first 30 minutes or so, started to be double-shifted by Coach Ed Dempsey. That trend carried on to the third period when the Spruce Kings out shot the Vipers 15 to 9. Graeme Gordon made two big stops in the Viper net, and the Vipers made the most of their opportunities.

The eventual game winner came from the stick of Mike Collins at 5.06. With the man advantage, Collins converted passes from Braden Pimm and Steve Weinstein. That goal was followed two minutes later by Walchuk’s second of the night. Halfway through the period, Jonathan Gibson brought Prince George to within two goals, but his teammates were unable to further dent Gordon’s armor, despite a flurry of shots in the closing half of the period.

On a day when Kellen and Connor Jones were recording a combined 3 goals and 5 assists in a big Canada West win over Canada East at the World Jr. A Challenge in PEI, Dylan Walchuk once again showed the form that reminds observers of fellow centre, Connor. In the three Viper games since the Jones twins went to PEI, Walchuk has scored 6 times. His total of 12 goals now matches Connor Jones’s total; the two trail Mike Collins, who leads the Vipers with 13 goals in 20 games.