Vernon 4 Westside 1

I was at tonights BCHL game as Vernon defeated Westside 4-1 in front of 1,382 fans at Royal Le Page Place.

Starting Goaltenders:

Vernon: Blake Voth
Westside: Kevin Jebson

1st Period: Just under a minute into the game on the Vipers first rush, Braden Pimm was sent in all alone for the breakaway, but couldnt beat Kevin Jebson fivehole who shut the door making the big early save. Some good back and forth action at both ends of the rink as both teams looked ready for tonights matchup. Chances at both ends of the rink but no real good quality scoring chances. Mike Collins with a shot from inside the circle was stopped by Kevin Jebson who made a nice glove save. Blake Voth was handcuffed on a quick shot from the circle as the Warriors with a chance early. Both teams playing physical laying out some big checks. Vernon would get the first powerplay of the night, but it was the Warriors penalty kill who looked very sharp early before the Vipers were forced to take a penalty forcing some four on four action for a good minute before Westside would get a short man advantage but would fail to do any damage as the Vipers killed off the minor. Both teams played hard, and were very even during the opening period. Vernon would get its second powerplay of the game but again it was the strong penalty kill coming from Westside as the Vipers couldnt seem to generate much offence. Vernon's one and only real good chance come when Jonathan Milhouse fed a wide open Braden Pimm in the slot who was robbed again by Jebson. Westside would give up just the lone shot on the man advantage but would kill off the minor. It was scoreless after 20 minutes of play. Shots were even 8-8.

2nd Period: 1:14 into the period the Vipers would get their 3rd powerplay of the night. A scramble in front, Cory Kane would ring his shot off the post as Vernon come close to putting one behind Kevin Jebson. This was the Vipers best scoring chance as Westside would kill off the minor. Vernon would get some early presure, with that strong forecheck down low the Vipers would control the play in the Warriors end for a while but couldnt generate many quailty chances. Rob Short with a breakaway was stopped by Jebson as the veteran goaltender got his right leg out to make the big save. It was all Vernon early and often as the Warriors didnt record their first shot on goal until nine minutes into the 2nd. Westside would eventually get its second man advantage of the night but it was Vernons strong penalty kill wich was the difference as the Vipers killed off the minor. Just minutes later Westside would get another powerplay but once again it was the Vipers penalty kill that took over. Connor Jones broke down the wing and then beat Jebson as the puck just got by the Warriors goaltender giving Vernon the 1-0 lead at 11:04 Jones goal was unassisted. Off the draw Jones was levelled at centre ice and looked a little woozy getting up, as he headed straight to the Vipers bench. Jones would try walking it off and would stay in the game. Connor was hit hard several times tonight, taking a pounding at times. With the Warriors still on the powerplay, Cam Reid would be stoned by Blake Voth who made his biggest save of the night, robbing Reid's shot from the slot. This was the Warriors lone shot on the man advantage as the Vipers would kill off the remainder of the minor. Westside couldnt seem to generate any offensive attack, having all kinds of trouble getting the play deep in the Vernon zone. The Vipers were by far the better of the two teams carrying most of the edge in play. Vernon was up 1-0 after 40 minutes of play. The Vipers outshot the Warriors 17-3.

3rd Period: With Westside on the powerplay, wich was carried over from the 2nd period, Connor Jones would steal the puck off the draw, with some good hustle beat Jebson shorthanded just 15 seconds into the 3rd putting Vernon up 2-0. Jones goal was unassisted. Vernon would kill off the minor. The Vipers started the 3rd right from where they left off the 2nd period, Vernon got the puck in deep and dominated the boards and play down low with some strong forecheck. Westside was having all kinds of troubles defending against a strong Vernon team down low. Vernon would get some good early chances but no real quality chances. Jonathan Milhouse setup Braden Pimm who went in two on one with Cory Kane, Pimm made a nice pass over to Kane who was robbed by Jebson. Rob Short with some good hustle went in all alone for his second breakaway of the night, this time beating Jebson at 3:53 as Vernon was now up 3-0. Connor Jones and David Robinson collected the assists. Shortly after Cory Kane with a nice move in close rang his shot off the post, this was Kane's second time hitting the post tonight. The Vipers didnt stop, the Vipers went back to work getting the puck in deep and with some strong forecheck really controlled the edge in play. Patrick McGillis and Sawyer Mick with some strong hustle had chances in front but couldnt beat Kevin Jebson. Vernon won most of the one on one battles and races to the puck in the 3rd as Westside was having all kinds of trouble with Vernons forecheck. The Warriors who generated very little offence in the last two periods finally got going late in the period. With just under five minutes remaining the Vipers couldnt clear the zone, with some strong forecheck along the end wall, Colton Sissons setup Max French at the side of the net who beat Blake Voth at 15:11 getting Westside on the board. This seemed to give the Warriors some life as Westside put on some late presure trying to get two late goals. Max French on a great end to end rush just missed the far corner after having Voth beat on the play. Trevor Bailey with some hard work got off a quick shot but was stopped by the pad of Voth. With time running out Westside couldnt get Kevin Jebson to the bench for the extra attacker as Westside would call a timeout with just 1:17 remaining on the clock. Westside with some presure couldnt get a real good scoring chance, as the Vipers banked the puck off the side wall, the puck was rolling straight for the empty net before Izaak Berglund hustled back to clear the puck from the crease at the last second. In the dying final seconds David Robinson would hit the empty net scoring his first goal as a Viper this year putting Vernon up 4-1 at 19:57 Robinsons goal was unassisted. In the end the Warriors would run out of time as Vernon would knock off Westside 4-1. Westside outshot Vernon 10-9.

Top Players: (Vernon)

The line of Jonathan Milhouse, Braden Pimm & Cory Kane was the Vipers best line. Milhouse and Kane were really skating hard, while Pimm showed lots of energy and good hustle all game. Kane had several good scoring chances but couldnt beat Kevin Jebson. Pimm was a workhorse tonight, was very solid down low and in and around the net.

The line of Connor Jones (2 goals & 1 assist), Rob Short (1 goal) & David Robinson (1 goal & 1 assist) was also very strong for Vernon. Jones took some solid checks through out tonights game, was knocked down hard on several checks but kept getting back up, battling hard. This kid is one tough kid, never gives up. Scored two real nice shorthanded goals. Rob Short was very strong for the Vipers up front, really played well on the Vipers top line. Short played with alot of energy and good hustle. With two breakaways it was nice to see Short score on one of them. David Robinson now has three points in just two games with the Vipers & Vernon is 2-0 with Robinson in the lineup. A great pickup by Mark Ferner and the Vipers. Robinson really fits in nicely and dosnt look out of place at all. Played a very physical game, likes to get down low and grind it out.

Dylan Walchuk played his second straight solid game. Walchuk who has been very quiet as of late really stepped up his play the last two games. Another strong game up front, was skating hard, looked very good with and without the puck.

Sawyer Mick & Patrick McGillis both played physical and showed lots of jump, energy and good hustle on the 4th line.

Adam Thompson was very solid on the blueline. Made some real nice heads up plays.

Kevin Kraus also had a solid game on the backends for the Vipers.

Blake Voth (20 saves) didnt have many real big saves to make but did make the big save when called apon. His biggest save of the night was when he robbed Cam Reid on the powerplay from the slot. Voth played very well, Im glad to see they gave him a start vs one of the leagues top teams. He played very well Tuesday vs Merritt and fully deserved the start tonight. Too bad Westside broke his shutout bid with just under five minutes remaining.

Top Players: (Westside)

Kevin Jebson (31 saves) Didnt have to make several real big saves like in previous games vs Vernon but did play well. All three goals just got past Jebson after it looked like he almost made the initial save.

Spencer Humphries was all over the ice, played a heck of a game on the Warriors backend. Looked very strong.

Alex Grieve played very well tonight. This kid always seemed to have the puck or be around the play.

Kyle Singleton & Cam Reid played well at times, both kids had a few chances but wernt as nearly as dangerous as they can be.

Game Thoughts: (Vernon)

After back to back losses vs Salmon Arm inwich the team didnt play very well in both games its nice to see the guys rebound and come back with back to back wins over Merritt and Westside and play some strong hockey like were use to watching. Vernon played a great road game tonight, other then a very evened 1st period the Vipers outplayed, outchanced and outworked the Warriors in the 2nd and 3rd periods. Vernon was the better of the two teams, won most of the battles, races and overall looked very crisp and sharp in all general areas. Specialty teams was the difference as well, Vernon couldnt seem to get much going on the powerplay but looked very strong on the penalty kill, scoring two shorthanded goals. The Vipers did struggle breaking out of their own end, some very poor decisions-passes at times. I was very impressed with the defence tonight, gave up very little chances, shots and really shutdown the Warriors offensively. Lets hope the guys can stay focused and play the same style of game vs Williams Lake tomorrow night.

Game Thoughts: (Westside)

The Warriors played a great 1st period staying even with the Vipers but somehow fell apart in the 2nd and 3rd periods. Westside wasnt the same team come the final two periods, lost most of the battles, races and couldnt stop the Vipers strong forecheck. Westside was having all kinds of troubles getting pucks and traffic towards the net, most of the shots were from the outside. If Westside dosnt give up both shorthanded goals were still scoreless playing in the 3rd. Westside was missing some key players too (Michael Quinn, Branden Ellis, Tyler Kraus & Grayson Downing). I dont think the Warriors will be pleased with their effort tonight.

Scratches:

Vernon:

Erik Soderlund
Darrin Robak
Kellen Jones

Westside:

Michael Quinn
Branden Ellis
Tyler Krause
Grayson Downing

3 Stars:

1st Star: Connor Jones (2 goals & 1 assist)
2nd Star: Max French (1 goal)
3rd Star: Dylan Walchuk