I was at tonights BCHL game as Westside defeated Vernon 3-1 in front of 2,118 fans at the Wesbild Centre.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon: Graeme Gordon
Westside: Kevin Jebson
1st Period: The Vipers started out right from where they left over from last nights game vs Westside. just a few minutes into the game Vernon would get an early two man advantage. The Vipers moved the puck well, Adam Thompson would get two big shots off from the point, both stopped by Kevin Jebson, off the rebound from Thompsons second shot, Cole Ikkala was robbed on the rebound and then off Ikkala's rebound Jebson slide across to make a huge glove save robbing the Vipers on four solid scoring chances. The Warriors would build off the huge saves from their veteran goaltender and kill off the two man advantage as Vernon was up 8-0 in shots early. Just a few minutes later Steve Weinstein walked in from the point and wired a shot off the post, the puck would land in the crease, where Dylan Walchuk put the puck past Jebson at 7:22 putting Vernon up 1-0. Weinstein and Bryce Kakoske with the helpers. Just over three minutes later Vernon would head back to the powerplay, but this time struggled getting just a single shot on the man advantage as the Warriors would kill off another minor. The Vipers were all over the Warriors as the play was in the Westside zone the entire period to this point. Westside would get just one quality scoring chance as Colton Sissons was stopped by Graeme Gordon at the side of the net. The Vipers with some good chances couldnt burry their chances as Jebson looked solid between the pipes for the Warriors. After some good pressure Rob Short would turn the puck over in the Vipers zone, Trevor Bailey setup Cole Wilson who beat Graeme Gordon at 13:01 tying the game 1-1. Bailey & Cam Reid with the assists. Vernon carried the edge in play but one mistake and the game was now tied. Braden Pimm with a chance in front was stopped by Jebson as Vernon went back on the attack. Mike Collins with a screened shot from the circle got through but somehow Kevin Jebson closed the fivehole to make the big save. Jebson was the difference in the opening period as the Vipers were all over the Warriors. The Vipers were skating hard, cycleing the puck well down low, creating chances. The Warriors looked a little sluggish in the opening period, having all kinds of trouble containing Vernons speed and skill. Westside would get the play in deep in the final minute, with some good cycle along the end wall, but couldnt get anything towards the net. At the buzzer former Westside Warrior Bryce Kakoske & Warriors Captain Joel Woznikoski got tangled up and both hit the ice as both players had words heading to the dressing room. It was 1-1 after 20 minutes of play. Vernon outshot Westside 16-6.
2nd Period: The Warriors come close to taking the lead early into the middle frame. Kevin Kraus's point shot was blocked at the Westside blueline, the puck would come back all the way into the Vernon zone, Graeme Gordon would come out to the play the puck, as Gordon and Kraus both miscommunicated on the play and the Warriors fired the puck towards the Vipers net before Gordon was quick enough to cover the puck and stop the play. Rob Short with Vernons best chance of the period fired a quick shot just over the blueline as Jebson made the routine save. The Vipers once again carried the better of the play, especially in the first half of the 2nd period. Vernon with some good chances again couldnt beat Kevin Jebson who was keeping his club in the hockey game. Kyle Singleton stepped over the Vipers blueline and with a quick shot was stopped by Gordon on the only real good quality scoring chance for the Warriors in the first half of the period. Joel Woznikoski was doing his best at trying to get under the Vernon players skin. Woznikoski laid out two big elbows on Braden Pimm and another Viper. The tables would turn just past the midway mark as another turnover inbehind the Vipers net. The puck would come out to the circle where Jason Nash ripped a quick shot from the circle that beat Gordon over the glovehand as Westside took their first lead of the game 2-1 at 10:12 Nash's goal was unassisted. This goal gave the Warriors life as Westside now started to get their legs going and finally started to get some pressure on the Vipers. Westside was now dumping the puck in deep and then chasing in after it, wich seemed to be working rather then trying to carry the play in from their own end. Alex Grieve was left alone in front but couldnt get the puck high and over Graeme Gordon who made a nice save down low. Cam Reid with a shot was stopped by Gordon. It was now the Vipers who were back on their heels a little. The play then started to pick up as both teams went end to end with some great back and forth action but with very little shots or scoring chances. Both teams seemed to be blocking shots, getting sticks in the way, any little thing to get in the way of the puck. On a few shifts Kakoske and Woznikoski were having words with one another, Braden Pimm also got into some words with the Warriors Captain. Vernon had the better of the chances and was the better of the two teams in the first half of the 2nd but Westside was the better of the two teams and had the better of the chances in the second half. The Warriors took a 2-1 lead heading into the 3rd. Westside outshot Vernon 7-6.
3rd Period: The Vipers had some great chances to start the final period but couldnt beat Kevin Jebson. Mike Collins was stopped in front, Cole Ikkala on a tip in front was stopped. Braden Pimm couldnt beat the Warriors netminder down low. Vernon with some good early pressure couldnt find the back of the net. As the play was going the other way, Kevin Jebson took a swing at one Viper, as did Joel Woznikoski on Bryce Kakoske. With no call on the play the Warriors were doing a great job at getting under the Vipers skin as Vernon started to get frustrated. David Robinson was stoned in front after Jebson made the big save down low. Westside would get its first powerplay of the night but couldnt generate much of an offensive attack. Just as the powerplay ended Trevor Bailey rang his shot off the post. The Warriors with a great chance to go ahead by two goals, Cam Reid & Dru Morrison went in two on one, Reid setup Morrison who was robbed by Gordon who made the big save keeping Vernon in the game. Just shortly after Trevor Bailey with a great solo undividual effort split the Vernon defence and with a Viper still trying to stop him, Bailey somehow managed to get off a shot that snuck past Gordon at 12:57 This was one I think Gordon would like to have back. Bailey's goal was unassisted. With the Vipers now down two goals looked frustrated, as the Warriors played a very tight defensive-physical period, not giving Vernon any time or space. The Vipers couldnt get much shots through as the Warriors were blocking most of the Vernon shots, clogging up the shooting lanes. Any Vernon shots that did get through, Kevin Jebson saw all the way, making the routine saves. The Vipers would call a late timeout and with just over a minute remaining send Gordon tothe bench for the extra attacker. David Robinson wacked away at a loose puck at the side of the net, as the whistle went Kevin Jebson and the Warriors defence got right in the face of Robinson, with some pushing and shoving. Jebson was fired up exchanging words with Robinson. Trevor Bailey with a chance at the empty net, was stopped by Kevin Kraus who made the big save in the crease. Westside would then call a late timeout, but in the end Vernon would run out of time as Westside defeated Vernon 3-1. The Vipers outshot the Warriors 14-8.
Top Players: (Vernon)
Braden Pimm worked extremely hard for the second straight night. Pimm played very well up front, took a pounding all night. Pimm was very good with the puck down low, was again hard to knock off the puck.
Steve Weinstein (1 assist) I was impressed with Weinstein on the Vipers blueline tonight. Played really well, carried the puck, jumped up into the play.
Adam Thompson played very well on the backend. Was steady all night.
Dylan Walchuk (1 goal) Was skating hard, had several good chances. Had some real nice moves tonight.
Top Players: (Westside)
Joel Woznikoski got in the face of several Viper players tonight. Played a good game on the backend, played physical, laid out a few cheap shots, played with an edge all game.
Colton Sissons played very well for Westside tonight. I was fairly impressed with this kid. Was always in and around the Vernon net.
Trevor Bailey (1 goal & 1 assist) Played a strong game for the Warriors. Had several good chances, come close to scoring his 2nd of the night on an empty net. Battled hard, hit the post once.
Alex Grieve looked very good up front for the second straight night. Another player who was always involed in the play, buzzing in and around the Vipers goal.
Kevin Jebson (35 saves) Another solid performance by the Warriors veteran goaltender. Jebson who played very well last night in the 3-2 loss played even better tonight. A big kid who covers alot of the net, and has a very quick glovehand. Jebson kept his team in the game especially in the 1st period and the first half of the 2nd period. Also made some big saves early into the 3rd.
Game Thoughts: (Vernon)
Here's a game where Vernon plays hard, competes but runs into a hot goaltender and couldnt burry their chances. The Vipers were the better of the two teams tonight and could have been up by atleast two maybe three goals early in the 1st period but instead were tied after the opening period. The Vipers with several good chances couldnt beat Jebson. Not scoring on the early two man advantage hurt. Vernon just didnt get the bounces tonight. They do need some work on breaking out of their own end, had troubles again tonight, that first pass coming out of your own end is key. I also thought someone should have dropped the gloves with Joel Woznikoski, this kid got away with one too many cheap shots in the 1st period and through out tonights game. The Vipers needed to be a little more physical and in your face. Overall the Vipers had the better of the chances and play.
Game Thoughts: (Westside)
This was the Warriors third game in three nights, maybe this is why they look a little flat and tired in the opening period? Westside was outplayed and outworked for most of the 1st period and the good part of the 2nd period. The Warriors 2nd goal really turned the tables and gave them momentum. From the second half of the 2nd period till the end of the game, Westside stepped up the physical play and really tightened up defensively. This team blocks a ton of shots, I wish I was keeping track, they blocked alot of Vernons shots tonight and last night. Give credit they battled hard and kept plugging away, overall I didnt think they had lots of good chances but when they did, they found the back of the net. This was a big win for the Warriors, who are now 2-1 in Vernon.
Scratches:
Vernon:
Darren Robak
Sawyer Mick
Patrick McGillis
Westside:
Michael Quinn
Max French
Tyler Krause
3 Stars:
1st Star: Kevin Jebson (35 saves)
2nd Star: Joel Woznikoski
3rd Star: Dylan Walchuk (1 goal)
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