Halcrow Steals Point From Vipers:

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Halcrow steals point from Vipers

by Don Klepp | Added 2010-10-06

Kirby Halcrow put on a show Wednesday night, stopping 47 of 48 shots as his Quesnel Millionaires battled to a 1-1 draw in double overtime.

His best saves came in the second overtime as the teams skated three aside. John Knisley was set up for an open shot 10 feet in front of goal, but big Halcrow (6’ 4”, 220 lbs.) stacked the pads for an all-world save.

On the next shift, David Robinson had a similar shot for the winner, but Halcrow threw himself heads first across the crease and blocked Robinson’s labeled shot.

Later in the final period, Justin Hogan had a breakaway. His rising backhand beat Blake Voth, but rang off the cross bar.

Halcrow was also an important cog in keeping the Viper power play scoreless in six opportunities.

As a case in point, consider the kill of a Tyler French boarding penalty in the first overtime. The Vipers peppered Halcrow with shots, but he stood his ground. Also, defenders such as Captain Skyler Smutek and Anderson White did a good job of preventing the Vipers from getting to rebounds.

A scoreless first period set the tone for the game, as the Vipers fired 15 shots at Halcrow while allowing just 6. The Millionaires spent most of the period desperately defending.

The visitors were stronger in the second period, displaying a committed forecheck. Still, they were able to generate only two scoring chances while the Vipers had seven.

Vernon’s Brett Corkey finally broke the deadlock at 9:43 when his point shot took a slight deflection on its way past Halcrow. The goal came after a strong shift by John Knisley, Mike Zalewski, and Darren Nowick.

Again in the third period, the Vipers controlled much of the play but Quesnel equalized late in the period. At 17:52 Devin Balness deflected Skyler Smutek’s point shot and the Vipers were left to rue their missed opportunities.

“We earned a point, so that’s a positive,” said Viper Associate Coach Jason Williamson after the game, “but it feels like a loss because we should have won that game.”

Game Notes:

• The Millionaires did not dress Ryan Crossen, Bradley Buckingham, or Clayton Chessa.

• The Vipers were without injured forwards Marcus Basara and Aaron Hadley.

• Darren Nowick replaced Hadley on the Knisley line and had one of his better games as a Viper.

• Likewise, Gus Correale had a strong game playing with Colton Sparrow and Trevor Fitzgerald.