I was at tonights BCHL game as Vernon defeated Prince George 3-1 in front of 1,669 fans at the Wesbild Centre.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon: Bryton Udy
Prince George: Alex Wright
1st Period: Prince George would get the games first powerplay of the night just over two minutes into the contest. PG moved the puck well but was unable to get any real good quality scoring chances as the Vipers killed off the minor. Vernon come out hard laying the body early and often as the Vipers played one of their more physical periods in a long time. Just minutes later Vernon would get its first shot on the man advantage, the Vipers moved the puck around well but the Spruce Kings penalty kill was very sharp keeping the Vipers to the outside. Vernon was unable to get any good quality shots through as PG killed off the minor. No real good scoring chances at either ends of the rink as both teams played a tight checking game with not a whole lot of room out there to dangle. Both teams played very well defensively early. Just before the midway mark Jeff Earnest ripped a quick shot just before the Viper blueline, Earnest's shot handcuffed Bryton Udy as the puck went awkwardly off Udys glove and into the corner. The Spruce Kings would get another shot on the man advantage but again come up empty. With five minutes remaining Jeremy Wiebe's point shot took a funny bounce wich gave Bryton Udy a little trouble, the Vipers were lucky as the puck stayed out of the net. Vernon would get a late powerplay, moving the puck around well the Vipers got the puck down low and come up with two or three real good chances but Alex Wright shut the door. Kyle Murphy with a quick shot from the circle graized the outside of the post-crossbar as the puck went into the mesh above the glass stopping the play. Prince George would kill off the penalty as both teams went 0-2 on the powerplay. A very even played opening period with very little scoring chances. It was scoreless after 20 minutes of play. Vernon outshot Prince George 9-6.
2nd Period: Off the draw Kyle Murphy, David Robinson and Bryce Kakoske would get a three on two, Kakoske with two chances from the slot coundlt beat Wright on a good chance for the Vipers. PG would get an early powerplay but again the Vipers would kill off the minor. Malcolm Lyles made a nice move in the neutral zone, skated over the PG blueline, made a nice move around the Spruce Kings defenceman and then took a hard shot from just outside the circle but couldnt beat Alex Wright who got down and made the save. The Spruce Kings would open the scoring after some hard work down low, Zac Ashdown and Nic DeSousa battled hard along the end boards, coming away with the puck feeding Rjay Berra in the slot who roofed his shot high and over Udy at 6:28 giving PG a 1-0 lead. DeSousa & Ashdown collected the helpers. Just minutes later Vernon would get a powerplay, the Vipers moved the puck well and this time finally were able to get some quality shots through. Mike Zalewski was robbed in the slot after Wright come across the crease getting his glove on the puck to keep it from going in, making his biggest save of the night. The Vipers with some good presure were unable to capitalise on their best powerplay of the night. Just as PG killed off the penalty the Vipers went right back on the powerplay getting another man advantage. Another strong powerplay by Vernon would tie the game. Aaron Hadley wearing Scott Krahns old jersey #14 beat Wright down low at 12:28, John Knisley with the lone assist. Prince George didnt sit back, the Spruce Kings come right back getting the play in deep and forechecking the Vipers in their own end. The Spruce Kings had the Vipers hemmed in their own end for a good four or five minutes as PG with some good presure was unable to get anything towards the goal. The Vipers were lucky PG didnt capitalise and re-take the lead. The play then got real scrambly as both teams couldnt seem to do much with the puck, some missed passes, and sloppy play made for some ugly hockey. In the final minute of play David Robinson on a wrap around couldnt beat Wright down low, as the veteran PG goaltender kept his pad tight against the post keeping the puck out. Prince George couldnt seem to get much going in the middle frame as the Vipers had the better the chances. It was tied 1-1 after 40 minutes of play. The Vipers outshot the Spruce Kings 14-5.
3rd Period: Off the draw the Vipers turned over the puck in their own end, but luckily the Spruce Kings couldnt capitalise, back come the Vipers getting the play in deep, John Knisley setup Aaron Hadley in front who beat Alex Wright for his second of the night at 1:13 giving Vernon a 2-1 lead. Knisley with the only helper. Vernon looked good to start the 3rd controling the play. Trevor Fitzgerald and Trevor Esau exhcnaged words and shots with one another before both players were sent off. Jujhar Khaira & Trent Murdoch with a great chance to tie the game went in two on one, Khaira would keep and shoot beating Udy but hit the post, back come the Vipers the other way, Marcus Basara would come down the wing and then roof his shot high and upstairs beating Alex Wright at 6:00 giving Vernon a 3-1 lead. Mike Zalewski with the only assist. Just minutes later Zalewski would get a parcial breakaway but Wright stayed with the Viper rookie all the way making a huge pad save. Darren Nowick down low with a great chance couldnt beat Wright as the Vipers were all over PG. Just before the midway mark Fitzgerald and Esau exchanged words again before dropping the mits. The Spruce Kings couldnt seem to get anything going as Vernon played a very tight defensive 3rd period shutting down the Spruce Kings. Mike Zalewski and Elliott Richardson with a great chance on a two on one, Zalewski setup Richardson who was stopped in close by Wright who was now keeping the Spruce Kings in the hockey game. In the final three minutes John Knisley setup Aaron Hadley who missed a wide open net on a great opportunity to record his first career hat trick. PG would finally get its first shot of the 3rd with just under three minutes remaining. The Vipers were the better of the two teams in the final frame as most of the play as deep in the PG zone. The Spruce Kings would get the play deep in the Vernon zone, getting a whistle with 38 seconds remaining PG would call a timeout and get Alex Wright to the bench for the extra attacker. The Spruce Kings with some good presure down low and in front fired three or four quick shots through a maze of players in the Vipers crease as somehow the puck stayed out. I dont think Bryton Udy saw any of the PG shots as their was a ton of traffic in front of the Vernon goaltender. Bryce Kakoske with a shot at the empty net with just seconds remaining missed the goal as the buzzer sounded. Vernon would snap Prince George's four game winning streak with a 3-1 victory. The Vipers outshot the Spruce Kings 11-5.
Top Players: (Vernon)
Elliott Richardson played his best game as a Vernon Viper. Richardson who has struggled this season looked very impressive at both ends of the rink. Seemed to be a little more relaxed out their tonight, jumped up into the play but managed to get back and not get caught on the pinch. Had a great chance for his second goal of the year but couldnt beat Alex Wright on the two on one.
Nick Kerr (AP) Nick the younger brother of former Vernon Vipers forward, James Kerr played fairly well tonight. Playing in just his second game with Vernon as an "AP" didnt light up the score sheet or anything but finished his checks, battled hard and didnt back down from the physical play. Took a huge hit in the 2nd period but got right back up and come back with a shot of his own on the same shift. Was very responsible with and without the puck. Kerr who was at the Vipers training camp last year has some good size.
The line of John Knisley (2 assists), Aaron Hadley (2 goals) and Darren Nowick looked very good. Knisley was setting guys up all night, seemed to know where everyone was. Hadley battled hard and played hard down low and in front of the net. Missed his 3rd goal of the night on a wide open net. Nowick also looked good with and without the puck through out tonights game. Nowick always plays with alot of hustle, never quits skating.
Mike Zalewski (1 assist) Played very well tonight. Had a great chance on a 3rd period breakaway but just couldnt get the puck up and over Alex Wright.
Colton Sparrow didnt see alot of icetime but when he did, battled, skated and worked hard on all of his shifts. Played physical, didnt back down from the physical play, plays with alot of energy and showed it again tonight.
Top Players: (Prince George)
Trevor Esau played a tough physical game on the PG blueline. Esau and Trevor Fitzgerald dropped the gloves in a 3rd period scrap.
Rjay Berra (1 goal) Was on of if not the best Spruce King tonight. Scored a nice goal to open the scoring early in the 2nd period.
Alex Wright (31 saves) Made his first start against the Vipers this year. Wright who played with the Spruce Kings last season joined the WHL Prince George Cougars to start the season this year before just coming back to the Spruce Kings a few weeks ago. Wright played very well between the pipes for PG tonight, gave his team a chance to win.
Game Thoughts: (Vernon)
After blowing a 3-0 lead in Merritt last night with about eight minutes remaining the Vipers played fairly well tonight with a good rebound victory over the Spruce Kings. Vernon who battled back after going down 1-0 scored three straight and played a very solid defensive 3rd period giving up just five shots in the final frame. Vernon who's passes were a bit off to start the game, seemed to get better with their passing in the 3rd. I thought the Vipers powerplay was very good playing against a very good PG penalty kill. Hadleys powerplay goal was the first powerplay goal scored against Prince George this season as Vernon is now 1-19 vs the Spruce Kings this season. I liked Vernons hitting-physical play, thought they finished their checks for most of the evening and didnt back down from the physical play either. After a very dissapointing loss last night in Merritt, its nice to see the team regroup and come out with a solid win tonight. Congrats to Vipers goaltender, Bryton Udy who made just 14 saves for his first career BCHL victory. Lets hope this gives the young kid some confidence.
Game Thoughts: (Prince George)
I thought the Spruce Kings played very well in the opening period keeping up with the Vipers but as the game went on, you could see who was the better of the two teams. Prince George has a pretty big team with two solid goaltenders and a great penalty kill. The turning point was when Jujhar Khaira hit the post on the two on one, back come the Vipers and Marcus Basara would score giving Vernon the 3-1 lead. If Khaira's shot goes in, we have a 2-2 game with lots of time left. The Spruce Kings didnt generate enough scoring chances to win tonights game, coming up with just a handfull of good chances. The Spruce Kings had troubles getting pucks through to the net most of the net. PG who has been playing its best hockey as of late snapped their four game winning streak tonight.
Scratches:
Vernon:
Dylan Walchuk
Patrick McGillis (Injured)
Adam Thompson
Prince George:
Derek Henderson
Bennett Hambrook
3 Stars:
1st Star: Aaron Hadley (2 goals)
2nd Star: John Knisley (2 assists)
3rd Star: Alex Wright (31 saves)
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