I was at tonight's BCHL game as Vernon defeated Powell River 3-2 in front of 2,612 fans at the Wesbild Centre.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon: Kirby Halcrow
Powell River: Michael Garteig
1st Period: Tonight was a rematch of the 2009 and 2010 BCHL finals and one of the top matchup's of the season as the first place Vipers faced off against the first place Kings in their second and final meeting of the regular season. Vipers defenceman, Phillip Patenaude took the pre-game warmup but didnt play. Patenaude has played just one game since getting a concussion in a game back on December, 11th in Alberni Valley. Powell River come out hitting and hitting hard, laying some hard, solid checks on the Vipers early and often. Bryce Kakoske took a big check in the Kings zone and slowly skated off on one foot. It was Kakiske who took a big slapshot to the same foot a few weeks back aginst the Langley Cheifs, Kakoske was forced to miss a few games before returning to the Vipers lineup. Kakoske seemed to skate it off and stayed in the game. It was the Vipers who would get the game's first good scoring chance just three minutes into the contest, Kyle Murphy took a nice pass from behind the Kings net, but the first year Viper couldnt hit the net from the slot, just missing the far corner. On the next play the Vipers would then get the game's first powerplay, but Vernon would only manage two shots as the Kings killed off the minor. As the period continued the Vipers slowly started to come back with the physical play, as now both teams were playing physical. Vernon controlled the early play and most of the play in the opening period, as it took Powell River six minutes to record a shot on Kirby Halcrow. Powell River would then get their first crack with the man advantage but the Kings couldnt get much going on the powerplay, getting just a single shot on net in the final seconds as Vernon killed off the minor. Patrick McGillis then with a good scoring play, carried the play in over the Kings blueline and with alot of room, walked into the circle and ripped a quick shot that was stopped by Michael Garteig. Bryce Kakoske who had a good opening period took a high stick to the face but stayed in the game. Just a few minutes later McGillis again with a shot from the slot was stopped by Garteig who let out a big rebound. Garteig had troubles controlling the puck all night, giving out big rebounds on almost every Vernon shot. The Vipers controlled most of the play and were the better of the two teams. Powell River who played a very physical 1st couldnt get much offence going, the Kings lone scoring chance came in the dying seconds after the puck hit a Vipers player at the Vernon blueline, forcing the Kings in with an odd man rush before veteran forward, Matt Garbowsky with a wrap around slid the puck through the crease and out into the slot as the buzzer sounded as the Kings come oh so close to opening the scoring in the final few seconds. It was 0-0 after 20 minutes of play. Vernon outshot Powell River 7-3.
2nd Period: The Kings got off to a good start controlling the play, but just over a minute into the 2nd Max Mowat crosschecked Kings captain, Chad Niddery into the corner boards in the Vernon zone, before Kings forward, Cohen Adair jumped in going after Mowat as everyone got involved as a scrum formed in the corner as punches, and pushing and shoving occured. Powell River who was heading to the powerplay now made for some four on four action. The Kings who looked like the better of the two teams early took another penalty giving Vernon their second powerplay of the night. The Vipers waisted little time, Kirby Halcrow fed Vipers captain, David Robinson who carried the puck through the neutral zone before stepping over the Kings blueline and then ripping a quick low shot past Michael Garteig at 3:35 giving Vernon the 1-0 lead. Halcrow with the lone assist and first point as a Viper. Vernon would then head right back to the powerplay but this time couldnt capitalise as the Kings killed off the minor. Another physical period but this time it was Vernon who seemed to step up with the more physical play as the Kings were looking over their shoulders. A more even played period with very little scoring chances in a tight defensive game. Aaron Hadley and John Knisley with a great chance to take a two goal lead on a two on one, but veteran d-man, Jason Yee come up with a solid defensive play to knock the puck away from Hadley. Powell River would get a shot with the man advantage, moving the puck around well the Kings with some good presure couldnt hit the net as Vernon killed off the minor. With just under seven minutes remaining, Jon Jutzi's point shot was tipped in front by Justin Bardarson but Kirby Halcrow made his biggest save of the period keeping the Kings off the board. The Kings would then get their second straight powerplay, again Powell River with some great presure moved the puck well had the Vipers hemmed in their own end but couldnt get the puck past Halcrow who made two saves in close with traffic in front. The Vipers penalty kill excaped killing off the minor. Momentum slowly started to change late in the 2nd as the Kings slowly started to take over the edge in play and carried the better of the final five or so minutes. Vernon was outshooting Powell River at one point in this period 13-6 as Kirby Halcrow had to be sharp as the Vipers were up 1-0 after 40 minutes of play. Powell River outshot Vernon 11-7.
3rd Period: Powell River carried that momentum over from the end of the 2nd period right through into the 3rd as the Kings jumped on the Vipers early and often. The Kings got the play in deep but didnt really get any real good quality shots. Powell River who carried the early edge in play would go down by two early. Bryce Kakoske and David Robinson would skate in over the Kings blueline, before Kakoske would wire his shot that beat a stunned Michael Garteig at 4:19 on the Vipers first shot of the period giving Vernon a 2-0 lead. Robinson and Kyle Murphy with the helpers. But Vernon was unable to build any momentum off the goal as Powell River would get the play in deep off the faceoff, Max Mowat would cough up the puck, before Andrew Pettitt caught Kirby Halcrow way out of position and slide the puck into the empty cage at 4:38 getting the Kings on the board. Teagan Waugh with the lone assist. This wasnt what Vernon wanted after jumping out to an early 2-0 lead. Powell River didnt stop their as it was all Kings the entire 3rd. Kirby Halcrow had to be sharp after a long screened point shot was stopped by Halcrow, somehow the puck got loose as the Kings couldnt bury the rebound on a great scoring play. The Vipers were being outworked, outskated and outplayed most of the 3rd did do a good job at not giving the Kings alot of good scoring chances. The physical play slowed down in the 3rd in a very tight checking game with not alot of open ice for either team. Vernon couldnt get much offence going in the final frame after the Kings defence played very well shutting down the Vipers. Powell River would get a powerplay and take advantage, after moving the puck well Jon Jutzi setup Cohen Adair who beat Halcrow at 14:49 tying the game 2-2. Jutzi and Craig Dalrymple with the assists. But just a minute later Vernon would tie the game on the powerplay after Dylan Walchuk waited for Garteig to go down before roofing his shot off the crossbar and in at 15:49 giving Vernon the 3-2 lead. The Vipers did what the Kings did to them, come right back after giving up a goal and get one right back. Darren Nowick and Steve Weinstein collected the assists. Malcolm Lyles then with a huge hit deep in the Vernon zone laid out a Powell River player (didnt catch his number) sending another melay in the Vipers zone. Andrew Pettitt was the first player in after Lyles as a scrum formed in front of the Vernon goal with punches being exchanged as tempers heated up once again. Lyles was tossed from the game and given a five minute major for checking to the head, Pettitt was given four minutes for roughing as the teams finished the game four on four. The Kings carried the play for the remainder of the 3rd but couldnt get any real quality shots on Kirby Halcrow. Powell River would then call a late timeout before getting Michael Garteig to the bench for the extra attacker with just over 1:30 remaining. Chad Niddery with a great chance with 57 seconds remaining made a nice move on the Vernon defenceman before cutting hard towards the goal but slide the puck just past the far corner. The Kings with all kinds of presure moved the puck well, before setting up Teagan Waugh in front but Halcrow made a big save in close. Waugh then behind the Vipers net, got Halcrow going side to side before dishing off to a wide open Craig Dalrymple who raised his hands thinking he had the game's tying goal but somehow Kirby Halcrow made his biggest save of the night with just twenty seven seconds left, robbing Dalrymple at the side of the goal. In the final seconds Teagan Waugh was stopped again by Halcrow who was very sharp all night. Vernon managed to clear the zone and kill the final few seconds off the clock knocking off the league's best 3-2 in a playoff like game. Powell River outshot Vernon 12-8.
Top Players: (Vernon)
Malcolm Lyles was Vernon's best defenceman tonight. Lyles played a very physical and defensive game. Carried the puck up ice a few plays, jumped up into the play and seemed to play with a little more confidence tonight. Lyles who is very strong, was chekced a few times tonight by a Powell River player but in the end it was the Kings player who was the one taking the check and falling to the ice.
Dylan Walchuk (1 goal) I thought Walchuk had a very strong game for the Vipers this evening. Walchuk took some pretty big hits in the opening period but didnt back down and continued to use his speed and skill against the Kings. Walchuk didnt quit skating and looked very strong up front battling hard for the puck in and around the net. Scored a highlight reel goal (game winner).
Marcus Basara I thought played and looked very good in the game's first two periods. Basara really used his speed in the opening period didnt seem to have much puck luck tonight in and around the net. I thought Marcus has played well over the last few games.
Patrick McGillis played a strong game up front for Vernon. McGillis with a few good scoring chances in the 1st played very well at both ends of the rink. Really battled hard, didnt quit skating and played tough.
Steve Weinstein (1 assist) Was Vernon's other defenceman who I was very impressed with tonight. Weinstein played a solid defensive game all around this evening and looked very strong with and without the puck. One of the more smaller Vipers, did well against a very physical Powell River club.
Bryce Kakoske (1 goal) Played a very strong game up front for the Vipers. Kakoske took a pretty big hit deep in the Kings zone early in tonight's game and looked to skate off to the bench in a little discomfort but stayed in the game and competed hard. Kakoske worked hard and battled hard all night.
Kirby Halcrow (24 saves) Halcrow only faced three shots in the 1st had to be sharp in the 2nd making some key saves late in the period. Halcrow saved his best for last and made his biggest saves of the night in the final minute of play. This was Halcrows best game as a Viper.
Top Players: (Powell River)
Klay Kachur I thought was one of the Kings more physical d-men tonight.
Teagan Waugh (1 assist) Had a strong game up front for the Kings, had his best chances and looked his best in the 3rd but couldnt get the puck past Kirby Halcrow.
Jason Yee played a solid game on the Powell River blueline. Yee made a great defensive play in the 2nd stopping Aaaron Hadley and John Knisley on a two on one.
Chris Williams was another Powell River defenceman who I thought stood out and played a solid game. Played physical, didnt give the Viper forwards alot of room down low, really played well defensively.
Chad Niddery had some good chances but couldnt get the bounces or anything past Kirby Halcrow. Niddery was really skating well tonight and was hard to knock off the puck at times. Took a few huge hits from a few Viper players, but didnt back down.
Justin Dasilva played and looked very strong on the Kings backend. Dasilva a veteran 20 yr old d-man played well for the Kings.
Game Thoughts: (Vernon)
There was alot of hype and talk about tonight's game here in town all this week as the Vipers who are currently in first place in the Interior Conference were looking up for the huge challenge of facing off against the league's best, and wanted to prove to Powell River and the league they were also one of the league's best. Well the Vipers answered the challenge and come up with a huge 3-2 victory over a very very tough physical Powell River Kings club, snapping the Kings six game winning streak. Give Vernon full credit for not backing down, playing physical and outlasting the Kings evening the season series 1-1. I thought the Vipers played very well in the opening period and were the better team, a more evenly matched 2nd period and the Vipers were up 1-0. Then the Vipers who were outplayed, outworked and outskated hung on for the win in the 3rd, scoring some timely goals. Yes the Vipers were outplayed in the 3rd but give Vernon credit for not giving Powell River alot of good quality chances or shots until the final minute of play. After a very physical first two periods I wasnt sure if the Vipers could last another period but Vernon dished their fare share of big hits out and in the 2nd you could see the Kings slowly looking over their shoulders. With the win and a Penticton loss to the Coquitlam Express, the Vipers now move three points up on the 2nd place Vees. Nice to see a big crowd show up tonight, really makes the game that more exciting and adds alot of energy in the building. Tonight was a playoff like game and had that playoff like atmosphere.
Game Thoughts: (Powell River)
After knocking off the Vipers 5-2 back in Powell River back in late November it was interesting to see who would come out on top tonight. The Kings who have a very big physical team, like to play the body, finish their checks and attack you. Powell River dosnt give you alot of room, nor do they allow you to get anywhere near the goal on rebounds. Here are the league's two top defensive teams and it showed tonight in a tight checking, hard hitting game. The Kings didnt really get alot of real good scoring chances and neither did the Vipers. Tonight was also Powell River's third game in four nights. This was the most physical team I have seen this season and one of the more bigger teams. Michael Garteig had troubles controlling the puck, giving up several rebounds on most of Vernon's shots. You have to wonder if Kent Lewis will be happy with the Kings over physical play after a two Vernon hits. Max Mowats crosscheck in the 2nd and Malcolm Lyles check to the head in the 3rd, on both plays the Kings were coming away with the man advantage and on Lyles hit Powell River was getting a five minute powerplay for the remainder of the game. On both plays the Kings jumped in and dropped the mits going after the Vipers, taking away both powerplays. Maybe not on the Mowat hit but Powell River could have wound up with a five minute powerplay for the remainder of the game, this could have changed the outcome of the game and score. If your the coach, do you agree with letting the Vipers know they wont get away with two cheap shots or do you stay disaplined and make Vernon pay on the powerplay and maybe win the game? Overall a very exciting-entertaining hockey game.
Scratches:
Vernon:
Phillip Patenaude
Mike Zalewski
Colton Sparrow
Powell River:
Brendon Hawryluk
Bond Hawryluk
Mike Sones
3 Stars:
1st Star: Dylan Walchuk (1 goal)
2nd Star: David Robinson (1 goal & 1 assist)
3rd Star: Cohen Adair (1 goal)
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