I was at tonight's game as Vernon defeated Alberni Valley 4-1 in front of 1,621 fans at the Wesbild Centre.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon: Kirby Halcrow
Alberni Valley: Frank Slubowski
1st Period: The Vipers welcomed back veteran defenceman, Adam Thompson to the lineup after missing a few games with a concusion. Both teams come ready to play tonight with lots of jump in a very spirited hockey game. The Bulldogs come out hitting early and often really laying some big punishing checks on Vernon. Marcus Basara setup Vernon product, Colton Sparrow who was stopped in front by Frank Slubowski, Sparrow picked up his own rebound but missed on the net on his second opportunity. On the same play Sparrow then picked up the puck behind the Dogs goal, setting up Basara in front who was robbed by Slubowski. Alberni Valley would then get two good chances, one on a wrap around that was stopped by Kirby Halcrow, Halcrow had to be sharp keeping his pad tight against the post as the puck was wedged between the pipe and his skate as the Bulldogs with a few wacks couldnt get the puck past the former Quesnel Millionaire goaltender and then Connor Varley was stopped in front on a second chance. Vernon would get the first powerplay and capitalise. Steve Weinstein setup Dylan Walchuk who was left alone in front, getting his backhand past Slubowski at 9:58 giving the Vipers a 1-0 lead. Weinstein with the lone helper. A very fast pace opening period with very few whistles made for a very entertaining hard hitting 1st period. John Knisley just about made it 2-0 after getting a pass through the slot but ripped his shot high and just over the net. Lars Hepso with a chance at the side of the Viper net, couldnt get the puck past Halcrow who looked to have troubles handling the puck tonight, giving out several rebounds. Alberni Valley one of the more chippier teams that have come into the Wesbild Centre this season laid out a huge check to the head on Vipers assistant captain, Bryce Kakoske with no call on the play. The Bulldogs would get a late powerplay and come very close to tying the game. Dylan Nowakowski was able to walk in from the corner untouched, and then roofed his shot high and over Kirby Halcrow who was going down, but hit the post. On the same play Nowakowski fed Connor Varley who jumped up into the play but couldnt beat Halcrow who come to challenge making the pad save. Vernon would kill off the minor. Alberni Valley had lots of jump, really forechecking the Vipers most of the period. A very even played 1st as Vernon was up 1-0 after 20 minutes of play. The Bulldogs outshot the Vipers 12-6.
2nd Period: The Vipers would get off to a good start jumping ahead 2-0 after Steve Weinstein's shot from the corner was tipped in front by captain, David Robinson at 1:40 with Weinstein drawing the only assist. Just over minute later Malcolm Lyles with a nice move in the neutral zone created a two on one, before setting up Patrick McGillis, McGillis beat Slubowski but hit the crossbar as Vernon come close to a 3-0 lead. But back come Alberni Valley as Lars Hepso was stopped in front with traffic in front of Kirby Halcrow. Brandon Adams was then stopped by Halcrow. The Bulldogs slowly started to take over the edge in play and were really moving the puck well, getting the play in deep before Dylan Nowakowski setup Josh Mitchell in front who beat Halcrow at 4:38 cutting the lead to 2-1. Nowakowski and Casey Bailey collected the assists. AV controlled the better of the play before Colton Sparrow dropped the gloves with Marley Keca who was cut from the Vipers training camp-pre season lineup the past two seasons. This didnt slow down the Dogs as Alberni Valley still kept coming with some good presure but again no real good scoring chances. The Vipers who seem to never play well in the second period had just a single shot in the first half of the period. Just past the midway mark Vernon would get just their second shot on goal before former Salmon Arm Silverbacks defenceman, Mike Puddifant went after David Robinson, before both players dropped the gloves in a very good scrap. On the play the Vipers would come out of the play with a powerplay. The Vipers didnt look very good on the man advantage as the Bulldogs killed off the minor before Vernon would head right back to the powerplay just a minute or two later. On the man advantage the Vipers setup Dane Muench in front who was stopped by Slubowski who come across the crease making a big pad save. Vernon looked much better on this powerplay but was unable to score as the Dogs killed off the minor. Alberni Valley who laid out several high head shots tonight, got away with another high check to the head after Adam Thompson took a huge elbow to the head with no call on the play. Vernon who was outplayed in the first half of the period slowly started to turn the period around with a few chances. Malcolm Lyles with a nice pass setup Bryce Kakoske in the slot, who beat Frank Slubowski but hit the crossbar. The Vipers controlled the better of the play in the final five or so minutes before Sam Mitchell was stopped by Halcrow in the final minute and a half on a chance at the side of the goal. In the final minute of play Marcus Basara and John Knisley went for a loose puck, before both players just about collided with one another before Knisley picked up the puck going in for the breakaway but couldnt beat Slubowski who stayed with the Viper rookie making the blocker save keeping the Dogs in the contest. Alberni Valley was the better of the two teams in the 2nd but was down 2-1 after 40 minutes of play.
3rd Period: Both teams got off to a bit of a slow start with not much action early on. Ryan Renz who was facing his former team for the first time, was caught along the side wall sending Brandon Adams and Lars Hepso in on the two on one, Adams kept and shot but couldnt beat Kirby Halcrow who stood tall making the save. The Vipers would then get an early powerplay, Dane Muench with a shot from the slot was stopped by Slubowski who made the routine save. With some good pressure at the blueline the Bulldogs got the puck past Brett Corkey wich allowed Dylan Nowakowski to go in for the breakaway, but on the play Malcolm Lyles showed some good hustle just getting back in time to get enough of his stick in and around Nowakowski who still got off a good shot but couldnt beat Halcrow who stayed with the Bulldog forward making a nice save on the shorthanded breakaway. The Bulldogs would kill off the minor. Back come John Knisley who ripped a shot from in close but just missed the far corner missing the goal. Bryce Kakoske then missed the goal on a chance from in close. Lars Hepso was stopped at the side of the Vernon net on a Alberni Valley scoring chance. The Vipers slowly started to dump the puck in deep and keep all four lines fresh, as the period went on, the Vipers speed and skill slowly started to show who the better team was as the Vipers slowly started to take over the edge in play. Malcolm Lyles with a nice move at the Vernon blueline carried the play in over the AV blueline before making an unreal pass to a streaking Darren Nowick who ripped his shot past Frank Slubowski at 12:31 giving Vernon a 3-1 lead, in a goal they desperatly needed at this point in the hockey game. Lyles with the only assist on the goal. Just under two minutes later Bryce Kakoske did all the work inside the Bulldogs zone knocking the AV d-man off the puck before setting up Kyle Murphy in front who ripped his shot past Slubowski at 14:18 giving Vernon a 4-1 lead as the Vipers were now taking over the hockey game. Kakoske with the lone helper on the goal. At this point the Bulldogs couldnt get much of anything going as the Vipers were the better of the two teams in the 3rd really stepping up their play. AV would get a late powerplay but unable to capitalise as the Vipers killed off the minor. In the end the Vipers would defeat the Bulldogs 4-1. Alberni Valley outshot Vernon 11-8.
Top Players: (Vernon)
Malcolm Lyles (1 assist) What can you say about Malcolm Lyles. Lyles who is slowly starting to come into his own as of late as become a fan favorite playing his best hockey of the season. For the second straight game Lyles looked very solid at both ends of the rink. Didnt play as physical as we have seen him play in the past but made some real nice moves at both ends of the rink. Really reads the ice well, can skate like the wind and loves to jump up into the play. Had a few good rushes tonight. What a pass Lyles made to Darren Nowick setting up Vernon's third goal. Very impressive.
David Robinson (1 goal) Robinson took several shots-wacks in behind the play, especially in the first two periods before dropping the gloves with Mike Puddifant in a great scrap. I thought the Viper captain battled hard and worked very hard tonight, played well.
John Knisley I thought showed alot of hustle tonight, come up with a few chances. Really used his speed tonight.
Marcus Basara played in spirts tonight. I thought Basara who has done this in the past in a few games, played very well in the opening period but then only looked good at different times through out the remainder of the game.
Dane Muech was another Viper who played well in spirts. Muench who has struggled since arriving in Vernon after coming over at the BCHL trade deadline hasnt really done much for the Vipers but I thought looked fairly good at times in different times of the hockey game tonight.
Colton Sparrow who dosnt see alot of ice time, played a very spirited game this evening. The Vernon product played with alot of energy and emotion looking very good in the first two periods. Dropped his mits with former Viper tryout Marley Keca in the 2nd period. Seemed to add a little spark to the Vipers lineup tonight.
Steve Weinstein (2 assists) Weinstein played very well on the Vipers blueline. Looked very well defensively, making a few smart plays.
Kirby Halcrow (28 saves) Halcrow made a few tough saves from in close early in the opening period as well as early into the 2nd, but made his biggest save of the night stopping Dylan Nowakowski on the shorthanded breakaway that could have changed the game. I dont think Kirby played his best game, seemed to be fighting the puck at times as well as giving out some pretty big rebounds.
Top Players: (Alberni Valley)
Connor Varley looked very impressive on the Dogs blueline. A very good skater, likes to jump up into the play. Had two good chances tonight, played very well defensively.
Frank Riddle who was cut by the Vipers two seasons ago after training camp-the pre season played solid on the Bulldogs backened. Was one of the more physical AV d-men.
Casey Bailey (1 assist) Had a strong game up front for Alberni Valley. Had some good chances, jumped up into the play, seemed to always be in and around the net.
Lars Hepso was another Bulldog who come up with a few good chances, also in and around the net looking for opportunities.
Oliver McCluskey played very well up front for the Dogs.
Sam Mitchell had one or two good chances, played physical.
Liam Darragh was by far the most physical player for Alberni Valley. A bigger kid who didnt let back on the physical play. Was very agressive and knocked a few Vipers around.
Frank Slubowski (18 saves) You cant fault Slubowski on any of the four goals tonight. This wasnt a 4-1 hockey game. Slubowski who is one of the better goaltenders in the BCHL made some big saves keeping the Bulldogs in tonights game, giving them a chance to win. Dosnt give up alot of rebounds or second chances.
Game Thoughts: (Vernon)
After playing one of the best games of the season in a 3-2 victory over the league leading Powell River Kings, the Vipers havnt seemed to play a full 60 minutes in any of the games since that big win over the Kings. Yes the Vipers have played some of the league's more weaker teams in that stretch but Vernon just hasnt seem to get back to their game plan. Tonight we saw the Vipers play Viper hockey and play a very good hockey game. Going into tonights game I was worried Vernon may be looking ahead to their matchup with the Penticton Vees tomorrow night, but that wasnt the case. In one of the more entertaining games over the past few weeks, the Vipers had to work hard and earn the two points tonight in a hard fought victory. Other then the first half of the 2nd period I thought Vernon played a very good game at both ends of the rink. Like I said earlier this wasnt a 4-1 game, the Vipers speed and skill and a few turnovers scored two quick back to back goals in the 3rd opened up the game a little. Tonights game could have went either way for both teams in one of the more spirited games of the season, especially since both teams only face each other twice all season. For the first time in while Vernon was outshot. With the win and Trails 6-0 victory over Penticton, Vernon moves six points up on the second place Vees.
Game Thoughts: (Alberni Valley)
I was very impressed with the Alberni Valley Bulldogs tonight, this team sure didnt play or look like a 6th place hockey club. The Bulldogs forechecked the Vipers early and often to start the game and played very physical most of the game. AV is a very hard working team and has some kids that can put the puck in the net as well as solid goaltening. I wouldnt want to face these kids in the first round of the playoffs. Alberni Valley gave Vernon a good run and a bounce here or their could have changed the outcome. The Bulldogs are one of if not the most chippiest team I have seen all season, AV really likes to come in with the high hits, giving the Vipers atleast three good checks-elbows to the head. Very chippy in behind the play as well. But overall a very entertaining hockey game.
Scratches:
Vernon:
Phillip Patenaude
Zach McPhee
Mike Zalewski (Concusion)
Alberni Valley:
Tyler Berkholtz
Tanner Hicks
Colton Sobchak
3 Stars:
1st Star: David Robinson (1 goal)
2nd Star: Kirby Halcrow (28 saves)
3rd Star: Darren Nowick (1 goal)
For more on tonight's game check out the boxscore,
http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=839877&link=bchl
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