Vipers Blank Millionaires:

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Vipers blank Millionaires

by Don Klepp | Added 2011-02-20

In a game that lacked intensity, but did have some fine offensive play and first-rate goaltending, the Vernon Vipers capped their regular season with a 3-0 home ice victory over the Quesnel Millionaires on Sunday.

Both teams have playoff positions decided, so there was little motivation to play at their highest level. Still, the crowd of 2366 saw some pretty plays and some big hits.

The Vipers outshot the Mills, 46-19, and out-chanced the visitors 18-4. As a consequence, Adam Harris had more opportunity to showcase his goaltending skills, especially in the second and third periods.

Harris was a one-man wall in the third as the Mills showed the effects of playing three games in three days. Several times he robbed Vipers at the goal mouth.

At the other end, Kirby Halcrow was severely tested just three times, and he was shy about taking credit for the shutout, his first as a Viper.

“The guys played really well in front of me,” said Halcrow. “I didn’t have to do much.”

He continued, “It’s different playing here than for Quesnel, a lot fewer shots. So I’ve had to adjust my mental approach and keep my head in the game when the guys are controlling the play at the other end. It’s coming; I’m comfortable now with having fewer shots.”

Dylan Walchuk, who had a lot of jump, was prominent in the Vipers’ two goals in the first period. In the middle of a line change, he found himself with David Robinson and Bryce Kakoske and the trio clicked with a pretty three-way passing play at 7:05.

The final touch came when Walchuk feathered a pass to Robinson for a high speed tap in, a play that the Sedin twins would be happy to complete.

Walchuk was instrumental on Patrick McGillis’s goal at 11:35. Out with his regular line mates, Walchuk won the faceoff and carried the puck deep into the Quesnel zone. The puck was knocked off his stick, but he regained it and fed Dane Muench.

The rebound of Muench’s shot came directly to McGillis, who buried it from 15 feet.

A physical second period resulted, nonetheless, in just one penalty. The Vipers easily killed a hooking call to Ryan Renz.

After being repeatedly stymied by Adam Harris in the third, Vernon finally capitalized when Bryce Kakoske ripped a wrist shot from the slot at 17:29. Harris got a piece of the puck, but not enough to prevent it from entering the top corner.

Darren Nowick and Steven Weinstein, both of whom were very active for the Vipers in this game, drew assists on Kakoske’s 50th point of the season, the first time he has reached that mark in five BCHL seasons.

After the game, Coach Jason Williamson reflected on the team’s capture of first place in the Interior Division. “I don’t think a lot of people expected us to finish first, but the guys really earned it. We’ve seen steady improvement in individual effort and team play. Mark [Ferner] and I take our hats off to them.”

Game Notes:

• A head injury to Bryton Udy, courtesy of a wayward stick in Westside, kept him out of the game, or the goalies traded for each other would have duelled each other in Vernon for the first time.

• Dylan Walchuk finished the season with a team-leading 56 points, the first time in the history of the Vernon franchise that the team’s leading point getter has had fewer than 60 points.

• The Vipers’ mark of 141 goals against is the second best defensive record in team history.

• The Millionaires will face the Penticton Vees in the first round of the playoffs, starting Thursday in Penticton.

• The Vipers will play their first playoff series, starting March 8 and 9 in Vernon.

• The Vipers finished the season with a league-best average attendance of 1858, which is 283 better than Langley's second-rated attendance.