I was at this afternoon's Royal Bank Cup as Vernon defeated Wellington 5-2 at the Edgeworth Centre.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon: Kirby Halcrow
Wellington: Jordan Ruby
1st Period: The Vipers would get a great scoring opprotunity on Vernon's second shift of the afternoon, after a quick shot from the circle by Dylan Walchuk was deflected in front by Marcus Basara who tried going five hole but Jordan Ruby shut the pads tight keeping the Vipers off the score board in the opening minute. Vernon would get an early powerplay, Mike Zalewski early with a great chance was stopped by Jordan Ruby. Towards the end of the man advantage Adam Thompson with a nice pass down low setup John Knisley who had Jordan Ruby down and out but Knisley fanned on his first shot as Ruby made the first save before Knisley with a second shot but Ruby stayed with Knisley making the second save as the Dukes killed off the minor. Just after the Vipers powerplay John Knisley alone in front was stopped from the high slot. Just after Malcolm Lyles setup Patrick McGillis who made his return to the Vernon lineup and ripped a high shot from the top of the circle over Ruby's blocker at 5:04 giving the Vipers the early 1-0 lead. Lyles and Brett Corkey collected the helpers. A minute later the Vipers would get their second powerplay of the afternoon, Steve Weinstein would carry the puck in through the neutral zone before walking in close getting a great chance but was stopped by Ruby. On the next shift David Robinson gave Vernon a 2-0 lead at 6:55 with Adam Thompson and Dane Muench with the assists. Robinson's shot looked to have hit or went off one or two Wellington players in front before getting past Jordan Ruby. The Vipers in total control at this point outshooting the Dukes 10-1. Just before the midway mark the Dukes would get their first powerplay but unable to get any real good chances. Wellington would get a shot two man advantage but again unable to generate any real good opportunties as the Vipers killed off both penalties. On the next shift Malcolm Lyles couldnt contain Darcy Murphy who on the wrap around hit the the far post before the puck went in off the post and past Kirby Halcrow at 10:43 getting the Dukes on the board. Jeff Stanton with the lone assist. Vernon would then get another powerplay and buzz around the Dukes goal. Dylan Walchuk with a quick shot from the circle was stopped after Ruby made a big save with the knob of his stick. Mike Zalewski with a chance at the side of the net couldnt get the puck past Ruby after making a big pad save. Wellington would kill off the penalty. The Vipers would get their fourth powerplay of the game late towards the end of the 1st period. Buzzing around the net Vernon had the Dukes in circles getting some great chances. Wellington with another big penalty kill were only down a goal. In the final minute of play, Sean Rudy and Zach Jones on a two on one, Rudy kept and shot high but missed the net on just the Dukes second scoring opportunity of the afternoon. Vernon dominated the period and carried the play most of the entire period. Wellington was lucky to be down by just a goal after the Vipers with tons of chances. Vernon was up 2-1 after 20 minutes of play. The Vipers outshot the Dukes 23-10.
2nd Period: Wellington got the play in deep off the opening draw and had their best pressure of the afternoon in the Vipers zone in the opening few minutes but couldnt generate any real good scoring chances. Both teams got off to a bit of a slow start with not alot of action to start the middle frame. Both teams struggled a bit at times with the puck in their own end. Some scramby play at both ends in the first five or so minutes. The Dukes would get the first powerplay of the period but it was the Vipers speed and strong forecheck wich gave Vernon a two on zero shorthanded breakaway as Dylan Walchuk and Patrick McGillis went in all alone as McGillis put a nice move on Jordan Ruby giving Vernon a 3-1 lead at 7:11 Walchuk and Brett Corkey with the assists. On the same powerplay Dylan Walchuk and John Knisley would get a shorthanded two on one, Knisley fed Walchuk before Ruby slid across the crease making a huge save keeping the Dukes in the game. Vernon would kill off the minor. Just after the penalty kill Marcus Basara with a great chance from in close hit the crossbar. Wellington would get another shot with the man advantage but once again Dylan Walchuk and Patrick McGillis on another shorthanded two on one, Walchuk kept and shot but missed the goal as Vernon killed off the minor. The Vipers would get into penalty trouble late in the period giving Wellington a two man advantage but the Dukes were unable to get much offence going before the period come to an end. Wasnt much of a period as neither team really carried the play. Vernon's penalty kill was very strong getting all kinds of chances shorthanded. The Vipers with a 3-1 after 40 minutes of play. Vernon outshot Wellington 10-7.
3rd Period: The Dukes started the 3rd on a two man advantage that was carried over from the end of the 2nd period. Wellington would get the play in deep off the draw before Brian Bunnett with a great chance in front couldnt get the puck past Kirby Halcrow who come up with a huge pad save. The Vipers would kill off both minors after some strong penalty kill. The Vipers would take another penalty early and this time the Dukes would capitalize after Joe Zarbo's wrist shot from the high slot beat Halcrow at 3:41 making it a one goal game. Former Vernon Vipers defenceman, Elliott Richardson and Sean Rudy picked up the assists. Halcrow looked to be screened on Zarbo's shot. Just over a minute later Vernon would get a shot at their first powerplay of the period. The Vipers with some good presure come up with some good chances but were unable to get one past Jordan Ruby. Wellinton would kill off the minor. The Vipers would slowly start to pull away and carry the better of the play for the remainder of the period. Brett Corkey with a nice setup for Darren Nowick, would beat Ruby at 11:42 giving Vernon a 4-2 lead. Corkey and Adam Thompson with the assists. Just over three minutes later Nowick would collect his second of the game at 15:01 giving the Vipers a 5-2 lead. Brett Corkey and Ryan Renz with the assists. On the next shift the Vipers would get the final powerplay of the afternoon, Mike Zalewski with a great chance was stopped by Jordan Ruby. Vernon had the Dukes skating in circles as Vernon looked to have the puck on a string but again the Dukes penalty kill would kill off the minor. Just after the powerplay, Patrick McGillis with a great chance for the hat trick ripped a hard low shot from the top of the circle was robbed by Jordan Ruby who come across the crease making a huge pad save. From here on in the Vipers carried the play and looked to be on the powerplay for the remainder of the game as the play was deep in Wellingtons zone. The play was even to start the 3rd but Vernon took over and was the better team outplaying the Dukes in the second half. At the buzzer Marcus Basara was very upset and got into a scrum deep in the Wellington zone, Basara and Brendan Barletta exchanged words and a few shots at one another before the linesmen broke both players apart. The Vipers would defeat Wellington 5-2 to improve to 3-0 while the Dukes drop to 0-3. Vernon outshot Wellington 13-8.
Top Players: (Vernon)
Brett Corkey (3 assists) Brett Corkey who has played extremly well at the RBC Cup played another solid game today. Corkey with one turnover in his own end in the 3rd was one of the Vipers best defencemen. Corkey really saw and read the ice well, made a few real nice heads up plays.
Adam Thompson (2 assists) Adam Thompson who has also played very well at the Royal Bank Cup picked up two helpers in the Vipers 5-2 victory. Thompson played very well at both ends of the rink.
Dylan Walchuk (1 assist) Walchuk was really skating this afternoon, was giving the Dukes all kinds of trouble down low and in and around the net. Walchuk created and setup several good scoring opportunities. Walchuk was very strong and hard to contain on the penalty kill.
John Knisley had a good game up front for the Vipers. Had several good scoring chances but couldnt capitalize on some close calls in tight. Knisley was another player who really used his speed to his advantage.
Patrick McGillis (2 goals) Patrick McGillis who returned to the Vipers lineup today after being out with an injury was the Vipers best player. McGillis who is one of Vernon's harest working players worked hard, competed and scored two big goals in the Vipers 5-2 win. McGillis another player who was very solid on the penalty kill and hard to contain. Had some real good chances to record a hat trick.
Dane Muench (1 assist) Muench who started off very slow and just didnt look very impressive as a Viper after coming over at the BCHL trade deadline has looked good atleast twice in this RBC Cup. Muench collected one helper and played very smart today. Played his position and was very responsable at both ends of the rink.
Top Players: (Wellington)
Sean Rudy (1 assist) Rudy was the lone Duke who I thought really stood out in a game where Wellington was outplayed most of the game. Rudy who has some decent size picked up one assist and played fairly well up front.
Jordan Ruby (41 saves) If it wasnt for Jordan Ruby this could have easily been a 8 or 9-2 Viper win today. I dont think you can blame Ruby on any of the Vernon goals. Ruby made several big saves early and often through out the opening period keeping the Dukes in the hockey game. Wellington who had no business being in this game was only in it due to some solid goaltening. Ruby played his position very well.
Game Thoughts: (Vernon)
With the win the Vipers now improve to 3-0 and remain atop the RBC Cup standings in first place. Vernon carried the better of the play and were by far the better team. The Vipers looked very good and gave Wellington all kinds of trouble early and often in the 1st period. Vernon with some great chances could have been up by atleast three or four goals after the opening period. Not much of a second period but give the Vipers credit, their penalty kill was very strong and hard to contain scoring shorthanded once before getting three shorthanded odd man rushes. Vernon did get into some penalty trouble but the penalty kill bailed them out except for giving up one powerplay goal. The Vipers took a while to get going but then dominated the remainder of the 3rd. This game wasnt even close as Vernon's speed and skill was just too much for the Dukes. I think the Vipers played very well, a few turnovers and give aways in their own end but overall a pretty dominating performance. A fair size of Viper fans who looked to have arrived yesterday or today made it for todays game, making alot of noise.
Game Thoughts: (Wellington)
With the loss the Dukes fall to 0-3 after Don Cherry predicted Wellington to win the RBC Cup. The Dukes who were outplayed most of the game didnt show much this afternoon. Wellington who has a big but slower team had all kinds of trouble with the Vipers speed and skill. Wellington with very little presure or scoring chances didnt generated much offence. I think I counted four maybe five scoring chances by the Dukes. Wellington had all kinds of trouble with the Vipers penalty kill giving up several Vernon scoring opportunities.
Scratches:
Vernon:
Max Mowat
Zach McPhee
Colton Sparrow
Wellington:
Real Cormier
Michael Montford
Darryl Snelling
Steve Evans
Zach Blake
Players of the game:
Vernon:
Patrick McGillis (2 goals)
Wellington:
Joe Zarbo (1 goal)
For more on tonight's game check out the boxscore,
http://www.hockeycanada.ca/index.php/ci_id/75138/la_id/1/game_id/157732/season_id/157706/ss_id/73728/
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