I was at tonights BCHL Exibition game as Vernon defeated Westside 2-1 in overtime at the Wesbild Centre.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon: Kirby Halcrow
Westside: Steve Racine
1st Period: The Warriors had the Vipers pinned in their own end off the opening faceoff and Vernon had troubles clearing the zone as Westside was forcing the Vipers to start the game. Vernon would finally clear the zone before setting up second year Viper Aaron Hadley who stepped over the Warriors blueline, going on one one with the Westside d-man before ripping a hard shot that starting goaltender, Steve Racine just got a piece of on a good scoring chance early. On the next shift second year Viper forward, Marcus Basara setup Vernon product, Jedd Soleway in front who beat Racine at 1:49 giving Vernon a 1-0 lead. Basara and Connor Hartley collected the assists. This goal seemed to give the Vipers some life as Vernon slowly started to carry the better of the play and were the better of the two teams in the opening period. Just four minutes into the 1st Riley Hunt setup Alex Hagen in front who missed the net on a great scoring chance in front. Just a few minutes later Mike Zalewski with a nice move in front went through two Warriors before putting a nice move on Steve Racine, beating the Warriors tender but couldnt slide the puck into the empty cage after a Westside d-man just got his stick on the puck at the last second stopping Zalewski from giving Vernon a 2-0 lead. The Warriors who had some energy to start the game didnt show much after giving up the games first goal, getting outplayed most of the entire opening period. The Vipers would get the games first powerplay but could only muster one shot on the man advantage as the Warriors penalty kill was good. The Vipers outshooting Westside 9-2 late in the period couldnt keep the Warriors off the board, after Tyson Witala with a rocket from the point beat Kirby Halcrow just under the crossbar tying the game 1-1 at 16:33, Travis Blanleil & Reid Simmonds picked up the helpers. This goal seemed to give the Warriors some life and turned the tables around as Westside picked up their play and carried the better of the play in the final three and a half minutes. Kirby Halcrow who had faced just three shots all period had to be sharp making two glove saves from in close keeping the score tied. The Vipers were the better team but the game was tied 1-1 after 20 minutes of play. Vernon outshot Westside 10-7.
2nd Period: The Warriors started the middle frame right where they left off the end of the opening period, as Westside got the puck in deep and for the second straight period had the Vipers pinned in their own end, as Vernons defence had troubles clearing the zone. Just two minutes into the period former Salmon Arm Silverback defenceman, Dustin Cave with a screened shot from the point, was tipped twice going towards the goal before former Quesnel Millionaire goaltender, Kirby Halcrow had to be sharp making a big save with traffic in front. Westside would get an early powerplay, giving the Warriors their first man advantage of the night. Moving the puck well the Warriors were able to create a few good opportunties but unable to find the back of the net as the Vipers would kill off the minor. Westside looked very good early as the Vipers got off to a slow start. The Warriors had the Vipers back on their heels at times creating some good chances. A few big checks got tempers heated a few times through out the 2nd period as the odd scrum formed after a few different stopages in play. Westside was by far the better team in the period as Vernon with just two shots in the first half of the period. Just past the midway mark both teams switched goaltenders. Vernon product, Danny Todosychuk replaced Kirby Halcrow who gave up just one goal on 17 shots, while Dustin Nikkel replaced Steve Racine who allowed just one goal on 12 shots. The play slowed down at both ends of the rink shortly after as both teams struggled. Vernon would then get their second powerplay of the game but it was veteran, Max French who come up with two big shot blocks on the penalty kill. The Vipers moved the puck well but couldnt get any pucks towards the net as the Warriors defence played very well killing off the minor. Shortly after the Vipers would get another shot on the man advantage but this time couldnt muster much of anything as the Westside Warriors killed off another Viper powerplay. The Vipers who only recorded four shots on net looked slow, and disorganised at times. Danny Todosychuk was put to the test making his first big save after robbing TJ Dumonceaux who made a nice move inside the Vipers blueline before trying to go fivehole on the Vipers goaltender but Todosychuk shut the pads keeping the Warriors off the board. Just a few minutes later Todosychuk came across the crease to slide and a make a big pad save off Travis Blanleil. Todosychuk was the difference making some good saves, keeping Vernon in the hockey game. The Vipers would get a late powerplay that would carry over into the 3rd period. The Warriors played a much better 2nd period and were by far the better of the two teams but the game was still tied 1-1 after 40 minutes of play. Westside outshot Vernon 14-4.
3rd Period: Vernon would start the final frame with the man advantage that was carried over from the end of the 2nd period. With just twenty five seconds left on the powerplay, Westside would kill off the minor before veteran defenceman, Michael King & Sebb Lloyd would get a two on one just over two minutes into the 3rd, but once again Danny Todosychuk come up with a big save. The Warriors who once again carried the play early were outshotting Vernon 4-0 before the Vipers took five minutes before recording their first shot on goal. Just before the midway mark Sebb Lloyd with a great chance in front was stopped by Todosychuk who played very well this evening. The Vipers who couldnt get much going slowly started to turn things around and got their game going in the second half of the period. The Vipers with two or three good chances early in the second half couldnt hit the net. Mike Zalewski would setup Tom Swales on a two on one, but Swales couldnt connect on Zalewskis pass on a great scoring opportunity. Both teams with some good chances were going back and forth. Westside with a late powerplay couldnt capitalize as the Vipers would kill off the minor. Just after the penalty kill Mike Zalewski would setup Jedd Soleway on a parcial two on one, but Soleway couldnt beat Dustin Nikkel who made a huge pad save in close keeping the game tied. With just over three minutes remaining Brennan Clark would get robbed in front after Danny Todosychuk made a huge pad save as action at both ends started to heat up. The Warriors were the better of the two teams in the first half, but give Vernon credit as they battled back and played fairly well in the second half as both teams were headed to overtime. Westside outshot Vernon 14-7.
Overtime: The Vipers would get the play in deep off the opening draw, second year Viper forward, Darren Nowick battled hard down low along the boards before getting around one Warriors d-man and then went around another Westside player before feeding a wile open Mike Zalewski in the slot who put a nice move on Dustin Nikkel beating the Warrior goaltender up stairs just fourty two seconds into the extra frame. Nowick with the lone assist on the OT winner. Vernon outshot Westside 1-0. Jason Williamson records his first victory as head coach of the Vipers and Westside now drops to 0-2 with two overtime losses in their first two games of the pre-season.
Top Players: (Vernon)
Brett Corkey was the Vipers best d-man tonight. Corkey got caught coughing up the puck once in the corner but played very solid at both ends of the rink. Looked very strong and confident on the blueline.
Turner Lawson who played as an "AP" with the Vipers last season also looked very solid on the Vipers backend. Made some real smart, heads up plays through out tonights contest.
Tanner Burns I thought played fairly well for Vernon this evening. The Vernon product played better as the game went on.
Mike Zalewski (Overtime Winner) Was by far the Vipers best player. Zalewski looked very strong in the 1st and 3rd periods, getting some real good scoring chances as well as setting up some nice scoring opportunities. Was very dangerous down low.
Marcus Basara (1 assist) Played fairly well at times. Didnt stand out the entire game. I thought Basara looked good at different times through out tonights contest.
Riley Hunt didnt do much in the opening period but played with alot of energy, didnt back down from the hitting, taking one of the biggest checks tonight but also tried laying some checks of his own.
Danny Todosychuk (18 saves) Was very impressive. For a young kid to come into a game halfway through the 2nd period, Todosychuk looked very solid making some big saves for a rookie goaltender. Has a quick glove, played his position well. Todosychuk gave his team a chance to win and without him, this game could have been over before even going into overtime.
Top Players: (Westside)
Michael King back for another season with the Warriors played a solid game defensively. Was Westsides best d-man tonight. Jumped up into the play at times as well.
Travis Blanleil (1 assist) Also played very well up front for the Warriors. Was one of the more dangerous forwards.
Max French played very well at both ends of the rink. Come up with a few big shot blocks on the penalty kill, wasnt afraid to get tangled up in the after the whistle scrums. Played with alot of energy.
Reid Simmonds (1 assist) Was another Warriors forward that played well this evening. Was involved in the play and always in and around the net.
Game Thoughts: (Vernon)
Tonight was the Vernon Vipers first pre-season game of the year and at times it showed. I thought the Vipers played and looked real good in the opening period but didnt look so hot in the 2nd and the first half of the 3rd period. I thought the Vipers struggled in their own end defensively, had troubles clearing the zone and didnt seem to have their legs moving through out tonights game. I was really looking forward to tonights game, to see how the boys would play and look against another team, other then just practising against each other during the week. Danny Todosychuk gave his club a chance to win and kept the Vipers in the game, without him this could have been a Warriors victory. Both teams were sloppy at times, but this is what the pre-season is all about. Will have to see what kind of lineup the team plays tomorrow night in Merritt.
Game Thoughts: (Westside)
I didnt think Westside looked very impressive in the opening period but give the Warriors credit they scored a late goal to tie the game wich seemed to change the tides of the game. Westside then won the last few minutes of the 1st and was by far the better of the two teams in the 2nd period and first half of the 3rd period. I thought the Warriors got better as the game went on but also struggled in certain areas. Without a #1 goaltender to start the regular season, it will be interesting to see who the Warriors go with between the pipes. Steve Racine didnt look overly impressive, had troubles handling the puck, was fighting the puck often, just didnt look very comfortable in goal tonight. Dustin Nikkel didnt really get tested often but made a few big saves.
Scratches:
Vernon: (They didnt announce any scratches, but these are players that I know didnt play and are still with the team)
Marc Hetnik
Max Mowat
Jarryd TenVanholdt
Luke Juha
Colton Sparrow
Mike Vlanich
Westside:
They didnt announce any of the Warriors scratches but I did see seven kids sitting in the stands taking notes etc, just not sure who they were.
3 Stars:
No three stars were announced at tonights game
Vernon Vipers Lineup:
Brett Corkey (92)
Walker Sidoni (94)
Geoff Crisfield (93)
Turner Lawson (94)
Tanner Burns (93)
Adam Tambellini (94)
Tom Swales (92)
Aaron Hadley (93)
Mike Zalewski (92)
Darren Nowick (91)
Marcus Basara (93)
Patrick McGillis (91)
Logan Mick (96)
Riley Hunt (95)
Jedd Soleway (94)
Connor Hartley (93)
Alex Hagen (92)
Ryan Renz (93)
Kirby Halcrow (91)
Danny Todosychuk (94)
Westside Warriors Lineup:
Michael King (93)
Mitchell Steinke (94)
Ben Betker (94)
Brayden Sherbinin (93)
Richard Vanderhoek (91)
Sebb Llyod (94)
Tyson Witala (93)
TJ Dumonceaux (94)
Conor Dempsey (92)
Travis Blanleil (94)
Dru Morrison (92)
Brennan Clark (94)
Peter MacIntosh (91)
Dustin Cave (94)
Reid Simmonds (93)
Garrett Skribich (93)
Max French (92)
Devon Hascarl (93)
Steve Racine (91)
Dustin Nikkel (93)
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