Halcrow Holds The Fort:

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Halcrow holds the fort

by Don Klepp | Added 2011-10-01

Sensational goaltending by Kirby Halcrow kept the Vernon Vipers afloat against a hard charging Westside Warrior squad and his team responded with three third period goals to produce a 5-2 win in West Kelowna.

Captain Patrick McGillis, whose own fine game was acknowledged with a second star nod, paid tribute to his fellow 20-year-old: “We figure that Kirby is the best goalie in the league, and he showed that again tonight. He just never quits on a play.”

Halcrow was at his best during a spate of Viper penalties in the first period, as he fought Warriors for pucks in the crease and threw himself around to smother rebounds. He left Connor Dempsey, Tyler Krause, and Brett McKinnon shaking their heads after diving to get open rebounds that looked like sure Westside goals.

Westside employed a simple strategy of shooting from all angles and charging the net to punch in rebounds. Also, they created chances by cutting off passing lanes in the neutral zone.

The Vipers’ characteristic strategy of quick puck movement resulted in the game’s opening score at 18:29. Fresh off the bench on a change, Connor Hartley gathered a loose puck at centre ice and promptly found Mike Zalewski on the right wing.

Zalewski blew by a Westside defender in the right faceoff circle and went hard to the net. His rising snap shot beat Steve Racine over the goalie’s right shoulder and just inside the post.

Westside responded on the very next shift. On the right wing, Tyler Krause fired a hard low shot that Halcrow kicked out with his right pad. Max French beat a Viper to the rebound and snapped it over a sprawled Halcrow.

Westside outshot Vernon 19-8 in the first period and 18-10 in the second, en route to a total of 49-30. Still, the Vipers took a 2-1 lead into the third period, courtesy of a Marcus Basara goal that rolled in off Steve Racine’s chest.

Westside Coach, Rylan Ferster, then put Brandon Lane in goal. He stopped all five Viper shots in the remainder of the period, but surrendered three goals in the third.

Adam Tambellini was involved in the last four Viper strikes, starting with an assist on the Basara tally. At 5:06, he scored a one-timer on a nice setup by Marcus Basara during a Viper two-man advantage. Then, 19 seconds later, on the tail end of the ensuing five-on-four, he fed Marc Hetnik for a big slap shot that zipped into the top corner before Lane could move.

Tambellini capped the Viper scoring with a slick bit of skill. Fed by Patrick McGillis on the right wing, Tambellini snapped a high shot that caught Lane’s shoulder on the short side. The puck dropped to Lane’s feet, where Tambellini sped in to make one move and scoop it over the goalie.

On a Westside two-man advantage late in the game, Travis Blanleil popped in a consolation goal for Westside during a wild scramble in Halcrow’s crease. It was the first goal the Vipers have surrendered during 18 opposition power plays in Vernon’s three games.

Tempers flared late in the game, particularly during a spirited bout in which Turner Lawson won a decision over Ben Betker.

Game Notes:

• Luke Juha and Riley Hunt, returning from injury, played their first BCHL games. However, they lost Max Mowat to an upper body injury in the third period. Ryan Renz and Alex Hagen did not dress because of injury.

• Warrior rookie Reid Simmonds absorbed a heavy check in the second period and did not return to action.

• In the third period, Warrior Captain, Izaak Berglund, injured his head or neck when he got tangled with Jedd Soleway. Berglund was placed on a backboard and taken way in an ambulance.

• Despite their injury problems, compounded by the current 21-player rosters, both teams will have a quick turnaround. On Saturday, Vernon will host Prince George while Westside travels to Merritt