Todosychuk Blanks Westside:

This is posted on the Vipers website:

Todosychuk blanks Westside

by Don Klepp | Added 2011-10-05

Vernon’s Danny Todosychuk and Westside’s Steve Racine shone in the net for their teams in Vernon on Wednesday, with Todosychuk gaining the upper hand in a 2-0 victory.

Todosychuk was not scheduled to start for the Vipers, but was pressed into action when Kirby Halcrow became ill before the game. The 17-year-old, who has wanted to play for the Vipers "for as long as [he] can remember," stopped all 25 Westside shots for his first BCHL shutout.

After the game, he pointed to his save on Garrett Skrbich as his best of the night. After Marc Hetnik was caught pinching at the red line, the Warriors had a clear cut two-on-one, but Todosychuk slid to his right to block a high shot from the wide open Skrbich and then he covered the rebound.

The odd man rush was uncharacteristic in a game where there were very few defensive breakdowns. Both teams backchecked like fiends and restricted scoring chances from rebounds or open shooters.

The Warriors were particularly committed to smothering Viper rushes before they could really get started. Their forecheck and their neutral zone trap cut off the Viper trademark diagonal passes, for the most part.

The Vipers also played their best defensive game of the early season, as they coughed up very few pucks in their zone and were relentless on the back check. Coach Chris Shaw said that “Jason [Coach Williamson] and I were pleased with their effort and their persistent coverage. We’re now starting to play Viper hockey.”

When the players were able to create scoring chances – the Vipers had 11 and the Warriors 9 – the goalies were very solid. Chris Shaw said, “I thought that Danny made four great saves, and Racine was sharp, too, especially when he robbed Johnny Knisley in the first period.”

The winning goal came during a Viper 5-on-3 power play. The Vipers moved the puck confidently, inching closer in a five-man unit to the Westside goal as the Warriors collapsed toward their net. While Mike Zalewski occupied two defenders at the left side of the crease, Ryan Renz took his time to direct a slap pass to Darren Nowick, who deflected the puck to the top corner at 7:09 of the second period.

Patrick McGillis salted the game away when he picked Brayden Sherbinin’s pocket at the Westside blue line and shot into Racine’s vacated net with 24 seconds remaining in the game.

Game Notes:

• Westside’s captain, Izaak Berglund, missed the game with concussion-like symptoms resulting from an accidental collision with Vernon’s Jedd Soleway in Last Friday’s game. Reid Simmonds, who was also hurt in that game, sat out with a knee problem. Defenceman Dustin Cave returned to the Warrior lineup, and AP Phillip Cameron dressed in place of Simmonds.

• Injured Vipers Max Mowat and Alex Hagen once again did not dress. Hagen’s spot was capably filled by New Jersey native Zach Lindsay, who plays for the Osoyoos Coyotes. Lindsay, who has some AJHL experience and who played part of last year for the North Okanagan Knights, handled the puck well and used his 6’3”, 210-pound frame to advantage. Lindsay admitted that he “was a little nervous on the first shift, but then it was just hockey, really good hockey. I hope I get a few more games with this team.”