Walchuk Sizzles In Viper Return:

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Walchuk sizzles in Viper return

by Don Klepp | Added 2011-12-18

After returning from Northern Michigan University, Dylan Walchuk helped the resurgent Vernon Vipers outscore Chilliwack 6-3 on Sunday afternoon.

Walchuk, who had notched two goals and six assists with the NMU Wildcats in 19 games, started the game with Ben Gamache and Jedd Soleway on the wings. Despite not having practiced or played together, the trio hemmed in the Chiefs during the game’s first shift and they would have scored if not for a heroic save by Mitch Gillam on Walchuk’s rising five-foot backhand effort.

That pressure continued as line after line created chances in the Chilliwack zone. Coach Harvey Smyl was grateful for the mid-period time out as he was able to rally his troops. His pep talk worked, because at 10:33 Trevor Hills opened the scoring when the popped free at the left side of Kirby Halcrow’s net.

From that point the Chiefs held their own, although they gave up the tying goal at 15:39. Brendan Persley backhanded in a rebound of Adam Tambellini’s shot.

The second period had less intensity than the exciting opening 20 minutes as both teams settled into a close checking pattern. However, the Vipers took a 2-1 lead when Peter McMullen, who was camped at the side of Gillam’s crease snapped in Ben Gamache’s perfect feed from the corner.

The Chiefs opened the third period with their top line of David Bondra, Derek Huisman, and Malcolm Gould. They outhustled the Viper defenders to the puck deep in the Viper zone and Bondra scored from the edge of the crease just 31 seconds into the final frame.

The Chiefs, who have been very good in the third period this year, looked like they would fashion another comeback, but Colton Sparrow out an end to their hopes with back to back goals.

By now the Viper lines had been altered because of an injury to John Knisley, so Sparrow found himself on a line with Dylan Walchuk and Adam Tambellini. Sparrow won a puck battle in the corner and went to the front of the net where he swept in a second rebound at 1:42.

Sparrow got the eventual winner with a deft deflection of a Ryan Renz point shot at 8:33. The two-goal lead held up until Malcolm Gould’s power play marker at 17:08.

Ben Gamache figured in two late Viper goals. While responding to increasing Chilliwack pressure, Gamache lifted the puck high in the air to clear the Viper zone. Jedd Soleway then outraced Matt Hutchinson to the puck and fed Dylan Walchuk for a bang-bang play at the crease.
Gamache then fired the puck 185 feet into an empty net to finish a three-point night.

Walchuk was understandably pleased with his return; “I love playing here, so I was excited to get back and I appreciated the fans’ applause at the beginning of the game. This team is getting some guys back from injury now, so I think we can make a run.”

His comments were echoed by his coach, Jason Williamson, who said that “We’re starting to see the real Viper team now as we get healthy. It’s too bad that Johnny (Knisley) got hurt, but hopefully he’ll heal over the Christmas break and we’ll be able to keep rolling four lines.”