I was at tonight's BCHL game as Westside defeated Vernon 5-2 in front of 867 fans at Royal Le Page Place.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon: Kirby Halcrow
Westside: Dwayne Rodrigue
1st Period: A very even played opening period with alot of back and forth play with very little scoring opportunities. Former Vernon Viper Marcus Basara with a high hard shot from the corner just a few minutes into the game caught Kirby Halcrow up high as Halcrow had to be sharp making a tough save early. The Vipers with atleast three turnovers in their own end in the first half of the 1st were lucky the Warriors didnt capitalize. Just past the midway mark some hard work by the line of Jedd Soleway, Michael Roberts and Brendan Persley battled hard down low before causing a scramble in front of the Warriors goal before Soleway stuffed the puck past Dwayne Rodrigue at 13:48 giving Vernon a 1-0 lead, Roberts with the only assist on the Viper goal. Just under two minutes later Westside would get the games firt man advantage, but it was Mike Zalewski and Darren Nowick who shorthanded broke out on a two on one but couldnt set one another up unable to record a shot on net on a great scoring opportunity. No real great chances for the Warriors as the Vipers killed off the minor. Late in the period Kirby Halcrow made a big pad save at one end while another hard working shift by Jedd Soleway, Brendan Persley and "AP" Michael Roberts moved the puck up ice, creating some room come right back the other way allowing Persley to walk in and get off a good shot from the circle but Dwayne Rodrigue made a nice save from in close as both teams with back to back chances at either ends of the rink. Ben Gamache setup Adam Tambellini who walked in all alone for a parcial breakaway with just twenty five seconds remaining but again Rodrigue got the left pad out making a huge toe-pad save off Tambellini's backhand from in close. Both teams played well other then Vernon turning over the puck atleast four or five times in a fairly even played period. The Vipers with a 1-0 lead after 20 minutes of play. Westside outshot Vernon 11-9.
2nd Period: Just a minute and a half into the period Brendan Persley in close all alone at the side of the Warriors net had three great chances from in close but once again Dwayne Rodrigue come up with three big pad saves keeping Persley and the Vipers off the scoreboard. Shortly after Westside would get their second powerplay of the night. For the second straight penalty kill Darren Nowick and Mike Zalewski would get their second two on one but again couldnt capitalize after a nice defensive play by Michael King stopped the Vipers attack. Late with the man advantage Reid Simmonds had time to setup Max French who's point shot beat Kirby Halcrow at 5:19 tying the game 1-1, Simmonds and Shawn Hochhausen collected the helpers on the Warriors powerplay goal. Off the next faceoff the Vipers would ice the puck wich gave Westside a faceoff deep in the Vipers zone, Brett McKinnon won the draw getting the puck up through a crowd of players finding a wide open Devon Hascarl who put the puck past Halcrow at 5:31 giving the Warriors their first lead of the game with two goals in twelve seconds apart. McKinnon with the lone assist. Just under a minute later another faceoff deep in Vernon's end and another draw won by Dru Morrison setup Travis Blanleil who fed a wide open Connor Dempsey who slid the puck in and around Kirby Halcrow at 6:30 giving the Warriors a two goal lead. Morrison and Blanleil with the assists. The Viper defence was caught standing around allowing Blanleil and Dempsey to setup and score. Three quick goals by Westside really opened up the game for the Warriors. Westside who come out with lots of jump in the 2nd period was really taking it to the Vipers with a good forecheck. Klay Kachur walked in from the point ripping a hard shot that was stopped by Halcrow. Westside who was winning all the battles and races to the puck had the Vipers hemmened in their own end for most of the period. Travis Blanleil with a good scoring opportunity from in close couldnt beat Halcrow. Vernon who played well in the opening period just couldnt get out of their own end getting outplayed for most of the middle frame. Dru Morrison with a nice breakout come in across the Vernon bleuline setup Connor Dempsey who tried going around Brett Corkey beat Kirby Halcrow fivehole giving the Warriors a 4-1 lead at 11:44 this is a goal Halcrow would like to have back. I think Halcrow was cheating thinking Dempsey was going to go across the crease to Morrison and got caught giving up the goal. This was the end of the night for Halcrow who was yanked after giving up four goals on twenty one Westside shots. Vernon product, Danny Todosychuk would finish the game was making his first apperance since a 5-2 loss in Langley back on November 19th. Just two minutes later the Vipers would get their first powerplay of the night after a small scrum occured in the neutral zone with some pushing and shoving. The Vipers with little pressure couldnt capitalize after the Warriors would kill off the minor. Late in the period Dru Morrison with a good scoring chance was stopped by Danny Todosychuk who was forced to make a tough save off the Veteran Warriors forward. The Warriors who dominated the 2nd period scored three goals in just over a minute worked very hard taking a 4-1 lead after 40 minutes of play. Vernon outshot Westside 15-14.
3rd Period: The Warriors started the 3rd right from where they left off the 2nd period. Westside got the puck in deep and really forechecked the Viper defence down low, winning the battles and races carrying the better of the play in the opening few minutes. Westside would lose Marcus Basara for ten minutes after the former Viper took a ten minute misconduct after saying something towards the Grant Tyson (referee). Vernon who would slowly get their game going would get some pressure deep in the warriors zone, John Knisley with some hard work down low found some open space cut hard towards the goal but was robbed by Dwayne Rodrigue in close after making a big save off Knisley. Jedd Soleway tied feeding Brendan Persley on a two on one, but Persley couldnt connect on the pass. Westside up by three goals seemed to take their foot off the gas playing very well defensively shutting down the Vipers offence. Vernon who was carrying the better of the play couldnt get alot of pucks or traffic through the Warriors defence who played very well in the final frame. The Vipers who played better after a shaky 2nd period didnt get alot of scoring opportunities in the first ten minutes but seemed to generate a little more offence in the second half. Vernon would get a late powerplay and capitalize early after Aaron Hadley setup Adam Tambellini who ripped a lazer of a shot past Dwayne Rodrigue at 16:54 cutting the lead to two goals. Hadley and Brett Corkey with the helpers. Just under two minutes later John Knisley with the biggest hit of the net leveled a Westside Warrior behind the Warriors goal, three Warriors went right after Knisley who skated away, with the Warriors fired up over the check tempers boiled over on a play in the corner deep in the Westside zone as a mini line brawl broke loose with everyone getting involved, as punches were thrown from both teams. The Vipers who got luck had eight players (seven players and the goaltender) on the ice during the scrum before jedd Soleway and Danny Todosychuk both skated to the Vipers bench as Rylan Ferster noticed tried getting the referee's attention. Penalties were even as Westside would call a timeout, Vernon would get Danny Todosychuk to the bench for the extra attacker, with some pressure deep in the Westside zone the Vipers throwing everything towards the goal couldnt keep the puck in allowing Reid Simmonds to hit the empty cage from the neutral zone giving Westside a 5-2 lead at 19:21, Simmonds goal was unassisted as Westside would defeat the Vipers 5-2. Vernon carried most of the play outshooting Westside 9-7.
Top Players: (Vernon)
Lucas Hildebrand "AP" played his second straight game with the Vipers didnt look out of place playing a very steady defensive game on the Vernon backend. I was pretty impressed with the 20 yr old d-man who is a stay at home defenceman.
Marc Hetnik also played a very steady-defensive game on the Vipers blueline. Hetnik really moved the puck well tonight, jumped up into the play and wasnt afraid to play physical. This was one of Hetnik's better games of the season.
Adam Tambellini (1 goal) Played fairly well up front for the Vipers. Had a great chance to give Vernon a 2-0 lead late in the opening period couldnt get his backhand past Dwayne Rodrigue who made a nice toe-pad save.
For the second straight night the line of Jedd Soleway (1 goal), Brenden Persley and Michael Roberts "AP" was the Vipers best unit. This like just like last night worked hard, played and showed alot of hustle and created some room and scoring chances through out tonight's game.
Game Thoughts: (Vernon)
The Vipers who have just one win in their last ten games fall 5-2 to the 7th place Westside Warriors. The Vipers who snapped their nine game winless streak last night really needed a big win over another team below 500 as well as below them in the standings. Vernon who started the season 7-0 cant be losing to teams below them, these are points that could come back and haunt the Vipers later in the season. I thought both teams played well in the 1st but giving up three goals in just over a minute in the 2nd cost the Vipers the hockey game. Vernon was outplayed and outworked in the middle frame before coming back with a better effort in the 3rd. I didnt think the Vipers generated alot of great chances but need to play a full 60 minutes and a little more consistancy in order to start winning some hockey games. Several turnovers in their own end and a poor breakout at this time of year isnt good.
Top Players: (Westside)
Michael King who usally plays well against Vernon was steady on the Warriors blueline.
Connor Dempsey (2 goals) was very good up front for the Warriors. Played with alot of hustle and worked hard at both ends of the rink.
Travis Blanleil (1 assist) also was very good for the Warriors.
Dru Morrison (2 assists) was very good on the draw, as well as down low.
Peter MacIntosh played very well defensively for the Westside Warriors.
Izaak Berglund also played very well defensively. A real leader for the Warriors.
Dwayne Rodrigue (31 saves) Made a few big saves at key times in tonight's game. Rodrigue lets in Adam Tambellini's parcial breakaway in the final minute of play in the opening period and the Warriors are down 2-0, Rodrigue lets in Brenden Persley's save early to start the 2nd period and its 2-0 Vernon. Rodrigue faced the Vipers for the first time this season and played well.
Game Thoughts: (Westside)
The Warriors snapped their two game losing skid with a pretty solid 5-2 victory over the Vernon Vipers. Westside who is now 1-3 against Vernon this season has also been struggling this season having just three wins in their last thirteen games before tonight. Westside with a huge win now moves into a 6th places tie with the Salmon Arm Silverbacks. I didnt think Westside had alot of great chances but scored on their opportunities. A very dominating 2nd period really changed and opened up the middle frame blowing the game open. Westside played with lots of jump, really forechecked the Vipers hard, especially in the 2nd period, won most of the races and battles for the puck also played very well defensively especially in the 3rd period. Westside was also very strong on the draw, winning most of the faceoffs tonight. At the start of the season I was expecting alot more from the Warriors but just like the Vipers here is a team that has also been hit with the injury bug.
Scratches:
Vernon:
Max Mowat (Injured)
Patrick McGillis (Injured)
Colton Sparrow (Injured)
Luke Juha (Injured)
Westside:
Richard Vanderhoek
Seb Lloyd
Josh Monk
3 Stars:
1st Star: Connor Dempsey (2 goals)
2nd Star: Dru Morrison (2 assists)
3rd Star: Travis Blanleil (1 assist)
For more on tonight's game please visit the boxscore,
http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=977761&link=bchl
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