Vernon 4 Merritt 0

I was at tonight's BCHL game as Vernon defeated Merritt 4-0 at the Wesbild centre.

Starting Goaltenders:

Vernon: Kirby Halcrow
Merritt: Lino Chimienti

1st Period: The Centennials would ice the puck off the opening faceoff wich gave the Vipers a faceoff deep in the Merritt zone just ten seconds into the 1st. Vernon won the draw setting up Adam Tambellini whos quick wrist shot from the circle was stopped by Lino Chimienti who made a nice glove save. The Vipers would get an early powerplay, with some good pressure deep in the Cents zone Vernon moved the puck around well. The Vipers with three quick passes setup Mike Zalewski in the slot who was stopped by Lino Chimienti on the Vipers lone scoring chance. A real good powerplay but Vernon couldnt capitalize as Merritt would kill off the minor. Just after the powerplay expired John Knisley on a rebound in front beat Chimienti at 6:45 giving Vernon a 1-0 lead, Ben Gamache and Marc Hetnik with the helpers. Two and a half minutes later the Centennials would get their first powerplay of the night, Evan Stack alone in the slot somehow missed the far open corner shooting high and over the far corner on a great scoring opportunity. The powerplay wouldnt last long as Merritt would take a penalty as both teams played a little four on four before the Vipers would get a late powerplay. Aaron Hadley's shot was stopped by Lino Chimienti but Adam Tambellini was their for the rebound to give Vernon a 2-0 lead at 11:38 Hadley and Brett Corkey picked up the assists. Just four minutes later The Centennials would get their second powerplay of the night but it was Vipers captain, Patrick McGillis who would get a shorthanded breakaway but Chimienti shut the door keeping this a two goal game. A very strong penalty kill by the Vernon Vipers as Merritt couldnt seem to get much going as the Vipers would kill off the minor. Vernon would get a late powerplay but unable to do anything the Vipers would finish the opening period still on the man advantage. A fairly even played period with the Vipers getting the better of the scoring chances were up 2-0 after 20 minutes of play. Merritt outshot Vernon 12-11.

2nd Period. The Vipers started the 2nd period on the man advantage that was carried over from the end of the first period. A minute and ten seconds into the second Patrick McGillis come down the right wing snapping a quick shot from just inside the circle that was stopped by Lino Chimienti who just got his stick or blocker on the shot. The Vipers were unable to capitalize with an early powerplay. Merritt would get an early powerplay just over four minutes into the middle frame, Dylan Chanter's shot from the corner maybe caught Kirby Halcrow off gaurd as Halcrow was forced to make a awkward save as the Centennials were unable to capitalize before Marc Hetnik and Brandon Bruce got involved in a wrestling match deep in the Vipers zone just as the penalty expired. A minute later the Cents would head back to the powerplay with their second man advantage of the period. The Centennials with some good pressure come up with some good chances. Kirby Halcrow made a huge pad save of Evan Stack losing his stick on the save Halcrow then made another huge pad save off Regan Soquila. Two big stops by the Viper goaltender and Vernon would kill off the minor. Merritt really started to carry the better of the play and were the better team for most of the period. The Vipers only managaed a few shots on goal in the first half of the 2nd period. The Vipers would get a late powerplay but it was the Cents penalty kill who stepped up with back to back shorthanded scoring opportunities. Sean Maktaak with a breakaway couldnt beat Halcrow who made a nice save, and on the next play Brent Fletcher and Evan Stack come in on a two on one but again Kirby Halcrow bailed out his team making a big save shorthanded as the Vipers struggled with the man advantage. A very solid penalty kill by the Cents would kill off the minor. With a minute remaining John Knisley with a chance in close beat Lino Chimienti who couldnt squeeze the puck tight enough as it rolled into the crease but on the play Ben Gamache and Chimienti started exchanging punches so the play was blown dead as Vernon missed out on a loose puck in the crease. In the final thirty seconds the Vipers with some nice three way passing on an late three on two setup Colton Cyr who was stopped by Chimienti who made a huge save late in the period to keep this a two goal game. Vernon was up 2-0 after 40 minutes of play. The Centennials who carried most of the play and had several great scoring chances couldnt beat Kirby Halcrow outplayed the Vipers in the second period. Merritt outshot Vernon 13-9.

3rd Period: A minute and ten seconds into the period Patrick McGillis come down the right wing and ripped a hard shot from just inside the circle that was stopped by the stick or blocker of Lino Chimienti who made a nice save to just get a peice of the puck from going in. On the same shift the Vipers would get an early powerplay and capitalize. Mike Zalewski's shot from the circle beat a screened Chimienti giving Vernon a early 3-0 lead at 2:04 Brett Corkey and Adam Tambellini collected the assists. Just a minute later Patrick McGillis's hard shot beat Lino Chimienti as the Cents goaltender couldnt hold onto the puck as it rolled inbehind him laying in the crease before the Cents cleared the puck on a very close call. Just a minute later Mike Zalewski lead a Vipers two on one setup Aaron Hadley who was stopped by Chimienti who come up with the big save. The Vipers with back to back good chances looked very good to start the 3rd period. The Vipers with all kinds of pressure kept coming and the hard work paid off after Eric Chore's shot was stopped by Lino Chimienti before Jedd Soleway banged home the rebound giving Vernon a 4-0 lead at 6:21 Chore and Riley Hunt with the assists. Just a minute and a half later Jakob Reichert from the side of the net missed on a great scoring opportunity after it looked like he fanned on his shot getting off a weak shot that rolled underneath Kirby Halcrow who was able to stay down and stop the play. With the Vipers getting a penalty Riley Hunt come flying into the corner levelling a Merritt player into the boards wich then started a huge line brawl as both teams were pushing and shoving, throwing punches and exchanging words deep in the Centennials zone. Merritt would come out on top getting a two man advantage. On the play the Vipers would lose Ben Gamache and Geoff Crisfield while the Centennials would lose Evan Stack and Regan Soquila as all four players were given an early shower with ten minute misconducts. The Cents with a two man advantage couldnt get much pressure as a very strong Viper penalty kill was great killing off the powerplay as Brent Fletcher and Brayden Low were both jamming away at the loose puck in the dying seconds of the man advantage but couldnt get the puck past Kirby Halcrow who was down but somehow kept the puck out. Several whistles over the next few minutes really slowed the game down before the Vipers would kill off some valuable time in the final few minutes. In the final minute of play the Vipers would get a late powerplay but with no real pressure the Vipers would just let the clock wind down picking up back to back wins with a 4-0 victory over the Merritt Centennials. The Vipers started out strong getting a handfull of good chances, scoring twice before the game got ugly with a linebrawl before a strong Viper penalty kill kept the Cents off the board. Both teams with some good chances. The Centennials outshot the Vipers 16-8.

Top Players: (Vernon)

Brett Corkey (2 assists) Played a very steady game on the Vipers blueline.

Marc Hetnik (1 assist) Also played very well on the Vipers backend. Hetnik wasnt afraid to get involved after the whistle getting involved in several pushing and shoving matches.
The line of Mike Zalewski (1 goal), Adam Tamebellini (1 goal & 1 assist) and Aaron Hadley (1 assist) played a strong game up front for Vernon. Zalewski was very good with the puck down low, while Hadley played with lots of energy, showing good hustle and working hard all night. Tamebellini who also saw some action on the Vipers fourth line (seemed to be double shifting at times) was also very good with the puck low.

Colton Cry worked hard and battled hard in and around the net, had atleast one maybe two scoring chances tonight.

John Knisley (1 goal) Returned to the Vipers lineup after missing several weeks with an injury. Knisley who dosnt put up the big numbers is very valuable on the penalty kill. Knisley who dosnt get alot of credit on most nights does alot of little things most people dont see. Played a very strong game at both ends of the rink tonight.

Patrick McGillis with atleast two maybe three good chances tonight played very well up front. The Viper captain worked and played hard all night.

Jedd Soleway (1 goal) I thought battled and competed hard all night, was another player that was in and around the net alot. 
Riley Hunt (1 assist) Seemed to have alot on jump and energy in his game tonight, started a linebrawl midway through the final frame.

Kirby Halcrow (41 saves-Shutout) Hasnt been the same goaltender that Viper fans have watched the past two seasons with Quesnel and Vernon. Halcrow who has been average most of the season played his best game of the year tonight. Halcrow who was very solid between the pipes also got very lucky on several shots-saves. The veteran goaltender didnt give up any rebounds playing his position well. Looked and played with alot of confidence. Lets hope this win-game gives Halcrow some confidence to help the Vipers get into the playoffs with some strong goaltending down the stretch drive.

Game Thoughts: (Vernon)

With a Prince George win and a Chilliwack loss the Vipers move to within four points of 4th place Chilliwack. Tonight was a huge win over a Merritt team that had the Vipers number this season (3-1-1). Vernon has now won four of their last six games. This was a very exciting-fiesty game with both teams giving out a few cheap shots through out the game. I thought the Vipers played well and showed lots of jump-energy for most of tonights game. A little letdown in the second period but overall Vernon played well getting some good chances and capitalized on some of their chances. I really liked the Vipers breakout coming out of their own end, their passing was much better tonight and they were going to the net, looking for rebounds-loose pucks. The guys really battled hard tonight and deserved the victory. I also thought the Vipers penalty kill was very good. Vernon now hosts Alberni Valley and Trail Saturday and Tuesday in two must wins if they want to stay in the playoff hunt.

Top Players: (Merritt)

Reece Wilcox played a steady game for the Centennials tonight.
Dylan Chanter also played very well on the Merritt blueline.

Evan Stack who had a few scoring opportunities played well up front before getting a ten minute misconduct in the 3rd and missed the second half of the final frame.

Brent Fletcher battled and competed hard, had atleast two scoring chances. Didnt back down from the rough stuff and was always in and around the net.

Richard Sabourin played a physical game on the Cents blueline, and played well on the backend.

Game Thoughts: (Merritt)

After winning seven straight the Centennials have now lost four straight and have just one win in their last six games. The Cents just couldnt buy a goal tonight. Merritt with a ton of good chances couldnt get the puck past Kirby Halcrow. The Centennials were the more physical team but also played fiesty. The second period was where they needed atleast a goal to try and get some momentum going. A shorthanded breakaway and then a two on one shorthanded chance may have changed the swing of the game? I thought Merritt also played very well, but just didnt get the bounces or puck luck in order to find the back of the net. The Centennials need to re-group and try and get back on track heading into the stretch drive.

Scratches:

Vernon:

Max Mowat (Injured)
Darren Nowick (Injured)
Turner Lawson (Injured)
Luke Juha (Injured)
Brendan Persley (Suspended)

Merritt:
Ross Mancuso

Vipers energy player of the game: John Knisley

3 Stars:

1st Star: Kirby Halcrow (41 saves)
2nd Star: Adam Tambellini (1 goal & 1 assist)
3rd Star: Brett Corkey (2 assists)

For more on tonight's game visit the boxscore,

http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=977558&link=bchl