Trail 5 Vernon 2

Trail 5 Vernon 2

Was at tonights game as Trail defeated Vernon 5-2 in front of 2,262 fans at the Wesbild Center.

1st Period: Both teams got off to a quick start, a very fast paced period with very few whistles or stopages in play. The ref let both teams play with some good action at both ends. Vipers did have the better of the play early in the 1st but had very few scoring chances. A physical period with both teams laying out some solid checks. The Smokies best scoring chance came with a scramble in the Vipers zone, in front of Andrew Hammond. With Hammond down and a group of players in his crease the Smoke Eaters got a few wacks at the puck, but Hammond was there to makde two big pad saves. Vernons best scoring chance came when Kevin Kraus fired a shot from the point, wich was deflected on the way towards the net, but somehow Trails Paul Barclay come up with the big toe save keeping the puck out. Trail would open the scoring after Vernon coughed up the puck deep in there own end, CJ LeGassic stole the puck in the corner, & fed Nick Sandor who wired a wicked wrist shot high over Andrew Hammonds shoulder, finding the top shelf putting the Smoke Eaters up 1-0. A very entertaining period with lots of flow coming at both ends of the rink. Trail was up 1-0 after 20 mins of play, shots on goal were even 9-9.

2nd Period: Just 27 seconds into the 2nd the Vipers couldnt clear the zone and it cost them, JF Boisvert & Paul Mailey worked hard in front, banging away at the loose puck, as the puck went to Ryan Bulach who beat Hammond who was down and out on the play, as the Smoke Eaters jumped out to the 2-0 lead. Off the faceoff just 10 seconds later Captain Chris Crowell & Braden Pimm with some nice passing, inwich Pimm beat Barclay with a soft goal as the Vipers were back in the game, cutting the Trail lead to 2-1. The Smoke Eaters regrouped and just two mins later with some good forecheck in the Vernon zone, the Vipers would once again cough up the puck, as Paul Mailey would feed a wide open JF Boisvert in the slot who beat Hammond, as the Smokies were up 3-1 regaining there two goal lead. This goal seemed to take the life out of the Vipers, after Trails forecheck and hardwork put them back in the drivers seat. Over the next 5-10 mins Vernon looked flat as the Smoke Eaters had full control of the play looking very strong with the two goal lead. Just before the midway mark Chris Crowell would drop the gloves with rookie Jadon Porterfield, in a very solid scrap. This fight seemed to give the Vipers some life, as Vernon would get the play in deep in the Trail zone, and come up with a few solid scoring chances but couldnt beat Barclay. Vipers had two powerplay chances but couldnt capitalize in there chances. Paul Barclay played well looking very confident between the pipes. Vipers John Digness had a great chance to get back in the game but wired his shot off the crossbar. I dont think nobody has hit more posts then Vernons John Digness, Digness has hit a few posts-crossbar this season. Vernon would manage to beat the veteran goaltender, as Braden Pimm would score his 2nd goal of the night, going fivehole on Barclay cutting the Trail lead to 3-2. Another physical period with both teams once again playing the body. Late in the period Patrick Martin would beat Hammond as Trail once again regained the two goal lead. This wasnt a great period for the Vipers as the Smoke Eaters were the better team, playing with loads of jump and energy. Trail won all the races and battles along the boards, always coming out with the puck. This Trail team is a very hardworking team. Trail was up 4-2 after 40 mins of play. The Vipers outshot the Smokies 18-13.

3rd Period: Vipers best scoring chance came early when Ryan Santana went end to end with some good moves cutting through the Trail zone, but was stopped by Barclay in close. The Smoke Eaters played a typical road 3rd period, sitting back, playing a solid defensive game, not giving the Vipers any room or space to move or create chances. Once the puck was fired in deep, Trail would have all 5 players up high, giving Vernon all kinds of trouble trying to break out of there own end. The Vipers didnt get many great scoring chances as they had all kinds of trouble with the solid defensive play of the Smokies. Give credit to goaltender Paul Barclay who also played well in goal tonight. This kid saw most of the shots, looking very confident. The Vipers would get a late powerplay with just under 4 mins to go but couldnt find the back of the net. Just under one minute remaining the Vipers would pull Andrew Hammond, for the extra man but couldnt get anything setup. The Smoke Eaters would get control of a loose puck as Nick Sandor would hit the empty net putting Trail up 5-2. The Smokies worked very hard, getting the much deserved win. As the buzzer sounded Trails bench poured onto the ice, as you could hear the players shouting and screaming, looking very excited with the 5-3 win. Trail would outshoot Vernon 10-8.

Top Players: (Vernon)

Braden Pimm (2 Goals) was by far the Vipers best player. Pimm worked hard and played very well, creating some good chances. Pimm showed alot of hustle on every shift. Kyle Bigos played a solid defensive game on the Vipers backend. Bigos played physical and looked very good ofensively.

Top Players: (Trail)

Paul Barclay played very well between the pipes only giving up two goals. Barclay is quick on his feet and plays with alot of confidence. Always seemed to know where the puck was, even on a few shots that took some odd bounces. Ryan Bulach (1 Goal & 1 Assist) Played very strong up front for the Smokies. JF Boisvert (1 Goal & 2 Assists) Looked very good up front, this kid seemed to be in the right place at the right time. Created alot of scoring chances down low. Paul Mailey (2 Assists) was impressive up front for the Smoke Eaters. Mailey worked hard and was always buzzing around the Vernon net. Jadon Porterfield is one tough customer, this kid is big and likes the physical play. Took on Chris Crowell and looked very impressive. Always involved in the physical play.

Game Thoughts: (Vernon)

I dont think the Vipers played bad, they just didnt play a full 60 mins. After a very entertaining 1st the Vipers started the 2nd flat and it cost them, giving up 2 goals just 3 mins into the period. Vipers looked slow and sluggish to start the 2nd. Vipers were out skated and out worked for most of the middle fram and couldnt recover after going down two goals. Not much room to create chances in the 3rd, with Trail playing a solid defenisve 3rd the Vipers couldnt manage much for scoring. You have to wonder if they were looking ahead at tomorrows game vs Penticton?

Game Thoughts: (Trail)

I was very impressed with the Smokies. This is by far the best well rounded looking hockey team Trail has put on the ice in many years. Coming into tonights game I didnt know much on the Smoke Eaters, this team is very quick, hard working and physical team. Solid Goaltending, very strong defensivly and can put the puck in the net. Trail come to play tonight and it showed on the scoreboard. Give full credits to Coach Ingram and the players on a very well played hockey game. The Smokies out hustled and out worked the Vipers in the 2nd. Trail was very strong once up with a two goal lead. This team never quit and played an excellent game tonight.

Scratches:

Vernon:

Kellen Jones (Injured)
Sahir Gill
Nick Amies
Bryce Kakoske

Trail:

Riley Loyst
Justin Brown
Jeff Zmurchyk
Marco Raimondo

3 Stars:

1st Star: Ryan Bulach (1 Goal & 1 Assist)
2nd Star: Braden Pimm (2 Goals)
3rd Star: JF Boisvert (1 Goal & 2 Assists)