Vernon 7 Alberni Valley 1

Vernon 7 Alberni Valley 1

Was at todays afternoon game as Vernon defeated Alberni Valley at the wesbild center. They didnt announce todays attendance.

1st Period: Vernon got off to the early jump with some good hustle and quick passing, getting deep into the Bulldogs zone with some good cycle down low, but Alberni Valley did a good job at not giving the Vipers any room to get any quality shots off. Vernon had the early edge in play within the first few minutes but couldnt get any shots on goal. Some good presure in close but couldnt hit the net. Alberni Valley jumped on an early powerplay wich seemed to turn the tides a little as the Bulldogs got some good presure deep in the Vipers zone, getting off some quality chances. Vernon killed off the minor but the Bulldogs kept up some strong forecheck and now were the team who carried the play for a good 5-6 minutes, Bulldogs were up in shots early 4-0 as the Vipers didnt get there first shot on net till about 5 minutes into the period. Vernon seemed to bounce back and carried the play for the remainder of the 1st picking up there skating game. Vernon looked very strong, skating well and much better more crisp passes compared to fridays loss vs Salmon Arm. Kellen Jones had a great scoring chance when he undressed the Bulldogs defence, cut in close and then put an unreal move on Rundell in the crease but somehow couldnt hit the empty net. The Vipers had some good presure late in the 1st buzzing around the Alberni Valley goal, some good hard work in the corners by Ryan Santana & John Digness paid off as they would set up Cory Kane at the side of the Bulldogs net, Colin Rundell went down early & Kane wearing Rob Atkinsons old jersey #11 went high over the Dogs starter putting Vernon up 1-0. Shortly after the Vipers with some good cycle down low, created some chances in close, Braden Pimm fed a nice pass over to Captain Chris Crowell who beat Rundell as the Vipers were up 2-0 late in the period. Alberni Valleys defence was having all kinds of trouble with Vernons speed and forecheck down low. Vernon was up 2-0 after 20 mins of play. Shots were even 8 each.

2nd Period: With the Bulldogs starting the 2nd with a late powerplay wich was carried over from the 1st couldnt seem to generate much of an offensive attack as the Vipers would kill off the minor. Vernon looked very strong in the middle period buzzing around the Bulldogs goal, coming up with some chances but just missing the net. Ryan DePape had a great scoring chance in close but was stopped by Rundell. Rundell was very busy and had to be sharpe as he was peppered with 18 Vernon shots. Rundell couldnt stop them all as just over two minutes into the 2nd with the Bulldogs being called for a penalty, and a mad scramble in close the Vipers had two or three chances down low but couldnt find the back of the net with Rundell down and out, Alberni Valley couldnt touch the puck to stop the play, the puck went into the corner and Sahir Gill fired his shot from the corner, the puck would bounce off Rundells pad and into the net, putting Vernon up 3-0, Short & DePape getting the assists. Just minutes later Kevin Kraus & former Westside Warrior Bryce Kakoske went in two on one, but Kraus missed the net, the puck come back out front, as Connor Jones was there to put the puck past Rundell putting the Vipers up 4-0 and now in full control. Vernon was all over the Bulldogs this period with some good cycle and passing in the Dogs end. Alberni Valley couldnt seem to get anything going and at one point didnt record a shot on net for a good 10 minutes. Graeme Gordon didnt see much action at all in the 2nd. The Vipers would lose Kyle Bigos midway through the period after a checking from behind call. Bigos was done for the afternoon. The Vipers poured on the offensive attack, Chris Crowell & Mike Collins made some nice two way passing before dishing the puck off to Braden Pimm who went roof over Rundell as Vernon was up 5-0 and Rundell still between the pipes. Kellen Jones had another great scoring chance in close, as he got inbehind the Dogs defence but couldnt hit the empty net. Vernon wasnt done there, Ryan Santana would put this game away after a nice pass from Cory Kane as Vernon was up 6-0. The 2nd period was all Vipers as they were up 6-0 after 40 mins of play. Vernon outshot Alberni Valley 18-9.

3rd Period: Wasnt much of a very entertaining 3rd as Vernon was up 6-0, the Vipers sat back a little as Graeme Gordon saw his most action of the afternoon, as the Bulldogs had some early chances to start the period. Gordon had to be sharpe as the Dogs come close to scoring there first goal of the game early. With Alberni Valley on a powerplay Mitch McMillan had the best Dogs scoring chance but was stopped by Gordon. On the same powerplay the Bulldogs come close to hitting the back of the net again on a nice tip from a point shot but somehow Gordon closed his pads and looked behind him, to make the tough save. Vipers wernt skating as hard and took there foot off the gas for most of the 3rd. With Vernon on a PP Steve Tresierra took a quick point shot from the blueline, and Kellen Jones tipped the puck past Rundell as Vernon was up 7-0 and the route was on. Just one minute later, former Viper Evan Witt & Mitch McMillan went in two on one as Witt made a nice pass over to McMillan who beat Gordon high to break the shutout getting the Dogs on the scoreboard. The final 2nd half of the 3rd was more like a pond hockey game with some wide open play with very few scoring chances. Vernon did come close a few times just missing, Alberni Valleys best scoring chance came late in the period when Brett Mohler went in two on one with Chris Moulson, Mohler kept the puck but ran out of room and couldnt get off a quality shot as Gordon was there for the save. In the final seconds of the game, some pushing & shoving took place deep in the corner boards in the Vipers zone, but nothing would come out of the scrum as Vernon wins there 2nd in a row 7-1. Vipers outshot the Bulldogs 17-9.

Top Players: (Vernon)

Cory Kane (1 goal & 1 assist) Looked very strong up front. Kane hasnt been noticed much over the last month or so but stepped up his game today. Kane put a few nice moves in close, having some good scoring chances. Kane showed alot of hustle and has some very soft hands.

Chris Crowell (1 goal & 1 assist) Played his 2nd straight good game. Crowell played physical and had some chances in close.

Ryan Santana (1 goal & 1 assist) played with his regular hustle. Was a warrior down low in the trenches. Braden Pimm (1 goal & 1 assist) played a heck of a first period and overall skated well, showing lots of hustle.

Kellen Jones ((1 goal) looked very dangerous down low, had two great scoring chances but couldnt hit the empty net.

Graeme Gordon didnt see much action during the first two periods but had to be sharpe in the 3rd.

Top Players: (Alberni Valley)

Johnny Rogic showed lots of energy and hustle, played a good 1st period.

Kevin Ross looked good up front for Alberni Valley. Smooth skater, carried the play with some nice moves.

Game Thoughts: (Vernon)

Vipers looked good for most of the afternoon, pretty tough to keep up a full attack when your team is up 6-0 after 40 mins of play. Vipers played and looked much better then fridays game. Skated hard, much better passing and everyone seemed to be on the same page today. Basically had the puck on a string for most of the afternoon, with some great chances in close. Vernon could have scored 10 or 11 goals if it wasnt for just missing on the shortside. Jason Williamson was the teams head coach for the 2nd straight game as Mark Ferner is serving his 3 game suspension.

Game Thoughts: (Alberni Valley)

The Bulldogs had some good presure in the early goings but then fizzled out and couldnt keep pace with the quick skating Vipers who basically skated circles around the Alberni Valley defence for most of the afternoon. Not sure how this team defeated Salmon Arm last night? Not much there other then a few good scoring chances. You had to feel sorry for Colin Rundell who was left in for all 7 goals after being fended for himself, facing 40 plus shots.

Scratches:

Vernon:
Cole Ikkala
Trent Dorais
Nick Amies

Alberni Valley:

James Kerr
Eliot Raibl
Josh Pinairo
Robert Lindores

3 Stars:

1st Star: Cory Kane (1 goal & 1 assist)
2nd Star: Graeme Gordon
3rd Star: Chris Crowell (1 goal & 1 assist)