Westside 5 Vernon 2

Westside 5 Vernon 2

I was at tonights game as Westside defated Vernon 5-2 in front of 2,188 fans at the Wesbild Center.

1st Period: Vipers got off to the quick start with some good cycle down low, moving the puck well but couldnt generate any real solid scoring chances. The Warriors seemed a little flat footed, chasing the Vipers in circles having all kinds of troubles keeping up with Vernons cycle and speed down low. Just over two minutes into the period Kyle Bigos & Warrior tough guy, Garrett Watson dropped the gloves at center ice. Shortly after Vernon would get the first powerplay of tonights game but didnt come up with any scoring chances as Westside killed off the minor, Vernon was up early in shots 5-0. The Warriors would open the scoring with just under 13 minutes left in the period on the powerplay, scoring on there first shot on net. Cody Ikkala made a poor decision going for the puck, instead of the man and it cost the Vipers, as Craid Eisenhut showed some hustle down the wing, and then snapping a low shot, hitting the far post and going in past Andrew Hammond putting Westside up 1-0. Hammond made his 14th straight start between the pipes tonight, playing in all of Vernons 19 pre season & regular season games except one. This goal seemed to take the life out from the Vipers and give the Warriors life as Westside seemed to pick up there game, having the better of the play for the remainder of the period. Vernon would get into penalty trouble and ended up having to play most of the 2nd half of the 1st shorthanded. Vipers would only record one shot in the final 12 minutes of the 1st. The Warriors had three straight powerplays but couldnt find the back of the net. Vernons penalty kill was very strong with some good hustle and quickness. Jordan Gidaro laid out the biggest hit of the night with a huge hit on John Digness late in the period. Both teams had very few solid scoring chances. Vernon excaped the period only down 1-0 after 20 mins of play. Westside outshot Vernon 7-6.

2nd Period: Not much action within the first few minutes before the Vipers were rewarded with a powerplay after having to kill off the last three powerplays. Cory Kane made a nice move in the neutral zone, dishing the puck off to Ryan DePape who then made a quick pass back to Kane who then made a long pass across the ice over to rookie Sahir Gill who beat Kevin Jebson as Vernon tied the game 1-1. Some good play followed the Vernon goal with both teams carrying the play at both ends of the rink before the Warriors seemed to put there game into 2nd gear, stepping up there play along with there skating. Westside got the puck in deep, with some strong forecheck along the end wall, Vernon was having all kinds of trouble keeping up with the Warriors furious forecheck. Andrew Hammond had to be sharpe as Westside come close to sliding one past the Vipers veteran with some flurries in close. Hammond seemed to be a bit off his game tonight, having troubles controlling his rebounds. Kellen Jones & Ryan Santana come in two on one, Jones made a nice pass over to Santana who had a wide open goal but fired high & wide over the net. Chris Crowell, Braden Pimm & Kevin Kraus had a three on two as Kraus Pimm set up Kraus with a nice pass but Kraus fanned on his shot missing on a great Vipers scoring chance. Seconds after killing off a penalty, Kevin Kraus made a poor decision going for the puck and not the man, as Jordan Gagne blew by the Viper D-man, going in all alone beating Hammond putting the Warriors up 2-1 with 7 minutes remaining. This was the 2nd goal the Vernon defence gave up after making a poor decision in the neutral zone. The Warriors played a very physical period really laying the body on the Jones Twins, Connor & Kellen were both getting knocked around all game. Westside continued the strong play and seemed to build off the goal as just 4 minutes later some nice passing from Gagne & Garrett Watson, who fed veteran Warrior Brad Plumton who snapped a quick shot from the point wich beat a screend Hammond putting Westside up 3-1. This was the 2nd straight game that Vernon has gave up two late 2nd period goals. Vipers were out worked and out skated by a strong looking Warriors team. Westsides defence was solid not giving any room or space down low, collapsing down low keeping all the Vernon shots coming from the outside. Vipers got a late powerplay but didnt manage any good scoring chances, Vernon waisted a good chance late in the 2nd to try and cut the Westside lead to within one goal. The Warriors were up 3-1 after 40 mins of play. Vernon outshot Westside 11-9.

3rd Period: Westside come out physical taking the body with some solid checks deep in the Vipers zone. Vernon would get an early powerplay but fail to score looking very sloppy and disorganised, as the Warriors would kill off the minor. Just minutes later Vernon would go back to the powerplay but once again couldnt seem to generate much of an offensive attack. Kevin Jebson was very focused not giving up any 2nd chances and the Westside defence played very solid in front of the veteran goaltender. Vernon couldnt seem to create any chances down low, having all kinds of trouble cutting towards the net, most of the play was held along the wall or in the corners. Westside played a tight defensive checking game. In the 2nd half of the 3rd Vernon would get a two man advantage and would blow it, passing the puck between the two d-men killing off most of the powerplay themselves. Vernon had both pointmen wide open and yet would make a pass instead of getting off a quick shot. Just three weak shots towards the goal with no good scoring chances. With just 18 seconds remaining in the 2nd minor Kyle Bigos was schooled by Garrett Watson, who blew by the Viper d-man going in all alone for the breakaway, Watson put a nice move past Hammond scoring Westsides 4th goal of the night shorthanded with just under 8 minutes remaining. This was enough for the Vipers faithfull who had seen enough as fans started heading towards the exits. Westside continued to work and skate hard, showing lots of hustle and would get rewarded just two mins later Captain Ron Kelly made a nice pass over to Kyle Singleton who beat Hammond high as Westside started taking full control going up 5-1 with just over 6 mins left in the game. This was the end of the night for Andrew Hammond who was yanked in favor of Graeme Gordon. Once getting to the bench, Hammond stormed down to the Vipers dressing room but did return to the bench for the rest of the game. One minute after the Westside goal, Braden Pimm made a nice move cutting through the neutral zone and then wiring a shot high past Jebson as Vernon was down 5-2 with just 5 minutes remaining. The Vipers looked frsutrated and disorganised in the final few minutes. With under 30 seconds remaining Garrett Watson had a great scoring chance in close, left all alone in front but couldnt get the puck up high as Gordon made his biggest save of the game. As the buzzer sounded a few of the Westside players were really giving it to a few Vernon players as they skated by. Westside poured onto the ice yelling and screaming showing lots of emotion getting there first win this season over Vernon with a 5-2 win. Vernon drops its 2nd straight game. Vernon outshot Westside 11-10.

Top Players: (Vernon)

Sahir Gill (1 goal) looked very strong up front on the Vipers 3rd line. Gill was playing on the 3rd line as Cory Kane was dropped to the Vipers 4th line. Gill played with alot of hustle and good puck handling.

Top Players: (Westside)

Garrett Watson (1 goal & 2 assists) played a solid game up front. Watson always seems to bring his "A" game vs Vernon. A big kid who plays the game physical but yet can put up the numbers. Very underatted player.

Craig Eisenhut (1 goal) Looked very effective in the 1st having lots of jump and some good chances with the puck. Eisenhut has good speed and was involved in the play for most of the game.

Jordan Gagne (1 goal & 1 assist) Looked very good. Showed lots of hustle and determination.

Ron Kelly (2 assists) played his role, carried the puck lots in the attacking zone. Was getting the face of some Vipers.

Brad Plumton (1 goal) played strong on the Warriors blueline. Played physical and strong down low.

Game Thoughts: (Vernon)

Vipers looked good in the early goings of tonights game but then played most of the 2nd half of the 1st shorthanded. Two poor defensive decisions cost Vernon the first & 2nd goals. Vipers played well for half of the 2nd period but were out skated and out hit. Vipers were being pounded along the boards, especially the Jones twins. Both Kellen & Connor were getting knocked around. Vipers were way too soft tonight and it showed, Vernon needs to stand up against a strong-physical team like the Warriors. You cannot allow a team to come into your rink and push you around. Vipers should have dropped the gloves or come out physical, trying to set the tone or get the team going. They need to respond after being out hit hard for most of the game. For the second straight game Vernon allowed two late period goals, and couldnt recover. A very poor performance come the 3rd period, when down two goals and you get four straight powerplays you need to take advantage. Some very poor decisions on the powerplay and very little shots. Vernon passes the puck way too much, when they have the room and time to get off shots from the point or the slot. Very little emotion in the 3rd when down two goals, no hitting or driving towards the net. Most of Vernons shots were from the outside. Vipers played a very soft-non physical game. Vernons defence was schooled tonight by the Warriors. Vipers need to learn to play a solid 60 mins or atleast come close. Not a solid-team effort tonight.

Game Thoughts: (Westside)

Once again Westside worked hard and deserved full credits for the win. The Warriors skated hard, playing a very defensive physical game. I mentioned before, the Warriors really punished the Vipers down low and in the corners. Westsides defence played a very solid game on the backend. Didnt allow the Vipers with any chances in close, collapsing down low, keeping the shots or pressure from the outside. Warriors didnt back down or quit skating, scoring timely goals with hard work and hustle. Once up two goals come the 3rd, Westside sat back playing the trap not giving the Vipers any room to create an offensive attack. A very well played road game.

Scratches:

Vernon:

Cole Ikkala
Trent Dorais
Steven Weinstein

Westside:

Tyler Miller
Brett Howe
Alex Grieve

3 Stars:

1st Star: Garrett Watson (1 goal & 2 assists)
2nd Star: Brad Plumton (1 goal)
3rd Star: Sahir Gill (1 goal)