Vernon 4 Trail 0

Was at todays BCHL game as Vernon defeated Trail 4-0 in front of 2,911 fans at the Wesbild Centre.

1st Period: Some good flow in the early first few minutes as the play went back & forth with no scoring chances. Vernon then took over and it was all Vipers for the remainder of the period. The Vipers were skating, moving the puck well and getting shots towards Paul Barclay from everywhere getting alot of shots towards the net. No real good scoring chances early as most of the Viper shots were from the perimiter. Vernon would get the first and only powerplay of the period but it was the Smoke Eaters who had the best chance, Patrick Martin went in for the breakaway, with Cameron Brodie in chase, Martin missed going high and over the net. Vernon struggled on the man advantage getting just one shot seconds before the minor expired. The Smokies tried the long stretch pass a few times through out the 1st period. The line of Cory Kane, Bryce Kakoske and Cole Ikkala was the Vipers best line this afternoon, Kane was flying making some end to end rushes through out todays game. Kane was a good shot from in close but was stopped by Barclay. Kakoske would open the scoring at 10:51 beating Barclay in close. Assists going to, Cory Kane & Cole Ikkala. Ryan Santana who showed lots of hustle, working hard all afternoon had a great chance from the slot but hit the post as Vernon come close to going up 2-0. Justin Brown come down the wing and snapped a shot wich Andrew Hammond just got a piece of it with his glove, the puck sat in the crease as Trail stormed the crease before Hammond covered up the loose puck. The Smoke Eaters couldnt generate much offence, as most of the play was held in the Trail zone. The Vipers dominated the play outplaying the Smoke Eaters. Braden Pimm & Chris Crowell went in two on one as Pimm's pass couldnt get through over to Crowell. In the final few seconds Trail had a few chances in close but couldnt find the back of the net. Vernon was up 1-0 after 20 minutes of play. The Vipers outshot the Smoke Eaters 15-4.

2nd Period: Off the opening faceoff Trail had two good chances coming close to tying the game, it didnt take long before the Vipers took over play, really dominating the play in the Smokies zone. Vernon carried the edge in play within the first five minutes getting some chances, before Trail finally woke up. Justin Brown showed lots of energy and hustle getting two good chances on the same play but was stopped by Hammond. The tables now seemed to turn as the Vipers got a little lazy on a few plays as the Smoke Eaters picked up their play, getting some good quality chances. Vernon turned the tide and took over control in the second half, as the Vipers were buzzing in the Trail zone. Cory Kane cut wide, then drove towards the net but was stopped in front by Barclay, Kane would then feed Cole Ikkala on the same shift with a nice pass out front, but Ikkala's tip was stopped by Barclay. Former Viper Patrick Raley was tossed from the game after a check from behind on Mike Collins. Chris Crowell & Kyle Bigos jumped in, going after Raley as everyone on the ice jumped in getting involved in the scrum. Some pushing and shoving with a few punches being throwen as even Paul Barclay was in the middle of the scrum. Crowell, Pimm & Bigos recieved ten minute misconducts for Vernon, Jason Reardon & Scott Jacklin picked up ten minute misconducts for the Smokies. Just a few minutes later some nice three way passing from the Vipers top line on a three on one, Kellen Jones made a nice move at the Trail blueline, feeding his brother Connor Jones who setup Sahir Gill who beat Barclay putting Vernon up 2-0 at 18:05. Assits going to, Both Connor & Kellen Jones. Trail played a much better period, getting some good chances. Giving up a late goal seemed to take the wind out of their sails. Shortly after the Vipers goal, Justin Brown dropped the gloves with Cole Ikkala. Brown was fired up, yelling at his bench trying to get the Smoke Eaters going. The Vipers were up 2-0 after 40 minutes of play. Vernon outshot Trail 13-9.

3rd Period: In the first few minutes Cory Kane had a great chance but Barclay kicked out his shot with a nice toe save. Vipers were buzzing in the first few minutes getting some quality shots on net. Trail would get the first powerplay of the 3rd but couldnt get one past Hammond. Shortly after the Vipers would jump on the powerplay and take advantage, Kevin Kraus made a nice move at the blueline, setting up Mike Collins who tried making a pass out front, the puck ended up going off d-man Steve Koshey and into his own net past Barclay as Vernon went up 3-0 at 7:10 putting the game away. Assists going to Kevin Kraus. The Vipers backed off the attack just putting shots towards the net, trying to wind down the clock. For most of the 3rd it looked as if the Vipers were on one long man advantage but both teams were even strength, as the Vipers speed and skill was just too much for the Smokies to handle. The Smoke Eaters would get a two man advantage as the Vipers got into some penalty trouble, the Smokies did get a few chances but had troubles creating any offence. Trail did come up with a few chances in close but Hammond looked very confident between the pipes this afternoon. With five minutes remaining Kevin Kraus setup Ryan Santana, Santana carried the puck through the zone, then doing a spin o rama in close beating Barclay at 14:25 as the Vipers went up 4-0. Not much of a showing from the Smoke Eaters in the final frame as the Vipers snapped their two game lossing streak defeating Trail 4-0 to close out the regular season. The Vipers outshot the Smoke Eaters 11-9. The Vipers won the season series 6-2.

Top Players: (Vernon)

Kevin Kraus (2 assists) Looked very strong defensively and offensively. Kraus jumped up into the play on several occasions. Kraus can handle the puck very well at times and can be very dangerous at times.

The line of Cory Kane, Bryce Kakoske, & Cole Ikkala was the Vipers best line. Kane (1 assist) Was flying this afternoon. Kane needs to play like this each and every game, can be very effective and dangerous with the puck. Went end to end twice today putting some unreal moves while cutting up ice. Kakoske (1 goal) played well, was driving to the net all afternoon. Ikkala (1 assist) dropped the gloves with Justin Brown, played physical. Played with some good energy.

Andrew Hammond played well, making a few tough saves. Hammond looked very confident through out this afternoons game.

Ryan Santana (1 goal) looked very good with the puck. This kid works hard every night, showed lots of hustle this afternoon, carried the puck alot. Scored a real nice goal late in the 3rd. Id like to see some more scoring from Santana whos a bigger body and hard to knock off the puck.

Top Players: (Trail)

Paul Barclay (35 saves) played a solid game between the pipes for the Smokies, giving them a chance to win. Barclay is very quick on his feet, made a few nice saves down low.

Justin Brown was by far the best player for Trail. Dropped the gloves with Cole Ikkala trying to set a fire under his team late in the 2nd. Played with a ton of energy, showed lots of hustle and emotion. Had the better of the Smokies scoring chances.

Brandon Clark played a solid game on the Trail blueline. Dosnt give you much room to move along the end boards, was all over the Jones-Gill line, not allowing them to get the cycle going down low.

Game Thoughts: (Vernon)

I thought the Vipers played well against a Trail team who didnt play all that well. Vernon basically dominated the play for most of todays game having the better of the play. Vipers were shooting from anywhere, getting lots of shots towards Barclay. Had lots of chances through out this afternoon's game, played a strong defensive game, eliminating Trails chances not giving them much room in close. For a mean nothing game, other then team pride I was pleased with the teams effort. The Vipers have shutout the Smoke Eaters three times this season. Vernon now gets a first round bye and will wait to faceoff against the winner of either Prince George or Penticton in the second round of the playoffs. Nice to see a huge crowd on hand for the last game of the regular season.

Game Thoughts: (Trail)

Both teams must be getting sick of one another, as this was the fourth straight weekend these two teams have faced off against one another. Trail got off to a bad start being outplayed and outworked for most of the 1st period. Down 1-0 the Smokies did get some chances in the 2nd period, playing much better hockey, but couldnt capitalize on their chances. Giving up a late goal to end the period seemed to take the wind out from their sails. Not much showing in the 3rd, as it looked like the Vipers were on a long extended powerplay. Trail didnt have much jump in todays game, only a few bright spots coming from the Smoke Eaters roster, as the Smokies have gone down hill since the Christmas break. The Vipers won most of the races and battles along the boards and in the corners.

Scratches:

Vernon:

Cody Ikkala
Rob Short
Steven Weinstein

Trail:

CJ LeGassic
Adam Gummer
Paul Mailey
Marco Raimondo

3 Stars:

1st Star: Andrew Hammond (22 saves)
2nd Star: Kevin Kraus (2 assists)
3rd Star: Sahir Gill (1 goal)