Vipers Gain First Shutout Of Season:

Vipers gain first shutout of season

by Don Klepp -Sep 26, 2009

Graeme Gordon stopped all 29 Quesnel Millionaire shots Friday in Vernon as the Vipers defeated a hard-working Quesnel team, 2-0. Quesnel goaltender Kirby Halcrow also played a strong game, stopping 35 of 37 Viper shots. His best saves came from close-in chances by Connor Jones and Braden Pimm in the first period, as the Vipers out-chanced the visitors 8-2 in the first period and out-shot them, 16 to 7. The opening goal came at 5:02 when Drew George took a precise pass from Dylan Walchuk and split the Mills defence. Cutting slightly to his right, George fired a low, hard-shot wrister that beat Halcrow stick side. Kevin Kraus drew an assist on the play after he had controlled the puck at centre and dished off to Walchuk. Quesnel came out of the room with more energy to start the second period. Helped by aggressive fore check and three Viper penalties, the Millionaires out shot the Vipers 10 to 9 in the period. Vernon’s veteran players regrouped, however, and Kellen Jones very nearly scored on the power play. His shot through traffic beat a screened Halcrow, but the puck rang off the goal post. Both goalies were very good in the period, playing their angles well and controlling rebounds. In the third, Cory Kane backhanded a loose puck past Halcrow at 1:45 in. Kane’s insurance marker was preceded by a spirited Connor Jones rush. After receiving Dan Nycholat’s pass at his own blue line, Connor roared down the right wing and drove to the net. As the period progressed, the play started to open up, resulting in 12 shots on goal by each team. Still, the game’s outcome did not seem to be in doubt and the only issue was whether Gordon would record his first shutout of the season. Gordon’s superb sprawling save on Oliver Koo preserved the shutout with about five minutes to go in the third period. Koo had been set up with a clever pass by Taylor Holst, Quesnel’s most active and effective skater in this game. After coach Glen Watson pulled Halcrow for an extra attacker with just over a minute remaining, Gordon had to be alert on some bouncing pucks, but then the Vipers killed off the last 30 seconds with a concerted effort, especially by Jonathon Milhouse who maintained possession deep in the Quesnel zone for several seconds.

Game Notes: Gordon has allowed just two goals in his last three games. Quesnel’s 29 shots were the most the Vipers have allowed in a game so far this season. Patrick McGillis continued to deputize for the injured Rob Short. He played on a line with centre Bryce Kakoske and right winger Drew George. Meanwhile, Dylan Walchuk centred Cole Ikkala and Sawyer Mick, who were the Vipers’ most physical players. The Millionaires used two forwards on defence, Skyler Smutek and Spencer Graboski.