Vipers Storm Warriors:

Vipers storm Warriors

by Don Klepp - Sep 2, 2009

Outside the Wesbild Centre on Tuesday night, a lightning storm entertained fans who were coming to see an exhibition game between the Vernon Vipers and the Westside Warriors. Inside, the Vipers saved their strikes for the third period when they scored four times en route to a 6-3 win. The game’s opening face-off was delayed about 15 minutes when the main lights went out, apparently the result of a lightning strike. When the game did begin, the Vipers seized the initiative, out skating and out shooting a rookie-laden Warrior squad. However, Westside’s Tyler Krause opened the scoring on a power play. The Vipers equalized when Kellen Jones converted a feed from brother Connor. In the opening stanza, the Vipers out shot the visitors, 14-3. In the opening stages of the second period, Westside had its best flurry of the game, matching the Vipers shot for shot. The Warriors once again grabbed the lead on a close-in goal by Chris Volonino after some determined work by Michael Spring. By the midway point of the period, the Vipers were once again in control as they out shot Westside by 11 to 1 after the Volonino goal. Still, they were able to score just once, a nice Cole Ikkala goal that was set up by Dan Nycholat and Rob Short. A three-goal Viper outburst early in the third sealed the Warriors’ fate. First, Jesse Halikas fired a one-timer past Michael Smith. His goal was followed by Connor Jones’s fine individual effort and by a quick shot by Drew George, who was assisted by Kevin Kraus and Jesse Halikas. Dylan Walchuk scored a late marker when fed by Drew George from behind the net. Finally, Westside defenceman Anthony Fadel banged in a loose puck late in the game to complete the scoring. In this game, Westside did not dress veterans Cam Reid, Trevor Bailey, Alex Grieve, Grayson Downing, Michael Quinn, Brendan Ellis, and Vince Mihalek. The Vipers rested Braden Pimm, Bryce Kakoske, Mike Collins, and Adam Thompson. Also, Jon Milhouse was tossed in the first period for a hit from behind, and defenceman Rob Florentino was ejected in the second period for being the instigator in a fight with Kyle Singleton. That bout was fairly even until Florentino decked Singleton with a right to the jaw. Singleton and Tyler Krause were the best Warriors on the night, while four-year vet, Joel Woznikoski attempted to get under the skin of the Viper forwards. For the Vipers, young Brendan Persley (’93 birth year) played a spirited game and fellow rookies Dylan Walchuk and Drew George showed why the Vipers recruited them. Connor Jones, Cole Ikkala, Drew George, and Jesse Halikas led the Viper scoring, each with a goal and an assist. Following a pattern established in two weekend games against Salmon Arm, the Vipers out shot the Warriors 43-16. Vernon has now scored 21 times in three pre-season games, leading to speculation that the defending RBC champions will ice a high scoring team this year. The Warriors and Vipers play the back end of a home and home exhibition series Wednesday night at 7 at Royal LePage Place.