Vernon 6 Prince George 2

Was at tonights BCHL game as Vernon defeated Prince George 6-2 in front of 2,005 fans at the Wesbild Centre.

Starting Goaltenders:

Vernon: Graeme Gordon
Prince George: Kyle Nielsen

1st Period: Cory Kane with a nice move inside the PG blueline had a good scoring chance just two minutes into the game but was stopped by former Merritt Centennials goaltender, Kyle Nielsen. Veteran Sam Muchalla come up with two big shot blocks early in the period. The Vipers carried the better of the play in the first five-six minutes getting a few good chances but couldnt find the back of the net. Cole Ikkala with some hard work down low was stopped in close by Nielsen. In that span the Vipers had the games first powerplay, but couldnt connect on the man advantage. Prince George come out physical laying out some solid checks. But it was the Spruce Kings who would open the scoring, Justin Fillion knocked Eric Soderlund off the puck and then fed a wide open Nick DeSousa who was all alone in the slot, DeSousa beat Graeme Gordon putting PG up 1-0 at 8:21 Fillion recorded the lone assist. Shortly after the Spruce Kings would get their first man advantage, veteran Wes McLeod would sneak in from the point with traffic in front of Gordon McLeod rang his shot off the post as PG come very close to going up 2-0. Late in the powerplay the Vipers would take two minors having three in the penalty box. Vernons penalty kill was solid blocking the shooting lanes, not giving the Spruce Kings much time or space as the Vipers killed off the first minor. Still down two players, Connor & Kellen Jones would go in on a two on one shorthanded, Connor made a nice pass over to Kellen, who got in too deep and got off a weak shot on Nielsen who made the easy save. Vernons strong penalty kill would only give up one shot killing off all three minors. Just as the final two minors expired Kellen Jones snuck inbehind the PG defence going in scoring on the breakaway beating Nielsen tying the game 1-1 at 14:19 Jones goal was unassisted. The play really opened up in the second half of the period with both teams going back and forth getting some good chances. Graeme Gordon couldnt cover the loose puck wich resulted in a PG scoring chance. Some wide open hockey with some good flow, made for some very entertaining hockey to end the period. The Vipers defence was having troubles in their own end with the strong forecheck by the Spruce Kings. The Spruce Kings come close in the final seconds getting two chances in close. A fairly even period tied 1-1 after 20 minutes of play. Prince George outshot Vernon 11-9.

2nd Period: The Spruce Kings come out skating hard, again really forchecking the Vipers defence causing several turnovers wich resulted in some early scoring chances. Eric Soderlund had troubles early in the period but was lucky to have Graeme Gordon bail him out with some big saves keeping Vernon in the game. After some early pressure by PG Mike Collins with a nice move inside the Prince George blueline scored a real nice goal at 5:09 putting Vernon ahead 2-1. Braden Pimm & Jonathan Milhouse recorded the assists. Steve Weinstein made an unreal stretch pass up ice feeding Connor Jones who went in all alone but was stopped by Kyle Nielsen. Back the other way Kyle Manlow was sent in on the parcial breakaway but with a Viper d-man right behind him, couldnt beat Gordon. Both teams seemed to be playing a little more cautious, waiting for a break. Vernon would get its first powerplay of the period. Braden Pimm was stopped at the side of the net on a good chance. Just as the penalty was coming to an end superpest Zac Rasmussen & Dan Nycholat dropped the gloves. Prince George was playing Vernon tight skating hard, laying out some good checks. Luke Hannas with a nice move at the Vernon blueline was stopped by Gordon. Late in the 2nd the Spruce Kings would get a late powerplay but it was the Vipers who had the better of the play while shorthanded. Rob Short on the parcial breakaway was stopped by Nielsen. Connor & Kellen Jones went in two on one but again couldnt beat Nielsen. Nielsen made some big saves in the 2nd period giving the Spruce Kings a chance to win. Mike Collins shorthanded with another chance as the Vipers were swarming with a man down. Vernons penalty kill was once again solid killing off the minor. After being outshot in the 1st period the Vipers did a much better job at only giving up seven shots in the 2nd period. Vernon was up 2-1 after 40 minutes of play. The Vipers outshot the Spruce Kings 12-7.

3rd Period: Mike Collins and Braden Pimm with a two on one early couldnt beat Nielsen who played well. Both teams come out looking very cautious waiting for one another to make the games first mistake. Prince George couldnt get much offence going as Vernons defence really stepped up their game playing a much more defensive game in the final period. The Spruce Kings would get a man advantage, a chance to tie the game, but once again it was Vernons penalty killers who had the better chances. Kevin Kraus, Connor Jones and Kellen Jones went in three on two but couldnt connect on a glorious scoring chance, back come PG with an odd man rush before Kraus showed good hustle coming back into the play to break up the scoring play. Still shorthanded a turnover in the PG zone Dylan Walchuk fed a wide open Rob Short who was all alone in the slot, blasting his shot topshelf past Nielsen at 9:17 giving Vernon the 3-1 lead. Walchuk & Adam Thompson picked up the assists. Just over a minute later Patrick McGillis cutting towards the goal, through a shot towards the net wich caught Kyle Nielsen off gaurd, as McGillis's shot beat Nielsen at 10:16 putting the Vipers up 4-1. McGillis's goal was unassisted. Shortly after Jonathan Milhouse went in for the breakaway but was stopped by Nielsen. The Vipers really started turning on the gas at this point as PG was having all kinds of trouble stopping the Vipers speed and skill up front. Mike Collins would add his 2nd goal of the night at 11:45 putting Vernon ahead 5-1 and in full control. Jonathan Milhouse & Braden Pimm with the assists. Pimm made an unreal pass through traffic in front, finding Collins in front who just had to tap the puck past Nielsen. Nick DeSousa with a great chance in front was stopped by Graeme Gordon. This was PGs only real good scoring chance of the period. The Vipers were really skating hard in the 3rd now taking it to the Spruce Kings. Cole Ikkala with a burst of speed was stopped on a parcial breakaway. Lyndon Martell would beat Gordon at 13:57 cutting the lead to 5-2. Brooks Robinson with the lone assist. Martells shot looked to have taken a funny bounce wich got past Gordon. In the final minute of play Eric Soderlund with a bit of a weak shot towards the net, somehow got past Nielsen and just crossed the goal line at 19:10 This was Soderlunds first BCHL goal. Dan Nycholat assisted on Soderlunds goal. Vernon would defeat Prince George 6-2 winning their 21st straight game. Shots were even 8-8.

Top Players: (Vernon)

Graeme Gordon (23 saves) Played well, made some big saves in the first two periods giving the Vipers a chance to win.

Dan Nycholat (1 assist) Played a heck of a game on the Vipers backend. Nycholat played very well at both ends of the rink, jumping up in the rush as well as looking very solid defensively. Nycholat has really come into his own as of late as one of Vernons best d-men.

Mike Collins (2 goals) Collins scored a real nice goal with a nice move to put Vernon ahead 2-1. Collins also played well at both ends of the rink, played well on the penalty kill.

Dylan Walchuk (1 assist) was flying all night, looked very strong up front. Walchuk with some amazing moves down low, went in and out of a few PG players.

Connor & Kellen (1 goal) Jones looked very dangerous shorthanded. Both brothers always seem to know where one another is, both made some nice passing plays shorthanded to come up with some good scoring chances. Connor was stopped on a breakaway in the 2nd period. Connor then setup Kellen shorthanded on a two on one, but Kellen was in too deep and couldnt get off a good quality shot.

Rob Short (1 goal) Was another player who was very dangerous shorthanded. Short played a solid game at both ends of the rink. This kid always comes to play, works hard and gives it his all. Short had some good chances through out tonights game.

Braden Pimm (2 assists) Made some real nice heads up plays all night. Pimm reads the ice very well, always seems to know where his two linemates are at all times. Pimms pass to setup Collins goal in the 3rd was unreal, the space he had to get that puck through the slot, to find Collins stick was incredible.

Jonathan Milhouse (2 assists) Also played well up front. Milhouse was stopped on the breakaway in the 3rd. Played very well, was skating hard. Milhouse battled hard down low.

Steve Weinstein played his best game of the season. Weinstein also made some real nice heads up plays all game. Weinstein setup Connor Jones for the breakaway in the 2nd period. Made some unreal passes through out tonights game. Weinstein has come along way from the start of last year and looked very strong tonight.

Top Players: (Prince George)

Wes McLeod rang a shot off the post while on the powerplay in the 1st period, wich would have given his team a 2-0 lead over Vernon. McLeod played very well on the PG point.

Justin Fillion (1 assist) another Spruce Kings d-man who looked very solid on the backend. Fillion made some smart plays, didnt panic clearing the front of the net.

Sam Muchalla The Spruce Kings Captain played very well. Come up with two big sht blocks early in the 1st. Showed alot of hustle all game, was always involved in the play.

Kyle Nielsen (26 saves) I think Nielsen would like to have back two goals but played well especially in the first two periods giving his team a chance to win. I think anytime a goaltender can keep the leagues highest scoring team to just two goals heading into the 3rd deserves a pat on the back. Nielsen made some big saves with the Vipers putting up some good scoring chances shorthanded. Nielsen didnt have much help in the 3rd giving up four goals.

Game Thoughts: (Vernon)

For most of the season the Vipers have been winning at ease with some very lopsided scores but tonight was a game where if you didnt catch the game you would think it was just another one of those games. Well it wasnt, tonight Vernon had to work very hard in order to win there 21st straight game. The Vipers were challenged by the Spruce Kings, wich forced the Vipers to really turn on the gas in the 3rd scoring four goals to end up winning 6-2. I thought Vernons defence had troubles in the 1st period and the first half of the 2nd period with Prince George's aggresive forecheck. PG's physical play, strong skating and hard work gave Vernon a bit of a scare until the final period. This team can score and score almost at will and it showed in the 3rd, give any of the teams four lines time or space and they will kill you. Im sure hearing about the big trade today losing two good team mates, must not have been easy to go out and still be focused. This was a good game for Vernon to play in, and right at the perfect time. The Vipers now move into the second half of their schedule now facing some tougher opponents. Games and wins were coming to easily, this was a good test for the Vipers. Give them credit they battled hard and come up with the two points. The Vipers will have to play just as hard if not harder when they face the Westside Warriors tomorrow night. Former Vipers head coahc and GM Troy Mick was at tonights game.

Game Thoughts: (Prince George)

Gice full credits to the Prince George Spruce Kings, they rolled into town and was the first time in a while to give the defending National Champs a real good scare. Down 2-1 heading into the final period this was anybodys game. PG was skating hard, played physical and didnt back down. The Spruce Kings had several good chances, really attacked the Vernon defence, causing several turnovers in the Vipers zone. In the 3rd I think the Vipers were just too strong and too powerful to try and slow down or even stop. PG just couldnt handle the Vipers speed, skill and overall depth as it was all Vernon in the 3rd period. The Spruce Kings got many of the bounces tonight but just couldnt capitalize. PG worked extremely hard and deserves a pat on the back for giving the Vipers a good run tonight. If Wes McLeods shot goes in and dosnt hit the post, you have a 2-0 PG lead.

Scratches:

Vernon:

Darrin Robak
Nick Amies
Drew George

Prince George:

Tyler Miller
Jeff Earnest
Stewart Lambert

3 Stars:

1st Star: Mike Collins (2 goals)
2nd Star: Jonathan Milhouse (2 assists)
3rd Star: Sawyer Mick