Vernon 1 Quesnel 1

I was at tonights BCHL game as Quesnel & Vernon tied 1-1 in front of 1,446 fans at the Wesbild Centre.

Starting Goaltenders:

Vernon: Blake Voth
Quesnel: Kirby Halcrow

1st Period: The Vipers looked good in the opening few minutes, Mike Zalewski with a wrap around a minute and a half into the game gave the Vipers a good chance early. Vernon was skating hard, moving the puck and making some real nice give and goes as the Vipers carried the early edge in play. Quesnel got off to a bit of a slow start and didnt register their first shot of the night until just before the six minute mark. The Mills would then get back to back powerplays but couldnt really find the offence as the Vipers penalty kill was good killing off both minors as the Millionaires were unable to generate any real good chances. Quesnel who was outshot 3-0 at one point was now leading in shots 6-3. Vernon would come back with a great scoring play, Darren Nowick setup John Knisley in the slot who was stopped by veteran Kirby Halcrow. Just minutes later Halcrow robbed a wide open Patrick McGillis who ripped a shot from the slot before Halrcow just got his arm on the puck making back to back saves. Vernon would then get back to back powerplays but unable to generate any real offence as the Mills penalty kill looked good killing off both minors. Adam Thompsons shot from the point in the final minute would miss the net, hit the end boards coming back through the crease as Kirby Halcrow was alert and jumped out of the way of the puck on a close call. Vernon outplayed Quesnel but only generated a few good chances. The Vipers outshot the Millionaires 15-6.

2nd Period: Bryce Kakoske with some nice moves went inside out on a nice rush couldnt finish as the Vipers with a great chance just over a minute into the 2nd period. On the same play Elliott Richardson went for the hit along the boards, sending Spencer Graboski & Chris Allbee on a two on one, but Graboski couldnt beat Blake Voth. Some good back and forth action in the first few minutes started to open up the play. The Vipers would then slowly start to take over the game and the period getting some good chances through out the remainder of the 2nd. Bryce Kakoske who played very well had a chance. The Vipers then worked the puck down low, battling hard worked the puck around before Brett Corkeys shot beat Halcrow at 9:43 giving Corkey his first career BCHL goal and Vernon a 1-0 lead. John Knisley with the lone helper. Halcrow who is sporting new equipment this season, had troubles in the first two periods controling the puck, giving out some big rebounds. John Knisley used his speed down low, to wheel out front but Halcrow was their for the save. The Vipers with all kinds of presure come up with some good chances but couldnt find the back of the net. Quesnel would then get the periods first man advantage, Sam Higgins screened point shot was tipped in front but Voth was able to make the save on the Millionaires only good chance on the powerplay as Vernon would kill off the minor. David Robinson was getting under the Mills skin all night, exchanging words with several different Quesnel players. The Vipers with a late three on two couldnt beat Halcrow. Vernon would take a 1-0 lead into the 3rd. The Vipers outshot the Mills 13-9.

3rd Period: Vernon would start the 3rd on the powerplay, Steve Weinsteins point shot was tipped just wide of the goal by Bryce Kakoske who had a great chance on a wide open net. This was the only real good chance the Vipers could muster as the Millionaires would kill off the penalty. Vernon looked very good in the final period really taking it to the Mills as Quesnel couldnt get anything going with just two shots in the first fifteen minutes. Vernon looked very good breaking out of their own end with some nice give and goes, setting up some great scoring chances. Darren Nowick setup John Knisley on a nice play, Mike Zalewski with a shot from the circle come close. Most of the play was in the Quesnel end as the Vipers with all kinds of presure dominated the play. Vernon would get a chance on the powerplay but unable to get much going as the Mills killed off the minor. The Vipers with another shot on a late powerplay moved the puck well, Malcolm Lyles with two good chances come very close but couldnt beat Kirby Halcrow who played very well kept the Millionaires in tonights game. Halcrow somehow made several saves with traffic in front. With just 2:08 remaining Skyler Smuteks point shot was tipped in front by Devin Balness wich beat Blake Voth to tie the game 1-1 on just the Mills third shot of the period and first shot in almost twelve minutes. Vernon who dominated the play this period found themselves going to overtime for the third time in their last four games. The Vipers outshot the Millionaires 12-3.

Overtime: No real good chances early before the Vipers would get a great chance on the powerplay after Tyler French's boarding call gave the Vipers the man advantage. Vernon would move the puck well but were unable to setup for the perfect shot as Quesnel did a great job keeping the Vipers to the outside, Vernon would get a good three or four chances but Halcrow stood tall making the saves when needed as the Mills excaped killing off the minor. Just as the penalty expired Devin Balness scooped up the loose puck and come in close ripping a shot but couldnt beat Voth. Vernon with a few good chances on the powerplay couldnt pull off the victory as the game was still tied 1-1. The Vipers outshot the Millionaires 6-2.

Double Overtime: Off the draw Sterling Bear broke through the Vipers blueline, getting in close but couldnt pull off the OT winner on a great chance for Quesnel. Now three on three the play really opened up as back come Vernon, David Robinson, Steve Weinstein and Dylan Walchuk on a three on one, but Robinson couldnt beat the Mills defenceman who made a strong diving play to break up the odd man rush. The Vipers were lucky they didnt lose the puck and send the Mills back the other way on a breakaway. Back come Quesnel, Anderson White & Spencer Graboski on a two on one but Blake Voth with the save kept the game tied. Back come the Vipers, as John Knisley was robbed in front, Knisley was left all alone at the side of the net as Kirby Halcrow slide across stacking the pads and throwing up the glove to make the huge save keeping the Millionaires in the hockey game. Malcolm Lyles then went end to end just ripping his shot wide of the goal. Halcrow wasnt done just yet as late in the extra period robbed a wide open David Robinson who was all alone in front. Halcrow made two huge saves in double overtime. In the meantime the Vipers forgot all about defence as Justin Hogan went in for the clear cut breakaway with just twenty seconds remaining, Hogan put a sweet move on Voth but hit the crossbar on a great chance. The Mills would keep the play alive but were unalbe to get another shot before the final buzzer in a very entertaining overtime period.

Top Players: (Vernon)

Malcolm Lyles played his best game as a Viper. Lyles laid out one of the biggest hits of the night late in the 3rd, played with lots of confidence at both ends of the rink. Lyles who was getting caught jumping up into the play at the start of the season, has really settled down and seems to know when to get involved in the play. Lyles with several good chances was very hard to knock off the puck. The upper body strength this kid has, looks very impressive skating with the puck with just one hand on his stick while holding off a defender.

David Robinson looked very good up front for Vernon. I for one really noticed Robinson out of the Vipers lineup Saturday night vs Cowichan Valley. The Vipers just didnt seem to have that edge, they were missing Robinsons hustle, gritty play and overall leadership. David looked very good tonight with Bryce Kakoske and Dylan Walchuk. Robinson who was hated in last years playoffs by the Millionaires wasnt liked once again tonight, as the Viper captain was getting under the skin of several Quesnel players all night.

John Knisley (1 assist) Knisley had a strong game up front for the Vipers. Was setup severak times through out tonights contest but was unable to hit the back of the net.

Mike Zalewski who didnt really stand out early in the hockey game but you sure noticed him late in the game. I thought Zalewski really picked up his play in the 3rd and into both overtimes. Looked good with the puck down low, come up with some nifty plays-chances down low-or in close.

Darren Nowick I thought played very well this evening. Nowick made a few real nice heads up passes wich resulted in a scoring plays. Played with alot of energy, showed some good work ethic.

Gus Correale didnt really do much offensivley, but I thought worked very hard, didnt back down from the corners and battled hard all game. Correale isnt the biggest kid but skates well and has some wheels, took some hits tonight but kept bouncing back.

Steve Weinstein and Adam Thompson both looked very solid on the Vernon blueline. These two veterans are key for the Vipers this season.

Bryce Kakoske played a very strong game. I have noticed a huge turn around early in the season with Kakoskes play. Has been playing very well so far this young season. Had two real nice scoring plays in close after putting on some moves we have never seen from Bryce. Played well at both ends of the rink, showed alot of hustle, made some smart decisions. Has improved alot on his skating.

Top Players: (Quesnel)

Chris Allbee another player who didnt do much offensively, but just like Gus Correale on the Vipers I thought worked hard, battled hard and played with alot of energy. Allbee had words with Vipers captain David Robinson on several occasions. Another kid who wasnt afraid of the corners or to try and muck it up.

Spencer Graboski was the one and only Millionaire player who really stood out offensively. Graboski with two, two on ones in tonights game was of the lone bright spots for the Mills.

Kirby Halcrow (47 saves) Dustin Slade (2002-03), Andrew Braithwaite (2003-04), Jonathan Trout (2004-05), Jeff Malcolm (2007-09) & now Kirby Halcrow (2009-2010) It seems like year after year the Quesnel Millionaires roll into town near the bottom of the standings and one of these young goaltenders manages to stand on their head making 40-50 plus saves trying to stop the Vernon Vipers. On most nights the Vipers have managed to pull out the win but it hasnt been the easy way, most games were one goal games either late into the 3rd or in overtime but still one of these young goaltenders always seemed to make the Vipers life misserable. Last year how many times did we see Kirby Halcrow stand on his head, well we saw it again tonight. I must admit even though the Vipers outplayed and outshot the Mills I didnt think Halcrow had to make many huge saves in the first two periods. Halcrow sporting his new goal equipment had troubles controling rebounds in the first two periods but seemed to settle down as the game went along. Halcrow did rob Patrick McGillis & John Knisley in the 1st and made some nice saves in the 2nd but it wasnt until the 3rd and both overtimes when Halcrow was at his best coming up with some huge game savers. With this kid in goal the Mills have a chance to win any game.

Game Thoughts: (Vernon)

Incosistancy may be a bit of a problem with the Vernon Vipers early in this BCHL season. The Vipers played a very hard fought but tough 3-2 double overtime loss game in Trail Friday night, a game in wich they could have won. But then come back home the next night and didnt look very good at all, falling 4-2 to the last place Cowichan Valley Capitals. Vernon then rebounded with a nice 4-3 overtime victory over the hometown Merritt Centennials Sunday afternoon in a game in wich they played very well. Tonight what Vipers team could we expect? Well the Vipers come to play tonight & I thought looked fairly good for most of tonights game. I thought Vernon outplayed and outchanced Quesnel for most of the first three periods. The Vipers were skating hard, moving the puck well, improved on their passes, and made some real nice give and goes. Vernon battled and competed hard, they also come up with some good scoring chances through out tonights game and played much better defensively, they didnt give Quesnel alot of room to skate or create chances, held the Mills to just 18 shots before overtime and shutdown the Mills offensively allowing just the lone goal. Here's a game inwich the Vipers could have won 6 or 7-1 easily but ran into a hot goaltender. This was one of those games where they outplayed the Mills the entire 3rd, but gave up just a single shot in the final twelve minutes, and thats the one shot that ties the game. Its too bad the Vipers fully deserved credit for the win tonight. A very entertaining and exciting overtime. A very small-poor crowd tonight. The Vipers had a new backup goaltender tonight. He was wearing #1 with no name on the back of his jersey. Is Bryton Udy sick or was their a trade?

Game Thoughts: (Quesnel)

Without Kirby Halcrow this game would have been long over and we wouldnt have needed overtime. The Millionaires were really never in tonights game, they were outplayed, outworked & outshot for most of the entire game. Quesnel had just a handfull of scoring chances through out tonights game. The Mills couldnt generate much offence all night. Quesnel was lucky to come away with the single point. Give the Mills credit they relied on Kirby Halcrow to make the big saves when needed and got the big goal when needed. I thought the Millionaires played a little better in the two overtime periods. Quesnels coaching staff is very vocal, you can hear these two guys yelling from the bench almost every shift-play. After last years upset over the Salmon Arm Silverbacks in the first round of the BCHL playoffs and then giving the Vipers a good-strong run in the second round, Quesnel would have a much better team & record then they do. With several key veterans back from last year and solid goaltending I was expecting a much more competetive Mills hockey club. This was a huge point for a team just starting a four game road trip, maybe this will give the kids a little confidence and help them turn things around.

Scratches:

Vernon:

Max Mowat
Taylor Love (AP)
Aaron Hadley
Marcus Basara
Bryton Udy

Quesnel:

Ryan Crossen
Brad Buckingham
Clayton Chessa

3 Stars:

1st Star: Kirby Halcrow (47 saves)
2nd Star: Bryce Kakoske
3rd Star: Malcolm Lyles