I was at tonights BCHL game as Vernon defeated Westside 3-2 in overtime in front of 872 fans at Royal Le Page Place.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon: Kirby Halcrow
Westside: Kevin Boyle
1st Period: Former Quesnel Millionaire Kirby Halcrow was making his Vipers debut tonight after being traded to Vernon on the BCHL card deadline for goaltender, Bryton Udy, defenceman, Elliott Richardson and future considerations. Both teams looked to be playing with a little caution to start the contest before captain, David Robinson and Bryce Kakoske got an early two on one just three minutes into the game. Robinson was stopped by Kevin Boyle but Boyle couldnt handle Robinson's shot as Kakoske jumped on the rebound putting the puck into the empty goal but the goal was waived off as referee Mike Boisvert blew the play dead with an early whistle. The Vipers were robbed on the play and should have been up 1-0. The Vipers slowly started to take over the edge in play and carried the better of the play for most of the opening period. The Vipers with some good presure were unable to generate any real good scoring chances other then the two on one three minutes into the game. Vernon was outshooting the Warriors 5-0 before Westside got their first shot on goal seven minutes into the period. Vernon would get the games first powerplay but while shorthanded, Max French collected the loose puck using his speed got by Malcolm Lyles, cutting hard towards the goal French had Kirby Halcrow beat but missed the empty goal on a great scoring play. On the same play Lyles went into the corner to rub French out but ended up getting tossed from the game for checking from behind. French seemed ok and stayed the game. Lyles night was over as both teams went to four on four action before the Warriors ended up with a shortended powerplay. Westside was unable to capitalize as Vernon would head right back to the powerplay. With some good puck movement Mike Zalewski setup Dylan Walchuk down low who moved into the circle and then roofed his shot high and over Kevin Boyle hitting the top corner giving the Vipers a 1-0 lead at 11:03 Zalewski and Brett Corkey with the helpers. Just minutes later the Warriors would get a powerplay but Vernons penalty kill was pretty strong killing off the minor. Just as Hadley's penalty ended the Vipers were caught for too many men, wich sent Westside back to the man advantage, but once again the Vipers penalty kill was very good not giving up any real good scoring chances. Kyle Murphy was very strong on the penalty kill tonight. Just shortly after Dylan Walchuk was sent in all alone for the breakaway, Walchuk roofed his shot beating Boyle just under the crossbar, as Walchuk was celebrating the goal light was not signeled nor did the referee make a goal call. The referee and linesmen gathered along the boards and said Walchuks shot didnt go in as the Vipers could have been up 3-0 (two dissallowed goals) but had to settle for a 1-0 lead. Vernon would get a late powerplay in the final minute but couldnt capitalize taking the remainder of the powerplay into the 2nd period. Vernon was up 1-0 after 20 minutes of play. The Vipers outplayed the Warriors outshooting them 11-6.
2nd Period: With the Vipers still on the man advantage wich was carried over from the 1st period Vernon struggled to start the 2nd looking flat and very dissorganised. The Vipers who played very well in the opening period couldnt get much of anything going, missed passes, players getting the puck caught up between their feet as Westside easily killed off the remainder of the powerplay. Tonights game was almost a carbon copy of last nights 2-2 tie. Just as the powerplay come to an end a brutal pass forced Quinn Gould to scoop up the puck as he was coming out of the box, Gould come down the right wing and ripped a hard shot but couldnt beat Halcrow who stood tall making the save, on the same play Vernon couldnt clear the zone as now the Warriors in full control slowly started to buzz in and around the Vipers net. With traffic in front Halcrow was forced to make two big saves keeping Westside off the board as Vernon was finally able to clear the zone and get out of trouble. Just shortly after the Warriors would go on the powerplay but Vernons penalty kill was strong once again as the Vipers would excape some presure on the Westside powerplay and kill off the minor but just after the penalty come to an end, Matt Cronin's point shot was tipped atleast twice on its way to the net, as Brett McKinnon beat a screened Kirby Halcrow at 8:41 tying the game. Matt Cronin and Brett Mulcahy with the helpers. Just minutes later the Warriors went back to the powerplay and this time took advantage. With some good puck movement the Warriors setup Kyle Singleton who was left all alone at the side of the net but missed the top corner on a great chance. The puck would come back around the boards to Max French, French tried setting up Singleton at the side of the net, but with two Vipers in front shutting down the lane, French banked the puck off Halcrows shoulder-back as the puck rolled into the back of the goal at 12:22 giving Westside a 2-1 lead. Quinn Gould and Tom Kroshus with the assists. The Vipers with very little offence in the middle frame had just one good chance, Dylan Walchuk with a burst of speed come down the left wing but was unable to get a good shot off, as Brayden Sherbinin hustled back to get his stick in the way, sending Walchuks shot wide of the goal. Quinn Gould was then sent in for the parcial breakaway but was robbed after Kirby Halcrow somehow reached back with his glove making a huge game saving glove save on the goal line keeping the puck out. Vernon would get a late powerplay and then at the buzzer would get a short two man advantage heading into the 3rd. The Warriors carried the better of the play as Vernon didnt look very sharp. Westside with a 2-1 lead after 40 minutes of play. The Vipers outshot the Warriors 13-8.
3rd Period: Vernon would start the 3rd on a short two man advantage, but had troubles controlling the play, once again some missed passes, guys not in the right position and with not a single shot Westside would excape killing off both minors. The Vipers just like last night, slowly started to roll and get some presure going. The Vipers would get another shot on the man advantage but again not able to find the back of the net. It was all Vernon in the 3rd but the Vipers were having troubles finding ways at scoring goals. The hustle, hard work and compete level was there, the Vipers just couldnt really muster any real good scoring chances. Most of the 3rd was played in the Warriors zone. Marcus Basara with a good chance, ues his wheels to cut hard towards the goal, but Basara was checked hard at the goal going hard into the end boards. Basara was helped off the ice and headed to the Vipers dressing room, and didnt return to the game. Basara looked a little woozy heading off the ice and wasnt putting much presure on his right leg as he was going to the bench. Westside who got into penalty trouble last night, was in penalty trouble again tonight giving the Vipers another two man advantage. Some good puck movement by the Vipers setup Bryce Kakoske who ripped his shot high and over Kevin Boyle tying the game 2-2 at 13:51 Steve Weinstein and Adam Thompson with the assists. With Vernon still on the powerplay the Vipers couldnt capitalize on the remainder of the second minor as the Warriors killed off the penalty. The Vipers played a much better 3rd after a not so good 2nd period and were by far the better of the two teams other then the 2nd period. In the final minute Zach McPhee tipped a shot just wide of the goal as the Vipers come oh so close to scoring the game winner late in the 3rd. For the second straight night both teams would head to overtime tied 2-2. Vernon outshot Westside 12-7.
Overtime: Westside would get the first good chance, after captain, Alex Grieve was robbed by Kirby Halcrow in the slot. Just after the save back come captain, David Robinson who ripped a high shot wich beat Boyle just under the crossbar at 2:52 giving the Vipers the ot win. But hold on, as Robinson was celebrating the goal, it took a few seconds for the goal light to come on and no official signal from the referee. As both the referee and linesmen were in discusion they called it a goal, as the Vipers bench poured onto the ice. Warriors head coach-gm Darren Yopyk was fuming yelling and screaming from the bench as the Warriors were upset about the ot winning goal. Vernon outshot Westside 3-2.
Top Players: (Vernon)
Dylan Walchuk (1 goal) For the second straight night Walchuk was very dangerous with and without the puck. Saw lots of icetime, carried the puck alot oin the offensive zone.
Bryce Kakoske (1 goal) Looked very good up front for the Vipers. Kakoske scored the game tying goal and was very good in the offensive zone.
Kirby Halcrow (21 saves) Halcrow making his Vipers debut tonight didnt have to stand on his head but come up with a few big saves when needed. Didnt have a chance on either of the two Warriors goals. Halcrow made some key saves in the 2nd and come up with a game saver on Alex Grieve just before David Robinsons ot winner.
Kyle Murphy I thought played well, looked good on the penalty kill through out tonights game.
Top Players: (Westside)
Tom Kroshus (1 assist) Played his second straight solid game for Westside. Kroshus played and looked very good defensively.
Quinn Gould (1 assist) Gould was one of the Warriors better players tonight. I thought he really played well at both ends of the rink, was dangerous with the puck and had some very good scoring chances.
Alex Grieve also played very well up front for Westside. Grieve also had some chances and looked good on the powerplay.
Kevin Boyle (36 saves) Boyle playing for the second night in a row, didnt have to stand on his head but made key saves when needed. Boyle also saw alot of the Vernon shots, with very little traffic in front. This kid is a very good goaltender and played very well in back to back games vs Vernon.
Tyler French (1 goal) French showed alot of hustle, determination and played very well for the Warriors. Had a great scoring chance shorthanded in the opening period but couldnt hit the empty net after putting a nice move on Kirby Halcrow.
Game Thoughts: (Vernon)
Tonight was almost a carbon copy of last nights Vipers-Warriors game. I thought the Vipers come out and played with alot more jump-energy tonight compared to last night. The Vipers were the better of the two teams in the 1st and 3rd periods. Im a little concerned after back to back very poor second periods. In the home and home series Vernon come out very flat to start both 2nd periods and didnt have much going the entire period. The Vipers struggled with passes tonight, and some players were in the wrong position at the wrong time. The Vipers didnt generate alot of real good quality chances, most of Vernons shots were from in close but with very little traffic in front. The Vipers need to get more traffic and go to the grey areas playing against a team like Westside and a goaltender like Kevin Boyle. Both teams didnt play very physical and tonights game wasnt as physical-rough as last nights game in Vernon. The Vipers sure have troubles scoring goals and it showed again tonight. Give Vernon credit, for the second straight night they didnt quit, scored a late game tying goal and then gutted one out in overtime for a huge victory pushing them into 3rd place in the Interior Division. Will the Vipers or Eagles have enough gas left in the tank for tomorrows afternoon game? Both teams will be playing their third game in as many days.
Game Thoughts: (Westside)
Westside who battled hard, competed and played very physical last night didnt seem to have the same game plan tonight. I thought the Warriors were outplayed in the 1st and 3rd periods but were the better team in the 2nd. I didnt think the Warriors powerplay was as sharp as last night. In both games this weekend the Warriors got into penalty trouble but were lucky the Vipers struggled on the man advantage. I enjoy watching games from Royal Le Page Place, its just too bad nobody else does too, as a very small turnout for tonights game. Not much of an atmosphere in the rink tonight.
Scratches:
Vernon:
Max Mowat (Injured)
Colton Sparrow
Westside:
Michael King
Izaak Berglund
3 Stars:
1st Star: Kevin Boyle (36 saves)
2nd Star: Dylan Walchuk (1 goal)
3rd Star: Tyler French (1 goal)
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