Vernon 3 Quesnel 0

I was at this afternoons BCHL game as Vernon defeated Quesnel 3-0 in front of 2,366 fans at the Wesbild Centre.

Starting Goaltenders:

Vernon: Kirby Halcrow
Quesnel: Adam Harris

1st Period: It took both teams the first five or so minutes to get going as some scrambly play went on in the opening few minutes before the Vipers took over and carried the better of the play for most of the 1st period. Dylan Walchuk with a good chance early from the high slot was stopped by Adam Harris who played very well this afternoon. Steve Weinstein with a nice rush up ice, carried the puck in over the Millionaires blueline before ripping a quick shot from the circle was stopped again by Adam Harris. Quesnel who couldnt get much of anything going needed the first five minutes to record their first shot on net. Vipers captain, David Robinson opened the scoring at 7:05 after a nice rush from his own blueline Robinson carried the play through the neutral zone feeding Dylan Walchuk before Walchuk gave the puck back to Robinson who beat Harris giving Vernon the 1-0 lead. Walchuk with the only assist on the goal. A few minutes Adam Thompsons big shot from the point was stopped by the quick glove hand of Harris who made atleast three good glove saves through out the afternoon. Dane Muench battled hard just to the outside of the Mills net, winning the battle and then feeding Patrick McGillis in front who beat Harris at 11:35 giving the Vipers a 2-0 lead. Muench with the lone helper. The Millionaires with very little offence, had troubles getting the puck and play deep in the Vernon zone, as the Vipers defence played very well shutting down Quesnels offence. The Mills with just one real good quality chance as former Quesnel Millionaire Kirby Halcrow had troubles making a glove save from a shot in close, as the puck bounced out of his glove before the veteran goaltender covered up to stop the play. With a big crowd of players in front of Adam Harris, Patrick McGillis was stopped from the high slot as Vernon controlled and carried the better of the play. The Vipers were up 2-0 after 20 minutes of play. Vernon outshot Quesnel 15-7.

2nd Period: The Vipers looked a little slow and sluggish to start the 2nd period, as Vernon couldnt seem to get much going. Quesnel looked like a much better hockey club in the middle frame coming out with some good jump, playing physical and being a little more aggresive as the Mills were the team carrying the better of the play early and often. Thomas Hardy with a good chance from in close in the opening few minutes couldnt beat Halcrow. Quesnel would get the games only powerplay of the afternoon early in the period but the Millionaires struggled with the man advantage, It was Vernon's penalty killers who looked strong, playing aggresive wich forced a turnover deep in the Mills zone allowing Darren Nowick a chance all alone in slot but Nowick couldnt beat Harris who made a big shoulder save keeping Quesnel in the game. Vernon would kill off the penalty. The Millionaires carried the better of the play in the first half but couldnt generate any real good chances as the Vipers kept the Mills to the outside. Vernon slowly started to come along and get better in the second half of the period. Kyle Murphy with a wrap around, setup Marcus Basara at the side of the net, Basara beat Adam Harris but rang his shot off the post on a great scoring chance. Dylan Walchuk with a nice little move come out from the corner, but couldnt get the puck past Harris who stood tall. In the final three and half minutes Dylan Walchuk fed Patrick McGillis who come down the wing but was stopped by Harris. The Vipers looking much better in the second half. Vernon was up 2-0 after 40 minutes of play. The Vipers outshot the Mills 12-7.

3rd Period: Off the opening draw Vernon would get the play deep in the Quesnel zone, David Robinson drove hard towards the goal but couldnt get the puck past Adam Harris who got his right pad down to make the huge save from in close. Just seconds later with Harris down Patrick McGillis at the side of the Quesnel net had two shots to try and get the puck up and over Harris's pad but couldnt as the Millionaires goaltender was solid in the 3rd. Vernon with a flurry of chances in the opening five minutes really started to pour it on and take it to the 7th place Mills. Dane Muench would wind up with a big shot from in close from the top of the circle but Harris come out to challenge making the save. Aaron Hadley with two great back to back chances couldnt beat Harris, Hadley was stopped on his first attempt after Harris made a huge pad save and then Hadley couldnt beat Harris from in close as the Mills goaltender was giving his team a chance to win. The Vipers owned the 3rd dominating play early and often. It took Quesnel tweleve minutes to record their first shot of the period. The Mills were basically standing still at times, playing with very little emotion or energy. Vernon then fed John Knisley who missed a wide open net shooting wide of the goal. Dylan Walchuk with a ton of chances this afternoon was stopped three or four times by Harris who robbed the second year Viper. Harris stopped Walchuk who got inbehind the Quesnel defence and then through up the quick glove to make a nice glove save giving his team a chance. Darren Nowick with a shot from the high slot beat Harris but hit the post on a good scoring play. The Millionaires with no presure or offence at all in the 3rd made Kirby Halcrows job look very easy this afternoon. Dylan Walchuk and Bryce Kakoske with some nice two way passing, eventually setup Walchuk who was robbed by Harris in close. Mark Ferner was really mixing up his lines this afternoon, trying a bunch of different line combinations. A scary momement midway through the 3rd after Stefan Gonzales took a puck to the face going down hard, and ended up leaving the game and didnt return. Late in the 3rd Darren Nowick setup Bryce Kakoske in front who beat Harris glove side at 17:29 giving Vernon a 3-0 lead. Nowick and Steve Weinstein collcted the assists. Vernon dominated the entire 3rd and come away with the 3-0 victory. The Vipers outshot the Mills 19-5. Kirby Halcrow made 19 saves for his first shutout as a Viper. At the end of the game, both coaches exchanged hand shakes.

Top Players: (Vernon)

Malcolm Lyles didnt jump up into the rush as he normally does but played very well defensively this afternoon.

Brett Corkey played very well today, Corkey who jumped up into the play twice had a nice rush from his own end in the opening period.

Dylan Walchuk (1 assist) Walchuk could have easily scored three or four goals this afternoon after having some great chances. Walchuk looked very strong with the puck. One of his better games in the last few weeks.

David Robinson (1 goal) The line of David Robinson, Kyle Murphy and Marcus Basara looked very good. This line was broken up in the 3rd but Robinson played hard like he normally does.

Marcus Basara played fairly well up front for Vernon. Come up with a few good scoring opportunities, hitting the post once.

Patrick McGillis worked hard and had his fair share of scoring chances.

Adam Thompson looked very solid on the Vipers backend. Thompson played a very steady game for the Vipers all afternoon.

Top Players: (Quesnel)

Spencer Graboski showed the most hustle and hard work out of any of the Mills players today. Graboski seemed to be competing and battling hard.

Adam Harris (43 saves) With former Vernon Vipers goaltender, Bryton Udy out of the lineup, Adam Harris made 43 saves giving his team a chance to win or atleast pot a goal in the 3rd and mae a game of it. Without Harris this could have easily been seven or eight nothing. Harris has a nice glove hand, dosnt give up alot of rebounds and plays his position very well. Made some huge saves early and often in the 3rd.

Game Thoughts: (Vernon)

Give full credit to the Vernon Vipers and their coaching staff for being ready to play today and not sitting back in a mean nothing game. Before todays game I wasnt too sure what we were going to witness this afternoon, but the Vipers battled and other then maybe the first half of the 2nd period outplayed Quesnel most of the game. Vernons passing looked very good, as well as their transition game. Some real nice setup plays and different line combinations made for some exciting plays at times. Vernon will now get a few weeks off until the second round of the BCHL playoffs, wich gives them a good chance to rest up and heal any minor injuries. It will be interesting to see who the Vipers will face in the second round.

Game Thoughts: (Quesnel)

In a mean nothing game other then pride the Quesnel Millionaires sure didnt look like they wanted to play this afternoons game. Other then maybe the first half of the second period the Mills were outplayed most of the game. Quesnel couldnt muster any real kind of offence, were being outhit, outworked and outskated all over the ice. The Millionaires showed very little emotion or had much energy in a game where they were lifeless at times. If it wasnt for Adam Harris this could have been a long afternoon. The Millionaires have lost ten straight away from home. Quesnel’s last win on the road was a 5-4 overtime win in Langley back on December, 18th. Quesnel’s last win at the Wesbild Centre was a 4-3 overtime win back on Saturday, October 18th 2003. Quesnel will now face Penticton in the first round of the BCHL playoffs, and if they play like they did this afternoon, that series should be over in four straight.

Scratches:

Vernon:

Phillip Patenaude
Mike Zalewski (Concusion)
Trevor Fitzgerald

Quesnel:

Quin Buckellew
Derek Huisman
David Ahl
Bryton Udy

3 Stars:

1st Star: Dylan Walchuk (1 assist)
2nd Star: Patrick McGillis
3rd Star: Kirby Halcrow (19 saves-Shutout)

For more on tonight's game check out the boxscore,

http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=840148&link=bchl