Vernon 6 Chilliwack 3

I was at today's game as Vernon defeated Chilliwack 6-3 in front of 1,697 fans at the Wesbild Centre.

Starting Goaltenders:

Vernon: Kirby Halcrow
Chilliwack: Mitch Gillam

1st Period: The Chiefs got the play in deep off the opening faceoff before the Vipers got out of their own end and come up with two early scoring chances in the opening minute of play. Ben Gamache with a quick slow shot from the corner was stopped by Mitch Gillam before Dylan Walchuk making his season debut was all alone in front got off a high backhand but was robbed by Gillam who made a huge glove save keeping the game scoreless. Vernon was the better the of the two teams for most of the 1st getting a flurry of chances early and often. Mike Zalewski, Ben Gamache, Adam Tambellini, Dylan Walchuk and Darren Nowick all with good chances in close couldnt open the scoring. Turner Lawson got beat along the boards and couldnt recover sending the Chiefs in on a parcial three on two, Kit Sitterley was stopped by Kirby Halcrow at the side of the net before Trevor Hills scooped up the loose puck, and beat Halcrow on the wrap around giving Chilliwack a 1-0 lead at 10:33, Sitterley and Spencer Graboski collected the assists. The Vipers come right back with a flurry of chances missing the net in close twice but couldnt manage to tie the game. Vernon who was really moving the puck well carried the better of the play. Adam Tambellini was stopped by Mitch Gillam who couldnt control the rebound wich allowed Brendan Persley to tie the game 1-1 at 15:39, Tambellini and Ryan Renz with the assists on the goal. Vernon would get a late powerplay that would carry into the 2nd period but no real pressure by the Vipers as the Chiefs would kill off the penalty. The Vipers carried the better of the play and outplayed Chilliwack for most of the 1st but the game was tied 1-1 after 20 minutes of play. The Vipers outshot the Chiefs 13-10.

2nd Period: The Chiefs with a flurry of chances in the opening few minutes had some good play deep in the Vernon zone before the Vipers come back the other way with a good flurry of chances in the Chiefs zone. A very chippy period with alot of pushing and shoving in and around a stopage in play. The Chiefs played with a bit of an edge most of the night trying to get under the skin of the Vernon Vipers. The Vipers would take a 2-1 lead just before the midway mark after Ben Gamache with a real nice pass out front to a wide open Peter McMullen who beat Mitch Gillam at 7:30, Gamache and Soleway with the helpers. Not a whole lot of scoring chances in a fairly even played opening first ten minutes. Malcolm Gould with a great chance in front on a Chilliwack powerplay was stopped by Kirby Halcrow who come out to challenge making the big save. Tempers started to heat up a bit as more altercations took place between whistles. Vernon slowly started to take over the edge in play at times in the second half. Jedd Soleway tried feeding Ben Gamache at the side of the net but couldnt connect. With the Vipers on a late powerplay, Brett Corkey coughed up the puck at the Chiefs blueline allowing Malcolm Gould to steal the puck going in for the parcial breakaway but Halcrow made a huge save shorthanded. In the final minute of play Sean Robertson jumped up into the play forming a Viper three on two but Mitch Gillam stopped Robertson from in close making a good save. In the final seconds Aaron Hadley tried stuffing the puck down low past Gillam on a wrap around attempt but couldnt beat the Chiefs goaltender. Not alot of action in a more physical-spirited second period as Vernon held a 2-1 lead after 40 minutes of play. The Vipers outshot the Chiefs 11-10.

3rd Period: Just thirty one seconds into the final frame the Chiefs got the play in deep off the opening faceoff wich allowed Derek Huisman to take a low shot from in close that beat Kirby Halcrow but hit the bottom of the post, before Malcolm Gould tried banging away at the rebound finally to have David Bondra tie the game 2-2 at thirty one seconds. Gould and Huisman collected the assists. The Chiefs come right back with a hard working shift off the faceoff allowing David Bondra to get a chance in front but Halcrow made a nice save from in close, back come the Vipers as Dylan Walchuk used his speed and skill going in and out of several Chilliwack defenders on a flurry deep in the Chiefs zone, Walchuk tried setting up Adam Tambellini on a nice play but the Vipers couldnt connect. Chilliwack tried clearing the zone but Adam Tambellini with a nice play kept the puck in at the blueline setting up Colton Sparrow who beat Gillam fivehole giving Vernon a 3-2 lead at 1:42, Walchuk and Tambellini with the helpers. The Vipers who carried most of the play early in the 3rd really moved the puck well creating some nice scoring plays. Ryan Renz's point shot was tipped in front by Colton Sparrow at 8:33 giving Vernon a 4-2 lead, Renz and Sean Robertson with the assists. Just minutes later Vernon would get a powerplay but a good Chiefs penalty kill would keep this a two goal game. Chilliwack who was playing their third game in as many days just couldnt get the offence going this afternoon. Peter McMullen with a great chance couldnt beat Mitch Gillam from in close after a nice two way passing play from the Vipers. With just under five minutes remaining a Chilliwack powerplay would make this a one goal game. Some good puck movement by the Chiefs setup Derek Huisman to feed Malcolm Gould who was left alone at the side of the goal beat Halcrow at 17:08, Huisman and David Thompson with the helpers. Just like the start of the period after the Chiefs tied the game, the Vipers stormed back to re-take the lead, well just after a Chilliwack third goal Jedd Soleway with a nice pass out front setup Dylan Walchuk who beat Mitch Gillam at 18:27 giving Vernon a two goal lead. Soleway and Marc Hetnik picked up the assists. The Chiefs would pull Ross Gillam with 1:09 remaining getting the extra attacker out and with some good pressure Chilliwack with a few flurries at the side of the net couldnt jam the puck past Halcrow. The Vipers who couldnt clear the zone for a shot at the empty net finally was forced to ice the puck, after a shot from in close missed the net the Chiefs again tried getting bodies in front wacking away at the loose puck that was in the crease before the puck would come loose where Ben Gamache from his own end hit the empty cage with just three seconds remaining giving Vernon a 6-3 lead. Gamache's goal was unassisted. The Vipers would pick up their second victory over Chilliwack with a 6-3 victory this afternoon. Vernon outshot Chilliwack 10-6.

Top Players: (Vernon)

Adam Tambellini (2 assists) Played really well for the Vipers this afternoon. Tambellini has really picked up his game as of late and played well the last few weeks for the Vipers. Made a few real smart heads up plays today wich got the team two goals.

Ben Gamache (1 goal & 1 assist) Has also started to fit in nicely with the Vipers as the former AJHL second leading scorer seems to be getting his game going in the last few games. This kid can really see the ice well, made some real nice crisp passes throught out todays game.

Jedd Soleway (2 assists) Played well this afternoon. The Vernon product has really picked up his game latley and playing well.

Dylan Walchuk (1 goal & 1 assist) Walchuk made his Vipers debut today after returning from the University of Northern Michigan. Walchuk who was the Vipers leading scorer last season really looked good today, especially in the opening period. A huge pick up for the Vipers really adds alot to this Vernon lineup and it showed tonight. Made some real nice plays down low and in close, as well as some very shifty stickhandling.  Let's face it Walchuk adds scoring, skill and experience to the Vipers lineup and will make them a better hockey team.

Game Thoughts: (Vernon)

The Vipers who were the better of the two teams today looked very good. With the addition of Ben Gamache, Sean Robertson and now Dylan Walchuk this is a different Vernon Vipers hockey club. The Vipers just looked and played like a different team today over some of the other previous games. Vernon has now scored sixteen goals in the last two games and has won three out of four just five points back of 3rd place Chilliwack. Jason Williamson was really mixing up his lines today, saw players going from one line to another and then back to their original line. A few defensive turnovers-give aways but overall I was pleased with the game today. Kirby Halcrow sure had a rough game between the pipes, Halcrow was fighting the puck all afternoon giving out huge rebounds, just didnt look very comfortable today. John Knisley who started the game left and never returned.

Top Players: (Chilliwack)

Tyler Miller played a strong game on the Chiefs blueline.

Derek Huisman (2 assists) Played very well up front for Chilliwack. Looked good with the puck, really reads and sees the ice well.

Malcolm Gould (1 goal & 1 assist) was the Chiefs best player this afternoon. Stopped on a shorthanded breakaway was very dangerous most of the day.

Trevor Hills (1 goal) Was another good forward for the Chiefs tonight.

Mitch Gillam (28 saves) Played fairly well today making some good saves early to start the 1st period. Played his position well and didnt give out alot of rebounds. Kept the Chiefs in the game at times.

Game Thoughts: (Chilliwack)

The Chiefs are now 3-2 against Vernon this season after playing their third game in as many days. Chilliwack who showed lots of hustle, worked and battled hard but just didnt get alot of offensive scoring chances. The Chiefs who play a physical game really like to get the gloves up in the face after the whistle, as they tried getting under the skin of the Vipers most of the afternoon. Your typical Harvey Smyl hockey team. The Chiefs who didnt show alot of flash around the net, really liked to through the puck on net and then get bodies crashing the crease, going for rebounds etc. This is a hard working team that didnt quit today. A bounce or two and this could have been a different game.

Scratches:

Vernon:

Max Mowat (Injured)
Patrick McGillis (Injured)
Luke Juha (Injured)

Chilliwack:

Jeremy Gossard
Mitch Gillam

3 Stars:

1st Star: Colton Sparrow (2 goals)
2nd Star: Dylan Walchuk (1 goal & 1 assist)
3rd Star: Malcolm Gould (1 goal & 1 assist)

For more on today's game please visit the boxscore,

http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=977429&link=bchl