Friday, January 27, 2012

Vernon 4 Westside 1

I was at tonight's BCHL game as Vernon defeated Westside 4-1 in front of 1,976 fans at the Wesbild Centre.

Starting Goaltenders:

Vernon: Kirby Halcrow
Westside: Dwayne Rodrigue

1st Period: Former Vernon Viper and current Vancouver Canucks forward, Aaron Volpatti dropped the puck before tonight's game. Not a whole lot of action in the opening few minutes before the Warriors would get the games first powerplay. It was the Vipers penalty kill that really stood out in tonight's game after Mike Zalewski would get a good opportunity early on the Westside powerplay, Zalewski's shot from the circle handcuffed Dwayne Rodrigue who made a tough looking save putting the puck into the corner before the Vipers would come right back with Mike Zalewski and Colton Cyr on a shorthanded two on one but Cyr missed the net as the Vipers with some good penalty kill didnt allow a single shot killing off the minor. Just after the powerplay expired Vernon would get its first powerplay of the night. The Vipers with some good pressure come up with a few good chances. Captain Patrick McGillis with a nice feed through the slot got the puck through traffic seeting up a wide open Colton Cyr that somehow missed an empty net. The Vipers with a ton of pressure down low couldnt capitalize as Dwayne Rodrigue made a quick glove save off Ryan Renz as the penalty come to an end. Just after the powerplay expired Jedd Soleway with a quick lot shot from the slot was stopped by Rodrigue. The Vipers were outshooting the Warriors 6-1 at this point. A minute and a half later Westside would get its second man advantage of the evening but for the second straight powerplay the Vipers penalty kill was the difference. Patrick McGillis and Brett Corkey on a parcial two on one but McGillis couldnt beat Dwayne Rodrigue from the slot. Vernon with another strong penalty kill didnt give up a shot on the man advantage. In the dying seconds with an odd man rush Brennan Clark with a shot from in close beat Kirby Halcrow but hit the bottom of the post as the Warriors were 0-2 early with the powerplay. The Vipers would get a late powerplay, with some good pressure couldnt capitalize. The Warriors with just a single shot the entire opening period would get its second shot of the period in the dying seconds after a two on one setup former Vipers forward, Marcus Basara who couldnt get the puck up and over the left pad of Kirby Halcrow who made a nice save keeping the game scoreless. Vernon carried most of the play and was by far the better of the two teams but it was 0-0 after 20 minutes of play. The Vipers outshot the Warriors 12-2.

2nd Period: Westside got off to a quick jump, off the opening faceoff Devon Hascarl who attended the Vipers training camp collected the puck off a Sean Robertson turnover deep in the Vipers zone. Hascarl with a great chance beat Halcrow in tight as the puck went through the crease before Reid Simmonds tried putting the puck past Halcrow who somehow made a huge save as the puck was bouncing in and around the crease but the Warriors couldnt capitalize. The Vipers defence was just standing around early as the Warriors were buzzing in and around the Vernon zone. Marcus Basara with a quick shot from in close couldnt beat Kirby Halcrow. Westside with some good pressure early had the Vipers back on their heels but couldnt find the back of the net. Just a few minutes later Mike Zalewski on a three on two walked into the slot and ripped a quick shot that was stopped by Dwayne Rodrigue. Westside dominated the early edge in play before Vernon would open the scoring on just their third shot of the period. Mike Zalewski who played very well tonight ripped a high shot from the circle that beat Rodrigue at 7:16 giving Vernon a 1-0 lead. Aaron Hadley and Geoff Crisfield picked up the assists. The Warriors come back with a two on one after Marc Hetnik got caught on a pinch allowing Max French and Seb Lloyd in on the odd man rush, Lloyd went hard towards the goal running into Kirby Halcrow who kept the puck out on a great opportunity. The Vipers seemed to settle down and regroup in the second half playing much better. Westside would get its third powerplay of the night and again the Vipers strong penalty kill didnt give up a single shot as the Warriors couldnt capitalize. Westside didnt record a single shot on goal for the final seven or eight minutes. With about five minutes remaining Shawn Hochhausen and Brett McKinnon went in on a two on one after another pinch by Marc Hetnik gave the Warriors their second odd man rush of the period but Hochhausen who kept and shot fired high and over Kirby Halcrow. Aaron Hadley with a good chance in front couldnt beat Dwayne Rodrigue who just got the left pad down at the last second to make a huge pad save in close. Late in the period Ben Gamache who returned to the Vipers lineup tonight went off the ice slowly on one skate putting very little pressure on his one leg-knee. Gamache would get looked over by the trainer stayed on the bench but didnt see another shift for the remainder of the second period. Gamache would stay in the game and see a regular shift in the third. Westside come out with a ton of pressure early and dominated the first seven minutes before Vernon seemed to turn things around and played much better in the second half. The Vipers with a 1-0 lead after 40 minutes of play. Vernon outshot Westside 11-9.

3rd Period:
The Vipers come out with lots of jump early and often and really took it to the Warriors. Patrick McGillis with some good hustle carried the play into the Westside zone, before dishing off back to the point where Ryan Renz's shot was stopped by Dwayne Rodrigue but Colton Cyr in front collected the rebound and beat Rodrigue on the second chance giving Vernon a 2-0 lead at 2:57 Renz with the lone assist. Just two minutes later the Vipers would get an early powerplay and capitalize early after a faceoff win in the Warriors zone Patrick McGillis's point shot looked to be tipped-deflected in front by Colton Cyr but they gave the goal to McGillis giving Vernon a 3-0 lead at 5:17 Ryan Renz and Colton Cyr with the helpers. The Warriors couldnt seem to get the offence going as the Vipers with lots of pressure carried most of the play most of the third. Colton Sparrow on a parcial two on one couldnt connect on the pass on a good opportunity in front. Just past the midway mark tempers heated up with some pushing and shoving deep in the Warriors zone. Both Ben Gamache and Josh Monk would get ten minute misconducts, both headed to the dressing rooms for an early shower. With seven and a half minute remaining Westside would get a long two man advantage. The Warriors would waist little time winning the draw Westside got the puck on goal getting atleast two or three shots on Kirby Halcrow before Seb Lloyd beat Halcrow at 13:01 cutting the lead to two. David Pope and Ben Betker with the assists. The Vipers penalty kill would do a great job killing off the second minor. The Warriors would come right back with a few hard shifts but Vernon played very well just getting the puck in deep taking time off the clock. With three and a half minutes left Vernon would get a late powerplay but would struggle after a strong Westside penalty kill. The Vipers couldnt get much of anything going but did manage to take two minutes off the clock. The Warriors would get the play in deep with about a minute and a half remaining but for some reason Westside didnt pull Dwayne Rodrigue for the extra attacker right away. The Warriors with some good pressure deep in the Vernon zone tried banging away at a few loose pucks in close but Kirby Halcrow stood tall keeping the puck out. The Warriors who couldnt get Rodrigue to the bench gave up a late two on one in the final minute as Aaron Hadley and Adam Tambellini with an odd man rush missed the net. On the same shift the Vipers kept the play deep in the Westside zone before Mike Zalewski beat Dwayne Rodrigue from the right wing giving Vernon a 4-1 lead at 19:33 Zalewski's goal was unassisted. In the end the Vipers would defeat Westside 4-1 improving to 4-2 vs the Warriors this season. Westside outshot Vernon 10-9.

Top Players: (Vernon)

Brett Corkey played a very strong game on the Vipers blueline. Corkey looked very confident and very steady on the backend making very little if any mistakes tonight.

The line of Mike Zalewski (2 goals), Aaron Hadley (1 assist) & Adam Tambellini played and looked very strong tonight. Since this line was put together a few weeks ago it has been one of if not the Vipers strongest unit. Zalewski who scored twice played a very strong game, battled hard, played well at both ends, come back to forecheck, had several good scoring chances.

The line of Patrick McGillis (1 goal), Colton Cyr (1 goal & 1 assist) and Colton Sparrow also played well and has been one of Vernon's better lines over the last handfull of games. McGillis battled and competed hard, looked very good in the opening period creating some chances. Sparrow who always plays hard and battles hard played another one of his strong games. Cyr who has looked very good since coming over from Nanaimo at the trade deadline was very good up front for the Vipers. Missed a wide open net in the 1st period and had a few good scoring chances tonight. Was in and around the net most of the net looking for opportunities.

Jedd Soleway I thought played a rugged-in your face style of game tonight. Didnt really do much offensively other then getting off a good chance from the slot just as a powerplay expired played more with an edge. Worked and competed hard most of the night.

Game Thoughts: (Vernon)

The Vipers come up with a huge win over a Westside team that beat them 3-1 Saturday in Westside. Vernon now moves four points up on the Warriors and moves to within four points of the 4th place Prince George Spruce Kings. I thought other then the first half of the 2nd period the Vipers were the better team and carried the better of the play for most of the night. The Vipers with alot more scoring chances played very well in all positions. Kirby Halcrow wasnt tested alot and a very strong penalty kill kept the Warriors off the board early wich could have turned the outcome of the game. A few turnovers in the middle frame but other then that a very well played game by the Vipers who now travel over night to face PG in back to back games Saturday and Sunday. These will be two huge games in a team they are chasing for the final play spot.

Top Players: (Westside)

Seb Lloyd (1 goal) Was one of the Warriors more consistant players tonight. Lloyd played and showed lots of hustle, really battling hard most of the night. Tried creating chances and getting involved in the play was very strong up front for Westside.

Brennan Clark I thought didnt see alot of icetime but really noticed him in the 1st period. When out on the ice played well, seemed to really see and read the ice well. Didnt make alot of mistakes and come up with the Warriors only chance of the opening period but hit the bottom of the post.

Peter MacIntosh played a solid game on Westside's blueline.

Devon Hascarl who attended the Vipers training camp played fairly well tonight. Come up with a few good chances early and often to start the 2nd period.

Josh Monk played the role of the agitator tonight, really seemed to get under the skin of several Vernon Vipers tonight. Was yapping back and forth inbetween whistles as well as going off for a line change. Was doing his best at getting under the Vipers skin and getting them off their game.

Dwayne Rodrigue (28 saves) Didnt have to stand on his head and keep his team in the hockey game like the 3-1 win over the Vipers Saturday night but played fairly well tonight gave his team a chance to win especially after the opening period. Made a few nice quick glove hand saves.

Game Thoughts: (Westside)

Westside who previously defeated the Vipers in their last two games were outplayed and didnt really generate much offence only really showed any real threat was the start to the 2nd period. The Warriors with just two shots all 1st had troubles generating offence and getting their powerplay going. A great start to the middle frame but they just couldnt keep it up for a full twenty minutes. Down by one to start the 3rd gave up two early goals wich put the game away. Getting no shots on your first three powerplays hurts as well as not getting a single shot on goal in the final seven to eight minutes of the 2nd wont win you any hockey games. Overall a very intense-playoff like game.

Scratches:
Vernon:

John Knisley (Injured)
Darren Nowick (Injured)
Luke Juha (Injured)
Turner Lawson (Injured)

Westside:

Mitchell Steinke
Matthew Berry Lamontagna

Vipers energy player of the game: Ben Gamache

3 Stars:

1st Star: Ryan Renz (2 assists)
2nd Star: Colton Cyr (1 goal & 1 assist)
3rd Star: Mike Zalewski (2 goals)

For more on tonight's game visit the boxscore,

http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=977828&link=bchl

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