Vernon 5 Trail 3

I was at tonight's BCHL game as Vernon defeated Trail 5-3 in front of 1,629 fans at the Wesbild Centre.

Starting Goaltenders:

Vernon: Kirby Halcrow
Trail: James D'Andrea

1st Period: Just twenty seconds into the opening frame Vipers captain, Patrick McGillis with a great chance from the slot ripped a hard shot just over the crossbar. Both teams went back and forth early and often through out the first period with very little scoring chances. Vernon's fourth line of Riley Hunt, "AP" Ryan Edwards & "AP" Michael Roberts played with alot of energy in the opening period. The Vipers would open the scoring on a lucky break after Mike Zalewski's long shot from the neutral zone went off the end boards coming back out front where Smokies goaltender, James D'Andrea went to play the puck but ended up putting the puck off his stick, between his legs and into the back of hos own goal giving Vernon a 1-0 lead at 8:33 Adam Tambellini with the only assist on Zalewski's goal. Just shortly after Kirby Halcrow had to be alert making a tough save at the side of the net as two Trail players were driving hard towards the Viper goal but Halcrow kept and held the puck tight against the goal stopping the play. With five and a half minutes remaining Max Mowat fell before Marc Hetnik got caught going for the loose puck wich allowed a Smoke Eaters two on one resulting in Brandon Long pulling away for the breakaway before putting a nice move on Kirby Halcrow to tie the game at 14:46 Riley McDougall collected the lone helper on the Trail goal. Connor Tiechko took a Marc Hetnik point shot off the foot-ankle and slowly skated to the Trail bench in a little discomfort but stayed in the game. With two and a half minutes remaining Riley Hunt with a hard shot from the top of the circle was stopped by James D'Andrea on just the Vipers second opportunity of the period. Late in the 1st Trail would get a late powerplay before Riley McDougall would send both teams to a little four on four action after taking a minor in the offensive zone killing a Smoke Eaters man advantage. The Vipers with just two scoring chances while the Smokies with just one as both teams didnt generate alot of scoring opportunities in a very evenly played period. It was tied 1-1 after 20 minutes of play. Vernon outshot Trail 7-5.

2nd Period: Starting the period four on four Vernon would get an early powerplay that was carried over from the end of the 1st period. Brett Corkey's shot from in close hit D'Andrea in the mask before Adam Tambellini collected the rebound putting his shot along the ice and through the crease on a close chance in front before the Smokies would kill off the minor. Just before the five minute mark Erik Cooper with a great chance in tight had Halcrow down and out with traffic in front was robbed by the Viper goaltender, as the Vipers cleared the zone sending Mike Zalewski in close for a chance at the other end but Zalewski couldnt beat James D'Andrea who made a nice save in close. Adam Tambellini collected the rebound setting up Zalewski on the same shift who would beat D'Andrea on his second chance giving Vernon a 2-1 lead at 5:51 Tambellini and Aaron Hadley picked up the assists. Just under a minute later Trail would get back to back powerplays. Marley Keca's point shot was deflected in front, Kirby Halcrow made a tough save after the puck went through Halcrow's pads coming out the other end going into the corner on a close call. This was the only real scoring chance for the Smoke Eaters as Vernon would kill off both Trail powerplays. The Vipers would then get a powerplay just past the midway mark with some good pressure down low Colton Sparrow with a opportunity in close couldnt beat James D'Andrea just before the minor expired. On the next shift Ryan Renz through the puck up the middle wich landed on Connor Tiechko's stick who shot and beat Halcrow from the slot tying the game 2-2 at 13:46 on a Viper turnover. Tiechko's goal was unassisted. Just three minutes later Vernon would get a late powerplay but unable to capitalize after Trail would kill off the minor. Just after the penalty expired Mike Zalewski down low worked his way to the front of the goal but couldnt beat D'Andrea who made a nice save in the final minute keeping the game tied. The Vipers with several good chances in the second were only able to get one past D'Andrea. Specialty teams were the difference in the period as neither team could capitalize. It was tied 2-2 after 40 minutes of play. Vernon outshot Trail 16-8.

3rd Period: The Vipers would get an early powerplay just 1:28 into the final frame. Mike Zalewski setup Adam Tamebllini at the side of the net but Tambellini couldnt beat D'Andrea before Connor Tiechko and Taylor House would get a shorthanded two on one, Tiechko would shoot but miss the net on a great opportunity to take the lead as back come the Vipers, Zalewski would setup Colton Cyr in front who couldnt beat James D'Andrea as Vernon with two good chances was unable to capitalize on the man advantage. Seconds before the penalty expired Aaron Hadley and Coish started pushing and shoving inbehind the Smokies net, as both players exchanged words and a punch each as both players were sent to the box. Just over a minute later Trail would get an early powerplay but it was the Vipers who had the best scoring chance after Mike Zalewski broke free going in for the breakaway was stopped by James D'Andrea who made a nice save staying with Zalewski keeping the game tied. Trail couldnt generate any real chances as Vernon killed off the penalty. Just over a minute later The Smoke Eaters would go right back to work with another man advantage and again couldnt generate much offence as Trail didnt get a single shot in back to back powerplays. Just before the Vipers penalty expired Trail took a penalty as both teams played four on four for a quick shift or two before the Vipers would get a powerplay just before the midway mark. Just over halfway through the powerplay Colton Cyr setup Patrick McGillis in the slot who beat D'Andrea at 10:33 giving Vernon a 3-2 lead. Cyr and Sean Robertson picked up the helpers. Most of the first half of the 3rd was specialty teams. The Smokies who were getting outplayed took just over twelve minutes to record their first shot on goal. Colton Sparrow with a great chance in front couldnt beat James D'Andrea who was keeping the Smoke Eaters in tonight's game making some big saves. Sparrow with his second opportunity of the period had a chance late to put Vernon up by two left all alone in front somehow missed on a wide open cage. With 2:01 remaining Trail would get a late powerplay and capitalize off the draw deep in the Vipers zone. Erik Cooper won the draw back to Brent Baltus who's shot hit someone or something on it's way past Kirby Halcrow as Trail tied the game 3-3 at 18:10 Cooper with the lone assist on the game tying goal. Off the next draw the Vipers would get the play deep into the Trail zone forcing a faceoff. Mike Zalewski won the draw feeding Adam Tambellini whos quick shot from the circle beat D'Andrea at 18:31 giving the Vipers the lead just twenty one seconds after Trail tied the game. Zalewski with the lone assist. Off the next faceoff the Smokies would get the puck in deep wich allowed James D'Andrea to get to the bench with 1:07 remaining but Trail couldnt keep the puck in deep before Patrick McGillis's long shot hit the empty cage at 19:13 giving the Vipers a two goal lead. McGillis's goal was unassisted. On the play Colton Sparrow who was interferred with (no call on the play) went down awkardly and left the ice in some discomfort holding either his hand or wrist as he went straight to the Vipers dressing room and didnt return. In the end this would seal the win for the Vipers who are now 6-0 against Trail this season. Just like the second period, the third was full of powerplays as Vernon carried the better of the play. The Vipers outshot the Smokies 17-4.

Top Players: (Vernon)

The Vipers top line of Mike Zalewski (2 goals & 1 assist), Adam Tambellini (1 goal & 2 assists) & Aaron Hadley (1 assist) was the Vipers best unit tonight. This line played a strong game up front creating most of Vernon's scoring chances. Mike Zalewski and Adam Tambellini both had several good chances while Aaron Hadley played rugged-physical down low and in and around the net. This line wasnt afraid to muck it up, getting involved in a few after the whistle scrums.

The Vipers second line of Patrick McGillis (2 goals), Colton Cyr (1 assist) & Colton Sparrow also played very well this evening. I thought McGillis played and looked very good in the opening and 3rd periods. McGillis really worked hard and battled hard in the 1st period. Colton Cyr who has looked pretty solid since coming over from Nanaimo on the trade deadline competed and battled hard tonight, as well as had atleast two scoring chances. Vernon product Colton Sparrow who left the game in the final minute of play also played and worked hard. Come up with several good scoring chances.

The line of Riley Hunt, Michael Roberts and Ryan Edwards played very well this evening. Didnt see alot of icetime but hustled most of the night working hard, battling for loose pucks and played with alot of energy. Ryan Edwards really impressed me tonight, skated well, read the ice well and looked more like a veteran out there.

Marc Hetnik played one of his best games of the season tonight. Other then getting caught going for the puck wich resulted in a Trail breakaway I thought played very well on the Vipers blueline. Played steady all night, wasnt afraid to jump up into the play.

Game Thoughts: (Vernon)

Sitting five points back of 4th place Chilliwack before tonight's game the Vipers were about a minute and a half away from going to overtime with the league's worst team. A late Adam Tambellini game winning goal and an empty net goal by Vipers captain Patrick McGillis combined with a Chiefs 4-2 win in Prince George kept the Vipers five points back of the final playoff spot. The Vipers who battled and competed hard had to earn the two points tonight in a game wich they needed to win of they want to stay alive for the final playoff spot.  This wasnt an easy two points.  Both teams didnt generate much offence in the 1st period before specialty teams took over in the 2nd and 3rd periods. Both teams going 1-6 couldnt capitalize in a game where I thought Vernon had the better of the scoring chances. The Vipers had their best chances in the 2nd but couldnt only muster a single goal. Two defensive letdowns allowed Trail to score twice. With just twenty games remaining the Vipers are going to have to start putting together a long winning streak if they want to stay in the hunt for the final playoff spot.

Top Players: (Trail)

Clayton McEwan and Marley Keca both played well on the Smokies blueline.

Connor Tiechko (1 goal) Was one of Trail's better players. Really stood out at times, moves the puck well and was involved in the play alot.

Erik Cooper (1 assist) Leads the team in scoring also was one of the Smoke Eaters better players. Cooper who had several Vipers going after him looked good up front.

Brandon Long (1 goal) Played well for the Smokies. Scored a nice breakaway goal in the opening period to tie the game.

Brent Baltus (1 goal) Played well, has some speed and a nice quick shot.

James D'Andrea (35 saves) Played very well between the pipes for Trail gave his team a chance to pull out the upset. D'Andrea got caught out of his net twice but other then that made some big saves for the Smokies, especially in the 2nd and 3rd periods.

Game Thoughts: (Trail)

The Smoke Eaters who have just two wins away from home all season were a minute and a half from sending this game to overtime. Trail who hasnt won in Vernon since 2008 played it's best game of the season in the three games played here at the Wesbild Centre. The Smokies with just seven wins all season played a pretty gritty game keeping this game close for the full sixty minutes. The Smoke Eaters who struggled with the powerplay didnt quit and kept battling had nothing to lose. The Smoke Eaters who only mustered four shots on net in the third couldnt get much offence going.

Scratches:

Vernon:

John Knisley (Injured)
Darren Nowick (Injured)
Ben Gamache (Injured)
Luke Juha (Injured)
Jedd Soleway (Suspended)

Trail:

Shane Poulsen
Adam Fares

Vipers energy player of the game: "AP" Michael Roberts

3 Stars:

1st Star: Mike Zalewski (2 goals & 1 assist)
2nd Star: Adam Tambellini (1 goal & 2 assists)
3rd Star: Patrick McGillis (2 goals)

For more on tonight's game visit the boxscore,

http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=977734&link=bchl