Vernal’s defense carries them to sweep over Fresno

by Bruce Tippets
BTippets@cherryroad.com 

Vernal’s defense was the headline that came from a hard-fought three-game sweep over Fresno at Uintah County Western Park Ice Rink. 

The Oilers allowed six games in the big momentum series over the Monsters. 

Vernal opened the series with a 6-2 victory over Fresno. 

The Oilers followed it up with a close 4-3 win in Game 2 with the Monsters. 

Vernal completed the weekend with a 4-1 win vs Fresno. 

The Oilers raised their record to a perfect 16-0 on the season. 

Vernal goalie Levente Hegedus was in the net for all three battles against the visiting team. 

“I think that it all started out with our goalie Hegedus,” Vernal coach Ryan Howse said. “I spoke with him after the weekend and I said this is the best hockey he has played in a Vernal Oilers uniform.”

The Oilers are ranked No. 1 in the latest United States Premier Hockey League rankings that came out on Nov. 14. 

The Metro Jets (No. 2), Toledo Cherokee (No. 3), Islanders Hockey Club (No. 4), Seattle Totems (No. 5) and the Fresno Monsters (No. 6) are ranked behind the Oilers. 

“Fresno has been a powerhouse the last couple of years,” said Howse. “They beat us three straight last year in Fresno and had a lot of skill on that team. They have a lot of skill players this year.”

Vernal was focused in its preparation to get some revenge back over the Monsters. 

“We pre-scouted them coming in,” said Howse. “We were very prepared. We knew what we had to do against them. We did a good job of shutting them down. Our defenders weren’t afraid to block shots and put their body on the line. It was huge.”

There wasn’t any letdown in all three games between the two clubs. 

“This was probably the best hockey Vernal has seen,: Howse said. “We have played some of the top teams in the country with us going to nationals and the showcase. It was nice to have one of those teams come in here. It just goes to show how strong this team is this year, “

There was a scary point for the Oilers when they were down 3-1 in the second game of the series. 

Howse used a media timeout to calm his players down. 

“At some point during the season you are going to face some adversity and face challenges throughout the year,” Howse said. 

The Oilers rallied with three goals to pull out the one-goal win.

“We had a little chat there during a media timeout and it seemed to spark something,” said Howse. “I was impressed with how they responded.”

Vernal didn’t allow a goal in the third period in all three games. 

“That is huge for us going forward,” Howse said. 

Results

Game 3

Vernal 4, Fresno 1

Vernal 1 0 3 – 4

Fresno 0 1 0 – 1

Scoring 

First

Vernal – Presley Tooth, 17:37. 

Second 

Fresno – Connor Perdue, 8:17. 

Third 

Vernal – Sami Kallionkieli, 1:19. 

Vernal – Nick Moore, 14:53. 

Vernal – Sami Kallionkieli, 19:08. 

Game 2 

Vernal 4, Fresno 3 

Vernal 1 2 1 – 4

Fresno 2 1 0 – 3 

Scoring 

First 

Fresno – Nik Ylisirnio, 5:54. 

Vernal – Roni Alanko, 6:30. 

Fresno – Connor Perdue, 8:22. 

Second 

Fresno – Oliver Melnychuk, 13:28. 

Vernal – Rodion Gornostaev, 14:33. 

Vernal – Rodion Gornostaev, 18:03. 

Third 

Vernal – Jakub Bulik, 6:20. 

Game 1 

Vernal 6, Fresno 2

Vernal 2 1 3 – 6

Fresno 1 1 0 – 2

Scoring 

First 

Fresno – Filipp Papshev, 6:11. 

Vernal – Roni Alanko, 14:30. 

Vernal – Sami Kallionkieli, 17:39. 

Second 

Vernal – Rodion Gornostaev, 2:45. 

Fresno – Nils Tunbratt, 17:34. 

Third 

Vernal – Dominik Griessmer, 4:19. 

Vernal – Kim Kudryashov, 9:48. 

Vernal – Sami Kallionkielo, 17:02.