Reilly Herbst had nerves of steel for the Vernon Vipers.
The 19-year-old from Niwot, Colorado made 39 saves at the Rolling Mix Concrete Arena on Wednesday giving the Vipers a 2-1 shootout victory over the Prince George Spruce Kings.
Since coming over from the Chicago Steel of the United States Hockey League, Herbst has been on of the BCHL’s top netminders sporting 9-2-0 record in 12 games posting a 2.26 goals against average to go along with a .918 save percentage.
He explained to MyPGNow after the game how he was seeing the puck so well in unfamiliar territory.
“I felt really good to start the game. I got the first couple of shots in the stomach and that is a good feeling and I kind of took it one shot at a time and went from there.”
Herbst had to be at his best right from the opening period turning aside 13 Spruce Kings shots, many of which were of the grade A variety.
“I wasn’t thinking. I was just taking it one shot at a time and if they scored or made the save I just moved on to the next shot.”
Reilly Herbst of @VernonVipers makes 39 saves as they take a 2-1 SO decision against @SpruceKings in @GoBCHL action on Wednesday #CityofPG #sports pic.twitter.com/EQeYIJmDmB
— My Prince George Now (@mypgnow) November 14, 2019
After dropping the last two games of a Lower Mainland road trip, the Spruce Kings came out firing producing a 40-29 edge on the shot clock but weren’t able to solve Herbst until early in the third period where a Preston Brodziak shot re-directed into the goal bringing the crowd of 832 fans to their feet.
Special teams proved to be huge in this game and not in a good way for the Spruce Kings, going 0-for-5 on the power-play, squandering a lengthy 5-on-3 early in the second period.
Prince George forward Tom Richter admits without guys like Corey Cunningham (two-game suspension) and Fin Williams, it forces other players to overthink.
“I think we need to simplify it as much as possible making simple passes and getting it to the net, we have a lot of skill on our team and sometimes we like to over complicate things but then again, we did generate some positive momentum even if we didn’t score so we have to take away the good things and move forward.”
.@SpruceKings Forward Tom Richter speaking with @mypgnow after 2-1 shootout loss to @VernonVipers in @GoBCHL action #Cityofpg #sports pic.twitter.com/mthWTvrxOe
— My Prince George Now (@mypgnow) November 14, 2019
Matt Kowalski got Vernon on the board first at 2:52 mark of the second period, taking advantage of a bad line change at the Spruce Kings bench beating goaltender Jett Alexander.
The contest also brought the best in Andrew Seaman who put forth his most complete effort of the season where his speed generated a lot of scoring chances especially in the 3-on-3 overtime but was unable to solve Herbst.
The Winnetka, Illinois native is keeping his head up despite the tough outcome.
“We had a lot of chances but we just couldn’t get it past their goalie, credit to both teams they battled hard and it came down to whoever got that last chance. Unfortunately, it wasn’t us but on Friday we will be ready.”
“It’s tough, you’ve got to keep a level head but I wanted one of those chances pretty bad but I have to carry the momentum into the next game and be determined to get the next one.”
.@SpruceKings forward Andrew Seaman with @SpruceKings after 2-1 loss to @VernonVipers in @GoBCHL action on Wednesday #CityofPG #sports pic.twitter.com/TNijrRn2l7
— My Prince George Now (@mypgnow) November 14, 2019
Cameron MacDonald scored the only goal in the shootout to clinch the win for the 13-9-1-0 Vipers.
Former Cariboo Cougar Brett Fudger played his first game back in PG since joining Vernon over the summer.
He recorded an assist and three penalties while playing against former teammate and current Major Midget Cats captain John Herrington who played a few shifts for the Spruce Kings.
On the flip side, the loss puts the Spruce Kings at 8-11-2-3 on the season, carrying a winless streak of four games (0-2-1-1) into Friday’s home date against the Cowichan Valley Capitals (14-9-1-1) at 7:00 pm from the RMCA.
“The speed and grit mentality along with the shots we put up we can carryover into the weekend. We need to watch some video, play a 200-foot game and keep moving forward,” said Richter.
The three-game homestand wraps up Saturday against the West Kelowna Warriors (4-15-3-2).