Oilers sweep Seattle, lock up trip to nationals

by Bruce Tippets
BTippets@cherryroad.com 

Vernal secured its third trip to nationals, sweeping Seattle for the Northwest Divisional title before packed crowds at the Uintah County Western Park Ice Rink. 

The Oilers won Game 1 (5-2) and Game 2 (6-1) in a battle of the top two ranked teams in the United States Premier Hockey League standings. 

Vernal is No. 1, while Seattle was No. 2. 

“It means everything to be going back to nationals,” Vernal captain Nick Moore said. “It’s just another step to this team’s journey. I don’ t think we are done yet.”

The Oilers finished the regular season undefeated at 44-0-0.

“I think the title legitimizes us and what we have been doing is real,” Vernal Oilers owner David Imonti said. “It’s a reward for the coaching staff and the players for how hard they have worked during the year.”

Vernal has been consistent all season long. 

“It’s hard to pick out a certain time of game where I think we had something special but guys just had all the same mindset to do what it takes for this team,” Moore said. 

Vernal will prepare for the national tournament March 20-24 at the Ice Fault Arena in Wayne, New Jersey. 

The format for the tournament will feature a three-game round robin, followed by semifinals and the championship game. 

The field will be made up of the 10 divisional winners. 

“We are excited to go to nationals and see what we can do,” Imonti said. 

In the series opener with Seattle, the Oilers scored three times in the first 20 minutes. Vernal added one in the second and one more goal in the third period. 

“I don’t think we had a great start to the first game,” Moore said. “I think Seattle had a good push on us. I think our composure and discipline is what kept us in the game.” 

Game 2 was played before a sold out crowd. Fans started to arrive for the playoff game at least an hour before the puck dropped.

“The atmosphere was like no other,” Moore said. “The chills and emotions you feel knowing you’re playing for these amazing fans and community is out of the world. There’s no other town I’d rather play for than Vernal. The way they chanted and cheered as loud as they could all night we fed off that.”

Imonti said the atmosphere was unbelievable for the players and the coaches involved in the organization. 

“The fans are the best in the country at this level,” Imonti said. “It left a pretty good impression on all of our boys. I think the game was great. For some of them it was their first time coming. Hopefully, they want to come back again in the future.”

The Oilers were in control from start to finish in the series finale. 

Vernal scored two goals apiece in the first, second and third periods. 

“For Game 2, we knew what was coming,” Moore said. “We knew we needed a good start and that’s what we did. Coming out and getting two goals in the first period and another two goals in the second period is exactly what we wanted.”

Results 

Game 1 

Vernal 5, Seattle 2 

Vernal 3 1 1 – 5

Seattle 1 0 1 – 2 

Scoring 

First 

Seattle – Roman Wolunec, 1:59 

Vernal – Presley Toth, 4:21 

Vernal – Gergo Schwartz, 9:56

Vernal – Filip Lezzani, 16:14

Second 

Vernal – Rodion Gornostaev, 17:24

Third 

Vernal – Kasper Pohjala, 2:31

Seattle – Olexander Kurenko, 17:40 

Goalie — Vernal’s Levente Hegedus 29/31 saves 

Game 2 

Vernal 6, Seattle 1

Vernal 2 2 2 – 6

Seattle 0 0 1 – 1

Scoring 

First 

Vernal – Filip Lezzani, 9:56

Vernal – Gergo Schwartz, 16:20

Second 

Vernal – Kai Tsoar, 2:39 

Vernal – Logan Powers, 17:52 

Third 

Seattle – Kieran Maloney, 2:34 

Vernal – Gergo Schwartz, 14:18

Vernal – Henry Newell, 15:03 

Goalie – Vernal’s Levente Hegedus 25/26 saves