Was at tonights BCHL game as Nanaimo defated Vernon 4-3 in double overtime in front of 2,237 fans at the Wesbild Centre.
1st Period: The Clippers come out strong with some good jump, getting the early edge in play. Nanaimo was getting the play in deep, really moving the puck well, creating some chances in close. The Vipers couldnt seem to get there legs going, having troubles getting the puck. The Clippers carried the early play for the first five minutes but no serious scoring chances. Vernon would then get a powerplay, Chris Crowell with a solid scoring chance in front but was stopped by Jonathon Jobin. Still on the powerplay, at 7:14 Mike Collins snapped a shot past Jonathon Jobin putting the Vipers up 1-0, assists going to Kyle Bigos & Cam Brodie (1st point as a Viper). This goal seemed to give Vernon some life and turned the game around as the Vipers got there legs going, getting the play in deep, and then played down low with that aggresive forecheck there so good with. Braden Pimm had a good scoring chance with a shot from the slot but was stopped by Jobin. Vernon really looked good, really moving the puck well, getting all kinds of chances in close. Connor Jones then picked off an errand pass from Jobin, Connor fed his brother Kellen Jones out front who was stopped by Jobin. At 12:43 Rob Short beat Jobin down low, assists going to Cory Kane & Bryce Kakoske. This was the end of the night for Jonathon Jobin, who was pulled in favor of Evan Smith. Jobin gave up two goals on just seven Vernon shots. This didnt seem to slow down the Vipers, as Vernon kept up the presure buzzing around the Clippers zone. Vernon's first line of Connor, & Kellen Jones along with Sahir Gill looked very dangerous down low, cycleling the puck down low, Gill made a nice play over to Kellen Jones who beat Smith at the 17 minute mark putting Vernon up 3-0 and in full control. The Clippers would get a late powerplay, Joe Perry was stopped on a good scoring chance, as Graeme Gordon come up with a big toe save. Nanaimo would make the Vipers pay, Matt Betker would sneak in from the point, and wire a shot past a screened Graeme Gordon at 18:37 getting Nanaimo on the board, making it 3-1. Assists going to, Carson Schell & Mike Boivin. In the dying seconds with the Vipers buzzing around the Nanaimo net, the Vipers come close to scoring but Smith stood his ground between the Clippers goal keeping the puck out. Vernon carried the better of play and were up 3-1 after 20 minutes of play. Vipers outshot the Clippers 15-10.
2nd Period: Nanaimo got off to a quick start getting the puck in deep, getting some chances early. The Clippers carried the early edge in play but had troubles hitting the net, missing on alot of shots. Vernon looked slow and sluggish at times, having all kinds of trouble with the speed of the Clippers. Nanaimo was really skating, moving the puck well, showing more hustle over the Vipers. Anders Franzon & Zac Ashdown had a great chance going in two on one, Franzon made a nice crease pass over to Ashdown, who couldnt beat Gordon, hitting the post. The Vipers would recover the puck, moving the puck up quickly sending Kellen & Connor Jones in two on zero, Kellen in the slot, passed the puck over to Connor who was stopped by Smith. This was only one of two good solid scoring chances for Vernon who couldnt generate much of an offensive attack. Braden Pimm was robbed on the Vipers other scoring chance, after Smith slid across the crease making a huge pad save down low. With the Clippers on a powerplay, and a breakdown inside the Vipers line, Eric Filiou went in all alone on the breakaway, beating Gordon gloveside at 7:59 as Nanaimo was back in the game cutting the lead to 3-2. Assists going to, Carson Schell & Connor Krukowski. Nanaimo looked much better in the 2nd period playing with more jump, winning alot of the races and battles down low. The Vipers seemed to be sitting back, making some poor decisions at times, getting caught flat footed. When trying to breakout of there own end, the d-men were having to make the long stretch pass up ice, as the Vernon forwards, were way in deep the neutral zone, this causing a turnover and back come the Clippers on an oddman rush. Zac Ashdown had a good chance, snapping a shot coming down the wing, just shooting high over the far corner. Vernon would get into penalty trouble again as the Clippers would head back to the powerplay and once again would make Vernon pay. Mike Boivin with a shot from the point at 17:48 would beat Gordon tying the game 3-3. Assists going to, Steve Mason & Nic Chartier. The Clippers were clicking on the powerplay, scoring three straight powerplay goals, as the Vipers blow a three goal lead. Nanaimo was by far the better team, carrying most of the play scoring two goals as the game was tied 3-3 after 40 minutes of play. Shots were even 6-6.
3rd Period: The Vipers would start the period on a powerplay but couldnt take advantage getting one shot on the man advantage struggling keeping the puck in play, as the Clippers would kill off the minor. The Vipers penalty troubles would once again haunt them as Nanaimo would get three powerplays in the final frame but couldnt burn the Vipers coming close on a few chances. Vernons penalty kill was having all kinds of trouble clearing the zone, lossing the races and battles for the puck, wich kept the puck in. Some poor clearing attempts also kept the Clippers powerplay alive, as the Vipers somehow managed to kill off the minors. Once again most of the play was in the Vernon zone as the Vipers would only manage just two shots in the first twelve minutes of play. Vernon looked slow at times, getting beat off the puck, as the Clippers showed alot of hustle and strength winning the races and battles, looking like the hungrier hockey team. Brandon Fagerheim had a great scoring chance in close but was stopped by Gordon. Zac Ashdown who looked good all night, was also stopped by Gordon. The Vipers were outplayed and outskated the whole 3rd period as the Clippers were by far the better team. Vernon was lucky to excape the final frame as the game was tied 3-3 after 60 minutes of play. Nanaimo outshot Vernon 10-3.
Overtime: Off the opening faceoff Kyle Bigos got caught flatfooted at the blueline, as Kevin Kraus had to hustle back into the play, sliding breaking up the play, sending the Nanaimo player to the ice, this resulting in a penalty. The Clippers now had a great chance on the powerplay to end the game but couldnt capitalize on the powerplay. Shortly after Vernon would get a powerplay, with some good puck movement Cam Brodie had two good shots from the point, but the Vipers couldnt capitalize as the game was still tied 3-3 after 65 minutes of play. Nanaimo outshot Vernon 4-2.
Double Overtime: Mike Collins had a great scoring chance to end the hockey game, but got the puck in too deep, as Collins was left alone up the middle, but couldnt gather the pass, until in too deep. Cory Kane lost the puck in the Clippers zone, then went for the puck along the boards, Connor Kruowski collected the puck feeding a nice pass up ice to, Nic Chartier who carried the puck in over the line two on one, Chartier kept the puck, cut towards the net and then snapped a quick shot passed Gordon at 2:32, giving the Clippers the Overtime victory as the Nanaimo bench poured onto the ice to celebrate the OT win. Vernon outshot Nanaimo 2-1.
Top Players: (Vernon)
Kevin Kraus played a good defensive game on the Vipers backend. Kraus made a few nice plays rushing the play up ice, along with some very strong defensive coverage, breaking up two scoring chances, showing lots of hustle getting back into the play.
Cameron Brodie looked very comfortable in his Vipers home debut. Brodie has some size and likes to shoot the puck. Brodie has a very quick release, looking good on the powerplay.
Mike Collins (1 goal) played an overall good game. Collins was involved in a few scoring chances.
Braden Pimm played well, getting some chances. Pimm has been named the teams new assistant captain after former assistant captain, Steve Tresierra was traded to the Merritt Centennials.
The line of Connor Jones (1 assist), Kellen Jones (1 goal) & Sahir Gill looked very impressive in the 1st period, but didnt really stand out as much for the remainder of the game. Both Jones Twins & Gill showed alot of hustle in the 1st period, dominating the end boards down low, with the cycle.
Top Players: (Nanaimo)
Anders Franzon looked very solid on the Clippers backend. Franzon likes to jump up into the play, looking very smooth with the puck.
Carson Schell (2 assists) played very well up front. Goes to the net, reads the ice well.
Matt Betker (1 goal) Looked very impressive. Was on of Nanaimos strongest players tonight. Saw alot of icetime, looked very strong on the powerplay.
Mike Boivin (1 goal & 1 assist) Was another stellar d-man for the Clippers. Rushes into the play, has a quick shot from the point.
Colin Dueck saw alot of icetime, very solid defensive game on the Nanaimo backend. Skates well.
Zac Ashdown had some good scoring chances, rang one shot off the post. Real solid playmaker. Smooth skater. Always involved in the play.
Evan Smith looked very strong after coming into the hockey game after Jonathon was pulled after giving up two goals on just seven shots. Smith allowed the lone goal making many big saves keeping the Clippers in the game. Plays his position well, dosnt give up many big rebounds. Looks very confident between the pipes.
Ronnie Smith was a pest against the Vipers with the Silverbacks and was once again a pest tonight as a member of the Clippers. Smith was in the face and under the skin of many Viper players. Smith was always getting involved in the play after and during the whistles. Smith did a good job at suckering a few Vipers into taking penalties.
Game Thoughts: (Vernon)
Since the Vipers pulled off the blockbuster trade with Burnaby & Merritt just over a week ago, they havnt put together a full 60 minutes going 1-2. Former Viper, John Digness now has 7 pts in just four games. After playing down to the Centennials level of play last weekend the Vipers excaped with a 4-2 win, then lossing the next night in Penticton 5-1 looking good in the 1st period but then nowhere to be seen in the 2nd and 3rd periods getting into penaly trouble cost them the game. What happens tonight? Vernon started off slow but seemed to turn things around scoring first on the powerplay, going up 3-0 and in full control after just 20 minutes of play, but then allowed Nanaimo back into the game, getting into penalty trouble blowing a three goal lead and then end up lossing in double OT. Other then the first period Vernon was basically outplayed and outskated for most of the night. Poor passing, decision making and not skating cost the Vipers tonights game. It also didnt help playing most of the night in the penalty box, taking some undisaplined penalties. The Vipers penalty kill needs to come out and challange the shooters, collapsing towards the goal, dosnt help and cost the Vipers tonight. Nanaimos d-men moved the puck back and forth at the line, when the Vipers forwards collapsed down low, the Clippers now moved forward and then blasted a shot from the point. The Vipers were knocked off the puck, lots most of the races and battles down low, in and along the boards. Vernon quit skating, looking flat footed at times. This team needs to play a full or close to 60 minutes if they want to go anywhere come playoff time. You need more then just nine shots on goal in the final two periods playing with a team like Nanaimo. With all the penalties in the 2nd and 3rd periods, it looked as if the Vipers were scared to hit or make any contact. This was just Graeme Gordons 2nd loss of the season as a Vernon Viper.
Game Thoughts: (Nanaimo)
For playing last night in Trail (big 2-1 win) the Clippers started out strong, getting the early jump, showing lots of hustle and determination. Going down and getting scored on the early powerplay seemed to change the directions of the 1st period. The Clippers struggled and couldnt recover going down 3-0 as Jobin was pulled from tonights contest. I dont think you could blame Jobin(two goals on just seven shots) Im guessing Bill Bestwick was trying to shake up his troops, wich worked. Evan Smith did allow the lone goal but played well, gave the Clippers some confidence making some huge saves keeping Nanaimo in the game. Specialty teams was the difference, with the Clippers red hot powerplay (three goals) Nanaimo played a very disaplined game, only taking four minors, as the Vipers were called for nine. After the 1st Nanaimo really looked good, a very strong skating team, moves the puck well, likes to drop the puck back, to the skater coming in off the wing. Other then the 1st period, this team didnt quit, a hard working team, showed lots of hustle, winning most of the races and battles. Give the Clippers credit for battling back down 3-0, getting a huge OT win on the road.
Scratches:
Vernon:
Kory Roy
Steven Weinstein
Nick Amies
Nanaimo:
Ian Thistlethwaite
Colton Cyr
Aaron Enns
3 Stars:
1st Star: Nic Chartier (1 goal & 1 assist)
2nd Star: Kellen Jones (1 goal)
3rd Star: Mike Boivin (1 goal & 1 assist)
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