Vernon 4 Penticton 2

Was at tonights BCHL game as Vernon defeated Penticton 4-2 in front of 2,293 fans at the Wesbild Centre.

1st Period: Vernon got off to a quick start, looking very good in the first half of the period. Vipers moved the puck well, getting the play in deep with an aggrsive forecheck. A few good chances in the opening minutes, Mike Collins with a chance in close after a scramble in front of Jordan White. Collins actually had two real good scoring chances in the period. Vipers were really skating, getting some quality shots towards White. The Vees only real good scoring chance came with a shot from the circle wich was tipped in front, as Andrew Hammond had to be sharpe making the tough save. Vernon really carried the edge in play in the first half, before Penticton would get a powerplay towards the midway mark, wich changed the flow of the game. Vernon's penalty kill looked very solid all night, as the Vipers killed off the minor, just as the powerplay came to an end, Ryan Viselli beat Hammond at 11:31 putting Penticton up 1-0. Assists going to, Max Grassi & Devon Krogh. Shortly after the Vipers would get their first powerplay of the game, some nice puck movement by the Vipers, Connor Jones made a few nice plays to set up the game tying goal. Sahir Gill on the PP at 14:49 tied the game 1-1, with assists going to, Kellen & Connor Jones. The Vees didnt back down, forcing the attack, getting some good presure on Andrew Hammond. Brodie Reid with a quick shot from the circle, handcuffed Hammond but didnt find it's way through the veteran goaltender. Jordan White made some key saves but looked a little shaky in and around the net handeling the puck, almost got caught a few times after the Vipers aggresive forecheck. The Vees come very close to going ahead after Devon Krogh wired a shot off the far post before Hammond covered up the loose puck. Penticton had the better of the play in the 2nd half, really buzzing down low. It was tied 1-1 after 20 minutes of play. Vernon outshot Penticton 10-9.

2nd Period: The Vees took control of the play early, getting some chances with some good puck movement breaking through the zone. Vernons defence got caught, having troubles clearing the zone, twice the Vernon d-men had chances to get the puck out and couldnt, well it cost them. Mike Leidl couldnt clear the puck from the front of the net, the puck would come back to Adam Zamec who beat Hammond at 2:58 as the Vees re-took the lead. Assists going to, Zac Josepher. Penticton would come close to taking a two goal lead, after two good chances down low, one coming off a wrap around play, wich Hammond slid across, just getting his pad on the puck, keeping it out. The Vipers would get into penalty trouble taking three consecuative minors, but it was the strong play of the Vipers penalty kill wich was the difference. Rob Short would show some good hustle, stealing the loose puck and then going in for the breakaway, with a Vees d-man right on his tail, Short had no other option other then to shoot, as White come up with a nice save. Vernon's strong aggresive penalty kill didnt stop their, Captain Chris Crowell & Braden Pimm went in two on one, Pimm would keep and shoot as White once again made a big save shorthanded. Crowell looked very good on the penalty kill, coming up with two big block shots. The Vipers did have a powerplay of their own, moving the puck well but had troubles getting shots towards the net as the Vees did a great job forcing the d-men. Late in the 2nd the Vipers sustained some good presure, getting some chances in and around the Vees goal, with some hard work down low, forced a Penticton penalty. On the powerplay after some good puck movement, Captain Chris Crowell tipped the shot wich beat wich looked like a screened Jordan White, as Vernon tied the game 2-2 at 16:04. Assists going to, Braden Pimm & Kyle Bigos. Shortly after the Vipers went back on the penalty kill taking a late penalty. Vernon looked very good on the penalty kill, playing very aggresive, causing all kinds of trouble for the Vees defence. Connor Jones with some good presure, forced a turnover, sending him in all alone for the breakaway, Jones put a nice move on White, scoring shorthanded at 18:17. The goal was unassisted. Vernons penalty kill was superb killing off the minor taking a 3-2 lead heading into the 3rd. The Vipers outshot the Vees 13-9.

3rd Period: The Vipers looked good in the early goings having the better of the play, getting some chances. Braden Pimm off the opening draw with a quick shot in close, as White made a nice save. As long as White stayed in his goal, he played a very well game between the pipes for the Vees. With Vernon on a powerplay, Kyle Bigos thought he put the Vipers up two goals after wiring a shot from the point, wich beat White fivehole but hit the post coming back out. Vernon had some chances, Rob Short had the best chance of the period, coming down the boards, putting an unreal move on the Penticton d-man, then cut towards the goal, but couldnt beat White who stayed with Short the whole time, making a big save in close. Penticton seemed to step up their play in the 2nd half really controlling the better of the play in the final nine minutes of the game. Vernon was sitting back, playing more of a defensive style of game. The Vees once again looked very good coming through the neutral zone, but couldnt seem to generate many good scoring plays as Vernons defence wasnt giving up much room. A very tight checking 3rd period with both teams not getting alot of shots on goal. The Vipers defence played a very defensive final nine minutes really shutting down the Vees top offensive players. Penticton did get a few chances as Hammond once again had to be sharpe, with some traffic in front. A nail biter of a 3rd with some intence play, really made for a good final period. Late in the game Vernon would hit center and just dump the puck in, ragging off the clock. In the final two minutes Penticton couldnt get White to the bench for the extra attacker as just like last night, the Vipers forecheck put some presure on the Vees defence, not allowing them to break out of their own end. In the final minute White would finally get to the bench for the extra man, but the Vees couldnt get the play in over the Vipers line, as Mike Collins picked up the loose puck, hitting the empty net at 19:42 putting Vernon up 4-2 and giving them the victory moving them to within a single point of the Silverbacks. Vernon outshot Penticton 8-6.

Top Players: (Vernon)

Kevin Kraus for the 2nd straight night looked very solid on the Vipers blueline. Kraus jumped up into the play on several occasions, making some heads up plays with the puck.

Cameron Brodie for the second straight night, also played and looked very solid on the backend. Brodie has been a huge addition to the Vipers blueline, really doing a great job at shutting down the other teams top offensive players. Brodie played physical laying out some big hits tonight.

James Kerr I thought played with a ton of energy, was involved in the play, really skating hard, played very well.

Connor Jones (1 goal & 1 assist) Another Viper who played his 2nd straight solid game. Jones played physical, was very solid on the PK, playing very aggresive, getting involved in the play. Played with alot of hustle all night.

Braden Pimm (1 assist) Really skated well, showed alot of hustle, created alot of open ice with some nice moves, had some good chances in close.

Chris Crowell (1 goal) Looked very impressive. Played very well on the penalty kill, making two big block shots. Crowell was skating hard all night, really playing aggresive-physical, getting in guys faces. Worked hard all night.

Rob Short looked very impressive on the penalty kill. Was stopped on a shorthanded breakaway and then robbed in close in the 3rd period, after making a nice move around a Penticton d-man. Short played with lots of energy.

Ryan Santana played his 2nd straight solid game. Mark Ferner has moved Santana from the wing to center. Ryan seems a little more comfortable at center, was skating hard all game, a work horse with the puck, was hard to knock off the puck tonight.

Andrew Hammond played very well for the second straight game. Hammond had to be sharpe, especially down low in and around the net. Looked very confident.

Top Players: (Penticton)

Ryan Viselli (1 goal) A speedy kid whos always involved in the play, very skilled, shifty down low. Was very noticable tonight.

Brodie Reid had some good chances, was hard to get off the puck. Looked very good with the puck, carried the play alot tonight.

Garrett Milan looked pretty good up front. A smaller kid who is always buzzing around the Vipers net.

Jordan White made some tough saves, looked very good tonight. In the 1st period, White was caught outside his net wandering around, just about getting caught coughing up the puck. Not a great stick handler, needs to stay in his goal.

Game Thoughts: (Vernon)

Another very entertaining hockey game tonight from both teams. Vipers got off to a quick start, looking good, getting some chances but after taking a penalty, the tides turned and the Vees had the better of the play in the 2nd half of the 1st. Vipers played most of the 2nd period shorthanded, but had the better scoring chances, getting two breakaway, and one two on one. A solid defensive effort in the 3rd really shutting down the Vees top offensive players, limiting their chances and only giving up six shots in the final frame. I was very impressed with the play from Vernon for most of the game, very strong penalty kill. After struggling on the PK, the Vipers penalty kill has really played strong the last two games. With the additions of Cameron brodie & Mike Leidl the difference is already starting to pay off, as the Vipers defence has shut down the top offensive players for both Salmon Arm and Penticton, in back to back games. This was a very tough weekend for Vernon, facing off against two of the top teams in the Interior. Two huge wins giving them some distance between 2nd and 3rd place.

Game Thoughts: (Penticton)

Penticton played a good entertaining game but really struggled on the backend. Some poor passing-communication resulted in many turnovers at the line. Specialty teams was the difference tonight. The Vees couldnt solve the strong penalty kill from the Vipers. Gave up way too many scoring chances on the PP. This is a much improved team over the last two games vs Vernon, compared to some of the previous meetings. Penticton has really come on as of late, playing its best hockey of the season. The Vees looked very dangerous down low, in and around the net, had some very close chances on a few wrap arounds, but couldnt beat Hammond.

Scratches:

Vernon:

Nick Amies
Steven Weinstein
Kory Roy

Penticton:

Matt Ridley
Ryan Johansen
Mitch Labreche
Colton Jobke

3 Stars:

1st Star: Connor Jones (1 goal & 1 assist)
2nd Star: Ryan Viselli (1 goal)
3rd Star: Cameron Brodie