Was at tonights BCHL game as Vernon defeated Prince George 2-1 in front of 2,484 fans at the Wesbild Centre.
1st Period: A bit of a slow start to tonights game, the Vipers seemed to carry the early edge in play but couldnt keep control of the play. No shots on goal for the first few minutes, it wasnt until 4:35 when Sahir Gill & Kellen Jones with some nice passing set up Connor Jones who beat Alex Wright putting Vernon up 1-0. As the period went on the Vipers seemed to pick up there play, really showing some good hustle. Vernon's top line of Connor Jones, Kellen Jones & Sahir Gill was flying for most of tonights game. A quick shot from the point, was tipped in front by Sahir Gill on a good scoring chance but Wright stood tall making the save. The Vipers would get the first powerplay and only one of the hockey game but couldnt find the back of the goal after some strong penalty kill by PG. The Spruce Kings picked up there game as both teams had chances at either ends of the rink. The Vipers played a physical period, Cameron Brodie & Mike Leidl laid out a few solid checks. A very fast paced 1st with very few whistles, made for an entertaining period. Joe Morgan snuck in behind the Vernon defence, getting a quick shot off from the circle but Andrew Hammond stayed focused making the save. PG had good control of the play at times, but was having troubles getting the puck through. The Vipers defence was doing a solid job at blocking shots, getting sticks in the way, clogging up the shooting lanes. Connor Jones had a great chance in front after trapping a shot from the point, gathering the rebound but then fired high and wide over the empty goal. In the final minute of play Prince George poured on some good presure buzzing in the Vipers zone, a few chances in front come close to going in. Vernon would excape the period up 1-0 after 20 minutes of play. Vernon outshot Prince George 14-7.
2nd Period: Both teams looked a little tenative in the early going, Sahir Gill with another tip in front of Wright on another scoring play, as Wright stopped the deflection making the tough save. The Vipers would get into some penalty trouble. The Spruce Kings would get three straight powerplays, on the first man advantage PG moved the puck well, getting some chances in close. Hammond had to be alert as the Spruce Kings looked dangerous but couldnt find the back of the net. On the following two powerplays, it was the strong penalty kill of the Vipers that was the difference. Vernon's penalty killers looked very strong, getting some shorthanded chances. In the dying seconds of the third powerplay Matt Lees went for the wrap around, Hammond stopped the puck between his skate and the post, with no whistle on the play, Lees kept battling down low, banging away at the puck before finally forcing the puck across the line, tying the game 1-1 at 11:52. Assists going to, Zach Davies & Vinny Muchalla. The Vipers argued there should have been a whistle on the play, but the PG goal stood. Another physical period as PG laid out a few checks, but once again it was the Vipers who were laying out the more punishing checks of the night. The Vipers would gather control of the play getting some presure inside the Spruce Kings zone, Connor Jones stole the puck on a turnover and then went to the net, beating Wright in close putting the Vipers up 2-1 at 14:55. Assists going to, Kellen Jones & Sahir Gill. Another entertaining period with some even play at either ends of the rink. Prince George was having trouble getting shots on goal, but showed lots of hustle and determination to keep pace with the Vipers. The Spruce Kings really seemed to be forcing the Vipers, with some aggresive forecheck for most of the night. Vernon was up 2-1 after 40 minutes of play. The Vipers outshot the Spruce Kings 14-7.
3rd Period: The Spruce Kings would get an early powerplay seconds into the period. Once again some very good penalty kill by Vernon and the Vipers would kill off the minor. PG carried most of the play in the final frame but once again was having troubles getting shots through. Give credit to Vernons defence who played a solid defensive game. Joe Becker, Sean Ambrosie & Joe Morgan saw a ton of icetime, as PG's best unit tonight. Ambrosie looked very good with the puck, getting some chances in the 3rd. With playing last night in Trail, the Vipers started to slow down a little in the period, looking a little tired. Vernon didnt seem to have the hustle and speed they had in the first two periods, hitting centre and dumping it in for most of the period. PG had another man advantage but it was the Vipers who had the better chances, as Connor Jones looked very effective on the penalty kill, getting some chances while shorthanded. Braden Pimm had a great chance to put the game away on a wrap around down low, but was stopped by Wright who played well all night. During the midway mark the play was very scrambled as both teams had troubles getting it together. Cole Ikkala had another glorious chance in front, but was robbed by Wright, who made the biggest save of the night, making a huge toe save. Prince George got the play in deep in the final few minutes but couldnt seem to generate much of an offensive attack. Jordan Simpson had a great chance with two minutes remaining, took a quick shot from the slot as Andrew Hammond made a big pad save kicking it to the corner. Alex Wright would head to the bench with 1:11 remaining, but the Spruce Kings couldnt seem to get the puck towards the net. A few chances late but no real quality chances as Connor Jones was fed the puck with just seconds remaining, Jones hit the empty net just seconds before the buzzer went. Another 2-3 seconds and Connor Jones would have had a hat trick. The Vipers would pick up the 2-1 win, there first win vs PG on home ice this season. Vernon has now won 10 out of there last 11 games. Prince George outshot Vernon 9-8.
Top Players: (Vernon)
The line of Connor Jones (2 goals), Kellen Jones (2 assists) & Sahir Gill (2 assists) was by far the Vipers best line. This line was buzzing in the first two periods, getting all kinds of chances both even strength and on the penalty kill.
Mike Leidl played a very solid defensive game, laying out some big hits.
Cameron Brodie played a very physical game. Brodie had the biggest checks of the night, laying out a good 5-6 checks.
Nick Amies looked very confident tonight. Just 16 yrs old, dosnt see a regular shift nor a regular spot on the roster. Amies played very well.
Adam Thompson also looked and played very well on Vernons backend. Thompson played a very defensive game, looked good on the powerplay.
Top Players: (Prince George)
The line of Sean Ambrosie, Joe Becker, & Joe Morgan was PG's top line. This unit saw a ton of icetime, getting all kinds of chances. Ambrosie looked very good with the puck, has some wheels.
Wes McLeod looked very good on the Spruce Kings blueline. McLeod is a solid skater and looked good with the puck.
Alex Wright played well all night. Didnt have to make any big saves other then the Cole Ikkala toe save, Wright looked very confident, was out challenging the shooters. Very good rebound control.
Game Thoughts: (Vernon)
This was a big character victory for the Vipers. Going into tonights game PG was 2-0 at the Wesbild Centre and has played the Vipers very close all season. I thought the Vipers played good in the first two periods having lots of jump, playing very physical. The Vipers really punished PG with some strong physical play for most of the game. They started to slow down in the 3rd looking tired, getting caught taking some undisaplined penalties but played very well defensivly hanging on for the win. For most of the 3rd Vernon would hit centre, dumping the puck in. Very strong penalty kill tonight, giving up the lone powerplay goal. I thought the whistle should have been blowen on the play, as Hammond had the puck up against the post, between his skates for a good few seconds before finally Matt Lees banged away at it long enough for it to cross the line. I was very pleased with the defence tonight, blocking alot of shots especially in the 1st period. In the 2nd and 3rd periods the Vipers defence clogged up the shooting lanes, cutting down on any PG shots getting through. With the addition of Cameron Brodie and Mike Leidl the Vipers defence and goals against has improved. Nice to see a big crowd on hand for tonights game. The Vipers wore there 3rd set jerseys tonight, this will be the last season the Vipers will wear those 3rd set jerseys. This putting more speculation towards the rumors going around, the Vipers are coming out with new jerseys for next season. Rumors said to have the Vipers wearing the all-star jerseys next season.
Game Thoughts: (Prince George)
I wouldnt want to face the Spruce Kings in the Playoffs. With this being the final meeting between these two teams, the season series is tied 3-3. PG played the Vipers very tough with some very close games all season. Prince George could easily upset the Vipers come Playoff time. There is no quit in this Spruce Kings team, battled hard for most of tonights game, due to Vernons strong defensive play, the Spruce Kings had troubles getting shots through. PG has six all-stars on there team and are a much better hockey club then what there record shows. The Spruce Kings didnt get many great scoring chances. Very well dicaplined tonight, taking just one minor. Specialty teams was the difference as the Spruce Kings went 1-5 on the powerplay.
Scratches:
Vernon:
Kyle Bigos
Kory Roy
Steven Weinstein
Prince George:
Rjay Berra
Sam Muchalla
Adam Baldassare
3 Stars:
1st Star: Connor Jones (2 goals)
2nd Star: Kellen Jones (2 assists)
3rd Star: Sahir Gill (2 assists)
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