Was at tonights Game 3 of the Fred Page Cup as Powell River defeated Vernon 3-2 in Overtime in front of 2,203 fans at the Wesbild Centre.
1st Period: In the opening minute the Vipers got a big scare after Captain, Chris Crowell would leave the ice limping towards the dressing room. Crowell looked like he may have done something to his ankle-foot. The Vipers Captain would return to the bench and see a regular shift for the rest of the game. After getting shutout in the first two games of this series the Kings would finally beat Andrew Hammond at 3:31 of the 1st after Kyle Leahy was left all alone in front, before wacking away three times at the loose puck, before finally beat Hammond. Neil Chambers & Jordan grant collected the assists. Vernon was caught standing around as Leahy was untouched. Vernon looked a little sluggish to start tonights game. The Vipers would get the first powerplay of the night but it was Powell River who looked like the team with the man advantage. The Kings with two odd man rushes couldnt connect on two good chances shorthanded. Kyle Bigos hustled back breaking up the play as Clay Harvey was in on the two on one. Vernon struggled on the man advantage as the Kings would kill off the minor. James Kerr had Vernons best scoring chance but was stopped by Carsen Chubak. Jordan Grant was stoned in front by Andrew Hammond. As the period went on the Vipers managed to get some good chances in front, Connor Jones was robbed by Chubak after making a huge right pad save, kicking out his leg at the last minute. Chubak was busy at one period as Vernon was cycling the puck well down low, getting some chances. Braden Pimm was stopped in close. The Kings with their first powerplay of the night was snuffed out by the strong penalty kill of the Vipers. Powell River come very close after beating Hammond fivehole as the puck got through but luckily come out the other end, missing the net. The Vipers with a late powerplay would tie the game 1-1 at 16:15 Connor Jones took a huge check in front of the Kings bench, wich allowed Sahir Gill & Kellen Jones in for the two on one, Gill made a nice pass over to Jones who beat Chubak in the crease. Gill & Connor Jones would pick up the assists. A fairly evened played period as the game was tied 1-1 after 20 minutes of play. Vernon outshot Powell River 10-9.
2nd Period: Vernon stepped up their play in the 2nd really skating hard. The Vipers with some good chances early and often. Braden Pimm was all alone in the slot but just wired his shot wide. The Vipers top line of Sahir Gill, Connor Jones & Kellen Jones really had the cycle going in the middle period, buzzing around the Kings net. Connor Jones with a nice hard low shot along the ice beat Chubak at 4:01 putting Vernon up 1-0. Sahir Gill and Mike Leidl recorded the assists. Off the draw Vipers had a great chance after Cole Ikkala tipped a shot in close before Chubak held on to the puck making the chest save. Vernon had a ton of jump looking and skating much better as the outplayed the Kings for most of the period. Powell Rivers offence was no where to be seen, getting very few quality scoring chances. Cory Kane on a wrap around couldnt beat Chubak down low who kept Powell River in tonights game, especially in the 2nd period. The Kings would get a scare midway through the period as Chad Niddery would leave the game and head to the dressing room, but would return to the bench later and finish the game. Vernon had many quality scoring chances but couldnt score on their chances. Darcy Oakes was robbed twice by Hammond, making two big saves in front. Powell River would get a late powerplay and finally get their first PP goal of the series. Mat Bodie would fire a wrister from the point wich beat a screened Andrew Hammond with just over a minute remaining to tie the game 2-2, Drew Pettitt & Jordan Grant would pick up the assists. Powell River didnt quit getting some good presure late in the final minute of play. Vernon was by far the stronger and better team outplaying the Kings for most of the 2nd. It was tied 2-2 heading into the 3rd. Vernon outshot Powell River 9-8.
3rd Period: Both teams got off to a bit of a slow start as the play seemed to slow down a little as neither team wanted to make the first mistake. Both teams were playing with caution as very little action in the early goings. The Vipers with the best two chances of the period, Braden Pimm and Chris Crowell went in two on one, before Pimm could make the pass across, Derek Hills with a solid defensive effort broke up the play, and then shortly after Rob Short went in two on one with Cole Ikkala. Ikkala couldnt connect on Shorts pass the puck went through the crease. The Vipers would come out with a powerplay but struggled as the Kings would kill off the minor. Vernon had the better of the scoring chances in the 3rd but couldnt capitalize on their chances. Chad Niddery with a chance from the slot was stopped by Hammond who didnt have a very busy night. The Kings couldnt muster much of an offensive attack in the final frame. A scoreless period as both teams headed to Overtime. The Vipers outshot the Kings 10-8.
Overtime: The Vipers were buzzing in and around the Kings net in the opening minute but couldnt hit the net after some close chances in front. Cameron Brodie with a shot from the circle just missed the top corner after a screened shot had Chubak beat. Just 4:05 into the extra period Jordan Grant with the Kings first shot on net, would beat Hammond blocker side giving Powell River the 3-2 OT victory, Kyle Leahy picked up the lone assist as the Kings poured off the bench. Powell River outshot Vernon 1-0.
Top Players: (Vernon)
The line of Connor Jones (1 goal & 1 assist), Sahir Gill (2 assists) and Kellen Jones (1 goal) looked very dangerous down low all night. The Kings defence had all kinds of trouble containing the Vipers top line. These three young kids were buzzing in and around the Kings net.
The line of Rob Short, Cory Kane & Cole Ikkala played well. Kane was skating hard, dangling all night. Ikkala had one of his best games of the Playoffs, getting three or four good chances. Really worked hard all game.
Mike Leidl (1 assist) Looked very solid defensivly. Stood up a few guys at the line.
Braden Pimm with a ton of energy and jump played very well at both ends of the rink. Pimm had a few good chances, was skating hard, really driving to the net. Played physical and took a few solid checks as well. Competed very hard for loose pucks.
Bryce Kakoske played a solid game at both ends of the rink, one of Kakoskes better games these Playoffs.
Top Players: (Powell River)
Jordan Grant (1 goal & 2 assists) The former Merritt Centennial played and looked very good up front for the Kings. Grant was stopped by Hammond in the slot in the 1st period. Grant had lots of jump and was skating hard.
Chad Niddery looked good up front. Was always involved in the play.
Mat Bodie (1 goal) Looked very strong on the Powell River backend. Really smooth skater, handles the puck well.
Jordan Gallea looked very solid on the Kings blueline. A solid d-man who dosnt give you much room down low and in front.
Carsen Chubak (27 saves) Was one of the main reasons the Kings went to Overtime and then won in the extra period. Chubak who was scouted by the Vernon Vipers played his best game of the series looking very sharp between the pipes. Chubak made several key saves in the 2nd & 3rd periods to keep the Kings in tonights game. A very quick goaltender.
Game Thoughts: (Vernon)
The Vipers come out a little slow-sluggish to start tonights game and it cost them, giving up the first goal of the game within the first few minutes, leaving Kyle Leahy all alone in front, who had three wacks at the puck before finally beating Hammond. The Vipers didnt seem to have their legs going until the 2nd period. The Vipers outplayed the Kings for most of the 2nd period but couldnt capitalize on their chances, at times Vernon played down to the level of the Kings. Vernon could have easily been up 3 or 4-1 early in the 2nd after some great chances. Heres a team that needs to play physical against a non physical team. Vipers had many chances to wear down the Kings with the physical play, but didnt. Overall Vernon was the better of the two teams, having the more quality chances but couldnt beat Carsen Chubak who was the difference. Vipers struggled on the man advantage but looked very strong on the penalty kill. Tonight was the 3rd straight game where Vernon has lost the first home game in Overtime. In the 2nd Round of the Playoffs it was Garrett Milans OT winner wich beat Vernon on home ice in Game 1, it was then Zac Rasmussen's OT winner in Game 1 of the Interior Conference Finals wich beat the Vipers on home ice and tonight Jordan Grant beat the Vipers in the first home game of this series. The Vipers were uncosistant at times and need more urgency and physical play in Game 4.
Game Thoughts: (Powell River)
Powell River made its first visit to the Wesbild Centre this yr. I cant say I was overlly impressed with the Kings. Give them credit they now are back in the series with a must win Game 3 but overall I didnt think their that great of a hockey team. If you put this team in the Interior Conference their a middle of the pack team. Penticton, Salmon Arm and Westside all looked much better and stronger as an overall team. The Kings were outplayed for most of tonights game, a non physical team with solid goaltending. The Kings defence isnt very mobile and had troubles all night with the Vipers top two units and cycle down low. A very non-entertaining hockey game with very little excitement. I think if Vernon can play a full 60 minutes like they can and could have scored on some of their chances, there is no way this game was going to Overtime. Powell River with a few good scoring chances really didnt generate much of an offensive attack, very few quality shots and chances. After leading the league with 251 goals during the regular season and clinching the Mainland Division, I was expecting alot more. Nice to see a few Powell River fans make the trip up to Vernon, enjoy your stay!
Scratches:
Vernon:
Nick Amies
Steven Weinstein
Ryan Santana (Injured)
Trent Dorias (AP)
Powell River:
Ryne Bodger
Justin Hogan
Ben Schmidt (suspended)
Alex McDougall
3 Stars:
1st Star: Connor Jones (1 goal & 1 assist)
2nd Star: Sahir Gill (2 assists)
3rd Star: Jordan Grant (1 goal & 2 assists)
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