Was at tonights BCHL game as Vernon defeated Penticton 2-1 in Overtime in front of 2,102 fans at the South Okanagan Events Centre.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon: Graeme Gordon
Penticton: Sean Bonar
1st Period: A bit of a slow start as Penticton iced the puck on the first few plays before the Vees sustained some early pressure. Alex Szczechura with a wicked shot from the circle graized the post after having Grame Gordon beat. Penticton really looked strong breaking through the neutral zone, with some quality scoring plays. As the Vipers settled down both teams wernt giving alot of room, in a fairly tight checking period. The Vipers who were driving towards the net in the period got some good quality shots on Sean Bonar as Vernon was up in shots 7-2 at one point. Pentictons best scoring chance came when Logan Johnston and Captain Denver Manderson went in two on one, Johnston setup Manderson who missed the empty net firing wide. Vernons best scoring chance came after a point shot was tipped in front by Sawyer Mick before Bonar made the last minute save. Graeme Gordon looked a little shaky in the opening period, the Vees dumped the puck in from just inside the blueline, Gordon went down to grab the puck with his glove as the puck bounced over his glove and just missed the net. Gordon was caught looking behind him on several shots after having trouble fighting the puck. Gordons biggest save come after a huge pad save on Garrett Milan from in the slot. A fairly even period as both teams had some chances. It was scoreless after 20 minutes as the Vipers outshot the Vees 12-10.
2nd Period: The Vees looked strong in the first half of the period with some pressure in the Vipers zone but couldnt come up with any real solid scoring chances. Penticton would get the first powerplay of the night but it was Vernons penalty kill wich looked very strong killing off the minor. The Vees best scoring chance of the 2nd come when a Penticton player missed a wide open net at the side of the net with Gordon down and out. The Vipers couldnt generate much of an offensive attack in the first half of the period as the Vees did a great job at shutting down Vernons offence. The Vipers struggled with their passes most of the night, wich caused a few turn overs coming out from their own end. The Vipers line of Cole Ikkala, Rob Short & Dylan Walchuk got the Vipers going in the second half of the period with some good cycle down low, really sustaining pressure deep in the Vees zone, Penticton had troubles with this line as the Vipers moved the puck well down low, trying to generate some offence. This line seemed to give te Vipers some spark, shortly after Braden Pimm & Mike Collins broke in down the wing, Pimm setup Collins with a nice pass through a Penticton player, as Collins went high over Bonar at 13:25 putting Vernon up 1-0. Jonathan Milhouse & Braden Pimm collected the assists. This goal gave Vernon life as the Vipers kept up the strong forecheck and pressure down low, coming up with some good pressure in the Vees zone. Vernon with some good chances down low carried the better of the play in the second half and were up 1-0 after 40 minutes of play. Shots were even 7-7.
3rd Period: Braden Pimm in the opening minute was battling hard in front of the Vees net, couldnt get his stick on the loose puck wich was laying in the crease with a scrum going on, as the Vees cleared the zone after the Vipers come close to going up 2-0. Vernon would get its first powerplay just over two minutes into the 3rd but was unable to click on the man advantage. Just as the penalty was coming to an end, the Vipers were called for a penalty in the Penticton zone as the Vees went on their second man advantage of the night. Vernon would kill off the minor and then just four minutes later head back to the powerplay but struggled as the Vees killed off the minor. Vernons 2nd line of Braden Pimm, Jonathan Milhouse & Mike Collins started clicking getting some chances. Penticton was really trying hard, sending in the winger inbehind the Vernon defence, trying to catch the Vipers d-men napping. Garrett Milan with a shot from the circle was stopped by Gordon. The Vees seemed to get life late in the period moving the puck well down low, but couldnt get many quality chances. Penticton once again looked very strong breaking out of their own end, coming through the neutral zone. The Vipers couldnt clear the zone after coughing up the puck inside the blueline, turning over the puck late in the 3rd, as newcomer Jake Johnson skated over the blueline, and then cut towards the goal and wired his shot off the crossbar after beating Gordon. The Vees putting up good pressure late would tie the game just several minutes later. Cole Ikkala turned over the puck in the neutral zone, Joey Holka made a pass over to Alex Szczechura who cut wide going around the Vernon d-men, drove hard towards the goal and somehow lifted his shot over Graeme Gordon at 15:11 before crashing into Gordon and the net. The puck would cross the line before Gordon was knocked into the net. Joey Holka assisted on the goal. It was tied 1-1 after 60 minutes of play. Shots were even 7-7.
Overtime: A very tight checking period with both teams trying not to make the first mistake. Vernons first line of Connor Jones, Kellen Jones, Cory Kane & Dan Nycholat couldnt get off as the Vees couldnt take advantage of a tired Vipers line. The Vees one and only scoring chance came when Isaac MacLeod shot wide from in the slot, before the play turned over as Dylan Walchuk & Rob Short come back the other way, Walchuck made a nice pass across the blueline to Short who cut wide and then shot from the circle wich beat Bonar fivehole at 2:38 giving the Vipers the Overtime winner. Vernon outshot Penticton 1-0.
Top Players: (Vernon)
The line of Cole Ikkala, Rob Short (1 goal) & Dylan Walchuk (1 assist) was Vernons best line. This line really got things turned around for the Vipers, giving them some much need spark in the second half of the 2nd period. All three kids were very good down low with the cycle. Short returned to the lineup tonight after being out with a leg injury wich he suffered in the teams home opener. Short really adds alot to the Vipers lineup and it showed tonight.
The Vipers 2nd line of Braden Pimm (1 assist), Mike Collins (1 goal) and Jonathan Milhouse (1 assist) played very well. Pimm was solid on the draw winning most of his faceoffs, was very hard all night to knock off the puck, showed alot of hustle and determination down low. Collins scored a real nice goal in the 2nd period.
Kevin Kraus played a very solid defensive game on the Vipers blueline. Kraus really settled down the backend, making some heads up plays all night.
Graeme Gordon (24 saves) looked shaky in the opening period, really fighting the puck but seemed to settle down as the game went on. Didnt have many big saves to make, but did play well.
Top Players: (Penticton)Alex Szczechura (1 goal) Looked very good up front for the Vees. Had several good chances.
Logan Johnston played a strong game up front. Had some chances, played well at both ends of the rink.
Sean Bonar (25 saves) Almost went five straight periods of shutout hockey vs the Vipers. Bonar once again played well against Vernon. Made some key saves to keep the Vees in the game.
Garrett Milan was very dangerous most of the night. Milan had several good quality chances, was buzzing all night long. Played a fairly physical game, especially in the 3rd. Played with alot of energy.
Matt Paltridge played a solid defensive game on the Vees blueline.
Jake Johnson made his Penticton debut tonight after signing with the Vees the other day after playing in the USHL. Johnson is quick, can really skate and has a heck of a shot. This kid was dangerous with the puck all night. I was very impressed.
Game Thoughts: (Vernon)
The Vipers improved to 9-1 with the win and now are just three points back of the Vees for top spot in the Interior Division with three games in hand. Vernon played very well tonight, picking up a greasy road win. The Vipers managaed to get traffic in front of Bonar, driving towards the net alot tonight. Vernon did a great job at shutting down the Vees top point getters in Denver Manderson & Beau Bennett. I also was impressed with the Vipers defence, keeping the Vees to the outside, most of the Vees shots were from the outside. Vipers struggled with passing at times. Tonight was a big win, after losing to the Vees at home last weekend, the Vipers got some revenge and now have confidence knowing they can play with and beat the Vees.
Game Thoughts: (Penticton)
Tonights Overtime loss was the Vees first loss on home ice. A fairly entertaining hockey game and well worth the trip up to Penticton. Both teams couldnt capitalize on the powerplay. Penticton couldnt burry their chances and Vernon did, the Vees with some great scoring chances couldnt capitalize. The Vees really moved the puck well tonight, using their speed and skill up front Penticton looked very strong breaking out of their own end. Penticton tried catching the Vipers defence napping, trying for the long stretch passes up the middle and also tried sending the wingers inbehind the d-men. The Vees did a great job at shutting down the Vipers #1 line of Cory Kane, Connor Jones & Kellen Jones. The Jones Twins are knowen for man handling the Vees in years past, tonight they couldnt get much of anything going all night. Both teams are fairly even and matchup very well against one another.
Scratches:
Vernon:
Darrin Robak
Brendan Persley
Patrick McGillis
Penticton:
Bo Dolan
Stefan Nicholishen
3 Stars:
1st Star: Jake Johnson
2nd Star: Graeme Gordon (24 saves)
3rd Star: Alex Szczechura (1 goal)
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