I was at tonights BCHL game as Vernon defeated Nanaimo 5-3 in front of 1,899 fans at the Wesbild Centre.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon: Graeme Gordon
Nanaimo: Loic Boivin
1st Period: The Vipers got off to a quick start, Connor Jones with a nice move inside the Clippers blueline going in two on one with Cory Kane, Jones made a nice pass over to Kane who beat Loic Boivin at 1:43 putting Vernon up 1-0. Jones & Garrett Noonan drew the assists. Just over two minutes later Nanaimo would get the games first powerplay, Cody Bremner with a good scoring chance getting a quick shot off from in close at the side of the net was stopped by Graeme Gordon. Brember then setup Luc Olivier Blain beat Gordon on the man advantage at 7:33 as the Clippers tied the game. Bremner & Teal Burns collected the assists. Just after Nanaimo's goal Vernon would get its first powerplay of the night. Dan Nycholat setup Bryce Kakoske at the side of the net who was robbed after Loic Boivin slide across with his left pad to make the big save. The Clippers would kill off the minor. A fairly tight checking opening period with both teams feeling one another out. Nanaimo was the more physical of the two teams, even getting the second shots in after the whistle, trying to get the Vipers off their game. Sawyer Mick & Carsen Schell had words after a stopage in play, as both players were yapping at one another heading to the benches. Cole Ikkala setup Adam Thompson who wired a blast from the circle but was stopped by Boivin. The Vipers line of Connor Jones, Jonathan Milhouse & Cory Kane was by far the teams top line, after some nice cycle down low Milhouse through the puck out front, going in off Victor Newell and past Boivin at 10:52 giving Vernon the 2-1 lead. Like last night Vernon seemed to take control in the second half of the period, having the better of the play. Jonathan Milhouse with a shot from the slot just missed the far corner. The Vipers would get their second powerplay of the night but once again come up empty handed as the Clippers penalty kill was 2-2. The Vipers speed and skill took over the the final six or seven minutes as they skated circles around the Clippers creating all kinds of chances. Loic Boivin played well between the pipes for Nanaimo. Vernon was up 2-1 after 20 minutes of play. The Vipers outshot the Clippers 13-6.
2nd Period: The Vipers didnt get off to a good start, looking very flat and dissorganised in their own end. Nanaimo's strong forecheck kept forcing the Vipers d-men to re-group and try and break out of their own end again. A few turnovers and bad plays gave the Clippers some early chances. Cody Bremner with a shot from in close just missed the net. Dan Nycholat fired the puck up ice right onto the stick of Bremner who walked in and beat Gordon at 3:38 to tie the game for the second time tonight. Teal Burns with the lone assist. After being out skated in the 1st period Nanaimo changed things up a bit to start the middle frame playing the trap, trying to slow down the speedy Vipers. Vernon did manage to get around the trap as Connor Jones & Cory Kane setup Jonathan Milhouse for his 2nd of the night at 5:14. A very tight checking period with very little scoring chances, the Vipers with just two shots in the first half of the period didnt look good at all, several turnovers, bad passes, and very little energy. The team looked like it just quit skating. Nanaimo was by far the better team in the first half of the period. The Clippers battled hard, finished their checks and played with a strong forecheck. Both teams exchanged penalties twice as Andrew Guest was calling a tight game. With eight minutes remaining the Vipers finally seemed to wake up getting some fire in them, playing with some jump again getting some chances in close. Vernon won the draw in the Clippers zone, the puck come right to Jonathan Milhouse who once again with a quick shot was stopped by Boivin. With the Vipers on a late powerplay, it took Adam Thompson just six seconds to beat Boivin at 18:01 after a wicked shot went high over Boivin. Vernon was up by two for the first time tonight. Steve Weinstein & Cory Kane with the helpers. Weinstein made a super nice pass over to Thompson who scored the goal. Cody Bremner come close to getting his 2nd of the night after beating Gordon but hitting the post with just minutes remaining. In the final minute the Vipers once again got real sloppy coughing up the puck several times, well it cost them. The Vipers got the puck deep into the Clippers zone, but couldnt kill off the final few seconds, a turnover led to a Nanaimo rush up ice, Cody Bremner picked up the puck and then walked into the Vernon zone and wired a wicked high shot over Gordon with just .8 seconds remaining in the period. The Clippers cut the Vernon lead to just one goal. Victor Newell with the lone assist. Vernon was up 4-3 after 40 minutes of play. The Vipers outshot the Clippers 9-6.
3rd Period: Nanaimo again come out with the trap, trying to slow down Vernons speed and skill, sending one guy in deep to forecheck, this seemed to work as the Vipers had troubles at times breaking out of their own end. Another tight checking period as both teams wernt giving one another much room. Carson Schell was stopped by Gordon after the Clippers broke through the Vernon zone with some nice three way passing. Rob Short at the other end hit the post. Some fairly even play sent both teams back and forth but it was the Clippers who had the first few early chances. Connor Jones with speed come flying down the wing but missed the net. Nanaimo with the only powerplay of the period couldnt take advantage after some strong penalty killing by the Vipers. For the second straight period very few shots coming from both teams. Luc Olivier Blain with a chance in front was stopped by Gordon. Late in the period Adam Thompson with a nice pass up ice, setup Jonathan Milhouse for the breakaway, Milhouse with a nice move in close beat Boivin scoring his third of the night giving Vernon the 5-3 lead at 15:52. Thompson with the lone assist. The puck took a funny bounce, hoping over Adam Thompsons stick, as Teal Burns was right their to pounce on the rebound, but Gordon was quick enough to cover up the puck to stop the play. In the final few minutes Braden Pimm with some strong forecheck down low, knocked off two Clipper players and then tried cutting towards the net for a scoring chance. Braden Pimm & Bryce Kakoske battled hard in the final minute and a half, both kids worked extremely hard down low ragging a good minute off the clock as the Clippers couldnt get Boivin out of his net for the extra attacker. Nanaimo would finally clear the zone as Boivin left his net with 30 seconds remaining but the Clippers couldnt get any real good chances as Vernon knocked off Nanaimo 5-3 winning back to back games. Nanaimo drops its eight straight. The Vipers outshot the Clippers 8-6.
Top Players: (Vernon)
The line of Connor Jones (3 assists), Jonathan Milhouse (3 goals) & Cory Kane (1 goal & 2 assists) was Vernons top line. This line was clicking all night. Connor Jones was really skating hard tonight, had tons of jump in his game, was flying all over the ice. Jones was very dangerous down low with the puck. Jonathan Milhouse played a heck of a game. Milhouse had several chances all night, was very dangerous with the puck. Both Jones & Milhouse seemed to know where each other were at all times, all night.
Curtis Gedig played his second solid game. Played much better defensively. Had three big hits, rushed the puck from his own end up ice, coming up with a quality scoring chance.
Adam Thompson (1 goal & 1 assist) Played a solid game at both ends of the rink. Thompson read the ice very well tonight, made some smart heads up plays. Looked solid in his own end.
Bryce Kakoske played very well down low, was very good on the forecheck. Was robbed in the 1st period after a great chance at the side of the net. Kakoske took several little shots and jabs all night, but didnt back down.
Top Players: (Nanaimo)
The line of Luc Olivier (1 goal), Cody Bremner (2 goals & 1 assist), & Teal Burns (2 assists) was by far Nanaimo's top unit. Cody Bremner was all over the ice tonight, this kid come to play. Had several good scoring chances, was very dangerous with the puck. This kid has a very hard but good shot. Scored a real nice 2nd period late goal roofing it over Graeme Gordon. Teal Burns really see's the ice well, setup two Clipper goals. Another kid who looked good up front.
Loic Boivin (23 saves) Played well between the pipes for the Clippers. Made some key saves in the opening period, giving his team a chance to win. Was very good down low. Dosnt give up many rebounds.
Carson Schell also played very well for Nanaimo. Another kid who was strong with and without the puck. Good skater.
Game Thoughts: (Vernon)
I dont think Mark Ferner can be too happy with tonights performance. The Vipers didnt play a full 60 minutes and it just about cost them. The Vipers looked good in the 1st period but come out flat to start and end the 2nd period, way too many turnovers, bad first passes, and quit skating. They played a little better in the 3rd but didnt have that edge they usally have. Another small crowd for the second straight night (1,899) with being so close to the holidays, many people are busy with Christmas activities or away somewhere warm.
Game Thoughts: (Nanaimo)
I was fairly impressed with the Clippers tonight. After losing seven straight and in the middle of the pack in the Coastal Conference, I wasnt too sure what to expect. Nanaimo battled hard, played fairly physical, tried getting in the faces of several Viper players at times. A good skating club that has some scoring up front & good goaltending. After being down two goals late in the 2nd period, this team didnt quit, they kept battling and with a bounce or two could have tied or won tonights game. The Clippers gave Vernon a good run. As the game went on, the Clippers played a very tight checking road game, giving up very few chances.
Scratches:
Vernon:
Kellen Jones (Injured)
Kevin Kraus
Nanaimo:
Matt Ius
Joe Perry
Todd Gebert
Ty Marton
Mike Puddifant
3 Stars:
1st Star: Jonathan Milhouse (3 goals)
2nd Star: Connor Jones (3 assits)
3rd Star: Cody Bremner (2 goals & 1 assist)
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