I was at tonights Game 7 of the BCHL Finals as Vernon defeated Powell River 3-1 in front of 3,008 fans at the Wesbild Centre.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon: Graeme Gordon
Powell River: Josh Watson
1st Period: It took the first opening minutes for both teams to settle down and try and get things going. Vipers with the best scoring chance early after some nice three way passing in front, Rob Short was robbed at the side of the net by the pad of Josh Watson. Dylan Walchuk then with a shot from the cirlce was stopped by Watson. Chad Niddery with the Kings best chance was stopped in front by Graeme Gordon. As the period went along the Kings got a little stronger and a little more confident really moving the puck well and forechecking the Vipers defence into making some turnovers. Daniel Carr with some speed down the wing snapped a quick shot that Gordon was forced to save and hold for a whistle. Gordon then was forced to made a big save after Brenden Forbes quick shot was in close was stopped. Powell River with the games first powerplay had one real good chance, Mat Bodie's screened shot was tipped in front by Matt Garbowsky that just missed the far top corner. Vernons penalty kill was good and killed off the penalty. Dylan Walchuk had a great chance just after the powerplay as he battled hard in along the corner boards, kept the puck and then drove hard to the net going for the wrap around but couldnt get the puck past Josh Watson. Vernon with some good sustained pressure for a few minutes moved the puck well down low, generating some chances. As the period went on the Kings were the better team getting some real good chances. Powell River's forecheck was really giving Vernon's defence a hard time, as Dan Nycholat turned over the puck on a strong forecheck but the Kings couldnt handle the puck and create a scoring chance. Chad Niddery with his second chance of the night was stopped by Gordon who made some key saves keeping the Kings off the board. Ben Schmidt was robbed by Gordon in front. Vernon's defence was just a little slow in the transiotion game, taking that extra second to make the break out pass. Vernon with several turnover's in their own end got lucky the Kings couldnt capitalize. Chad Niddery with his third chance of the game couldnt get one past Gordon. Powell River's transition game was fast with some nice tape to tape passing. The Kings were the better of the two teams, getting the better of the scoring chances, but it was 0-0 after 20 minutes of play. Powell River outshot Vernon 11-10.
2nd Period: The Kings come out strong with lots of jump in the early going, getting the puck in deep trying to generate some chances. Powell River carried the play really forcing the Vipers defence to make a mistake, well it worked. The Vipers couldnt clear the zone after Dan Nycholat turned over the puck inbehind the Vernon net, the puck come back to the point where Reid Campbell's point shot went in off Chad Niddery's skate wich beat Graeme Gordon at 3:26 giving the Kings the early 1-0 lead and the all improtant first goal. Campbell with the lone assist on the goal. Steve Weinstein with a nice rush up ice was stopped by Watson who made a nice pad save on the Vipers d-man. Shortly after the Vipers would get their first powerplay of the night. After some strong penalty kill by the Kings, Kellen Jones collected the puck, drove hard towards the net, with Josh Watson going down Jones missed high and wide on a great scoring chance. This was the Vipers lone chance as Powell River would kill off the minor. Just as the penalty expired Captain Mat Bodie hustled up ice and on an odd man rush just missed the far corner after beating Gordon low. The play would come back the other way as Dylan Walchuk setup Kellen Jones who fed Jonathan Milhouse who beat Watson at 8:06 tying the game with Jones & Walchuk collecting the assists. Just after the Vernon goal, the Vipers would head back to the powerplay but were unable to generate much offence as the Kings would force the Vipers into taking a penalty, with both teams four on four, Powell River had a late powerplay with about a minute left. But the Vipers penalty kill killed off the minor. In the second half Vernon carried the better of the play, Rob Short, Jonathan Milhouse & Mike Collins on a three on one, Milhouse tried to setup Collins who was too deep on the play, as the Collins couldnt connect on the pass. A very tight checking game all the way through really limited any open ice. Mike Collins with a great chance made one extra move in the slot and was forced to turnover the puck as Collins was alone in the slot. Vernon's defence played a much better 2nd period limiting the Kings chances, and shots on net. With just over a minute remaining Connor Jones fed Rob Short who was stopped by Watson as the Vipers had some good chances in the middle frame. In the final minute Ben Schmidt tipped a shot in close that just missed the far side as the Vipers got lucky, Vernon couldnt clear the zone and in the dying seconds, Daniel Carr was stopped in front by Gordon as the Kings with some late pressure. It was tied 1-1 after 40 minutes of play. Vernon had the better chances and seemed to carry most of the play in the second half. The Vipers outshot the Kings 12-7.
3rd Period: Steve Weinstein with a great rush up ice in the first few minutes was stopped after Josh Watson made a huge pad save kicking out the rebound on a good chance by the Vipers early. Vernon would just send the puck in deep and chase in after it for most of the 3rd, battling hard down low. The Vipers carried the early edge in play but other then Weinsteins rush, Vernon couldnt generate much of an offensive attack. Powell River couldnt seem to generate much offence as the Vipers carried the better of the play. Again a very tight checking game with very little room for either team. Kevin Kraus turned over the puck in his own end, luckily there were no Kings in sight as the Vipers got lucky. The Vipers battled hard down low, but couldnt seem to get through the Kings defence as Powell River kept Vernon down low and to the outside. Late in the game the Vipers would get the bounce they needed. Kellen Jones fed Sahir Gill in front who was driving hard towards the goal, Gill & a Powell River d-man both went hard towards the net, the puck would go off someone's skate and in past Watson at 15:00 Right away both the referee and linesmen huddled in the corner and discussed the goal after the Kings thought Gill had kicked the puck in. After the officials talked things over, the goal stood giving Vernon a 2-1 lead with five minutes remaining. Kellen & Connor Jones with the helpers on the 2nd goal. Off the draw back come the Kings getting the puck in deep really starting to turn things on late. With about three and a half minutes remaining Chad Niddery with a great chance but a diving Graeme Gordon come across the crease to make his biggest save of the night keeping Niddery off the board. The Kings with a ton of pressure poured on the attack. Justin DaSilva's shot went through traffic but couldnt find its way past Gordon. Powell River would call a late timeout and get Josh Watson to the bench for the extra attacker with just over a minute and twenty seconds remaining, the Kings would get the puck to the side of the net where Matt Garbowsky was left all alone but fanned on the pass as the Kings come oh so close once again to tying the game, Kevin Kraus battled hard down low to clear the zone, getting the puck up to Kellen Jones who fed Jonathan Milhouse in front who hit the empty netter at 19:07 giving Vernon a 3-1 lead. Kellen Jones & Kevin Kraus with the assists. With still fifty three seconds remaining the Kings didnt quit, Powell River got the puck back in deep, Josh Watson would head back to the bench for the extra attacker with traffic in front the Kings drove to the net trying to get the puck past Gordon but the Vipers would clear the zone and come close to hittin the empty net for a second time, in the dying seconds Powell River couldnt get the puck in deep with the Vipers strong forecheck. In the end the Vipers would defeat the Kings 3-1 and take the series 4-3 winning back to back BCHL Championships for the first time since 1991 & 1992. The Vipers would capture their 11th Fred Page Cup. Vernon carried the better of the play for most of the 3rd but come up with just a few good scoring chances. Powell River outshot Vernon 9-7.
Top Players: (Vernon)
Dylan Walchuk (1 assist) I thought Walchuk played a hard nosed game all night. Walchuk batted hard and really come to play in Game 7. Had two real good scoring chances in the opening period but competed hard, never quit. Won some key battles in and along the boards.
Cole Ikkala another player who I thought played very hard tonight. Maybe not for the entire game but pretty darn close. Ikkala was another kid who battled hard and worked hard most of the night. Really battled hard in and along the boards in the games first two periods, was hard to get off the puck down low in the first two periods especially.
Kellen Jones (3 assists) Jones setup all three Vernon goals. The Jones-Gill line had troubles getting the cycle going all series but battled hard and took a beating all series. The Jones Twins were counted on as most of the Vipers scoring in the last two series. Kellen seemed to know where everyone was tonight, made a nice pass over to Sahir Gill who scored the game winner.
Sahir Gill (1 goal) Gill scored the game winner driving hard to the net and was rewarded. Gill had a few chances, played very well tonight.
Jonathan Milhouse (2 goals) Milhouse was the Vipers best player, Milhouse really come to play in Game 7 tonight. Had a ton of jump all night, was skating hard, winning races and battling hard down low. Milhouse was good on the draw and just had a heck of a game. Scored the games tying goal and empty netter.
Steve Weinstein was Vernons best defenceman tonight. Ive been very impressed with the play of Weinstein, has really done well this year in in first full season with Vernon. A few nice rushes up ice tonight, wasnt afraid to rush the puck at all, made some real nice heads up plays to get the puck out of the Vipers zone.
Graeme Gordon (26 saves) All season Viper fans were worried about goaltending (other then Blake Voth) and wondered if Gordon could get the job done. Well with 2 shutouts vs Quesnel and 2 shutouts vs Penticton & now winning the Fred Page Cup, the Vipers goaltender has proved his cridicts wrong. Gordon come ready to play tonight, looked very focused and made some big saves in the 1st period to keep the game scoreless. Gave up the games first goal early in the 2nd but come up with two big saves late in the final minute of the 2nd period & then made the games biggest save in the final few minutes after robbing Chad Niddery on a diving crease save to keep the Vipers ahead by a goal. Gordon was very sharp in the final few minutes coming up with the big save when needed.
Top Players: (Powell River)
Reid Campbell (1 assist) I thought Campbell was one of Powell River's best d-men tonight. Picked up an assist on the lone Kings goal as well as had a nice shot from the point that was tipped in front that just about got past Gordon. Campbell played a heck of a game and series for the Kings.
Mat Bodie (1 goal) The Kings Captain also played a strong game on the Powell River blueline. Bodie who is the leagues leading playoff scorer has played very well in this series.
Chad Niddery played a very strong game. Niddery was the Kings best player tonight played a heck of a game. Niddery who has played very well against the Vipers all season had a good five or six good scoring chances and none better then in the final four minutes. This kid is very hard to knock off the puck, very dangerous with and without the puck. A true competetor and very skilled hockey player.
Justin DaSilva played a strong game on the Powell River backend. DaSilva used his big upper body to knock around a few Viper players tonight and all series.
Josh Watson (27 saves) What can you say about this kid. Watson I dont think allowed a soft goal all series and gave the Kings a chance to win each and every game. This kid is a solid goaltender and made some big saves tonight to give his team a chance at winning. Its unfortunate that a lucky bounce was the game winner but their wasnt much Watson could do on the game winner.
Game Thoughts: (Vernon)
First off Id like to take this time to thank the Vernon Vipers coaching staff and all its players on winning back to back BCHL Championships. Id also like to thank the 3000 plus fans who come out to cheer on their Vipers. Before this series started I totally underestimated the Powell River Kings. I didint think this series would go seven games and I didnt think the Kings would give the Vipers this much hastle. I was expecting a Vernon-Alberni Valley league final. What a series and what a nerve racking Game 7. Im not sure if it was nerves or what but the Vipers got very lucky in the opening period. The Vipers got the games first few good chances but as the period went along it was Powell River who carried the edge in play and come up with the better scoring chances. Graeme Gordon had to be sharp and come up with a good three or four good saves to keep the Vipers in the game. Vernon with several turnovers and poor passes breaking out of their own end, got lucky the Kings didnt score. I thought even though Powell River opened the scoring I thought the Vipers battled back hard and were the better of the two teams from the second half of the 2nd period right through till the end of the game. Two very evenly matched teams with very little room to move, in a very tight checking game. You knew one bounce or a single mistake could be the game winner and it was a bounce that the Vipers got on the game winner to seal the deal. Vernon now wins their record 11th BCHL Championship and wins back to back league titles for the first time since the 1991 & 1992 Vernon Lakers won back to back BCHL Championships. The Vipers also become the first team to win back to back BCHL Championships since the 1997 & 1998 Surrey Eagles. Vernon becomes just the sixth team in BCHL history to win back to back League Championships. (Vernon 1988-89, 1991-92, 2009-2010) (Surrey 1997-98) (Kelowna 1993-94) (Penticton 1967-68, 1980,81,82, 1985-86) (Nanaimo 1976,77,78) (Kamloops 1962,63 & 64) Vernon now moves onto the Doyle Cup & will play the winner of either Fort McMurray or Spruce Grove (Game 7 tomorrow night) The Doyle Cup starts in Alberta Friday & Saturday.
Game Thoughts: (Powell River)
Id like to first take this time to congratulate the Powell River Kings on winning the Coastal Conference Championship and getting back to the BCHL Finals for the second year in a row. Give full credit to Kent Lewis and his coaching staff for doing such a great job at getting the Kings to be one of the Leagues top teams. Id also like to thank the fairly large group of Kings fans that made the long trip up for Game 7. Way to go!! Again I never expect Powell River in the final for a second year in a row, after the Vipers defeated Penticton, I was expecting a Vernon-Alberni Valley BCHL Final. Give full credit to the Kings for coming back from down 3-1 to knock off the Bulldogs and then battle the Vipers hard and come back down 3-2 to force a Game 7 and come up just short. I thought Powell River carried the edge in play in the opening period and had the better chances but couldnt capitalize. The Kings scored the all important first goal of the hockey game but couldnt get the game winner. A very tight checking game as both teams with very little room to move. The Kings were limited to chances and shots in the final two periods. A Kings goal in the 1st and we may have a different hockey game, or what if the Kings get a second goal to go ahead 2-0 in the 2nd? A bounce here or their for either team and its a totally different hockey game. Thats just how tight this game was. Powell River battled hard and at times looked very dangerous with the puck. Give the Kings credit they didnt quit after the Vipers 2nd goal and come oh so close to tying the game in the final few minutes. Powell River then come oh so close to getting to within one after the Vipers 3rd goal as the Kings poured on the pressure. Give full credit to Powell River for becoming the first team this year that really found a way to slow down & even stop the Vipers high powered offence. All season Vernon was the highest scoring team as well as the leagues most defensive team giving up a league record 119 goals. Nobody could stop the Jones-Gill line once they got their cycle going, but Powell River found a way to slow down and stop the Vipers at times making it extra hard for Vernon to try and find ways to score goals. I was very impressed from what I saw from this Kings team, this wasnt the same Powell River team that played here back in Vernon in January. Id like to take this time now to wish all the graduating players or players that wont be back next season, all the best in your hockey or life futures. Thanks for one heck of a series and some great memories!
Scratches:
Vernon:
Darrin Robak
Trevor Fitzgerald (AP)
Patrick McGillis
Powell River:
Braden Pears
Jordan Grant
Brandon Formosa
Alex McDougall
Carter Shinkaruk
3 Stars:
1st Star: Graeme Gordon (26 saves)
2nd Star: Jonathan Milhouse (2 goals)
3rd Star: Sahir Gill (1 goal-Game winner)
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