I was at tonights Game 5 of the Doyle Cup as Vernon defeated Spruce Grove 3-1 in front of 2,571 fans at the Wesbild Centre.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon: Graeme Gordon
Spruce Grove: Vince Marozzi
1st Period: Vernon would get the games first powerplay of the game just 59 seconds into the game. The Vipers moved the puck well getting two good chances but couldnt beat Vince Marozzi. Curtis Gedig's point shot was tipped in front by Cole Ikkala but stopped by Marozzi. As the penalty was coming to an end Cory Kane with a nice crease pass setup David Robinson who couldnt get the puck up and over Marozzi's pad as the Saints excaped an early powerplay. The Vipers looked hungry and ready to go tonight playing with lots of jump in the opening period. Braden Pimm with a shot from the slot hit the crossbar on a great chance. Vernon was all over Spruce Grove getting some real good quality chances. Kellen Jones then setup Connor Jones who made a nice move but then was stopped by the blocker of Marozzi who kept his team in the game making some big saves. Vernon dominated the first half of the opening period as Spruce Grove didnt get their first shot on goal until just before the midway mark. Just after their first shot on net the Saints with a great chance and their best of the period, Jordan Draper with a shot from the corner was stopped by a quick save by Graeme Gordon who made his biggest save of the 1st. The Vipers would then get another powerplay but again the Saints penalty kill would kill off the minor. Vernon was by far the better of the two teams as the Vipers controlled the entire 1st but it was Vince Marozzi who kept his hockey club in the game making some big saves. It was scoreless after 20 minutes of play. Vernon outshot Spruce Grove 11-4.
2nd Period: Off the draw Sahir Gill with some hard work drove towards the goal getting a chance with traffic in front but couldnt get the puck past a maze of players in the crease. The Vipers with another early powerplay to start the period, this coming just 33 seconds into the midle frame. Cole Ikkala with a great chance in front, with a shot along the ice that beat Marozzi but hit the post. A quick pass over to Mike Collins who was robbed by the glove of Marozzi who come across to rob Collins of the open net. Joshua Marozzi then come in shothanded snapping a quick shot from the slot that handcuffed Graeme Gordon, Gordon just got a peice of it as the puck stayed out and the Saints killed off the minor. The Vipers would head back to the powerplay just over a minute or so later and this time capitalize as Dan Nycholat setup Mike Collins who beat Marozzi at 6:01 giving Vernon the 1-0 lead. Nycholat and Braden Pimm with the assists. Off the draw back come the Vipers for more as Connor Jones with a bullet shot from the slot was robbed by the quick glove save of Vince Marozzi. Back come the Saints who really started to get their legs going for the first time atleast in the Games played here in Vernon. Spruce Grove with some good puck movement created some good quality chances. Ryan Kerr's screened point shot was tipped in front as Gordon was forced to make a big pad save. Josh Koper then cut hard towards the slot, getting off a quick shot but couldnt beat Gordon as the Saints were starting to get some life. Spruce Grove didnt quit and their hard work paid off as former Prince George Spruce King d-man, Wes McLeod setup Kodie Curran who beat Gordon at 10:29 tying the game 1-1. Mcleod with the lone helper. This goal seemed to turn the tables as now it was Spruce Grove who was the team that started to pick up the play. Just three minutes later Malcolm Tomlinson fed Nate Fleming who beat Gordon at 13:50 giving the Saints their first lead in a game since Game 2. Tomlinson with the lone assist. Spruce Grove now seemed to have the Vipers back on their heels. The Saints were now controlling the edge in play and looking like the better of the two teams. Kodie Curran then with a quick shot got through traffic and was tipped in front as the puck just missed the far corner. Spruce Grove really likes to try and go for the tips on a shot from the point. Just four minutes after their last goal Spruce Grove striked again after Curran made a real nice pass over to Josh Koper who ripped it high and over Gordon giving the Saints a 3-1 lead. Spruce Grove won the draw in the Vernon zone, got it back to the point and setup a real nice goal at 17:30 Spruce Grove would get a late powerplay (only one of the night) but were unable to score. On the final shot of the period Sahir Gill with a long slap shot that Vince Marozzi had to make a pad save on at the buzzer. The Vipers controlled the play and were the better of the two teams in the first half of the 2nd but it was the Saints who controlled the play and were the better of the two teams in the second half of the period. It was the Saints that capitalized on their chances scoring three goals in seven minutes. Spruce Grove was up 3-1 after 40 minutes of play. Vernon outshot Spruce Grove 16-11.
3rd Period: Vernon come out flying getting several good chances through out the 3rd. Braden Pimm cut hard towards the net but couldnt beat Marozzi from in close. Kodie Curran who played a heck of a game on the point for the Saints with a great chance to give Spruce Grove a three goal lead wired a hard shot off the post after beating Graeme Gordon. In the first five or so minutes the Vipers with some nice passing couldnt get the bounces as the puck would hit a stick or a skate in front. Dylan Walchuk with wich looked like a sure goal was robbed in the crease after the puck come to Walchuk in the crease, but somehow Vince Marozzi got his stick down at the last second and kept the puck out. Shortly after that Vernon on a three on two, as Mike Collins setup Braden Pimm who went far side to a wide open Cole Ikkala who had a wide open net but couldnt connect on the pass. Vernon with two great chances to tie the game. Give full credit to Spruce Grove's defence who was keeping the Vipers to the outside at times, clogging up the middle and forcing the Vipers to make the quick pass or take the shot in a hurry, putting alot of pressure on the Vernon forwards. Jonathan Milhouse come in one on two but used his speed to get by the one Saints d-man, Milhouse wired a shot off the post, the puck come out the other side where Dan Nycholat's blast just missed the far corner on the other side as the Vipers just wernt getting the bounces. Spruce Grove with very little offence and pressure in the final period as Vernon was pouring on the pressure with all kinds of quality chances. A scramble in front forced Grant Tyson to stop the play as he lost sight of the puck, but Jonathan Milhouse was going for the loose puck on the other side of Vince Marozzi's pad, Milhouse put the puck past Marozzi into the net but the whistle and play had already been blown as some pushing and shoving occured after Milhouse knock the puck into the net. Joshua Lazowski had a great chance but whistled his shot wide over Gordon. Both Connor & Kellen Jones were being tied up or attacked all 3rd period with very little time or space to really do much of anything. Steve Weinsteins shot from the point with no traffic in front was easily stopped by Marozzi. With under two minutes remaining Mark Ferner called a timeout and got Graeme Gordon to the bench for the extra attacker but the Vipers couldnt really muster up any kind of attack as the Saints really forced Vernon with some aggresive forecheck. Spruce Grove with two or three long shots towards the empty net but couldnt get their fourth goal of the night. In the end Spruce Grove kept their season alive for atleast one more game with a big 3-1 win over Vernon. After the buzzer Malcolm Tomlinson went to grab the game puck in the Vipers zone, but Mike Collins beat Tomlinson to the loose puck, Collins skated off the ice before tossing the puck in the crowd. Vernon outshot Spruce Grove 11-5.
Top Players: (Vernon)
Mike Collins (1 goal) I thought Collins played very well up front for Vernon. Collins who scored two goals last night, didnt stand out all that much even though recording two goals. Tonight I thought Mike really skated hard, carried the puck lots and made some real nice heads up plays in the Saints zone to create some chances. Collins who had struggled all postseason has really started to come on in the Doyle Cup and get back on his game.
Dylan Walchuk showed some good hustle and competed hard for his second straight game. Walchuk really battled hard in and along the boards most of tonights game. Had a great chance early in the 3rd to get the Vipers within a goal but somehow was stopped by the stick of Vince Marozzi.
Connor & Kellen Jones couldnt get their regular cycle going but did play well for most of tonights game. The Saints defence did a great job at tying them up, not giving them much time or space in the 3rd. Both Connor & Kellen made some real nice plays in the 1st and 2nd periods.
Braden Pimm (1 assist) I thought Pimm worked very hard tonight, battled hard in and around the net, didnt really have too many good scoring chances but showed some good hustle and competed for most of tonights game.
Garrett Noonan played his second straight good game on the Vernon blueline. Noonan played a solid defensive game for the Vipers tonight.
Top Players: (Spruce Grove)
Kodie Curran (1 goal & 1 assist) Curran played very well on the Saints backend for the second straight night. I have been very impressed with this kid. Scored to tie the game midway through the 2nd period and had a great chance in the 3rd but hit the post. Curran likes to get involved in the play, skates well and has a nice quick shot.
Josh Koper (1 goal) Koper played very well up front for Spruce Grove. Has some nice hands in front, had a few good chances tonight, scored a real nice goal late in the 2nd to give the Saints a two goal lead.
Joshua Lazowski looked pretty good tonight, I dont think Lazowski stood out like he did in Game 4 last night but did manage to get some decent chances through out tonights game.
Nate Fleming (1 goal & 1 assist) I heard so much about Nate Fleming in the first three games up in Spruce Grove but didnt really notice him last night. Tonight was a different story, Fleming scored the game winning goal in the 2nd period. Looked very good with the puck.
Vince Marozzi (37 saves) Vince Marozzi who has started three straight games for the first time all season, gave his team a chance to win and that they did. Marozzi made 11 saves in the opening period making some big saves to keep Vernon off the board and give his team a chance to win. Come up with some big saves on the penalty kill and some huge saves in the 3rd. I dont think you can blae Marozzi for the loss last night.
Game Thoughts: (Vernon)
For two and a half periods Vernon was the better of the two teams but that dosnt always mean your going to win. The Vipers outplayed and outchanced the Saints the entire 1st and 3rd periods but were unable to find the back of the net in both periods. It was the 2nd period where all the scoring was done. Vernon would open the scoring in the middle frame before Spruce Grove come back with three straight goals of their own, wich ended up being the game winner. I thought the Vipers outplayed the Saints in the 1st and 3rd periods and for the first half of the 2nd period. But it was the second half of the 2nd where the Saints stepped up their play and really took it to Vernon at times, capitalzing on their chances, taking advantage of a few Viper mistakes in their own end and scoring some timely goals. Lets also not forget Vernon really struggling on the man advantage going 1-6. Lets face it, the Vipers didnt get the bounces tonight and at times were tied up, forechecked and given no time or space to create or generate any chances. The Vipers will have to re group and come back ready to battle Saturday night in Game 6 for another shot at winning the Doyle Cup.
Game Thoughts: (Spruce Grove)
The Saints stay alive for atleast another game (Game 6) With their season on the line, you knew Spruce Grove who was ranked #1 in all of Canada during the regular season wasnt going to hand the Vipers the Doyle Cup. Im sure this team takes as much pride in themselves just like the Vernon Vipers, so you knew the Saints were going to show alot of desperation and do whatever it was to play another game. Give full credits to the Spruce Grove Saints for picking up their first ever victory at the Wesbild Centre and forcing the Vipers to Game 6. Spruce Grove played a much better game tonight then they did in Game 4 last night. Yes Vernon was the better team, had the better chances and controlled most of the play but give credit to the Saints who looked like they had some jump in their game tonight, they seemed to move the puck out of their own end quicker, scored on their chances, played very well on the penalty kill, and played a solid defensive game as well as got the big saves when needed. Spruce Grove's defence did a much better job, especially in the 3rd at tying the Vipers up, slowing them down, forechecking the forwards into forcing or making the player alot quicker then normally. They also did a great job at shutting down the Jones Twins in the 3rd. Clogged up the middle wich made the Vipers passes hit a stick or skate and not get through. Even though the Saints have been outplayed most of this series, give them credit they dont go away, they always seem to find a way to make it close or interesting in the end.
Scratches:
Vernon:
Darrin Robak
Bryce Kakoske
Trevor Fitzgerald (AP)
Spruce Grove:
Jesse Slobodian
Rory Connop
Brett Switzer (Injured)
Shaun Rolling
3 Stars:
1st Star: Vince Marozzi (37 saves)
2nd Star: Kodie Curran (1 goal & 1 assist)
3rd Star: Mike Collins (1 goal)
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