I was at tonight's Game 3 of the Doyle Cup as Spruce Grove defeated Vernon 5-2 in front of 1,259 fans at the Wesbild Centre.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon: Kirby Halcrow
Spruce Grove: Vincenzo Marozzi
1st Period: A very tight checking defensive game tonight at Wesbild Centre as both teams didnt give each other a whole lot of room. Some good end to end play but with very few scoring chances. Vipers captain, David Robinson with a nice wrist shot from the circle just a few minutes into the 1st just missed the far corner. The Saints would get a shot from the corner that gave Kirby Halcrow a little trouble but Halcrow made the save. Marcus Basara with a low wrist shot from the circle couldnt beat Vincenzo Marozzi who made a nice blocker save. It took Vernon almost six minutes to record their first shot on net while Spruce Grove with just a single shot on goal in the first seven minutes. The Saints would get the games first powerplay but the Vipers penalty kill was good not allowing Spruce Grove to record a single shot as the Vipers killed off the minor. Just six minutes later the Saints would get another shot with the man advantage and this time capitalize. Captain, Bryce Van Brabant standing in the crease was giving Kirby Halcrow all kinds of trouble seeing the puck as Halcrow was busy trying to push-shove Van Brabant out of the crease, Scott Allens long shot beat wich looked to be a screened Halcrow glove side at 14:45 giving the Saints first blood and a 1-0 lead for the first time in this series. Dustin Fostvelt and Corey Chorneyko drew the assists. Spruce Grove is 9-0 when scoring first in the playoffs, while Vernon is 2-4 when giving up the first goal during the playoffs. Just three and a half minutes later Vernon would go on a four minute powerplay after Matthew Benning was called for spearing. The Vipers didnt waist much time moving the puck well, Bryce Kakoske setup David Robinson in front who was stopped by Vincenzo Marozzi on the first shot but scored on the rebound at 18:53 tying the game 1-1. Kakoske and Adam Thompson with the helpers. With the Vipers still on the man advantage, Spruce Grove would take another penalty off the draw giving Vernon a two man advantage. The Vipers moved the puck well but didnt get any real qulity shots before Adam Thompson jumped up into the play in the dying seconds, Thompson couldnt reach the long pass out front on a great scoring chance just before the buzzer. A very even played period as both teams wernt giving one another much room. It was tied 1-1 after 20 minutes of play. Vernon outshot Spruce Grove 6-5.
2nd Period: The Vipers started the middle frame still on the two man advantage that was carried over from the opening period. Adam Thompson's big blast from the point got through traffic but couldnt get past Marozzi who made the big save. Vernon moved the puck well but only managed three shots and were unable to capitalize. The Saints who tied the game last night with an early 2nd period marker took advantage of a turnover early in the Vipers zone to start the 2nd period tonight. Malcolm Lyles with a turnover in his own end allowed Scott Allen to use his size and strength and power towards the goal, falling into Kirby Halcrow and then pushing the puck and Halcrow into the cage giving the Saints a 2-1 lead at 3:41, Allen's goal was unassisted. Halcrow and the Vipers wanted a goaltender interference call on the goal but the goal stood. Off the next draw the Vipers come out with some big checks laying the body as the physical play really picked up on both sides as both teams started laying out some big hits. Malcolm Lyles would get a great chance to redeem himself after a nice little rush up ice, went through two Saints defenders before being stopped in close by Vincenzo Marozzi. Vernon would get another good scoring chance in close but Marozzi once again come up with the save. The Vipers would get a powerplay just before the midway mark but struggle as the Saints penalty kill with a fairly easy kill killed off the minor. Just after the penalty kill Spruce Grove with an odd man rush but Kirby Halcrow made a nice save to keep this a one goal game. The Vipers would then get another shot with the man advantage but again it was the Saints penalty kill that was very strong not giving up a single shot killing off the minor. Another tight checking period with both teams not giving one another a whole heck of alot of room out there. With two close back to back powerplays the Vipers carried the better of the play in the second half of the period. In the dying seconds Dylan Walchuk downlow fed David Robinson who was going to the goal a nice pass through the crease but Robinson just missed the net on a great chance to tie the game. Spruce Grove with a 2-1 lead after 40 minutes of play. The Vipers outshot the Saints 12-10.
3rd Period: Darren Nowick would take an undisaplined penalty early to start the 3rd wich just about put his team down two goals after Josh Koper beat Halcrow from the circle but hit the post. The Vipers penalty kill was very good killing off the minor. Just as Nowick stepped out of the box, Dylan Walchuk waited for Nowick to gain the zone and then fed Nowick alone in the high slot, but Vincenzo Marozzi made a huge game saver keeping this game 2-1. Just over a minute later the TSN turning point. Aaron Hadley would get four minutes for high sticking sending the Saints on the powerplay and Spruce Grove waisted little time. Josh Koper beat Kirby Halcrow glove side at 5:35 giving the Saints a 3-1 lead. Koper's goal was unassisted. Just thirty six seconds later Corey Chorneyko fed a wide open Josh Keizer who hit the open cage at 6:11 giving Spruce Grove a 4-1 lead. Chorneyko and Dustin Fostvelt collected their second assists of the night. After the goal Corey Chorneyko was given a Unsportsmanlike Conduct penalty after it looked like he said something as he skated by the Vernon bench. With the Vipers on the powerplay, Mike Zalewski and Malcolm Lyles were both stoned by Marozzi who come up with two big saves keeping the Vipers off the scoreboard. Josh Koper would almost get a shorthanded breakaway before Brett Corkey jumped back into the play to steal the puck from Koper. The Saints would kill off the minor. About a minute and a half later the Vipers would get the puck in deep and with some good pressure, Dane Muench's backhand beat Marozzi at 9:42 cutting the lead to 4-2. Patrick McGillis and Dylan Walchuk with the assists. Jason McKee would call his timeout. This goal seemed to give Vernon a little life as the Vipers slowly started to carry the play and create some chances. The Vipers with some good pressure couldnt find the back of the net before Spruce Grove started to collapse around the front of the net and shut down the Vipers offence. The Saints who were in the Vipers faces all night, were really forcing the Vipers from all angles. Spruce Grove would now just get the puck to center before dumping it in deep and changing lines. Darren Nowick with a great chance from the high slot was once again stoned by Marozzi for the second time tonight with about two and a half minutes remaining. The Vipers would get Kirby Halcrow to the bench for the extra man with 1:38 remaining but Josh Koper would hit the open cage at 18:33 giving Spruce Grove the 5-2 lead and seal the victory giving the Saints a 2-1 series lead. The Vipers outshot the Saints 11-4.
Top Players: (Vernon)
Brett Corkey has been one of the Vipers better d-men in the Doyle Cup as Corkey played very well this evening.
Dylan Walchuk (1 assist) Played his final game as a Viper at the Wesbild Centre was very strong up front for the Vipers. Walchuk who always seemed to have atleast one Saint on him, seemed to find ways to get through or out of a tight situation and still manage to setup or create chances.
David Robinson (1 goal) The Vipers captain and Vernon product played his final game in a Viper jersey in front of fans, friends and family. Robinson played a hard fought game, had some real good chances tonight but only managed the lone powerplay goal.
The line of Aaron Hadley, Zach McPhee and Trevor Fitzgerald played very well for most of the night. Zach McPhee who's WHL rights are held by the Everett Silvertips may have played his final game as a Viper on home ice. McPhee played in a few games with the Tips this season, so speculation is McPhee may head to Everett next season. I thought this line banged and crashed and opened up a little ice at times. All three young men worked and battled hard.
Patrick McGillis (1 assist) McGillis battled and worked hard all night, was very good at both ends of the rink.
Top Players: (Spruce Grove)
Dustin Fostvelt (2 assists) Played very well on the Saints backend.
Bryce Van Brabant I thought worked & battled hard most of the night.
Josh Koper (2 goals) Played a strong game up front for Spruce Grove. Koper was one of the better Saints forwards who created some good chances. Come close to scoring early in the 3rd but hit the post.
Scott Allen (2 goals and 1 assist) For the second straight night Allen was a workhorse and very hard to knock off the puck scoring two big goals for the Saints. Allen really used his size and muscle up front to knock around several Viper players.
Corey Chorneyko (2 assists) Was another Spruce Grove forward who played well up front.
Vincenzo Marozzi (27 saves) Marozzi who has played very well in all three games of the Doyle Cup come up with a few big game savers keeping this a one goal game. Marozzi's big save in close off Darren Nowick just before the Saints two powerplay goals was one as well as making two big saves off Mike Zalewski and Malcolm Lyles on a Vernon powerplay in the 3rd. Marozzi come up with the big saves when needed.
Game Thoughts: (Vernon)
After winning nine straight playoff games, the Vipers have dropped their final two games on home ice with back to back losses to the Saints. Tonight was a very good, tight checking defensive game on both sides. The Vipers who fell down 1-0 battled back to tie the game but just couldnt capitalize on several chances in the 2nd to tie the game again. I thought Vernon had the better of the scoring chances tonight but couldnt find the back of the net. Specialty teams was the difference as the Vipers with just a single powerplay goal couldnt capitalize with the man advantage. The Saints really forced the Vipers and were attacking them from all angles for most of the night, as the Vipers had troubles getting through towards the front of the net and getting quality shots on goal. If Vernon wants to be successful beating Vincenzo Marozzi they are going to have to try and find ways in getting more traffic and pucks towards the goal, make life hard for Marozzi who saw most of the Viper shots the past two games. Vernon also needs to shoot more with the man advantage, waisted alot of valuable time passing the puck around. A little disapointing to see the Vipers lose their final home game of the season in front of a very small (pathetic) crowd.
Game Thoughts: (Spruce Grove)
Well for the second straight night, the Saints come up with a huge victory giving them a 2-1 series lead heading home for the remainder of the series. Spruce Grove didnt get a heck of alot of scoring chances, compared to the Vipers but scored on their opportunities. The Saints really played physical and used their size and physical strength to slow down the Vipers speed and skill. Spruce Grove didnt give Vernon alot of room, playing very well defensively in front of Vincenzo Marozzi. Two quick back to back powerplay goals were the difference tonight, but I have to say the Saints first two goals of the game shouldnt have counted. Scott Allen's first goal should have been waived off due to Bryce Van Brabant in the crease. Brabant was well inside the blue paint causing havoc for Kirby Halcrow. Van Brabant could have easily been called for goaltender interference as well. On the Saints 2nd goal Scott Allen should have been called for goaltender interference. Allen drove hard towards the net and then fell onto Halcrow, before shoving the puck and Halcrow into the cage. Give the Saints credit they come into Vernon and head home with a 2-1 series lead.
Scratches:
Vernon:
Phillip Patenaude
Kyle Murphy
Colton Sparrow
Spruce Grove:
Kristopher Dalton
Brendan McCalpin (AP)
David Dotan
Brian Sommers (AP)
3 Stars:
1st Star: Scott Allen (2 goals & 1 assist)
2nd Star: Josh Koper (2 goals)
3rd Star: Patrick McGillis (1 assist)
For more on tonight's game check out the boxscore,
http://www.esportsdesk.com/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=2668&leagueID=6616&gameID=945834&link=DoyleCup
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