I was at tonight's RBC Cup Final as Pembroke defeated the defending back to back Ryal Bank Cup Champion Vernon Vipers 2-0 at the Edgeworth Centre.
Starting Galtenders:
Vernon: Kirby Halcrow
Pembroke: Francis Dupuis
1st Period: In the opening minute Tyler Tosunian with a shot from the corner beat Kirby Halcrow but hit the crossbar on a great chance early. The Lumber Kings played very defensively against the defending champs shutting down the Vipers offence. Vernon was unable to get much going early. The Lumber Kings did a great job at containing the Vipers speed and skill as Vernon had troubles breaking out of their own end. As the period got going the Vipers did manage to get into the Pembroke zone, creating a few chances but the Lumber Kings defence did a great job at keeping the Vipers to the outside. Other then Tyler Tosunian hitting the crossbar no real scoring chances. Just past the midway mark Vernon would get the games first powerplay but it was the Lumber Kings penalty kill that did a good job at killing off the penalty. This powerplay seemed to help the Vipers giving them a little momentum and seemed to carry the better of the play for the remainder of the game. The Vipers with some presure down low unable to generate alot of good scoring chances before Bryce Kakoske with a shot from the circle was stopped in front by Francis Dupuis who made the save before Vipers captain, David Robinson on the rebound couldnt get the puck past Dupuis. On the same shift the puck come back to Kakoske who ripped a hard shot but Francis Dupuis made a heck of a glove save with just over three minutes remaining. The Vipers who looked nervous couldnt seem to find their legs as it was 0-0 after 20 minutes of play. Vernon outshot Pembroke 15-5.
2nd Period: Three minutes into the middle frame Bryce Kakoske with a nice feed setup David Robinson at the side of the net who was robbed by Francis Dupuis who made a huge pad save keeping the game scoreless. On the next shift Adam Thompson made a big defensive play breaking up a Lumber Kings two on one. Just a few minutes later Darren Nowick got in behind the Pembroke defence but once again Dupuis made a big pag save coming across the crease to rob Nowick. From here on in the umber Lumber Kings gained momentum and really took it to Vernon. The Vipers hemmend in their own end at times were having troube with the Pembroke attack. A quick pass from behind the net setup Kyle Just who ripped a hard shot off Kirby Hacrow's mask. Halcrow had to be sharp as the Lumber Kings with good presure outplayed Vernon for most of the period. The Lumber Kings were very good down low winning most of the battles getting some real good quality chances from in tight. Halcrow made a furry of saves off a few Lumber Kings chances in close. Pembroke was the better of the two teams and carried most of the play, but it was still 0-0 after 40 minutes of play. The Lumber Kings outshot the Vipers 15-11.
3rd Period: Vernon would get a powerplay and their second of the game just twenty five seconds into the final frame. But once again the Lumber Kings penalty kill was very good killing off the minor. Pembroke would then get a great chance early into the 3rd after Matthew Peca was able to walk in and then feed a wide open Mitchell Gallant who was robbed by Kirby Hacrow who come across the crease to get a peice of the puck. From here on in the Vipers seemed to get their legs going and come up with some good chances. Darren Nowick with a great chance on the wrap around but ran out of steam before getting off a weak shot. Marcus Basara with a quick shot from the circle was stopped by Francis Dupuis who played very well between the pipes for the Lumber Kings. Patrick McGillis with another chance from the slot coudnt beat Dupuis. With six and a half minutes remaining the Vipers won the draw getting the puck back to Ryan Renz whos quick point shot was blocked by Jonathan Milley who went in on the clear cut breakaway, before beating Halcrow fivehole at 13:39 giving Pembroke a 1-0 lead. Milley's goal was unassisted. The Vipers didnt quit and battled back hard, really pressing deep in the Lumber Kings zone. Some good chances early before Pembroke put up a giant wall in front of Francis Dupuis as the Lumber Kings defence collapsed in front of the net blocking several Vernon shots as time was winding down on Vernon's season. In the final three minutes the Vipers with presure for the game tying goal couldnt seem to get a pass or a shot through as Pemrboke was doing whatever it took to get in the Vernon shooting lanes. Kirby Halcrow would get to the bench for the extra attacker but Jonathan Milley's shot from his own end hit the empty cage putting an end to the Vipers season and crowning a new National Champion as the Lumber Kings bench erupted in joy. Mark Ferner would call a timeout with nineteen seconds remaining but time was a factor as in the end the Pembroke Lumber Kings ended the Vernon Vipers season winning the 2011 RBC Cup with a defensive 2-0 victory for their first ever National Championship. Vernon carried the better of the play in the second half but it wasnt enough. The Vipers outshot the Lumber Kings 14-8.
Top Players: (Vernon)
Adam Thompson who was very strong for the Vipers at the RBC Cup played a very strong game on the Vernon blueline.
John Knisley played very well up front for the Vernon Vipers. Knisley was one of the more effective Vipers that was able to generate some offence and create some chances.
Mike Zalewski was Vernon's best player tonight. Zalewski was really on his game, really used his speed and strength up front to get several good chances. The Lumber Kings had trouble containing Zalewski.
Bryce Kakoske played very well for the Vipers in his final junior game. The Vernon product battled and competed hard.
Kirby Halcrow (27 saves) Kept the Vipers in the game especially in the 2nd period when Vernon was under attack with the Lumber Kings putting on good presure deep in the Vernon zone. Halcrow made several key saves keeping the game scoreless.
Top Players: (Pembroke)
Francis Dupuis (40 saves-shutout) Played a very strong game winning the RBC Cup. Dupuis made several good saves keeping the game scoreless. Played his position very well, didnt give up alot of rebounds and gave his team a chance to win.
Will Seeber was very strong playing a defensive game on the Lumber Kings blueline.
Ben Reinhardt also played very well on the Pembroke backend.
Matthew Peca who looked very strong for the Lumber Kings all tournament played very well tonight. Was very good on the draw.
Stefan Salituro was also very strong for the Lumber Kings. Played very well tonight. A good strong, fast skater.
Kyle Just another kid who played and looked very strong for Pembroke all tournament was very good in the Final game.
Jonathan Milley (2 goals) Milley scored the game winner on a breakaway after getting his stick on Ryan Renz's point shot. Milley then added the empty netter securing Pembroke's first ever RBC Cup title.
Game Thoughts: (Vernon)
First off Id like to take this time to congratulate the Vernon Vipers and the entire organization on a terrific season and a great run coming one game short of making history. You all should be very proud and keep your heads high, you made us all and the city of Vernon very proud!! I dont think the Vipers played their best game looking very nervous early and often making mistakes, turning over the puck and just couldnt seem to get the bounces. On any scoring chance the Vipers did get, Francis Dupuis made several huge saves to keep Vernon off the score board. The Vipers just couldnt seem to break out of their own end, use their speed and skill down low ad control the play along the boards. This wasnt the same Vipers team I saw-watched all season and into the RBC Cup, you have to wonder with all the presure on this young team, it was just too much for them to take in the end. The Vernon Lakers-Vipers are now 6-1 in the Championship game. A very dissapointing loss for sure, In a game where I think the Vipers and their fans thought would be history in the making. At the buzzer watching the Lumber Kings jumping over the boards to watch the faces of the Vipers bench was very sad. These young kids-men poured everything into this season and emptied the tank, leaving everything on the ice. Several tears on the faces of all the Viper players, along with several Viper fans. In the end after looking back at the season and who would have guessed the Vipers with sixteen new players would even get this far. Congrats on a great season and a great playoff run!! To all the veteran players or players that wont be retruning next season, I wish you all the best in your hockey or life careers. Thanks for nothing but great memories!! Looking very forward to next season already.
Game Thoughts: (Pembroke)
First off Id like to take this time to congratulate the Pembroke Lumber Kings on a great season and knocking off the two time defending National Champions. The last time a defending RBC Cup champion had their title removed was the 2008 Humboldt Broncos who ended up falling short in the 2009 RBC Cup to the evenual champion Vernon Vipers. To be the champs, you have to beat the champs and thats what Pembroke did. After the Vipers defeated Pembroke on Thursday 5-3 in the round robin, I didnt think the Lumber Kings gave the Vipers much of a scare but tonight was a different day and different game. It's like the Lumber Kings watched the tapes and played Vernon's game to a tee. Full credits to the Pembroke Lumber Kings who played a very solid defensive game shutting down the Vipers speed and skill. Pembroke was the better team in the end, giving Vernon all kinds of trouble breaking out of their own end. Won more draws, battles along the boards and blocked as well as did a great job at blocking the shooting lanes. A very well played game. This was a different hockey club compared to the same team I watched just a few nights back. I dont think anyone gave the Lumber Kings much of a chance after going 1-3 in the round robin, but with two huge wins over Camrose in the semi-final and then a 2-0 win over Vernon tonight, the Lumber Kings seemed to play better and improve in the later stages. To all the veteran players or players that wont be back next season, all the best! Nice to see a pretty good turnout of fans that made the long trip to Alberta to see their team win the RBC Cup. Congrats on a terrific season!
Scratches:
Vernon:
Max Mowat
Trevor Fitzgerald
Zach McPhee
Pembroke:
Sam Gleason
Zach Loesch
Patrice Wren
Ted Pietsch
Chris Bodo
Matthew Boudens
Players of the game:
Vernon:
Adam Thompson
Pembroke:
Francis Dupuis (40 saves-shutout)
For more on tonight's game check out the boxscore,
http://www.hockeycanada.ca/index.php/ci_id/75138/la_id/1/game_id/157751/season_id/157706/ss_id/73728/
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