For anyone who could not attend or watch tonight’s Vipers game here are my
thoughts and views from tonight’s game. You may agree or disagree but we all
have our own view and opinion on any game we watch. This is my opinion and my
thoughts on how I saw tonight’s game. I try to be unbiased and give a fare recap
on both sides. Thanks for stopping by & visiting my blog.
I was at tonight's BCHL game as Trail defeated Vernon 2-1 in double overtime in front of 1,647 fans at the Wesbild Centre.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon: Austin Smith
Trail: Lyndon Stanwood
Before the game former Vernon Vipers captain Lennie Rampone presented Vipers defenceman Ryan Renz Vipers player of the month award for the month of October.
1st Period: Ryan Renz carried the play into the Trail zone off the opening faceoff, wich resulted in the Vipers gaining control early and just thirty seconds into the contest the Vipers with a quick shot from in close hit someone in front as a mad scramble in front of Lyndon Stanwood before Trail was able to clear the zone . Vernon would open the scoring early after TJ Dumonceaux turned on the jets, put a nice move around his man before making another slick in move tight beat Lyndon Standwood giving the Vipers the 1-0 lead at 2:17 Dumonceaux's goal was unassisted. The Vipers who defeated the Smoke Eaters 9-2 last weekend in Trail really had their legs going in the first period playing with alot of jump. Moving the puck well and playing with energy the Vipers were carrying the better of the play early as Trail needed almost three minutes to record their first shot on goal. Vernon was the better of the two teams for most of the opening period but didnt get alot of good scoring chances but did carry the play. Pearce Eviston was robbed by the quick glove off Lyndon Stanwood. Trail would get the games first powerplay after the Vipers were called for too many men on the ice. A quick shot from the point missed the net but Smokies leading scorer Brent Baltus alone in front couldnt connect off the rebound off the end boards missing a great opportunity as Trail would get just a single shot with the man advantage before the Vipers would kill off the penalty. Just over two minutes later the Smoke Eaters would get their second powerplay of the night but this time it was the Vipers who on a three on two shorthanded rush couldnt find the net as Trail couldnt capitalize with the man advantage. Trail gained a little momentum from the powerplay and come back with a few hard working shifts before Vernon would get a late powerplay. The Vipers with just one shot were unable to capitalize as Trail would kill off the minor. Not alot of scoring opportunities in the 1st period from both teams as Vernon did carry the better of the play for most of the period. The Vipers were up 1-0 after 20 minutes of play. Shots were even 6-6.
2nd Period: Just two and a half minutes into the middle frame Michael Roberts would get a breakaway but Lyndon Stanwood would close the fivehole at the last second making a huge save off the Viper rookie. Trail come ready to play in the 2nd period and played very hard in a very tight checking defensive period. Four and a half minutes into the period Viper captain Brett Corkey made a huge defensive play breaking up Garrett McMullen and Scott Davidson's two on one. Trail who was skating hard and playing a very solid road game most of the night was really pressing hard and outskating the Vipers early and often resulting in several odd man rushes. Joren Johnson and Connor Collett with a two on one couldnt beat Austin Smith who stopped Johnson keeping Vernon in the hockey game. The Smokies with atleast two or three great chances from the slot missed the net from in close. Braeden Russell with two back to back chances couldnt get the puck up and over Stanwood who made a nice sliding save off Russell on his second opportunity of the period. Trail outskated and outhustled the Vipers in the first half got their third powerplay of the night around the halfway mark but again Vernon with a good penalty kill would excape killing off the minor. Just after the penalty expired the Vipers would get their second powerplay of the game. On the man advantage Austin Smith got caught behind his goal coughed the puck up to Brent Baltus who fed a wide open Garrett McMullen who was robbed by Smith who somehow got back into the play making a diving save keeping this a one goal game. The Vipers with just one shot couldnt capitalize with the man advantage. Vernon would then get a late powerplay but again couldnt capitalize. The Smoke Eaters played very well defensively getting in the shooting lanes, and breaking up most of Vernon's passes. The Vipers with a few little flurry of chances couldnt match Trail's hard work and gritty defensive play as the Smokies were the better of the two teams in the second frame. Vernon was up 1-0 after 40 minutes of play. The Smoke Eaters outshot the Vipers 8-7.
3rd Period: For the second straight period the Smoke Eaters come out hard and looked like the hungrier team. The Smokies with a great chance early to tie the game come very close after Valik Chichkin's point shot hit someone or something on it's way towards the goal and just missed the net. A few shifts later the hard work by the Smoke Eaters paid off after some good pressure (Garrett McMullen, Brent Baltus & Valik Chichkin) went to work and with some nice three way passing tied the game. McMullen setup Chichkin who fed a wide open Baltus who hit the open cage as Trail fooled Smith tying the game at 4:07 Chichkin and McMullen with the helpers. The Vipers come back with some nice passing of their own setting up Adam Tambellini who missed a open cage at the side of the goal on a real nice setup. Again it was the Smoke Eaters who were outskating and simply outhustling the Vipers most of the period. Vernon just couldnt seem to get their legs going as Trail was shutting down the Vipers defensively on most of their chances. Again not alot of scoring opportunities. The Vipers didnt get any bounces all night as any pass or shot was either blocked, tipped or hit someone or something along the way. Give full credit to Trail who was getting in the shooting or passing lanes and blocking alot of Vernon's shots. The Vipers finally seemed to get some energy and come up with a few good plays but again no real good scoring chances. Adam Tambellini beat Lyndon Stanwood but hit the crossbar with seven minutes remaining, two minutes later Mitch Van Teeling with a quick low shot from the slot beat Stanwood fivehole as the puck laid in the crease before the Smokies were able to clear the puck as a charging Tambellini was going hard to the net as the Vipers come close to breaking the tie late with two real good chances. Trail really poured on the pressure late and took over the edge in play in the final three-four minutes. Shane Poulsen's point shot was tipped in front as the puck looked to take a funny bounce, Austin Smith had to be alert making a diving save with traffic crashing the crease on a close call. The Smoke Eaters were buzzing in and around the Vernon zone creating chances making everyone nervous in the stands. Marley Keca who attended the Vipers training camp a few years ago ripped a hard low shot from the point that again was tipped or redirected on its way towards the net just went wide. The Vipers who couldnt clear the zone made several turnovers in their own end had troubles with the Smokies attack late but would excape as the game was heading into overtime. Trail for the second straight period looked to be the better of the two teams, the Smokies who were skating and working very hard played very well at both ends of the rink. Trail outskated and outworked the Vipers for most of the period. Vernon did have some great chances but didnt have the puck offensively much. Trail with a very gritty hard working road game. The Smoke Eaters outshot Vernon 13-10.
Overtime: A very slow paced period with very little action as both teams really slowed the game down almost looking for the other team to make the first mistake. TJ Dumonceaux turned the puck over in the Trail zone giving the Smoke Eaters a three on two, with a quick shot from the slot Smith was forced to make a save before Trail come close but missed on the rebound. Not alot of action as the game was still tied 1-1 after 65 minutes. Shots were even 2-2.
Double Overtime: Just twenty eight seconds into the final period Shane Poulsen setup former Braden Pears who was stopped by Smith before former WHLer Jesse Knowler beat Smith on the rebound for the OT winner as the Smokies bench erupted onto the ice. Trail outshot Vernon 1-0.
Top Players: (Vernon)
Adam Tambellini who looks and plays good almost every night was good this evening. Tambellini who saw a ton of ice tonight was out on almost every second shift. Come very close to breaking the 1-1 tie on a nice feed down low missed the open cage before ringing a shot off the crossbar with seven minutes to go. I thought Tambellini fought hard and earned his icetime tonight.
Craig Martin who has really come along way since the start of the season is slowly starting to shine and played well tonight. Had a few chances as well as put on some nice moves creating some plays.
TJ Dumonceaux (1 goal) Is another player who is improving and getting better as the seaon goes on. Plays with alot of hustle and works hard all night, scored a real nice goal to open the scoring played well tonight.
Mitch McAllister I thought showed alot of energy and played hard.
Mitch Van Teeling who I didnt really notice much in the first two periods I thought come to play in the third and played well. A hard working kid who battled and worked hard in the third going to the net and getting pucks towards the net. Come very close to putting Vernon ahead after beating Lyndon Stanwood fivehole but the puck just didnt have enough mustard on it to get through and across the goal line.
Geoff Crisfield played well on the Vipers backend. I thought played very well in the 1st period.
Ryan Renz I thought also played very well for the Vipers tonight.
Game Thoughts: (Vernon)
The Vipers end their three game losing streak with their sixth overtime loss of the season. I thought the Vipers who come out strong, were skating hard and played with alot of energy. Vernon opened the scoring early and outplayed Trail for most of the first period. But the Vipers seemed to quit skating and were outskated-outworked by a hard working Trail team and that looked hungry and determined for the victory. The Vipers who gave up several odd man rushes looked to be back on their heels in the third and barley hung on for the single point late in the hockey game with Trail pouring on the pressure. The Vipers just coukdnt seem to generate many offensive opportunities. Vernon didnt get any bounces or breaks tonight, most of if not all of their passes were blocked, tipped or just not getting through as the Smokies did a great job at getting in the shooting-passing lanes giving the Vipers all kinds of trouble offensively. Tonight was a big game and now Vernon falls one point back of the Smoke Eaters into 5th place. A very dissapointing loss for sure. The Vipers need to regroup and come back with a sixty minute effort tomorrow night vs Surrey. Former Vernon Viper defencemen Lennie Rampone & Cody Bostock were both at tonight's game.
Top Players: (Trail)
Marley Keca who was released by the Vipers a few years back played well on the Smokies blueline.
Shane Poulsen (1 assist) also played very well on Trails backend. Jumped up into the play making several nice passes up ice resulting in a scoring play.
Valik Chichkin (1 assist) Also played well at both ends of the rink.
Brent Baltus (1 goal) & Garrett McMullen (1 assist) were dangerous together up front for Trail. The two played very well together and seemed to know where each other were at all times making some nice plays. Baltus was all over the ice tonight, very dangerous. McMullen also all over the ice was always involved in the play.
Game Thoughts: (Trail)
After a 9-2 loss on home ice last weekend Trail comes into Vernon and picks up there first win at the Wesbild Centre in four years. Trails last win in Vernon was a 5-2 victory back on Saturday, October 4th
2008 Since the 2003-04 regular season Vernon is 25-4-0-1 at home vs. Trail. Give Trail full credit after a not so hot first period the Smoke Eaters regrouped and played much better in the 2nd and 3rd periods. I thought the Smokies skated, and worked extremely hard. Trail outskated and outhustled the Vipers in the final two periods and deserved full credit for the win. The Smokies played a very greasy road game, played well defensively not giving up alot of chances and played very well in front of Lyndon Stanwood. Trail blocked alot of Vernon's shots, got in the shooting-passing lanes and didnt allow the Vipers to generate alot of scoring plays. This is one of the best games I have seen Trail play here in several years. The Smokies played a hard fought road game, it wasnt pretty but they got the two points. This team was hard to play against tonight and if they keep playing like this will be tough as the season continues. Trail now with wins in four of their last five games.
Scratches:
Vernon:
Aaron Hadley (Playing at World Jr A Challenge)
Colton Sparrow (Injured)
Brendan Persley (Injured)
Trail:
Braeden Jones
Luke Sandler
Bryce Knapp
Braden Krogfoss
Vipers energy player of the game:
Craig Martin
Three Stars:
1st Star: Jesse Knowler (OT Winner)
2nd Star: TJ Dumonceaux (1 goal)
3rd Star: Brent Baltus (1 goal)
For more on tonight's game visit the boxscore,
http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=1102913&link=bchl
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