Defensive Miscues Cost Vipers:

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Defensive Miscues Cost Vipers
 
Friday, December 21, 2012 - Submitted by Don Klepp

Despite a valiant effort by rugged D-man Ryan Renz, the Vipers succumbed to the Merritt Centennials 6-1 on Friday.  The opportunistic Cents were led by Regan Soquila`s five points.

Soquila potted the first two Merritt goals in the first period. The first came at 4:08 - Derek Huisman was allowed to roam unmolested along the left boards and he fed Soquila for an uncontested shot from 10 feet.

At 10:42 Soquila was left alone in front of Austin Smith and when Huisman's weak shot bounced off a Viper and into the crease, Soquila had an easy tap-in.

Shots and scoring chances were even in the first period, but the Cents came away with a 2-0 lead, and that's essentially how the game went.  Although the Vipers matched the Cents in creating chances while playing hard in the offensive zone, their defensive zone coverage and intensity lacked consistency. The second period provided a case in point. They created six scoring chances but were unable to beat Tyler Steel while the Cents capitalized on two of their chances, mainly because they were quicker to the puck than Viper defenders.

Ryan Renz, on the other hand, played his heart out, challenging Merritt forwards at every turn and dishing out hellacious hits. He was credited with 10 of the Vipers' 32 hits in the game. He also got involved in several rushes and played a part in the Vipers' lone goal, although he wasn't credited with an assist on a Dexter Dancs power play marker during a scramble in the third period.

Renz and Aaron Hadley were part of the "Castlegar Crush," a new Viper power play formation that had the two Castlegar products create havoc in front of Tyler Steel while Adam Tambellini took shots from the point.

Huisman and Soquila notched power play markers in the third period, Soquila's hat trick goal coming at 19:59 as the Viper defenders were thinking about getting to their dressing room.

The game included two fights in the third period as the Vipers' frustrations boiled over. Colton Sparrow tangled with Brendan Lamont while Aaron Hadley danced with Silvan Harper.

In the first period, Pearce Eviston drew a fighting major and instigator penalty for going after Dylan Chanter, who had rammed Brendan Persley into the boards from behind. 

The Vipers held the Centennials without a scoring chance during the ensuing five-minute power play and generally played well on the penalty kill. However, a lack of focus gave the Centennials two easy power play markers late in the game.

For the second straight game, AP Alex Gran played well on defence for the Vipers in a limited role. Brett Corkey and Geoff Crisfield remain out of the Viper lineup with injuries suffered last Friday versus Penticton. They will miss tomorrow's 7:30 re-match in Merritt.