Powell River 6 Vernon 0

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 game as Powell River defeated Vernon 6-0 in front of 1,820 fans at the Wesbild Centre.

Starting Goaltenders:

Vernon:  Austin Smith
Powell River:  Jonah Imoo

1st Period:  The Vipers got off to a quick start, getting the play in deep early didnt generate much offensive chances but were outshooting the Kings 4-0 early before Teagan Waugh & Evan Richardson come back the other way on a two on one.  Waugh fired and missed the goal on a good early chance.  At 4:59 Drew Dorantes beat Austin Smith on the Kings first shot of the game giving Powell River the early 1-0 lead.  Matt Dupont and Brian Rideout collected the helpers.  Less then three minutes later the Kings would get the games first powerplay and capitalize early.  Noah Henry went upstairs beating Smith at 7:41 giving Powell River a 2-0 lead.  Evan Richardson and Drew Dorantes picked up the assists.  This goal seemed to give the Kings a little extra boost and take some of the life out from the Vernon Vipers as Powell River seemed to gain some momentum and slowly began to carry the play.  Just past the midway mark Vernon would get their first powerplay.  Andrew Tegeler setup Brendan Persley who was all alone in front but couldnt beat Jonah Imoo who made a huge save as the Kings would kill off the penalty.  Just after the penalty Mitch McAllister & Logan Mick would get a great chance on a two on one but it was Jordan Paddock who made a huge defensive play blocking McAllister's pass breaking up Vernon's odd man rush.  McAllister did manage to get the rebound but was stopped by Imoo.  Back come the Kings on the next play but Austin Smith made a big save off Matt Dupont.  Powell River would go ahead 3-0 after Jordan Benton scored at 14:10 on a soft goal Austin Smith would like to have back.  Evan Richardson and James Neil picked up the assists.  This was the end of the night for Smith who gave up three goals on just six Powell River shots.  Danny Todosychuk who played Wednesday was forced to make a few big saves early after making a quick glove save off JP Villeneuve and then back to back saves in close off Drew Dorantes.  The Kings wernt finished jumped ahead 4-0 on a goal by JP Villeneuve at 18:42 the goal was unassisted.  The Vipers got off to a quick start but gave up two quick goals early and couldnt recover were outplayed most of the opening period.  Powell River was up 4-0 after 20 minutes of play.  The Kings outshot the Vipers 12-6.

2nd Period:  The Vipers got the puck in deep off the opening faceoff, just twenty six seconds into the middle frame the Vipers setup Brett Corkey whos point shot got through traffic but Jonah Imoo somehow made a tough blocker save.  Vernon seemed to rebound after a shaky opening period giving up four goals played much better early as some quick pace made for a very fast second period as both teams went back and forth with very little chances.  Mitch McAllister on a three on two couldnt connect on his pass missed on a good scoring play.  Both teams were very evenly matched in the first half getting a single shot each in the first ten minutes.  The second half of the period was a different story.  James Neil gave Powell River a 5-0 lead at 11:09 with Jordan Benton picking up the lone helper.  Less then two minutes later JP Villeneuve's lazer of a shot from just inside the Viper blueline beat Danny Todosychuk at 12:51 giving the Kings a comanding 6-0 lead.  Villeneuve's goal was unassisted.  Powell River carried the better of the play and showed alot of hustle through out the middle frame.  Mitch McAllister took a hard shot off his wrist and looked to be in some pain but stayed in the game.  The Kings would get their second powerplay of the night late but unable to capitalize after the Vipers killed off the minor.  The Vipers who played much better in the first half couldnt get much going in the second half.  Powell River was up 6-0 after 40 minutes of play.  The Kings outshot the Vipers 8-5.

3rd Period:  Jordan Burns with an early shot from the point got through traffic in front as the puck hit someone in front just missing the net on a close call.  With Powell River up 6-0 the Kings took their foot off the gas sitting back offensively for most of the final frame.  Vernon who carried the better of the play did get a few chances here and there but nothing outstanding.  The Kings were outshooting the Vipers 21-12 early in the third before the Vipers come roaring back evening the shots on goal at one point.  Mason Blacklock who didnt look too bad tonight had a decent chance in the third but was stopped by Jonah Imoo.  With 4:09 remaining Andrew Tegeler alone at the side of the net beat Imoo but looked to have hit the post-crossbar with no real goal celebration, goal light or whistle the play stopped as the referee and linesmen gathered around before talking to the goal judge.  The goal was waived off in the end.  The goal light didnt go on and the whistle didnt blow so alot of fans in the building were confused at why the play stopped.  The Vipers carried the better of the play in and pretty dull third period lost their second straight 6-0.  Vernon outshot Powell River 14-4.

Top Players:  (Vernon)

Michael Statchuk I thought was the lone bright spot on the Vernon blueline tonight.  Statchuk showed alot of hustle and jump in his game even if the score was one sided.

Mitch McAllister was probally the Vipers best player.  Playing with a ton of jump and energy McAllister was really flying, creating and generating some offence.

Logan Mick who has played very well all season has been playing his best hockey of the year the last month or so and looked good tonight.  This kid never quits, plays hard, physical, in your face style of hockey and always has lots of jump and energy,  Another hard worker tonight.

Game Thoughts:  (Vernon) 

I thought the Vipers started off well, getting off to a quick start Vernon got the play in deep early and was in and around the Kings zone in the first few minutes were outshooting Powell River 4-0 early before giving up two quick goals.  After the Kings second goal it seemed to deflate the Vipers, taking some of the life out of them and giving Powell River a little momentum-boost and the Kings never looked back.  Overall it wasnt much of a game and was over by the end of the 1st period.  After trading your top three scorers in Pearce Eviston, Aaron Hadley and Adam Tambellini I kinda figured the Vipers were going to be in some trouble.  Giving away your top three offensive players Vernon losses three veteran guys wich makes the team much younger and that much more fraigile.  Mason Blacklock made his Vipers debut and played pretty well.  Had a few good chances and looked good offensively but didnt look all that great defensively.  If the last two seasons havent been painfull enough for Viper fans, the remainder of the season could get worse with a young team like the Vipers have now.  The last two seasons Viper fans havnt been very happy with the team and the result of the team etc.  This year the grumblings around the rink seem to be getting worse and the last few games including tonight I have never heard so many more upset-pissed off fans.  Lots of talk of season ticket holders who wont be getting season tickets for next season. 

Top Players:  (Powell River)

Jordan Paddock played well on the Kings backend.  Made a huge defensive play in the 1st period to break up a Viper two on one rush.

Teagan Waugh was very good up front for the Kings.  Waugh didnt put up any points but was very dangerous with the puck. 

Jordan Benton (1 goal & 1 assist)  Was another Powell River player who played very well through out the game. 

JP Villeneuve (2 goals)  Was very good for the Kings, probally their best player. 

Drew Dorantes (1 goal & 1 assist)  Was also very good for the kings, can skate, works hard and always in and around the goal.

Evan Richardson (2 assists)  Looked very good up front for Powell River.  A bigger kid was another player always to be involved in the play.

Jordan Burns played well on the Kings blueline.

Game Thoughts:  (Powell River)

After falling 6-2 in West Kelowna last night and lossers of three straight the Kings come into Vernon with a pretty convincing win.  Two quick back to back goals seemed to deflate the Vipers and gave a bit of boost to the Kings who were up 4-0 after the opening period.  Powell River is quick, works hard and dosnt give up.  After watching the Kings tonight I thought they would be better in the standings.  No Kent Lewis behind the bench tonight.

Scratches:

Vernon:

Craig Martin (Injured)
Braeden Russell

Powell River:

Matt Scarth
Jarryd Leung
Bradley Parker
Matt Joyaux

Vipers Energy Player Of The Game:

Mitch McAllister

Three Stars:

1st Star:  JP Villeneuve (2 goals)
2nd Star:  Jordan Benton (1 goal & 1 assist)
3rd Star:  Drew Dorantes (1 goal & 1 assist)

For more on tonight's game visit the boxscore,

http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=1103056&link=bchl

For more on the Powell River Kings & tonight's game visit Alex Rawnsley's Powell River Kings blog,

http://kingsofthecastle.wordpress.com/