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 Vernon defeated Merritt 3-2 in double overtime in front of 1,873 fans at the Wesbild Centre.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon: Danny Todosychuk
Merritt: Tyler Steel
1st Period: The Vipers would get a five minute powerplay just 2:01 into the game after Payton Schaefer went knee on knee with Michael Roberts. Roberts would be very slow to get up and leave the hockey game and not return. Schaefer would get five minutes for kneeing and tossed from the game. Vernon struggled with the man advantage, having troubles setting up the Vipers were unable to generate any real pressure early. Mitch McAllister tried feeding Mason Blacklock at the side of the net but McAllister's pass went in and off Tyler Steel giving the Vipers a 1-0 lead at 4:42 Bryce Eviston and Brendan Persley collected the assists. Still on the powerplay, Vernon would finally settle down and create a few opportunities late. Mitch McAllister tried setting up Brendan Persley in the slot but Persley couldnt connect on the pass, before Mason Blacklock was stopped in front, Liam Board tried putting home the rebound but missed the open side of the cage as the powerplay come to an end. Just shortly after the powerplay the Cents on a three on two, Diego Cuglietta with a low snap shot from the circle just missed the far corner. Merritt slowly started to roll along as the Vipers were back on their heels as the Centennials with some good pressure were the better of the two teams. The Cents with all kinds of pressure couldnt generate any real good scoring chances as the Vipers were having trouble clearing the zone and getting through the neutral zone. The Vipers were outshooting Merritt 4-1 after the powerplay but now it was the Centennials outshooting Vernon at one point 9-4. Vernon would come on late and regroup, Craig Martin on the odd man rush tried getting the pass through but Kevin Lohan come up with a solid defensive play breaking up the Vipers rush. After one stopage in play some pushing and shoving occured in and around the Cents net, before the scrum was broken up. Very little scoring opportunities at both ends of the rink as Merritt was the better of the two teams but were down 1-0 after 20 minutes of play. The Centennials outshot the Vipers 12-8.
2nd Period: Merritt would get their first powerplay just fourty five seconds into the middle frame. The Vipers with a good penalty kill early before Danny Todosychuk had to be alert stopping Sebastien Pare in close before making a quick glove save off Silvan Harper on the rebound as Vernon would kill off the minor. Not alot of action in the second period as both teams sorta slowed the game down as the play became scrambly at times. Seven minutes in Mason Blacklock on a two on one kept and shot forcing Vernon product Tyler Steel to make the save. Just a few minutes later Andrew Tegeler with a few nice dangles in close was stopped by Steel. A few minutes later Craig Martin with a nice move in close couldnt get one past Steel as the Vipers with a flurry of chances. A few shifts later Sebastien Pare had a great opportunity in close but couldnt beat Todosychuk. The Cents would eventually tie the game after John Saunders point shot went through a maze of players beat Danny Todosychuk who was screened tying the game 1-1 at 11:12 Scott Patterson & Sam Johnson picked up the helpers. For a second time tonight some pushing and shoving took place after a whistle as both teams exchanged a few shots and words before the scrum was broken up. Merritt with a great chance to take the lead but Colton Sparrow playing goal for the Vipers made a big save in the crease after Danny Todosychuk was pulled way out of the crease on the Centennials wrap around. Sparrow sliding across using his foot-skate make the kick save keeping this game tied. Both teams exchanged powerplays late with no real good chances. A fairly even played period as it was tied 1-1 after 40 minutes of play. Vernon outshot Merritt 12-11.
3rd Period: The Vipers would get an early powerplay, Mason Blacklock and Craig Martin with chances couldnt capitalize as Merritt would kill off the penalty. About five minutes later Merritt would get a shot with the man advantage but a good penalty kill by the Vipers would kill off the minor. Michael Statchuk who was playing up front got a shot up high on Tyler Steel wich handcuffed the Merritt goaltender who had to make a tough save. Again not alot of scoring opportunities as both teams were very evenly matched. Just after the powerplay John Saunders setup Jeff Wright who was in deep ripped a rocket from in close went off the post and in beating Todosychuk at 12:38 giving Merritt a 2-1 lead. Saunders and Scott Patterson with the assists. But back come Vernon as the Vipers would tie the game on the next shift, Liam Board fed Andrew Tegeler who drove hard to thenet and then looked to beat Steel fivehole at 13:02 tying the game 2-2. Board and Geoff Crisfield with the helpers. The Cents would get another shot with the powerplay about a minute later, but it wouldnt last too long as Merritt would take a penalty giving Vernon a late man advantage. The Vipers with some pressure couldnt get any real scoring plays as Merritt would kill off the minor. The Vipers come very close to taking the lead after Geoff Crisfield's point shot handcuffed Tyler Steel who had to juggle the puck before falling down in the crease keeping the puck out with just 1:59 remaining. Not alot of scoring opportunities but the Vipers did have the better of the chances. It was tied 2-2 after 60 minutes of play. Merritt outshot Vernon 7-5.
Overtime: Vernon carried the majority of the play early and often. Vipers captain Brett Corkey tried feeding Andrew Tegeler for the breakaway but Tegeler just couldnt get off a good enough shot while being chased down. The Vipers carried the better of the play and come close to ending it after Colton Sparrow was stopped in close, and then Mason Blacklock shot and fired high and over the open cage on the rebound. The Cents had a great chance to pull out the victory after Dylan Chanter was alone in the slot, walked in before beating Todosychuk but hit the post with 1:45 remaining. Vernon was the better of the teams but it was still tied 2-2 after 65 minutes of play.
Double Overtime: Merritt come out hard in the final frame and was really taking it to the Vipers. Some hard work and pressure but the Cents couldnt generate much for offence before Andrew Tegeler carried the play in across the Cents blueline, drove hard towards the net tried going around Tyler Steel before Brendan Persley gobbled up the rebound going upstairs over Steel for the OT winner as the Vipers bench erupted onto the ice. Vernon would defeat Merritt 3-2 in double overtime outshooting the Cents 3-2. At the end of the game former Vernon Viper Luke Pierce and the Cents coaching staff shook hands with the Vipers coaching staff, while Pierce waited on the bench to congratulate and shake hands with Viper captain Brett Corkey.
Top Players: (Vernon)
Mitch McAllister (1 goal) Has now scored in four straight games and been playing his best hockey of the season. McAllister who has been one of the Vipers hardest working players all season played very well tonight. This kid never stops skating, works and battles hard all game. Not one of the biggest kids isnt afraid from the physical play and gives it his all every shift.
Craig Martin I thought had a very good game for Vernon tonight. Had some good chances, was skating hard and generated some chances through out the game.
Andrew Tegeler (1 goal & 1 assist) Played well in his final game as a Viper. Tegeler who wont be returning next season has really played very well for the Vipers since coming over at the December, 1st BCHL card deadline. A strong skater who is hard to knock off the puck.
Jason Bird played very well defensively. Was steady on the Vernon backend all night.
Colton Sparrow I thought played his second straight good game. Was really working hard and come up with a huge defensive play late in the 2nd period making a big save in the crease on a Cents wrap around.
Brendan Persley (1 goal & 1 assist) Another kid who never quits. Persley is another Viper who works his tail off and comes to play game in and game out. Persley generated some chances tonight, battled hard and was very good on the penalty kill.
Game Thoughts: (Vernon)
Well for the first time all season the Vipers pulled off their longest winning streak of the year at four games. Im not sure what happened after the BCHL trade deadline but this team has improved and been playing its best hockey of the season the last two months. This team never quits, battles and competes hard and has been in most of the games since mid to late January. Where was this team at the start of the season? I didnt think tonight's game was that exciting or entertaining but the Vipers played well and gave the fans a chance to cheer at the end in dramatic fashion winning in overtime. Not alot of scoring chances but I thought Vernon had the better of the opportunities. Brett Corkey, Andrew Tegeler and Marc Hetnik all played their final game as a Viper as all three twenty yr olds will be moving on next year. Being a longtime season ticket holder-fan the past week has been tough knowing the Vipers wont be in the playoffs for a second straight season. When your use to winning and watching long playoff runs, missing the playoffs is unexceptable. I know Vernon fans have been very fortunate over the last twenty years of watching and seeing some great Junior teams so having the Vipers miss the playoffs is very tough. Next season does look very bright, with lots of if not most of the team returning next season, as well as new recruits and any off season trades that happen, the Vipers have a very good neucleaus heading into next season. Id like to take this time to thank and wish all the best to the graduating Viper players that wont be back next season. Thanks for the memories and I wish you all the best in your hockey and life careers.
Top Players: (Merritt)
Dane Birks I thought played a steady game for Merritt on the backend.
Brent Fletcher didnt stand out at the start of the contest but really got his game going as the game went on. I thought Fletcher was very good and dangerous at times in the 3rd and in overtime.
Sebastien Pare with a few good chances also played well for the Cents. Generated some offence and played well.
Silvan Harper also played well, worked hard and competed all night.
John Saunders (1 goal & 1 assist) Saunders who attended the Vipers training camp the last few summers played very well on the Centennials blueline. Was very steady and jumped up into the play.
Richard Sabourin also played well on the Cents backend. Jumped up into the play and was very steady on the blueline.
Game Thoughts: (Merritt)
With the Centennials and West Kelowna Warriors tied heading into tonight's action the Cents needed a big win but come away with a point, wasnt enough after the Warriors big win in Cowichan Valley tonight. With the win West Kelowna will take 2nd place and host Games 1 & 2 of the BCHL playoffs vs Merritt starting next weekend. I thought Merritt played well but didnt have that same hard working effortt they have shown in pasts visits to the Wesbild Centre. The Cents didnt generate alot of offensive chances and at times their big name players were not noticable. The Centennials now winless in six straight head into the playoffs on a bit of a skid.
Scratches:
Vernon:
Braeden Russell (Injured)
Logan Mick
Dexter Dancs
Merritt:
Tyler Martin
Charlie Donlin
Derek Huisman
Energy Player Of The Game:
Mitch McAllister (1 goal)
Three Stars:
1st Star: Brendan Persley (1 goal & 1 assist)
2nd Star: Andrew Tegeler (1 goal & 1 assist)
3rd Star: John Saunders (1 goal & 1 assist)
For more on tonight's game visit the BCHL boxscore,
http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=1103202&link=bchl
For more on the Merritt Centennials and tonight's game visit the Q101 Merritt Centennials blog,
http://www.q101.ca/news/blogs/centennials-blog.html
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