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 Merritt defeated Vernon 1-0 in front of 1,647 fans at Kal Tire Place.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon: Michael Stiliadis
Merritt: Devin Kero
1st Period: Just thirty five seconds into the game Michael McNicholas snuck behind the Merritt defence going in for the breakaway but was stopped by Devin Kero. The Vipers come out with a ton of jump, getting off to a quick start. The Vipers shooting everything towards the net were really buzzing early. The Centennials needed just over five minutes to record their first shot on goal as they were outshot 4-1 at this point and getting outplayed for most of the opening frame. Vernon carried the better of the play but didnt generate alot of scoring opportunities. The Vipers with lots of shots were all over Merritt in the first half. Just past the midway mark the Vipers defence went to sleep leaving Sebastien Pare alone in front who missed on a wide open cage hitting the post as Merritt come very close to opening the scoring. A few shifts later the Cents finally seemed to get their game going getting some good pressure deep in the Vipers zone but didnt generate any real offensive threat as back come the Vipers. Brendan Persley going hard to the net tried banging home a loose puck at the side of the net couldnt beat the right pad of Kero who made a nice save keeping the game scoreless. The Vipers outplayed the Cents for most of the period getting seventeen shots but couldnt capitalize on a very limited amount of scoring opportunities. It was 0-0 after 20 minutes of play. Vernon outshot Merritt 17-5.
2nd Period: The Vipers with a good chance early after Liam Coughlin setup Michal MicNicholas in the slot who couldnt beat Centennials starting goaltender Devin Kero who made a big blocker save. Merritt who was badly outplayed in the first period slowly started to get their legs going getting their game going. The Cents would get several good opportunties early. Rhett Willcox with a shot from the slot was redirected by Gavin Gould who couldnt beat Michael Stiliadis who made a tough save off the deflection in front. Just shortly after Merritt with a two on one, Bennett Huber and Sebastien Pare on the odd man rush couldnt get the shot off on a missed opportunity. On the next shift captain Payton Schaefer with a quick low shot from the slot was stopped by Vipers starting goaltender Michael Stiliadis who made a big save with bodies going to the net. The Centennials would get the games first powerplay but a solid penalty kill by Vernon would kill off the minor. But just under two minutes later Merritt would get their second chance with the man advantage and capitalize. With a scrum in front of the Vernon goal Gavin Gould beat Stiliadis who was down and out giving Merritt the 1-0 lead at 13:34 Dylan Bowen & Payton Schaefer collected the helpers. The Vipers would get their first powerplay on the next shift but struggle as a good penalty kill by the Cents would kill off the penalty. Vernon who didnt look like the same team after the opening period looked sluggish, didnt have their legs going and just couldnt seem to get things going. Several missed passes and shots missing the net didnt help either. On the other side the Centennials really turned their game around playing much better in the middle frame. In the final few minutes James Neil come close to giving Merritt a 2-0 lead after beating Stiliadis but ringing his shot off the post. With a minute remaining Michael McNicholas with a breakaway for the second time tonight couldnt beat Devin Kero in tight. The Centennials outplayed Vernon for most of the period as Merritt was up 1-0 after 40 minutes of play. The Cents outshot the Vipers 14-7.
3rd Period: Merritt would get a great chance to grab a two goal lead with an early powerplay but it was the Vipers penalty kill that just about tied the game. Brendan Persley and Michael McNicholas on a shorthanded two on one, Persley slowed things down waiting too long before not getting his pass over to McNicholas. On the same penalty kill Colton Sparrow and McNicholas went in for a two on one, Sparrow tried feeding McNicholas but Jake Clifford with a huge defensive play broke up Vernon's odd man rush. The Vipers with another solid penalty kill would excape killing off the minor. Two minutes later the Vipers would get back to back powerplays but fail to capitalize. Vernon with not a single shot on one man advantage had troubles hitting the net missing on several shots from the point as Merritt's penalty kill was very aggressive. The Cents with atleast two or three big shot blocks would kill off the penalities. Not much action in the third as Vernon couldnt get any offence going as Merritt played a very solid defensive road game. The Centennials sending two guys in on the forecheck were playing body to body, clogging up the neutral zone, getting sticks or bodies in the way of shots as the Vipers looked frustrated for most of the period. The Vipers also looked very tired in the final period. Merritt with a solid shutdown period gave Vernon all kinds of troubles. The Vipers would get Michael Stiliadis to the bench with 1:03 remaining but couldnt get anything going as Merritt would wind down the clock coming away with the 1-0 victory. The Cents played a very tight defensive game especially in the third coming away with a hard fought win. The Vipers outshot Merritt 11-5.
Top Players: (Vernon)
Josh Bryan I thought played very well tonight. Bryan was solid on the backend and was getting lots of shots through from the point.
The line of Tyler Povolofskie, Matty Saharchuk and Josh Betinol played hard, battled and competed all night.
Michael McNicholas played a strong game up front for the Vipers, generated some good opportunities and played well on the penalty kill.
Brendan Persley was another Viper that worked, battled and competed all night.
Michael Stiliadis (23 saves) Made his Vipers home debut played well between the pipes. Didnt have alot of difficult saves to make but made the saves when needed giving the Vipers a chance to comeback and win the hockey game.
Game Thoughts: (Vernon)
I thought the Vipers come out strong, got off to a quick start getting a good jump on Merritt who maybe had some bus legs in the opening period. Vernon was shooting everything and anything towards Devin Kero getting seventeen shots in the opening period but I didnt think got alot of grade A scoring chances. Most of the Vipers shots were from way outside with no bodies or traffic going to the net looking to jump on the rebounds. But still a great start but in a game like tonight, this is where the Vipers needed a goal or two in the first period and not taking your foot off the gas. Vernon was a complete different team in the second and third periods. The Vipers quit skating, hitting and just wernt the same team. Vernon looked sluggish at times and tired some the final frame. The Vipers didnt get any bounces or puck luck tonight and need to be better on their passing and shots hitting the net. The Vipers with several missed passes and shots missing the goal hitting the end glass. You also have to remember the Vipers played a hard fought game in Penticton last night, battling back from two goals to tie the game before falling in double overtime. Sometimes a tough emocional game like this can take the life out of ya. Merritt on the other hand had the night off last night playing Thursday in Prince George. Lets also not forget the Vipers were without six regulars (Mason Blacklock, Jared Wilson, Dexter Dancs, Austin Smith, Demico Hannoun & Ryan Renz) and it showed as Vernon could have used some of that skill-offence from the likes of Blacklock, Hannoun and Dancs. The Vipers have now dropped three of their last four games.
Top Players: (Merritt)
Wayland Williams I thought played very steady on the Centennials blueline tonight. Come up with a huge shot block in the third.
Shane Poulsen also played very solid on Merrit's backend.
Sebastien Pare was very good up front, has that very long reach so hard to knock off the puck. Very good hands and skill down low. Was one of Merritt's more offensive minded players.
Gavin Gould (1 goal) Impressed me back in September when the Cents last visisted Kal Tire Place. Again tonight played a very strong game for the Centennials. Not the biggest kid but competes, battles and works hard all night.
Payton Schaefer (1 assist) I thought played a very good game, didnt do alot offensively but played well at both ends of the rink.
Jake Clifford another d-man that played very well for Merritt this evening. Made a huge defensive play to break up Colton Sparrow-Michael McNicholas's two on one in the third.
Devin Kero (35 saves-Shutout) Just like Michael Stiliadis didnt have to make alot of big saves but made the key saves when called apon. Im not taking anything away from the kid, sure he made 35 saves but like I said earlier alot of Vernon's shots were from outside with no traffic or bodies going to the net. Give the kid credit he played well and helped his club come away with the win.
Game Thoughts: (Merritt)
I wasnt too impressed with the Centennials start for tonight's game. I thought Merritt was outplayed and outworked most of the opening period. The Cents were almost standing around watching the Vipers make and setup plays. Give this team credit they really stepped up their play and turned the game around in the 2nd period playing a much better period-game. Merritt was very good in the second and third periods. Scored the games only goal before shutting down Vernon's offence playing a solid defensive game in the 3rd. The Cents were very good in the final frame limiting Vernon's chances, getting in the shooting lanes, tying guys up, not giving the Vipers any time or space making things very frustrating on the Vipers part. Merritt who had just two wins in their last six games coming into tonight's contest come away with a very greasy road win. The Cents are now 2-0 vs Vernon this season.
Scratches:
Vernon:
Jared Wilson
Mason Blacklock (Injured)
Demico Hannoun
Dexter Dancs
Ryan Renz (Injured)
Austin Smith (Injured)
Merritt:
Dane Birks
Diego Cuglietta
Daniel Nachbaur
Jeff Wight
Energy player of the game:
Matty Saharchuk
Three Stars:
1st Star: Devin Kero (35 saves-Shutout)
2nd Star: Gavin Gould (1 goal)
3rd Star: Michael Stiliadis (23 saves)
For more on tonight's game visit the BCHL boxscore,
http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=1231269&link=bchl
For more on tonight's game and the Merritt Centennials visit Dustin Scafe's Merritt Centennials blog,
http://dustinscafe.blogspot.ca/
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