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 Vipers-Bulldogs game as Vernon defeated Alberni Valley 4-1 in front of 1,693 fans at Kal Tire Place.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon: Austin Smith
Alberni Valley: Nathan Warren
1st Period: The Bulldogs would get the games first opportunity early after Dylan Haugen with a great chance in close couldnt beat Austin Smith who made a quick glove save just 1:20 into the contest. Less then three minutes later TJ Dumonceaux setup Logan Mick on a Vipers three on two rush, Mick beat Nathan Warren on a nice goal by Vernon who grabbed a quick 1-0 lead at 4:14 TJ Dumonceaux and Ryan Renz collected the helpers. The Vipers were flying early had lots of jump were really buzzing in the Bulldogs zone early and often. Brett Mulcahy on another three on two rush was stopped by Nathan Warren. Just a few minutes later TJ Dumonceaux on a third Vernon odd man rush couldnt get his shot through traffic before Kurt Gosselin with a low shot beat Smith fivehole but the puck come out the other end went off the base of the post and into the corner as the Vipers got lucky. The Vipers carried the better of the play had the better of the chances outplayed and were outshooting Alberni Valley 6-3 at this point in the first half before the Bulldogs would get the games first powerplay. Alberni Valley with a four minute powerplay with just two shots couldnt hit the net. The Bulldogs with several chances from in close couldnt capitalize missing on most of their shots as Vernon was able to kill off the penalty. Demico Hannoun playing in career game #130 tonight only saw two shifts in the period. Vernon with several odd man rushes in the opening frame would get another great opportunity after Michael McNicholas and Dexter Dancs on a two on one, McNicholas would keep and shoot but miss the net. Late in the period Liam Coughlin setup Michael McNicholas who beat Warren at 17:09 giving Vernon a 2-0 lead. Coughlin and Dexter Dancs with some nice passing picked up the assists. In the final seconds Darian Henry shot the puck at Logan Mick as Mick looked to spear Henry before going after the Bulldogs defenceman as TJ Dumonceaux jumped in as tempers heated at the buzzer before the scrum was broken up. Vernon with a 2-0 lead after 20 minutes of play. I thought the Vipers played very well, carried the better of the play and had the better scoring chances. Vernon with several odd man rushes were really flying and playing with lots of jump early. Alberni Valley with a few chances missed the net on several shots from in close. The Vipers outshot the Bulldogs 9-7.
2nd Period: In the opening minute Colton Sparrow with two great chances in close couldnt get the puck up and over Nathan Warren who made two big saves off the opening faceoff. Alberni Valley would get their second powerplay of the night early to start the period. Again the Bulldogs missing on alot of shots from in close and when they did get shots on goal Austin Smith was having troubles controlling his rebounds but the Bulldogs were unable to jump on the second chances as Vernon would kill off the minor. Just after the powerplay Brendan Persley with a breakaway couldnt beat Bulldogs starting goaltender Nathan Warren. A few minutes later TJ Dumonceaux with a parcial breakaway was stopped by Warren before Warren stopped Matty Sharchuk on the rebound. Two big back to back saves for Warren keeping his hockey team in the game. Just before the midway mark Logan Mick and Darian Henry got mixed up with one another in the Alberni Valley end, both players exchanging words would each get ten minute misconducts. The 2nd period would then come to a crawl as the play really slowed down with alot of scrambled play at both ends of the rink. Both teams with several poor passes, turnovers, etc. Both teams went almost five minutes without a single shot on goal in a very dull and non exciting period. With about seven minutes to go Liam Coughlin from the high slot beat Warren but hit the crossbar as Vernon was that close to grabbing a three goal lead. Alberni Valley would get their third man advantage late to finish the period. Captain Tryg Strand beat Austin Smith but hit the post as Alberni Valley was very close to getting on the scoreboard. Once again the Bulldogs with some good chances missed the net from in close as Vernon was able to kill off the penalty. Just as the penalty expired Vipers starting goaltender Austin Smith was caught out of his net coughed up the puck and had troubles getting back into the blue paint. Mitch Owsley with a shot from the corner tried banking the puck in off Smith as he was getting back into his crease looked to have beat the Vernon goaltender before Colton Sparrow with a strong defensive play was able to clear the puck from going into the open cage before the puck would bounce off Sparrow and into the net getting the Dogs on the scoreboard at 17:08 Owsley's goal was unassisted. Just thirty seven seconds later Dexter Dancs, Liam Coughlin and Michael McNicholas with some pretty three way passing setup Dancs in front who just had to tap in the pass passed Warren giving Vernon a 3-1 lead at 17:45 Coughlin and McNicholas with the assists. With 1:08 remaining Darian Henry with a quick hard low shot from the circle was stopped by Smith who made his biggest save of the night making a big pad-toe save off Henry. The Bulldogs with a late push were down 3-1 after 40 minutes of play. I thought the Vipers played well in the opening five or so minutes getting several good opportunities couldnt beat Nathan Warren who played well. Most of the second period was pretty dull with lots of mistakes-turnovers. The Bulldogs outshot the Vipers 12-7.
3rd Period: Both teams went back and forth early with not alot of action before the Vipers would get their first man advantage of the night. Vernon struggled with the powerplay couldnt get much going as Alberni Valley killed off the penalty. Just as the powerplay expired Brendan Persley's lazer shot from the slot beat Warren at 8:28 giving the Vipers a 4-1 lead. TJ Dumonceaux with the lone assist. Not alot of flow or action in the final frame as both teams were playing with very little energy and jump. It looked like both teams were just playing out the strings. Dylan Haugen with a parcial breakaway was stopped by Austin Smith who made a big save on a play where I thought Haugen deserved a penalty shot. On the next shift Smith made a huge pad save off Jake Kauppila from the circle. Michael McNicholas setup Liam Coughlin on a two on one was stopped by Warren who played very well between the pipes tonight. The Dogs would get a late powerplay but again Vernon's penalty kill was good, and Alberni Valley again couldnt hit the net shooting themselves in the foot on some missed opportunities. A pretty dull third period would come to an end as Vernon would snap their two game losing streak with a 4-1 victory over Alberni Valley. A pretty dull-boring period with very little action as shots were even 12 each.
Top Players: (Vernon)
Josh Bryan played a solid defensive game on Vernon's blueline. Was steady all night.
The Vipers energy line of TJ Dumonceaux (1 assist), Logan Mick (1 goal) & Brendan persley (1 goal) Was the Vipers best unit going tonight. I thought Dumonceaux who has played very since the Christmas break was the Vipers best player tonight. Played with alot of jump and energy, was really flying, skating hard, buzzing all over the ice and not one of the biggest kids on the ice wasnt afraid to step away from the scrums after the whistles. For the second straight night Logan Mick come to play, scoring once also played with alot of jump and energy was working hard all game. I thought for sure Mick and Darian Henry were going to drop the gloves, as both players were exchanging words-getting mixed up after the whistle on several occasions. Brendan Persley scored his first goal in a while took a shot to the face-jaw area in the 3rd and was very slow getting to the bench, returned to the ice and stayed in the game.
Game Thoughts: (Vernon)
I really liked Vernon's start tonight as I thought the Vipers played pretty well in the opening period and the first five or so minutes of the second period but after that it wasnt much of a hockey game. Both teams with several mistakes, poor passes, turnovers, showed very little emotion and intensity made for a pretty dull-boring game from a fans view. The Vipers were really flying in the opening period and early to start the 2nd getting several odd man rushes and some good scoring chances. The Vipers penalty kill was very good as it has been most of the season. Austin Smith played alright but I thought had troubles controlling his rebounds tonight, was caught atleast twice playing the puck out behind the goal made some good saves picked up the win. Vernon once again was outshot, it seems like the last handful of games or more the Vipers have been outshot. With the Silverbacks knocking off Penticton tonight, this was a huge win for the Vipers who are right in the thick of the things in the playoff race in the Interior Division. The Vipers need to pick up their game and start putting together a good streak down the stretch drive. Vernon hasnt been playing consistant and like they were back in October and November and its showed. This team needs to get going and playing up to par. Vernon with a huge game tomorrow afternoon in Salmon Arm.
Top Players: (Alberni Valley)
Kurt Gosselin played a very solid first period. Beat Austin Smith fivehole early in the opening frame as the puck ended up going off the base of the post and into the corner as the Dogs come very close to opening the scoring. I thought Gosselin played well but dont recall seeing him much for the remainder of the game.
Dylan Haugen played very well up front for Alberni Valley. Showed alot of speed, was involved in the play, had atleast two chances was good tonight.
Tryg Strand come very close to getting the Bulldogs within a goal hit the post in the second period battled and competed hard. Played hard all night, was very good along the wall and down low.
Mitch Owsley (1 goal) I thought was Alberni Valley's best player tonight. This kid was all over the ice, showed lots of jump, energy was in and around the net all night.
Hunter Stewart was another Bulldog forward I thought played well.
Nathan Warren (19 saves) Made some big saves through out the game keeping his club in the game at times. Dosnt give up many rebounds was solid all night.
Game Thoughts: (Alberni Valley)
After back to back wins over Salmon Arm the Bulldogs couldnt hit the net tonight in a game where they had lots of good looks missing on some good opportunities. Alberni Valley could have had atleast another 15-20 shots if they could have hit the net. They hit the net, you never know what can happen, this could have been a different outcome. The Bulldogs struggled with the man advantage going 0-5 couldnt generate much offence. For two teams that only see each other twice in a season, there was sure some heated battles at times through out tonight's game as several scrums took place after the stopage in play. I dont think both teams played their best in a game that was very scrambled at times with each teams making several mistakes.
Scratches:
Vernon:
Mark Hamilton (Injured)
Mason Blacklock (Injured)
Tyler Povolfskie (Suspended)
Alberni Valley:
Josh Adkins
Rob Click
Energy player of the game:
Logan Mick (1 goal)
Three Stars:
1st Star: Michael McNicholas (1 goal & 1 assist)
2nd Star: Dexter Dancs (1 goal & 1 assist)
3rd Star: TJ Dumonceaux (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=1231476&link=bchl
For more on tonight's game and the Bulldogs visit The Hammer's Bulldogs blog,
http://www.hammersdogs.blogspot.ca/
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