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-Rivermen game as Langley defeated Vernon 5-2 in front of 1,762 fans at Kal Tire Place.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon: Austin Smith
Langley: Brock Crossthwaite
Tonight's was game delayed fourty five minutes due to the bus problems with the Rivermen bus.
Before tonight's game former Vernon Vipers captain Lennie Rampone awarded Vipers forward Liam Coughlim with a gift for the Vipers player of the month award for the month of January.
1st Period: The Vipers would get the games first powerplay, and early just 2:14 into the contest. Liam Coughlin with a great chance in the early seconds of the man advantage was stopped by Brock Crossthwaite. Vernon with some good puck movement and pressure early couldnt keep it up for the full two minutes as the Rivermen were able to kill off the penalty. Just as the penalty expired Jared Wilson with a bad pinch allowed Marcus Vela and Jakob Reichert in for a parcial two on one, Vela was able to get off a low shot that was stopped by Austin Smith before the Rivermen would get their first man advantage of the night. The Vipers penalty kill were very good making just one mistake leaving Austin Azurdia alone in the slot, who was able to walk in but lost the puck in close before crashing into the end wall and was slow to get back to the Langley bench as Vernon was able to kill off the minor. The Vipers held the Rivermen to no shots on the man advantage as Vernon was outshooting Langley 7-2 at this point. Less then two minutes later the Rivermen would get their second powerplay of the night (double minor) and make the Vipers pay. With some nice give and go passing Rivermen leading scorer Mitch McLain setup Will Cook in the slot who beat Smith giving Langley a 1-0 lead at 10:20 McLain & Matt Ustaski collcected the helpers. Still on the man advantage, the Rivermen went back to some very slick passing jumping out to a two goal lead just over a minute later. James Robinson setup Evan Anderson in front who hit the open cage beating Austin Smith giving the Rivermen a 2-0 lead at 11:45 Robinson and Austin Azurdia picked up the assists. Just less then three minutes later Vernon would get their second powerplay, Liam Coughlin alone in the slot ripped a hard low shot that just missed the net. The Vipers kept the play alive as Micahael McNicholas setup Brett Mulcahy at the side of the net whos sht went in off Brock Crossthwaite's skate and into the net at 15:47 McNicholas and Liam Coughlin with the assists. Just over two minutes later the Rivermen re-gained their two goal lead after Kevan Kilistoff put Langley up 3-1 at 18:18 James Robinson and Tanner Johnson with the helpers. The Vipers with some late pressure had a flurry of chances in and around the Rivermen goal in the final minute and a half. Brock Crossthwaite was caught way out of his crease with a flurry of chances in and around the goal the Vipers were desperately trying to fight for the loose puck before someone on the Vipers hit the empty cage as he Vipers thought they had come right back making this a one goal game as Vernon scored with 1:05 remaining but the goal was waived off. No official announcement from the Vipers PA crew and referee Kevin Bennett wouldnt go over and talk with Vernon Head Coach-GM Jason Williamson. I thought maybe a Vernon player was in the crease when the goal was scored. On the next stopage in play Bennett would eventually go over to both benches and explain the no goal call. Vernon would get a late powerplay that would continue into the 2nd period. Langley was 3-1 after 20 minutes of play. Not alot of five on five action as most of the opening period was played on the powerplay. I thought both teams were fairly evenlly matched but it was the Rivermen capitalizing on their chances were up by two goals. The Vipers outshot the Rivermen 13-9.
2nd Period: The Vipers started the period with the man advantage that was carried over from the 1st period. Vernon needed just fourty four seconds to cut the Langley lead to within a goal after Michael McNicholas with a nice pass found a wide open Liam Coughlin who went high and upstairs beating Rivermen starting goaltender Brock Crossthwaite at 0:44 as Langley had a 3-2 lead. McNicholas and Josh Bryan with the assists. Just a few minutes into the middle frame Tanner Johnson was able to walk in from the point and rip a low shot that was stopped by Austin Smith. Not alot of action in the second as both teams didnt get alot of offensive chances as the play was very scrambled at times. Josh Bryan with a great chance to tie the game went in all alone on the breakaway just under eight minutes into the period but was stopped Crossthwaite. The Vipers would get another shot with the man advantage just minutes later, Liam Coughlin with a great opportunity alone in the slot couldnt beat Brock Crossthwaite who made a quick pad save keeping the Vipers off the board. The Rivermen penalty kill was very solid with a very aggressive forecheck keeping the Vipers hemmened in their own end for most of the powerplay as Langley was able to kill off the minor. The Rivermen would get back to back late powerplays to finish the period. Vernon's penalty kill was also very good this period killing off the first man advantage before the buzzer sounded as Langley would finish their second powerplay in the 3rd. The Rivermen with a 3-2 lead after 40 minutes of play. A very tight checking period with very little opportunities as the Rivermen with just a single chance as the Vipers had two. Give the Vipers credit they held the Rivermen to just five shots in the middle frame. Vernon outshot Langley 11-5.
3rd Period: Langley would start the third with the man advantage that was carried over from the 2nd period. Just as the penalty expired Vipers starting goaltender Austin Smith made his biggest save of the night robbing Rivermen captain Chris Forney at the side of the net with a huge glove save. Just three minutes later former Vernon Vipers defenceman Zach Urban with a seeing eye shot from the point went through a ton of traffic in front beat Austin Smith at 3:58 giving Langley a 4-2 lead. Will Cook & Evan Anderson with the assists. Langley carried the play most of the period as Vernon was having all kinds of troubles breaking out of their own end. The Vipers couldnt generate any offence as the Rivermen defence was solid all night. Langley playing a chip and chase period at times was standing tall at the blueline not giving the Vipers any room to create or generate chances. Give Vernon credit as well as they also did a good job at not giving the Rivermen any real solid looks. Kenny Citron with a bad binch allowed Evan Anderson and Kevan Kilistoff a two on one but Anderson was stopped by Smith. Just past the midway mark Brett Mulcahy and Dylan Chanter on a two on one rush, Mulcahy shot going high beat Brock Crossthwaite but hit the crossbar coming very close to tying the game. The Vipers would finally get some offence going getting several flurries late in the hockey game. Dexter Dancs looked to have Brock Crossthwaite down and out but somehow Dancs shot went inbehind the Rivermen goaltender and out the other side with just four or five minutes remaining. The Vipers with all kinds of pressure in the final five minutes didnt get alot of great opportunities but were throwing everything towards the net. Viper fans started heading for the exits with about four minutes remaining before Vernon would pull Austin Smith with about two minutes to go. Austin Azurdia setup Marcus Vela for the breakaway who hit the open cage giving Langley a 5-2 lead at 18:38 Azurdia with the lone assist on the empty netter. On the next play the Vipers got chippy getting the gloves and sticks up as frustration showed on Vernon's side. a few players from both benches were exchanging words before Bobby Henderson and Jason Williamson exchanged words. The Rivermen would get a late five on three powerplay just before the final buzzer as Langley would sweep the season series 2-0. At the buzzer Bobby Henderson and Vipers Assistant Coach Kris Mallette got between the glass exchanged words as tempers heated up between both benches. In the end Langley come away with the 5-2 win. The Rivermen carried most of the play, keeping the puck away from the Vipers playing a solid defensive game. Vernon with some late pressure hit the crossbar and had a flurry of chances but didnt generate enough grade A chances to come back and tie the game. Langley outshot Vernon 11-10.
Top Players: (Vernon)
Kenny Citron was one of Vernon's better d-men tonight playing very well. Citron was really skating, involved in the play, jumped up into the play a few times was very mobile tonight.
Liam Coughlin (1 goal & 1 assist) Has really come on the last few weeks picked up the Vipers player of the month award for January was the Vipers best player tonight. Coughlin was really flying, had atleast three or four real good chances scored once. Was involved in the play, working and skating hard.
TJ Dumonceaux who plays hard and competes every game was really buzzing tonight, added alot of jump and energy to the Vipers lineup this evening. Dumonceaux was really skating and working hard, finishing his checks, getting involved in the play, was a sparkplug for Vernon.
Brett Mulcahy (1 goal) got off to a slow start after being aquired from Surrey just days before the BCHL deadline has really come along the last three or four games and played very well. Mulcahy was another Vernon forward who showed alot of jump and hustle in his game tonight. Mulcahy was really flying, had a few good opportunities looked very good for the Vipers.
Game Thoughts: (Vernon)
After back to back wins last weekend over Trail & West Kelowna you knew the Vipers were going to be in tough against one of the league's top teams in Langley. Falling short in double overtime last night, the Vipers picked up a single point dropped their second game in a row on a night where they got some help from the Chilliwack Chiefs who defeated Salmon Arm 7-4 but are now just three points up on both Salmon Arm & Merritt after the Centennials come away with a 4-2 victory over Alberni Valley. The Vipers have a tough schedule to finish the regular season and need wins. I thought the Vipers played and looked good at times but then also at other times I didnt think Vernon was good in other areas. The Vipers giving up two quick powerplay goals in the 1st didnt do themselves any help falling behind 2-0 but give them credit for battling back. I also liked the Vipers penalty kill and powerplay at times. I thought the Vipers did a good job at slowing down Langley and limited their chances at times but Vernons defence needs some work. Several turnovers and bad binches, and at this time of the season, there's no excuses. Vernon didnt generate alot of Grade A chances in the 2nd and 3rd periods, when they needed a big goal. I didnt think the Vipers went to the net and made life a little more difficult for Brock Crossthwaite who was seeing everything and had very little traffic in and around him through out the game. I also thought the Vipers lacked that energy-intensity most of the night, the Vipers just didnt seem to have that spark-jump they usally play with. I thought Vernon needed to play with a little more mean streak in them, play with an edge, get under their skin and try and get Langley's top players off their game. I thought missing Logan Mick hurt as Mick has been one of the Vipers better players lately. Mick adds alot of energy and spark to the Vipers roster.
Top Players: (Langley)
Tanner Johnson (1 assist) I thought was very solid on the Rivermen backend tonight. Was good with and without the puck.
James Robinson (2 assists) Was very strong up front for Langley. A quick skater, can move the puck, involved in the play was very good tonight.
Evan Anderson (1 goal & 1 assist) Another kid who can skate, move the puck, had a few chances was in and around the net looking for opportunities.
Austin Azurdia (2 assists) I thought played well, was involved in the play was good with the puck.
Will Cook (1 goal & 1 assist) I thought was the Rivermen's best player. This kid can skate, move the puck, very good on his feet was all over the ice tonight. Scored a real nice goal.
Game Thoughts: (Langley)
Langley has now won seven in a row over the Vipers going back to the 2009 season. The Rivermen have a big team that can skate, move the puck well and are very good defensively. Langley makes very little mistakes and capitalized on their chances. Two quick back to back powerplay goals put Vernon back on their heels and gave the Rivermen some confidence on the road played well with a two goal lead. I thought Langley was lucky after the Vipers looked to have made it a one goal game before the goal was waived off. Both teams didnt generate alot of opportunities in a fairly tight checking game. Langley's defence was solid all night, especially in the 3rd. They did a good job at keeping the Vipers away from the front of the net, shutting down Vernon at the blueline not giving them much room to create or generate chances. The Vipers were held to the outside of the crease most of the night. The Rivermen have atleast a point in their last twelve games.
Scratches:
Vernon:
Danny Todosychuk (Injured)
Mark Hamilton (Injured)
Mason Blacklock (Injured)
Logan Mick
Langley:
Brendan Gulka
Austin Bietenbeck
Energy player of the game:
Brett Mulcahy (1 goal)
Three Stars:
1st Star: Evan Anderson (1 goal & 1 assist)
2nd Star: Liam Coughlin (1 goal & 1 assist)
3rd Star: Will Cook (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=1231534&link=bchl
For more on tonight's game and the Langley Rivermen visit the Rivermen blog,
http://langleyrivermen.wordpress.com/
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