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-Vees game as Vernon defeated Penticton 2-1 in front of 1,818 fans at the South Okanagan Events Centre.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon: Austin Smith
Penticton: Olivier Mantha
Before the game the Vees awarded Penticton Vees forward Erik Benoit as the Penticton Vees Player of the month for the month of January.
1st Period: The Vees needed just seventeen seconds to open the scoring, after Patrick Sexton's point shot looked to have re-directed along the way beat Austin Smith just seventeen seconds into the 1st giving Penticton a 1-0 lead. The goal was re-played on the jumbo tron and it looked like Sexton's point shot was a bit of a knuckle ball that just fooled Smith going up and over the Viper goaltender and into the back of the net. Sexton's goal was unassisted. This goal gave the Vees some early momentum and put the Vipers back on their heels as Penticton looked hungry getting off to a strong start as it was all Vees early and often. The Vees carried the play and had most of the play deep in the Vernon zone. The Vees come close to jumping out to an early two goal lead just five minutes into the contest after Paul Stoykewych jumped up into the play, ripped a hard high shot that looked to handcuff Austin Smith who was able to get his arm-shoulder up to make a big save keeping this a one goal game. Smith looked a little shaky early, or atleast was having troubles controlling his rebounds in the first five to ten minutes of the game, but seemed to settle down as the game went on. The Vipers come right back the other way, before Liam Coughlin alone in the slot ripped a low shot that beat Olivier Mantha but missed the net on a missed opportunity to tie the game. Penticton was outshooing Vernon 5-1 just over five minutes into the game. The Vees defence was on its game, playing a solid defensive game shutting down Vernon's forwards on almost every rush. The Vipers couldnt get out of their own end or when they did, couldnt get through the neutral zone as it was all Vees in the first half. Penticton with a few flurries in and around the Vernon net couldnt capitalize on a few bang bang plays as the Vipers got lucky. Penticton was outshooting Vernon 7-3 at the halfway mark. After the radio timeout at the midway mark the Vipers come back with a good strong push. This timeout seemed to settle the Vipers down as Vernon started to change the momentum of the hockey game as the Vipers come back carrying the play. Brendan Persley took a big hit behind the Penticton goal, was very slow and dazed before the play was stopped. Persley was slow to get up and looked to have pulled some teeth out from his mouth before getting some attention on the Vernon bench. Persley was ok and stayed in the game. The Vipers with some good pressure started generating a few flurries in and around the Vees net come back in a hurry in the shot department were now outshooting the Vees 8-7 at this point before getting the games first powerplay, late in the opening period. Off the faceoff the Vipers won the draw setting up Riley Guenther at the right faceoff circle who ripped a quick high shot that forced Mantha to come across the blue paint to make a big save. This was the Vipers only quality chance as Penticton's penalty kill was good before the Vipers would take a penalty in their own end throwing away the man advantage as both teams played a little four on four. Michael McNicholas was stoned by Olivier Mantha after getting off a quick shot from the slot, made a huge quick pad save with just 3:17 remaining. The Vees would their first powerplay of the night wich wasnt very long after both teams finished playing four on four. The Vipers with a good penalty kill would kill off the minor. The Vees were up 1-0 after 20 minutes of play. Penticton off to a quick start opened the scoring just seventeen seconds into the game, were strong early carrying the better of the play and outplayed the Vipers in the first ten minutes. Vernon would re-group and come back with a much better second half, as the Vipers were the better of the two clubs getting a few chances outplayed the Vees in the final ten minutes. Several big hits by both teams, were thrown around in the opening period. Shots were even 10-10.
2nd Period: Just 2:02 into the middle frame Travis Blanleil was robbed by Vipers starting goaltender Austin Smith who made a quick glove save keeping this a one goal game. Just a few shifts later, Max Coatta with some hard work was buzzing in and around the Vernon zone got a quick shot off from the slot that was stopped by Smith. Dexter Dancs was stoned in front just four and a half minutes into the period after Vees starting goaltender Olivier Mantha made his first of two back to back saves. Mantha made a big pad save off a shot from the corner before stopping Dancs in close on the rebound kicking out the right pad keeping this a one goal game. Penticton would get an early powerplay, with some good pressure the Vees with some nice tic tac toe passing couldnt hit the net on a great missed opportunity before the Vipers penalty kill was able to kill off the remainder of the penalty. Just after the penalty expired the Vees with another quick, tic tac toe passing this time missed the net again. Just shortly after the Vipers would get their first powerplay of the period, getting some good pressure early Vernon couldnt get any real good looks. The Vees penalty kill was good, even created a shorthanded odd man rush after Matt Serratore come down the right wing, didnt have the option of passing shot from the circle but was stopped by Austin Smith. The Vees were able to kill off the minor but couldnt hold the Vipers off for long as just after the penalty expired Liam Coughlin looked to fake a shot before setting up a wide open Michael McNicholas who got a quick shot off from his knees beat Mantha who looked fooled on the play tying the game 1-1 at 10:14 Coughlin and Dexter Dancs picked up the assists. Just past the halfway mark Vees captain and leading scorer Brad McClure with a quick shot from the slot was stopped by Austin Smith who made a big glove save keeping this game tied. The Vipers looked very good in the 2nd carried an edge in play. Both teams would get a powerplay each in the second half as both teams penalty killers were very good. The Vees would get a great chance late in the period after Jack Ramsey and Max Coatta went in on a two on one, Ramsey shot but missed the net on another missed opportunity. The game was tied 1-1 after 40 minutes of play. Penticton had the better scoring opportunities but I thought Vernon carried the edge in play was able to tie the game making for a very exciting finish. The Vipers outshot the Vees 13-8.
3rd Period: The Vipers come out strong, getting the play in deep Vernon with all kinds of pressure was all over the Vees in the opening minutes before taking an early penalty giving Penticton an early powerplay to start the third. The Vees with all kinds of pressure early on the man advantage needed almost three minutes to record their first shot of the period had some good looks but didnt get any real good scoring opportunity before Vernon was able to kill off the minor. Less then two minutes later the Vipers would get a shot with the man advantage and on the powerplay Dexter Dancs would be sent in for the breakaway before being tripped up was rewarded a penalty shot at 13:22 Dancs would move in slowly before going high glove on Olivier Mantha giving Vernon a 2-1 lead at 6:48 with still close to a minute remaining on the powerplay. Vernon couldnt capitalize after a big penalty kill by the Vees. Just as the penalty expired Penticton would go on the powerplay as both teams would exchange powerplays. Both teams would get some pressure but both teams penalty kill was very good also. With the Vipers shorthanded Brett Mulcahy would setup Vipers capitan Ryan Renz with a saucer pass on a two on one shorthanded rush was stopped by Mantha who come across the crease to make a huge game saver keeping this a one goal game. The Vipers would chip and chase in the second half, playing it smart. Vernon's defence was solid all night but especially in the third as Penticton with just five shots in the first eleven minutes of the period. The Vipers looked to their defence come the 3rd as Vernon's defence was shutting down the Vees offensive players the entire period. Penticton with some good pressure in the second half couldnt get any real good opportunities. With about six minutes remaining Austin Smith looked to have the puck covered with a flurry of bodies in and around the Viper net but the puck was loose come behind the Vernon goal as Smith had to recover in a hurry making atleast two or three saves after a flurry of chances in and around the Viper net. Penticton carried the edge in play in the second half but couldnt get past the Vernon defence who played a very tight checking-physical third period. With time winding down the Vipers pinned the Vees along the end wall as Penticton wasnt able to get Olivier Mantha to the bench before the Vees were able to get the extra attacker out with fifty two seconds remaining before Penticton went for the long stretch pass iced the puck, sending Mantha back between the pipes. The Vees would eventually get Mantha back to the bench with about twenty five seconds remaining for the extra man but couldnt get pucks to the net as the Viper defence was solid as the Vipers would come away with a huge 2-1 come from behind victory. Both teams exchanged powerplays through out the period but it was Dexter Dancs scoring the game winner on a penalty shot as Vernon's defence was solid in the victory. Penticton outshot Vernon 11-7.
Top Players: (Vernon)
Riley Guenther played a heck of a game on the Viper backend. Guenther was involved in the play, played physical, was good in and around the net, was very solid defensively for the Vipers tonight.
The line of Dexter Dancs, (1 goal & 1 assist) Michael McNicholas (1 goal) & Liam Coughlin (1 assist) was the Vipers top unit going tonight. This line was all over the ice tonight, all three players worked and competed every shift. This line gave Penticton all kinds of trouble tonight as the Vees had troubles containing the Vipers top line. Dancs the former Penticton Vees forward picked up an assist and scores the game winner on a penalty shot while Vipers leading scorer Michal McNicholas was very good at both ends of the rink. Liam Coughlin has really come into his own as of late and playing very well, contributing on the scoreboard in almost every game latley.
The line of Colton Sparrow, Brett Mulcahy and TJ Dumonceaux was also very good. I thought this line really added some jump playing hard all night. Mulcahy has really stepped up his play as of late and looked good. Was very good with and without the puck tonight, Sparrow was really skating, hustling and creating chances. Sparrow and Mulcahy both played very well in the third period.
Dylan Chanter who has been almost invisible since being aquired from the Merritt Centennials just before the BCHL trade deadline, played his best game as a Viper tonight. I thought Chanter was very solid defensively, played physical and was hard to beat down low.
Brendan Persley was one of the most physical Vipers tonight, played a rugged-physical game, was battling hard down low, created a few turnovers was finishing his checks and worked hard all night.
Austin Smith (28 saves) Is another player who has really stepped up his play and come into his own as of late. Smith has been the go to guy with Danny Todosychuk injured played very well tonight. Had a little trouble controlling his rebounds early but seemed to settle down and was solid the rest of the way giving the Vipers a chance to win. Smith with a few big saves in the 2nd period kept the Vipers in it at times when they were down 1-0 also made a few tough saves in the 3rd.
Game Thoughts: (Vernon)
The Vipers with a huge win tonight snapped a four game losing streak vs the Vees also won in Penticton for the first time since a 2-1 victory back on November 23rd 2012. This was one of Vernon's best games in a few months as the Vipers played very close to a full sixty minutes tonight. Ive said this several times but again when this team is on and playing their best, they are one of the league's top teams and very hard to beat. This is the problem, the Vipers have had problems playing a full sixty minutes and inconsistant play from game to game. You never know wich Viper team is going to show up. Tonight's win could go a long ways and do a number of things for a team like the Vipers. A win like tonight can really build team chemistry and team morral. Not alot of scoring chances at both ends of the rink, as both teams played a very tight checking-defensive game. I thought the Vipers kept pace with the Vees most of the night, showed some good push back after getting scored on just seventeen seconds into the game and then outplayed the first half. Vernon's defence was very solid as well the Viper penalty kill. The Viper defence was at its best especially in the 3rd shutting down the Vees offence, holding Penticton along the end wall, playing man to man and not giving the Vees any time or space down low. After Penticton basically outplayed the Vipers the last two games in Vernon the Vipers come back tonight doing a great job at shutting down the Vees top end skilled players and not giving Penticton alot of good opportunities or second chances in and around the net. Give Vernon credit for limiting Penticton's chances and keeping their skilled players away from the front of the net allowing Austin Smith to see all pucks. Logan Mick with the biggest check of the night, levelled Vees defenceman Jarod Hilderman in the 3rd period. Vernon has won back to back games and now moved eight points up on 5th place Salmon Arm and stayed five points up on 4th place Merritt after their win in Powell River tonight. The Vipers also move to within five points of 2nd place West Kelowna after the Warriors lost to the visiting Victoria Grizzlies tonight. The Vipers host West Kelowna tomorrow night in another big game for both clubs.
Top Players: (Penticton)
Paul Stoykewych I thought played very well on the Vees blueline.
Max Coatta was dangerous at times, buzzing in and around the offensive zone played very well for the Vees. This kid can skate and get in and out of tight spaces before hes back with the puck.
Matt Serratore was really buzzing and playing hard all game. Not the biggest kid generated and created a few turnovers as well as got involved in the play.
Travis Blanleil I thought played very well for Penticton. Had a few good opportunities was involved in the play, worked and competed hard all night.
Brad McClure always seems to play well against Vernon was strong tonight. McClure had a few good chances was hard to knock off the puck.
Olivier Mantha (28 saves) Played very well between the pipes, made a few big saves in the 2nd and 3rd period to keep the game close. Made a big save off Ryan Renz off a Viper odd man rush keeping it a one goal game. A goal here by Renz and its 3-1 Vernon. Both goaltenders played very well each giving their team a chance to win.
Game Thoughts: (Penticton)
Even after tonight's loss the Vees still clinched a playoff spot after Surrey defeated Salmon Arm. The Vees now just six points up on Vernon got some good news tonight after West Kelowna lost to Victoria as the Vees are still a single point up on the 2nd place Warriors. Penticton with a great start, (didnt look good for Viper fans) after the Vees scored an early goal off the opening faceoff. Penticton really took it to the Vipers early and often but couldnt keep it going for the full twenty minutes of the 1st period. The Vees also played very well, especially defensively did a great job at limiting Vernon's chances. Just like the Vipers, the Vees penalty kill was also very good. Penticton's skilled forwards had troubles all night creating and generating any offensive chances. Both teams played physical in the opening period with some good hard hits. Penticton carried the play in the 3rd but couldnt get anything past the Vernon defence, getting very limited opportunities. Both teams played very hard making for a very exciting and entertaining game to watch, made for a very exciting finish. This was like a playoff game with lots of battles and intensity being played on both sides. The Vees are celebrating the South Okanagan Events Centre 5th year anniversary had a very interesting stat in the program tonight. Since the SOEC opened in 2008 the Vees have played 146 home games having a pretty impressive home record of 115-20-3-8 over the last five years. Wow!!
Scratches:
Vernon:
Danny Todosychuk (Injured)
Mark Hamilton (Injured)
Mason Blacklock (Injured)
Demico Hannoun (Injured)
Penticton:
Alex Coulombe
Cam Amantea
Energy player of the game:
Matt Serratore
Three Stars:
1st Star: Dexter Dancs (1 goal & 1 assist)
2nd Star: Olivier Mantha (28 saves)
3rd Star: Austin Smith (28 saves)
For more on tonight's game visit the BCHL boxscore,
http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=1231547&link=bchl
For more on tonight's game and the Penticton Vees visit Fraser Rodgers Vees blog,
http://pentictonvees.wordpress.com/
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