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-Warriors game as Vernon defeated West Kelowna 3-2 in double overtime in front of 1,916 fans at Kal Tire Place.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon: Austin Smith
West Kelowna: Andy Desautels
1st Period: Just ten seconds into the game Colton Sparrow setup Brett Mulcahy going to the net who somehow missed an open cage on a great scoring opportunity just seconds into the opening period. Both teams went back and fourth early and often in a good pace with very few whistles. Just three minutes into the period it looked like Tyson Dallman would get the Warriors on the board early Jared Wilson forced a turnover in the Vipers zone. The puck come out front as a West Kelowna player couldnt connect on the puck up the middle before the puck come out front to a wide open Dallaman who somehow was robbed by Austin Smith who come across the blue paint to make a highlight save keeping this game scoreless. Vernon needed four and a half minutes to get their first shot of the period before Kenny Citron with a quick low shot from the point was stopped by Andy Desautels who made a huge save making a right pad save. The Warriors would get the games first powerplay and capitalize. Braden Pears would beat Smith giving West Kelowna the early 1-0 lead at 7:03 Jason Cotton & Adam Plant would pick up the helpers. Less then two minutes later another Vernon turnover in their own end, led to a second goal by the Warriors. David Pope's shot from the high slot was stopped by Austin Smith who couldnt handle the rebound before Seb Lloyd alone at the side of the goal tapped in the loose puck giving West Kelowna a 2-0 lead at 8:42 Pope and Jason Cotton with the assists. Two minutes later the Warriors would get their second powerplay of the night but a strong Vernon penalty kill would only give up two shots killing off the minor as Smith had to be sharp. With just over six minutes remaining Michael McNicholas on an odd man rush made a nice move in close ripped a quick shot that just missed the net before getting the puck back on the same shift wired a quick shot from the hashmarks beat Desautels but hit the post on two good quality chances by the Vipers. On the next rush up ice Austin Smith made a big save off Taki Pantziris who walked in from the slot couldnt beat the Viper goaltender on a great chance in close. Just shortly after Liam Coughlin would get tossed from the hockey game after checking former Trail Smoke Eaters defenceman Braden Pears into the boards in front of the Viper bench. Coughlin was given five minutes for checking from behind. Pears would leave the ice bleeding and not return to the game. With the Warriors on the five minute major Vernon would get called for a second penalty giving West Kelowna a five on three. Austin Smith had to be sharp making atleast three or four saves as the Viper penalty kill along with Smith were very good as the Vipers would manage to kill off both penalties with less then a minute remaining in the period. West Kelowna was up 2-0 after 20 minutes of play. Both teams come ready to play as the play went back and fourth before the Vipers fell behind two goals and then got into penalty trouble. The Vipers penalty kill was very good as the Warriors carried most of the play due to all the powerplays outshooting Vernon 15-3.
2nd Period: The Vipers would get their first powerplay of the night early to start the 2nd period. Vernon's powerplay struggled most of the night as West Kelowna's aggressive forecheck was able to force the Vipers into turning over the puck. Taki Pantziris jumped up into the play after the Warriors forced the Vipers defence into turning over the puck, in their own end got off back to back shots from the point forcing Vipers starting goaltender Austin Smith to make back to back saves shorthanded as the Warriors were able to kill off the penalty. West Kelowna was all over the Vipers early and often as the Warriors strong forecheck was very noticable all night. West Kelowna was hard on the puck, winning all the battles, the races for the puck and out skating Vernon in the first half. Warriors leading scorer Jason Cotton would leave the game with an injury and didnt return. The Warriors outplayed the Vipers the first ten minutes or so but didnt get any real quality scoring chances. Vernon seemed to turn the tables and slowly get their game going in the second half. Just past the midway mark Tyler Povolofskie with a huge hit in front of both benches opened up some ice before going up the middle collcected a pass from Kenny Citron sending the Viper rookie in for the breakaway who beat Warriors starting goaltender Andy Desautels hitting the post before banging in the rebound getting the Vipers on the scoreboard cutting the lead to within a goal at 12:43 Citron with the lone assist. Less then a minute later the Vipers would get their second powerplay of the period, Logan Mick going hard to the net was stopped in close on the lone Viper chance as Vernon would take an undisaplined penalty allowing both teams to play four on four. Just over a minute later the Vipers would get called for another minor after a scrum formed at the side of the Warriors net, everyone on the ice got involved except the two goaltenders but it was the Vipers being called for a penalty giving West Kelowna their second five on three powerplay of the night. Vernon's penalty kill was huge again killing off both minors keeping this a one goal game. Vernon would get their third powerplay of the night, late in the period. Again the Vipers struggled not being able to generate any real threat as the buzzer sounded. The Warriors were up 2-1 after 40 minutes of play. West Kelowna outplayed and outskated the Vipers in the first half as the Warriors showed alot of hustle and hard work winning most of the battles but didnt generate many quality opportunities before the Vipers would come back and finally get their game going outplaying the Warriors in the final ten minutes. Both teams couldnt capitalize with the man advantage as specialty teams were the difference. West Kelowna outshot Vernon 15-13.
3rd Period. The Vipers started the third with the man advantage that was carried over from the end of the 2nd period. The Warriors were able to kill off the minor. Jason Cotton would return to the West Kelowna bench to start the 3rd but saw one shift before returning to the dressing room and didnt return to the game. The Vipers come ready to battle and started the third from where they left off the second period. The Vipers all over West Kelowna had several great chances early and often. In the opening minutes Colton Sparrow was robbed at the side of the net after Andy Desautels come across the crease to make a huge pad save as Sparrow couldnt raise the puck up and over the Warriors goaltender. Logan Mick and Ryan Renz on a parcial odd man rush couldnt beat Desautels who stopped the Viper captain in close. Sparrow again would get denied from the slot as Andy Desautels was keeping his club in the game at this point. West Kelowna would get an early powerplay but once again a strong Viper penalty kill only allowing two shots would kill off the minor. Just seconds after the penalty expired Riley Guenther from the point would rip a hard shot that would be stopped by Andy Desautels who made another pad save. But just seconds later Vernon would get called for another penalty as the Warriors powerplay was busy tonight. The powerplay didnt last very long as West Kelowna would take a penalty as both teams played a little four on four action. Once back to five on five action the Vipers once again took over control of the game as Vernon carried the better of the play. West Kelowna with just nine skaters on the bench looked out of gas as they were being outplayed most of the period. Just past the halfway mark Colton Sparrow would get tossed from the contest after checking Taki Pantziris from behind as the Warriors defenceman was down for several minutes before going to the dressing room. Pantziris would return to the bench minutes later but didnt see a shift before leaving the hockey game and not returning. The Warriors would get their second five minute powerplay of the night. The Warriors with just three shots couldnt generate much offence as once again a very strong Viper penalty kill was able to survive a huge test killing off the five minute major. With 1:03 remaining Vernon would get a late powerplay, after calling a timeout the Vipers would get Austin Smith to the bench for the extra attacker. Vernon with all kinds of pressure deep in the Warriors zone couldnt get pucks to the net before a scramble down low allowed Dexter Dancs to bang home the loose puck tying the game at 19:47 with just 12.7 seconds remaining as Kal Tire Place erupted. TJ Dumonceaux and Riley Guenther collected the helpers. The game was tied 2-2 after 60 minutes of play. The Vipers come out strong were able to get atleast four or five real good chances early before having to kill off some penalties. The Vipers carried the play most of the period as West Kelowna went long periods of play without a shot on goal as the Vipers were riding on emotion. West Kelowna with several key powerplays couldnt convert blowing several opportunities to put the game away. Vernon outshot West Kelowna 14-9.
Overtime: In the opening minute Dexter Dancs with a wrap around couldnt beat Andy Desautels who was keeping the Warriors in the game at this point. The Vipers carried most of the play. Michael McNicholas on a two on one couldnt beat the Warriors goaltender who was solid all night. West Kelowna with two opportunities couldnt hit the net after Tyson Dallman and #25 (name wasnt in the program) couldnt hit the net on two quality chances. Dexter Dancs who was all over the ice in the third and overtime had his best chance with 6.6 seconds remaining looked to go high glove side but couldnt beat Andy Desautels who made his biggest save of the night with a huge glove save keeping this game tied at two. It was tied 2-2 after 65 minutes of play. The Vipers carried most of the play and had atleast three good chances couldnt get the game winner. Vernon outshot West Kelowna 4-0.
Double Overtime: The Vipers kept coming and again carried the play would eventually get the game winner after Dexter Dancs couldnt beat Desautels on a wrap around the puck come out front to a wide open Riley Guenther who found the back of the net for the OT winner giving Vernon the come from behind 3-2 victory at 3:34 as the Vipers bench poured onto the ice as Andy Desautels stood in disbelief holding his head down. Dexter Dancs with the lone assist. The Vipers were the better of the two teams in both overtime periods outshot West Kelowna 3-0.
Top Players: (Vernon)
Kenny Citron (1 assist) Played a heck of a game on Vernon's blueline tonight. Citron was laying the body, getting pucks to the net and played well defensively.
Josh Bryan also was very solid on the backend. Bryan started to get involved in the play, jumping up into the rush on several occasions in the third.
Riley Guenther (Overtime winning goal & 1 assist) Was also very strong for the Vipers this evening. Guenther played very well on the blueline, was also physical, laying the body, was hard to beat one on one.
Michael McNicholas was very strong at both ends of the rink, saw a ton of ice tonight playing very well on the penalty kill. The Vipers leading scorer had a few good opportunities in the opening period, hit the post.
TJ Dumonceaux (1 assist) Added some energy and life to the Viper lineup. Dumonceaux was really playing with alot of jump, was very good on the penalty kill and strong on the forecheck. Battled and competed hard all night.
Dexter Dancs (1 goal & 1 assist) Scored the game winner last night in Penticton, scored the game tying goal tonight with 12.7 seconds remaining and assisted on the OT winner. Dancs was very dangerous in the 3rd and both overtimes seeing a ton of ice. Was very hard to knock off the puck and very good down low and in and around the net.
Ryan Renz didnt stand out early but I thought really come on in the 3rd and both overtime periods. Dancs was jumping up into the play got involved in the rush on atleast two plays had a good chance to tie the game early in the third.
Austin Smith (37 saves) What can you say about Smitty. Smith who has taken over the #1 job right now with Danny Todosychuk out of the lineup has really played well the last few weeks giving the Vipers a chance to win most of the night. Smith was very strong last night in the win over Penticton was also very good tonight. With the Warriors up by two in the first, Smith was called apon a few times to make a few big saves keeping the Vipers in the game at that point.
Game Thoughts: (Vernon)
I thought the Vipers played well early before falling behind 2-0 early. Vernon then got into penalty trouble playing most of the night shorthanded. The Vipers didnt look sharp tonight, atleast in the first two periods. Missing some easy looking passes, wernt skating hard, were being outworked and losing most of the battles. Vernon had troubles getting through the neutral zone and getting pucks on net in the first period and a half before finally getting their game going in the second half of the 2nd period. I thought the Vipers looked like a different hockey club the last ten minutes of the 2nd as well as the 3rd and both overtime periods. Now did the Vipers empty the tanks and use all their energy in last night's hard fought 2-1 win in Penticton or did the Warriors with a short bench just run out of gas halfway through the game and Vernon took over the edge in play? The Vipers did take a few bad penalties in the opening period but were fighting the refs all game. I dont like to blame the referee's and rarely come on here and point fingers, but it seemed like everytime the Vipers touched a Warrior player they were called for a penalty. Yes the Vipers fully deserved some of the penalties but not all of them. Vernon had to kill off two five minute majors as well as two five on threes. Give full credit to the Viper penalty kill & Austin Smith who were tremendous giving up just one powerplay goal. The Vipers powerplay struggled and has all season, Vernon couldnt handle the strong forecheck by the Warriors penalty kill. As the game went on I thought the Vipers took over the edge in play, shots and were the better team getting the better chances. West Kelowna was way ahead in shots halfway through the game, as the Vipers come all the way back to almost getting even in the shot department. The Vipers didnt quit, really battled hard and earned the hard fought victory tonight. Three games in four nights, two back to back against the Division leaders and the Vipers come away with three big wins and six big points. Give the Vipers full credit, they havnt been playing their best hockey since mid December but have really stepped up there play this weekend with two huge wins over West Kelowna & Penticton.
Top Players: (West Kelowna)
Taki Pantziris played a solid game on the Warriors blueline before leaving the game in the 3rd after being hit from behind. The West Kelowna d-man was very strong at both ends of the rink, was involved in the play, jumped up into the play at times and was very good defensively.
Seb Lloyd (1 goal) Was very strong tonight, Lloyd was very noticable in the first half of the game when the Warriors carried the edge in play. Lloyd is a very strong skater, can move the puck, was in and around the Vernon goal.
Ben Tegtmeyer also played very well on the West Kelowna backend.
David Pope (1 assist) Was playing up front with Lloyd was also good tonight. Didnt get alot of looks but was strong with and without the puck.
Carl Hesler also impressed me, was involved in the play, another good skater was dangerous at times.
Jason Cotton (2 assists) Left the game in the 2nd period returned for one shift in the third before leaving the game and not returning played very well in the opening period before his injury.
#25 (Wasnt listed in the lineup) Had no name on the back of his jersey played very well for Im guessing an "AP" player? This kid saw a ton of ice time with the Warriors short bench, played very well, played with alot of confidence, was a fairly good skater, wasnt afraid to jump up into the play, made a few good heads up plays as well.
Andy Desautels (34 saves) Has come up big against Vernon all season, and played another solid game against the Vipers this evening. Didnt see alot of rubber early but once Vernon got their game going halfway through the game Desautels was solid making several big saves especially in the 3rd and both overtime periods keeping the Warriors in the game. This kid is one heck of a goaltender.
Game Thoughts: (West Kelowna)
The Warriors coming off a 8-5 loss to the visiting Victoria Grizzlies last night got off to a quick start with back to back goals less then two minutes apart giving West Kelowna a early 2-0 lead. The Warriors with several missed opportunities could have easily put this game away in the opening period, especially after having a five minute powerplay and then a lengthy five on three, the Warriors just couldnt get much going with the man advantage tonight. West Kelowna went 1-9 on the powerplay blew several chances to put the game away but couldnt. With just nine skaters on the bench, you wondered how lone the Warriors were going to be able to keep pace with Vernon, well as the game went on West Kelowna fell behind and was outplayed most of the 3rd and both overtimes. Specialty teams was the difference as both teams struggled with the man advantage. Neither team could generate much offence on the powerplay, as both teams penalty kill was very solid. The Warriors coaching staff has to be happy with the point and the strong start but very dissapointed with the second half of the game and the finish. Give West Kelowna full credit for playing hard, battling and giving the Viper fans a very exciting-thrilling game to watch, one of the more exciting home games in a while. Also give credit to the great turnout of very loud and proud Warrior fans that made the trip tonight.
Scratches:
Vernon:
Danny Todosychuk (Injured)
Mark Hamilton (Injured)
Mason Blacklock (Injured)
Demico Hannoun (Injured)
West Kelowna:
Ryan Fraser-Lee
Ryan Ivey
Jordan Masters
Nathan Craft
Cody Porter
Energy player of the game:
Dexter Dancs (1 goal & 1 assist)
Three Stars:
1st Star: Riley Guenther (Scored the OT winner & added 1 assist)
2nd Star: Austin Smith (37 saves)
3rd Star: Andy Desautels (34 saves)
For more on tonight's game visit the BCHL boxscore,
http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=1231555&link=bchl
For more on tonight's game and the West Kelowna Warriors, visit Jon Zacks Warriors blog,
http://thegeneralsreport.wordpress.com/
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