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 6-2 in front of 1,432 fans at Royal Le Page Place.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon: Austin Smith
West Kelowna: Andy Desautels
1st Period: About a minute and a half into the 1st period Tyson Dallman setup Matt Anholt on a odd man rush, Anholt had Austin Smith down and out but somehow fired high and over the net missing the top half of the cage on a missed opportunity early. Four minutes in Austin Smith got caught behind his goal was lucky after Reid Simmonds looked to have a shot at the open cage with a wrap around decided to go back to the point where the Vipers had time to setup and Smith was able to get back into his crease as West Kelowna blew another missed opportunity not getting a scoring play. West Kelowna would get the games first powerplay early but the man advantage didnt last too long after the Warriors took back to back penalties giving Vernon a shortend two man advantage. Just as the first powerplay expired the Vipers with some good pressure on the powerplay kept the puck moving spotted Jared Wilson who walked in from the point ripping a hard high shot that beat Andy Desautels but went off the crossbar. Shortly after Riley Guenther fed a flying TJ Dumonceaux who went hard to the net was tripped up on his way to the goal went high top shelf beating Warriors starting goaltender Andy Desautels giving the Vipers an early 1-0 lead at 6:45 Guenther and Demico Hannoun with the assists. Vernon was outshooting West Kelowna 8-4 at this point before the Warriors would rally and come back with a few hard working shifts as Vernon was back on their heels a bit before the Vipers would recover coming back on an odd man rush Brett Mulcahy with a hard working shift behind the Warriors net fed a wide open Brendan Persley in the slot was stopped by Andy Desautels who shut the fivehole making a big save off Persley with seven and a half minutes to go in the opening frame. Less then three minutes later the Vipers with some nice three way passing grabbed a two goal lead after Liam Coughlin and Michael McNicholas with a nice give and go setup Dexter Dancs in front who beat Desautels giving Vernon a 2-0 lead at 14:25 McNicholas and Coughlin with the helpers. Just over two minutes remaining Demico Hannoun on another Vernon odd man rush setup TJ Dumonceaux in the slot was robbed by Andy Desautels who come across the crease to make a huge save off Dumonceaux. On the same shift the Warriors would get their first powerplay of the night. West Kelowna couldnt capitalize after a few key saves by Vipers starting goaltender Austin Smith as the period ended and the Vipers having a 2-0 lead after 20 minutes of play. This was a very good period with the Vipers scoring early, capitalizing with the man advantage, creating some good chances were up by two in a tough rink to play in. I thought both teams were fairly even with the Vipers having a slight edge in more scoring chances. West Kelowna battled back but missed on a few missed opportunities. The Warriors outshot the Vipers 14-13.
2nd Period: The Warriors begun the middle frame with just a handfull of seconds remaining on the man advantage that was carried over from the 1st period. The Vipers were able to kill off the final few seconds and hold off a strong attack by West Kelowna. The Warriors with some good pressure early had the Vipers back on their heels in the first two minutes before Vernon would get the puck on a break down play, Brendan Persley setup Brett Mulcahy on a Vipers odd man rush who beat Andy Desautels from the slot giving the Vipers a 3-0 lead at 2:48 Persley & Colton Sparrow collected the assists. Just over a minute later Riley Guenther and Jordan Masters got into a bit of a scrum as both players exchanged words before Jared Wilson come flying over levelling Masters to the ice giving West Kelowna an early powerplay. The Warriors with some good pressure had several looks but it was Austin Smith who was solid all night come up with atleast three good saves helping the Vipers kill off the minor. West Kelowna didnt quit and kept coming in waves as it was all Warriors in the second. West Kelowna would get their second of three powerplays getting several great opportunities. Reid Simmonds going hard to the net just missed the far corner before a shot from the side wall beat Smith come out the other side rolled through the blue paint and into the corner. Late with the man advantage Seb Lloyd was robbed at the side of the net after Smith come across the crease to make a huge pad save keeping the puck out as bodies crashed the net looking for a rebound as Smith was able to hold the fort covering the puck, getting a whistle as Smith once again was sharp helping the Vipers kill off another penalty. The Warriors would head back to the powerplay for a third time this period and again get some good looks, created several good chances but couldnt beat Austin Smith. Smith with another huge save robbed Jordan Masters with a big glove save as Smith and the Vipers would kill off their third penalty kill. Late in the period Liam Blackburn with a burst of speed, turned on the jets blowing by Riley Guenther before getting a parcial breakaway went hard to the net couldnt beat Smith down low. Smith then made another big save in the final few minutes stopping Ben Tegtmeyer who went around his defenceman before cutting hard to the net was stopped by Smith down low who once again made a huge pad save. Smith was very solid as the Vipers were outplayed but some strong goaltending and a very good penalty kill Vernon was up 3-0 after 40 minutes of play. West Kelowna carried the better of the play couldnt beat Austin Smith with three powerplays outplayed Vernon. It was the Vipers who scored on just their only real good scoring play grabbed a three goal lead heading into the final frame. The Warriors outshot the Vipers 18-8.
3rd Period: For the second straight period the Vipers would score early grabbing a 4-0 lead after Michael McNicholas setup Liam Coughlin in the slot on a bang bang play riffled a quick low hard shot that beat Andy Desautels bottom corner at 2:02 McNicholas and Dexter Dancs with the helpers on a goal Desautels didnt even have time to react on. But just thirty seconds later Dylan Chanter lost the battle down low allowed Tyson Dallman to walk in from the corner beating Austin Smith high getting the Warriors on the board cutting the lead to 4-1 at 2:32 Matt Anholt and Reid Simmonds with the assists. Just over a minute later TJ Dumonceaux with an undisaplined penalty levelled his man into the Warriors bench with the gate door open sending a flurry of bodies in and around the two benches as a minor scrum broke loose ended up giving West Kelowna an early powerplay. In the opening few seconds of the man advantage Taki Pantziris with a quick one timer from the circle couldnt beat Smith who come across the crease to make a huge save. The Vipers with another strong penalty kill would excape killing off the early penalty. A few minutes later Reid Simmonds from in close was stoned by Smith who played very well tonight making several big stops through out the game. The Vipers with a strong third come ready to play, kept things simple getting across centre before dumping the puck in playing it smart. Vernon would get their first powerplay since the opening period but couldnt capitalize. In the dying seconds of the man advantage the Vipers gave up a two on one shorthanded rush allowing skilled forward David Pope to rip a hard shot from the slot beat Austin Smith but rang iron hitting the post. Just as the penalty expired the Vipers got caught on a break down play allowed Matt Anholt to setup Tyson Dallman for his second of the night at 11:44 on another West Kelowna odd man rush cutting the Vernon lead to two with lots of time remaining. But the Vipers would put the game away after a turnover deep in the Warriors zone, Brett Mulcahy found a wide open Colton Sparrow in the slot who went upstairs on Andy Desautels giving Vernon a 5-2 lead at 15:00 Mulcahy and Demico Hannoun with the assists. This goal seemed to take the life out of the Warriors as West Kelowna looked deflated. The Vipers wernt finished smelling blood they went for the kill, just 1:29 later Dexter Dancs and Michael McNicholas with some nice passing found Liam Coughlin who went inside outside around Andy Desautels giving Vernon a commanding 6-2 lead at 16:29 McNicholas & Dancs with the helpers on a beauty of a goal. Just seconds later frustration come out after Seb Lloyd exchanged words with Matty Saharchuk as the Warriors looked frustrated. The Vipers with a late powerplay would create good pressure down low setup Dylan Chanter who was stoppped by Desautels from in close. The Warriors were able to kill off the penalty but couldnt claw their way back dropped their second in a row falling 6-2. The Vipers with a huge goal early just over two minutes into the final period gave the team a bit of a coushin before playing a very solid 3rd scoring three times outplaying the Warriors for most of the period come away with a huge 6-2 victory. Vernon outshot West Kelowna 16-6.
Top Players: (Vernon)
Riley Guenther (1 assist) I thought played one of his better games in a while. Guenther was solid most of the night played very well on the Vernon backend.
Jared Wilson another Vipers defenceman I thought played a strong game tonight. Wilson with a shot off the crossbar in the 1st period played very well at both ends of the rink, jumped up into the play at times created a little spark from the blueline.
The new line of Demico Hannoun (2 assists), Logan Mick and TJ Dumonceaux (1 goal) played very well together. This line was really hustling, played hard, competed and were really flying all game. Mick was really hustling, battled hard all night. Hannoun was very good and seeing the play develop setting up two nice goals while Dumonceaux opened the scoring played with a bit of an edge tonight was banging and crashing all night long.
Brett Mulcahy (1 goal & 1 assist) Played very well tonight, played with alot of jump, scored a big goal for Vernon early into the 2nd period giving the Vipers the big three goal lead. Mulcahy who didnt show me much since coming to Vernon in a trade with Surrey just before the trade deadline played his best games as a Viper last night and again tonight. Lets hope he can get his game going and add to this Vipers offence.
The Vipers other unit of Michael McNicholas (3 assists), Dexter Dancs (1 goal & 2 assists) & Liam Coughlin (2 goals & 1 assist) was Vernon's best line tonight. All three made some real nice passing plays, setting up for three nice goals. These three really seem to play well together and feed off each other. Back to back good performances by this line who went cold for a while but looks to have things back on track.
Austin Smith (36 saves) Was solid the entire night was the Vipers best penalty killer making several huge saves along the way, through out tonight's contest. Smith who recorded 32 saves and the shutout last night was very strong between the pipes tonight. Smith was his best especially in tyhe 2nd period after three back to back to back West Kelowna powerplays kept the Vipers in the game at this point.
Game Thoughts: (Vernon)
The Vipers with a huge win in so many different ways. You can take this win for whatever way you want but alot of positives come out of tonight's victory. First off would be snapping the teams seven game winless streak away from home (six losses and one tie) in their last seven road games. Tonight was Vernon's first win in West Kelowna since a 5-2 win back on September 24th 2011. The Vipers had lost eight straight at Royal Le Page Place before entering tonight's game. The Vipers also win back to back games since early December. These two wins, especially tonight's victory could go along way for this team. Lets hope this is a team bonding win and will add a little chemistry for the remainder of the season. The Vipers who are in a dog fight with Salmon Arm and Merritt for the fourth and final playoff spot need to string together some wins if they want to make the playoffs. This win tonight will also give the team a little confidence heading into a home and home series with Langley next weekend. And if the Vipers do make the playoffs one of their first round opponents could be these same West Kelowna Warriors. I thought the Vipers played very well tonight, scored early and grabbed the all important two goal lead. The Vipers who seem to have trouble after taking a 2-0 lead this season dont seem to have that killer instinct really bared down tonight scoring some key goals and putting the game away with three in the third. The Vipers really capitalized and scored on their opportunities. The Vipers with lots of highlight reel goals, scored some beuties tonight. A huge penalty kill tonight, especially by Austin Smith who was solid between the pipes. I also thought the Vipers defence played very well considering how well they havnt been playing as of late. Vernon did a great job at shutting down the Warriors big guns in Seb Lloyd, David Pope, Jason Cotton, Jordan Masters and Carl Hesler. The Vipers also got to Andy Desautels who always seems to bring his "A" game vs Vernon. Tonight I thought the Warriors goaltender didnt make any real big highlight saves keeping his team in the game and giving his club the confidence maybe taking away some confidence from the Vipers. I thought the Vipers got to Desautels early and scored on their opportunities. A big four point weekend after big wins by Merritt and Salmon Arm.
Top Players: (West Kelowna)
Ben Tegtmeyer played a strong game on the Warriors blueline. Had a great rush ending with a great scoring play in the 2nd period couldnt beat Austin Smith down low was very good for West Kelowna.
The line of Matt Anholt (2 assists), Reid Simmonds (1 assist) and Tyson Dallman (2 goals) was the Warriors best unit going tonight.Anholt & Dallman on an odd man rush in the opening minute and a half couldnt hit the open cage missed on a few opportunities but really carried West Kelowna's offensive attack tonight.
Liam Blackburn I thought also was one of the better Warriors. Played with alot of jump in his step, was really skating and working hard all night.
Game Thoughts: (West Kelowna)
After a twelve game unbeaten streak snapped last night in Merritt the Warriors have dropped back to back games for the first time in a while. West Kelowna played well had several of good looks and great chances couldnt beat Austin Smith who played very well. West Kelowna missed on a few missed opportunties and didnt have any puck luck didnt get a single bounce they could have used on a few plays. Overall this was a very good hockey game until the Vipers put the game away in the 3rd West Kelowna battled and worked hard had troubles getting their top offensive guys going. West Kelowna 0-6 with the man advantage couldnt capitalize on their chances, needed a big save on one of the Vipers first few goals. As the game went on the Warriors looked frustrated and deflated after Vernon's fifth goal. If West Kelowna scores on one of their missed opportunities or a powerplay in the 2nd period and its a whole different hockey game. One of the biggest if not biggest crowds I have ever seen at Royal le Page Place made for a great atmosphere.
Scratches:
Vernon:
Danny Todosychuk (Injured)
Mark Hamilton (Injured)
Mason Blacklock (Injured)
West Kelowna:
Ryan Ivey
Kylar Hope
Energy player of the game:
Brett Mulcahy (1 goal & 1 assist)
Three Stars:
1st Star: Austin Smith (36 saves)
2nd Star: Tyson Dallman (2 goals)
3rd Star: TJ Dumonceaux (1 goal)
For more on tonight's game visit the BCHL boxscore,
http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=1231512&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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