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 Interior Division Finals Game 4 as Vernon defeated Penticton 5-2 evening the series at 2-2 in front of 1,771 fans at Kal Tire Place.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon: Austin Smith
Penticton: Olivier Mantha
1st Period: Both teams come out looking a little cautious not wanting to make the games first mistake. The Vipers with some good pressure early had the early step on Penticton. Josh Bryan's point shot just three minutes into the game was stopped by Olivier Mantha but the Vees goaltender couldnt handle the rebound as severla Vipers jammed the crease trying to bang home the loose puck before the Vees were able to clear the puck from the front of the net. A minute later Brett Mulcahy with a hard shot from the circle was stopped by Mantha before Colton Sparrow redirected a Vernon point shot that just missed the far corner. Vernon was putting pressure on Penticton were outshooting the Vees 4-1 in the opening minutes. Dexter Dancs with a nice move got inbehind the Vees defence was able to get a shot off from in close but was stopped by Mantha. The Vipers with all kinds of pressure were firing everything on goal, Tyler Povelofskie couldnt bang home a loose puck on a flurry of chances in front of the Vees net. Vernon who was outplaying & outshooting Penticton early would open the scoring after Josh Bryan setup Brendan Persley who let go a quick snap shot that beat Olivier Mantha giving the Vipers a 1-0 lead at 7:59 Bryan & Brett Mulcahy collected the assists. Vernon was all over the Vees outshooting Penticton 11-2 at the midway mark before the Vees would get the games first powerplay. Working the puck around Jared Hilderman decided to feed Brett Beauvais instead of shooting through a screen in front, Beauvais walked in before setting up former Surrey Eagles forward Nic Pierog down low who beat Austin Smith fivehole on a quick shot tying the game 1-1 at 12:19 Beauvais & Hilderman with the helpers. This goal seemed to wake up Penticton giving them some life as the Vees slowly battled their way back into the hockey game. The Vees would hold their own in the second half and be more involved offensively. Penticton with no real quality chances did play hard in the last ten minutes outshot Vernon 4-3 in the second half getting some pressure in the Vipers zone. The game was tied 1-1 after 20 minutes of play. The Vipers who seem to get off to a quick-strong start in alot of their games did tonight with a flurry of great chances-opportunities before opening the scoring. The Vipers outplayed and outshot Penticton in the first half before the Vees come back hard in the second half as both teams were pretty even. Vernon outshot Penticton 14-6.
2nd Period: In the opening minute or two Vees captain Brad McClure walked in from the side wall before getting a high shot that was stopped by Austin Smith. Both teams were fairly even early as neither team could really get much going offensively. Six minutes into the middle frame Penticton would get a great scoring chance after a hard working shift down low won the battle along the end wall Max Coatta was able to take the puck and go hard to the front of the net untouched couldnt beat Vipers starting goaltender Austin Smith down low. Just two minutes later Smith was forced to make another big save off Erik Benoit as the Vees were slowly coming on. Penticton moving the puck well was slowly starting to carry the play as the Vipers had troubles getting the puck and play into the offensive zone. Penticton would take their first lead of the night after Jack Ramsey's shot missed the net, before bouncing right out front where Matt Serratore would setup Riley Alferd on a bang bang play giving the Vees a 2-1 lead at 7:39 Serratore & Ramsey with the assists. Vernon would eventually come back around the halfway mark after Colton Sparrow on a wrap around couldnt get the puck through a crowd in front, Sparrow and the Vipers tried getting the puck through the traffic but couldnt. The Vipers would get a few flurries in and around the Vees goal but couldnt capitalize. Late in the period Josh Bryan setup Riley Guenther whos point shot got through a maze of traffic in front beat Mantha tying the game 2-2 at 16:43 Bryan & Mason Blacklock with the helpers. Less then two minutes later Michael McNicholas setup Liam Coughlin going to the net on a two on one, it looked like Coughlin didnt get a good shot off as Olivier Mantha made the pad save. The Vipers stayed with the play before Coughlin went for a big swoop around the outside before cutting back through the middle Coughlin setup Dylan Chanter who's point shot was tipped in by Michael McNicholas who was at the side of the net put Vernon ahead 3-2 at 18:23 Chanter and Coughlin with the assists. The Vees wouldnt quit as back come Penticton with a strong forecheck the Vees would get two flurries in and around Smith in the final minute before Brad McClure was stopped in front in the dying seconds. Vernon was up 3-2 after 40 minutes of play. Both teams went back and fourth early but the Vipers couldnt generate much offence or get pucks to the net while the Vees had atleast three great opportunities early. Penticton would take the lead and carry a slight edge in play before the Vipers would battle back with a few hard working shifts come up with a few flurries of their own before scoring two late goals to take the lead heading into the third. Penticton outshot Vernon 14-9.
3rd Period: The Vees would get a great chance early after Jack Ramsey was stopped in front by Austin Smith who made a tough save. The Vipers come back a few minutes later after Brendan Persley and Colton Sparrow would get a great opportunity coming in on the two on one, Persley would keep and shoot being stopped by Vees starting goaltender Olivier Mantha would get a second opportunity off the rebound but was stopped again after two big back to back saves. Both teams went hard back and fourth but with not alot of opportunities. The Vipers would catch the Vees napping getting another two on one after Demico Hannoun setup TJ Dumonceaux who had a wide open side but shot high and over the net with nine minutes to go. The Vipers would get their third odd man rush later after Michael McNicholas setup Dexter Dancs who was stopped by Mantha. As the play was fairly even for most of the period the Vipers had the better scoring opportunities. The line of Brett Mulcahy, Colton Sparrow and Brendan Persley come up with a hard working shift down low, battling hard won the battle down low Persley was able to feed Colton Sparrow at the side of the net who slid the puck past Olivier Mantha giving Vernon a 4-2 lead at 14:39 Persley with the only assist on the play. Two minutes later the Vipers would get their first man advantage of the night and come up with a few flurries had some good pressure but the Vees also with a strong penalty kill were able to kill off the minor. Just as the penalty expired the Vees would get Mantha to the bench for the extra attacker with 1:08 remaining. Penticton couldnt really get the puck settled for time to setup before the Vipers were able to clear the zone twice getting the play in deep before Brendan Persley would go in for the breakaway hitting the empty net for his second of the night giving Vernon a 5-2 lead at 19:30 Persley's goal was unassisted. The Vipers would hang on for the 5-2 victory but not before some pushing and shoving at the whistle with both teams exchanging words. Both teams played hard but it was the Vipers who generated and had the better of the scoring chances getting three two on ones as well as a few flurries in and around the net. The Vees on the other hand couldnt seem to get much going, had troubles getting any real good scoring chances. The play was fairly even for most of the period with the Vipers getting the better of the opportunities. Vernon outshot Penticton 13-9.
Top Players: (Vernon)
Josh Bryan (2 assists) Has been the Vipers best defenceman in these playoffs. Bryan who has played very well this post-season was solid on the Vipers blueline chipping in with two helpers. Brayn was hard to beat one on one and down low.
Colton Sparrow (1 goal) Was the Vipers best player tonight. The Vernon product was flying and skating hard all night. Played with and showed alot of hustle and determination was really working hard. Scored a huge goal in the 3rd to give the Vipers a two goal lead.
Brendan Persley (2 goals & 1 assist) Has really stepped up his play these playoffs and had a strong game tonight picking up three points. Persley was really playing and battling hard, was going to the net, working hard down low, was exchanging words with Brad McClure all night.
Game Thought's: (Vernon)
This was a must win by the Vipers as they didnt want to go back to Penticton down 3-1 in the series. What a huge turn around from games 2 & 3 compared to tonight's Game 4. The Vipers with a solid, hard working 5-2 win played very well start to finish and earned tonight's win. Vernon was basically outplayed for most of Games 2 & 3 competed, battled hard and played with the Vees all night in a very entertaining hockey game. I thought the Vipers adjusted very well and contained Penticton's speed and aggresive forecheck down low to a minimum tonight. Yes the Vees were able to use their speed and forecheck and break away from a few defenders but didnt dominate any parts of tonight's game like in Games 2 & 3. I thought Vernon got pucks to the net, went hard to the net and found a way to get into the Vees zone, were able to generate some chances. The Vipers also did a great job at shutting down Brad McClure who wasnt very noticable tonight. The Vipers played physical at times were disaplined and held their own at times against the Vees. A much more complete game in all areas.
Top Players: (Penticton)
Brett Beauvais (1 assist) Played a good game on the Vees backend. Really skates well, moves the puck, likes to join the rush is very good at both ends of the rink.
The line of Matt Serratore (1 assist), Jack Ramsey (1 assist) & Riley Alferd (1 goal) was once again one of the Vees stronger units. This line has played very well in this series never stops skating, gets lots of opportunities is hard to contain.
The line of Travis Blanleil, Cody DePourcq and Nic Pierog (1 goal) was also very strong up front for Penticton. All three generated some good opportunities were dangerous in and around the net.
Chris Rygus was another d-man that played very well for the Vees. Is steady game in and game out, dosnt let alot of guys get by him sees alot of ice.
Game Thought's: (Penticton)
In three of the four games this series Penticton cant seem to get off to a good start, they seem to have troubles giving up alot of early chances-shots before slowly settling down and getting their game going. Tonight the Vees only gave up just the one goal in the opening period, were able to get some good goaltending early before tying the game and then taking the lead in the second period. But the Vees couldnt capitalize on some good quality chances in the first half of the second period before giving up two late goals to trail by a goal heading into the 3rd. Penticton with not alot of opportunities in the third gave up three odd man rushes before giving up two more goals to fall in Game 4 5-2. The Vees unlike the pervious two games didnt dominate and carry most of the play tonight, were in for a battle and played hard but didnt get alot of opportunities. I thought the Vees needed to get more pucks to the net as well as bodies. Penticton didnt create or generate nearly as much pf a forecheck or reak havoc in the Vipers zone like in Games 2 & 3. Both teams played hard making this a very good game to watch.
Scratches:
Vernon:
Mark Hamilton (Injured)
Logan Mick
Penticton:
Ben Dalpe (Injured)
Shane McColgan (Injured)
Energy player of the game:
Colton Sparrow (1 goal)
Three Stars:
1st Star: Brendan Persley (2 goals & 1 assist)
2nd Star: Josh Bryan (2 assists)
3rd Star: Nicolas Pierog (1 goal)
For more information on tonight's game visit the BCHL boxscore,
http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=1312998&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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