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 5 as Vernon took a 3-2 series lead after a 3-2 victory tonight in front of 2,513 fans at the South Okanagan Events Centre.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon: Austin Smith
Penticton: Hunter Miska
1st Period: The Vipers were the first team to get some good pressure in the opening few minutes before the Vees come right back with a good push of their own. Both teams were fairly even early before the Vees would get the games first scoring opportunity after Nic Pierog alone in front put a move on Austin Smith but couldnt beat the Vernon goaltender who made a big save in close keeping this game scoreless. Just seconds later Vernon would get caught with too many men on the ice giving the Vees the games first powerplay early in the 1st. Brett Beauvais's point shot was stopped by Austin Smith as the puck looked to handcuff Smith going up in the air landing at the side of the net where Erik Benoit was able to slide the puck home into the open cage giving Penticton a 1-0 lead at 7:16 Beauvais and Shane McColgan with the helpers. But just twenty three seconds later the Vipers capitalized on a Vees turnover at the blueline sending Liam Coughlin and Michael McNicholas in for the two on one as Coughlin setup McNicholas who found the back of the net tying the game 1-1 at 7:39 Coughlin with the only assist. Both teams went back and fourth with not alot of real good scoring chances before the Vees would slowly start to carry the edge in play but again not get any real good looks at the net. Just past the midway mark Vernon would get their first shot with the powerplay but struggle as Penticton would kill off the minor. The Vees carried the edge in play in the second half but no real scoring chances. Late in the period Dexter Dancs and Patrick Sexton exchanged words as both players didnt seem to like one another before the referee gave each misconducts. With just over a minute to go Steen Cooper with a wicked low shot just about fooled Smith as the Vipers goaltender was forced to make a quick pad save at the last second to stear the puck into the corner. It was tied 1-1 after 20 minutes of play. Both teams were fairly even in the first half with both teams exchanging goals just twenty three seconds apart. The Vipers couldnt seem to get much of anything going, anytime they crossed the neutral zone the Vees would either get a stick on a Vernon pass, block the shot or get the Vipers to turn over the play. Penticton carried the edge in play in the second half but couldnt generate much offence outshot Vernon 11-4.
2nd Period: Just two minutes in Dexter Dancs alone in front couldnt beat Hunter Miska who made a huge save. The Vees come right back the other way, before Brad McClure snapped a quick low shot through traffic from the top of the circle beat Austin Smith but hit the bottom of the post. The Vees kept the play alive and on the same shift Brad McClure's shot was stopped by Smith before Steen Cooper jumped on the rebound giving Penticton a 2-1 lead at 3:35 McClure & Chris Rygus picked up the assists. The Vees with some good speed started to come on and get the play moving, with some pressure Penticton was on the attack. Six or so minutes in Brad McClure and Nic Pierog went in for the two on one, McClure shot but was stopped by Smith. Just a few minutes later Steen Cooper was stopped in front before the puck come back to Brad McClure who ripped a hard shot that beat Austin Smith but went off the post. Once again the Vipers couldnt seem to get much going. The Vees were the faster, more quicker team in the first ten minutes carried the edge in play before Vernon would come back in the second half with some pressure. Colton Sparrow started the attack after getting the play in deep Sparrow couldnt beat Hunter Miska in front. The Vipers with a flurry of chances couldnt find the back of the net. On the next shift the Vipers come right back, again with a flurry of chances before Mason Blacklock was stoned in front. With just under three minutes the Vipers would take an undisaplined penalty giving Penticton their second powerplay of the night. The Vees moving the puck around setup Shane McColgan down low tried going high and over Smith's shoulder, the puck went behind Smith before going through the crease and out the other side as Vernon got lucky. The Vipers would take another penalty while on the penalty kill giving the Vees a two man advantage. Some strong penalty kill by the Vipers and some sloppy passing by the Vees, Penticton really struggled with the five on three. The Vees making several mistakes couldnt seem to get the puck into Vernon's end at times as the Vees faithfull started getting on the Vees in a hurry. Vernon with an excellent penalty kill would kill off both minors without giving up a single shot. The Vipers with a huge kill would rally and eventually tie the game with fourty five seconds to go. Michael McNicholas fed Dexter Dancs who setup Liam Coughlin in front who ripped a low hard shot from the top of the circle beat Vees starting goaltender Hunter Miska fivehole tying the game 2-2 at 19:15 Dancs & McNicholas with the helpers. The game was tied 2-2 after 40 minutes of play. Penticton with a great start, took a 2-1 lead early to start the middle frame had several quality chances in the first half carried the play before the Vipers slowly started coming on strong in the final six to seven minutes. Vernon with some hard working shifts, dominated the boards down low had several flurries in and around the Vees goal but couldnt capitalize before taking two late penalties giving the Vees a late five on three. But Penticton with all kinds of troubles on the man advantage and a strong penalty kill by the Vipers, Vernon was able to excape and come back to tie the game late. Penticton outshot Vernon 18-12.
3rd Period: Both teams come out hard, really skating hard going back and fourth but neither team could generate much offence. Both teams battled hard in the first half with not alot of scoring plays before the Vipers slowly turned up their game, as Vernon slowly took over the edge in play. Dexter Dancs on an odd man rush couldnt beat Hunter Miska. Mason Blacklock a few minutes later was stopped by Miska. Josh Bryan come very very close to giving Vernon a lead after a low point shot just caught a peice of Miska's glove going wide of the net. On the same play the Vees were able to come back the other way before Nic Pierog on a three on two couldnt beat Austin Smith in tight. Brendan Persley took a huge check inside the neutral zone and was very slow to get off the ice. Persley looked dazed, I dont recall seeing him on the ice for the remainder of the game. The Vipers kept going with a ton of pressure Vernon was carrying the play outplaying Penticton. With three and a half minutes to go Michael McNicholas found Liam Coughlin on an odd man rush who put the Vipers ahead 3-2 at 16:29 McNicholas with the assist. The Vipers kept pushing as Penticton couldnt seem to solve Vernon's forecheck, the Vipers with some hard working shifts were very strong down the stretch. With just under two minutes remaining the Vees would get called for too many men on the ice giving the Vipers a powerplay to finish the game. The Vipers moving the puck around, kept the puck away from the Vees had a few shots towards the net but no real scoring chances. The Vees were able to get Hunter Miska out of the crease for the extra attacker with just less then fourty seconds to go but Penticton couldnt settle down the play to generate any real threat as Vernon would hold on for the 3-2 victory taking a 3-2 series lead. Both teams really battled and skated hard in the first half, as both teams were going back and fourth but no real good opportunities. In the second half it was mostly Vernon who carried the play, were strong down low and come up with several good chances before scoring the game winner with three and a half minutes remaining. The Vipers outshot the Vees 9-5.
Top Players: (Vernon)
Kenny Citron played one of his better games these playoffs. Citron was very reliable, good down low and in his own end. Played very well.
Josh Bryan had another solid game on the Vipers backend. Bryan who has been very good all playoffs was strong tonight. Bryan was very good in his own end, hard to beat one on one and played physical.
The line of Colton Sparrow, Brett Mulcahy and Brendan Persley had a strong game. This line battled hard all night, added alot of energy and was good down low on the forecheck. This line played and battled hard, was very good down low and in and around the net.
The line of Liam Coughlin (2 goals & 1 assist), Michael McNicholas (1 goal & 2 assists) & Dexter Dancs (1 assist) was the Vipers unit. These three had a strong night, were moving the puck, seemed to know where each other were at all times, were very good on the transition game.
Game Thought's: (Vernon)
The Vipers didnt get off to a great start had troubles getting anything going most of the 1st period. Just four shots on goal, Vernon couldnt seem to generate much offence in the opening period had troubles getting through Penticton's defensive play in their own end. Pucks just wernt getting through bodies, sticks etc. Vernon was able to tie the game after Penticton opened the scoring. The Vipers fell behind early to start the 2nd couldnt seem to get much of anything going early in the middle frame were down a goal but come back with a strong push in the second half and come on strong late but couldnt capitalize on a few good chances down low. Vernon would take two late penalties but come up with a strong penalty kill, it also helped that the Vees just couldnt get their powerplay to click, having all kinds of troubles getting into Vernon's zone. This was the turning point, the Vipers were able to kill off the five on three before scoring in the final minute to tie the game heading to third tied. In the third both teams really battled and skated hard. The play was back and fourth but with very little chances before the Vipers took over the play in the second half and were the better of the two teams. The Vipers with all kinds of pressure, had a great forecheck going gave Penticton all kinds of trouble down low before scoring the game winner with three and a half minutes remaining. I thought the Vipers did a great job at containing the Vees strong forecheck and didnt allow Penticton to really use their speed and skill down low. Even though the Vees carried the play at times through out tonight's game, the Vipers held their own and were able to stay in the game. Vernon also played well defensively limited the Vees scoring chances. After falling down two games to one on home ice the Vipers have rallied with two huge wins to grab the series lead with Game 6 tomorrow night at home. The Vipers with a huge penalty kill late in the second played a heck of a third period to come away with a hard fought victory.
Top Players: (Penticton)
Jarod Hilderman Played a strong game on the Vees blueline. Was very steady.
The line of Steen Cooper (1 goal), Erik Benoit (1 goal) and Brad McClure (1 assist) were very good. Cooper was really hustling tonight, looked very strong, was always involved in the play. I thought was one of the better Penticton Vees tonight. McClure wasnt all over the ice like in previous games wasnt nearly as dangerous as he can be played well, hit the post twice collecting an assist. Benoit scored on the powerplay was moving the puck well, seems to always find open lanes, has some speed has been good these playoffs.
Nic Pierog had a strong game for the Vees, I thought had some good opportunities was a bigger body that bumped guys around to make some room in close was always involved in the play.
Chris Rygus was another Vees defenceman that was steady. Sees alot of minutes.
Game Thought's: (Penticton)
The Vees had a good opening period, scored early on the powerplay but didnt respond well after the goal, giving up a turnover at the blueline that resulted in Vernon's tying goal just twenty three seconds later. I thought Penticton carried the better of the play was the better of the teams in the 1st. The Vees with a quick start to the 2nd scored early to re-take the lead carried the edge in play atleast in the first ten minutes. Penticton with several good opportunities couldnt capitalize. You have to wonder if Penticton scores atleast once maybe twice on any of these chances the games going in a different direction. The Vipers were able to push back in the second half with some good hard working shifts down low, getting a few flurries in close but couldnt capitalize. Penticton with another great chance to jump ahead by two or three goals had a late two man advantage but struggled, couldnt get a single shot on goal with the powerplay would give up a goal in the final minute heading into the 3rd tied 2-2. Both teams played very hard in the first half before the Vees seemed to have troubles containing the Vipers forecheck. The Vees couldnt get much going getting just one goo scoring chance had just five shots on goal in the final twenty minutes. The Vees looked off their game tonight, I noticed several Penticton players getting involved with a Viper player after the whistle or as the play was going up ice, it looked like the Vipers may have gotten under the skin of the Vees and got them off their game tonight. Penticton didnt look as sharp as they have been in this series. The crowd was really getting on the Vees on the five on three powerplay and late in the third. When the buzzer sounded to end the game you could hear a pin drop inside.
Scratches:
Vernon:
Mark Hamilton (Injured)
Logan Mick
Penticton:
Josh Blanchard
Energy player of the game:
Travis Blanleil
Three Stars:
1st Star: Liam Coughlin (2 goals & 1 assist)
2nd Star: Steen Cooper (1 goal)
3rd Star: Erik Benoit (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=1313000&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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