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 7 as Vernon defeated Penticton 4-3 in overtime to win the series 4-3 in front of 3,142 fans at the South Okanagan Events Centre to advance to the three team round robin tournament.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon: Austin Smith
Penticton: Olivier Mantha
1st Period: The Vipers would get off to a good start, getting some zone time early in the Vees zone with some good pressure before the Vees would open the scoring early. Max Coatta lead a Vees three on two rush, Coatta carried the puck along the wall breaking into the Vernon zone setup Ben Dalpe who was going hard to the net was stopped by Smith as the puck still managed to get by the Viper goaltender and into the back of the net before Dalpe crashed into Smith as Penticton took the early 1-0 lead at 2:43 Coatta and Travis Blanleil collected the helpers. But just sixteen seconds later, the Vipers with a huge hit on Alex Coulombe along the ned wall began the play, kept the puck alive as Colton Sparrow went back to the point setting up Josh Bryan's blast from the point that was deflected on the way to the net by Brett Mulcahy tying the game 1-1 at 2:59 Sparrow & Bryan with the assists. Just a few minutes later Nic Pierog with a quick low shot from the high slot was stopped by Austin Smith who made a big pad save keeping this game tied. Both teams were playing hard before Max Coatta beat Ryan Renz along the board ripped a hard shot from the circle that was swollowed up by Smith. Both teams were fairly even in the first half before the Vipers carried the edge in play in the second half. After a scramble in and around the Penticton goal, Brendan Persley couldnt get to the puck quick enough with an open net in front of him before getting off a shot from down low that was stopped by Olivier Mantha who was able to quickly recover and get back into position to make the save. Vernon with a few flurries in and around the Vees net didnt get alot of scoring chances but carried the edge in play in the finla ten minutes. The game was tied 1-1 after 20 minutes of play. The Vees with the all important first goal, got the crowd into the game early but couldnt hold onto the lead as just sixteen seconds later the Vipers with a quick push back tied the game quickly on a hard working shift down low. The play was fairly even as both teams went back and fourth in the first half but it was the Vipers that were the better of the two teams in the second half had some good zone time with good pressure. Shots were even 8-8.
2nd Period: Penticton come out strong to start the 2nd period and really got going early, moving the puck well the Vees looked good before getting an early powerplay, the first of the night. The Vees worked the puck around setup Brett Beauvais who's shot from the blueline was stopped by Austin Smith before a Vees player pounced on the rebound but just missed the far corner. The Vees would take a penalty evening up the play as both teams played a little four on four. The Vees using their speed and quickness really moved the puck well. Matt Seratore with a quick shot from the blueline was redirected along the way by Jack Ramsey who's shot beat Smith but went off the crossbar on a close call. Just seconds away from the Vipers going on a late powerplay Brad McClure setup Cody DePourcq on an odd man rush for a beauty of a goal after a nice saucer pass, DePourcq went high upstairs over Smith giving Penticton a 2-1 lead at 5:40 McClure with the assist. Vernon would get a shortened powerplay. The Vipers creating some havoc down low worked the puck out front to Brendan Persley at the top of the crease who was robbed by Olivier Mantha who made a huge save in close before the Vees would kill off the penalty. About two minutes later the Vipers thought they tied the game after a shot from inside the Vees zone was stopped by Mantha, a Vees player pushed a Vernon player into Mantha who was outside of his crease, the puck come right out front to a wide open Brendan Persley who hit the open cage but the whistle had just blown the play dead just as Persley was going to score. The goal was waived off for incedental contact on the goaltender. Just a shift or two later the Vipers would get their first full man advantage of the night but struggle as the Vees with a good penalty kill would kill off the minor. Penticton carried the better of the play and looked to have a bit of a jump on the Vipers at times. Vernon played well but just couldnt seem to get much of anything going. Just past the halfway mark the Vees would get their second powerplay of the period. But it would be TJ Dumonceaux who would go in for the breakaway shorthanded beat Vees starting goaltender Olivier Mantha but hit the crossbar as the Vipers were inces away from tying the game. Vernon with a good penalty kill would kill off the minor. Vernon would come on late in the period getting a few good shifts had troubles generating any offensive chances. With a minute and a half to go Brad McClure setup Erik Benoit who burst down the wing setup Steen Cooper with another beauty pass that went high on Vipers starting goaltender Austin Smith giving the Vees a 3-1 lead at 18:41 Benoit & McClure with the assists. This was a killer for the Vipers who didnt have alot going didnt want to be down two heading into the 3rd. Penticton was up 3-1 after 40 minutes of play. The Vees with a few good opportunities early would eventually grab the lead on another early goal to start a period. Penticton carried the edge in play and had the better of the chances scored twice to take a two goal lead. The Vipers thought they scored to tie the game but the goal was waived off and hit the crossbar on a shorthanded breakaway didnt generate alot of offence this period. Penticton outshot Vernon 11-8.
3rd Period: The Vees would get an early powerplay less then two minutes into the period, Penticton couldnt capitalize having a great chance to put the game away couldnt get much going as the Vipers penalty kill was good killing off the penalty. The Vipers seemed to gain a little momentum and some confidence after the penalty kill come right back with a good push back shift before Vernon would get their second powerplay of the night. Jared Wilson setup Michael McNicholas who spotted Colton Sparrow driving hard to the net who got the Vipers to within a goal at 7:59 McNicholas & Wilson with the helpers. Just 1:13 later Colton Sparrow with all the work carried the play down low, before coming out front spotted Brett Mulcahy going hard to the net beat Olivier Mantha crashing into the goal as Vernon tied the game 3-3 at 9:12 as the Vipers bench erupted. Sparrow with the assist. This goal gave the Vipers a ton of life as Vernon really took over the momentum and carried the play basically the remainder of the period. Sure Penticton had some good shifts but the Vipers were the better team in the second half. Michael McNicholas with a quick backhand pass was unable to setup Liam Coughlin who was all alone in the slot would have gone in for the breakaway if picking up the puck on a missed opportunity. The Vees with a great chance to re-take the lead after Erik Benoit was robbed by the quick glove of Austin Smith with six and a half minutes remaining. About two minutes later Michael McNicholas with a quick shot from the slot just missed going over the crossbar before Mason Blacklock on a scramble in and around the Vees net got the puck off the end wall couldnt beat Mantha who come across the blue paint to make a huge game saver with about four and a half minutes to go. Both teams playing hard made for a very nerve racking finish. In the final twenty-thirty seconds Steen Cooper looked to have the game winner on his stick, a quick pass from the corner come out front to a wide open Cooper who couldnt handle the puck as the puck went into the corner. Cooper had a whole open cage could have won it in the dying seconds on a missed opportunity. The game was tied 3-3 after 60 minutes of play. The Vees with a great opportunity had an early powerplay couldnt put the game away before the Vipers with two back to back goals just 1:13 apart tied the game coming back down 3-1 forced overtime. Once Vernon tied the game the Vipers carried the edge in play and were the better of the two teams. The Vipers outshot the Vees 9-7.
Overtime: Penticton would get atleast two rushes with the puck up ice couldnt get much of anything going before the Vipers come back the other way won the faceoff in the Vees zone had the puck behind the Penticton goal where Dexter Dancs from the side of the net setup Michael McNicholas in front who beat Olivier Mantha for the overtime winner at 2:06 as the Vernon bench erupted onto the ice as the Vipers won the series 4-3 winning the Interior Division Title advancing to the three team round robin tournament next weekend. Dancs with the assist. It didnt take very long to end and on the only shot of the period sent the Vipers onto the next round and the Vees home for the summer. Vernon outshot Penticton 1-0.
Top Players: (Vernon)
Kenny Citron played a very well defensive game, keeping things simple was very solid on the blueline.
Riley Guenther also was very strong on the Vipers backend. Guenther showed his veteran presence tonight, seeing a ton of ice was very solid.
Michael McNicholas (Overtime Winner & 1 assist) Played very well. I didnt think his line was very effective but it was McNicholas who was very good on that line. Won some key draws, was good on the penalty kill and inside the offensive zone, really sees and reads the ice well, made some nice heads up passes tonight. Has been clutch all season from the slot-in front and guess where he scored the OT winner from?
TJ Dumonceaux has been flying all playoffs-series and was really skating hard tonight. Played with alot of energy, really makes the other defenders look over their shoulders before making that first pass or move, adds alot of jump, speed and energy to this team had a strong game.
The line of Brett Mulcahy (2 goals), Colton Sparrow (1 goal & 1 assist) & Brendan Persley was the Vipers best line. Mulcahy who I thought didnt look very good in Game 6 played a much better game tonight. Persley played and battled hard played physical and didnt let down. Sparrow carried this team on his back tonight, Sparrow looked posesed and like a man on mission. He was all over the ice tonight, battled and competed hard all night, was very strong with and without the puck, hard to knock off the puck and contain in and around the net. This line really come to play and was the Vipers best line so in the playoffs.
Austin Smith (23 saves) What can you say about Smitty. For a kid who has never been in the playoffs or played a playoff game his entire hockey career until this season, has been one of the better Vipers these playoffs. Smith was being knocked all season, as several people were saying the Vipers need a #1 goaltender, Smith isnt the guy to carry this team and so on. Well Smith has carried this team and played very well in the playoffs. Smith was good again tonight made some key saves through out the game.
Game Thought's: (Vernon)
The Vipers responded with a much better performance tonight after last night's 2-0 loss in Game 6 at home. The Vipers fell behind early but battled right back tying the game just sixteen seconds later. I thought Vernon played a very well opening period kept with the Vees were even in the first half before carrying a slight edge in the last ten minutes. Didnt generate alot of chances but played physical and well. The Vipers gave up an early goal in the 2nd period and just couldnt get much going offensively. The Vipers played well but had troubles getting any real zone time or pressure in the Penticton zone. The Vipers thought they tied the game midway through the period but the goal was waived off, where they said there was incidental contact with the goaltender. If the Vees defenceman pushed the Viper forward into Mantha shouldnt the goal stand? If that was the call, my question is why did the Vees first goal count? It looked like Dalpe made contact with Smith on the Vees opening goal. The Vipers come close to tying it in the 2nd after TJ Dumoncaux hit the crossbar shorthanded. Vernon would give up a late goal with a minute and a half to go, as I was thinking this was a killer. But give this team and these kids full credit, they didnt quit, they battled and played hard in the 3rd, coming up with a huge penalty kill to start the final frame the Vipers would then gain momentum scoring two quick goals 1:13 apart to tie the game and then carried the edge in play forcing overtime. This was a huge come from behind win that will really give this team a ton of confidence and may go along ways. I really liked Vernon's physical play, they seemed to wear down the Vees at times and had Penticton looking over their shoulder on almost every play. I thought the Vipers were the better of the two teams in the 1st and 3rd periods in a very exciting and thrilling yet very nerve racking game. Give the Vipers credit for winning three of the four games in Penticton, in an arena where they havnt done very well the past few seasons. I think the Vipers really got better as the series went along, Vernon who had all kinds of troubles with the Vees speed, skill and cycle down low were able to slowly contain Penticton as the series went along and also found a way to break through the Vees solid defence. I dont think many people picked the Vipers to win the Interior Division Title. Id like to take this time to congratulate the Vernon Vipers and their coaching staff as well as Duncan Wray on the win and the Interior Division Title. Best of luck in the next round.
Top Players: (Penticton)
Brett Beauvais has played very well against Vernon all season, had his biggest game of the series. Beauvais was very solid, was joining the rush, getting involved in the play, was solid on the backend, saw alot of ice and was very strong.
Jarod Hilderman has really impressed me for a young 16 yr old. This kid played very well this series and tonight.
The line of Steen Cooper (1 goal), Cody DePourcq (1 goal) and Brad McClure (2 assists) was very strong for the Vees. DePourcq is one of the hardest working kids Ive seen play this season, just never seems to stop moving his feet, always hustling, battling hard down low and in and around the net. Very quick, is hard to contain and knock off the puck even for a kid his size. Had a heck of a game tonight. Cooper was very good as well, scored the Vees 3rd goal seems to always be in front of the net. What can you say about the Vees captain Brad McClure, this kid carried the Vees on his back all season and playoffs. With two assists tonight had another good performace. Is very hard to contain, good on his feet and has a wicked shot.
Erik Benoit (1 assist) Had a strong game. This kid has been a huge impact player since coming over just before the trade deadline from the WHL. Plays with alot of jump, always in and around the net, battles hard, had some good opportunities tonight.
Travis Blanleil (1 assist) Had a very strong game, I didnt notice him much this series but he come to play tonight. Was really skating hard, had lots of jump and battled all night.
Game Thought's: (Penticton)
After a huge 2-0 win in Game 6 last night in Vernon the Vees come up short tonight in Game 7 for their final game of the season. Penticton playing in front of over 3000 fans got off to a great start, scored early to get into the game, got the crowd behind them but couldnt hold onto the lead. The Vees were very even with Vernon in the first half but I thought allowed the Vipers to play with the puck down low and carry the play in the second half. Penticton with a strong 2nd period once again scored early to start a period had several good opportunities but couldnt capitalize. The Vees were the better of the two teams in the 2nd period scored twice to take a 3-1 lead into the 3rd. A missed opportunity early failed to capitalize on the powerplay gave Vernon momentum and some confidence wich allowed the Vipers to get within a goal before tying the game 1:13 later. This seemed to take alot of steam out of Penticton as Vernon carried the edge in play for the remainder of the period. I think the Vipers strong physical play game after game really took a toll on the Vees but especially tonight. The Vees seemed to be always looking over their shoulders. Penticton didnt get alot of zone time or were able to get their cycle going like in Games 1, 2 and 3 battled and played hard but fell short. Olivier Mantha who picked up the shutout last night looked a little shaky tonight at times. The Vees have to be shaking their heads after having a 3-1 lead heading into the 3rd before giving up back to back goals just over a minute apart. Overall both teams battled and played very hard in a tough way to end someone elses season. You had to feel for the Vees players after the Vipers scored the OT winner. Id like to take this time to thank the Penticton Vees and their coaching staff for a great season and a great playoff series. All the best to the players who will be moving on and for the ones who will be returning, will see you next season.
Scratches:
Vernon:
Mark Hamilton (Injured)
Matty Saharchuk
Penticton:
Josh Blanchard
Cam Amantea
Energy player of the game:
Cody DePourcq (1 goal)
Three Stars:
1st Star: Michael McNicholas (1 goal & 1 assist)
2nd Star: Erik Benoit (1 goal)
3rd Star: Colton Sparrow (1 goal & 1 assist)
For more on tonight's game visit the BCHL boxscore,
http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=1313004&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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