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 Semi-Final Game 4 as Vernon defeated West Kelowna 4-1 to grab a 3-1 series lead in front of 1,377 fans at Kal Tire Place.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon: Austin Smith
West Kelowna: Andy Desautels
1st Period: The Vipers would come very close to opening the scoring within the opening minute just like in Game 3 as Michael McNicholas went just missing the far corner thirty seconds into the period (I thought it hit the post but not 100% sure). The Warriors would get a great opportunity at the other end of the rink three minutes in after Braden Pears walked in from the slot ripped a high shot that was quickly snagged by the glove of Austin Smith. Off the following faceoff the Vipers would get an early powerplay. Vernon would struggle having all kinds of trouble keeping the play in the offensive zone as West Kelowna would kill off the penalty. Both teams went back and forth with the play fairly evenly matched. Dexter Dancs setup Michael McNicholas who setup Liam Coughlin going hard to the net on a Viper odd man rush before being robbed by the quick glove of Andy Desautels who come across the crease to make a game saver keeping this game scoreless. Just two minutes later the Vipers would open the scoring after a scrum in front of the Warriors goal. Everyone was banging away at the puck before Colton Sparrow spotted the loose puck at the side of the net put it into the open cage giving Vernon a 1-0 lead at 9:09 Brendan Persley and Josh Bryan collected the helpers. Ryan Fraser-Lee would leave the Warriors bench at the halfway mark, heading to the dressing room with the team trainer before returning to the bench. Just past the midway mark Braden Pears again with a quick shot forced Smith to make a tough save with bodies in front. The Warriors would get back to back powerplays but unable to capitalize as Vernon was able to kill off both minors. West Kelowna come on strong in the second half, was carrying the better of the play. The Warriors were really skating hard, winning the battles down low but were kept to the outside so didnt generate alot of good opportunities. The Vipers looked to have taken a two goal lead with 5:47 remaining after Jared Wilson spotted Dexter Dancs with a nice quick pass up the side wall sending Dancs hard to the net, Dancs was stopped by Desautels before bumping into the Warriors goaltender putting the puck home on the rebound. The goal was waived off for incidental contact while Desautels was down and didnt get up. Desautels was down for a while before needing the trainer and two teammates to help him off the ice. Desautels was very unstable getting up as both legs looked like jello. Backup Cody Porter come in for relief as Desautels left the game after giving up one goal on eight Vernon shots. In the final seconds Brett Mulcahy and Colton Sparrow broke in on the two on one, Mulcahy setup Sparrow who went high glove over a sprawling Cody Porter with 6.7 seconds remaining, giving Vernon a 2-0 lead at 19:54 Mulcahy & Brendan Persley picked up the assists. The Vipers with a 2-0 lead after 20 minutes of play. Both teams were very evenly matched in the first ten minutes with the Vipers scoring the lone goal before West Kelowna would take over the edge in play and outplayed Vernon in the second half. The Warriors went 0-2 with the man advantage as Vernon outshot West Kelowna 10-8.
2nd Period: The Vipers with a great chance to grab a three goal lead early as Dexter Dancs setup Liam Coughlin on a odd man rush before being stopped by Warriors goaltender Cody Porter. West Kelowna with two early three on two odd man rushes couldnt hit the net missing on two good opportunities. The second period was filled with lots of chippy play and stick work at both ends of the rink, coming from both teams as tempers began to boil over. West Kelowna would lose Ryan Fraser-Lee after picking up an early ten minute misconduct. The Warriors carried the better of the play early and often. David Pope with a quick shot from the inside the circle was stopped by Vipers starting goaltender Austin Smith. West Kelowna with a strong forecheck, were playing with alot of jump and hustle battled hard all night in a key game. The Vipers come very close to making it 3-0 after Mason Blacklock couldnt handle the puck with an open net as Cody Porter was down and out on a missed opportunity. Vernon would get their second powerplay of the night and capitalize after Josh Bryan with a heads up play found Colton Sparrow down low who setup Liam Coughlin in front giving Vernon a 3-0 lead at 8:46 Sparrow and Bryan with the assists. The Warriors come right back with a good push, and thought they had scored but were robbed by a diving Austin Smith. Smith dove across the crease with taffic in front making a huge save with Reid Simmonds and Tyson Dallman ontop of the crease left shaking their heads. The Warriors kept coming and were skating hard. Reid Simmonds was left open and allowed to walk in from the corner before ripping a high hard shot that caught Smith high who made the tough save before stopping David Pope shortly after. The Vipers back on their heels at times in the 2nd were having troubles clearing the zone and getting through the neutral zone. The Warriors defence was very solid giving Vernon all kinds of trouble getting into the offensive zone. The Vipers would finally get some offence going late in the period, TJ Dumonceaux with a burst of speed tried setting up Logan Mick on a two on one rush before Mick fired wide of the net. Liam Coughlin looked to have Porter beat in close but hit the crossbar. At the buzzer the Warriors got a bit of a scare after Dexter Dancs hit a Warriors defenceman into goaltender Cody Porter who went down and was slow to get up. Porter seemed to be ok and come out for the 3rd period. Some good scoring plays at both ends of the rink late but Vernon was still up 3-0 after 40 minutes of play. West Kelowna was the better of the two teams carried the play and held the Vipers in their own end most of the period. The Warriors defence did a great job at shutting down the Viper offence. The Vipers did come on late had some good chances. West Kelowna outshot Vernon 13-12.
3rd Period: The Vipers didnt sit back and try to defend a three goal lead but come at the Warriors hard in the opening few minutes before West Kelowna would slowly take over the edge in play. The Warriors really buzzing in and around the Vernon net were kept to the outside so didnt get alot of great opportunities. West Kelowna with a few good looks also missed the net on a few shots. The Vipers did a good job at keeping West Kelowna to the perimiter and limiting their chances didnt give up alot of scoring chances. David Pope who had a heck of a game beat Austin Smith around the halfway mark but hit the crossbar. In the second half the Vipers slowly were able to get the puck through the neutral zone, chipping it in before going in after it. As the period went on, the Warriors looked to be running out of gas as the play really slowed down with alot of battling going on along the boards with very little action. Vernon was able to kill off some valuable minutes off the clock before the Warriors would get on the scoreboard. Adam Osczevski with some hard work setup Kyalr Hope who cut to the net put a backhand past Smith cutting the Vernon lead to 3-1 at 15:49 Osczevski and Brett Mennear picked up the helpers. This goal gave West Kelowna life and a little momentum as the Warriors with one final push would really come on the next few shifts trying to cut the Viper lead to within a goal. Warriors captain Matt Anholt with a great chance couldnt beat Austin Smith. West Kelowna would get Cody Porter to the bench with about 2:19 left in the game, but it was Dexter Dancs who was a workhorse down low fighting off three Warrior players along the end wall, killing off some valuable time off the clock. The Vipers with a strong forecheck kept West Kelowna in their own end at times as the Warriors were having troubles breaking through the neutral zone. The Vipers thought they added an empty netter (Riley Guenther) late in the period but the play was blown offside and the goal waived off. Porter was forced back into the pipes before heading back to the bench for the final minute but it was too late as TJ Dumonceaux with a burst of speed got by David Pope in for the breakaway hit the empty net giving Vernon a 4-1 lead at 19:06 Riley Guenther with the lone assist. The Vipers would hang on for the win but not before some fireworks at the buzzer as several players got involved in some pushing and shoving before the referee's were able to break the altercation up. The Vipers with a 4-1 win grab a 3-1 series lead. West Kelowna was the better of the two teams again in the 3rd carried the edge in play but were really limited to scoring opportunities. The Warriors were held to the outside couldnt get those second and third opportunities on any rebounds. I thought the Viper defence was much better in the second half really shutting down the Warriors offence. West Kelowna outshot Vernon 14-3.
Top Players: (Vernon)
Josh Bryan 2 assists) Played a solid defensive game. Bryan was very good defensively, hard to beat down low and one on one was on his game tonight.
Liam Coughlin (1 goal) Was really flying, skating all night, was really looking good. Coughlin played with alot of hustle was even laying the body battled all night.
The line of Brett Mulcahy, Colton Sparrow (2 goals & 1 assist) and Brendan Persley (1 assist) was very good for the Vipers. This line worked very hard, battled and competed all game. Sparrow was really hustling, skating hard as was Persley who blocked a few shots, was good on the penalty kill again was banging and crashing. This line has really come along in this series and been the Vipers best unit.
TJ Dumonceaux (1 goal) Played a strong game, this kid never quits skating, plays 110% game in and game out, was really flying out there tonight. Was a little nervous early in the 3rd after he went hard into the net but was ok and stayed in the game. This kid is very tough.
Dylan Chanter was very physical and very good defensively tonight. A big body on the blueline has really played well these playoffs.
Austin Smith (34 saves) Was four minutes away from picking up a shutout has been very solid these playoffs. Smith made atleast three huge saves tonight looks confident, isnt giving out those big rebounds, has made the saves when needed giving his team a chance to win.
Game Thoughts: (Vernon)
For the second straight night the Vipers scored early, capitalized on their chances and come away with the win. Tonight was the biggest game of the series and a much needed win for the Vipers. Vernon had home ice advantage and used it to there advantage. The Vipers didnt need to be heading back to West Kelowna with the series tied giving the Warriors home ice advantage. I thought West Kelowna carried the better of the play, outskated the Vipers at times but Vernon did play well scoring on their chances and did a great job at keeping the Warriors to the outside, limiting their chances as well as clearing the front of the net. The Viper defence had trouble at times containing the Warriors two top units but managed to keep them to the outside, not giving them second opportunities on the rebounds. This was a hard fought game from both teams as well as a very chippy game from both teams. After West Kelowna's convincing 5-1 win in Game 1 I would have never seen this coming. The Vipers have really come together and playing some good hockey the last games. Game 5 will be very interesting in West Kelowna with the Warriors season on the line.
Top Players: (West Kelowna)
The line of Carl Hesler, Liam Blackburn and David Pope was the Warriors most dangerous unit tonight. These three saw a ton of ice, were all over the ice showing off their speed and skill down low, come up with several good chances couldnt find the back of the net. The Vipers had troubles containing this line as it was really engaged in the play at all times. David Pope should have atleast four or five goals this series just cant seem to buy a goal has been very dangerous this series.
The line of Reid Simmonds, Tyson Dallman and Matt Anholt was also very strong this evening. Simmonds with atleast two or three good opportunities was very good. This line really comes to play each and every game, battles and competes hard. Hard to check against and play against.
Braden Pears I thought was West Kelowna's best d-man. Pears really skates well, moves the puck well and gets involved in the play. Had atleast two good chances in the opening period.
Game Thoughts: (West Kelowna)
The Warriors were ready to go tonight and played hard all night. Unlike last night the Warriors didnt need two periods to finally get going as I thought they carried most of the play, were very dangerous down and in and around the net. With a short bench and four or five top players out of the lineup this team dosnt quit and battled all night. A tough loss after Andy Desautels left the game late in the 3rd after being bumped by Dexter Dancs on a play-goal that was waived off. This is a big blow to the Warriors as I thought Cody Porter looked a little uncomfortable at times tonight. West Kelowna fell behind again for the third straight game and was forced to try & battle back. With the league's best regular season road record the Warriors now have just one win in Vernon in their last sixteen games. West Kelowna needs to try and get bodies in those grey area's and look for those second and third opportunities. As the game went on it looked like the Warriors were running out of gas, how much does this team have left in the tank for Game 5?
Scratches:
Vernon:
Mark Hamilton (Injured)
Matty Saharchuk
West Kelowna:
Taki Pantziris
Seb Lloyd
Ryan Ivey
Adam Plant
Jason Cotton
Jordan Masters
Energy player of the game:
Brendan Persley (1 assist)
Three Stars:
1st Star: Colton Sparrow (2 goals & 1 assist)
2nd Star: Austin Smith (34 saves)
3rd Star: Josh Bryan (2 assists)
For more on tonight's game visit the BCHL boxscore,
http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=1312972&link=bchl
For more on the West Kelowna Warriors and tonight's game visit Jon Zacks Warriors blog,
http://thegeneralsreport.wordpress.com/
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