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 RBC Cup game as Vernon defeated Yorkton 6-4 at Kal Tire Place.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon: Austin Smith
Yorkton: Kale Thomson
1st Period: The Vipers started the game with the loss of Dexter Dancs who was given a ten minute misconduct before the game (warm up violation). The Vipers come out with a strong forecheck early, with good puck possesion in the Terriers zone in the opening few minutes. A minute and a half into the period Jared Wilson walked in from the slot unleased a rocket from the slot but was stopped by Kale Thomson who come up with a huge glove save. Back come Yorkton just a minute later, Kailum Gervais tried sneaking the puck past Austin Smith at the side of the net as bodies were going hard to the net but Smith was tight against his post made the tough save off a tough angle. A good fast pace to tonight's game as both teams were very evenly matched. Not alot of scoring chances in the opening period as Vernon would open the scoring. Brett Mulcahy setup Colton Sparrow who beat Thomson giving the Vipers a 1-0 lead at 9:13 Mulcahy drew the only assist. The Terriers would get the games first powerplay two minutes later, with a scramble in and around the Vernon goal the puck looked to come out from no where before just rolling through the crease on a close call. The Vipers with a good penalty kill were able to kill off the minor. Seconds later the Vipers would get their first powerplay of the night. Demico Hannoun come very close to giving Vernon a 2-0 lead after a quick shot from the circle was stopped by Kale Thomson before the Terriers goaltender just about kicked the puck into his own net on the rebound on a close call. Yorkton would kill off the penalty before getting a late two man advantage. The Vipers come up with a great penalty kill blocking several shots, diving to clear the zone as the Terriers couldnt get pucks through or setup the powerplay as Vernon killed off both minors. The Vipers would get a late powerplay and come very close to taking a two goal lead. Demico Hannoun was stoned by Thomson in the final seconds before Riley Guenther pounced on the rebound but hit the crossbar with Thomson down and out, missing the open cage. The period would come to an end before the powerplay expired. Vernon was up 1-0 after 20 minutes of play. Both teams played hard and were very evenly matched. Shots were even 13-13.
2nd Period: Vernon started the middle frame with the man advantage that was carried over from the end of the 1st period. Just fifty one seconds into the period Liam Coughlin with a wicked shot from the circle beat Terriers starting goaltender Kale Thomson high glove giving the Vipers a 2-0 lead at :51 Michael McNicholas and Dexter Dances with the helpers. Just seventeen seconds later Brett Mulcahy from almost the exact same spot beat Thomson high glove on almost the exact same looking goal put Vernon up 3-0 at 1:08 Dexter Dancs with the assist. The Vipers first two shots of the period hit the back of the net. Just twenty four seconds later Colton Sparrow beat Thomson down low giving Vernon a 4-0 lead at 1:32 Riley Guenther & Brett Mulcahy picked up the assists. Just 2:15 later the Vipers strike again, Michael McNicholas beat Kale Thomson high glove giving the Vipers a 5-0 lead at 3:48 Liam Coughlin and Dexter Dancs collected the assists. This was the end of the night for Kale Thomson who gave up five goals on eighteen Vernon shots. The Vipers with four goals on just five shots not even four minutes into the 2nd period. Riley Medves replaced Thomson as the wheels fell off for the Terriers. About five minutes later Vernon gets into penalty trouble taking three straight minors one including Ryan Renz who would be lost for the remainder of the period after picking up a checking to the head penalty and a ten minute misconduct. The Terriers would get their second five on three powerplay of the game. Yorkton with a ton of pressure moved the puck around was able to get several good chances from in close as Vipers starting goaltender Austin Smith had to be sharp made several key stops on the penalty kill. Turner Ottenbreit with a quick shot from the high slot beat Smith but hit the post. The Vipers penalty kill again come up with a few blocked shots as the Terriers were really pressing carried most of the play for the remainder of the period due to the lengthy powerplays. The Vipers with a good penalty kill and solid goaltending from Austin Smith would kill off all three penalties but just as the last penalty expired Brett Boehm beat Smith fivehole at 15:32 on a goal I think Smith would like to have back. The Terriers were on the board down 5-1. Boehm's goal was unassisted. The Vipers would get a late powerplay but give up a shorthanded chance after Brett Boehm tried going in for the breakaway was caught by Josh Bryan who come back to get into the play and breakup Boehm's breakaway opportunity. The Vipers couldnt capitalize after Riley Medves made atleast two big saves helping out on the penalty kill. Vernon was up 5-1 after 40 minutes of play. The Vipers exploded for four goals in the opening 3:32 chased Terriers starting goaltender Kale Thomson jumped out to a quick 5-0 lead. Then the Vipers got into penalty trouble and gave Yorkton some life as the Terriers didnt score with the man advange had several good opportunities would get on the board just as the penalty expired carried the better of the play in the second half of the period as Vernon played most of the second half of the period shorthanded. Yorkton outshot Vernon 15-14.
3rd Period: The Vipers would get an early powerplay to start the final frame but Vernon couldnt get much going as the Terriers were able to kill off the minor. Vernon who come out flat, was floating and caught standing around as the Terriers got their legs going took the early charge of the period. Brett Boehm with a quick shot from the high slot beat Austin Smith but hit the post as the Terriers come close to getting on the board early. Vernon would once again get into penalty trouble taking back to back penalties. The Terriers would capitalize with the man advantage, Dylan Johnson beat Smith down low at 3:54 cutting the Vernon lead to three goals. Tyler Giebel with the helper. Still on the powerplay just four minutes later, Tanner Lischynsky beat Austin Smith at 8:26 cut the Viper lead to within two goals. Former Vipers forward Riley Hunt collected the assist. The Vipers would call a timeout to try and settle the boys down. But just 2:06 later the Terriers would strike again. Tyson Enzie with a wicked shot beat Smith topshelf getting Yorkton to within a goal at 10:32 Joshua Ellis collected the assist. Viper fans were now getting frustrated as they started getting on the hometown club as Yorkton was riding high, had all the momentum and taken the wind out of the sails of Vernon. The Vipers now back on their heels looked very tenative and looked like they didnt want to touch the puck, to be the first one to make a mistake. The Terriers with all kinds of jump were really flying, were outplaying the Vipers the entire period. Vernon who couldnt get through the neutral zone had just two shots in the first ten minutes of play. Austin Smith made a big save before Riley Hunt just missed the far corner on a close call shortly after. The Terriers were buzzing in and around the Viper goal getting several chances were looking for the game tying goal. The Vipers would take a late penalty giving Yorkton another powerplay. The Terriers with lots of pressure had several close opportunities couldnt find the back of the net missed on a few passing plays in front couldnt capitalize as the Vipers were able to excape and kill off the minor. You could feel the tension in the arena as the Vipers and the fans were very nervous as Yorkton would pull Riley Medves with 1:02 remaining getting the extra attacker out, with some late pressure the Terriers couldnt keep the puck in before Colton Sparrow was able to find the empty net for his third goal of the game putting Vernon up 6-4 at 19:17 Josh Bryan with the assist. The Terriers didnt quit, kept coming hard in the final minute tried pressing for a late goal to try and get back within one but time wasnt on there side as the buzzer would sound but not before a minor scrum broke loose deep in the Vipers zone as several players were pushing and shoving, Riley Guenther was very upset trying to get away from a linesman trying to go after a Yorkton player. Both teams were getting heated before the scrum was broken up. Even after the scrum was broken up several Yorkton players kept trying to go back towards centre ice to chirp at the Viper players or referee. In the end the Vipers would come away with their first win of the tournament with a 6-4 victory. What a wild and crazy ending to tonight's game. After leading 5-0 it looked like Vernon was easily on their way to a win before the Terriers stormed back making for a very exciting and wild finish that come down to the wire. The Vipers come out flat, were standing around, floating most of the period while the Terriers come strong and hard and after getting an early goal got some life and momentum and took the play to the Vipers the entire period. Yorkton outworked and outplayed Vernon in the third come very close to tying and maybe even winning the game. The Terriers outshot the Vipers 16-6.
Top Players: (Vernon)
Josh Bryan (1 assist) I thought was the Vipers best d-man tonight. Bryan who has been a rock on the backend all season and playoffs had a very solid game on the blueline. Blocking shots, brokeup a shorthanded breakaway was very good.
Riley Guenther (1 assist) I thought also was very good on the backend.
The line of Liam Coughlin (1 goal & 1 assist), Dexter Dancs (3 assists) & Michael McNicholas (1 goal & 1 assist) was very strong. This line who wasnt very noticable in Game of the RBC Cup showed up tonight and played well.
Colton Sparrow (3 goals) What can you say about the Vipers assistant captain. Sparrow has carried this team on his back all playoffs now did it again tonight. Sparrow has really stepped up his play in the playoffs once again played with a ton of heart, desire and compete and it showed tonight. This kid is a work horse.
Austin Smith (40 saves) Other then maybe the Terriers first goal I dont think you can blame Smith on any of Yorkton's four goals. I thought Smith was very good tonight, especially in the 2nd period when the Vipers played most of the second half of the period shorthanded. Smith made some big-key saves in the 2nd and 3rd periods gave his team a chance to win.
Game Thought's: (Vernon)
This team is very scary with the lead. No lead in any game is safe with the Vipers this year. Late in the regular season and into the playoffs we have seen this team blow more leads then more especially in the Fred Page Cup vs Coquitlam. Up 5-0 in the 2nd period and 5-1 heading into the 3rd the Vipers come very close to blowing a 5-0 lead. I thought both teams played well in the 1st not alot of scoring chances as both teams looked even. Vernon with four quick goals in less then four minutes blew the game open to start the second period before getting into penalty trouble. Up 5-0 the Vipers played most of the second half of the second period in their own end on the penalty kill. Smith had to be good and was made some big saves on the PK as the Terriers got just one goal in the middle frame. In the 3rd the Vipers were caught floating, standing around, sitting back on a four goal lead got too comfortable couldnt put it into a higher gear and almost blew tonight's game. Vernon was outplayed and outworked the entire third period. Once again the Vipers got into penalty trouble in the 3rd gave up two powerplay goals. All season the Vipers have taken way too many penalties and blown leads. You think by now at this point in the season they would have learned by now. The 3rd period was just awful and embarassing to watch. Vernon was very very lucky to hold onto the win and improve to 1-1 at the RBC Cup. This was almost a must win as the Vipers didnt want to drop to 0-2 and face a tough Dauphin team tomorrow night who sits atop the standings at 2-0. The Vipers have to be better, much better if they want to get to the semi-finals and final next weekend. Kenny Citron made his return to the Viper lineup tonight after being out with an injury. For a second straight Vipers game, Kal Tire Place was not a sellout, not even close! Lots of empty seats, what a shame and an embarrassment for the City of Vernon & the RBC Cup! I must say its about time that Kal Tire Place replaced the old and yet non working tvs around the arena with brand new ones just in time for the RBC Cup. Thank you! It's only been close to two years with half of those tvs not even working.
Top Players: (Yorkton)
Devon McMullen had a very solid yet strong game on the Terriers blueline. The Yorkton captain had a heck of a game, very good skater, moves the puck well, really sees and reads the ice well. Good with and without the puck, made several heads up plays all night.
Chase Norish another defenceman that I thought played well on the blueline. Another good skater, moves the puck well, seems to get involved in the play.
Brett Boehm (1 goal) Really stood out for me tonight, seemed to be all over the ice, very noticable. Ingaged in the play, good with and without the puck, hit the post in the 3rd seems to always be involved in the play.
Riley Medves (14 saves) Come into action early into the 2nd period to replace starting goaltender Kale Tomson. Only gave up one goal on fourteen shots I thought played well between the pipes after coming into a game in a tough situation where the Terriers were down 5-0. Didnt have to make alot of saves or real big saves but did manage to made some good saves at key times of the game to keep the score still respectible and give his a team a chance atleast making a game of it.
Game Thought's: (Yorkton)
After watching the Terriers lose 5-1 yesterday afternoon to Toronto Lakeshore I thought Yorkton come back with a much better effort and performance tonight. I thought the Terriers played well in the opening period, kept pace with Vernon and held their own. Down just a goal it was the first three and a half minutes of the 2nd period where the wheels fell off. & Im not even sure it was that, the Vipers score two quick back to back goals in the opening minute and eight seconds on two good clean goals. The Vipers would get four goals on five shots in 3:32 to chase Kale Thomson. I think in this situation the Terriers needed atleast one if not two saves on any of the four goals to keep this game still reasonable. In both games now I dont think Thomson looked that good, seemed to be playing a little deep in his crease tonight. After the quick four goals the Terriers seemed to gain some life and momentum after the Vipers get into penalty trouble, getting some zone time, forecheck and some pressure Yorkton gets several good looks-opportunities plays a fairly good 2nd period before taking over in the third. Yorkton was all over Vernon for most of the twenty minutes as the Terriers outworked, outhustled and outcompeted the Vipers at all points of the ice. Yorkton with two quick powerplay goals gets back into the game and can smell blood. The Terriers with a ton of pressure just couldnt get a bounce or break to tie the game. Give this team full credit for never quiting and playing a hard nosed game. Yorkton now falls to 0-2 and last in the RBC Cup standings.
Scratches:
Vernon:
Mark Hamilton (Injured)
Matty Saharchuk
Brendan Persley Injured)
Yorkton:
Dylan Baer
Sam Stormoen
Derek Falloon
Cortlan Procter
Matthew Cox
Braden Lozinski
Players of the game:
Vernon: Liam Coughlin (1 goal & 1 assist)
Yorkton: Devon McMullen
For more on tonight's game and the full game summary visit the Hockey Canada website,
http://stats.hockeycanada.ca/game/show/6544951?subseason=142110&referrer=1060585&referrer=1060585
For more on tonight's game and the Yorkton Terriers visit Benny Walchuk's Terriers blog,
http://bennywalchuk.blogspot.ca/
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