Wednesday, November 5, 2014

Vernon 4 Trail 1

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 Vipers-Smoke Eaters game as Vernon defeated Trail 4-1 in front of 1,610 fans at Kal Tire Place.

Starting Goaltenders:

Vernon: Jarrod Schamerhorn
Trail: Brett Clark

1st Period: The Vipers got off to a quick start, as the line of Luke Voltin, Liam Finlay & Jagger Williamson played with alot of jump and energy early as Vernon was buzzing in the the Trail zone in the opening few minutes.  Thomas Aldworth going to the net redirected a shot in close couldnt beat Brett Clark who made a tough save in the opening few minutes.  The Smoke Eaters back on their heels early couldnt contain the Vipers speed and skill.  Vernon was all over the Smokies in the opening three minutes.  Shortly after Dexter McLeod jumped up into the play was left alone at the circle ripped a hard high shot that just missed the top corner on a great opportunity for Trail.  On the same play the Smoke Eaters kept the puck in the Vernon defensive zone before getting two quick back to back shots on goal forcing Jarrod Schamerhorn to make two good saves from in close.  Trail with a few hard working shifts had some good pressure before back come the Vipers.  Thomas Aldworth with his second chance of the period was stopped in close.  The Vipers all over the Smoke Eaters were up in shots 6-2 in the opening seven minutes.  Just past the halfway mark Liam Finlay and Luke Voltin with a nice give and go couldnt beat Brett Clark in tight as the Vipers with some good opportunities couldnt find the back of the net.  Trail slowly got into the game and looked a little better in the second half.  Smokies leading scorer Jake Lucchini with a quick low shot from the circle couldnt beat Schamerhorn fivehole who was quick to make the save at the top of the blue paint.  The Smoke Eaters would get the games first powerplay late but couldnt convert.  Trail with atleast two looks-chances couldnt beat Jarrod Schamerhorn as Vernon was able to kill off the minor.  It was 0-0 after 20 minutes of play.  The Vipers with a strong start to the game, come out hard.  With a good attack early Vernon was really buzzing in and around the Smikes zone moving the puck well, had the Smoke Eaters back on their heels early.  The Vipers with a few good scoring chances early were all over Trail in the first half.  The Smokies seemed to settle down as the game went on and looked a little better in the second half.  Vernon carried the better of the play and had the better of the scoring chances.  The Vipers outshot the Smoke Eaters 13-8.

2nd Period: Just 1:08 into the middle frame Vernon would get their first look with the man advantage, that didnt last very long before taking a penalty.  Both teams played a little four on four before the Smokies would get a late but shortened powerplay.  Trail with some good jump early carried a slight edge in play looked good in the opening few minutes couldnt capitalize on a shortened PP.  The Vipers opened the scoring shortly after on a lazer shot from the side wall outside the circle.  Luke Voltin's rocket of a shot beat Brett Clark topsehlf who was making just his third start of the season.  Vernon with a 1-0 lead at 5:28 Jagger Williamson and Liam Finlay collected the assists.  But just over three minutes later Johnny Coughlin with a turnover sent two Smokies in for the breakaway, Kienan Scott went in put a nice move on Jarrod Schamerhorn sliding the puck fivehole tying the game 1-1 at 8:52 Scott's goal was unassisted.  Twenty three seconds later Vernon would get its second but first full powerplay of the night.  The Vipers struggled early as the Smokies were able to easily fire the puck deep into the Vernon zone several times before Trevor Fidler would get a parcial breakaway towards the end of the man advantage couldnt beat Brett Clark in close as the Smoke Eaters with a good penalty kill didnt give up much on the penalty kill.  The play become very scrambled at times at both ends of the rink.  Shortly after Linden Hora setup Brandon Wagner on a two on one rush but Wagner was robbed by Scott who come across the crease to make a huge save keeping this game tied.  Trail would get their third PP of the night but couldnt capitalize.  Just as the powerplay expired Jake Lucchini skated circles around the Vernon defence come back out front was able to walk into the slot before ripping a hard high shot that missed the net on a missed opportunity.  On the same play Kienan Scott collected the loose puck ripped a hard shot from the slot couldnt beat Vipers starting goaltender Jarrod Schamerhorn who just got a peice of the puck with the glove making a huge save keeping this game tied.  Shortly after Linden Hora would setup Trevor Fidler on a Vipers two on one attack, Fidler couldnt beat Clark who made another big save for the Smokies.  The Smoke Eaters would take a late penalty giving Vernon a late powerplay.  Luke Shiplo spotted Liam Coughlin who setup TJ Dumonceaux going to the net who beat Brett Clark in front giving Vernon a 2-1 lead at 19:15 Coughlin & Shiplo picked up the helpers.  Trail didnt panic, yet come right back the other way with a hard working shift in the final minute.  Getting a few good looks at the net the Smokies fired wide late had some good pressure couldnt tie the game in the dying seconds.  The Vipers with a 2-1 lead after 40 minutes of play.  The Smoke Eaters had a good start to the period, had a slight edge in play but it was the Vipers who were able to kill off a shortened Smokies powerplay before opening the scoring.  Vernon couldnt hold the lead for too long as Trail tied the game minutes later.  Both teams looked fairly even this period as the Smokies looked and played much better in the middle frame.  Both goaltenders played very well, Brett Clark kept the Smoke Eaters in the game making two huge saves off two different Vernon odd man rushes.  Vernon outshot Trail 14-11.

3rd Period: The Smoke Eaters had a strong start to the period got the play in deep come at the Vipers before TJ Dumonceuax was able to break free and wire a low shot along the ice beat Trails starting goaltender Brett Clark but hit the post just fourty five seconds into the 3rd.  The Smokies come right back with another hard working shift, had the Vipers back on their heels before Vernon would get out of a jam.  Trevor Fidler setup Anthony Latina going to the front of the net gave the Vipers a 3-1 lead at 2:26 Fidler with the lone assist.  This was a big goal as Trail carried the play early before Vernon come right back with a goal at the other end of the rink jumped out to a two goal lead.  Vernon kept coming and shortly after TJ Dumonceaux with a wicked shot from the circle beat Clark but hit the crossbar, the puck come back out to the point where Luke Shiplo's low shot was robbed by Brett Clark who come up with a huge toe-pad save while lying on his back keeping this a two goal lead.  As the period went on so did the Vipers as Thomas Aldworth picked up his play in the final frame generate several good scoring opportunities was hard to knock off the puck and contain down low.  Vernon now carrying the edge in play had the Smoke Eaters back on their heels.  Trail looked to lose that energy they had to start the period looked to be running out of gas as the Vipers played well defensively at times kept the Smokies away from the puck most of the period.  After a flurry of chances by Vernon the play really slowed down as Trail was trying everything to generate some kind of attack while the Vipers were getting the puck in deep with a strong forecheck.  In the second half Luke Voltin's wrist shot was snagged by the quick glove of Clark.  The Smoke Eaters couldnt get much of anything going, any quality shots-pucks to the net were gobbled up by Jarrod Schamerhorn.  Jake Lucchini went hard into the side boards alone rattled the glass-boards was very slow to get up, went straight to the Trail bench.  Lucchini was attended too on the bench seemed to be ok, stayed in the game.  Not a whole lot of action going on in the second half as the Smokies looked to be fading.  Trail would call a late timeout with 2:15 to go, Brett Clark would stay on the bench for the extra attacker.  It didnt take Vernon long to find the open cage, TJ Dumonceaux setup Liam Coughlin who went in alone hit the back of the open net put Vernon ahead 4-1 at 18:07 Dumonceaux with the assist.  In the final minute several Smoke Eaters tried to stir things up getting their gloves and sticks high along the end wall.  On the following faceoff two more Trail players took tow big swings at two different Vipers as tempers were heating up in the final minute.  Lots of jawing back and fourth between both teams before the buzzer as the Vipers defeated Trail 4-1.  The Smokies got off to a good start, had some good pressure before giving up an early goal that put Trail down by two.  The Vipers seemed to respond after the goal and come on as the period went on.  Vernon with several good opportunities slowly took over the edge in play as Trail looked to run out of gas.  The Smoke Eaters with very few chances wasnt in this game in the second half.  A good shutdown period by the Vipers who will travel to Trail Sunday.

Top Players: (Vernon)

The line of Anthony Latina (1 goal), Linden Hora & Trevor Fidler (1 assist) was very strong for the Vipers this evening.  I would say Hora played his best game of the season, tried setting up two odd man rushes was skating hard, played with alot of jump.  Fidler who has really come on as of late has also been playing very well for Vernon.  Fidler with a few opportunities was able to pick up an assist in the victory. 

The line of Liam Finlay (1 assist), Luke Voltin (1 goal) & Jagger Williamson (1 assist) was by far the Vipers best line.  These three have added a ton of spark-energy to the lineup, really have the crowd buzzing each shift are fun to watch.  All three add some speed, skill and hard work.  Voltin has a hard shot and it showed tonight on the Vipers first goal of the game.  These three played with alot of jump and energy were buzzing in and around the Smokies zone all night.

Luke Shiplo (1 assist) I thought was the Vipers best defenceman.  Shiplo who is a smooth skater, likes to carry the puck, join the rush and get involved in the play.  Not one of the biggest d-men but is hard to contain.  Looked confident with and without the puck tonight.

Thomas Aldworth I thought struggled early looked to get better as the game went on played a heck of a 3rd period.  Aldworth was a force early and often to start the 3rd generate several scoring opportunities was hard to contain. 

TJ Dumonceaux (1 goal & 1 assist) Hit the post and crossbar all in one game has come on the last two to three games.  Went to the net, played hard down low, played with alot of heart tonight. 

Jarrod Schamerhorn (25 saves) Made two real nice back to back saves early to start the game made his biggest saves of the night in the 2nd period.  Was very good with his rebound control, looked to see the puck well played with alot of confidence.

Game Thought's: (Vernon)

I really liked the Vipers game tonight from start to finish.  I thought the Vipers got off to a quick but strong start, put some good pressure on the Smokies early generated a few chances showed lots of jump and energy in their game early.  I thought Vernon outplayed Trail most of the 1st period had the better of the chances.  Both teams looked a little more evenly matched in the middle frame but again I thought the Vipers created and generated some good chances couldnt beat Brett Clark who made two big saves off two different odd man rushes.  A big goal by TJ Dumonceaux in the final minute gave Vernon a one goal lead heading into the 3rd.  Trail with a strong start to the third didnt fase the Vipers who responded well with a huge goal early to start the 3rd seemed to take control of the play for most of the final period.  I thought the Vipers penalty kill was good and the powerplay seems to be getting better.  I thought Vernon played with alot of jump and energy through out the game didnt give up alot of second opportunities really limited Trail's scoring chances.  With the win the Vipers move into 3rd place, have now won seven of their last nine games.

Top Players: (Trail)

Ryan Swanson I thought played very steady for the Smoke Eaters, was very good positionally.

Dexter McLeod was another D-man that I thought was good on the backend.  Jumped into the play early in the 1st got off a quick hard shot from the circle had lots of time couldnt hit the net just missing the top corner.

Jake Lucchini leads the team in scoring, was dangerous with the puck.  This kid can skate, move the puck, has a wicked shot and is hard to contain.  Had a few good looks at the net really shows his skill.

Kienan Scott (1 goal) Had a strong game up front for the Smokies.  Another player that generated and created some ooportunities.  Had a great chance from the slot in the 2nd period couldnt beat the quick glove of Jarrod Schamerhorn.

Scott Davidson played with a bit of an edge early to start the game, tried laying the body early played well.

Brett Clark (35 saves) Making just his third start of the season was very good between the pipes in the 4-1 loss.  Very quick on his feet is able to get across the blue paint in a hurry, made two huge saves off two different Vernon odd man rushes in the 2nd period.  Dosnt give up any rebounds really absorbs the puck well.  Very sound positionally, plays his position well.  Really sees the plays devolpe is able to make the first save not giving Vernon an opportunity for a second look at the puck.

Game Thought's: (Trail)

The Smoke Eaters didnt get off to the start they wanted.  Getting hemmed in their own end early Trail had troubles containing the Vipers speed and early jump.  The Smoke Eaters were outplayed early and often were outshot 9-2 at one point but give Trail credit, they didnt allow a goal come back and played a little better in the second half.  I thought the Smoke Eaters looked and played alot better in the 2nd period, getting some good chances couldnt beat Jarrod Schamerhorn.  Trail kept pace with the Vipers in the second frame gave up the late powerplay goal in the final minute wich was tough.  The Smokies come out hard to start the 3rd but once giving up the 3rd Vernon goal early couldnt recover, seemed to run out of gas as the period went on and couldnt get much of an attack going in the final twelve minutes or so.  Not alot of hitting in this game in a game where the Smoke Eaters could have easily won.  This was no push over as the Vipers were in tough for most of the night.  Both teams battled and played hard. 

Scratches:

Vernon:

Danny Todosychuk (Suspended)
Brandon Egli (Suspended)
Mackenzie Bauer
Riley Brandt (Suspended)

Trail:

Brandon Volpe
Dallas Calvin

Energy player of the game:

Kenny Citron

Three Stars:

1st Star: TJ Dumonceaux (1 goal & 1 assist)
2nd Star: Kienan Scott (1 goal)
3rd Star: Trevor Fidler (1 assist)

BCHL Boxscore,

http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=1358211&link=bchl
     

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