I was at tonight's Vipers-Wild game as Vernon defeated Wenatchee 4-2 in Game 3 to take a 2-1 series lead in front of 1,489 fans at Kal Tire Place.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon: Reilly Herbst
Wenatchee: Daniel Chenard
1st Period: The visiting Wenatchee Wild would ice the puck inside the opening minute. Cameron MacDonald won the draw back to Landon Fuller, who's quick release from the blueline beat former Chilliwack Chiefs netminder Daniel Chenard five hole, giving Vernon an early 1-0 lead at 0:50 MacDonald drew the lone assist. Before the following faceoff, assistant coach Leigh Mendelson was waving his arms in the air, wasn't happy about something. Mendelson was giving it to the officials as the game continued. The Wild with a good push back shift after giving up the games first goal. Twenty two seconds later, after Reilly Herbst was forced to make a quick glove save at the top of the Viper crease, forced a faceoff in the offensive zone. Sam Morton won the draw, got the puck back to Tanner Main who setup Noah Lugli who's shot looked to change direction on it's way to the goal, beat what looked like a screened Reilly Herbst, tied the game 1-1 at 1:12 Main & Morton collected the helpers. This goal changed the momentum of the hockey game as Wenatchee gained some life and momentum and took over the game. It was all Wild for about the following seven to nine minutes. Four minutes in with the Snakes back on there heels, Reilly Herbst was forced to make a big pad save from the top of the circle. Just before the midway mark, Nicholas Chmelevski with a quick shot from inside the circle, beat Reilly Herbst but not the post as the Wild come within inches of taking the lead. Wenatchee was outshooting Vernon 7-2 at the halfway mark. The Vipers last shot on goal was Landon Fuller's opening goal. The Snakes went close to twelve minutes following Fuller's goal without a shot. With about six minutes remaining, Cameron MacDonald would be denied in front on the Vipers best opportunity of the 1st period. Shortly after Noah Lugli hit Connor Sleeth from behind along the end wall in the offensive zone. Sleeth was a little slow getting up, was looked at by the trainer, but was ok and stayed in the game. Lugli would be called for boarding, sending Vernon to the games first power play, with about five and a half minutes left. The Snakes struggled with the man advantage early, as the Wild played very well defensively, closing the shooting lanes, keeping Vernon's PP to the outside. Towards the end of the power play and no real chances, Daniel Chenard was forced to make a difficult pad save with bodies in front. Just as the man advantage expired, former West Kelowna Warriors forward Max Bulawka with a grade A look/opportunity couldn't solve Daniel Chenard. It was 1-1 after 20 minutes of play. The only two goals of the period come quick and early. The Wild carried the better of the play for most of the first half or more, had more puck possession and a ton of zone time. Wenatchee was the better of the two teams, didn't generate or create many chances. The Wild jumped out in shots 7-2 at one point, only managed one shot on goal in the second half. The Snakes may have opened the scoring inside the opening minute, but Vernon looked very slow, sluggish and didn't have any jump in there game early. I don't know what was wrong with Vernon product Matt Kowalski, but the veteran BCHL forward made at least three trips to the Vipers dressing room during with the trainer during the 1st period, but returned to the Viper bench every time. The Snakes struggled offensively early, went at least twelve minutes without a single shot on goal, saw a lot of time in there own end. Vernon managed to weather the storm, slowly got going towards the end of the period, before finishing well, getting a few looks/chances. Wenatchee outshot Vernon 8-7.
2nd Period: The Wild jumped on the hometown Vipers early and often. Vernon was hemmed in there own end off the opening faceoff as it looked like Wenatchee was on an early 2nd period power play. With a ton of pressure, Nicholas Chmelevski couldn't solve Vernon Vipers starting goaltender Reilly Herbst on a wrap around, two minutes into the middle frame. Just over three minutes in, the Wild would jump on an early man advantage, there first of the evening. Reilly Herbst was forced to make two big stops as the Snakes killed off the minor. About two minutes later, the Vipers tried setting up Logan Cash on an odd man rush, but the second year Viper forward missed the net on a missed opportunity. Vernon went close to nine minutes without a shot on goal. Just past the halfway mark, the Snakes would get there second PP of the night. Just over a minute into the man advantage, Ryan Shostak spotted Matt Kowalski, giving Vernon a 2-1 lead at 13:12 Shostak and Dawson Holt picked up the assists. Two minutes later the Snakes went back to the power play. Thirty one seconds into the PP Dawson Holt's wrist shot would be redirected in front by Ryan Shostak, changed direction fooling Wenatchee Wild starting goaltender Daniel Chenard, giving Vernon a 3-1 lead at 15:37 Holt and Connor Marritt collected the helpers. Two quick back to back power play goals, gave the Snakes some life and some momentum. The Vipers kept pressing. With about three and a half minutes remaining, Brett Fudger with a good look/opportunity couldn't solve Daniel Chenard. Shortly after Logan Cash would be denied and then the Wild catch a huge break, after a dump in shot from outside the blueline, almost caught Wenatchee's goaltender out of position as Daniel Chenard was forced to quickly try and get back into the crease redirecting the puck from going into the open cage as Vernon come very close to hitting the open net. It was 3-1 Vernon after 40 minutes of play. For a second straight period, the Wild jumped on the hometown Snakes and dominated the play. Wenatchee had the Vipers back on there heels, hemmed in there own end for at least the first six to seven minutes. Vernon got a few big stops from Reilly Herbst, managed to weather the storm before capitalizing on two quick back to back PP goals. This period was almost a carbon copy to the opening frame. The Wild dominated most of the first half, carried the play, had a ton of puck possession and zone time, couldn't find the back of the net. The Vipers weathered the storm and played much better in the second half, seemed to gain some life and momentum after back to back power plays. Vernon was the better of the two teams in the second half of the 2nd period. The Snakes could have easily been up by more, had some quality chances in the final three to four minutes. Vernon outshot Wenatchee 11-9.
3rd Period: For a third straight period, the visiting Wild jumped on the Vipers. Vernon with at least three or four turnovers inside there own blueline in the first three minutes, were very lucky the Wild didn't capitalize on some sloppy play in there own end. About three minutes into the final frame, "AP" Reagan Milburn with a glorious opportunity in the slot, couldn't beat Daniel Chenard on a big stop from the Wenatchee netminder. About a minute later on another Vernon turnover inside there own blueline, allows Ethan Wolthers to go around the Snakes net setup a wide open Nick Cafarelli in front, cutting Vernon's lead to 3-2 at 4:07 Wolthers and Noah Lugli drew the assists. Close to four minutes past the halfway mark, the Wild would get a PP just there second of the contest. Early into the man advantage, Dawson Holt with some wheels forced a two on one, kept and shot forced Daniel Chenard to make a large save with his glove, just getting a piece of Holt's shot, keeping this a one goal game. Reilly Herbst was forced to be alert, made at least two big stops. With the power play coming to an end, Wenatchee would get called for two many men. Sending both teams to four on four before the Snakes would get a late man advantage. The Wild with another solid PK, closed the shooting lanes, kept Vernon's PP unit to the outside, taking away valuable time and space. The Snakes had troubles getting pucks to the net. With the PP coming to an end, Cameron MacDonald looked to have a wide open cage. A diving Daniel Chenard tried to make a lunging save, but I think it was Tanner Main who looked to throw his stick that stopped MacDonald's shot from going in as the penalty expired and the play continued. If Main did end up throwing his stick, this should have been an automatic penalty. I was surprised we didn't see the Viper bench up in arms as the play continued. With the Wild in possession and in the offensive zone, Daniel Chenard was still between the pipes with 1:45 remaining. Chris Clark and the Wild would call a timeout with 1:28 left in Game 3. The Wild would get Daniel Chenard to the bench for the extra attacker. Off the following draw, Brian Adams high sticked Logan Cash, sending Vernon to a late power play with 1:12 remaining. Jason McKee and the Vipers would call a time out. Wenatchee would eventually get possession and get Daniel Chenard to the bench for the extra attacker. The Snakes tried going for the empty net with a long shot from well inside the neutral zone, missed the open cage, icing the puck. Inside the final minute, Harrison Scott's point shot got through traffic, looked to hit someone on the way to the net, bounced up and over Reilly Herbst and behind the goal on a shot the Vernon goaltender didn't see. The Vipers in full panic couldn't clear the zone, before Jackson Caller spotted Connor Marritt who dodged one Wenatchee player before hitting the open cage, giving Vernon a 4-2 lead at 19:35 Caller with the lone assist. Marritt's goal was a power play goal. The Vipers would kill off the remaining time off the clock to hang on for the 4-2 victory and take a 2-1 series lead with Game 4 tomorrow in Vernon. The Wild jumped on Vernon early and often, dominated most of the final twenty minutes. Wenatchee was in full control, had full puck possession and zone time, were forcing the Snakes into a ton of turnovers. The Vipers turned over the puck at least a half a dozen times, were very lucky the Wild didn't capitalize. Wenatchee did capitalize on one turnover, that resulted in the Wild's second goal. The Vipers were back on there heels, hemmed in there own end for most of the 3rd period. Vernon was having all kinds of trouble in there own end, coming out of there own end. Give the Snakes a little credit for limiting Wenatchee's opportunities, only surrendered eight shots in the final twenty minutes. This was a very nerve racking period as the Vipers were basically hanging on. Wenatchee outshot Vernon 9-8.
Top Player's: (Vernon)
Christian Felton I thought played very well on the Snakes backend. Was good at both ends of the rink. Jumped up into the play, was making things happen offensively.
Connor Marritt (1 goal & 1 assist) The Viper forward/captain I thought played hard, stepped up his game in the 3rd and was leading by example. At one point in the 3rd Marritt was in the face of Tyler Young and Sam Morton's face. Marritt stepped up his physical play, was finishing checks in the 3rd, played and competed hard.
Dawson Holt (2 assists) Played a hard fought game. Holt seems to bring his A game almost every night, never takes a shift off. Played hard, battled and competed hard in the win this evening. Was skating, used his speed to win the races, created and generated some opportunities.
Brett Fudger I thought played hard, worked hard, created/generated some looks/chances. Finished his checks, played with a bit of an edge tonight.
Logan Cash I thought played well through at times through out the hockey game. Had a few looks/opportunities.
Cameron MacDonald (1 assist) Had two very good quality chances, was good through out the evening.
Ryan Shostak (1 goal & 1 assist) Has really stepped up his game these playoffs, contributing on the stats sheet but also making plays and working hard. I have been impressed with his play in the playoffs.
Reagan Milburn "AP" Playing in just his third game with the Vipers this season, didn't look out of place and hasn't this year. Had a quality chance early into the 3rd, skates very well, finishes his checks, doesn't back down from the physical play and plays very well. I have been very impressed with this young man, and hope the Vipers sign him for next season.
Reilly Herbst (24 saves) Made some big stops through out the game, keeping his team in the game. Herbst who struggled the last few months of the regular season, seems to have found his game and confidence back in the playoffs. Herbst has been the difference in most hockey games this season, has to be solid between the pipes if Vernon wants to extend there season.
Game Thought's: (Vernon)
What a rollercoaster ride tonight's Game 3 was. Landon Fuller gives the hometown Vipers an early 1-0 lead fifty seconds into the hockey game, before the Vipers allow Wenatchee to even the score, twenty two seconds later. In all three periods, the Snakes got off to slow starts, looked slow, sluggish and were outplayed for most of the first half in all three periods tonight. Give Vernon some credit, as they weathered the storm, were able to change the momentum and play much better in the second half in two of the three periods. The Vipers were outplayed for most of the first half in all three periods but never fell behind and always played with the game tied or the lead. In all three periods the Snakes didn't seem to have any jump/or energy, fell behind the play early and couldn't recover until the second half. I thought Vernon played well and looked good for about twenty minutes tonight. The remainder of the time/game they were outplayed, outworked, turned over way too many pucks and were very luck the Wild didn't capitalize on there mistakes. Specialty teams was the difference, as Vernon went 3-5 with the man advantage and Wenatchee went 0-2 on the power play. Does the team have the flu or sick? Because at times the Vipers looked very slow, sluggish and almost lifeless at times. For the teams first home playoff game, I thought we would have seen a much better performance. I think Vernon was very lucky at times, had the breaks and bounces go there way and had to hang on for the victory. One thing that really bothers me, is the amount of turnovers inside there own blueline, especially at this time of the season. The Vipers have been making these same mistakes/turnovers since day 1 and you think the coaching staff would have fixed or try to resolve this problem way before the Christmas break. Why are we seeing so many turnovers and mistakes at this point of the season? The Vipers have to improve on the turnovers and playing over half of the game in there own end. I will give the Snakes credit for limiting the Wild's chances, limiting Wenatchee to less then ten shots a period and even though they turned over several pucks and made several mistakes in the final period, they battled hard and never quit playing. After not playing anywhere close to sixty minutes and having to hang on for the win tonight, how big was this win? A Wenatchee win and now the Wild would have the drivers seat heading into Game 4 in Vernon, in what I would call a must win for the Snakes who wouldn't want to go down 3-1 heading back to the United States. This was a big win due to the fact that the Vipers weren't at there best and may have gotten away with one, maybe they got lucky in. How big is tomorrow's Game 4? Vipers assistant coach Larry Draper wasn't behind the bench. For the first time this season, I saw a very animated and fired up Jason McKee behind the bench. All season the Vipers coaching staff has been very quiet, show very little emotion and don't look to do much coaching during the game. But tonight, I saw Jason McKee pacing back and fourth behind the bench, pulling out the white board, going over plays during the game, talking to players, patting the kids on the back or head as they come off the ice and towards the end of the game, was shouting out and giving instructions to players on the ice, showed a lot of emotion and excitement behind the bench, something I haven't seen all season. With not getting home ice advantage and having to play your home games during the week, smaller crowds are expected and that's what happened tonight. A very small crowd was on hand for the Vipers first home playoff game of 2020. People were slow getting to the rink, as several seats started to fill up a little more as the 1st period continued but overall, a very disappointing crowd for the first home playoff game. Viper fans have always been this way, as Vernon is a very funny sports town. Former Vernon Vipers forward/captain David Robinson was in attendance tonight. Game 4 will go tomorrow in Vernon, with Game 5 back in Wenatchee Friday.
Top Player's: (Wenatchee)
Ethan Wolthers (1 assist) Not the biggest kid but quick on his feet. Seems to find the open ice and run with it. Very shifty, making plays happen out of nothing. I thought played very well in the loss tonight.
Brian Adams Was under the skin of several Vipers, played with a bit of an edge but also gave Vernon defenders trouble through out the contest. The Wenatchee captain plays with a lot of heart and is dangerous at all times. I thought played a hard fought game.
Nick Cafarelli (1 goal) I thought looked very strong tonight, scored Wenatchee's second goal, early into the final frame, had several looks/chances through out Game 3. Another Wild forward who is hard to defend against.
Dylan Herzog Played well on the blueline.
Nicholas Chmelevski Had some looks/opportunities, I thought played well through out the hockey game.
Tanner Main Was another Wild defender who I thought looked/played well on the point. Main looked to have thrown his stick to block Cameron MacDonald's shot at an open cage late in the 3rd period.
Noah Lugli (1 goal) Tied the hockey game twenty two seconds after Vernon opened the scoring. Played very well at both ends of the rink. The former Salmon Arm Silverbacks d-man was involved in the play offensively.
Daniel Chenard (22 saves) I don't think was as tested as Reilly Herbst but was still forced into having to make several big stops this evening. Was very solid in the final minutes of the 1st and 2nd periods. Made a big glove save off Dawson Holt shorthanded in the 3rd. The former Chilliwack Chiefs netminder falls to 3-6 vs the Snakes this season (regular season & playoffs).
Game Thought's: (Wenatchee)
The visiting Wenatchee Wild were the better of the two teams, but ended up with the loss. The Wild jumped on the hometown Snakes and outplayed Vernon for at least close to the first half of all three periods, couldn't give themselves the lead, instead come up empty handed before allowing the Vipers to change the momentum, gain some life and surrender a goal at the other end of the rink. Wenatchee could have easily put this game away early, instead played with the game tied before falling behind and could never recover. The Wild got to within a goal early into the 3rd but couldn't tie the game. Wenatchee didn't get any breaks or puck luck, couldn't capitalize on there chances. I wouldn't say the Wild were undisciplined but took some penalties that cost them the hockey game. Specialty teams were in the Vipers favor where Wenatchee went 0-2 with the man advantage. The Wild may have been the better team, carried the better of the play for most of the night, had a ton more zone time and puck possession but didn't get more then nine shots in a period. The Wild also didn't generate/or create a lot of offensive chances, needed to get more traffic in front of Reilly Herbst and get more pucks to the net. The Wild fall to 0-4 in Vernon this year (regular season & playoffs). Head Coach Chris Clark played goal for Victoria, Surrey and Salmon Arm from 2000-2003. I didn't spot one Wild fan in attendance tonight. Usually the Wild faithful travel well. How big is tomorrow's Game 4? Wenatchee don't want to fall down 3-1 in the series after only scoring four goals in the first three games.
Scratches:
Vernon:
Ben Sanderson (Injured)
Colby Feist (Injured)
Jo Jo Tanaka-Campbell (Injured)
Keigo Hachisuka
Max Palaga (Injured-Out for the season)
Wenatchee:
Trevor Griebel
Matt Dorsey (Suspended)
Luke Ormsby
Jack Bayless
Energy Player of the Game:
Reagan Milburn
Three Star's:
1st Star: Ryan Shostak (1 goal & 1 assist)
2nd Star: Dawson Holt (2 assists)
3rd Star: Noah Lugli (1 goal)
I have picked a victory song for the Vipers this season. After every win I will play, Tarzan Boy by Baltimora
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_r0n9Dv6XnY
Boxscore-Game Summary,
https://bchl.ca/stats/game-summary/9758
Game Report,
https://lscluster.hockeytech.com/game_reports/official-game-report.php?lang_id=1&client_code=bchl&game_id=9758
Text Boxscore,
https://lscluster.hockeytech.com/game_reports/text-game-report.php?lang_id=1&client_code=bchl&game_id=9758
Please feel free to leave a suggestion or comment in the comment box below. I always enjoy and post all comments as long as there tasteful. Thank you for your comments and visiting my blog.
Here are some photo's I took before and during tonight's Vipers-Wild game.
2 comments:
This was posted on the Vipers website:
After the Buzzer – Vipers Powerplay Propels Them To 4-2 Win in Game 3
March 3, 2020
Vernon, BC: The Vipers scored 3 powerplay goals as they were able to down the Wenatchee Wild 4-2 in Game 3 of the best of 7 series.
The Vipers capitalized on an early chance as Landon Fuller’s point shot made it through traffic to make it 1-0 in the first minute. Just 22 seconds later, the Wild used the same philosophy as a point shot from Noah Lugli ricocheted off a body in front and by Reilly Herbst to tie the game up at 1. From their both teams had their looks in the offensive zone. The game plan appeared simple on both sides with chipping pucks in and moving it back to the blue line for shots to the goal. The Vipers had an opportunity on the powerplay, but couldn’t get the lead back as it remained 1-1 after 1 period.
The Vipers were on their heels early in the 2nd period. They only generated one shot in the first 8 minutes. Reilly Herbst was stellar tracking pucks and keeping them in front of him. On the defensive side the Vipers did a lot of good things, but needed to find a way to get through the neutral zone. The Vipers had to kill off an early penalty and were able to do so to keep it tied 1-1. The Viper powerplay was the difference in the period as Matt Kowalski scored his second of the playoffs then shortly after Ryan Shostak tipped in a point shot to make it 3-1. The two goals were scored 2 minutes and 25 seconds. Shots finished 18-17 VER after 2.
In the third period, the Wild were able to cut the deficit as Nick Cafarelli pounced on a loose puck in front of the goal to make it 3-2 just 4 minutes in. From there both teams worked hard to either extend the lead or make it disappear. Wenatchee had another opportunity on a powerplay but the Vipers were able to get a couple of clears. The Wild would then be caught with too many men on the ice allowing the penalty to run out and the Vipers to get a powerplay. Late in that powerplay Cam MacDonald was robbed by Daniel Chenard to keep the game 3-2. Brian Adams would inadvertently clip Logan Cash with a high stick putting his team shorthanded. The Wild would get the goalie pulled for a 5 on 5 sequence, but the Vipers were able to clear the zone and Connor Marritt hit the empty net to make the final score 4-2.
The Vipers now lead the series 2-1.
Game 4 will be tomorrow night at 7pm at Kal Tire Place.
This was posted on the Wild website:
WILD EDGED BY VIPERS IN GAME 3 LOSS
March 4, 2020
Tuesday night in Vernon, BC, Canada, the Wenatchee Wild and Vernon Vipers traded goals in the first 72 seconds of play but rather than develop into a full-blown track meet, things tightened up down the stretch as the Vipers secured the win with a late empty netter for a 4-2 win and a 2-1 series lead.
Vernon opened the scoring in the first minute of play, winning a faceoff in the Wild zone following an icing call back to the point where Landon Fuller powered a low shot through a screen that found the back of the net. 22 seconds later, Sam Morton won a faceoff in the Vipers zone, and Tanner Main slid it across to the midpoint where Noah Lugli unloaded a low hard shot that tied the game at 1.
The second period is where the damage was done. Vernon had two power plays and cashed in on both of them to take a 3-1 lead. Matt Kowalski snapped a wrister home on a pass through the crease, scoring stick side at 13:12, and Ryan Shostak got a piece of a shot to bounce it past Daniel Chenard at 15:37 and the 3-1 lead stood after 40 minutes.
The momentum swung back Wenatchee’s way early in the third. Harrison Scott saucered a nice pass to Ethan Wolthers who raced around the net from the right wing and threw it out front for Nick Cafarelli who buried it to make it a 3-2 game at the 4:07 mark. Wenatchee pulled the goalie for the extra attacker, but a high sticking penalty set the Wild down a man. The Wild still managed to get pressure in the Vipers zone late but a Vernon empty-netter at 19:35 sealed the deal and a 4-2 win. Shots on goal were even at 26 each. The Vipers went 3/5 on the power play, and Wenatchee 0/2.
Game 4 is also in Vernon, set for Wednesday at 7:00 pm. The game will be broadcast and streamed online with NewsRadio 560 KPQ, with the Pregame Show airing at 6:45 pm. All games are video streamed live on HockeyTV. Our official Watch Party is at Bob’s Burgers and Brew in East Wenatchee.
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