Prince George 4 Vernon 3 (Overtime)

Prince George 4 Vernon 3 (Overtime)

Was at tonights game as Prince George defeated Vernon 4-3 in Overtime in front of 2,038 fans at the Wesbild Center.

1st Period: After lossing there first two games on the road trip it was the Spruce Kings who come out hustling, and skating hard. Prince George had the better jump with loads of energy as the Vipers looked lifeless with no emotion. The Spruce Kings were buzzing in the Vernon zone, getting some chances and quality shots towards Andrew Hammond. Modt of PGs shots were from the perimiter but they were outshooting the Vipers 7-0 in the early goings. Vernon didnt get record there first shot on goal till the 11 minute mark. It was shortly after this when the Vipers got caught on a pinch in the neutral zone, Alex Allan made a pass over to Sean Ambrosie who cut through the middle and then snuck in behind the Vipers defence, going in all alone on the breakaway, beating Hammond putting the Spruce Kings up 1-0. Vernon just wasnt in this hockey game in the early goings, looking very sluggish, poor passing and not making any contact or physical play, remember this was the Spruce Kings 3rd road game in 3 nights. Vernon would get the first powerplay oppertunity and struggled early on but then found the back of the net after a nice onetimer from the point by Steve Tresierra who beat Kevin Genoe to tie the game 1-1. This goal seemed to give Vernon some life, as the Vipers now turned the tables getting the better of the play in the 2nd half of the 1st. With just over 6 mins remaining in the period, both teams had to head back to the dressing room after the glass shattered beside the Vipers bench. As soon as the new glass was installed, the 1st period continued. Vipers started to get some traffic and shots towards Genoe as the shots were now 8-7 in favor of PG. Genoe was sharpe all game. Vipers best scoring chance to take the lead came when Kellen Jones fed a nice pass from the corner, to a wide open Ryan Santana who was left all alone in the slot but was robbed by Kevin Genoe. It was 1-1 after 20 mins of play. Shots were even 10-10.

2nd Period: Not much action within the first few minutes of the 2nd as both teams couldnt seem to generate much of an attack. Vernon then started to get some offence going, creating alot of action down in the PG zone. Kevin Genoe was sharpe coming up with some nice saves keeping the Vipers off the scoreboard. Vernon looked much better in the 2nd compared to the 1st period, the team was starting to skate, and lay the body through out the period. Vipers best scoring chance came after a solid penalty kill, Braden Pimm was just getting out of the penalty box, picking up the loose puck as John Digness joined in on the rush as both Digness & Pimm went in two on one, Pimm made a nice pass over to Digness but once again Genoe come over with a huge pad save stopping Digness in close. With under 5 minutes left in the period and the Vipers on a powerplay, some nice puck movement from Mike Collins & Kyle Bigos, who then set up Bryce Kakoske who beat Genoe up stairs putting Vernon up 2-1. Prince George battled back off the next faceoff, Zach Davies made a nice long pass up ice feeding a wide open Tyson Hall who went in all alone for the breakaway, beating Hammond to tie the game 2-2 within a minute just after the Vipers took the lead. This goal seemed to give the Spruce Kings life as the battled hard down low having the better of the play in the final minutes of the 2nd. After some hard work deep in the Vernon zone, Dan Correale & Joe Morgan opened up some room, getting off two shots in close but Hammond made two saves in tight but nobody picked up Sam Muchalla, Muchalla beat Hammond upstairs as PG re-took a 3-2 lead with just over 2 mins remaining in the 2nd. It would stay 3-2 Prince George after 40 mins of play. Vipers outshot the Spruce Kings 15-9.

3rd Period: Both teams looked very cautious in the early goings but as the first few minutes went by the Vipers really stepped up there play, getting the puck in deep and really controlling the play down low. Vipers with some good cycle down low, created alot of room, then getting the puck out front for a scoring chance but couldnt beat Genoe who played very solid in the final period. Vernon had lots of jump, really showing lots of hustle and intensity to start the 3rd, this is what the team was missing in the first two periods. Vipers were throwing everything on net, getting some good chances in front. Just 7 minutes into the 3rd, John Digness who tie the game 3-3 after beating Kevin Genoe fivehole. This play all started after Rob Short & Sahir Gill showed alot of grit and hustle down low along the corner boards, getting the puck out from the corner and then making a nice pass over to Digness. The Vipers 4th line of Rob Short, John Digness and Sahir Gill played with lots of jump and energy, this line really got the Vipers going early in the 3rd. Vernon dominated the 3rd with most of the play deep in the PG zone. Kevin Genoe played a solid game, looking very sharpe all night. Prince George couldnt keep up with the Vipers speed and skill as the Spruce Kings looked like a different team in the 3rd. Vipers come close many times to take the lead but couldnt beat Genoe. Vernons best chance came with about 6 minutes remaining, going on the powerplay but give the Spruce Kings credit, as they did a solid job on the penalty kill, not giving the Vipers much time or space to create anykind of an attack killing off the minor. Late in the 3rd PG would get just there second powerplay of the game with just 1:44 remaining, but the Spruce Kings couldnt get past the hard work and gritty play from the Vipers penalty killers. Vernons penalty kill was solid, as Vernon kept most of the play deep in the PG zone, eating alot of the clock. Prince George would run out of time as the clock expired as the game was tied 3-3 after 60 mins of play. Vernon outshot Prince George 15-1.

Overtime: With the Spruce Kings still on the powerplay (15 seconds) the Vipers tried to tie up the puck off the faceoff, PG got the puck in deep, with control of the play Zach Davies come down the wing, getting a shot off from inside the circle, Andrew Hammond made the first save, but couldnt handle the rebound as Sam Muchalla was all alone in front, gobbling up the rebound, and then firing the puck into the empty net giving PG the 4-3 Overtime win, snapping Vernons 5 game winning streak. Prince George poured onto the ice with a big celebration along the side boards. Prince George outshot Vernon 2-0.

Top Players: (Vernon)

The line of Ryan Santana, Connor Jones & Kellen Jones played really well. This line had many great scoring chances but couldnt solve the strong goaltending of Kevin Genoe.

Vernons 4th line of Rob Short (1 assist), Sahir Gill (2 assists), & John Digness (1 goal & 1 assist) was the Vipers best line going tonight. This line showed the most hustle and gritty play all game. This line really sparked the Vipers in the 3rd and gave them momentum to finish the game. Gill looked very solid, creating alot of chances, making some nice moves. Short & Digness both were gritty along the wall and in front of the net. Solid effort.

Adam Thompson played solid on the Vipers backend.

Steve Tresierra (1 goal) also played solid defenisvly, has a wicked onetimer and really reads the play well. Very solid on the powerplay.

Mike Collins (1 assist) looked very strong up front. Collins made some nice plays through out tonights game. Skated well and was always involved in the play.

Top Players: (Prince George)

The line of Joe Morgan (1 assist), Dan Correale, & Sam Muchalla (2 goals) was by far PGs best line going. This line produced the most chances through out the game. Morgan was always involved in the play, skated hard. Muchalla plays with that edge and never gives up, always driving towards the goal.

Kevin Genoe looked very solid. This kid has looked very good in both games vs Vernon this year. Plays his position very well, dosnt give up many rebounds and is very quick. Kept the Spruce Kings in the game during the 3rd.

Zach Davies (2 assists) looked very good up front. Reads the play well, always seem to know where the open man was at all times.

Sean Ambrosie (1 goal) is a bigger kid who played strong tonight. Scored a nice breakaway goal in the opening period.

Game Thoughts: (Vernon)

Vernon looked pretty bad to start the game, looking almost lifeless for the atleast the first half of the period. Didnt record a shot on net till the 11 min mark. No emotion or intensity at all, nobody was hitting or even working or skating hard, alot of passengers tonight. Vipers looked and played much better in the 2nd but still didnt play a full 20 mins, giving up two late goals after taking there first lead of the game late in the period. A different team showed up in the 3rd playing with lots of jump and emotion. Where was this team in the first two periods? Vernon looked very good in the 3rd coming up with some solid scoring chances but couldnt beat Genoe. Vernon needs to jump on a team like PG, especially after there coming in here on a two game lossing streak and this being there 3rd road game in 3 nights. This team needs to play like they did on Wednesday vs Quesnel, a pretty poor effort with alot of inconsistancy. Too many passengers tonight, Vernon needs to play 60 mins vs a strong team like Prince George.

Game Thoughts: (Prince George)

Prince George sure didnt look like a team coming off a two game road lossing streak and playing there 3rd road game in as many nights. So far the Spruce Kings have Vernons number and have played the Vipers strong. Prince George was going with no head coach and a short bench as well, this team come to play and deserves full credit for the win. A very strong performance from Kevin Genoe and timely goals from some big players. Ive been pleased with both games the Spruce Kings have played in Vernon. Full credits to PG.

Scratches:

Vernon:

Cole Ikkala
Trent Dorais
Nick Amies

Prince George:

Michael Nardi
Jordan Simpson
Johnny Van Siclen
Colten Derickson
Matt Lees

3 Stars:

1st Star: Kevin Genoe
2nd Star: Mike Collins (1 assist)
3rd Star: Sam Muchalla (2 goals)