Vernon 4 Merritt 2

Was at tonights BCHL game as Vernon defeated Merritt 4-2 in front of 2,329 fans at the Wesbild Centre.

1st Period: Former Vernon Viper Steve Tresierra made his Cetennials debut against his former team wearing jersey #4. The Vipers got an early powerplay but couldnt generate much offence, as Kyle Bigos's onetimer from the blueline was Vernons one and only solid scoring chance. Merritt would kill off the minor, just as Colton Sobchak was coming out of the box, The Vipers defence got caught on a bad pinch by Kevin Kraus, as Adam Thompson was the lone man back, both Sobchak & Jordan Grant were upahead of Thompson, sending the two Centennials in all alone, Thompson couldnt get back fast enough as Grant kept the puck, waiting for Graeme Gordon to go down, before roofing his shot putting the Cents up 1-0 scoring on there first shot on goal just four minutes into the hockey game. On the next shift, the Vipers would get the puck in deep, Kyle Neilsen would stop the puck behind the net, Kellen Jones showed some good hustle, picking up the loose puck, then sliding the puck into the empty net as Neilsen couldnt get back in time. The Jones goal was unassisted as Vernon tied the game one minute after the Centennials first goal of the game. Both teams looked a little sluggish, showing very little emotion, making some poor plays-decisions. Both teams didnt have much jump, but Vernon did manage to carry the better of the play. Cory Kane was stoned from the slot after Neilsen made a big toe save at the last minute keeping the puck out. Kyle Neilson was having all kinds of troubles with the puck, letting out some big rebounds. Eight minutes into the period the Vipers would take there first lead of the game going up 2-1 after Connor Jones beat Neilsen with assists going to Steve Weinstein & Kellen Jones. A very non-entertaining 1st period with no real flow, very srambly at both ends of the rink with either team not getting many good scoring chances. Vernon was up 2-1 after 20 minutes of play. The Vipers outshot the Cetennials 14-8.

2nd Period: The 2nd period started out just like the 1st period, both teams didnt seem to have that drive. The Vipers did get a few good early scoring chances. The line of Connor & Kellen Jones along with Sahir Gill made some nice three way passing, before Kellen Jones hit the side of the net. The Cents seemed to get there legs going, and now were the ones having the edge in play. Merritt put some good presure deep in the Vipers zone, moving the puck well down low, creating some chances. Kevin Kraus & Dustin Johnson had words with each other, Johnson then gave Kraus a shot to the head on one play, both players seemed to be getting in one anothers faces for most of the 2nd period. Merritt started skating, and was by far the better team come the midway mark, as Vernon seemed to have stepped down to the play of the last place Centennials. Graeme Gordon had to be sharpe as the Cents were getting some good chances in close. "AP" Scott Kirkham showed lots of hustle, making some nice heads up plays. The Vipers couldnt seem to get much going, as they were lossing most of the one on one battles. Late in the period with the Centennials on a two man advantage, Captain Jordan Grant was robbed at the side of the net, Grant had a wide open net, before former Merritt Centennial Graeme Gordon dove across the crease to rob Grant on the play, the Vipers just about killed off both minors before Jake Baker setup Dustin Johnson who beat Gordon going off the post and in tying the game 2-2 on the powerplay. Merritt carried the better of the play and was now in tonights game, heading to the 3rd tied 2-2. The Centennials outshot the Vipers 12-9.

3rd Period: Whatever Mark Ferner said to the boys in the 2nd intermision must have worked as a minute and a half into the 3rd period Captain Chris Crowell fed a wide open Braden Pimm, Pimm was all alone in front putting a nice move on Neilsen, Neilsen went down, as Pimm went roof putting Vernon up 3-2. The Vipers had there legs going and were skating well, moving the puck for the first time all night. The Vipers kept up the attack, pouring all kinds of presure on Neilsen. Connor Jones made a nice play down low, feeding Kellen Jones who was alone in the slot but was robbed by Neilsen. Mike Collins then had a great chance in close but missed on a wide empty net. With the Vipers on a powerplay, five and a half minutes into the period Kellen Jones setup Connor Jones who went upstairs over Neilsen putting Vernon up 4-2 and now in control. The Vipers come to play in the 3rd, playing there best hockey of the night. The Cents couldnt handle the Vipers strong forecheck down low, as the Cents had just one shot in the first half of the 3rd. Vernon was by far the better team come the final period outplaying the Centennials getting all kinds off chances. Rob Short took a solid check along the boards, and immediately heading to the Vipers dressing room in some pain, Short was gone for a good four or five minutes before returning to the bench and hitting the ice for his next shift. Graeme Gordon had a pretty easy final period facing just four Cents shots. Short laid out a big check on former Viper Casey Fratkin in front of the Vipers bench, Fratkin & Codie Kightley didnt like the hit, as both Cents tried getting Short to drop the gloves, throwing some punches. Short skated away as both Fratkin & Kightley were each given two minutes for roughing, as the Vipers had a great chance to put the game away on a two man advantage but couldnt find the back of the net.In the final six minutes Vernon was now just hitting centre, getting the puck in deep, winding down the clock. Chris Crowell and Kyle Bigos were having words with the Merritt bench as the game was winding down. The Vipers outplayed and outworked the Centennials for most of the entire 3rd period. As the clock would wind down, the Vipers would defeat the Centennials 4-2 and are now a perfect 5-0 against Merritt this season. Vernon outshot Merritt 13-4.

Top Players: (Vernon)

Cody Ikkala played a solid defensive game on the Vipers backend. I really paid attention and carefully watched Ikkala for most of the night, I was very impressed with his defensive play.

The line of Sahir Gill, Connor (2 goals) & Kellen (1 goal & 2 assists) Jones was by far the Vipers best players tonight. Sahir Gill played with some good hustle, I really like Gill upfront on the Jones line. Connor & Kellen Jones were buzzing around the Cents goal, with some shifty passing plays in close.

Ryan Santana looked good at times. Looked strong with the puck down low, always a tough kid to knock off the puck.

Braden Pimm (1 goal) Played well for Vernon. Somehow Pimm was left all alone in front to score Vernons 3rd goal.

Steven Weinstein Looked alright on the blueline. Made two big defensive plays to break up a Centennials scoring chance. Ive been really impressed with Weinsteins play as of late, this kid has really come on over the last month or so.

Top Players: (Merritt)

Dustin Johnson (1 goal) Played with an edge for most of the night, was involved in the play, but was getting into it with Kevin Kraus for most of the game, for some reason both kids were at one another all night. Real gritty player

"AP" Scott Kirkham played with some good jump, seemed to give the Cents that spark when needed. Quick kid who skates well.

Alessio Tomassetti played well for Merritt. Seemed to log alot of icetime.

Game Thoughts: (Vernon)

This wasnt one of the Vipers better games, but they pulled through with a solid 3rd period and picked up the win. The Vipers seemed to step down to the same level as the Merritt Centennials, looking very sluggish making some poor plays in the 1st period. Didnt show much emotion, very little jump, as they got lucky and were outplayed and outworked in the 2nd period but were tied 2-2. Not sure where this team was for most of the night, but they showed up in the 3rd and got the job done, playing most of the final period in the Centennials zone. They really picked up there game in the 3rd, started skating, moving the puck, creating some chances. Lets hope they come ready to play tomorrow night in Penticton.

Game Thoughts: (Merritt)

It must be hard for the kids to try and get up for games when your last place and knowing there will be no playoffs. The Cents just like the Vipers looked very sluggish in the 1st, no jump, just a very boring period with very little action. Merritt started skating, moving the puck, and finally got things going, had some good chances, and were by far the better of the two teams in the middle frame but couldnt keep up the strong play going into the final period. This team looked awful come the final period, quit skating, hitting, and were leaving kids left all alone in front. Lost most of the battles, especially down low, had trouble with the Vipers cycle.

Scratches:

Vernon:

Mike Leidl
Cameron Brodie
Kory Roy

Merritt:

Alexander McMillan

3 Stars:

1st Star: Connor Jones (2 goals)
2nd Star: Kellen Jones (1 goal & 2 assists)
3rd Star: Jordan Grant (1 goal)