Penticton 5 Vernon 3

Was at tonights BCHL game as Penticton defeated Vernon 5-3 in front of 2,076 fans at the South Okanagan Events Centre.

1st Period: Mike Collins just a minute into the game with a great back hand, was stopped by Jordan White in close whith a nice pad save on the first good scoring chance of the night. The Vipers jumped out to a quick start with some good jump showing lots of energy. Vernon looked very good in the early goings, with the better of the play, really taking it to the Vees. Braden Pimm with a great scoring chance was stopped by White. Ryan Santana carried the puck through a maze of players before cutting towards the front of the net, beat Jordan White in close but Brad Reid was in the crease making the big defensive save keeping the puck out of the net. The Vipers forecheck and strong play along the end wall was too much for Penticton as the Vipers outplayed the Vees in the first eight minutes before finally Max Grassi had the best scoring chance. Grassi in along the wing, cut towards the net and then snaped a shot before Andrew Hammond had to make a tough shoulder save stopping the BCHL veteran. Shortly after the Vees dumped the puck into the Vipers zone, Steven Weinstein slipped behind the net, Brad Reid got the puck out front where a scramble in front and Curtis McKenzie burried the puck past Hammond at 9:48 of the 1st. Assists went to, Brad Reid & Matt Paltridge. Just three minutes later Vernon would get into penalty trouble, with the Vees on a man advantage Cody Ikkala was given the gate and tossed from the game after a check from behind. This putting the Vipers down two men, with some good puck movement the Vees Garrett Milan scooped up the loose puck, feeding a nice pass out front, where Curtis McKenzie burried his 2nd goal of the night on the powerplay at 13:02. Assists going to, Garrett Milan. Still on the powerplay Zac Josepher with some slick wheels flew by everyone up the wing, putting a nice move around the Vernon d-man, cutting towards the net and then beating Hammond at 15:38 as Penticton jumped out to a quick 3-0. The goal was unassisted. Minutes later the Vipers would head back on the penalty kill but this time Vernon would kill off the minor. Just before the Vees first goal Vernon was outshooting Penticton 5-4 at the end of the period the Vipers would record just one shot in the final ten minutes of play. After a good start to the game, and getting some solid chances the Vipers couldnt capitalize and now were down 3-0 after 20 minutes of play. Penticton outshot Vernon 12-6.

2nd Period: Graeme Gordon started the 2nd period between the pipes for the Vipers as Andrew Hammond was given the hook after allowing three goals on 12 shots in the 1st period. The Vipers come out strong like the 1st period, showing lots of hustle and good forecheck down low, this resulting in the Vees taking back to back minors in the early going. With the Vipers on the powerplay, Steven Weinstein jumped up into the play, the pass come across the crease, but Weinstein was robbed by White who come across making a huge pad save. Vernon put all kinds of pressure on the powerplay but couldnt beat White. The Vees would kill off the first minor with Vernon on their second man advantage Connor Jones come down the wing, snapping a quick shot that just missed the far side, the puck went into the corner, back to the point, Jones stayed in front of the net, as the shot come from the point and Jones tipped the puck that just went wide of the empty net. As the Vipers moved the puck back around the point, Jones once again got his stick on a tip in front but Jordan White was square with the shooter making the big chest save, holding onto the rebound. The Vipers were getting all kinds of chances but couldnt beat White who played very strong tonight. The Vees would kill off the minor. Vernon owned the 2nd period outplaying the Vees, as the better of the play was in the Penticton zone. Sahir Gill was left alone in front, and had a wide open goal, before White somehow dove across the crease to rob Gill with the paddle of his goal stick. Vernon didnt quit their, Captain Chris Crowell & Braden Pimm went in two on one, Crowell made the pass over to Pimm who fired just high and wide missing on a great opportunity. The Vipers showed alot of character in the 2nd, battling hard, winning most of the races, really forechecking the Vees down low, some good cycle down low by Connor Jones, Kellen Jones and Sahir Gill who were buzzing in and around the Vees goal. Just before the midway mark Penticton finally had their best chance of the period, Logan Johnston snapped a quick shot low from the circle but Gordon kicked out the right leg making a big pad save. After Vernon carried the edge in play and couldnt find the back of the net, on some glorious chances the Vees would come back late in the period, Brodie Reid would fire the puck outfront from behind the Vipers net, Max Grassi was left all alone at the side of the net, where he quickly beat Gordon down low putting Penticton up 4-0 at 16:07. This was a heartbreaker for the Vipers after battling so hard and not getting rewarded, their now down 4-0 late in the period. Vernon didnt quit, with under a minute remaining James Kerr who played well showing lots of hustle, finally got the Vipers on the board at 19:29. The goal was unassisted. White and the Vees complained on the play as they thought Kerr may have kicked the puck into the goal. On the replay on the jumbo tron the puck went off Kerrs leg and into the net, as Kerr was driving to the front of the goal. The goal stood and Vernon was now on the board but down 4-1 after 40 minutes of play. Vernon outshot Penticton 15-3.

3rd Period: Once again Vernon come out strong, getting the play in deep and once again forechecking the Vees down low. The Vipers with some good cycle down low, really moved the puck well, getting some good chances in front. Connor Jones had an early chance after firing a shot from the corner, the puck went through the crease past White and coming out the other side. James Kerr had another good chance later on with a shot from the slot but Jordan White once again made a big save. Penticton would get an early powerplay but it was the Vipers penalty kill who did a solid job at killing off the minor. Vernon carried the edge in play outplaying the Vees for the second straight period but once again couldnt seem to get the bounces. Cory Kane with some good hustle caught a nice pass from Cole Ikkala, Kane beat White at 9:48 as Vernon cut the lead to 4-2. Ikkala and Bryce Kakoske picked up the assists. Connor Jones, Kellen Jones and Sahir Gill with some relentless forecheck, played another solid game for the second straight night. This line was getting knocked around, but held on to the puck, getting some good chances in close. Penticton couldnt generate much of an offensive attack, having all kinds of trouble with the Vipers forecheck. In the second half of the period the Vees were having to ice the puck on several occasions, just to clear the puck out from their own end. Just before the two minute mark, Graeme Gordon went to the bench for the extra attacker, but before Gordon could get to the bench, Curtis McKenzie got control of the puck, and took a long shot from just before centre, as the puck was heading towards the empty net, Gordon tried racing back, then throwing his stick wich the stick and puck both went into the empty net at 17:53. This was a killer for the Vipers, after all the pressure they poured on and couldnt buy a break, they give up a goal like this. The goal was unassisted. The Vipers didnt quit, they kept battling and just under a minute later after some hard work down low by the Jones Twins, Sahir Gill beat White down low as Vernon cut the lead to 5-3 at 18:49 Assists went to Connor & Kellen Jones. The Vipers would take a minor in the final minute of play, giving up any hopes of a comeback. Penticton would end up winning tonights game 5-3 in the teams final game of the regular season. Vernon would win the season series 6-2. Vernon outshot Penticton 8-3.

Top Players: (Vernon)

Once again the Vipers top line of Connor Jones (1 assist), Kellen Jones (1 assist) & Sahir Gill (1 goal) looked very dangerous down low. All three showed lots of energy and hustle, with some good cycle in the Vees zone. The Jones Twins took a beating down low but didnt quit battling hard, with that relentless forecheck.

James Kerr (1 goal) Played well, played with lots of jump, was skating well.

Cameron Brodie played a solid game on the Vipers backend. Played very well defensivly and physical. Nice to see Brodie rebound after a not so good game last night.

Steven Weinstein looked very good on the backend. Weinstein played well on the powerplay, getting involved in the play.

Adam Thompson played his second strong game on the Vernon blueline. I was very impressed with his play the last two games. Thompson played with lots of confidence, getting lots of icetime while on the PP.

Mike Collins played another solid game, battling hard down low. Had a few good scoring chances. Collins has really improved since the start of the season, battled hard tonight.

Top Players: (Penticton)

Curtis McKenzie (3 goals) killed the Vipers tonight. McKenzie was all over the ice, was very dangerous around the Vipers net.

Zac Josepher (1 goal & 1 assist) looked very good on the powerplay, scored a highlite real goal while on the man advantage.

Garrett Milan (1 assist) played very well, especially in the 1st period. Milan is smaller but hard to get off the puck. Very shifty player when with the puck.

Jordan White (26 saves) Played his best game vs Vernon this season. White was the difference as the Vipers outplayed and outhustled the Vees in the 2nd and 3rd periods but couldnt beat White, who made some big saves.

Matt Paltridge (1 assist) played a solid defensive game for the Vees. Another one who jumped up into the play.

Brad Reid (1 assist) I thought played a very defensive game, coming back into the zone, showed lots of hustle. Played well at both ends of the rink.

Game Thoughts: (Vernon)

A much better performance and effort tonight after last nights 4-3 loss in Westside. Vipers got off to a quick start, having the better of the play but couldnt beat White. After some great scoring chances playing some smart hockey, the Vipers couldnt capitalize on their chances, giving up the first goal and then getting into penalty trouble and allowing two powerplay goals, the team was now in a big whole down 3-0 and having to try and battle back on the road. Give the Vipers credit, down 3-0 they kept battling outplaying and dominating the Vees in the 2nd and 3rd periods. Vipers defence looked much better after last nights poor performance. Vipers did a great job at slowing down the Vees offence, not allowing them to get in close and did a great job at only giving up just 6 shots in the final two periods. Specialty teams was the difference along with not getting any of the bounces. The Vipers forecheck was unstopable down low, the guys worked hard and tried to battle back, but ran into a hot goaltender. These are games when you lose as long as they battled hard and had chances, you cant complain. Vernon has now dropped back to back games and lost out on winning the league as Victoria defeated Cowichan Valley tonight moving four pts up on the Vipers.

Game Thoughts: (Penticton)

Penticton took advantage of their chances and burried them. Scoring two powerplay goals and goals at key times, got them the victory tonight. The Vees seemed to be at the right place at the right time. Penticton was outworked and outplayed for most of tonights game, but give them credit for scoring more goals and coming away with the two pts. The Vees have a very good powerplay, so you cant be going down two men giving them a two man advantage, like tonight they will hurt you on the man advantage. Penticton seemed to get the bounces tonight, after getting outplayed and outworked for most of the period, they would come down and score on just one play or one shot after the Vipers had a flurry of chances. The Vees have now won three straight heading into the playoffs.

Scratches:

Vernon:

Kevin Kraus
Rob Short
Nick Amies

Penticton:

Matt Ridley
Denver Manderson (Injured)
Mitch LaBreche
Colton Jobke

3 Stars:

1st Star: Curtis McKenzie (3 goals)
2nd Star: Jordan White (26 saves)
3rd Star: Cameron Brodie