Was at tonights Game 1 as Penticton defeated Vernon 4-3 in Overtime in front of 1,869 fans at the Wesbild Centre.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon: Andrew Hammond
Penticton: Sean Bonar
1st Period: A surprising move to start tonights game as Penticton went with rookie backup goaltender, Sean Bonar between the pipes. The Vees got an early powerplay just one minute into the contest before going on an early two man advantage. Andrew Hammond come out of his crease to dive on a loose puck, with a scramble around the Vernon goaltender, Hammond had the puck covered, with no whistle on the play, Penticton was allowed to keep digging away, Garrett Milan picked up the puck beating a down and out Hammond scoring on the powerplay at 2:10 putting the Vees up 1-0. Assists going to, Captain Curtis McKenzie. The Vipers argued the goal thinking Hammond had the puck covered. Kyle Bigos & Cameron Brodie started pushing and shoving before Bigos dropped his gloves, as did Brodie as a small scrum formed in the corner, with everyone getting involved. With Penticton still on the man advantage, the Vees would get a seven minute powerplay after the Vernon fighting majors. Bigos was given (2)(5) & (10). With the Vees now on a extended powerplay, had a few good scoring chances. Garrett Milan was buzzing all period, Milan had two great chances in close but was stopped by Hammond. Hammond then come up with a big chest save on Max Grassi from the slot. Vernons penalty kill was good killing off the man advantage as the Vees were up early in shots 12-1. Shortly after the Vipers would get their first powerplay of the period but couldnt find the back of the net. Connor Jones had Vernons best chance in close but was stopped by Bonar. Vernon got a little sloppy giving up a parcial shorthanded breakaway to Curtis McKenzie, McKenzie was stopped by Hammond in close. The Vipers were driving hard to the net, trying to get under the skin of Sean Bonar, Bonar didnt seem to like the heavy traffic in front, getting bumped a few times, and then talking to the ref after a stopage in play. Most of the period was on the powerplay as the Vipers would get a second man advantage, Adam Thompson with a screened shot from the point found its way through traffic beating Bonar at 16:54 tying the game 1-1. Assists going to, Connor Jones. The Vipers were buzzing late in the 1st getting some great chances down low. Bonar kicked out a long shot from Sahir Gill, and then robbed Braden Pimm in close, kicking out his right pad at the last second. Vernon had the edge in play in the second half of the period. Vipers played a physical period laying out some good hits. The game was tied 1-1 after 20 minutes of play. Penticton outshot Vernon 18-13.
2nd Period: The Vees come out strong to start the middle frame getting the puck in deep, really forcing the play in the Vernon zone. The Vipers were having troubles clearing their own end, as the play was held deep in the Vernon zone for the first few minutes. Penticton with a two on one early couldnt connect on the pass through the slot, back came the Vipers on a good three man rush before Ryan Santana carried the puck in over the line, Santana who was being hooked in close was given a penalty shot on the play. Santana looked a little slow going in on Bonar who shut the fivehole stopping the Viper 20 yr old keeping the score tied 1-1. This seemed to turn the tables as the Vipers took over the play for the next 7-8 minutes really getting some great chances in close. Bonar played well in the 2nd period looking very sharp coming up with some big saves. Vernon carried the edge in play but couldnt find the back of the net, after getting some good chances Adam Zamec setup Curtis McKenzie who showed some great hustle and determination, splitting the Vernon defence, and then beating Hammond blocker side giving Penticton the 2-1 lead at 12:41. This goal seemed to be a back breaker as the tables now turned once again now giving the momentum back to the Vees. Just minutes later with Penticton on a man advantage it didnt take long, Ryan Johansen was left alone in front, beating Hammond at 16:15 putting the Vees up 3-1 and in control. Assists going to, Travis Oulette & Ryan Viselli. Some nice work in the corner by Oulette and Viselli who come up with the puck, feeding a wide open Johansen. Vernon couldnt seem to regroup after giving up the McKenzie goal and was down two goals after 40 minutes of play. The Vipers seemed to back off from the physical as the period went along. Vernon outshot Penticton 16-10.
3rd Period: Vernon got the play in deep as the Vees come out playing a very defensive 3rd trying to shut the Vipers offence down. Vernon couldnt seem to generate much offence in the early goings as the Penticton defence wasnt giving much room for the Vipers to move. The Vees defence was collapsing down low, as the Vipers were having troubles getting the puck towards the net. Some big blocks and players in front causing all kinds of havoc for Vernon who looked frustrated in the first half of the 3rd. Connor Jones had a great chance but was stopped by Bonar who played very well all night. Vernon would get a powerplay and Sahir Gill would be left alone at the side of the net, blasting a shot past Bonar at 9:16 as the Vipers cut the lead to 3-2. Assists going to, Kellen Jones & Bryce Kakoske. Some nice puck movement on the man advantage really made this goal happen. The Vipers kept battling now really forcing the play, Penticton was now back on their heels as the Vees couldnt get the offence going as it was all Vernon the 3rd. Braden Pimm was once again robbed by Bonar. With 6:01 remaining on a Vees turnover in their own end, rookie Kory Roy beat Bonar unassisted as Vernon tied the game 3-3 as Penticton blew the two goal lead. This wasnt a good period for the Vees, as they sat back all period relying on playing a tight checking, defensive game. Garrett Milan had the lone Penticton scoring chance as it was all Vipers. The game was tied 3-3 after 60 minutes of play. Vernon outshot Penticton 17-3.
Overtime: Both teams looked a little tenative to start the extra period, it almost looked as if both teams were waiting for one another to make the first mistake. Vernons defence looked very nervous or were clutching their sticks a little too tight, having all kinds of trouble breaking out of their own end. A few turnovers and some poor passing caused for some close calls as Penticton come close to ending the hockey game. Braden Pimm had the Vipers best and only scoring chance, as Pimm wired a shot from the circle just missing the net. The Vees come very close to ending the game after getting their best scoring chance, a shot from the point just missed the far corner as Hammond was screened on the play. Penticton was really forcing the play, attacking the Vipers in their own end, and it worked as Vernon couldnt get anything going, having all kinds of trouble coming out of their own end. Derik Johnson & Brodie Reid setup Garrett Milan who tipped the puck past Hammond at 9:15 giving the Vees the 4-3 Overtime victory. Pentictons bench erupted pouring onto the ice as the Vipers argued that Milans goal was tipped in with a highstick. Both the ref and linesmen gathered for several minutes before calling it a goal. Penticton gets its first win of the season at the Wesbild Centre. Penticton outshot Vernon 3-1.
Top Players: (Vernon)
Cameron Brodie played a very physical/defensive game. Brodie laid out some huge hits all night, looking very solid on the Vernon blueline.
Sahir Gill (1 goal) Todd Miller was saying on the radio brodcast Adam Thompsons powerplay goal in the 1st period was now rewarded to Gill. This now giving Gill two goals on the night. Gill worked hard looking very good up front.
Connor Jones (1 assist) Showed alot of hustle, was skating hard all night. Jones was battling hard in the corners and in and around the net. Laid out some good checks.
The line of James Kerr, Ryan Santana & Kory Roy was the Vipers best line. Santana who works hard each and every shift, played very well tonight. Carried the puck on several occasions, coming up with some nice plays. This kid works hard every game, showed alot of hustle and determination all night. Kory Roy (1 goal) dosnt get to play much, but when he does he sure proves he can play in this league. Another kid who shows alot of determination and hustle every shift. Roy was flying all night, scored the games tying goal after some hard work to cause the turnover and then score the game tying goal.
Top Players: (Penticton)
Curtis McKenzie (1 goal & 1 assist) Played a heck of a game for the Vees. McKenzie has played very well against Vernon all season, coming up with some big goals. Always involved in the play, skates well and has some nice hands. Very hard to get off the puck, good hustle and determination in the 2nd period splitting the Vernon defence to beat Hammond putting the Vees up 2-1.
Ryan Johansen (1 goal) Played very well up front. This kid has come along way since the start of the season. Another hard working kid who dosnt give up.
Garrett Milan (2 goals) Was by far Pentictons best player tonight. Milan was buzzing around the Vernon net all 1st period and didnt let up as the game went on. This kid was flying all night, showing lots of hustle. Had three great chances in the 1st and through out Game 1. One of the smaller kids in the BCHL but isnt afraid of the rough going, was levelled by Cameron Brodie in the 3rd getting right back up, going back taking a shot at the Viper d-man.
Sean Bonar (44 saves) I was very suprised to see Bonar get the start in Game 1 after veteran goaltender Jordan White carried the load between the pipes during the regular season and in the 1st round of the playoffs vs PG. The Vipers were driving hard towards the net early in tonights game, trying to get traffic in front, getting under the skin of the rookie tender. It seemed to work early but as the game went on, Bonar seemed to settle down. Looked very confident, made some big saves at key times, giving the Vees a chance to win. Very quick on his feet. Played very well.
Game Thoughts: (Vernon)
Tonights game had a bit of everything, some strange & missed calls, guys from both teams falling down, the puck seemed to be bouncing around the rink, taking some funny bounces all night. A very poor non call on the Penticton first goal and on the OT game winning goal. Pentictons first powerplay goal was clearly covered by Andrew Hammond, as Hammond was down and out, outside of his crease with a barage of players around him, the play was kept alive with no whistle, the Vees kept digging away before picking up the loose puck and beating Hammond. This play should have been whistled down. On the Vees Overtime winning goal, Milan tipped the puck past Hammond with a highstick, this goal should have never counted. Todd Miller and Don Klepp said on the radio brodcast they watched the replay and Milans goal was clearly tipped in with a highstick. A penalty filled opening period didnt really allow both teams much chance to play one another five on five. After a slow start the Vipers took over the edge in play after the opening few minutes was held by Penticton. Some good presure down low and in close with some good chances, but coming up with no goals really hurt. Sean Bonar gave the Vees a chance after Vernon carried the edge in play before Curtis McKenzie gave the Vees the 2-1 lead as Penticton re-took over the play in the remainder of the 2nd scoring two big second period goals. Give the Vipers credit for battling hard, scoring two goals tying the game. The Vipers played a physical 1st but as the game went on, laid off the hits. Five on five Vernon was the better team tonight for most of the game, except for Overtime. The Vipers struggled in the extra period looking very disorganised in their own end. Vipers defence gave up a few turnovers in their own end, the Vipers also gave up too many odd man rushes through out tonights game. Vipers with a must win tomorrow night in Game 2.
Game Thoughts: (Penticton)
After getting an early extended powerplay the Vees obviously carried the edge in play but only scored the one powerplay goal. Like I said before five on five the Vipers were the better of the two teams. Penticton scored two timely goals in the 2nd period after the Vipers with some good presure come close to taking the lead but couldnt beat Bonar. Penticton sat back, playing a very defensive game to start the 3rd, the Vees defence did a great job at clogging up the neutral zone, collapsing to the front of the net, giving the Vipers all kinds of trouble, with getting shots through. This plan didnt seem to last as Vernon managed to work their way through this as the Vees blew a two goal lead in the 3rd as the Vipers sent tonights game to Overtime. After watching the 3rd you think the Vees were done, but give this team full credit. Penticton didnt give up, really forcing the Vernon d-men causing turnovers and some poor passes wich resulted in the OT winner. Penticton worked hard and played well with the Vipers as both teams are evenly matched. Penticton gets its first win in Vernon this season after going 0-4 during the regular season. The Vees have struggled on the road this yr, going one game below 500 during the regular season and then lossing its first two games on the road in the 1st Round of the Playoffs, so tonights win will give them a big boost of confidence.
Scratches:
Vernon:
Rob Short (Suspended)
Steven Weinstein
Nick Amies
Penticton:
Kaare Odegard
Matt Ridley
Denver Manderson (Injured)
Brad Reid
3 Stars:
1st Star: Garrett Milan (2 goals)
2nd Star: Connor Jones (1 assist)
3rd Star: Curtis McKenzie (1 goal & 1 assist)
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