Was at tonights Game 2 as Vernon defeated Penticton 5-1 in front of 1,689 fans at the Wesbild Centre.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon: Andrew Hammond
Penticton: Jordan White
1st Period: The Vees had some good early jump carrying the edge in play within the first few minutes but no real scoring chances or quality shots on goal. The Vipers only real good chance early was when Bryce Kakoske whistled a shot just over the crossbar. Penticton would get the first powerplay of the game about five minutes in but couldnt capitalise with the man advantage. Shortly after Vernon killed off the minor the Vipers got their legs going, putting some good presure on the Vees. The Vipers carried the better of the play for most of the 1st period getting some good quality shots towards Jordan White. White looked very shaky and was having all kinds of trouble handling the puck as well as controlling his rebounds. White come out beind his goal to stop the puck, as a Viper was coming hard around the net, White fumbled the puck between his feet as the Vipers come close to scoring. Braden Pimm had a great scoring chance in front but was denied by White. The Vipers would go on the powerplay but couldnt take advantage of the man advantage as the Vees killed off the minor. Vernon would open the scoring after White was all over the place, as a scramble in the crease, Kellen Jones scored at 14:11 assists going to Connor Jones & Sahir Gill. Penticton stepped up their play right after the Jones goal, as the Vees put some presure on the Vipers late in the period, playing their best hockey of the period. The Vipers quit skating, as Penticton really moved the puck well down low, buzzing around Andrew Hammond. Penticton had a few late chances but couldnt beat Hammond. The Vipers were up 1-0 after 20 minutes of play. Vernon outshot Penticton 15-11.
2nd Period: Penticton come out strong to start the 2nd period as the Vipers defence was once again having troubles breaking out of their own end. Ryan Viselli just missed on a great chance in front after a nice pass from the corner. Mike Collins & Chris Crowell with some nice passing, resulted in Crowell beating White at 4:06 putting Vernon up 2-0. Shortly after Garrett Milan on the breakaway was hauled down and was rewarded with a penalty shot. Milan missed the net on the penalty shot on a great chance for the Vees to get back into the game. On the next play Milan snuck in behind the Vernon defence before Kevin Kraus had to hustle back, diving across breaking up the puck, stopping Milan from his 2nd breakaway. On the same play, the puck went into the corner and then fired out front, catching the Vernon d-men napping. Logan Johnston was left all alone in front but was stopped by Hammond. A few minutes later Chris Crowell would get his 2nd goal of the night at 6:54 with the lone assist going to Braden Pimm. This goal seemed to take the fire out from the Vees after having some great chances but not connecting and then the Vipers come back the other way, and score on their chance. The Vees had the better of the play early but the Vipers seemed to pick up their game and really take over control come the 2nd period having the better of the play. Rob Short was stoned by Jordan White in close on a great scoring chance. Kellen Jones with back to back chances on the same play, come close to putting the Vipers up 4-0. Vernon looked very good with most of the play in the Penticton zone. Once again White was flopping around, getting caught way out of position on several occasions. Penticton was going for the long stretch pass on several plays having a player in behind the Vernon defence, but couldnt connect on the pass. Vernon was up 3-0 after 40 minutes of play. The Vipers outshot the Vees 18-5.
3rd Period: 35 seconds into the period the Vees were caught standing around, Erik Slemp fell into Jordan White and then didnt get up right away, Braden Pimm beat White & Slemp who were tangled up on the play putting the Vipers up 4-0 and in full control. Assists going to, Mike Collins & Chris Crowell. White looked very upset on the play, really giving it to his forward. From here on in Vernon seemed to sit back as the Vees really forced the play, having the better of the play for most of the period. Penticton looked a little slow at times coming through the zone, as the Vees didnt have much jump. Ryan Viselli had a good chance in front but was stopped by Hammond. Not many real good quality chances even though the play was in the Vernon zone for most of the 3rd. Pentictons Matt Paltridge stepped over the blueline and beat Hammond with a long shot at 3:52 getting the Vees on the board. This is a goal I think Hammond would like to have back. Twice both teams were forced to play four on four with no real good scoring chances. On a bad line change Mike Collins wired a shot from the circle just missing the top corner. Ryan Santana had the Vipers best scoring chance late in the 3rd after Santana did all the work, using his upper body strength to carry the puck down low, then went for the wrap around before White made an unreal glove save. Santana thought he had scored throwing his hands in the air. Off the next draw Santana & Kyle Bigos setup Cole Ikkala who beat White at 16:50 as Vernon was up 5-1. In the final few minutes Kyle Bigos and Captain Curtis McKenzie wanted to drop the mits before the ref got between the two, breaking up any extra activities. As McKenzie went to the bench both him & Crowell were beaking at one another. Vernon would go on to win tonights Game 2 5-1 tying the 7 game series 1-1. The Vipers outshot the Vees 12-9.
Top Players: (Vernon)
James Kerr played his 2nd straight good game, showing lots of jump and energy. Really skated well, was working hard, going into the corners. Ive been very impressed with Kerrs play so far in the Playoffs.
Cory Kane showed spurts of some brilliance. Had some good rushes cutting through the neutral zone.
Cole Ikkala (1 goal) played physical and worked hard all night.
The line of Chris Crowell (2 goals & 1 assist), Braden Pimm (1 goal & 1 assist) & Mike Collins (2 assists) was Vernons best line tonight. Crowell played a very complete game, looking good and playing very well at both ends of the rink. Crowell laid out several huge hits, showed lots of skill with the puck. Braden Pimm scored a nice goal after some good hustle. Pimm had a few chances through out tonights game. Good to see Mike Collins pick up 2 assists. Maybe this will give the kid some confidence. Collins has looked very nervous in both Games 1 & 2. Collins has been shying away from the corners, the physical play and seems to be a little tenative at times. Looks like the same kid I watched at the start of the season. Lets hope Mike can regain his confidence and get back to his play, that he finished off the regular season with.
Ryan Santana (1 assist) played his 2nd straight solid game. Santana once again looked very good down low, very hard to beat off the puck. A true work horse who never quits. Very hard worker, plays with a ton of hustle.
Andrew Hammond (24 saves) Played very well, didnt really have to make any huge saves but made the ones he needed too. I think Hammond would like to have back Matt Paltridge's goal, after a long shot from just inside the blueline.
Top Players: (Penticton)
Devon Krogh played very well on the Vees backend. Krogh played physical and looked good with and without the puck.
Ryan Viselli had a few chances but couldnt capitalise. Was hit hard a few times through out tonights game, but didnt back down, going right back giving back a shot of his own.
Game Thoughts: (Vernon)
I thought the Vipers outplayed and outworked the Vees for most of tonights game. Vernon did still seem to have some troubles defensively in their own end and also on the breakout but otherwise played good. In the first two games of this series the Vipers have fired 91 shots towards the Vees net, while the Vees have just 64 shots on the Vernon net. The Vipers scored on their chances tonight, where they couldnt capitolise on their chances last night at times. Tonights game was a must win for the Vipers, as they didnt want to head down to Penticton for Games 3 & 4 down 2-0. A very well reffed game by Grant Tyson, great job!
Game Thoughts: (Penticton)
Penticton looked much better in Game 1. Not much of a showing from the top two lines of the Vees. Garrett Milan, Curtis McKenzie, Matt Paltrdige & Ryan Johansen who played so well last night were basically no where to be seen tonight. The Vees looked a little tired and didnt seem to have the same jump and energy they played with in Game 1. I have to question Fred Harbinsons move in starting Jordan White in Game 2 tonight, when Sean Bonar made 44 saves in Game 1 giving the Vees the 4-3 OT victory. Jordan White who is now 2-5 against Vernon this season looked very shaky tonight. White has always seem to have problems with his puck control along with rebound control and it showed tonight. If I was the Vees coach, Bonar deserves to get the start in Game 2 tonight. Penticton is having all kinds of troubles getting pucks towards the net, getting just 3 shots in last nights 3rd period and then only 5 shots in the 2nd and just 9 in the 3rd when down 3-0. If Penticton expects to win this series, their going to have to get more shots on Andrew Hammond. Penticton couldnt capitalise on their scoring chances and Vernon did. The Vees also will need their top two lines to show up in their next game.
Scratches:
Vernon:
Kory Roy
Nick Amies
Steven Weinstein
Penticton:
Kaare Odegard
Matt Ridley
Denver Manderson (Injured)
Joey Holka
3 Stars:
1st Star: Chris Crowell (2 goals & 1 assist)
2nd Star: Braden Pimm (1 goal & 1 assist)
3rd Star: Ryan Santana (1 assist)
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