Was at tonights Game 3 as Vernon defeated Penticton 3-2 in front of 1,772 fans at the South Okanagan Events Centre.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon: Andrew Hammond
Penticton: Sean Bonar
1st Period: Before the game during warmup, Kyle Bigos & Derik Johnson were yapping back and forth with one another at center ice. The Vees get off to a quick start. Vipers take an early penalty just seconds into the game and Penticton takes advantage. Garrett Milan steps over the Vernon blueline and wires a shot topshelf over Hammonds glove as the Vees score on the powerplay on their first shot on goal scoring just 1:15 into the game. Assists going to, Ryan Viselli & Travis Oullette. Shortly after the Vipers would head back to the penalty kill as the Vees would jump right back on the powerplay but this time couldnt capitalize with the Vipers killing off the minor. Vernon would get things going with some good quality shots on goal, creating some chances in the Vees zone. The Vipers were skating well buzzing in the Penticton zone but no real solid scoring chances. Vernon would get its first powerplay opportunity of the night and Kellen Jones would beat Bonar at 7:52 tying the game 1-1. Assists going to, Connor Jones & Sahir Gill. Just under two minutes later with the Vipers still in control of the play, Kyle Bigos would beat Bonar from the point giving Vernon the 2-1 lead at 9:40 Braden Pimm collects the lone assist. Some good flow in the period with some back and forth play but no real good chances for either team. Vernon would get its second chance on the powerplay but it would be Penticton who would get the better of the scoring chances. Vernon struggled with the man advantage Kyle Bigos and Bryce Kakoske got too cute with the puck at the line, Adam Zamec would steal the loose puck with a turn over at the Vees blueline, Zamec was going in for the parcial breakaway, before Bigos hustled back, and dove in front of Zamec cutting him from cutting towards the net, Zamec still got off a quick backhand wich Andrew Hammond made the save, the rebound come out front where Erik Slemp was left all alone but was stoned in front by Hammond who had to make two big saves on the penalty kill, Penticton would kill off the minor. Ryan Viselli had a great chance to tie the game with a wrap around but once again Hammond stood his ground making a big save. The Vees really forced the Vipers deep in their own end, taking the body, playing with some agressive forecheck wich hemmed the Vipers in deep as Penticton was buzzing in the Vipers zone in the final few minutes. Vernon was up 2-1 after 20 minutes of play. The Vipers outshot the Vees 14-9.
2nd Period: In the opening minutes Brodie Reid with a quick shot from the circle looked like he had Hammond beat, but Hammond slid across the crease, making a big pad save. A very entertaining 2nd period with some great back and forth action. Some good flow back and forth with no stopages in play for a good 7-8 minutes before the first whistle. A very tight checking game as both teams had some chances but didnt hit the net as both teams battled hard down low and in the corners. Garrett Milan had a good chance but was stopped by Hammond. Kellen Jones was in close but just missed the net. Vernon had some great chances in close but couldnt hit the net, missing on some great opportunities. The Vipers had troubles getting shots on net as the Vees defence looked very good giving up just five Vernon shots. Chris Crowell looked like a man on a mission laying out some huge checks in the first half of the 2nd. The Vipers really stepped up the physical play in the 2nd period, laying out some big hits. Ryan Santana with some nice moves through the Vees zone, but missed the net on a great chance from the slot. Kevin Kraus made a big diving defensive play to break up a great Penticton scoring chance. Late in the period the only penalty of the period was called after Cody Ikkala was called four minutes for high sticking. Specialty teams once again took over as the Vees moved the puck well, a pass from the point hit Kyle Bigos in the skate, changing direction of the puck, wich ended up on the stick of a wide open Garrett Milan who tapped the puck into the empty net tying the game 2-2 at 16:48 Curtis McKenzie & Zac Josepher collected the assists. The Vipers would kill off the 2nd half of the four minute high sticking penalty and head into the 3rd tied 2-2. Penticton outshot Vernon 8-5.
3rd Period: Penticton come out flying getting some good chances early. The Vees were skating well, really buzzing in the Vipers zone. The Vipers turned the puck over on several occasions with some poor passes breaking out, as the Vees showed alot of hustle winning most of the races and the one on one battles. Garrett Milan with a chance at the side of the net was stopped by Andrew Hammond. Hammond had to be sharpe as Penticton was really driving towards the net. The Vees would get a powerplay and really moved the puck well, going for the perfect setup but couldnt solve Hammond who was the Vipers best penalty killer. Hammond made a big save off Devon Krogh. Vernon would kill off the minor. The Vipers couldnt get anything going, as the Vees were in full control of the 3rd period. Vernon would hit the Vees blueline and then not come up with a scoring chance or lose the puck. Brodie Reid had a good chance from the slot but was stopped by Hammond. Most of the 3rd was in the Vernon zone as the Vipers were running in circles chasing the puck and the Penticton Vees. Penticton would get another powerplay and once again get some great chances but couldnt beat Hammond. Vernon once again killed off the minor. In the second half of the period Travis Oullette from the slot with a great chance just missed the net after having Hammond beat. Garrett Milan who was by far Pentictons best player also beat Hammond from in close but just missed the net. Hammond made his biggest save of the game with four and a half minutes remaining, Captain Curtis McKenzie took a shot from the corner boards, the puck handcuffed Hammond but somehow managed to reach around his back and still make the glove save. Vernon with no offensive attack all period got one chance late and took advantage. James Kerr setup Cory Kane in the slot who wired his shot off and under the crossbar beating Sean Bonar with a wicked wrist shot at 17:26 putting Vernon up 3-2. In the final two and a half minutes the Vees put all kinds of pressure on the Vipers but couldnt come up with the game tying goal. With the clock winding down Penticton waited till 1:20 remaining to try and get Bonar to the bench for the extra attacker, but both kellen and Connor Jones wouldnt allow Bonar a chance to get to the bench, both Jones Twins showed great hustle and determination forechecking the Vees in the neutral zone, not allowing Bonar to get to the bench, with the Vipers pouring on the forecheck, Bonar finally headed to the Penticton bench with around 40 seconds remaining. The Vees were called on the offside in the dying seconds, this setting up a faceoff just outside the Vernon blueline with just 7.8 seconds left in the game. Penticton with the extra attacker would win the draw, Garrett Milan setup Brodie Reid who stepped over the line and with still time on the clock wired his shot wide as the buzzer would sound and the Vipers would pour onto the ice to celebrate their huge 3-2 victory taking a 2-1 series lead.
Top Players: (Vernon)
Andrew Hammond played one of his best games of the year making some huge saves in the 3rd giving the Vipers the victory. Hammond looked very solid all night, looked very confident and really played his angles well. Hammonds positioning was very well also. I said before Hammond was the Vipers best penalty killer tonight.
Kevin Kraus I thought played a very defensive game on the Vernon blueline. Krause made two defensive plays to breakup a Vees scoring chance. Had a huge hipcheck on Garrett Milan but was called for interference on the play.
Kyle Bigos (1 goal) also played a very strong defensive game. Bigos also broke up a Penticton shorthanded scoring chance in the 1st period, stopping Adam Zamec from going in for the breakaway.
Cameron Brodie played a very phsyical game.
Chris Crowell played a physical game, looked like a man on a mission in the 2nd period, laying out some solid hits.
Ryan Santana played well up front at times.
Adam Thompson was another d-man who looked and played very well on the backend. Thompson played his position very well, stepped up into the play a few times.
Top Players: (Penticton)
Sean Bonar played well in his 2nd BCHL Playoff game. Bonar who made 44 saves in Game 1 got the start in Game 3 after Jordan White played in Game 2 giving up five goals. Bonar is a young goaltender who is very quick on his feet, plays his position well.
Derik Johnson was a thorn in the Vipers side all night. Johnson was beaking off at any Vernon player he could, trying to get under their skin or in their face. Played the old agitator role, and did a great job.
Devon Krogh played a solid defensive game on the backend for the Vees. Looked very good all night.
Ryan Viselli (1 assist) played well, had a few chances but couldnt beat Andrew Hammond.
Brodie Reid played a strong game up front, had some great chances. Was hard to knock off the puck.
Garrett Milan (2 goals) Was by far the Vees best player. Milan was all over the ice tonight, buzzing around Andrew Hammond and the Vipers net. Milan is a smooth skater who can handle the puck, and isnt afraid of getting hit. Very quick and hard to catch.
Game Thoughts: (Vernon)
What a very entertaining game, on the edge of your seats all night. Well worth the drive up to Penticton. Makes the drive home that much sweeter. The Vipers once again got into penalty trouble early and went down 1-0 early not the start they wanted. But give the boys credit, they battled back scoring two quick goals just minutes apart and just about held that lead into the 3rd before giving up a late powerplay goal. Vipers played good except couldnt get anything going in the 3rd, getting outplayed and outworked for almost all of the 3rd. Very lucky to hang on for the win, thanks to Andrew Hammond. Kane had the Vipers only chance of the period and nailed it home for the game winner. Vipers need to get more then five shots on goal in the 2nd period, missed the net on several chances, need to hit the net on chances in close. Vernon needs to be physical all game, finishing their checks as the Vees stay away from the physical play. Vernon had some great chances in the 2nd to go up 3-1 but couldnt hit the net, luckily it didnt cost them. A very gritty victory and now have a great chance to go ahead 3-1 tomorrow night.
Game Thoughts: (Penticton)
Both these teams are very evenly matched and it showed tonight. Both teams deserve credit for a very well played game. The Vees played and looked much better compared to Game 2. Penticton got off to a great start but couldnt solve Hammond in the 3rd after having some great chances. The Vees were good on the draw tonight and had alot of odd man rushes especially in the 1st period. Home ice advantage goes back to the Vipers as the Vees with a must win tomorrow, as they dont want to go down 3-1 heading back to Vernon, where they have only managed to win once at the Wesbild Centre.
Scratches:
Vernon:
Kory Roy
Steven Weinstein
Nick Amies
Penticton:
Matt Ridley
Denver Manderson (Injured)
Brad Reid
3 Stars:
1st Star: Andrew Hammond
2nd Star: Kyle Bigos (1 goal)
3rd Star: Devon Krogh
No comments:
Post a Comment