Was at tonights Game 5 as Vernon defeated Penticton 7-1 in front of 2,101 fans at the Wesbild Centre.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon: Andrew Hammond
Penticton: Jordan White
1st Period: Off the opening draw both teams started with the physical play, finishing their checks. Vernon with the best chance early as Rob Short in on the breakaway just a minute and a half into the game but Short graised the outside of the post after beating White. The Vipers with an early powerplay but couldnt take advantage as the Vees killed off the minor. The Vipers had the better of the play in the first half but didnt generate much for offence. Cody Ikkala with a blast from the point whistled a slapshot just high and over the net. Shots were 2-1 Vernon for the longest time after a very tight checking game with very little room to move. Penticton with their first man advantage late in the 1st but it was Vernon who had the best scoring chance, Braden Pimm & Connor Jones went in shorthanded two on one, Pimm made a nice pass over to Connor who was stoned by White after coming across the crease to make the save. The Vees come very close to opening the scoring, veteran Zac Josepher left all alone at the point, moved in and wired his shot off the post, the puck come back to Curtis McKenzie who rang another shot off the post from in close. Vees coming very close to scoring but couldnt beat the post. Vernon would kill off the minor. Kellen Jones had a great chance from the slot but didnt get off a good shot after White made the easy save. Very few scoring chances with very little shots, as it was scoreless after 20 minutes of play. Vernon outshot Penticton 4-2.
2nd Period: The Vees come out to start the 2nd with a very aggresive forecheck really forcing the Vipers in their own end. Vernon would open the scoring at 5:59 after some nice three way passing from Vernons top line. Sahir Gill made a nice pass over to Kellen Jones who then fed his brother Connor who beat Jordan White putting the Vipers up 1-0. Vernon now started getting their legs going with some nice passing after finding ways to get through the Penticton forecheck. Vernon would jump on the powerplay and took advantage. Once again it was the Vipers top line, Connor & Kellen Jones setup Sahir Gill who ripped his shot topshelf just under the crossbar beating White at 10:13 as Vernon was up 2-0. The Vees couldnt muster much offence after getting a few odd man rushes but couldnt connect on the pass through the crease. Give credit to the Vernon defence who looked very steady in the middle frame. Kellen Jones was some good hustle, got back into the play diving breaking up a Vees odd man rush. The Vipers would go up 3-0 after Cory Kane beat White at 15:25 assists going to, Rob Short & Kyle Bigos. This goal seemed to take the wind out of the sails of the Penticton Vees. Vernon really moved the puck well coming through the neutral zone, and in the Penticton zone. Both teams struggled on the powerplay in the 2nd period. Penticton was outplayed for the most parts of the period but did manage to get some offence going late. Andrew Hammond had to be sharp making some key saves. Devon Krogh with a shot from the point was stopped by Hammond. Vernon was up 3-0 after 40 minutes of play. The Vipers outshot the Vees 14-9.
3rd Period: Just 39 seconds into the final period Sahir Gill would score his 2nd goal of the night putting Vernon up 4-0 and now in full control. Connor & Kellen Jones collecting the assists. The Vipers didnt stop their, they continued the attack buzzing around the Penticton zone. Adam Thompson with a poor pass at the blueline caused the tunrover as Max Grassi went in two on one, Grassi kept and fired, beating Hammond blocker side as the Vees finally were on the board at 2:13 the goal was unassisted. I think Hammond would like this one back, after leaving his whole blocker side wide open for an easy shot. Penticton would get into some penalty trouble and the Vipers would make em pay. Cole Ikkala with some good hustle beat White at 6:17 on the PP James Kerr & Ryan Santana would pick up the assists. The Vees would lose Derik Johnson after getting a 10 minute misconduct and a game misconduct for yapping at referee Grant Tyson. Two minutes later on another Viper man advantage, Rob Short would get another breakaway but was stopped by Jordan White, Cory Kane would scoop up the rebound and then go topshelf after an an almost impossible angle from the corner boards. Vernon was up 6-1 and in full control. At this point the Vees almost looked lifeless from here on in till the final buzzer. The play come to a slow pace with some scrambly play as both teams looked to just wanting to wind down the clock. Ryan Johansen with the Vees best scoring chance of the night, was robbed by Hammond at the side of the net. Johansen had Hammond down and out, before Hammond come diving across the crease making the big save. Rob Short would put Vernon up 7-1 to round out the scoring beating Jordan White at 12:31 Cory Kane picked up the lone assist. Penticton would get two late powerplays but couldnt beat Andrew Hammond come up with a few big saves. In the dying seconds with the Vees on a man advantage the crowd at the Wesbild Centre stood to their feet giving the Vipers a standing ovation on their 7-1 victory defeating the defending BCHL Champs in 5 games. Vernon outshot Penticton 16-13. In the handshake Chris Crowell talked to Zac Joespher, Curtis McKenzie and Fred Harbinson for a while. Harbinson and Crowell talked for a while after shaking hands. Nice to see.
Top Players: (Vernon)
Andrew Hammond (24 saves) Played well once again. Hammond didnt have many tough saves but made the saves when needed too. Hammond was a big difference in this series.
Cody Ikkala played a very solid defensive game. Ikkala looked very good in the defensive zone.
The Vipers top line of Sahir Gill (2 goals & 1 assist), Connor Jones (1 goal & 2 assists) & Kellen Jones (3 assists) was by far the Vipers best line. These three young kids looked very dangerous all night. Some very exciting passing plays between the three led for some nice goals. This line was skating all night, showing lots of hustle. Connor & Kellen Jones even come up with some physical play.
Cole Ikkala (1 goal) Looked very good for the 2nd straight night. I forgot to mention in Game 4s game recap that Cole played very well. Ikkala has come along way from the start of the season. Nice to see his extra icetime and hard work pay off.
Cory Kane (2 goals & 1 assist) Has really stepped up his play in this series. Kane who has been uncossistant all season can play like the best of them. A very smooth skater who has some very soft hands, can dangle the puck like its on a string. Looked very dangerous all night.
Rob Short (1 goal & 2 assists) Also has stepped up his play this series. Short who has played very well against the Vees all season long looked very good for the 2nd straight night. Had two breakaways showing lots of hustle and determination all night.
Top Players: (Penticton)
Devon Krogh played well on the Penticton backend. Carried the puck lots, skated well all night.
Zac Josepher played very well on the blueline. Come close to scoring in the 1st period after hitting the post.
Max Grassi (1 goal) Looked good at times in the 3rd period.
Game Thoughts: (Vernon)
First off Id like to congradulate the Vernon Vipers on knocking off the defending BCHL Champion Penticton Vees in five games. I was expecting more of a tighter & longer series. In the last two games the Vipers have outscored the Vees 14-3 as in both games it has looked like the men against the boys. With very little chances and not many shots it looked as if we were in for a great game after a scoreless 1st period. The Vipers really stepped up their play in the 2nd and 3rd periods finishing off the Penticton Vees 7-1. Vernon did score three powerplay goals but did struggle on the man advantage at times as well. Vernons passing and overall skill and size was just too much for the Vees. The 1st was a very tight checking game with very little room to move, until the 2nd and 3rd periods. Nice to see the Vipers clinch the series on home ice. The Vipers now will wait and play the winner of the Salmon Arm Silverbacks or Westside Warriors next weekend starting in Vernon.
Game Thoughts: (Penticton)
First off Id like to thank the Penticton Vees hockey club and their fans for a great series. One of the oldest and longest rivals in the BCHL its always great to watch these two historic teams battle one another come Playoff time. This was the third straight year these two teams have met in the BCHL Playoffs and 6th time in the last 8 yrs. Id like to wish the veteran 20 yr olds, and the players who wont be back next season all the best in their hockey careers. Id also like to thank the Vees fans who come on this message board and have kept me informed on all the Vees news, trades and scores and also for the many much appreciated updates during any Vernon-Penticton games. Also many thanks to Ryan Pinder for his Penticton Vees blog and keeping us all informed on whats going on with the Vees & the BCHL. Now back to the game, Penticton with just two shots in the first period come very close to going ahead after hitting the post twice. Even with just two shots the Vees did manage to get a few chances and were in tonights game after the 1st. Once the Vipers opened the scoring it seemed like the wind come out of the sails as the Vees looked like they were done and ready to head home. Outplayed and outworked for much of tonights game the Vees just couldnt match the Vipers speed, skill, size and toughness. A very young team that improved as the season went along should and will compete next year. Thank you for a very entertaining series and regular season vs my Vernon Vipers.
Scratches:
Vernon:
Nick Amies
Kory Roy
Steven Weinstein
Penticton:
Matt Ridley
Denver Manderson
Joey Holka
3 Stars:
1st Star: Connor Jones (1 goal & 2 assists)
2nd Star: Sahir Gill (2 goals & 1 assist)
3rd Star: Cory Kane (2 goals & 1 assit)
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