Was at tonights Game 1 of the Doyle Cup as Vernon defeated Grande Prairie 2-1 in front of a sold out Civic Arena (2,252)
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon: Andrew Hammond
Grande Prairie: Chad Carder
During warm-up Kyle Bigos was having words with former Penticton Vee Elias Grossman, Chris Crowell then skated over and started yapping back and forth with Grossman.
1st Period: Tonight was the first BCHL Game in the old Civic Arena since the Vernon Vipers & Surrey Eagles met in the BCHL Fred Page Cup Finals back in 2004-05. Thanks to the Interior Logging Association the Vipers were kicked out of the Wesbild Centre and had to play the Fred Page Cup in the Civic, well four years later here we are again. Vernon would get off to a strong start, getting the puck in deep, really controlling the play early. Rob Short with a great chance from the slot just two minutes into the game but was stopped by Chad Carder. The Vipers would get the first two powerplays of the game and Kyle Bigos with a blast from the point rang his shot off the crossbar. The Storm would kill off both minors. Both teams with very limited time and space on the much smaller ice surface of the Civic arena. Vernon really dominated the play in the first half getting some good chances down low. Connor Jones was stopped in close by Carder. Grande Prairie didnt record their first shot on goal till eleven minutes into the hockey game. Shortly after Tanner Fritz with a shot from the top of the circle beat Andrew Hammond as the puck just went by the far post. The Vipers were the more physical team, really laying the body. The Storm couldnt seem to get their legs going, having troubles with the Vipers speed and cycle down low. Sahir Gill was stopped by Carder on another Vipers scoring play. Late in the 1st Vernons defence would leave Morgan MacLean wide open in the slot, MacLean would beat Hammond at 15:50 putting the Storm up 1-0, Carter Rowney & Captain Blake Clement would pick up the assists. Grande Prairie would get their first powerplay late in the period, but it was Vernon who had the best scoring chance, Rob Short went in all alone on the breakaway but was robbed by a diving Carder who made an unreal save keeping the Vipers off the board. Vernon outplayed Grande Prairie but were down 1-0 after 20 minutes of play. The Vipers outshot the Storm 15-7.
2nd Period: The Storm looked much better in the 2nd period playing some solid defensive hockey. The Vipers couldnt seem to get much past the Storm defenders. Grande Prairie controlled the play in the first few minutes before Braden Pimm, Chris Crowell and Mike Collins with some nice three way passing, as Braden Pimm would beat Carder at 6:44 to tie the game 1-1. Mike Collins & Captain Chris Crowell would collect the assists. Shortly after Grande Prairie would get a four minute powerplay after Adam Thompson went off for high sticking. With some good puck movement down low, Captain Blake Clement jumped on a loose puck in front, and with an open net, Hammond dove across to rob the Storm Captain with a big glove save at the side of the net. The Vipers penalty kill was solid killing off the double minor. Just as the penalty expired, Bobby Tyson wired a shot from the point wich went off the crossbar as the Storm come close to re-taking the lead. Hammond didnt seem to be his normal self tonight, having some troubles on the long shots as it looked as if he was getting caught out of position. Former Vipers Head Coach & GM Mike Vandekamp was very fired up through out the 2nd period, yelling at the ref-linesmen after blowing some non-called offside and icing calls wich were missed. Vandekamp was really giving it to the officials between stopages in play. Grande Prairie had a great chance to go up by one, Adam Young missed the top corner on a wide open net. The Vipers really stepped up with the physical play at times during the 2nd period, Chris Crowell, Mike Leidl, Cameron Brodie, and Cole Ikkala all laid out some big monster checks deep in the Storm zone. Bryce Kakoske with a shot from the slot, missed the net on a good chance from in close. Once again very limited space as alot of whistles slowed down the play during the 2nd. With the smaller ice surface and shoter glass, alot of icing calls, and pucks going over the boards, really slowed down the play. A group of young kids sitting beside the Storm bench were really giving it to the players, as the Storm bench was easily distracted with the heckling, giving it back to the group of kids. Tanner Fritz hustled down the wing, beating Hammond but hit the crossbar. It was tied 1-1 after 40 minutes of play. Vandekamp once again was giving it to the officials at the end of the 2nd, hearing a course of boo's from the Vernon crowd. Vernon outshot Grande Prairie 8-4 in a fairly evened period.
3rd Period: Off the opening draw Mike Collins stole the puck, driving to the net on a great scoring chance, with the puck loose in the crease Chris Crowell come flying into the crease getting a second chance on the big rebound. Vernon looked very strong in the final period really forcing the play. The Vipers really moved the puck well, firing everything on net in the first few minutes. Sahir Gill was all alone in the slot but wired his shot wide. Both teams missed the net after having someone alone in the slot or near the circles. With some good cycle down low Connor Jones would beat Carder down low at 2:54 to give Vernon their first lead of the game. Kellen Jones and Sahir Gill would pick up the assists. The Vipers dominated most of the 3rd having the better of the play in the Storm zone. Chad Carder was busy having to make some key saves. Carder did look shaky at times through out tonights game, especially in the 3rd. Carder was giving up some big rebounds all night, played the puck very casual on several occasions, almost getting caught out of the net. Cory Kane rushed the puck up ice and then stepping over the blueline, wired a wicked wrist shot just missing the top corner. Connor Jones with a shot from the slot missed the net. The Storm couldnt seem to generate any offensive attack having troubles getting through the Vernon blueline. The Vipers defence looked very solid for most of the game, shutting down the Grande Prairie attack. As the period went on the Vipers started dumping in the puck in, then racing in after winning the battles coming out with the puck. The Storms one and only best scoring chance came when Blake Clement was left alone at the side of the net, but once again robbed by Andrew Hammond who dove across to make the big glove save. This was Clements second chance at beating Hammond, but was stopped by the veteran goaltender. Vernon would get a powerplay but struggled as the Storm killed off the minor. Late in the game Grande Prairie would get the puck deep, but had troubles getting Carder to the bench for the extra man. Carder would finally get to the bench as the puck come back to the point, Mark Stojan wired a quick shot as the puck went through a crowd of players in front but Hammond somehow saw and covered up the puck. With just 18.2 seconds remaining and a faceoff in the Vipers zone, the Storm couldnt get pucks to the net as Vernon would get the puck out of the zone and deep into the Grande Prairie zone, as the buzzer would sound. The Vipers would take Game 1 2-1. Vernon outshoots Grande Prairie 15-4.
Top Players: (Vernon)
The line of Chris Crowell (1 assist), Mike Collins (1 assist) and Braden Pimm (1 goal) was one if not the Vipers best line tonight. Crowell played physical, getting under the skin of Chad Carder. Crowell was driving to the net in the 3rd, as Carder and the Storm d-men were pushing and shoving back at Crowell for being in and around the crease. Crowell & Storm Captain Blake Clement were in each others face all game, I was surprised both these young men didnt drop the mits at one point. Braden Pimm looked very solid at both ends of the rink, Pimm scored a nice 2nd period goal after some very nice three way passing. Pimm looked good on the draw all night, was skating hard, showing lots of hustle.
Kyle Bigos looked very solid defensivly on the Vernon blueline. Bigos rang his shot off the crossbar in the first period. Bigos used his weight, knocking around several Storm players.
Mike Leidl looked very good, played very physical and defensivly all night.
The line of Connor Jones (1 goal), Kellen Jones (1 assist) & Sahir Gill (1 assist) was another strong line for the Vipers. Going into tonights game I was wondering how this line would do in the smaller Civic arena. All three young men continued their strong cycle game for most of the night, the Storm was having all kinds of difficulties with the Vipers top line. Connor played physical, laying out some big checks in the 2nd period. This line played with a ton of energy.
Cory Kane looked good at times through out tonights game. This kid can skate but was very limited on the smaller ice surface. One of the best wrist shots I have seen, this kid should shoot more with a shot like that.
Adam Thompson played well on the backend.
Top Players: (Grande Prairie)
Chad Carder (36 saves) was busy most of the night, made several key saves through out the hockey game, but gave out big rebounds all night. Looked shaky at times, especially in the 3rd period. A very small kid who has a very weird looking stance. Really likes to come out of his crease and play the puck, not a very great puck handler. Played a few Vernon shots very casual, and almost let the puck sneak by.
Adam Young played very well on the Storm blueline.
Bobby Tyson looked very solid, very hard to beat along the boards. Rang a shot off the crossbar in the 2nd period.
Tanner Fritz had a few chances, hit the crossbar in the 2nd period. Really played with alot of energy, this kid has some wheels.
Blake Clement was robbed twice by Andrew Hammond. Was in and around the Vipers net on several occasions. A very awkward skater.
Morgan MacLean (1 goal) Looked very good up front for Grande Prairie. This kid is very dangerous with the puck. Vipers are going to have to watch him.
Game Thoughts: (Vernon)
The Vipers were by far the better team for most of tonights game. Vernon really held the edge in scoring chances. The Vipers look to have a more skilled team up front, and are more physical-in your face style of hockey. The Vipers laid out some huge checks all game, really punishing the Storm. Grande Prairies lone goal was scored on a poor defensive play, allowing Morgan MacLean to be left all alone in the slot. The Vipers defence looked very solid most of the game, really shut down the neutral zone, limiting Grande Prairies shots and chances. If it wasnt for Chad Carder this could have been a different final score. Both teams were limited to chances and getting pucks towards the net, alot of stopages in play with the smaller ice surface, very limited room for these kids to skate. Vipers looked good on the rush and down low with the puck. Vernon played very well taking Game 1. Id like to thank the Interior Logging Association for taking over the Wesbild Centre and hope you all enjoyed our wonderfull hockey rink, thanks to you I & along with the other 2,252 were crammed into the much smaller uncomfortable Civic Arena, with very little room to move-walk around, having very limited eating in the minor hockey style concesions, & now only have one scoreboard. The arena has taken out the other scoreclock wich was in the other corner of the rink. The Civic has had its time and is no longer stable to hold Junior Hockey games, its unsafe and very unenjoyable to watch a hockey game. With the smaller glass and lower roof, many stopages in play caused to slow down the game. Two great hockey teams tonight that couldnt put on the show they wanted too, due to playing on a much smaller ice surface. The speed and skill both these teams have is being waisted with tractors and loggers holding up our teams arena. Thank you very much!
Game Thoughts: (Grande Prairie)
The Storm looked flat and didnt seem to have much energy or jump in the 1st period. Got their first shot on net eleven minutes into the hockey game. Had very little presure and offence going for most of the game. For the most of the game the Storm were outplayed, outhit and outworked. Vernon was by far a much stronger and more skilled team, Grande Prairie has some good goaltending along with defence. The Storm wont be winning many hockey games this series if they could only muster seven shots in the 1st period and just four shots in each of the final two periods. Grande Prairie seemed to be more interested in beaking off with the Vernon fans. As I stated before a young group of kids beside the Storm bench were razzing the players all night, with the players giving it right back. Chad Carder was hearing it from the Vernon crowd in the 3rd and inbetween the play and whistles Carder was yapping back and making motions with his glove, as in I cant hear you. It was pretty funny. I was expecting alot more from Grande Prairie, but dont forget the Storm havnt played in almost two weeks, count in the travel and with staying in Kelowna, driving back and forth down the highway for practises and now games, wont be easy on these young men. Im sure Vandy will have his boys ready to go tomorrow.
Scratches:
Vernon:
Steven Weinstein
Nick Amies
Ryan Santana (Injured)
Trent Dorias (AP)
Grande Prairie:
Derek Ginnell
Josh Juell
Mitch Kaufmann
Darren Kramer
3 Stars:
1st Star: Connor Jones (1 goal)
2nd Star: Braden Pimm (1 goal)
3rd Star: Chad Carder (36 saves)
No comments:
Post a Comment