I was at tonights BCHL Fred Page Cup Final as Powell River defeated Vernon 3-1 in front of 2,184 fans at the Wesbild Centre.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon: Graeme Gordon
Powell River: Josh Watson
1st Period: Off the opening shift the Kings come out physical laying out three big checks to try and set the tone early. The Vipers would get the games first good scoring chance, as Dan Nycholat would wind the puck up from his own end, rushing in one on one with the Powell River d-man, getting off a quick shot catching Josh Watson off gaurd a little, as Watson made the save. Vernon had some good jump early controlling the play. The Vipers moving the puck well were creating chances in the Kings zone. Powell River come back with a close call in front of the Vernon goal. Steven Schmidt couldnt hit the open goal as Graeme Gordon was down as the Kings come oh so close to taking the first lead of the game. Vernon would then get the games first powerplay and take advantage. Sahir Gill setup Connor Jones in front who made two real nice moves around both Kings d-men to beat Watson at 6:36 giving Vernon the all important first goal of the hockey game. Gill & Dan Nycholat with the helpers. Shortly after the Vipers goal, back come Vernon as Braden Pimm & David Robinson went in two on one, Pimm setup Robinson who lost the handle in close on a great scoring chance. The Vipers were the better of the two teams as Vernon was outshooting Powell River 6-2 at this point. Connor & Kellen Jones on a parcial breakaway couldnt get a shot off as the Kings d-man hustled back to break up the play. Vernon with a few good chances in the opening period played fairly well. Powell River would get a late powerplay but unable to capitalize as the Vipers killed off the minor. Late in the 1st Matt Garbowsky with a chance at the side of the net was stopped by Gordon. The Vipers were the better team and up 1-0 after 20 minutes of play. Vernon outshot Powell River 9-5.
2nd Period: The Kings come out with lots of jump really taking it too the Vipers. Powell River got the puck in deep and with some good pressure really controlled the play in and around the net. A screened shot from the point somehow got through traffic, Gordon made the save but couldnt control the rebound as the Kings crashed the net going for the loose puck. The Kings who seemed to change up their game plan really starting forcing the Vernon defence, wich caused a few turnovers and errand passes by the Vipers. Powell River had the Vipers pinned in their own end for most of the entire 2nd period. The Kings with some good pressure early were unable to tie the game. Back come the Vipers, as Dan Nycholat carried the puck in over the Kings blueline and wired a quick shot from the slot that beat Josh Watson but went off the crossbar as the Vipers come very close to grabbing a 2-0 lead. Back come the Kings and once again Powell River with some sustained pressure in the Vipers zone looked very dangerous with the puck. Vernon was being outhit, outworked and outskated for most of the 2nd period. Cody Rainaldi with some speed down the wing, snapped a quick shot but couldnt beat Gordon. Matt Garbowsky then with a chance in front was stopped by Graeme Gordon. Gordon had to be sharp as the Kings were pouring on the pressure. Mitch Labreche with a nice move, skated through the Vipers zone, went around one Viper, cut towards the slot and then either hit the post or just missed the net on a great scoring chance. (I couldnt tell if he hit the post or just missed the goal) The Vipers would come back with just their second good scoring chance of the period as Kellen Jones & Connor Jones with some nice two way passing setup Kellen Jones all alone in front but couldnt beat Watson. Vernon would get a powerplay but it was the Kings penalty kill who carried the better of the play, the Vipers just couldnt seem to get much of anything going as the Kings looking very dangerous with the puck had a few good scoring chances shorthanded. Powell River would kill off the minor. Late in the period the Kings would get a powerplay and take advantage. Mat Bodie setup Justin DaSilva who was stopped by Gordon, Gordon let out the big rebound as Matt Garbowsky hit the empty net at 18:14 tying the game 1-1. Bodie and DaSilva with the assists. Powell River dominated the 2nd period as the game was tied 1-1 after 40 minutes of play. The Kings outshot the Vipers 14-9.
3rd Period: Vernon come out hard, taking the body early trying to set the tone for the final period. The Vipers got off to a good start getting the play in deep but couldnt muster any real sustained pressure. Just 3:05 into the period and on the Kings first good rush, Cody Rainaldi caught Curtis Gedig flat footed, Rainaldi went around Gedig cut towards the goal and then put a nice move on Graeme Gordon sliding the puck home at 3:05 giving the Kings their first lead of the game and the series. Vernon didnt quit as the Vipers carried the better of the play for most of the 3rd but couldnt muster any real good quality scoring chances. The Vipers would get the pplay in deep but were having all kinds of trouble getting traffic and pucks towards the net as the Kings defence was huge standing tall, closing the gap in close not allowing the Vipers any room in front. Vernon would get a shot but was unable to get any bodies in front for the rebound. Vernon controlled the better of the play in the first half with just a few decent chances. Sahir Gill & Cole Ikkala with two great chances were stopped in front by Josh Watson. Watson was solid between the pipes all night. Powell River managed to come back with a few flurries of their own getting a few good chances but most of the play was in the Kings zone. The Vipers would get a powerplay but again couldnt get any traffic or pucks through as the Kings defence was solid all night. The Kings would kill off the minor. Connor Jones with a great chance was stopped by Watson. Powell River would get a late man advantage but the Vipers would kill off the minor. Vernon looked frustrated at times having no time or space to setup or make a play. The Kings really forced the Vipers all night, well atleast in the final two periods shutting down Vernons high powered offence. Vernon would call a late timeout and get Gordon to the bench for the extra attacker but it was former Penticton Vee Mitch Labreche who would hit the empty net at 19:34 giving Powell River the 3-1 lead. At the buzzer David Robinson and Rob Short would get into it with a few Kings players, as some pushing and shoving started. In the end the Kings would tie the series with a huge 3-1 victory. Vernon outshot Powell River 13-7.
Top Players: (Vernon)
Connor (1 goal) & Kellen Jones were by far Vernons best players. The Jones Twins played a strong game up front making some nice passing plays, but also couldnt really get their game going like they can. Powell River didnt give these two kids much room to get their cycle going.
Braden Pimm played a strong-hard working game up front for the Vipers. Pimm worked hard all game, played physical, showed some good hustle.
Top Players: (Powell River)
Matt Garbowsky (1 goal) Played a real strong game up front for the Kings. Garbowsky was very dangerous with and without the puck all game. This kid used his wheels tonight.
Mitch Labreche (1 goal) Played a solid game for the Kings. Was another player who was dangerous with the puck. Had several good chances, looked very good in and around the goal.
Mat Bodie (1 assist) Played a solid game on the Kings blueline.
Darcy Huisman another d-man that looked very strong tonight.
Justin DaSilva (1 assist) Played a strong game as well, made some real nice heads up plays all game. Moved the puck well. Good skater.
Robbie Bailey Played a physical-yet in your face style of game. Was in the face of many Vipers tonight, trying to get them off their game. Always seemed to be in and around the scrums after the whistle.
Cody Rainaldi (1 goal) This kid had a very strong game. Scored a real nice goal early in the 3rd to put Powell River ahead 2-1. Had some good chances through out tonights contest.
Josh Watson (30 saves) Watson for the second straight night played very well. Give credit to his defence that really helped him out seeing the puck and getting the rebouds out of harms way. Watson did give out a few big rebounds at times but made the big save when needed too.
Game Thoughts: (Vernon)
I thought Vernon carried the play in the 1st and 3rd periods but overall had alot of troubles with the Powell River defence and their aggresive forecheck. The Vipers did get some chances through out tonights game to tie the game but also were unable to get traffic and pucks towards the net as the Kings defence was solid keeping the Vipers to the outside. Vernon's passing wasnt that great tonight, several passes in skates or behind the back, made for some sloopy plays coming out of their own end. I thought the Vipers did much better on the draw tonight, after losing most of the faceoffs in Game 1. Vernon couldnt get anything going in the 2nd after the Kings really forced the Vipers and then shutdown the forward lines. It wasnt until the 3rd when Vernon really started hitting, I thought the Vipers were outhit most of the game. Vernon is going to now have to try and find ways around this trap, try and get guys to the net and going into the grey area's.
Game Thoughts: (Powell River)
After being outplayed and outscored in the 1st period, Kent Lewis and the Kings seemed to change up the game plan for the 2nd & 3rd periods and it worked. Give Powell River credit for shutting down the Vipers high powered offence, the Kings really forced the Vipers all night, Vernon didnt know what to do or how to get around it. The Kings really clogged up the neutral zone, not giving the Vipers any time or space, limiting their scoring chances. Powell River capitalized on their chances and played very well defensively. Powell River has a quick transition game, moves the puck very quick, tape to tape passes. Played physical for most of the game, really played physical against the Jones-Gill line. The Kings got the split and now head home for Games 3 & 4. A very tight checking game, with alot of pushing and shoving after the whistles. Very low scoring so far in the first two games.
Scratches:
Vernon:
Aaron Hadley (AP)
Trevor Fistzgerald (AP)
Darrin Robak
Patrick McGillis
Powell River:
Braden Pears
Jordan Grant
Alex McDougall
Carter Shinkaruk
3 Stars:
1st Star: Justin DaSilva (1 assist)
2nd Star: Josh Watson (30 saves)
3rd Star: Connor Jones (1 goal)
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