I was at todays RBC Cup semi-final as Vernon defeated Brockville 2-0 in front of 1,758 fans at Credit Union Place.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon: Graeme Gordon
Brockville: Justin Gilbert
1st Period: Off the opening draw the Braves went right after Connor Jones who was making his RBC Cup debut, and laying the body early and often against the Vernon forward. Just three minutes into the game the Vipers would get three great chances in front. Dylan Walchuk left all alone in front was stopped by Justin Gilbert, the puck would be tossed around before coming back to the point where a quick shot was tipped in front by Walchuk who just missed the net, Walchuk would get the puck back and come out front all alone for the second time but just shoot the puck wide of the net. Both teams then would go back and forth with, as it looked like both teams were trying to feel one another out. Some good open ice plays but neither team was able to generate any real good quality scoring chances. Vernon would get the game's first powerplay but it was Brockville's penalty kill that was sharp as the Braves killed off the minor. Just as the penalty come to an end Brockville's strong forecheck hemmed the Vipers in deep as the Braves put some good pressure in on the Viper defence. Vernon couldnt clear the zone wich resulted in Nathan Livingstone who jumped up into the play from the point, collecting the puck and then trying to go wraparound on Graeme Gordon with just under eight minutes remaining as the puck went through the crease. With four and a half minutes left in the 1st Shayne Thompson's long dump in shot come off the backboards just about banking in off of Graeme Gordon who had to be alert and get out of the way on a close call. A very tight checking period with some good back and forth play but very little scoring chances as both teams were fairly even in the opening period. It was 0-0 after 20 minutes of play. Vernon outshot Brockville 10-8.
2nd Period: Just 48 seconds into the middle frame Vernon would get an early PP. Off the draw the puck come back to Steve Weinstein who's quick shot from the point went through traffic in front before Justin Gilbert was forced to make an awkward save but managed to hold onto the puck on a very difficult looking save. Off the draw the Vipers would lose the puck and get caught off gaurd, as Scott Arnold stole the loose puck going in for the breakaway but Gordon come up with the huge pad save tp keep the Braves off the board, back come the Vipers setting up the play in the offensive zone, Curtis Gedig moved into position before ripping a shot from the top of the circle but was stopped by Gilbert who slide across to make the pad save. Brockville would get called for another penalty giving the Vipers a short two man advantage. Just before the first powerplay come to an end, Braden Pimm with a quick shot from the circle was robbed by Justin Gilbert who made a huge glove save. The Braves who got some solid goaltending from Gilbert would kill off the two man advantage. Both Scott Arnold & Colin MacLean come up with some solid penalty killing. Both teams then with some back and forth play but again very little scoring chances. The Braves would get their first powerplay of the afternoon after Vernon product Rob Short would get two minutes for checking to the head wich also is awarded a ten min misconduct. The Braves couldnt get much of anything going on the PP as the Vipers would kill off the minor and be without Short for the remainder of the 2nd. Vernon seemed to pick up the play in the second half of the period but couldnt generate much offence. The Braves defence played very solid keeping the Vipers to the outside, most of Vernon's shots were coming from the outside. Connor & Kellen Jones were trying just a little too hard at times in the second half of the period, really trying to turn up the offence once getting across the Braves blueline, Brockville's defence was catching onto this and shutting down the Twins early and often. Brockville who stayed with the Vipers on most shifts in the 1st period seemed to have trouble with the Vipers speed in the 2nd, as the Braves couldnt get much going with just a single shot in the final ten minutes of the period. Vernon carried the better of the play in the second half but come up with very little if any scoring chances. The Vipers would get there third powerplay of the afternoon very late in the period, wich would carry over into the 3rd. It was 0-0 after 40 minutes of play. The Vipers outshot the Braves 16-5.
3rd Period: Vernon on the man advantage wich was carried over from the 2nd period had a great chance early on the powerplay. Kellen Jones from the circle beat Justin Gilbert but hit the crossbar. This was Vernon's lone chance as the Braves would kill off the penalty. Just over three minutes into the 3rd Brockville would get an early powerplay and come very close. Mark Williamson would jump in from the point, beat Graeme Gordon but also hit the crossbar. This was the Braves lone chance as Vernon killed off the penalty. At 9:41 Kellen Jones setup Connor Jones who cut through two Braves before sliding the puck fivehole on Gilbert giving the Vipers the 1-0 lead. Kellen Jones with the lone assist. Just after the goal the Braves would get another man advantage, Mark Williamson who played a solid game once again with a great chance from the circle was robbed by Gordon who made a huge pad save at the side of the net keeping the Braves off the board. Brockville with two great chances on the powerplay couldnt capitalize as the Vipers killed off the minor. Just after the penalty kill Vernon on a two on one, Dan Nycholat feeding Kellen Jones who beat Gilbert at 15:41 giving Vernon a 2-0 lead. Nycholat and Sahir Gill with the helpers. The Vipers didnt quit and over the next few minutes would get three quality chances. Cole Ikkala who battled hard down low all night, setup Mike Collins in the slot who was robbed by Justin Gilbert who come up with a huge shoulder save, on the same play Ikkala again setup this time Braden Pimm who was in the slot but couldnt beat Gilbert who was keeping his team in the game. In the final few minutes Kellen Jones with a chance from the circle was stopped by Gilbert. Back come the Braves, Mark Williamson who had Graeme Gordon going down just fired wide on a great chance for Brockville. With two minutes remaining Todd Gill would call a timeout and with 1:53 remaining tried getting Justin Gilbert to the bench, as Gilbert was heading to the bench the extra man jumped over the boards, but Kellen Jones was close to intercepting the pass in the neutral zone so Gilbert decided to try and skate back towards his goal this costing the Braves too many men on the ice. With Vernon on the powerplay, the Braves would get Gilbert to the bench for the extra man but couldnt get the puck in deep as Vernon would just dump and chase on any play they had. Kellen Jones with some good hustle just about stole the loose puck and hit the empty net on a close play. In the end Brockville couldnt get the play setup in the Vipers zone as Vernon would defeated Brockville 2-0 and advance to their second straight RBC Cup Final. The Vipers outshot the Braves 10-7.
Top Players: (Vernon)
Connor Jones (1 goal) & Kellen Jones (1 goal & 1 assist) played very strong up front for Vernon. Connor was being hit and had players all over him but still managed to pull through with the game winner this afternoon. At times like I saod earlier in my post Kellen & Connor were trying a little too hard offensively, instead of just getting the puck in deep and using the cycle down low to try and create some chances. Both played very well on the penalty kill.
Dylan Walchuk played a heck of a game, especially in the first two periods. Walchuk with three great chances just minutes into the game. Walchuk really skated hard, battled and competed all game.
Cole Ikkala another kid who worked very hard and battled hard all afternoon. Ikkala with two real nice setups in the 3rd looked very strong in and along the wall and in front of the net.
Graeme Gordon (20 saves)(shutout) Gordon who has been called out by several Viper fans all season come up with a shutout in a big win. Gordon made several key big stops through out todays game that kept the Vipers in the hockey game. Stopping Scott Arnold shorthanded on the breakaway, & then making two big saves off Mark Williamson in the third. Gordon come up with the big save when needed.
The Vipers defence played a very solid game. All six of of the Viper d-men had a strong game. Really kept the Braves to the outside for most of the game, didnt allow any second chances in front and had no turnovers in their own end.
Top Players: (Brockville)
Dylan Robichaud & Nathan Livingstone both played a strong game on the Brockville blueline. Both players jumped up into the play, playing very well at both ends of the rink.
Scott Arnold had a very strong game for the Braves this afternoon. Arnold who was stopped on the shorthanded breakaway, is quick, skates well and is always involved in the play.
David Roy was another Brave who impressed me. Roy battled hard down low, was very strong in and along the boards.
Justin Gilbert (33 saves) Gilbert who was named the top goaltender at last nights RBC Cup awards banquet really impressed me through out the tournament. This kid is a solid goaltender, plays his position well, moves side to side very quickly, sees and reads the play well, is very quick and very moveable. Played very strong in both games vs Vernon. Come up with some big saves when needed to keep the score scoreless.
Game Thoughts: (Vernon)
Wow what a very entertaining hockey game this afternoon. Going into todays game I knew this was going to be anyones game. Both teams are fairly even with Vernon maybe having a little more offensive power and Brockville having the better goaltending. Both teams are quick, move the puck well and compete hard. In both games vs the Braves the Vipers had to work hard, battle and earn both victories. In the round-robin the Vipers were down 2-0 heading into the 3rd scoring four goals to pull out the 4-2 come from behind win and today had to score two third period goals to earn a spot in tomorrows RBC Cup final. Today was anyones game with chances at either ends, a very tight checking game at times with very little chances. Both teams didnt give one another much room or space to create several chances. The Vipers scored on their chances and got the big save when needed. You als have to give credit to Vernon's defence who did a terrific job at shutting down the Braves offence, keeping them to the outside and really limiting their chances. The Vipers giving up just eight shots in the 1st, five in the 2nd and seven in the 3rd. I can tell you going into todays game and even heading into the 3rd some very nervous feelings as either team could have come away with the win. With the Vipers having battled through back to back seven game series vs Powell River & Spruce Grove, this team knows what it takes to win in a one game showdown, dont forget the 13 players that won last years RBC Cup in a nail biter 2-0 win over Humboldt. I think with the two big Game seven wins and having the 13 players from last years team as well as getting Connor Jones back this had to give the Vipers a bit of an edge.
Game Thoughts: (Brockville)
Id like to take this time to thank the Brockville Braves for a very well deserved hard fought game and a hard fought season making it to the semi-finals of the RBC Cup. When you look back from the start of training camp to now its a very tough road to get here and one that dosnt happen very often. The Braves with a terrific season deserve a pat on the back, hold your heads up high boys! I wish you all the best in your hockey or life futures. What can you say about the Braves, they battled the Vipers very hard in both games coming up on the short end of the stick. Brockville played a very solid game but couldnt generate enough offence or chances in order to win. This team gave the Vipers all they could handle. Justin Gilbert come up with some big saves to keep this a very close hockey game, we were just about ten minutes away from going to overtime. I didnt really know anything about Brockville but after watching them play in their first game in the round-robin I knew this team would be near the end. This was my darkhorse pick of the teams at the RBC Cup. A bounce here or their or that shot that went off the crossbar goes in and we have a totally different hockey game.
Scratches:
Vernon:
Darrin Robak
Trevor Fitzgerald (AP)
Bryce Kakoske
Brockville:
#25 (not listed in the teams lineup)
James Keane
Players of the game:
Vernon: Connor Jones (Game winning goal)
Brockville: Justin Gilbert (33 saves)
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