Vernon 1 Penticton 1

I was at tonights BCHL game as Vernon tied Penticton 1-1 in front of 2,003 fans at the South Okanagan Events Centre.

Starting Goaltenders:

Vernon: Blake Voth
Penticton: Joel Rumpel

1st Period: Both teams got involved in the play early as the play went back and forth in the opening few minutes but no real chances for either team. Both teams played fairly physical but as the period went on it was the Vipers who were the ones finishing their checks and being the more physical team. Vernon slowly took over the better of the play for most of it not all of the 1st period. Just three minutes into the contest former Vernon Viper Mark Hall went for a check on Malcolm Lyles, but it was Hall that took the better of the hit, crashing into the end boards before getting up slowly, heading straight for the Vees bench in some discomfort. Hall seemed to be ok and would return to the ice on his next shift. On the next play Dylan Walchuk with a good chance just ripped his shot high and over the far corner. The Vipers would get the games first powerplay of the night just over five minutes into the game, the Vipers with some good puck movement recorded three shots on goal but were unable to capitalize as the Vees would kill off the minor. Just three minutes later Vernon would head back to the powerplay but on their second attempt the Vipers would struggle as Penticton would easily kill off the man advantage. Veteran d-man, Tyler Hlookoff come up with a big block on the penalty kill and would go down in a hurry, slowly skating off to the Vees bench. Hlookoff seemed to be alright and would return to the ice. Just after the Viper powerplay a long dump in play from the Vees took a funny bounce off the end boards, the puck come out the other side of the net quickly as Blake Voth tried to come across the crease before falling, Michael Betz picked up the loose puck but somehow couldnt get the puck over Voth. This was the Vees only real good scoring chance of the period. Vernon carried the better of the play for most of the period but was unable to get any real sustained presure deep in the Vees zone. Mike Zalewski with a great chance was stopped by Joel Rumpel as Vernon was outshooting Penticton at this point 8-1. The Vees would get their first powerplay of the night, late in the 1st but would record just a single shot on goal, wich was the teams second of the period as Penticton struggled with the man advantage. The Vees would get their second powerplay of the night at the buzzer. Not alot of scoring chances at either ends of the rink. It was 0-0 after 20 minutes of play. Vernon outshot Penticton 11-2.

2nd Period: Penticton started the 2nd on the powerplay but struggled early before veteran forward, Garrett Milan carried the play in over the Vernon zone, battling hard along the boards, Milan through the puck through the circles before Joey Laleggia snapped a quick shot from the slot that was tipped in front by Joey Holka at 1:44 giving the Vees a 1-0 lead with just 16 seconds remaining on the powerplay. The Vipers then struggled with the breakout pass coming out from their own end, Vernon couldnt get anything going early. The Vipers who looked good in the opening period didnt seem to have much energy going in the middle frame. The Vees on the other hand seemed to change up their game plan a little, sending a player in deep, forchecking the Vernon defence. The Vees strong forecheck and hard work down low, paid off as Penticton now was the ones carrying the better of the play for most of the period. John Knisley was left alone in the slot but missed the net. Mike Zalewski went down in the neutral zone and seemed to be favoring his wrist, Zalewski was a little slow to get up but headed straight for the Vernon bench. Zalewski was checked out by the trainer and seemed to be ok as he would return to the ice. The Vees would get an early powerplay, Mark MacMillan setup newcomer Myles McCauley in front who tipped the puck past Blake Voth but missed the net on a great chance for the Vees. This was the only real good chance as Vernon would kill off the minor. Penticton played a much better period as now the Vees were the more physical team, Penticton won most of the battles and races for the puck. Vernon would get a powerplay but struggle as the Vees penalty kill was solid keeping the Vipers to the outside, and only giving up a single shot. Just a few minutes later Marcus Basara was called for goaltender interference, but as Basara headed to the penalty box David Robinson sent referee Nick Swaine over to the time keepers box, there was a lengthy discusion between the referee and the time keepers before Nick Swaine made his way over to both player benches. After a few minutes Basara was now tossed from the game and still given the minor for goaltender interference. This giving the Vees a late powerplay. Penticton struggled with the man advantage as the Vipers penalty kill looked very good, Dylan Walchuk tried splitting the two Vees d-men for a breakaway, but couldnt get through. Vernon would kill off the minor after a great penalty kill. In the final ten seconds Vernon would get a late powerplay but was unable to score giving the Vipers 1:50 left on the powerplay to start the 3rd. Penticton was the better of the two teams, but again a very tight checking defensive period with not alot of good scoring chances. The Vees did carry the better of the play and were up 1-0 after 40 minutes of play. The Vipers outshot the Vees 9-8.

3rd Period: The Vipers with almost a full powerplay struggled with some poor passing as Penticton killed off the minor. It took the Vipers the first five minutes before slowly controlling the play. Vernon with some good puck movement finally seemed to get things going with some nice passing plays. Mike Zalewski was stopped by Joel Rumpel. Malcolm Lyles, Bryce Kakoske and Kyle Murphy on an odd man rush carried the puck up ice, Lyles coming down the right wing setup Murphy in front driving towards the net, beat Rumpel at 7:10 tying the game 1-1. Kakoske and Lyles collected the assists. Just over a minute later the Vipers would come storming back with again some nice passing setting up a wide open Adam Thompson who I dont think got off a great shot, wich missed the wide open goal after having Joel Rumpel beat on a great chance to take the lead. The Vipers with some good presure couldnt take their first lead of the night. Back come the Vees and with a scramble in front of Blake Voth the puck would come back to Kyle Mountain whos onetimer was stopped by the glove of Blake Voth. Penticton didnt quit getting some good presure of their own just before the midway mark as both teams seemed to opening up the offence with some good chances. Voth was then forced to make a tough save with traffic in front. After a scramble in front of Voth tempers slowly started to get a little heated after Brett Corkey and Joey Holka exchanged shots at one another as a scrum formed in front of the Vernon net. Just a few minutes later Vipers captain, David Robinson and Myles McCauley exhcnaged some punches as a scrum started in front of the Vees goal with some pushing and shoving. This was the most intensity the fans had seen all game up until this point. Both teams looked fairly even in the second half of the 3rd in a very tight defensive game. The Vipers would get the play in deep in the final few seconds and with a draw to the right of Joel Rumpel, Mike Zalewski won the draw and somehow got a quick shot from the circle off that just missed the far corner in the dying seconds. It was tied 1-1 after 60 minutes of play. Vernon outshot Penticton 12-6.

Overtime: Just over two minutes into the extra period the Vipers had the best chance. Malcolm Lyles setup Mike Zalewski in front who had Rumpel beat but hit the post, Zalewski somehow then through the puck back through the crease as Lyles who I think didnt realize he had that much time fired the puck back to the slot instead of hitting the empty net as the Vipers come very close to ending the game. On the same play Mike Zalewski who was at the end of his shift snuck inbehind the Penticton defence, getting a parcial breakaway but couldnt put the puck through the pads of Rumpel who made a big save in overtime. The Vipers with some good chances couldnt find the back of the net. Vernon had the better chances outshooting Penticton 4-1. It was still tied 1-1 after 65 minutes of play.

Double Overtime: After a fairly defensive first three periods with very little great scoring chances, both teams opened up the play in both overtimes. Vernon with a great chance to win the game was awarded a penalty shot just over two minutes into double overtime after the Vees were given a penalty for knocking the stick out of Steve Weinsteins hands. A penalty in double overtime is an automatic penalty shot. Dylan Walchuk would end up taking the penalty shot after a short pause in the play, as the Vees bench seemed to be pointing towards Walchuk. It didnt matter as Walchuk took the penalty shot, Walchuk couldnt get the puck up and over the right pad of Joel Rumpel who made a huge game saver in overtime. Malcolm Lyles then rushed up ice, getting in over the Penticton zone but couldnt get past Joey Laleggia who made a heads up defensive play to stop Lyles from going in on the breakaway, Lyles then made a pass back towards the point wich sent Garrett Milan and Kyle Mountain in on the two on one, Milan setup Mountain who was robbed by Voth who come across with the left pad making a huge game saver. Vernon would then get the play in deep in the final 25 seconds, Bryce Kakoske tried getting the puck towards the goal but wasnt given any time or space. The Vipers couldnt muster any late chances as the buzzer would sound ending tonights game in a 1-1 tie. The Vees outshot the Vipers 5-4.

Top Players: (Vernon)

Malcolm Lyles (1 assist) Was caught a few times jumping up into the play or coming across the ice to get involved in a play early in the game, but seemed to settle down as the game went on. Lyles had a very strong game on the Vipers backend, as the game went on, Lyles seemed to play with a little more confidence and jumped up into the play on several occasions.

Dylan Walchuk had a strong game up front for the Vipers. Walchuk had several good chances tonight, including a penalty shot in double overtime but couldnt find the back of the net. Was dangerous in and around the Vees net all night.

Mike Zalewski I thought was the Vipers best forward tonight. Zalewski had atleast five chances but was another player who couldnt beat Joel Rumpel. Zalewski with two great chances in the first overtime could have won it for Vernon. Zalewski was his best in and around the net.

Darren Nowick I thought played a very strong game up front, Nowick was skating hard, battling hard and competed all game.

Blake Voth (21 saves) Didnt see alot of action in the opening period but come up with some big saves in the 3rd and overtimes. Voth who has been playing his best hockey the past few weeks played his second straight game after Kirby Halcrow wasnt in the lineup.

Top Players: (Penticton)

Kyle Mountain I thought played very well up front for the Vees. Mountain had two good chances in the 3rd and in double overtime but couldnt beat Blake Voth. Is a good hard skater who seems to know where the puck is.

Joey Laleggia (1 assist) I thought played a strong game on the Vees blueline. Made a very smart heads up defensive play to stop Malcolm Lyles from going in on the breakaway in double overtime.

Joey Holka (1 goal) Was Pentictons best player tonight, Holka used his size and upper body strength to over power the Vipers down low and in front. Was very strong with and without the puck and was very hard to knock off the puck. Holka was a work horse for the Vees tonight.

Joel Rumpel (39 saves) I didnt think looked all that great in his previous meetings vs the Vipers but played very well tonight. Im not taking any credit away from this kid but alot of the Vipers 40 shots were fired right at Rumpels chest. But you have to give credit to the kid for making the tough saves when he did. He gave his team a chance to win and kept them in tonights game at times. Made a big save off Mike Zalewski in the first overtime and then stopping Dylan Walchuk on a penalty shot in double overtime.

Game Thoughts: (Vernon)

The Vipers have now played in 14 overtimes this season and are also now unbeaten in their last ten games. I thought the Vipers played very well in the opening period but had all kinds of trouble in the 2nd. Give the boys credit they didnt quit, and forced overtime picking up the single point. I thought Vernon played much better in the 3rd and in both overtimes. Other then the first powerplay of the night, Vernon struggled once again with the man advantage, the Vipers also seemed to have troubles with their breakout pass tonight. The Vipers also turned over the puck lots, I think this was the most turnovers I have seen Vernon give up in a single game in a long time. Up until overtime tonights game was very tight with not alot of room for either team to generate alot of quality scoring chances. I thought the Vipers played very well defensively but once again outshoot a team almost double in shots. How many times have us Viper fans seen this, this year? I dont think I have ever seen a Vernon team outshoot their opponents by over half or more shots and come away with just a goal or two. The Vipers need a goal scorer, they just dont seem to have the kids that can put the puck in the net on a consistant basis. Great to see two Viper fan buses at tonights game.

Game Thoughts: (Penticton)

The Vees who are now 0-3-1 vs the Vipers this season have yet to find a way to knock off Vernon. I didnt think the Vees looked very good in the 1st period but give Fred Harbinson and the coaching staff full credit for changing up the game plan between periods, Penticton come out in the 2nd sending one man in deep forechecking the Vipers defence, this seem to change momentum of the game and gave the Vees some life in the middle frame. The Vees looked and played much better in the 2nd and 3rd periods. Like I said before both teams had trouble scoring in a very defensive battle, the Vees did a great job at keeping the Vipers to the outside as well as winning most of the battles and races to the puck. Penticton was very strong on the draw tonight, winning most of the faceoffs. With the tie the Vees still remain a single point ahead of the Vipers for 1st place in the Interior Division. Penticton can move three pts up on Vernon with a win over Nanaimo tomorrow night.

Scratches:

Vernon:

Philip Patenaude (Injured)
Colton Sparrow
Kirby Halcrow

Penticton:

Steven Iacobellis

3 Stars:

1st Star: Joel Rumpel (39 saves)
2nd Star: Malcolm Lyles (1 assist)
3rd Star: Joey Holka (1 goal)