I was at this afternoon's game as Vernon defeated Surrey 2-1 in overtime in front of 1,462 fans at the Wesbild Centre.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon: Blake Voth
Surrey: Karel St Laurent
1st Period: With both teams playing their third game in as many days, both teams looked a little tenative to start this afternoons contest. The Vipers would get the games first powerplay just over five minutes into the period. Vernon with some good puck movement looked very good on the man advantage, getting two or three good chances. Surrey would kill off the minor as Vernon slowly started to carry the play early in the 1st. The Vipers with some good presure couldnt seem to generate any real quality chances but controlled the better of the play in the first half. Zach McPhee who has been one of the more physical players since arriving in Vernon, once again showed his physical presence again this afternoon. Both teams got a little sloppy as the play became very scrambly at times before the Eagles who have one of the leagues hottest powerplays went to work on their first man advantage of the afternoon. Vernons penalty kill looked very strong not really allowing Surrey to setup the powerplay as the Vipers killed off the minor. The Eagles who were playing with a short bench seemed to get their legs going and turned things around in the second half looking much better. Not much action at either ends of the rink as both teams looked fairly even in the second half, it looked as if both teams didnt want to make the games first mistake. Michael Stenerson looked to have collieded with Blake Voth inbehind the Vernon goal, Stenerson got up but slowly skated to the Eagles bench not putting alot of presure on his left leg. Stenerson went to the dressing room and didnt return. In the final minute and a half tempers started to heat up a bit between Vipers captain, David Robinson and Eagles defenceman, Beau Orser. Robinson and Orser exchanged words on two seperate occasions before some pushing and shoving started towards the end of the period wich gathered a small crowd deep in the Eagles zone. It was scoreless after 20 minutes of play. Vernon outshot Surrey 10-6.
2nd Period: The Eagles with a great chance to open the scoring just a minute into the second, Richard Vanderhoek and Bradley McGowan went in on the two on one, but Vanderhoek couldnt beat Blake Voth. On the next play back come the Vipers, Marcus Basara with a great chance at the side of the net was stopped by Karel St Laurent. David Robinson just minutes later was stopped in close by St Laurent. Vernon would open the scoring, Brett Corkey's point shot was tipped in front by Patrick McGillis at 6:55 giving Vernon a 1-0 lead. Corkey with the lone assist. Just a few minutes later Steve Koshey, Dale Hunt & Bradley McGowan with a nice three way passing play couldnt hit the empty net after Koshey missed. Surrey would then get a man advantage but couldnt capitalize. Vernon would then get their second powerplay of the game, with some good puck movement Bryce Kakoske's point shot looked to have hit the post as the Vipers come close to going up 2-0. This was the only real quality chance before the Vipers would get a late two man advantage but the Eagles would kill off both minors. A fairly even played period with a few good chances at both ends of the rink. The Vipers with a 1-0 lead after 40 minutes of play. Vernon outshot Surrey 18-10.
3rd Period: The Vipers took a few minutes to get going but for the third straight night, controlled the final period. The Vipers slowly started to get some presure deep in the Eagles zone but once again unable to really get any quality scoring chances. Most of Vernon's shots were from the outside with no traffic or bodies in front making it very easy for Karel St Laurent to make the fairly routine saves. The Vipers finally got traffic in front of St Laurent, with the puck caught in the mess of bodies in front of the Surrey goal, Vernon tried wacking away at the loose puck but was unable to get the puck towards the goal. Marcus Basara with a wrap around couldnt stuff the puck past St Laurent. Vernon carried the edge in play in the first half before Aaron Hadley was tossed from the game for checking from behind. Surrey would finally capitalize after moving the puck around, former Trail Smoke Eater, Steve Koshey's point shot was tipped in front by Dale Hunt at 10:13 tying the game 1-1. Koshey and Riley Sweeney collected the helpers. The Vipers who have troubles scoring this year didnt get alot of good quality chances but were the better of the two teams in the 3rd. Bradley McGowan with a shot from the slot was stopped by Voth who made a big save just before Surrey would head back on the man advantage getting a late powerplay. Vernon's penalty kill was solid killing off the Eagles minor. The Eagles had troubles setting up against a strong Vernon forcheck. Late in the period David Robinson and Beau Orser would exchange words and punches as a scrum formed in the Eagles crease with some pushing and shoving sending both players to the box. For the third straight game Vernon would be heading to overtime after a 1-1 tie. The Vipers outshot the Eagles 12-5.
Overtime: Early into the extra frame Malcolm Lyles with a nice rush up ice, carried the play deep into the Eagles zone, Lyles lost the puck at first but continued with the play, getting the puck back and then coming very close to scoring the ot winner on a wrap around. Bradley McGowan who was Surrey's best player, made two real nice spin o rama's beating two Viper players then cutting back towards the middle and ripping a hard shot but Blake Voth made a nice glove save to keep the game tied. The Vipers had the better of the play but only with the one real good scoring chance. It was still tied 1-1 after 65 minutes of play. Surrey outshot Vernon 6-5.
Double Overtime: Surrey won the draw and gained control into the Vernon zone, as the Eagles got off to a good start in the final period. The Vipers just couldnt seem to gain control of the play much now had to try and fend off the leagues 4th highest scoring team. Surrey with a few nice plays cutting through the Vipers zone couldnt get the puck towards the net. In the final minute and a half the Eagles got caught deep in the Vipers zone, this sending Vernon back the other way three on two, Steve Weinstein carried the play into the Eagles zone, and then put the puck on goal as Vipers captain, David Robinson went hard to the goal getting the puck past St Laurent at 3:53 giving Vernon a 3-2 double overtime victory as the Vipers bench jumped onto the ice celebrating in front of the Surrey bench. Eagles goaltender, Karel St Laurent tried to talk to the referee about the game winner but the goal stood. The Vipers outshot the Eagles 6-3.
Top Players: (Vernon)
Malcolm Lyles had a pretty strong game on the Vernon blueline this afternoon. Lyles who was tossed from last nights game after a check from behind jumped up into the play on several occasions.
Brett Corkey (1 assist) Had a good game for the Vipers. Corkey looked very confident on the blueline, played very well in his own end all game.
David Robinson (OT Winner) The Vipers captain who has now scored back to back overtime winners for the Vipers in back to back games played well up front. Robinson played with a bit of an edge today, seemed to get involved with Eagles d-man, Beau Orser through out todays contest.
Zach McPhee played a physical game most of the afternoon, McPhee finished his checks and made sure the Eagles knew he was on the ice at all times. A few turnovers early in the 1st period but added that physical presence the Vipers need.
Marcus Basara I thought had a pretty good afternoon. Come up with a few chances, showed alot of hustle, was skating hard.
Patrick McGillis (1 goal) McGillis who returned to the Vernon lineup Friday after missing the past month and a bit with an upper body injury looked a little slow and sluggish Friday vs Westside. The second year Viper looked a little better last night, but I thought looked good this afternoon, atleast in the games first two periods. Let's hope McGillis can stay healthy and add some secondary scoring to the Vipers lineup.
Adam Thompson was another Viper d-man that played very well today. Thompson looked good on the powerplay and did a great job at shutting down the Eagles top guns. Thompson played very well defensively.
Blake Voth (29 saves) After allowing two soft goals and getting the hook in a 4-1 loss to the Salmon Arm Silverbacks a few weekends back, Voth has been playing his best hockey of the season. I thought Blake has looked and played very well since the 4-1 loss to Salmon Arm. Didnt see alot of rubber today, but made the saves when called apon. Made a nice glove save in overtime to keep the game tied. Blake seems to have a little more confidence right now and making the big saves when needed.
Top Players: (Surrey)
Riley Sweeney (1 assist) Was one of the Eagles better defencemen this afternoon. Sweeney played very well defensively and jumped up into the play on occasion.
Richard Vanderhoek looked very good, espeically in the first two periods. Vanderhoek was always in and around the net, was dangerous with the puck as well. A very good skater.
Bradley McGowan was the Eagles best player today. McGowan was all over the ice and very dangerous with the puck. Very hard to knock off the puck, a good skater with some nice moves.
Beau Orser tried to do his best and get under the skin of the Vernon Vipers, well it worked. Orser seemed to have a problem with Vipers captain, David Robinson going after the Viper forward on several occasions. Anytime there was some pushing and shoving going on after a whistle, Orser would be in the mix of things.
Karel St Laurent (48 saves) Was named 2nd star. St Laurent played very well between the pipes for Surrey. St Laurent who is now 0-2 against Vernon this season saw most of the Viper shots but the ones where he had traffic or trouble in front made some key saves for the Eagles. Gave his team a chance to win, thats for sure.
Game Thoughts: (Vernon)
For playing their third game in as many days and going to overtime for the third straight game, give the Vipers credit. They were the better of the two teams today and worked hard, gutting out a big 2-1 double overtime victory. The Vipers who got off to a good start needed to jump on the Eagles, a team that also was playing its third game in as many days, and not to mention playing with a short bench. Vernon needed to get a couple pucks past St Laurent early and not give Surrey a chance to hang on. Both teams didnt get alot of real good quality chances but also looked to play it safe and not make any mistakes. I thought the Vipers defence played very well, shutting down Surreys high powered offence, giving up just the lone goal. Vernon played two tough teams this weekend and come away with two wins and a tie psuhing them into a tie for 2nd place with Salmon Arm. Give the Vipers credit, they battled hard today and didnt give up. Here's another game where Vernon gets 50 plus shots and only scores two goals, the Vipers sure have trouble scoring goals this year and its showed. The Vipers are going to have to try and get a little more traffic in front and get guys driving towards the goal, just like Robinsons ot winner. Vernon now heads on the road for a tough six game road trip.
Game Thoughts: (Surrey)
Surrey has a fairly big team that can skate. Obviously the Eagles can score goals (4th highest scoring team in the BCHL) as well as have the leagues top powerplay. But today managed just one goal and didnt really get alot of great offensive chances. Surrey was held in their own end for most of the game and couldnt seem to get much past the Vernon defence who was solid all afternoon. Give the Eagles full credit for forcing todays game to overtime as well as staying in todays game with just twelve skaters. A very small, quiet crowd this afternoon wich made for a very poor atmosphere.
Scratches:
Vernon:
Max Mowat (Injured)
Todd Skirving
Surrey:
Tim Coish
Zach Hillhouse
Josh Monk
Colbi Smith-Mass
Jeff Vanderlugt
Doug Wedel
Tyler Morley
3 Stars:
1st Star: David Robinson (Scored OT Winner)
2nd Star: Karel st Laurent (48 saves)
3rd Star: Brett Corkey (1 assist)
No comments:
Post a Comment