Merritt 3 Vernon 2 (Overtime)

I was at tonight's BCHL game as Merritt defeated Vernon 3-2 in overtime in front of 1,730 fans at the Wesbild Centre.

Starting Goaltenders:

Vernon: Blake Voth
Merritt: Lino Chimienti

1st Period: The Centennials would get the games first scoring chance after Max Vallis with a wrap around put the puck through the crease just a minute and a half into the opening period. A very quick hard fought 1st period as both teams didnt give one another a whole lot of room out of their. John Knisley would get Vernon's first chance of the game but was stopped in close by Lino Chimienti who couldnt handle the rebound as Darren Nowick beat Chimienti on the rebound but hit the post. Merritt would get the games first powerplay of the night, the Cents would struggle with the man advantage before Dylan Walchuk shorthanded got inbehind the Centennials defence but just ripped his shot high and over the top corner as Vernon would kill off the minor. Just seconds after the penalty expired, Stephen Wall setup Dustin Lebrun who was going hard to the net, who beat Blake Voth down low at 8:51 to open the scoring, giving Merritt the 1-0 lead. Wall with the lone assist. Marcus Basara was stopped in close by Chimienti who then stopped captain David Robinson on the rebound. Both teams come ready to play, battling hard in a very tight checking period. A very even played 1st before the Vipers took over a little of the edge in play in the final four or five minutes. David Robinson was stopped by Lino Chimienti who was the busier of the two goaltenders. Vernon would get a late powerplay but the Vipers were unable to get much going as Merritt would kill off the minor. The Centennials were up 1-0 after 20 minutes of play. Vernon outshot Merritt 10-6.

2nd Period: Bryce Kakoske with a shot from the circle in the opening minute or so handcuffed Lino Chimienti who juggled the puck but kept it from going in. David Robinson with a good chance shortly after was stopped in front. The Vipers would get an early powerplay but struggled getting very few shots as the Cents killed off another Vernon man advantage. The Vipers who took over the play in the middle frame were the better of the two teams. Aaron Hadley on an odd man rush tried throwing the puck out front but two Vipers going to the net couldnt connect on the pass. Vernon with a flurry of chances early and often couldnt beat Chimienti who was solid this period. Patrick McGillis with a big shot block slowly skated to the bench but stayed in the hockey game. Vernon would get it's third man advantage of the night and waisted very little time. John Knisley setup Darren Nowick in the slot who looked like he didnt get all of his shot but the puck still beat Lino Chimienti at 9:10 tying the game 1-1. Knisley and Brett Corkey collected the helpers. Merritt who played so well in the 1st was basically no where to be seen in the 2nd as most of the play was in the Centennials zone. Lino Chimienti was the difference in the 2nd keeping the Cents in the game and giving his team a chance to win. Merritt had just three shots in the first half of the period. Malcolm Lyles went for a big check at centre allowing Richard Sabourin all kinds of room to wheel down the left wing before ripping a quick shot that was stopped by Blake Voth. This was the Centennials one and only real good chance of the period. As the period went on Merritt started to get a little chippy at times as some pushing and shoving took place after a few whistles. Late in the period Adam Thompson setup Dane Muench who went in two on one with Dylan Walchuk, Muench through the pass over that went off a Centennial d-man before landing on the stick of Walchuk who beat Lino Chimienti at 17:44 giving Vernon a 2-1 lead. Muench and Thompson with the assists. The Vipers would get a late powerplay that would carry into the 3rd period. Vernon controlled the entire 2nd up 2-1 after 40 minutes of play. The Vipers outshot the Cents 18-6.

3rd Period: The Vipers would start the 3rd on the man advantage that was carried over from the 2nd. John Knisley with two real good quality chances couldnt beat Lino Chimienti as the Cents killed off the minor. Just after killing off the penalty the Centennials would press the Vipers deep and tie the game early. Regan Soquila battled hard in front beating Blake Voth at 2:40 with Evan Stack and former Viper tryout Jeff Jones picking up the helpers. Kyle Murphy then setup David Robinson who was alone in front but Robinson couldnt connect on the pass on a great chance in front. Marcus Basara with a quick shot from just past the circle graized the outside of the post after beating Chimienti. The Centennials who were outplayed in the middle frame turned the game around, really pressing Vernon in their own end, as Merritt was sending two players in deep on the Vernon defence. Just like the 1st period not alot of room for either team to get alot of chances in a tight checking 3rd. Vernon seemed to quit skating and didnt have the same jump like the 2nd period. At times Merritt took over the play but didnt really get alot of chances. The Cents would get the only powerplay of the period but unable to capitalise as the Vipers killed off the minor. Late in the game Ryan Renz's screened point shot got through traffic but somehow Lino Chimienti kicked out his left pad at the last minute making the big pad save. Patrick McGillis with a great chance with a minute and a half remaining couldnt beat Chimienti in close after making another big save. Merritt who never really got any real good scoring chances come close to potting the winner with just under a minute remainig after Regan Soquila was stopped by Voth. The Cents controlled the play in the final minute, making most Viper fans nervous moving the puck around but were unable to score the winner. Merritt did manage to control the play at times but the Vipers had the better scoring chances. For the 20th time this season Vernon would be heading to overtime after the game was tied 2-2 after 60 minutes of play. The Vipers outshot the Centennials 6-5.

Overtime: The Vipers got off to a slow start, having all kinds of trouble trying to come out of their zone with a series of poor passes. Malcolm Lyles with the first good chance of the extra period got inbehind the Merritt defence for a parcial breakaway, with a great chance to win the game put a nice move on Lino Chimienti but somehow Chimienti got down and robbed the Vipers defenceman on what looked to be the game winner. Back come the Cents on the same play, Dustin Lebrun's long shot forced Blake Voth to come out and stick out the right pad making a big pad save keeping the game tied. With just twenty five seconds remaining, Billy Marshall setup Chad Brears whos shot kinda handcuffed Blake Voth going up and over his glove-shoulder as the puck looked to have changed directions finding the back of the net at 4:35 as the Centennials bench erupted onto the ice to celebrate the ot victory. Merritt outshot Vernon 5-1.

Top Players: (Vernon)

Dylan Walchuk (1 goal) Dylan Walchuk who has been fairly quiet latley played well at both ends of the rink tonight. Walchuk who had some troubles getting through the Cents zone, was skating hard at times. Come up with a few real nice plays through out tonights game.

David Robinson looked fairly good up front for the Vipers. Robinson who has played well the past handful of games had some good chances tonight but couldnt find the back of the net.

Aaron Hadley who has been very quiet the past few months battled and competed hard tonight. I thought Hadley worked hard, showing alot of hustle tonight. Hadley needs to be banging and crashing, finishing his checks and going into the grey areas to win the battles and come out with the puck.

Marcus Basara who played on a line with David Robinson and Kyle Murphy come up with a few good chances, seemed to be skating hard and going towards the net often. Basara has played well the past few games.

Patrick McGillis was another Vernon player who worked hard and competed tonight. Didnt really get alot of chances come up with a big block shot in the 2nd.

Steve Weinstein played very well on the Vipers blueline was skating very well, moving the puck well and played with alot of confidence.

Adam Thompson also played well on the Vernon backend. Thompson made atleast two strong defensive plays this evening to break up a Centennials scoring play.

Top Players: (Merritt)

Billy Marshall (1 assist) Marshall was one of the better Merritt d-men tonight. Setup the overtime winner played well on the Cents backend.

Dustin Lebrun (1 goal) Was one of if not the best Merritt player tonight. Had a few chances, skates well and seems to know where the puck is.

Brandon Pfeil also played very well on the Cents blueline. Dosnt give you alot of room, played steady all night.

Lino Chimienti (33 saves) Chimienti faced the Vipers for the first time this season helping the Cents knock off the defending RBC Cup Champs. This kid was the busier of the two goaltenders made some key saves, especially in the 2nd period giving his team a chance to win. Merritt who was outplayed the entire middle frame could have easily been down three or four goals if it wasnt for Chimienti. Plays his position very well, dosnt give up alot of rebounds and is hard to beat down low and in and around the net.

Game Thoughts: (Vernon)

The Vipers have now lost two straight after back to back losses to Salmon Arm and Merritt. Other then a 6-0 win by Vernon back in mid January four out of the five games between these two teams have gone to overtime. The Cents just like Salmon Arm have given the Vipers trouble this season (other then the 6-0 victory). I think here's a game tonight where the Vipers deserved the better fate. A fairly even played 1st Vernon did get the better scoring chances but were down 1-0, the Vipers putplayed and controlled the entire 2nd grabbing a 2-1 lead heading into the 3rd. But if it wasnt for Lino Chimienti in the middle frame the Vipers could have been up three our four goals. In the 3rd it looked like Vernon quit skating and at times were being pressed deep in their own end. The Vipers had troubles passing and in their own end in the final period. I thought tonight was a very good game, I thought Vernon battled and competed for most of the night (except maybe in the 3rd) but didnt get any bounces or puck luck tonight. Other then the odd pass in the 3rd and overtime I was very impressed with the Vipers passing, especially in the first two periods. Some very nice crisp, tape to tape passes. In the end, these are games the Vipers have to find ways to win. If Vernon wants to finish in 1st and get the first round bye, these are teams you have to beat. With the loss Vernon does pick up a point, giving them a five point lead over the 2nd place Salmon Arm Silverbacks who knocked off Trail 4-3 in overtime tonight.

Game Thoughts: (Merritt)

The Centennials who come into tonight's game with just two wins in their last ten games, come away with a huge two points and a big victory over a team they have had some success against this season. I thought Merritt played very well and kept up with Vernon in the opening period but dissapeared in the 2nd leaving Lino Chimienti to fend for himself. In the 3rd give the Cents credit they come at the Vipers and at times were the better team forcing overtime. Merritt didnt get alot of chances but scored on their opportunties and worked hard (except the 2nd period). The Centennials did keep the Vipers to just six shots in the 3rd and only gave up a few chances wich forced overtime. If it wasnt for Lino Chimienti this game should have never gone to overtime. Give the Centennials credit they changed their game plan in the 3rd, forcing overtime and come away with a big win. These same two teams will face off against one another Tuesday in Merritt.

Scratches:

Vernon:

Phillip Patenaude
Zach McPhee
Mike Zalewski (Concusion)
Assistant Coach: Jason Williamson

Merritt:

Jakob Reichert
Dylan Playfair
Kameron Crawford

3 Stars:

1st Star: Chad Brears (Overtime Winner)
2nd Star: Lino Chimienti (33 saves)
3rd Star: Dylan Walchuk (1 goal)

For more on tonight's game check out the boxscore,

http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=839998&link=bchl