I was at tonight's BCHL game as Vernon defeated Nanaimo 2-1 in overtime in front of 1,437 fans at the Wesbild Centre.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon: Blake Voth
Nanaimo: Charles-Andre Pelletier
1st Period: Just a minute and a half into the game Dane Muench fed a wide open Dylan Walchuk who was left alone at the top of the crease but Walchuk couldnt connect on the pass. The Clippers come back as Blake Voth had to stay ground as Nanaimo had atleast two if not three wacks away at the loose puck at the side of the Vipers net but Voth was able to keep his pad tight against the post and not allow the puck to squeak in shortside. It took the Vipers the first five minutes before they would get their first shot on goal as Nanaimo was outshooting Vernon 5-1 at this point. Two minutes later the Vipers would get their first powerplay of the night and would get two real good chances. Vernon moving the puck well, opened up some ice allowing Bryce Kakoske to setup captain, David Robinson in the slot who fed Kyle Murphy at the side of the goal, Murphy who had Charles-Andre Pelletier out of position hit the far post missing the open cage. On the same powerplay the Vipers again setup Murphy at the side of the net who was this time robbed by Charles-Andre Pelletier who come across the crease making the big pad save, keeping Vernon off the scoreboard. Vernon with two good chances couldnt capitalise as Nanaimo killed off the minor. From here on in it was the Vipers who carried the better of the play as the Clippers were outplayed most of the opening period. Steve Weinstein's point shot was redirected in front by Marcus Basara who's shot just missed the net. The Clippers who didnt look very good in the opening period finally come up with their only real good scoring chance of the 1st after Leo Fitzgerald redirected his shot just up and over Blake Voth. Clippers forward, Kyle Kramer took a puck to the face off a shot from his own teammate, Kramer shook it off and stayed in the hockey game. At the buzzer Nanaimo would get their first powerplay of the night, wich would start at the beggining of the 2nd period. Vernon was the better team and outplayed Nanaimo but the game was 0-0 after 20 minutes of play. The Vipers outshot the Clippers 12-8.
2nd Period: Nanaimo would start the period on the man advantage, Vernon's penalty kill wich was very strong all game kept the Clippers to the outside as Nanaimo was unable to register a single shot on the man advantage. In the dying seconds of the powerplay Patrick McGillis in alone in the slot just ripped his shot high and over Charles-Andre Pelletier as Vernon would kill off the penalty. Just as the powerplay ended back come the Vipers as McGillis setup Dylan Walchuk on a parcial two on one, but Charles-Andre Pelletier come across the crease making a big pad save keeping Vernon off the scoreboard. On the next play the Clippers would head right back to the powerplay but again Nanaimo struggled as Vernon would easily kill off the minor. A few minutes later Blake Voth made a big pad save off Victor Newwell's point shot. On the same shift Voth was forced to make another save from in close but couldnt handle the rebound before, Mike Domsodi jumped on the rebound and beat Voth at 6:34 putting Nanaimo up 1-0. Brodie Jamieson and Victor Newell collected the assists. Just a few minutes later Nanaimo would get another shot on the man advantage as the Vipers got into a bit of penalty trouble to start the second period. Graeme McCormack unloaded a big shot from the point that was kicked out by Blake Voth. This was the only real good scoring chances as the Clippers failed on yet another powerplay. Patrick McGillis alone in the slot didnt get off a good shot and missed the net, as the Vipers didnt seem to be getting alot of quality shots or chances in the middle frame. The Clippers come very close to taking a 2-0 lead after Graeme McCormack's point shot hit something on it's way to the goal, beating Voth but hit the post. The Vipers would get a late powerplay but couldnt really muster much offence as the Clippers killed off the minor. I dont think neither team really played all that well in the 2nd as Nanaimo was up 1-0 after 40 minutes of play. Shots were even 8-8.
3rd Period: Vernon looked very disorganised in their own end in the opening minute as three Vipers couldnt decide who should grab the puck as all three got tangled up deep in their own end, as Vernon had troubles at times clearing the zone. Nanaimo would get a real early powerplay after a lazy penalty by Dane Muench giving the Clippers the man advantage. Voth made a save off Graeme McCormack's point shot, as the Clippers could only muster a single shot as Vernon killed off the minor. This was Nanaimo's only shot of the period until the final two minutes. As the period went on Vernon seemed to slowly get things going and setup deep in the Nanaimo zone but couldnt get any real quality shots as the Clippers looked to be frustrating the Vipers. Vernon carried the play at times but couldnt get any real good scoring opportunities. The Vipers would get a powerplay but it wouldnt last long as Darren Nowick would take an extra wack at Charles-Andre Pelletier after he made the original save, sending Nowick to the box for slashing. Four on four Malcom Lyles did all the work going in and around three Clipper players before dishing off to David Robinson in front who tipped Lyles shot just wide of the goal on a great scoring play. Vernon just wasnt getting the bounces tonight. With just five minutes remaining Kyle Murphy setup David Robinson in front who beat Charles-Andre Pelletier at 5:13 tying the game 1-1. Murphy and Bryce Kakoske picked up the helpers. Nanaimo who was getting outplay at times wasnt even really in tonights game as the Clippers got just their second shot of the period with two minutes remaining. The Clippers come very close to taking the lead with just thirty seconds left after Blake Voth took a Nanaimo shot up high, as the puck went up and over Voth and landed in the crease before Brett Corkey saved the day clearing the puck from the goal area. It was tied 1-1 after 60 minutes of play. Vernon outshot Nanaimo 12-7.
Overtime: The Vipers were heading into their third straight overtime game after knocking off Prince George and Trail, both in overtime over the weekend. Not much action in the opening few minutes before Vernon would get a three on one but back come the Clippers who charged back into the play breaking up the odd man rush as the Vipers were unable to record a shot. Malcolm Lyles big shot from the point was stopped by Charles-Andre Pelletier who had to look behind him to make sure he had the puck. Marcus Basara then cut wide and went hard towards the goal but was stopped by Charles-Andre Pelletier who was very solid all night. When it looked like we were heading to double overtime Kyle Murphy and Malcolm Lyles with some nice passing allowed Lyles to skate in over the Nanaimo blueline, make a quick move and then rip his low shot fivehole past Charles-Andre Pelletier at 4:59 giving the Vipers their third straight victory as Vernon's bench jumped onto the ice. Vernon outshot Nanaimo 4-1.
Top Players: (Vernon)
Malmolm Lyles (Overtime winner) Was Vernon's best player this evening. For the second straight home game, Lyles has been one of if not the Vipers better players. Earlier today Lyles committed to play for the University of Massachusetts-Lowell Riverhawks next season carried the play alot tonight, made some nice heads up plays, jumped up into the play, acting like a forward and played well defensively all at the sametime. Lyles was very good one on one and was very hard to knock off the puck tonight. Had a few good scoring chances.
Max Mowat I thought played very well on the Vipers blueline. Mowat who has played well on and off the past few games looked very steady on the backend, didnt make alot of mistakes.
David Robinson (1 goal) Vernon product David Robinson looked very good up front for the Vipers. Robinson and linemate Kyle Murphy really looked good and play very well tonight. Robinson scored the game tying goal, carried the puck alot, was skating well and going to the goal.
Kyle Murphy (2 assists) Murphy was very strong tonight for Vernon. This was one of Murphy's better games. Was very good down low and in and around the net.
Top Players: (Nanaimo)
Samuel Labrecque played very well on the Clippers blueline. Was very steady all night for Nanaimo.
Graeme McCormack was Nanaimo's best defenceman and one of their better players. McCormack was very solid on the Clippers blueline, got several good shots off from the point, come very close to giving Nanaimo a 2-0 lead but hit the post.
Ryan Stanimir was the Clippers only real forward that stood out. Stanimir is a good skater, that was good with the puck. Showed some signs of flash but the Clippers didnt really generate alot of offence for anyone really to look very good up front.
Charles-Andre Pelletier (34 saves) Was very solid between the pipes for the Clippers tonight. Made two pad saves off the Vipers early in the first (on the powerplay) and early in the 2nd (just after a penalty kill). This kid dosnt give up alot of rebounds and gave his team a chance to win.
Game Thoughts: (Vernon)
Tonight's game reminded me alot like last Friday's game (5-4 overtime win over Prince George) Like PG Nanaimo had no business even being in tonight's game, or even going to overtime. The Vipers didnt play their best hockey tonight, but just like the PG game last weekend, I thought the Vipers outplayed the Clippers and were the better of the two teams in the 1st and at times outplayed Nanaimo and were the better of the two teams in the 3rd. At times in the 2nd I think Vernon played down to the same level as Nanaimo but also had a few good chances where they should have scored. The Vipers did get some good chances at times but didnt get off a very good shot or missed the net, wich dosnt help. I really liked the Vipers penalty kill, they kept the Clippers to the outside and gave up very little chances and shots, plus come up with a few good shorthanded chances of their own. In the end a wins a win and tonight's win now moves them four points up on idle Penticton in the race for 1st place in the Interior Conference.
Game Thoughts: (Nanaimo)
I wasnt very impressed with Bill Bestwick's Clippers, other then having one of the more bigger clubs that I have seen this season and some solid goaltening, the Clippers didnt look good at all. Yes Nanaimo was playing their second game in back to back nights (Knocked off Merritt last night 6-3) but Nanaimo just didnt seem to have much of anything tonight. They really struggled on the powerplay, didnt get alot of shots or pucks towards the goal, & had troubles coming up with any kind of offence all night. With the single point in the overtime loss, Nanaimo does now move to within two points of 4th place Victoria.
Scratches:
Vernon:
Zach McPhee
Mike Zalewski (Concusion)
Adam Thompson (Concusion)
Nanaimo:
Colton Cyr
Mike Dopke
Yannick LaFlamme
Zach Martin
3 Stars:
1st Star: Malcolm Lyles (Overtime winner)
2nd Star: Charles-Andre Pelletier (34 saves)
3rd Star: Kyle Murphy (2 assists)
For more on tonight's game check out the boxscore,
http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=840027&link=bchl
No comments:
Post a Comment