I was at tonight's Game 1 of the Doyle Cup as Vernon defeated Spruce Grove 3-1 in front of 2,130 fans at the Wesbild Centre.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon: Kirby Halcrow
Spruce Grove: Vincenzo Marozzi
1st Period: The Vipers would get two good chances in the opening two minutes. Kyle Murphy cut wide and then hard towards the net, but couldnt stuff the puck past Vincenzo Marozzi who stood ground making a tough save from in close. On the next play-shift, Marcus Basara and Patrick McGillis on a two on one, Basara would shoot, Marozzi made the save but kicked out a huge rebound to Patrick McGillis who somehow missed the open cage on a great scoring chance. Three minutes later Mike Zalewski from the high slot got off a weak shot but Vincenzo Marozzi was forced to make a huge toe save keeping the Vipers off the scoreboard early. Vernon with some good opening pressure controlled the better of the play early outshooting the Saints 9-3 at this point. Spruce Grove would finally get its first good chance of the period, Scott Allen and Tim Nolte with a two on one, but Ryan Renz with some good hustle got back into the play to break up the Saints odd man rush knocking the puck away from Allen. Spruce Grove would get the games first powerplay of the night, moving the puck around well the Saints would only manage to get one real good scoring opportunity. A shot from the high slot hit-bounced off two Saints players in front before Kirby Halcrow was able to fall and cover up the rebound. Viper captain with some good hustle got through two Saints defencemen going in on a parcial breakaway in the dying seconds of the penalty kill, Robinson was able to get off the shot that was stopped by Vincenzo Marozzi. Marozzi who stayed even with Robinson made the big save keeping the Saints in the hockey game. On the play the Vipers were awarded a penalty giving Vernon their first man advantage of the night. Early into the powerplay the Saints would take another penalty giving Vernon a two man advantage. The Vipers moved the puck around but were unable to really generate any real quailty chances as the Saints penalty kill was very solid killing off the two man advantage. This seemed to give Spruce Grove some life as back come the Saints as they slowly started to pick up the physical play and get a little momentum after a huge penalty kill. The Vipers would get a lukcy bounce and just about open the scoring after a shot from the corner went off d-man, David Glen but the Saints were lucky enough to clear the zone. Vernon's speed and skill was the difference in the 1st and most of the hockey game as the Vipers carried the better of the play and were the better team in the 1st period. Malcolm Lyles with a strong hard shot from the point late in the period was stopped by Marozzi who made a nice save off the Viper d-man. Late in the period on atleast three seperate occasions a few words were being exchanged between both clubs as it looked like the Saints were trying to get under the Vipers skin in between whistles. Sammy Spurrell was sent in on the breakaway in the final minute of play, but Malcolm Lyles with some great hustle jumped back into the play knocking the puck away from Spurrell before he could get a shot off. It was 0-0 after 20 minutes of play. Vernon outshot Spruce Grove 18-5.
2nd Period: Just a minute and a half into the middle frame John Knisley and Mike Zalewski on a two on one, Knisley would keep and fire but Vincenzo Marozzi made a big blocker save letting out another huge rebound with no Viper near for a chance at the second opportunity. Marozzi who was keeping his team in the game was letting out some big rebounds all night. Just seconds later Vernon would get it's third powerplay of the night, but it was the Saints penalty kill that carried the better of the play as the Vipers struggled as Spruce Grove come up with yet another strong penalty kill. Just as the penalty expired former Vernon Viper forward, Brett Switzer cut wide and hard towards the goal but couldnt get the puck past Kirby Halcrow who hugged the post keeping the puck out. Spruce Grove who didnt generate a whole lot of chances in the opening period couldnt get much going to start the 2nd period as the Saints were playing dump and chase in the early goings. The Vipers would open the scoring after a Spruce Grove defenceman lost an edge Darren Nowick and Marcus Basara would get a two on one, Nowick would shoot and get his shot to just squeese through the blocker-arm of Vincenzo Marozzi, the puck slowly trickled behind Marozzi before Basara went hard towards the net to tap the puck into the open cage giving Vernon the 1-0 lead at 6:06 with Nowick and Mike Zalewski collecting the assists. Vernon is 10-0 in these playoffs when scoring first, while Spruce Grove is 3-1 when giving up the games first goal in the playoffs. Just shortly after Basara's goal some nice four way passing from the Vipers created a great scoring chance. Malcolm Lyles fed Bryce Kakoske who fed Davd Robinson who setup Kyle Murphy who was going hard towards the goal as Murphy's shot just went high and over the goal as the Vipers come very close to going up by two goals. Just after the midway mark Spruce Grove would get their second powerplay of the evening. The Vipers penalty kill was fairly good killing off the minor. The Saints looked alot better in the 2nd but didnt really generate a whole lot of chances. After Malcolm Lyles took a huge fore arm to the head, (no call on the play) Mike Zalewski fed a wide open Darren Nowick on a two on one as Nowick put the puck into the open net at 17:10 crashing into the end boards hard giving Vernon a 2-0 lead. Zalewski with the lone helper on the goal. Spruce Grove really come out hitting on the next shift and started hitting any Vernon Viper in sight, coming up with some huge hits. This seemed to give the Saints a little fire inside as Spruce Grove would finally get the puck in deep late in the period and get some pressure in the Vipers zone. Tempers started to heat up a little in the final minute as both teams were exchanging words and the odd push or shove. The Saints looked a little better in the middle frame but it was the Vipers who had the better scoring chances and were up 2-0 after 40 minutes of play. Spruce Grove outshot Vernon 11-7.
3rd Period: Vernon would get the play in deep off the draw and using their strong forecheck carry the play early. Scott Allen would get the first real good scoring chance after coming in untouched going for the wrap-around couldnt get the puck past Halcrow as Allen along with two other Saints players crashed the net giving the Vipers an early powerplay, after Allen was called for goaltender interference. Vernon once again struggled with the man advantage but late on the powerplay some hard work down low by Dane Muench who returned to the Viper lineup tonight, got the puck out front to Dylan Walchuk who beat Vincenzo Marozzi at 6:31 giving Vernon a 3-0 lead. Muench with the only assist. But just over a minute later with a mad scramble in front of Kirby Halcrow the Saints had Halcrow down and out and somehow missed on two shots from in close before the puck come back to a wide open Dustin Fostvelt who hit the open cage at 7:44 getting the Saints on the board. This goal gave Spruce Grove some life as the Saints come back with a little pressure trying to make this a one goal game. Spruce Grove just couldnt seem to get anything through the Vernon defence. Back come the Vipers on another odd man rush, Marcus Basara and Patrick McGillis on their second two on one of the night again couldnt find the back of the net. Basara's shot was stopped by Marozzi before kicking out a huge rebound to McGillis who once again missed the open cage. Just shortly after Malcolm Lyles with a nice end to end rush tried getting the puck through Vincenzo Marozzi's fivehole but the Saints goaltender made a huge save. The Saints would get a shot on the powerplay before Spruce Grove would take a penalty giving the fans a little four on four action. Just as both teams returned to five on five, Spruce Grove would get rewarded with a late powerplay. Felix Antoine Poulin's point shot got through a ton of traffic in front but hit the post as the Saints come very close to making this a one goal game. The Vipers then did a great job at shutting down Spruce Grove's offence for most of the remainder of the period as the Saints had all kinds of trouble getting the play in deep, as Vincenzo Marozzi couldnt get to the bench for the extra attacker. Late in the 3rd Jason McKee would call a timeout before getting Marozzi to the bench for the extra man. With the faceoff deep in the Vernon zone the Saints would win the draw, get the puck back to the point but the hard shot missed the net on the Saints only real good chance as the Vipers would shut down Spruce Grove and take Game 1, 3-1. Vernon outshot Spruce Grove 12-10.
Top Players: (Vernon)
Malcolm Lyles didnt get going until the 2nd period but got better as the game went on. Lyles played a very physical game and seemed to bet getting under the skin of several Spruce Grove Saints after each and every check.
Brett Corkey played a very strong game on the Vipers blueline. Corkey has really been one of the Vipers most consistant defencemen in these playoffs.
Mike Zalewski (2 assists) Zalewski played a very strong game up front for Vernon. Had a few scoring chances, as well as setup a few good scoring chances. Made some real nice passes tonight. Made one heck of a nice pass, after reading the play on Darren Nowicks goal.
Darren Nowick (1 goal & 1 assist) Played a heck of a hockey game tonight. I thought Nowick was the Vipers best player this evening. This young kid is one of the hardest working players, and it showed again tonight. Nowick really used his speed and hard work to dominate along the boards and down low. Scored a real nice 2nd goal.
Marcus Basara (1 goal) Another kid who has stepped up his play these playoffs. Basara with a few odd man rushes, was another Viper who used his speed and skill.
Kyle Murphy I thought played well up front for Vernon.
Patrick McGillis somehow missed two open cages competed and battled hard most of the night. Played very strong in the 3rd period. Come up with some big diving plays on a penalty kill to clear the zone.
Trevor Fitzgerald I thought played very well up front for the Vipers. Didnt really get any scoring chances or come up with any big plays but battled and competed most of the night.
Adam Thompson had a strong game on the Vernon backend. Really looked steady and confident on the blueline, took a few good crosschecks and one big check from behind (no call on the play) but kept battling.
Ryan Renz was another Viper defenceman that I thought played well on the backend. Broke up a Saints two on one in the opening period to stop a good Saints scoring chance.
Top Players: (Spruce Grove)
Felix Antoine Poulin was one of the Saints best defencemen tonight. Saw alot of icetime, played steady all game.
Corey Chorneyko was Spruce Grove's super pest, this kid seemed to be getting involved in the after the whistle activities and tried getting the Vipers off their game.
Nicholas Bourgeois was one of the Saints better forwards tonight.
Vincenzo Marozzi (34 saves) Marozzi come up with some big saves early and often to open the game, giving his team a chance to win. Gave up several big rebounds but other then that played very well between the pipes for the Saints.
Game Thoughts: (Vernon)
I thought the Vipers played one heck of a hockey game tonight and fully deserved the victory. Vernon really worked-battled hard all night and was the better of the two teams for most of the game. I thought the Vipers speed and skill was the difference, the Saints seemed to have trouble slowing down-containing the Vipers skill and speed. Vernon with several odd man rushes, created alot of real good quality scoring chances. The Vipers struggled with the man advantage but did fairly well on the penalty kill. The Vipers defence were great tonight, shutting down the Saints offence for most of the night. The Vipers have now won nine straight games and are playing with a ton of confidence right now. Give the Vipers full credits for limiting the Saints scoring chances and not backing down from the physical play.
Game Thoughts: (Spruce Grove)
Tonight is just the Saints second loss in these playoffs. It's only Game 1, but I didnt really see a whole lot in the Spruce Grove Saints tonight. The Saints didnt really generate a whole lot of pressure or get a ton of scoring chances. Spruce Grove is and can play physical and dosnt quit working but were outplayed and outchanced for most of the night. I thought Spruce Grove had little spurts were they were the better of the two teams, but not for very long before Vernon took over the play. I really liked the Saints penalty kill but think they need to get more pucks and traffic towards Kirby Halcrow. Your not going to win alot of hockey games getting just five or six scoring chances all night. Im sure you will see a better hockey club in Game 2.
Scratches:
Vernon:
Max Mowat
Zach McPhee
Colton Sparrow
Spruce Grove:
Kristopher Dalton
Brendan McCalpin (AP)
David Dotan
Brian Sommers (AP)
3 Stars:
1st Star: Darren Nowick (1 goal & 1 assist)
2nd Star: Malcolm Lyles
3rd Star: Mike Zalewski (2 assists)
For more on tonight's game check out the boxscore,
http://www.esportsdesk.com/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=2668&leagueID=6616&gameID=938998&link=DoyleCup
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