I was at today's game as Prince George defeated Vernon 5-1 in front of 1,602 fans at the Wesbild Centre.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon: Danny Todosychuk
Prince George: Kirk Thompson
1st Period: PG got the puck in deep off the opening draw, but was unable to really generate any offence before the Vipers cleared the zone and got the puck in deep in the Spruce Kings zone but just like PG unable to create any chances. Just a few minutes into the opening period the Vipers would get the play back down in the Prince George zone and come up with some good pressure deep in the Spruce Kings zone. The Vipers moving the puck well found some holes getting a few good shots on Kirk Thompson as Vernon was outshooting Prince George 4-0 early. Just over six minutes into the game veteran d-man, Ben Woodley collided knee on knee with Brendan Persley who went down and didnt get up right away. Ryan Renz tried going after Woodley who drew a Spruce Kings powerplay as Persley needed help off the ice only on one leg. The Spruce Kings would get the games first powerplay, leading scorer Paul De Jersey with a great chance in front but couldnt beat Danny Todosychuk. A good penalty kill as Vernon would kill off the minor. Just after the man advantage Paul De Jersey with his second chance of the afternoon had Todosychuk beat in close but couldnt get the bounce as the puck stayed between the pads of the Viper goaltender who fell to make the save. The Vipers would then come right back and get a real good opportunity in front but Mike Zalewski's shot was stopped by Kirk Thompson who made a nice right pad save from in close. Two good chances at both ends of the rink. Brendan Persley who looked to be done with a knee or leg injury returned for his next shift and played the remainder of the game. Zack Rassell with a chance in close beat Todosychuk but fired his shot off the post. Just past the midway mark PG opened the scoring after Chase Golightly was stopped by Todosychuk before Sean Landrey burried the rebound at 13:03 giving the Spruce Kings a 1-0 lead, Golightly and Zack Rassell collected the helpers. On the next shift Vernon would get their first powerplay of the day but a very strong penalty kill by the Spruce Kings would kill off any threat as the Vipers struggled with the man advantage. Just as the penalty expired Vernon would head right back to their second of two straight back to back powerplays but once again the Vipers who couldnt get anything going allowed the Spruce Kings with atleast two or three scoring opportunities. With fourty five seconds remaining Sean Robertson with a terrible giveaway in front of his goal coughed up the puck to Paul De Jersey who on his second attempt beat Danny Todosychuk shorthanded giving PG a 2-0 lead at 19:15 De Jersey's goal was unassisted. Off the next draw De Jersey would take a penalty giving Vernon their third straight man advantage wich would carry over into the 2nd period. A fairly even played opening period but it was the Spruce Kings with a 2-0 lead after 20 minutes of play. Vernon outshot Prince George 10-9.
2nd Period: The Vipers started the second period with the powerplay, off the draw Vernon got the play in deep getting the puck out front to Aaron Hadley in the slot, Hadley was stopped by Kirk Thompson who gave up the rebound to Colton Cyr who was also stopped by the PG goaltender who made two big back to back stops as Vernon couldnt capitalize. Shortly after the Vipers would get another shot with the man advantage but again a strong PG penalty kill would kill off the minor as Vernon really struggled with the man advantage. Just as the Spruce Kings killed off the minor, Michael Colantone with a hard shot from the slot was stopped by Danny Todosychuk. Alot of beaking going on between both teams. Brendan Persley was really getting an ear full from almost every Spruce King. Ben Woodley and Persley exchanged words on the benches as both benches started exchanging words back and forth as tempers started to heat up a little. Kirk Thompson who played very well this afternoon shut the fivehole at the last second to stop Viper captain, Patrick McGillis on an odd man rush. Paul De Jersey at the other end had a real good chance in close but couldnt beat Todosychuk. Just past the halfway mark PG would get a two man advantage, moving the puck around the Viper defence did a great job at keeping the Spruce Kings powerplay to the outside, Sean Robertson come up with a huge block. The Spruce Kings who missed the net on atleast three chances were unable to capitalize and maybe put this game away but a solid penalty kill by the Vipers would kill off the two man advantage. Just as the powerplay expired Vernon would get a late powerplay and this time capitalize. Patrick McGillis come down the right wing ripping a hard shot high up stairs past Kirk Thompson at 17:50 Colton Cyr and Aaron Hadley with the assists. Geoff Crisfield took a huge check into the end boards and looked to go into the boards awkwardly. As Crisfield heading off he looked to be holding his wrist as he headed to the Vipers dressing room. Crisfield would be ok and played the remainder of the game. In the dying seconds Colton Sparrow hobbled off and headed to the Vernon dressing room and didnt return. At the buzzer both benches as well as most of the players on the ice started yapping back and forth with one another as the beaking continued. A very even played period with both teams struggling with the powerplay. Prince George was up 2-1 after 40 minutes of play. The Vipers outshot the Spruce Kings 12-9.
3rd Period: The Vipers started the final period flat and it cost them. Ben Matthews shot was stopped by Danny Todosychuk before the Spruce Kings caught the Vipers napping as Gerry Fitzgerald beat Todosychuk on the rebound giving Prince George a 3-1 lead just fourty nine seconds into the 3rd. Matthews and Ben Woodley with the assists. This was a goal Vernon didnt want to give up early to start the 3rd. Vernon looked flat and just didnt seem to have the same jump as in the previous two periods. PG carried the better of the play early and often as it was all Spruce Kings for most of the third. Leo Fitzgerald with a long hard shot was stopped by Todosychuk who made a nice pad save. Vernon couldnt generate no offence having trouble getting through the neutral zone. The Spruce Kings who looked very strong and good with the puck looked untouchable for most of the period. Patrick Chores shot was stopped by Todosychuk but the Viper defence couldnt stop Sean Landry on the rebound who gave Prince George a 4-1 lead at 7:24 Chore & Zack Rassell picked up the assists. This put the game away as PG really stepped up their play for the final period. The Spruce Kings with fourteen shots in the first nine minutes were really outplaying Vernon. The Vipers with just two shots on goal in the first twelve minutes of play. The Spruce Kings slowed the game down in the second half just dumping the puck in and killing some time off the clock. The Vipers who couldnt generate any offensive scoring chances looked like a different team in the third. Just past the midway mark Paul De Jersey with a harmless looking shot beat Danny Todosychuk who would like to have this one back gave PG a 5-1 lead at 12:15 Jujhar Khaira and Trevor Esau picked up the helpers. PG shutdown the Vipers and scored three big goals to come away with the victory as it was all Spruce Kings in the third. Prince George outshot Vernon 17-4.
Top Players: (Vernon)
The line of Patrick McGillis (1 goal), Aaron Hadley (1 assist) & Colton Cyr (1 assist) come to play this afternoon. All three showed lots of hustle, played with alot of energy and were the only players that really generated any of Vernon's scoring chances.
Game Thoughts: (Vernon)
After coming up with a big 6-2 win over Coquitlam last night this afternoon was a huge game as Vernon was just four points back of 3rd place Prince George. I thought the Vipers played fairly well for two periods and didnt show up for the final period. This team has been very incosistant all season and it showed again today. The Vipers looked flat and were caught standing around on several plays. Vernon just didnt seem to have the same jump-spark they played with in the first two periods. Jason Williamson was juggling his lines after the loss of Colton Sparrow. The Vipers had some good chances but also struggled with the man advantage (1-5) The Vipers just couldnt get much of anything going on the powerplay. Sean Robertson's giveaway shorthanded in the final fourty five seconds in the 1st period really hurt the team.
Top Players: (Prince George)
The line of Paul De Jersey (1 goal), Jujhar Khaira (1 assist) & Chase Golightly (1 assist) was Prince George's best unit today. This line is dangerous and very good with the puck. Always seem to know where one another is and how to get him the puck. De Jersey with several scoring opportunities tonight.
Ben Matthews (1 assist) Played a solid game on the Prince George blueline.
Trevor Esau (1 assist) Another Spruce Kings d-man that played very well on the backend.
Ben Woodley (1 assist) This kid has some good size, plays mean and gets under your skin. After a knee on knee with Brendan Persley Woodley was exchanging words with several Vipers all afternoon. Just a tough-physical d-man to play against.
Sean Landry (2 goals) Played very well up front for PG, was paitient waiting for the rebounds in front of the net.
Zack Rassell (2 assists) Also played well. Had a great chance in the opening period but hit the post.
Kirk Thompson (25 saves) Didnt see alot of action in the third but made some key saves in the first two periods. Dosnt give up alot of rebounds, plays his position well and really solid on his feet making some big pad saves. Made the saves when needed.
Game Thoughts: (Prince George)
After a 4-0 loss in Penticton last night the Spruce Kings come back with a pretty big 5-1 win over the Vipers this afternoon. With the win PG now moves six points up on Vernon and three points up on fourth place Chilliwack. I really like the looks of this PG team as they played a very good road game here this afternoon. Prince George could have put this game away with the two man advantage but due to a solid Viper penalty kill couldnt. The Spruce Kings penalty kill was very good, battled the Vipers hard and didnt give them any space forcing Vernon into turning over the puck. One of the bigger clubs in the league (especially defence) really used their size and strong defensive play to shutdown the Vipers in the 3rd. PG is very good with the puck and good with their sticks down low, dont give up alot of turn overs and are very good defensively in their own end, very hard one on one along the boards and down low. This team dosnt give you alot of room to create chances. PG likes driving hard to the net looking for the rebounds (scored twice today on rebounds in front).
Scratches:
Vernon:
Max Mowat (Injured)
John Knisley (Injured)
Darren Nowick (Injured)
Ben Gamache (Injured)
Luke Juha (Injured)
Jedd Soleway (Suspended)
Prince George:
Sklar Pachoco
3 Stars:
1st Star: Paul De Jersey (1 goal)
2nd Star: Sean Landry (2 goals)
3rd Star: Zack Rassell (2 assists)
For more on todays game visit the boxscore,
http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=977645&link=bchl
No comments:
Post a Comment