For anyone who could not attend or watch tonight’s Vipers game here are my
thoughts and views from tonight’s game. You may agree or disagree but we all
have our own view and opinion on any game we watch. This is my opinion and my
thoughts on how I saw tonight’s game. I try to be unbiased and give a fare recap
on both sides. Thanks for stopping by & visiting my blog.
I was at tonight's BCHL game as Vernon defeated Chilliwack 5-1 in front of 1,296 fans at the Wesbild Centre.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon: Austin Smith
Chilliwack: Mitch Gillam
1st Period: Just a minute and a half into the opening period Kiefer McNaughton made a solid defensive play tying up Pearce Eviston at the side if the goal to stop Eviston from scoring. On the same play Chilliwack would take a penalty giving Vernon an early powerplay. The Vipers moved the puck around but didnt get away any shots before Pearce Eviston setup TJ Dumonceaux alone in the slot that beat Mitch Gillam high glove side giving the Vipers an early 1-0 lead at 2:32 Eviston and Brett Corkey with the helpers. A very physical-chippy game as both teams laid out some big early bodychecks. The Vipers who had some good jump, had their legs going and had a ton of energy were all over the Chiefs early and often. Chilliwack who played last night in Coquitlam looked a little slow-sluggish in the first half as Vernon carried the better of the play but didnt get any real good scoring chances. Seven and a half minutes in Garrett Forster and Trevor Hills on a two on one, Forster kept and wired a hard shot that was stopped by Austin Smith who made a quick glove hand save. Just past the midway mark Mathieu Tibbet was hooked on a parcial breakaway still got off a low shot that was stopped by Smith. The Chiefs were rewarded with their first powerplay of the night. On the man advantage Austin Smith made a save in close before a mad scramble of players were in front of Smith digging for the loose puck, Smith was able to make atleast two saves from in close before the Vipers would go down two men giving Chilliwack a two man advantage but it was a very aggresive Viper penalty kill that worked and battled hard to kill off both penalties getting a huge ovation from the small crowd at the Wesbild Centre. Chilliwack slowly got their legs going and picked up their game in the second half playing much better as both teams were fairly even in the second half. With five minutes remaining Vernon would get a second shot with the powerplay, moving the puck around the Vipers were able to get just one shot as the Chiefs killed off the minor. Both teams who wont face each other again unless they meat in the Playoffs showed alot of hate for one another with several pushing and shoving matches after the stopage in play. A mini scrum took place at the buzzer while Chiefs head coach & GM Harvey Smyl was fired up about something taking several minutes to talk to the referee's at the end of the period. The Vipers were up 1-0 after 20 minutes of play. Vernon outshot Chilliwack 13-12,
2nd Period: The Chiefs come out hard and really took it to the Vipers early and often. Three minutes into the middle frame after a big hit deep in the Vernon zone Ryan Renz and David Thompson dropped the gloves. Vernon who looked very disorgainzed couldnt get the puck out of their own end as the Chiefs were buzzing creating some good scoring opportunities and playing very physical laying out a handful of big checks in the first half. Luke Esposito alone in the slot ripped a high and hard shot way over the net missing on a great chance. Just a few minutes later David Thompson joined the rushing giving Chilliwack a three on two, Thomspon would be denied by Smith who come across the crease to make a big save. Just a few minutes later Mathieu Tibbet would get his second parcial breakaway of the night but again get stopped by Austin Smith. The Vipers with just two shots in the first ten minutes. A few shifts later Smith would rob Trevor Hills in close. With Smith down and out and a mad scramble in front somehow the puck come back out towards the slot where Shay Laurent hit the open cage with traffic in front tying the game 1-1 at 11:09 Trevor Hills with the only assist. Vernon slowly started to come back and play much better in the second half. The Vipers would get two or three decent scoring chances but again didnt generate alot of realg good quality scoring plays. Both teams were fairly even in the second half going back and forth playing physical and chippy at the same time. Chilliwack would get a late powerplay but again a strong penalty kill by Vernon would kill off the penalty. In the final minute the hard work and hustle from Logan Mick paid off after winning the battle Mick found Pearce Eviston in front who beat Mitch Gillam giving Vernon a 2-1 lead at 19:01 Mick with the only assist. The Vipers with a 2-1 lead after 40 minutes of play. Chilliwack outshot Vernon 10-7.
3rd Period: The Vipers come ready to play to start the third and put alot of pressure on the Chiefs, attacking them in the defensive zone as Chilliwack was having troubles breaking out of their own zone. Vernon would get an early powerplay but it was Josh Hansen who would go one on one getting off a quick low shot that Austin Smith had to be alert with making wich looked to be a tough save shorthanded. The Vipers with not alot of shots but had some good pressure on the man advantage couldnt capitalize. Just after the powerplay the quick hustle from Adam Tambellini and Jedd Soleway forced a Viper two on one, Tambellini with a nice pass fed Soleway who was driving hard towards the net slid into Mitch Gillam as the puck also went in putting the Vipers ahead 3-1 Tambellini and Craig Martin with the helpers. On the next shift Chilliwack would get a powerplay but it was again the Vipers penalty killers who went to work killing off the penalty. Vernon would kill off the minor and then Mitch McAllister on an odd man rush beat Gillam but hit the post. Chilliwack would get another shot with the man advantage but again couldnt capitalize. The Chiefs would slowly start to get a little frustrated with Vernon's forecheck and get into some penalty trouble late as the Vipers would get a late two man advantage and make the Chiefs pay. Josh Hansen was tossed from the game after a checking to the head penalty. With the Vipers moving the puck around with no shots Brett Corkey found Adam Tambellini who gave Vernon a 4-1 lead at 16:25 Corkey with the lone assist. In the dying seconds of the second powerplay Aaron Hadley would beat his man going in alone for the breakaway but shot and went high and over the net as the Chiefs would kill off the second penalty. On the next shift a hard working line put the Vipers up 5-1 after Logan Mick setup Pearce Eviston for his second of the night at 18:43 Mick and Adam Tambellini with the assists. The Vipers with a very hard working third period deserved the win while Chilliwack was unable to generate any real offence most of the final frame. The Vipers would snap their six game losing streak with a 5-1 victory. Vernon outshot Chilliwack 12-9.
Top Players: (Vernon)
Brett Corkey (2 assists) Played a very solid game on the Vipers blueline. Corkey looked very smooth and confident with and without the puck all night.
Mitch McAllister who returned to the Vipers lineup last night was by far the Vipers best player tonight. McAllister played with a ton of jump and energy was all over the rink chasing down players, making plays and trying to jumpstart his team.
TJ Dumonceaux (1 goal) Played a very strong game up front for Vernon. Another player who always plays hard, has lots of energy and adds that spark to the Vipers lineup each game.
Logan Mick (2 assists) For the second straight night the Vernon product battled and competed hard all night. Played physical and got involved after the whistle, getting under the skin of several Chiefs.
Pearce Eviston (2 goals & 1 assist) I didnt think Eviston looked very sharp early, made a few turnovers or bad plays before slowly picking up his game. Eviston played hard scoring twice.
Austin Smith (31 saves) For the second straight night just like most nights Smith kept the Vipers in the game giving his team a chance to win. Smith made some nice saves through out the conest especially in the first two periods when the score was close.
Game Thoughts: (Vernon)
One of the better games I have seen the Vipers play all season as they pick up just their fourth win of the season with a huge 5-1 win over one of the leagues best. The Vipers snapped a six game losing skid and had just one win in their last ten games before tonight. Overall a great effort and game on the Vipers side. I thought the Vipers matched Chilliwack's physical play, and what can you say about the specialty teams. Vernon who has struggled with the powerplay and penalty kill was very good tonight. Give full credit to the Vipers penalty killers who did an excellent job tonight killing penalties. The Vipers powerplay with two goals also much improved. This team is very uncosistant and it showed again tonight, why cant this team play like this every game? I really like the looks and making of this team but for some reason they just arnt coming up with the wins. Lets hope this is a huge confidence booster for the boys and they can hopefully get something rolling.
Top Players: (Chilliwack)
David Thompson played very well on the Chiefs blueline. Played very well at both ends of the rink.
Mitch Skapski wasnt involved in the game really but did a great job at getting under the skin of several Vernon Vipers. Skapski was always giving a poke or a jab to a member of the Vipers any chance he could.
Spencer Graboski played well up front for the Chiefs. This kid can skate, handle the puck and really reads the ice well. Saw a ton of icetime for Chilliwack tonight.
Mathieu Tibbet had two parcial breakaways but was stopped both times by Austin Smith. I thought Tibbet played well.
Trevor Hills (1 assist) who I remember from last season played very well tonight. Didnt really notice him much in the third but stood out especially in the first two periods.
Garrett Forster also played very well for Chilliwack tonight. A good skater and puck handler always seem to be alert and know where the play was at all times. Created a few chances for the Chiefs.
Game Thoughts: (Chilliwack)
Chilliwack has a very big, physical, chippy team just like they usally do. I thought the Chiefs played very well at times but at other times didnt look so hot. Tonight was a very good hockey game and with a bounce or powerplay goal this could have been a totally different outcome. I didnt think the Chiefs looked all that great with the man advantage and gave up several odd man rushes. Chilliwack's passing is very crisp as well as their breakout. The Chiefs are also quick and move the puck quick. This team is big and mean and isnt afriad to back down from anyone but I think the Vipers matched that pretty well tonight. This had a bit of a playoff feel to the game, I guess with the long history and rivalry going way back it brings back some great memories. It's too bad this was the only time we get to see Chilliwack unless something happens during the playoffs.
Scratches:
Vernon:
Braeden Russell (Injured)
Colton Sparrow (Injured)
Brendan Persley (Injured)
Chilliwack:
Tanner Cochrane
Ryan Donohoe
Alex Perron Fontaine
Vipers energy player of the game:
TJ Dumonceaux (1 goal)
3 Stars:
1st Star: Pearce Eviston (2 goals & 1 assist)
2nd Star: Austin Smith (31 saves)
3rd Star: Brett Corkey (2 assists)
For more on tonight's game visit the BCHL boxscore,
http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=1102886&link=bchl
For more on tonight's game and the Chiefs visit Marc Fitzgerald's Chilliwack Chiefs blog,
http://chiefscentral.wordpress.com/
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