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 Penticton defeated Vernon 3-1 in front of 1,966 fans at the Wesbild Centre.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon: Austin Smith
Penticton: Chad Katunar
1st Period: Just thirty seconds into the contest Brett Corkey's point shot was redirected in front by Adam Tambellini who was robbed by Vees starting goaltender Chad Katunar who come across making a huge pad-leg save. The Vees come right back the other taking a shot that went high in the air off the back glass before landing right out front of the crease of Vipers starting goaltender Austin Smith, luckily for the Vipers no Penticton players were close enough to get any kind of a shot off. Just two minutes later Liam Board with a great chance in the slot was stopped by Katunar who come up with another big save in close before Brendan Persley fired just wide on the rebound on back to back Viper opportunities. Vernon got off to a strong start but that only last the opening few minutes before the Vees started to pressure and forecheck the Vipers deep in their own end forcing the Vipers into several turnovers inside their own end. Penticton with all kinds of pressure were hemmining the Vipers deep in their own end and taking it too Vernon for a good four or five minutes. It took Penticton atleast three minutes to record their first shot on goal. Marc Hetnik coughed up the puck inside the blueline making a poor pass right on the tape of former Salmon Arm Silverback forward Brock Balson who stepped over the circle and ripped a hard high shot that beat Smith but went off the crossbar. After the opening few minutes it was all Penticton but it was the Vipers outshooting the Vees 8-3 at the halfway mark. Vernon would get the games first powerplay at the midway mark of the 1st and capitalize after Brett Corkey setup Adam Tambellini who's shot looked to hit someone or something along the way beat Chad Katunar at 11:32 giving Vernon a 1-0 lead. Corkey and Pearce Eviston picked up the assists. The Vees stormed back off the next faceoff as Dexter Dancs cashed in off a Viper turnover in behind the Vernon goal was left all alone in front put a nice move in close but couldnt beat Austin Smith who made a huge right pad-leg save. Just two minutes later Cody DePourcq setup a wide open Cam Amantea who beat Smith high glove side with traffic in front tying the game 1-1 at 14:07 DePourcq and Sean Flanagan picked up the assists. The Vees would get a bit of a scare after Flanagan would leave the ice heading to the Penticton dressing room before returning to the game later. Penticton would get a late powerplay and capitalize taking the lead. Just ten seconds into the man advantage former Trail Smoke Eater Sam Mellor's point shot got through traffic beating Smith at 17:19 giving the Vees a 2-1 lead. Captain Troy Stetcher collected the lone helper. The Vipers got off to a good start but after the first few opening minutes it was all Penticton as the Vees were skating hard, moving the puck around well and capitalizing on Vernon's turnovers. Not alot of scoring chances at either ends of the rink. The Vees with a 2-1 lead after 20 minutes of play. Penticton outshot Vernon 11-10.
2nd Period: Just three minutes into the middle frame Penticton would get their second powerplay of the night. Some nice passing setup former West Kelowna Warriors forward Travis Blanlei at the side of the net who just missed wide. The Vipers with a very good penalty kill had a great chance to tie the game after Colton Sparrow went in all alone for the breakaway beating Chad Katunar but hit the post before the puck went off Katunar's back and out the otherside as Vernon would kill off the minor. Just as the penalty expired the Vipers would head right back to the penalty box giving Penticton back to back powerplays. The Vees moving the puck around well setup Sean Flanagan whos shot from the point was stopped by the quick glove save of Austin Smith. Penticton couldnt capitalize after another good penalty kill by Vernon. Penticton would get a big scare after Louie Nanne went down in front of both benches and was very slow to get off the ice. Nanne needed help off the ice and looked to have injured his leg-knee and didnt return. Once again it was the Vees who carried the better of the play and was outplaying the Vipers who took almost eight minutes to get their first shot on goal. The Vipers with just two shots on net at the halfway mark. Vernon did play a little better defensively and wasnt turning over the puck as much as the opening period but the Vipers couldnt get any offence going. The Vipers finally seemed to get going and come on strong late in the final three or four minutes had some late pressure but couldnt generate any real scoring opportunities. With two and a half minutes remaining Brendan Persley dropped the gloves with Detroit Red Wings draft pick James De Haas. A very good period by the Vees as Penticton outplayed and outplayed the Vipers most of the period. The Vees were the hungrier team winning all the puck battles and races to the puck. Penticton with a 2-1 lead after 40 minutes of play. The Vees outshot the Vipers 15-8.
3rd Period: The Vipers responded with a much better effort in the final frame and played well as both teams were fairly even going back and forth with very little scoring chances at either ends of the rink. Penticton would get an early powerplay after the Vipers were called with too many men on the ice. The Vees with just one shot couldnt capitalize as Vernon would kill off the minor. Dexter Dancs would get a great chance in close was alone in the slot but somehow missed the net on a great scoring chance. The Vees with a second opportunity in the second half couldnt capitalize with traffic in front. Travis Blanlei tried setting up Cam Amantea on a two on one but Vipers captain Brett Corkey come up with a big defensive play breaking up the Vees odd man rush late in the third. The Vipers come very close to tying the game with six minutes remaining after Michael Statchuk's blast from the point beat Katunar but just caught the edge of the crossbar going up into the netting behind the end glass. With three and a half minutes remaining Penticton would ice the victory after Sam Mellor setup Brad McClure in the slot who roofed his shot high past Smith at 16:20 giving the Vees a 3-1 lead. Mellor with the only assist on the goal. Vernon didnt quit and pulled Austin Smith with about 1:50 remaining the Vipers with some pressure in the Vees zone had a few chances in close but couldnt find the back of the net before Travis Blanlei just missed the empty netter in the final minute. With time winding down a scrum occured in the final thirteen seconds in and around the Vees goal as several Vipers were causing havoc trying to get under the skin of several Penticton Vees players. Chad Katunar even got involved in the scrum as some pushing and shoving occured while several Viper players were giving little jabs in amoungst the scrum. Vees Head Coach-GM Fred Harbinson was fired up from the bench really giving it to his troops on the ice, getting them to skate away from the scrum and finish off the final thirteen seconds. After a long delay the game resumed with the Vees on a late powerplay to end the hockey game as Penticton come away with a hard fought 3-1 win to take a 3-1 series lead in the season series. Both teams were fairly even most of the period with very little scoring chances. Vernon outshot Penticton 11-6.
Top Players: (Vernon)
Braeden Russell didnt put up any points or come up with any good scoring chances but played and battled hard all night. Russell who missed most of the first two months of the season with an injury he picked up in the pre-season hasnt really stood out much since returning to the Vernon lineup. Watching Russell in Training camp and the pre-season I was expecting bigger and better things from the Ontario kid. Tonight he sure looked and played well. Let's hope Russell can get going and keep up the pace.
Mitch Van Teeling another player who didnt record any points or was involved in any scoring opportunities I thought battled and played hard all night. Van Teeling played very well on the penalty kill and was very aggressive on the forecheck, never backing down.
Colton Sparrow who returned to the Vipers lineup last night after being out for a few weeks with an injury was the Vipers best player tonight. Sparrow who had a great chance to tie the game shorthanded in the 2nd period hit the post also played with alot of energy & intensity.
Brendan Persley who dropped the mits was another kid who comes to the rink ready to play and played hard-battled hard again tonight. Persley was very good up front for the Vipers.
Austin Smith (29 saves) I dont think Smith had as good as game as last night nor did he get the same amount of quality scoring chances as last night but played well between the pipes tonight.
Game Thoughts: (Vernon)
After a huge 2-1 victory in Penticton last night you have to wonder if the Vipers were a little too over confident tonight? This wasnt the same Viper team I watched last night in Penticton. Other then the 3rd period I didnt think Vernon looked or played that well this evening and was outplayed most of the game. Vernon cant match Penticton skill wise, so the Vipers need to play more of a dump and chase-physical game vs the Vees. Get the puck in deep, hit the d-men hard and grind it out, battle and make the Vees earn the battles for the puck. The Vipers need to play more of a grinding-physical game vs Penticton. Vernon has the size and I think is bigger then the Vees. The Vipers also need to get more shots towards the net, get bodies going hard to the goal looking for rebounds as Chad Katunar is a good goaltender but isnt very good with his rebounds and puck control. The Vipers come out strong and were ready to go off the opening faceoff but after the first few minutes it was all Penticton for the remainder of the 1st and entire 2nd periods. The Vipers looked to be not on the same page with one another, especially in the first two periods. Vernon with way too many turnovers inside their own blueline, especially in the opening period. I didnt think the Vipers passing was that great, way too many passes missing guys sticks or hoping over guys sticks etc. I thought Vernon was outworked and outplayed most of the game. Give the Vipers a little credit they did tighten up defensively in the 2nd period and limited the Vees to just two maybe three quality scoring chances killing off two penalties. Vernon played a much better 3rd period but couldnt generater enough offensive chances to try and tie the game. With the loss & a Salmon Arm win tonight, Vernon falls back to below 500 and are now tied for 4th place with the Silverbacks.
Top Players: (Penticton)
Dexter Dans played very well for the second straight night. Dancs with a few good quality scoring chances played well up front for the Vees.
Cody DePourcq (1 assist) Also played very well for the second straight game. Depourcq a smaller kid always seems to find his way through players and get involved in several scoring plays.
Sean Flanagan (1 assist) Come back to the game after leaving during the opening period played very well on Penticton's blueline. A very good pickup by the Vees aquiring the former Salmon Arm Silverback.
Troy Stetcher (1 assist) Played a heck of a game for the Vees on the backend. The Penticton captain was involved in the play through out tonight's game jumping up into the rush coming up with a few scoring opportunities.
Travis Blanlei played a strong game up front for the Vees for the second straight night. The former West Kelowna Warrior always plays well against the Vipers.
Brad McClure (1 goal) Played very well tonight. Wasnt involved in the scoring much but was good at both ends of the rink.
Chad Katunar (28 saves) Didnt see as much action as he did last night but again made the big saves when needed tonight. Id say Katunar made his biggest and best saves in the opening few minutes of tonight's contest. This kid is a bigger goaltender that has those longer legs so when coming across low covers alot of the ice low.
Game Thoughts: (Penticton)
After a tough 2-1 loss to the Vipers on home ice last night Penticton responded with a big 3-1 win tonight at the Wesbild Centre. The Vees who had just three wins in nine games prior to tonight played a very well road game. Just like last night the Vees have a very quick, puck moving team. Penticton changed up their game plan a little tonight and it worked. The Vees who played well defensively limited Vernon's scoring chances as well as put alot of pressure and forecheck on the Viper defence in their own end forcing the Vipers into turnovers. Penticton looked hungry tonight and battled-competed all night, winning the battles and the races to the puck. I thought the Vees had a step up on the Vipers and it showed through out the game. The Vees were going to the net more compared to last night and just seemed to want tonight's game a little more.
Scratches:
Vernon:
Craig Martin (Injured)
TJ Dumonceaux (Injured)
Landon Robin
Penticton:
Mike Rebry
Jordan Boultbee
Rob Mann
Vipers Energy Player Of The Game:
Braeden Russell
Three Stars:
1st Star: Sam Mellor (1 goal & 1 assist)
2nd Star: Brad McClure (1 goal)
3rd Star: Pearce Eviston (1 assist)
For more on tonight's game visit the boxscore,
http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=1102955&link=bchl
For more on tonight's game and the Penticton Vees visit Fraser Rodger's Penticton Vees Blog,
http://pentictonvees.wordpress.com/
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