Merritt 6 Vernon 1

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 Merritt defeated Vernon 6-1 in front of 1,742 fans at the Wesbild Centre.

Starting Goaltenders:

Vernon:  Austin Smith
Merritt:  Tyler Steel

1st Period:  The Centennials come out hitting hard in the opening minute laying out atleast three big checks early before getting the early edge in play.  Just two minutes into the contest Derek Huisman with a quick snap shot from the slot forced Vipers starting goaltender Austin Smith to make a quick save in front before stopping Regan Siquila on a second opportunity.  Merritt looked good early with some pressure and two good chances.  Vernon with atleast three turnovers inside their blueline in the opening few minutes.  The Vipers did fight back coming back with a hard working shift, Braeden Russell alone in front three minutes into the game was stoned by Tyler Steel who was cut by the Vipers two seasons ago.  Steel kicked out his right leg at the last second making a huge pad save off Russell keeping this game scoreless.  Just a minute later Brendan Lamont setup Regan Soquila who beat Smith at 4:08 giving the Cents the early 1-0 lead.  Lamont & Derek Huisman collected the assists.  Merritt was outshooting Vernon 5-2 early and carried the better of the play early.  Ryan Renz wuth the biggest hit of the night had a few big checks in tonight's game.  Just six minutes later off the faceoff deep in the Vipers zone Regan Soquila would pick up his second of the game giving Merritt a 2-0 lead at 10:42 Derek Huisman and Charlie Donlin picked up the helpers.  The Vipers looked better in the second half.  Ryan Renz who played a strong game tonight moved in before getting off a shot that made its way through traffic forcing Tyler Steel to make a tough save with bodies in front.  A few minutes later Logan Mick in close with a good opportunity couldnt beat Steel.  Vernon would get a late powerplay, Ryan Renz jumped up into the play getting off a shot from the circle but couldnt beat Tyler Steel as Merritt killed off the penalty.  In the final minute Dylan Chanter levelled Brendan Persley from behind before Pearce Eviston dropped the gloves with Chanter.  Chanter was tossed from the hockey game as Merritt got a late five minute powerplay.  The Cents didnt do any damage in the final seconds as Merritt was up 2-0 after 20 minutes of play.  The Centennials were the better of the two teams in the first half but Vernon did come back and play better in the second half as both teams were even.  Shots were even 10-10.

2nd Period:  The Centennials started the middle frame on the five minute major that was carried over from the end of the 1st period.  The Cents very cautious and patient with the puck waited for the right opportunity but couldnt get much going against a very good penalty kill by the Vipers.  In the final two minutes Sebastein Pare redirected a point shot in front that was stopped by Austin Smith before Jeff Wight tried going for the wrap around in the dying seconds of the man advantage but once again Smith stayed with Wight keeping his pads tight against the post making the save as Vernon's penalty kill and goaltending was very good killing off the five minute major.  Just a few minutes later Aaron Hadley tried going for a wrap around, looking to have Tyler Steel beat Hadley couldnt get all the way around the net as his shot went through and out of the crease back out to the slot on a great opportunity.  A few shifts later Adam Tambellini with a quick snap shot from in close was stopped by Steel before Jeff Wight & Brendan Lamont come back the other way on a two on one rush, Lamont with a beauty of a saucer pass setup Wight who went upstairs beating Austin Smith at 8:27 giving Merritt a 3-0 lead.  Lamont and Richard Sabourin with the assists.  A few minutes later Logan Mick & Michael Roberts in deep on a two on one but Roberts couldnt get a shot off in close on a great chance in tight.  Adam Tambellini with a rocket of a shot from the slot was stopped by the quick glove of Tyler Steel who made the glove save but couldnt hold onto the puck.  The Vipers with some good chances had the better of the scoring opportunities in this period but couldnt capitalize.  Vernon would get a very short powerplay but couldnt capitalize.  Derek Huisman setup Brendan Lamont on a two on one with fifty seconds remaining but Lamont couldnt hit the net.  Huisman stayed with the play before Regan Soquila setup Huisman in front who put a nice move around Smith giving the Cents a 4-0 lead and in full control at 19:31 Soquila with the lone assist on the goal.  After the goal Marc Hetnik had atleast four Merritt players around or ontop of him as some pushing and shoving went on deep in the Vipers zone.  On the play Merritt would get a late powerplay.  The Centennials were up 4-0 after 40 minutes of play.  Both teams were even but the Vipers had the better of the scoring chances.  Merritt outshot Vernon 10-9.

3rd Period:  The Centennials started the 3rd with the man advantage that was carried over from the 2nd period but Merritt couldnt capitalize as Vernon would kill off the penalty.  Just over three minutes into the final frame Brendan Lamont laid out a dirty check on Mitch McAllister who went down and was very slow to get up.  McAllister left the ice on one skate-leg and went to the Vipers dressing room before returning to the game.  After the hit Colton Sparrow dropped the gloves with Lamont.  Just over two minutes later tempers started to heat up as frustration started to show on the faces of the Vernon players as some pushing and shoving occured with the Vipers taking a few liberties on a few Centennial players giving Merritt a powerplay.  Words were now being exchanged between the penalty boxes between the two teams.  It didnt take the Cents very long to capitalize with the man advantage.  Regan Soquila with a little give and go behind the net setup Derek Husiman with his second of the night at 6:36 putting Merritt up 5-0.  Soquila & Sebastein Pare collected the helpers.  Just over three minutes later Aaron Hadley dropped the mits with Silvan Harper.  The play became very scrambly at times for a few minutes.  Not alot of action in the third with no scoring chances other then Merritt's fifth goal.  The Vipers with just a single shot in the first eleven minutes.  Just past the midway mark Merritt would get into some penalty trouble giving Vernon a long two man advantage.  The Vipers would capitalize after a mad scramble in front Tyler Steel made a tough save off Ryan Renz before the puck was bouncing around the crease coming out to Dexter Dancs who beat Steel at the side of the crease getting Vernon on the scoreboard at 15:05 Andrew Tegeler with the lone assist.  In the final few minutes Bryce Eviston with a brutal pass up the middle allowed Jeff Wight to setup Derek Husiman who couldnt beat Austin Smith on a Centennials odd man rush.  In the final minute Merritt would get a late powerplay and capitalize at the buzzer.  With Smith down and out Diego Cuglietta tried roofing a shot up and over Austin Smith before Regan Soquila scored at the buzzer.  The buzzer sounded and the green goal light was on with the clock reading 0:00 on the board the goal shouldnt have counted.  After the Centennials were already on the ice celebrating the victory the referee and linesmen had a quick discussion and gave the goal to Soquila his third of the game at 19:59 Diego Cuglietta & Brendan Lamont with the helpers as Merritt defeated Vernon 6-1.  This wasnt much of a period with very little action.  Tempers heated up with two fights and several players going to the penalty boxes.  The Cents outshot the Vipers 9-7.

Top Players:  (Vernon)

Aaron Hadley who has been playing his best hockey of the season played very well tonight.  Hadley played with alot of energy, hustle and showed hardwork on every shift, battled hard even dropping the gloves. 

Logan Mick worked hard and competed tonight playing very well.

Dexter Dancs who has showed some skill since being aquired in a trade with Penticton was one of the better Vipers tonight.  Dancs with the lone Vernon goal played well.

Ryan Renz with one of his better games of the season played a solid game on the Vipers blueline.  Renz who is known for his turnovers-coughing up the puck played physical and made very little mistakes tonight.

Game Thoughts:  (Vernon)

After a big 4-3 win in Trail Saturday night the Vipers return home to get beaten pretty good 6-1 by the Merritt Centennials in just their second meeting of the season.  Going down early and then 2-0 really hurt Vernon.  The Vipers also couldnt capitalize on their chances and again made way too many turnovers especially in the opening period.  On paper this team looks very good but on the ice they look disorganized and confused at times, not knowing where one another are, making way too many turnovers for this time of the year and still having troubles breaking out of their own end.  The Vipers showed spurts of offence and good play but then didnt look good through out other parts of the game.  Even though they did give up two powerplay goals I thought Vernon's penalty kill was pretty good.  The Vipers with just one win in their last six games.  With twenty three games remaining it dosnt look good as the Vipers just cant put together a long stretch of wins.  It also didnt help that Salmon Arm knocked off the West Kelowna Warriors tonight 4-1.  Former Vernon Vipers Bryce Kakoske and Aaron Volpatti were in attendance tonight.

Top Players:  (Merritt)

Charlie Donlin (1 assist) Played a good game on the Centennials blueline.

Tyler Martin also played well on Merritt's backend.

Silvan Harper played well for the Cents.  Dropped the gloves with Aaron Hadley.

Derek Huisman (2 goals & 2 assists) Was very good for Merritt.  Very quick, shifty and can make things happen in a hurry.  Involved in the play alot, always in and around the net looking to create or generate chances.

Regan Soquila (3 goals & 2 assists)  Was by far the most dangerous Centennial tonight.  Soquila didnt really stand out as much as Huisman but scored three goals collecting five points.  Was in and around the net but didnt really stand out.

Brendan Lamont (3 assists)  This kid isnt afraid to drop the mits, be physical or get involved in and after the whistle.  Lamont can also get involved in the play and was very good for the Centennials tonight.

Jeff Wight (1 goal)  Also played very well tonight, another player who was always involved in the play, creating and generating opportunities.

Richard Sabourin (1 assist) Was also good on the Merritt backend.

Tyler Steel (26 saves)  The Vernon product who was cut by the Vipers two seasons ago was five minutes away from shutting out his hometown team.  Steel played well making 26 saves in the win. 

Game Thoughts:  (Merritt)

The Cents are now 2-0 vs Vernon this season as both these teams will meet again for the rematch tomorrow night in Merritt.  The Cents one of the hardest working teams in the league showed that again tonight.  Merritt jumped out to the early 2-0 lead and never looked back.  The Cents are very good moving the puck, capitalizing on turnovers and creating several odd man rushes.  The Cents have a few big d-men.  Give credit to Merritt they lost Dylan Chanter early but played very well defensively the rest of the night.  Luke Pierce has this team playing well.  Penticton Vees Head Coach-GM Fred Harbinson and his crew were at tonight's game.

Scratches:

Vernon:

Craig Martin (Injured)
TJ Dumonceaux (Injured)
Brett Corkey (Injured)
Geoff Crisfield (Injured)

Merritt:

Sean Maktaak
Payton Schaefer

Vipers Energy Player Of The Game:

Ryan Renz

Three Stars:

1st Star:  Regan Soquila (3 goals & 2 assists)
2nd Star:  Derek Huisman (2 goals & 2 assists)
3rd Star:  Brendan Lamont (3 assists)

For more on tonight's game visit the boxscore,

http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=1103010&link=bchl