Thursday, December 6, 2012

Trail 2 Vernon 1 (Double Overtime)

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 trail defeated Vernon 2-1 in double overtime in front of 1,420 fans at the Wesbild Centre.

Starting Goaltenders:

Vernon:  Austin Smith
Trail:  Lyndon Stanwood

1st Period:  The Vipers would jump on the Smokies early, getting the puck in deep in the opening minute got some good pressure in the Trail zone but didnt generate any real scoring opportunities.  The Smoke Eaters would get the games first chance just a few minutes into the opening frame after Connor Collett snapped a hard shot from the slot that missed the net.  Adam Tambellini a few minutes later with a great chance also missed the net.  Very limited scoring chances at both ends of the rink as both teams looked very even going back and forth.  It took Trail just over seven minutes to record their first shot on net.  Vernon would open the scoring after Colton Sparrow was stopped by Lyndon Stanwood who made a nice toe save kicking out the rebound wich Adam Tambellini scooped up the fluttering puck going high on Stanwood hitting the back of the mesh at 9:32 Sparrow and Pearce Eviston with the helpers.  Adam Tambellini with another great opportunity missed the net again for the second time this period.  With 2:05 remaining Mitch Foyle alone in the slot missed the net on a great chance to tie the game.  The Smoke Eaters would get the games first powerplay in the final two minutes.  The Vipers looked good on the penalty kill early before the Smokies come back late with the man advantage getting some pressure before the period came to an end.A fairly even played 1st period with Vernon getting the better of the chances.  The Vipers were up 1-0 after 20 minutes of play.  Vernon outshot Trail 9-5.

2nd Period:  Trail started the middle frame with the man advantage that was carried over from the end of the 1st period.  Vernon would kill off the remainder of the Smokies powerplay.  Vernon would get their first powerplay just over two minutes into the second, moving the puck well the Vipers didnt get any shots on goal as Trail did a good job at keeping the shooting lanes closed before the Vipers would get some late pressure in the final minute of the man advantage but couldnt capitalize before Ryan Renz turned over the puck in the dying seconds of the powerplay allowing Garrett McMullen to setup leading scorer Brent Baltus who beat Austin Smith shorthanded tying the game 1-1 at 4:29 McMullen with the lone assist.  Trail would kill off the final three seconds killing off the penalty.  Just two minutes later Vernon would be called for too many men on the ice giving the Smokies their second powerplay of the game.  Connor Collett with a quick snap shot from the circle forced Smith to make a big save as Vernon would kill off the minor.  The Smoke Eaters seemed to gain some momentum from the man advantage coming on strong after the powerplay.  The Smokies picked up the physical play laying out some big checks and come right back with some pressure deep in the Vipers zone.  Braeden Jones point shot was redirected in front by Scott Davidson who was stopped by Smith who again made a big save.  Vernon was back on there heels a bit as Trail carried the edge in play for a good five or six minutes.  Brendan Persley who is wearing Jedd Soleway's old jersey #27 now had a great chance to give the Vipers the lead after Marc Hetnik's point shot was stopped by Stanwood before Persley jumped on the rebound but couldnt beat Stanwood fivehole who made a nice save off the rebound keeping this game tied.  Persley played well tonight played a physical 2nd period laying out some good checks.  Again scoring opportunities were limited at both ends of the rink.  Trail had a slight edge in play as the game was tied 1-1 after 40 minutes of play.  The Smokies outshot the Vipers 14-12.

3rd Period:  Marley Keca who attended the Vipers training camp made a nice long stretch pass setting up Brent Baltus in for the breakaway in the opening minute but the Smoke Eaters leading scoring missed the goal on a great opportunity.  A minute later Djordje Leposavic with a shot from the point got through traffic as Austin Smith somehow made a tough save with bodies in front.  A minute later former Penticton Vees forward Dexter Dancs made his Vipers debut tonight carried the play in over the Smoke Eaters line setup Braeden Russell on the two on one but Russell missed the empty cage going high and over the goal on a great opportunity.  Back come the Smokies as Trail got the puck in deep and then with a mad scramble in front of Austin Smith tried two or three times to wack in the loose puck as Trail come out hard to start the third.  The Smoke Eaters who looked very good really took it too the Vipers for most of the period.  Trail outplayed Vernon in the first half.  At the halfway mark Braeden Russell with a parcial breakaway missed the net.  Trail was outworking and outskating the Vipers for most of the period, winning all the battles and races to the puck forcing Vernon's defence into making several turnovers in their own end.  In the second half Bryce Eviston and Geoff Crisfield with two turnovers but the Smokies couldnt capitalize on Vernon's defensive mistakes.  Liam Board, Braeden Russell and Dexter Dancs with an odd man rush made one too many passes on a good opportunity late couldnt hit the net.  Trail would call a late timeout.  With twenty seconds remaining a faceoff deep in the Trail zone the Vipers won the draw before Adam Tambellini beat Lyndon Stanwood but hit the post.  The Smoke Eaters were the better of the two teams in the period but the game was tied 1-1 after 60 minutes of play.  Trail outshot Vernon 15-13.

Overtime:  Both teams looked to be feeling each other out four on four waiting for the other club to make the first mistake playing some cautious hockey in OT.  Ryan Renz made a bad pinch with about two and a half minutes remaining giving Trail a two on one but Austin Smith stayed with the shooter making the save.  This was the only real scoring chance as it was tied 1-1 after 65 minutes of play. 

Double Overtime:  Just thirteen seconds into the final overtime Braden Pears with a nice pass setup a streaking Garrett McMullen who beat Smith for the game winner as the Trail bench poured onto the ice.  Pears with the lone helper on the OT winner. 

Top Players:  (Vernon)

I liked the Vipers top line of Adam Tambellini (1 goal), Pearce Eviston (1 assist) & Colton Sparrow (1 assist) tonight.  This line good very good in the opening period getting some good play going in the Trail zone.  Tambellini with atleast two or three good chances in the 1st was skating hard.  Sparrow who has been playing well as of late was hustling and working hard all night.  Created and generated a few chances tonight.

I also liked the line of Liam Board, Braeden Russell and Dexter Dancs.  This line had some good chances in the 3rd and seemed to play with some chemistry.  Dancs who made his Viper debut tonight played well.  Russell who has just one goal this season had two great chances in the 3rd but couldnt hit the net.

Mitch McAllister who took a punishing in the opening period after the Smokies laid out some solid checks on the Viper rookie played with alot of energy and spark.  Played physical and was really hustling all night.

Brendan Persley played well, played physical and come up with atleast two good scoring opportunities.

Game Thoughts:  (Vernon)

Tonight was like a must win game for the Vipers.  Heading into tonight Vernon was tied for 4th spot in the Interior Division a single point up on Trail.  These are games heading into the second half of the season that you need to win.  Sure the Vipers get a point in the loss but these are games you have to win if you want to try and climb up the standings and make the playoffs.  Why did the Vipers breakup the 4th line of Logan Mick, Michael Roberts & Mitch McAllister?  This was the Vipers best unti last game making all kinds of noise.  I thought it was a decent game until the 3rd when Trail took over and was the better of the two teams.  Both teams made several mistakes through out tonight's game.  The Vipers with several turnovers, especially in their own end were lucky they didnt cough up a few more goals.  The Vipers defence wasnt very good making several mistakes and turnovers.  Vernon's defence was sloppy in their own end.  Vernon has trouble coming out of their own end and it showed again tonight.  Both teams with very limited scoring chances made for a tight game.  Vernon needs to start stringing some wins together and in a hurry if they want to make the playoffs.  These win one game, lose one game wont get you know where.  Former Vipers Head Coach-GM Mark Holick was in attendance tonight scouting.

Top Players:  (Trail)

Marley Keca played a steady game on the Smoke Eaters blueline.

Braeden Jones also played well on the backend for Trail.  Made some nice plays through out tonight's game.

Braeden Pears also played well for the Smoke Eaters.

Brent Baltus (1 goal) Wasnt as dangerous as in past games vs Vernon but did stand out.

Tyler Berkholtz played well up front for Trail.  Made some real nice passes up ice.

Garrett McMullen (Scored OT winner)  Played well up front.  Always seemed to be in and around the net all night.

Lyndon Stanwood (35 saves)  Played very well between the pipes for Trail.  Played his position well.  Other then a few rebounds dosnt give out alot or many rebounds.  This kid gives the Smokies a chance to win on almost any given night.

Game Thoughts:  (Trail)

Tonight was the Smokies fifth and final game of a five game road trip where they finish off with their only two wins of the trip.  6-3 win in Chilliwack and tonight's big 2-1 OT win over Vernon.  Give Trail credit with seven regulars out of the lineup, they limited the Vipers scoring chances, stayed in the game and played a good road game.  I thought the Smokies played very well defensively and were the better of the two clubs.  The Smoke Eaters won most of the draws, battles and races for the puck.  Trail had a little more hunger in them especially in the third.  After not winning in Vernon in four years the Smokies have won back to back games at the Wesbild Centre this season. 

Scratches:

Vernon:

Craig Martin (Injured)
TJ Dumonceaux (Injured)
Andrew Tegeler
Danny Todosychuk     

Trail:

Shane Poulsen
Bennett Hambrook
Ryan Edwards
Jesse Knowler
Bryce Knapp
Adam Wheeldon
Adam Todd

Three Stars:

1st Star:  Garrett McMullen (Scored OT Winner)
2nd Star:  Lyndon Stanwood (35 saves)
3rd Star:  Austin Smith (36 saves)

For more on tonight's game visit the boxscore,

http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=1102976&link=bchl

For more on tonight's game and the Trail Smoke Eaters visit Chris Wahl's Trail Smoke Eaters Blog,

http://off-the-wahl.blogspot.ca/

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