I was at tonight's exhibition game as West Kelowna defeated Vernon 3-1 at Kal Tire Place.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon: Danny Todosychuk
West Kelowna: Andy Desautels
1st Period: The Vipers come out strong off the opening whitsle, just over a minute into the frame Michael McNicholas with a shot from in the slot was stopped by Warriors starting goaltender Andy Desautels before Desautels stopped Mason Blacklock at the side of the net on the rebound as Vernon with two good chances early. The Vipers with lots of jump, skating hard and moving the puck well carried the play early and often before the Warriors would open the scoring on there first shot on goal. Will Perterson setup Captain Matt Anholt in front who beat Vipers starting goaltender Danny Todosychuk at 4:20 Petereson and Liam Blackburn collected the assists. The Vipers come right back and again controlled the edge in play. Liam Coughlin made his Vipers debut tonight with a nice individual effort in the slot was stopped in close on the backhand by Andy Desautels. Vernon carried the play in the first half and was the better of the two teams. In the second half TJ Dumonceaux with a hard working shift showed his speed by winning the battle for the loose puck before ripping a hard shot from just inside the West Kelowna blueline but Desautels made a nice save just getting a peice of the puck with his goal stick back the other way David Pope lead the way getting a good chance in front but was stopped by Todosychuk. The Vipers would get a late powerplay but with just one shot on goal couldnt get much pressure as the Warriors would kill off the penalty. West Kelowna would finally get their legs going and turn things around as the Warriors with some pressure late come back with several shots, creating and generating some chances in the final four or five minutes. West Kelowna with a strong finish was outplayed for most of the period. The Warriors with a 1-0 lead after 20 minutes of play. West Kelowna outshot Vernon 11-10.
2nd Period: The Warriors started the middle frame right from where they left off the final few minutes of the 1st. West Kelowna with a good start to the 2nd period come out with lots of pressure. The Warriors who battled hard and competed in the battles down low and in front were right on top of Vernon winning all the battles. The Vipers who quit skating were back on their heels as West Kelowna had Vernon pinned in their own end as it was all Warriors early. Connor Bucsis with a chance at the side of the net tried to go high on Danny Todosychuk but the third year Viper was there to make a quick glove save. The Warriors would get their first shot with the man advantage early and capitalized. Liam Blackburn fed David Pope with a nice goal giving West Kelowna a 2-0 lead at 5:28 Blackburn with the lone assist. The Vipers struggled most of the period needed almost four minutes to record their first shot of the period. The Vipers with just three shots in the first ten minutes of play. The Warriors carried the better of the play in the first half outplaying Vernon but didnt get alot of real good quality chances. Danny Todosychuk did have to be sharp making several saves. Vernon did finally put together a real hard working few shifts just before the midway point, getting some pressure in the Warriors zone for a few minutes but couldnt get any shots towards the net as West Kelowna's defence played very well most of the night. The Warriors did a great job at blocking shots, getting in the shooting lanes not giving the Vipers any time or space. At the halfway mark Steven Myland replaced Andy Desautels who saved all thirteen Vernon shots. The Vipers would get two powerplays pretty close together but again struggled with the man advantage. The Warriors who were very solid man on man were attacking the Vipers not giving them any time or space all period as the Warriors would kill off both minors. Late in the second a minor scrum broke out in front of the Vipers net with Josh Bryan and Connor Bucsis wrestling to the ice as both players were given minors. West Kelowna would get a late powerplay that would go into the third period. The Warriors outplayed the Vipers with very little quality scoring chances but were up 2-0 after 40 minutes of play. West Kelowna outshot Vernon 15-6.
3rd Period: The Warriors would start the final frame with the man advantage that was carried over from the end of the 2nd period. Colton Sparrow shorthanded off the opening faceoff with a great individual effort tried splitting the defence got off a backhand but couldnt beat Steven Myland in close as the final few seconds of the powerplay would come to an end as Vernon would kill off the penalty. Vernon would get on the scoreboard early after some nice passing. Michael McNicholas would setup Dexter Dancs in front who went high on Myland making this a one goal game at 1:09 McNicholas and Mason Blacklock with the helpers. This goal gave the Vipers some life as Vernon come out with a strong effort and looked good early. Vernon was skating hard, making some nice crisp passes and playing like a team as the Vipers with the early edge in play. Seven minutes into the period Michael McNicholas with a chance at the side of the goal couldnt hit the net just missing on a close call in front. The Vipers with several good opportunities but once again West Kelowna getting in the shooting lanes, blocking shots and being right on top of the Vernon players made it difficult for the Vipers to get any quality shots towards the net. David Pope with a three on two lead the rush but was stopped by Todosychuk who played very well tonight. Kenny Citron with a quick low shot from the point was tipped in front but Steven Myland made a nice save keeping this a one goal game. At one point both teams went several minutes without a shot but it was Vernon who was the better of the two teams in the third outplaying the Warriors. Logan Mick tried sending Craig Martin in for the breakaway but missed on the pass. The Vipers would get a late powerplay but with just two shots and a solid penalty kill, West Kelowna would kill off the minor. With time winding down the Vipers couldnt get out of their own end, West Kelowna with good pressure down low in the final three minutes pinned the Vipers deep not allowing Vernon a chance to pull Todosychuk for the extra man. Feeling the pressure the Warriors would get a late powerplay with just over a minute remaining. The Vipers needed some time to setup before finally getting Danny Todosychuk to the bench for the extra attacker with only thirty seconds remaining. With no real pressure Liam Blackburn put the game away with an empty netter at 19:46 Blackburn's goal was unassisted. The Vipers outplayed the Warriors but ended up falling short 3-1 as West Kelowna picks up their first win of the pre-season snapping Vernon's two game winning streak. Shots were even at 9-9.
Top Players: (Vernon)
Josh Bryan played a strong game on Vernon's blueline. I really like the looks of Bryan all through out Training Camp and into the pre-season. A big kid is solid on the backend, moves the puck well and isnt afraid of the physical play or rough stuff.
Colton Sparrow played a heck of a game up front for the Vipers. The Vernon product played with alot of jump, was skating hard and battled all night.
Michael McNicholas (1 assist) Had atleast three good scoring opportunities played well tonight.
Danny Todosychuk (33 saves) Made his second straight start of the exhibition season didnt have to make alot of out standing saves but played very well between the pipes tonight. Was very good on his rebound control as well.
Game Thoughts: (Vernon)
I thought Vernon got off to a great start, two back to back chances in the opening minute and a bit played very well early before giving up the first goal on the Warriors first shot on net. I thought the Vipers played verll well for two out of the three periods and were the better of the two teams in the 1st and 3rd periods. I was impressed with the Vipers crisp passing tonight, and how they stepped up there play after a terrible second period. I wasnt too pleased with the powerplay, needs some work. I thought the Vipers had several good chances tonight but also didnt have alot of puck luck. Overall for a pre-season game this was a pretty entertaining game. Vernon worked hard especially in the 1st and 3rd periods and deserved a better ending. I thought the Vipers played very well in the 3rd, battled and worked very hard getting some good chances but couldnt capitalize or get any puck luck.
Top Players: (West Kelowna)
David Pope (1 goal) Played very well for West Kelowna tonight. The veteran forward played hard and well all game. Very strong, good skater, good with the puck and really sees and reads the ice-play well.
Connor Bucsis played very well for the Warriors. Had a few good chances as well as competed all night. Was always in and around the net.
Liam Blackburn (1 goal & 2 assists) Was also very good for West Kelowna tonight. Very quick, crafty in and around the net, battles hard, isnt afraid to go into the corners or grey area's for the puck.
Braxton Bilous played very well on the blueline.
Andy Desautels (13 saves) Recently aquired from the AJHL Desautels played very well between the pipes.
Game Thoughts: (West Kelowna)
I thought the Warriors got off to a bit of a slow start. Opened the scoring early but still couldnt seem to turn the tables before finally getting their legs going and played much better the final four or five minutes of the first period. This play continued into the 2nd as West Kelowna looked hungry and was very good really outplaying the Vipers. This team dosnt give you alot of time or space, they block alot of shots, get in the shooting lanes as well as attack who ever has the puck, making the Vipers turn over the puck or make the first mistake. The Warriors with a gutsy effort on defence tonight, played very well on the backend all night. A good penalty kill, keeping the shots against to a minimum. Played the body most of the night and won alot of the battles down low. I didnt think West Kelowna generated alot of scoring chances, sure they got a decent amount of shots but not alot of real great opportunities. I noticed the Warriors changed logos on their home jerseys. West Kelowna was wearing their home uniforms tonight, now having there previous third set logo on the home jerseys. Both these two teams will wrap up the pre-season with a re-match tomorrow night in West Kelowna.
Here is a look at both teams rosters-lineups from tonight
Vernon:
Mark Hamilton
Kenny Citron
Bryce Eviston
Michael Statchuk
Liam Coughlin
Josh Bryan
Matty Saharchuk
Craig Martin
TJ Dumonceaux
Mason Blacklock
Dean Allison
Logan Mick
Colton Sparrow
Michael McNicholas
Dexter Dancs
Dallas Calvin
Brendan Persley
Ryan Renz
Danny Todosychuk
Austin Smith
West Kelowna:
Ben Tegtmeyer
Brett Mennear
Adam Plant
David Pope
Carl Hesler
Morgan Johnston
Ambrose Firkus
Adam Osczevski
Matt Anholt
Kylar Hope
Brennan Clark
Connor Bucsis
Taylor Graham
Will Peterson
Liam Blackburn
Braxton Bilous
Mac Ferner
Steven Myland
Andy Desautels
For more on tonight's game visit Jon Zacks West Kelowna Warriors blog,
http://thegeneralsreport.wordpress.com/
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