For anyone who could not attend or watch today’s Vipers game here are my thoughts and views from today’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 today's BCHL game as Victoria defeated Vernon 4-3 in double overtime in front of 1,440 fans at Kal Tire Place.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon: Michael Stiliadis
Victoria: Nic Renyard
1st Period: The Vipers opening the scoring just seventeen seconds into this afternoon's contest. After the Grizzlies iced the puck and a faceoff deep in the Victoria zone Liam Coughlin's shot off the draw went off the back boards hitting former Penticton Vees goaltender Nic Renyard and going into the back of the net at 0:17 giving Vernon the early 1-0 lead. Coughlin's goal was unassisted. The Vipers with lots of jump early caried the edge in play. Vernon with two or three real good chances early just about grabbed a two goal lead. Michael McNicolas grabbed the puck off a turnover inside the Grizzlies blueline tried going for the wrap around before setting up Brendan Persley who was alone in the slot fired just wide. A few minutes later Dexter Dancs in the slot was stopped by Renyard who closed the fivehole making a big save off Dancs in close. Gerry Fitzgerald come very close to tying the game about six minutes in after catching Michael Stiliadis outside of his crease went for the wrap around before the Vipers goaltender just barely got back into the blue paint just getting a peice of the puck keeping it out. Victoria slowly got their legs going and took over the edge in play. The Grizzlies were outshooting Vernon 4-3 at one point and now up 9-4 outplaying the Vipers. Shawn McBride alone at the side of the net was robbed by Michael Stiliadis who was down but got his glove up over his head to rob McBride in close. Just two minutes later Gerry Fitzgerald off a slap pass backhanded a shot that beat Stiliadis but hit the post as the Grizzlies come close to tying the game again. Two minutes later Alex Adams with a dirty hit in the neutral zone forced Tyler Povolofskie to come in and drop the gloves with Adams. The Vipers would lose Povolofskie for the remainder of the period after also picking up a ten minute misconduct on the play. Victoria captain Mark McLellan was spotted down in the tunnel getting looked at by the trainer but would return to the Grizzlies bench. In the final few minutes Myles Fitzgerald went down with some kind of leg injury had troubles getting to the Victoria bench. Fitzgerald would stay on the bench getting looked at by the trainer but wouldnt return for the 2nd period. In the final minute of play Michael McNicholas with a low hard shot forced Renyard to come up with a huge right pad save as Dexter Dancs was driving to the net hard looking for the rebound. It was 1-0 Vernon after 20 minutes of play. The Vipers opened the scoring getting off to a quick start just seventeen seconds into the game had lots of jump carried the early edge in play getting two or three good chances early couldnt contain that sustained pressure allowing Victoria back in the hockey game as the Grizzlies slowly come along and were the better of the two teams in the second half outplaying Vernon. Victoria outshot Vernon 10-5.
2nd Period: Just fourty four seconds into the middle frame Vernon would get the games first powerplay. Liam Coughlin setup Michael McNicholas in the slot who ripped a hard shot that neat Grizzlies starting goaltender Nic Renyard but went off the post as the Vipers were close to going up by two. A good penalty kill by Victoria would kill off the penalty. The Grizzlies gained a little momentum after the early penalty kill and come back with a good push, getting some pressure in the Vipers zone looked good early to start the 2nd period. The Grizzlies would eventually tie the game after Chris Albertini's point shot just missed the net as the rebound come off the back wall out front to a wide open Gerry Fitzgerald who beat Michael Stiliadis who couldnt recover and get back across the blue paint in time to stop Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald at 5:15 tied the game 1-1. Albertini and Jesse Schwartz collected the helpers. A few plays later Victoria come close to taking the lead after Jacob Kearley's point shot hit someone or something along the way to the net forcing former Victoria Grizzlies goaltender Michael Stiliadis to make a tough save off a shot from the point with traffic in front. Just a few plays later Vernon would get their second powerplay of the period. Nic Renyard with a huge pad save couldnt control the rebound as the puck just hopped over the stick of TJ Dumonceaux who was in the slot. The Vipers would eventually re-take the lead after Liam Coughlin setup Dexter Dancs in front who beat Renyard at 8:07 giving Vernon a 2-1 lead. Coughlin and Michael McNicholas picked up the assists. But just thirty five seconds later Victoria captain Mark McLellan banged home the loose puck at the side of the net tying the game 2-2 at 8:44 Jesse Schwartz & Mitch Meek with the assists. Victoria kept coming just three minutes later would grab their first lead of the game. Storm Wahlrab and Stefan Burzan on a two on one couldnt capitalize but stayed with the play before Wahlrab beat Stiliadis at 12:11 giving the Grizzlies the 3-2 lead. Alex Adams and Jacob Kearley picked up the assists. Just over a minute later the Grizzlies would get their first powerplay of the afternoon. With no shots a very good penalty kill by the Vipers would kill off the minor. Just as the penalty expired Vernon setup Josh Bryan for the parcial breakaway after coming out of the penalty box but a solid defensive play by the Victoria defenceman knocked the puck away from Bryan at the last second. The Vipers who were up and down all period were outplayed most of the second before finally stepping up their play in the final few minutes. Vernon with some physical play started laying the body on the Grizzlies looked their best in the final few minutes and it would pay off after a hard working shift down low by Colton Sparrow, TJ Dumonceaux and Liam Coughlin. Coughlin would beat Nic Renyard on a rebound in front tying the game 3-3 at 18:09 with Dumonceaux and Sparrow drawing the assists. Tempers heated up at the buzzer as some pushing and shoving occured in front of the Grizzlies bench with some punches being thrown. It was tied 3-3 after 40 minutes of play. Vernon had a 1-0 lead going into the middle frame gave up three goals and were outplayed by a quick skating, pucking moving Victoria team who won most of the races-battles. The Vipers outshot the Grizzlies 12-10.
3rd Period: Just five seconds into the final frame tempers heated up again after Liam Coughlin was stopped by Nic Renyard in close sprayed the Grizzlies goaltender with some snow before Chris Albertini and Jacob Kearley jumped in getting the gloves up in the face of Coughlin. This caused a small scrum in the Grizzlies zone as several players got involved. Things didnt settle down from there, just fourty six seconds later Kenny Citron in his first and only shift of the game dropped the gloves with Storm Wahlrab. Tempers finally seemed to settle down as bit as the Grizzlies come out strong of the gates really jumping on Vernon who looked very cautious and back on their heels in their own end. Victoria with a very aggressive forecheck was all over the Vipers early and often but didnt generate any real scoring threats. The Vipers defence looked like they were walking on broken glass having all kinds of troubles clearing the zone, breaking out and Vernon's offence was no where to be seen as the Vipers with just four shots in the first half of the period. Seven minutes in Victoria with just their second powerplay of the game come very close to taking the lead after Gerry Fitzgerald's wicked shot from the circle beat Michael Stiliadis but went off the crossbar as Vernon with a good penalty kill would kill off the minor. Victoria with back to back powerplays couldnt capitalize as the Vipers would lose Mark Hamilton for the remainder of the period after a checking to the head penalty and a ten minute misconduct. Vernon would get lucky about halfway through the penalty kill the Grizzlies would take a penalty as both teams would play a little four on four before the Vipers would get a late powerplay but unable to capitalize. The Vipers with just one decent scoring opportunity come after a quick shot from in close went off the mask of Renyard before the puck went through the crease but no Viper was in reach for a chance at the loose puck. Very little scoring chances at both ends of the rink but it was the Grizzlies who carried the better of the play. Michael Stiliadis who has played very well for the Vipers since coming over in a trade with Georgetown looked a little shaky or uncomfortable at times handling the puck outside of the net. Several times today Stiliadis was almost caught wondering outside of his crease just barely getting back in goal to make a save. It was tied 3-3 after 60 minutes of play. Like I said earlier very little scoring opportunities but the Grizzlies did carry the better of the play as Vernon had all kinds of troubles coming out of there own end. The Vipers outshot the Grizzlies 8-6.
Overtime: Just fifty-five seconds into the extra frame the Vipers worked the puck around setup assistant captain Jason Bird who's quick one timer beat Nic Renyard going post and in would give the Vipers the OT win as the Vipers bench erupted onto the ice. But hold on as the referee would waive off the game winning goal calling incidental contact on the play. Just a few plays later Jason Bird looking for revenge with a great end to end rush went through the Victoria blueline before getting off a low shot in close just missed shortside as the Vipers were all over the Grizzlies in overtime. Vernon carried the better of the play but couldnt capitalize as it was tied 3-3 after 65 minutes of play. Vernon outshot Victoria 3-2.
Double Overtime: Now three on three Victoria really used their speed and quick skating to carry the edge in play. The Grizzlies carried most of the play in the second overtime couldnt generate any opportunities before Kevin Massy made a nice play inside the Vernon blueline got by one Viper defender before making a nice move cut towards the inside got Michael Stiliadis to make the first move before hitting the open net at 4:26 giving the Grizzlies the 4-3 overtime win as the Victoria bench erupted onto the ice. The Grizzlies outshot the Vipers 4-1.
Top Players: (Vernon)
The Vipers line of Liam Coughlin (2 goals & 1 assist), Michael McNicholas (1 assist)and Dexter Dancs (1 goal) looked very good. This same line was one of if not the Vipers best unit in Friday night's win over Salmon Arm. Coughlin who hasnt done much of anything really the last month or so has really stepped up his game and played his two best games of the season this weekend. McNicholas is one of the Vipers hardest working kids, this kid comes to play each and every game and plays hard. Really sees and reads the ice well. Very good on specialy teams. Dancs had atleast two or three chances tonight scored once with the man advantage.
Game Thoughts: (Vernon)
After a pretty solid sixty minute hard fought win over Salmon Arm Friday the Vipers didnt come close to playing a full sixty minutes this afternoon. In a game where they got off to a quick start and a start I think they were looking for (scoring just seventeen seconds into the game) the Vipers didnt keep their foot on the gas. Vernon with two or three good chances early allowed Victoria back into the game and as the game went on I thought the Grizzlies were the better of the two hockey clubs. The Vipers seemed to play up and down all afternoon. I thought the Vipers played well and looked good on a few shifts but then didnt look so good for the next several minutes. Vernon had troubles keeping up with the Grizzlies quick skating, speed and puck movement. The Vipers lost alot of the battles and races to the puck, especially in the 2nd period. Victoria with a very aggressive forecheck were really forcing the Vipers into turning over the puck on several plays. In the third the Vipers were back on their heels, playing very cautious, almost like they didnt want to touch the puck and make a mistake. On Friday night the Vipers were going hard to the net, jumping on rebounds, getting pucks to the net, looking for the loose puck in and around the goal but this afternoon they did none of this resulting in troubles creating and generating chances. Today was Victoria's third game in as many days. The Vipers having last night off had the perfect opportunity to jump on a tired Victoria team. The Vipers need to be better then they were today. Up 1-0 early the Vipers really needed that second goal and keep there foot on the gas. The Vipers allowed the Grizzlies to get back into the game and couldnt play consistant. Jason Williamson looked to be juggling his lines early to start the game but seemed to go with the same lines as the game went on. In a non divisional game-matchup there was sure alot of bad blood between the two teams, as tempers heated up on several occasions. Im not exacttly sure what the call meant on the Vipers OT winning goal in overtime, but I thought Jason Bird's goal was a good-clean goal. With the single point the Vipers jump ahead of the Penticton Vees for a 2nd place tie with Merritt, sit just one point back of Division leading West Kelowna.
Top Players: (Victoria)
Jacob Kearley (1 assist) Played a steady game on the Grizzlies blueline. Was involved in the play, chipped in with a few good shots from the point that resulted in a scoring opportunity.
Chris Albertini (1 assist) This kid saw a ton of icetime, played very well for Victoria today. Was involved in the play, jumped up into the play, looked good with and without the puck.
Jesse Schwartz (2 assists) Played very well for the Grizzlies. Collected two helpers was very good up front. Was involved in the play, created and generated some chances.
Gerry Fitzgerald (1 goal) Was the Grizzlies best player this afternoon. Scored once could have had a few goals today getting some good looks-chances. Really quick on his feel, has some good hands is very shifty with the puck. Has a nose for the net and always seems to find the open ice.
Game Thoughts: (Victoria)
Playing their third game in as many days the Grizzlies picked up back to back wins improve to 2-0-1-1 on this five game road trip. Giving up a goal just seventeen seconds into a game isnt the way you want to start but give Victoria credit they didnt panic, they didnt quit and kept plugging along. The Grizzlies who I was fairly impressed with looked and played very well this afternoon. I thought Victoria was the better of the two teams fully deserved the win. The Grizzlies now improve to 8-3-1-1 away from home have a very quick skating, puck moving team that plays well defensively and an aggressive forecheck. The Grizzlies won most of the one on one battles and races to the puck, sending a guy in deep on every puck. Victoria playing with a short bench I think got lucky in overtime after the Vipers game winning goal was waived off. Victoria has now won four of their last six games.
Scratches:
Vernon:
Mason Blacklock (Injured)
Demico Hannoun
Josh Betinol
Austin Smith (Injured)
Victoria:
Brandon Egli
Leo Fitzgerald
Mitch Crisanti
Energy player of the game:
Michael McNicholas (1 assist)
Three Stars:
1st Star: Gerry Fitzgerald (1 goal)
2nd Star: Liam Coughlin (2 goals & 1 assist)
3rd Star: Kevin Massy (Scored OT Winner)
For more on today's game visit the BCHL boxscores,
http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=1231289&link=bchl
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