Saturday, December 21, 2013

Powell River 7 Vernon 2

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 Vipers-Kings game as Powell River defeated Vernon 7-2 in front of 1,707 fans at Kal Tire Place.

StartIng Goaltenders:

Vernon:  Austin Smith
Powell River:  Jonah Imoo

1st Period:  Powell River would get an early powerplay just 1:24 into tonight's game.  With three shots and a long shot from outside the blueline that took a funny bounce on Austin Smith but the Kings didnt have alot of puck control on the man advantage as the Vipers were able to kill off the penalty were outshot 4-0 early.  Vernon would need just over five minutes to record their first shot on goal but seconds later on just their second shot of the period Michael Statchuk was able to get a backhand off in close but couldnt beat Jonah Imoo.  The Vipers kept coming with some good pressure and on the next shift would open the scoring.  Jared Wilson with a good smart play, carried the puck in deep into the Kings zone setting up Colton Sparrow who then went back to Wilson whos shot towards the net was stopped before Liam Coughlin was able to jam home the rebound at the side of the net giving Vernon a 1-0 lead at 6:57 Sparrow and Wilson collected the assists.  The Vipers kept going and come right back.  Two minutes later captain Ryan Renz jumped up into the play and was all alone in front, put a nice move in close but was stoned by Jonah Imoo who stood tall making a big save.  Just over a minute later Renz would get revenge after a hard shot from the point found its way through traffic beating Imoo at 9:55 giving Vernon a 2-0 lead.  Colton Sparrow and Mason Blacklock with the helpers.  It looked to me that the puck was redirected along the way but Renz was credited with the goal.  The Vipers who were being outshot 4-0 early were now in charge of the shots outshooting the Kings 7-4 at this point.  Vernon kept coming and just a few minutes later Mason Blacklock alone in the slot had a great opportunity to give the Vipers a 3-0 lead looked to graize the crossbar on a close play in front of the Powell goal.  Vernon would then get its first powerplay of the night but the man advantage didnt last too long as the Vipers would get into penalty trouble late in the period.  With both teams playing four on four Powell River would finish with a shortened powerplay but unable to capitalize.  Just seconds before the powerplay expired the Vipers would get caught with too many men on the ice sending the Kings right back to the man advantage.  & the Kings would capitalize with just a second remaining in the powerplay Stephen Hiff pounced on the loose puck that went off the end glass coming out front hit a Viper defenceman in front landing right in the crease where Hiff was able to tap the puck into the open cage getting the Kings on the board at 18:57 Luke Nogard and Jarryd Leung with the helpers.  Just over two minutes later the Vipers once again with an undisaplined penalty as Colton Sparrow gave Kurt Keats a slash before tackling Keats to the ice as both players wrestled before dropping the gloves.  Sparrow would get the worst of the penalties sitting out for the remainder of the period and almost the entire 2nd period.  The Vipers with four undisaplined penalties in the period would finish the first shorthanded.  The Kings couldnt take advantage would head into the 2nd period with the man advantage.  Vernon with a 2-1 lead after 20 minutes of play.  The Kings with a great chance to jump on the Vipers would get an early powerplay but couldnt capitalize before the Vipers come back with several chances jumped out to a 2-0 lead before getting into penalty trouble late allowing Powell River back in the hockey game.  Shots were even 10-10.

2nd Period:  Powell River couldnt convert with the man advantage that was carried over from the end of the opening period.  The Vipers slowly got rolling and got off to a good start.  Just minutes into the second frame Kings starting goaltender Jonah Imoo was very good making two back to back saves keeping this a one goal game as Vernon was outshooting the Kings 5-1 five minutes into the period.  With some good pressure the Vipers had the early slight edge in play before once again taking another undisaplined penalty and it would cost them.  JJ Coleshaw beat Austin Smith tying the game 2-2 at 7:31 Jarid Lukoseevicius & Drew Dorantes with the assists.  This goal seemed to give the Kings a little momentum as Powell River slowly started to get their game going battling back from a two goal game.  The Kings with some good pressure had Vernon back on their heels as the Kings were carrying the play.  Luke Nogard with a wrap around was stopped by Vipers starting goaltender Austin Smith who was hung out to dry making a big save.  Just minutes later the Kings would grab their first lead of the night after Smith made the first save as the puck was loose in the crease, several Viper players swarmed the crease before Luke Nogard tapped the loose puck home giving Powell River a 3-2 lead at 11:15 Jarryd Leung with the lone assist.  About a minute and a half later Powell River would grab a two goal lead after Jeremy Leclerc shot from the point beat Austin Smith but went off the post before Kurt Keats jumped on the rebound beating Smith at 12:58 giving the Kings a 4-2 lead.  Leclerc with the lone assist.  The tables turned and in a hurry as Powell River with full control of the game and the period.  On the next shift Brendan Persley dropped the gloves with Kyle Chatham.  Less then a minute later the Vipers would once again take an undisaplined penalty.  After TJ Dumonceaux was getting called for tripping several players started pushing and shoving in the corner before Mason Blacklock was given a ten minute misconduct and tossed from the game.  The Vipers frustrated and agitated by the pesky Kings who were under the skin of the Vernon players right off the opening faceoff.  Less then a minute later more pushing and shoving occured as the Vipers frustrated with the Kings as tempers started to heat up.  Powell River with another powerplay would capitalize.  Jordan Burns beat Austin Smith on a shot from the top of the circle that I think Smith would like to have back as the Kings with five unanswered goals jumped out to a 5-2 lead at 17:09 Kurt Keats and Jarid Lukosevicius with the assists.  This was the end of the night for Austin Smith who was pulled in favor of Danny Todosychuk.  Smith allowed five goals on nineteen Powell River shots.  The Vipers with several undisaplined penalties were outplayed most of the 2nd period.  Michael McNicholas was stopped by Jonah Imoo late who made a huge save off McNicholas from the high slot.  This was Vernon's first shot on goal in thirteen minutes.  The Vipers with just two shots in the final fifteen minutes of the period.  The Kings were up 5-2 after 40 minutes of play.  I thought the Vipers got off to a good start to start the middle frame but once again penalties cost them as the Kings with two powerplay goals in the 2nd scored five unanswered goals.  Powell River outshot Vernon 10-7.

3rd Period:  Just three minutes into the final frame TJ Dumonceaux tried setting up Logan Mick on a two on one but hit Mick in the skates.  Just over three minutes later the Kings would attack again getting two quick goals.  Kurt Keats with his second of the night beat Danny Todosychuk at 6:38 giving Powell River a 6-2 lead.  Kyle Chatham collected the helper.  Just eleven seconds later Jarryd Leung beat Todosychuk at 6:49 giving Powell River a 7-2 lead with seven unanswered goals.  Curtis McCarrick with the assist.  Just two minutes later the Kings would get their final powerplay of the night but unable to capitalize.  The Vipers other then giving up two goals played well were skating hard and creating chances but it was Powell River who was up by five goals and taken their foot off the gas in a pretty quick third period.  Not alot of scoring opportunities at both ends.  Michael McNicholas with a wrister from the top of the circle with just over four minutes to go beat Jonah Imoo but hit the crossbar.  After a wild second period with lots of pushing and shoving and a parade to the penalty box a pretty quiet third period until the final buzzer when a Powell River player laid out a pretty big check at the buzzer that didnt sit too well with the Vipers as everyone got evnvolved as a scrum formed deep in the Vipers zone as several players were getting involved before the referees were seperate both clubs.  In the end the Kings would come away with a 7-2 victory just their second win in Vernon since before the 2003-04 season.  With Powell River up by five goals the Kings were coasting just trying to wind down the clock.  The Kings outshot the Vipers 10-6.

Top Players:  (Vernon)

Kenny Citron played very well tonight.  I know the Vipers gave up seven goals but I thought Citron was very good defensively for the Vipers.

TJ Dumonceaux played with alot of energy and jump.  Was really skating hard, playing hard and getting in and out of those tight spaces.

The line of Michael Statchuk, Chase McMurphy and Brendan Persley was the Vipers most physical-energy line.  Statchuk who has really stepped up the physical play as of late played very physical once again tonight, laying out atleast four or five huge hits.  Persley who always plays hard was hitting guys, banging bodies and dropping the mits.

Ryan Renz (1 goal)  I thought played well on the backend.  Renz played well at both ends of the rink, jumped up into the play, had a few opportunities tonight.

Game Thoughts:  (Vernon)

I thought the Vipers got off to a great start and played a great opening period.  Killed off an early powerplay before coming back with seven straight shots, getting a few good chances, jumped out to a 2-0 lead had atleast one maybe two chances to go ahead by three then got into penalty trouble.  The Vipers with several undisaplined penalties in the 1st and 2nd periods.  Powell River capitalized scoring three powerplay goals.  Did the Kings deserve some penalties?  Sure but it was the Vipers who were suckered in all night taking these undisaplined penalies.  Powell River was getting under the skin of the Vernon players right off the opening faceoff and the Vipers didnt skate away and it cost them.  Vernon had the Kings on their heels, up by two goals could have gone up by three started taking penalties that got the Kings back into the game.  After giving up three straight goals you could see the momentum swing as Vernon was in shock and couldnt recover.  After a big win and a great performance Wednesday vs West Kelowna, it was very disapointing to see the Vipers lose this way tonight.  For the second game in a week the Vipers blew two two goal leads losing both games.  Last Saturday in Salmon Arm Vernon was up 2-0 late in the 2nd period before losing 5-2.  The Vipers with a great opportunity to get within three points of Division leading Penticton, after the Vees fell 4-0 to West Kelowna tonight.

Top Players:  (Powell River)

Kurt Keats (2 goals & 1 assist)  Played very well for the Kings.  Was under the skin of several Vernon players all game, did a great job at suckering the Vipers into penalties.  Very quick, can skate and move the puck well.

Jarid Lukosevicius (2 assists) Was also very good for Powell River.  Can see and read the ice well.

Luke Nogard (1 goal & 1 assist)  Played very well, had some chances can also skate and see the ice well.

Jarryd Leung (1 goal & 2 assists)  Was very good, good on the draw and in and around the net.

Kyle Chatham (1 assist) Played very well on the Kings blueline.  Dropped the gloves with Brendan Persley was steady on the backend.

Game Thoughts:  (Powell River)

The Kings snapped the Vipers eight game home game unbeaten streak.  Coming off a 8-3 win in Coquitlam last night the Kings had to make the long snowy bus ride into Vernon fell down 2-0 early and were being outplayed before taking advantage of the Vipers undisaplined penalties.  Give Powell River credit they got under the skin of the Vipers all night suckering them into several penalties scoring three powerplay goals.  A huge comeback as the game was basically over in the 2nd period.  I thought the Kings move the puck well, a quick team play disaplined and capitalize on their chances.  Powell River didnt generate alot of chances tonight but scored on their opportunities.  The Kings did get the majority of the penalty calls going there way and were not called on several calls.  Powell River is very pesky-good at getting under the skin.  Giving little wacks or taps behind the play or after the whistle, waiting for the other team to swing back.

Scratches:

Vernon:

Mark Hamilton (Injured)
Matty Saharchuk

Powell River:

Matt Scarth
Aidan Wright
Luke Ripley
Lucas Grayson

Energy player of the game:

Jarid Lukosevicius (2 assists)

Three Stars:

1st Star:  Kurt Keats (2 goals & 1 assist)
2nd Star:  Jerryd Leung (1 goal & 2 assists)
3rd Star:  Luke Nogard (1 goal & 1 assist)

For more on tonight's game visit the BCHL boxscore,

http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=1231419&link=bchl

For more on tonight's game and the Powell River Kings visit Alex Rawnsley's Powell River Kings blog,

http://kingsofthecastle.wordpress.com/

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