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-Warriors game as West Kelowna defeated Vernon 5-3 in front of 1,348 fans at Royal Le Page Place.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon: Danny Todosychuk
West Kelowna: Andy Desautels
1st Period: The Vipers come out with a ton of energy, were laying the body playing physical early and often. Vernon with atleast three big checks in the opening few minutes slowly started to carry the edge in play early and often. Liam Coughlin and Dexter Dancs with all the work along the side wall and down low setup former Alberni Valley Bulldogs defenceman Jared Wilson who jumped into the slot ripped home his shot past Andy Desautels at 4:48 giving Vernon an early 1-0 lead on the road. Dancs & Coughlin with the assists. The Vipers kept up with the physical play were outhitting the Warriors with atleast six or seven big hits in the first half held West Kelowna to very limited offensive threats as Vernon was outshooting the Warriors 5-1 at this point. Demico Hannoun down the left wing ripped a hard shot from the top of the circle that was stopped by the quick glove of Desautels. After the whistle Hannoun and Ryan Fraser-Lee exchanged words. On the next shift West Kelowna would tie the game after Carl Hesler setup David Pope in front who beat Danny Todosychuk fivehole on a quick shot from the slot with taffic in front tying the game 1-1 at 8:15 Hesler and Liam Blackburn with the helpers. On the next play Liam Coughlin and Tyson Dallman got tangled up in the neutral zone before both players took a swing or punch at one another before exchanging words. Coughlin challeneged Dallman dropping his mits as Dallman skated to the Warriors bench. The Vipers would lose Coughlin who picked up a ten minute misconduct on the play. The Warriors seemed to gain a little momentum after the games tying goal and come right back with a strong push. Back to back plays Todosychuk had to be sharp as West Kelowna going hard to the net, crashed the goal twice as bodies started pushing and shoving after the whistle. Several altercations broke after stopages in play as tempers heated up quickly in a pretty fiesty first period with lots of scrums after the whistles. West Kelowna started to come along getting their offence going and carrying the play at times. The Warriors outshooting the Vipers 7-6 at this point. Vernon would get the games first powerplay late in the period and capitalize. Jared Wilson's rocket of a shot from the circle beat Andy Desautels upstairs giving the Vipers a 2-1 lead at 15:41 Michael McNicholas and Brett Mulcahy collected the helpers. Less then three minutes later Matty Saharchuk would get called for boarding (didnt see who he hit) on the play Brett Mennear went right after Saharchuk dropping the gloves as both players dangled with one another, while at the same time Mac Ferner (son of former Vipers Head Coach-GM Mark Ferner) dropped the gloves with Tyler Povolfskie. Ferner and Povolofskie would both get tossed from the game. Vernon was up 2-1 after 20 minutes of play. I thought the Vipers come out with a ton of energy, played very physical and carried the first ten minutes of play before West Kelowna come back and carried a slight edge in play in the final ten minutes. A very fiesty opening period with lots of scrums after the whistles. The Warriors outshot the Vipers 11-9.
2nd Period; Off the opening draw Colton Sparrow with lots of speed went hard into the Warriors zone, stole the puck from a West Kelowna defender come out from the corner got a quick low shot that beat Andy Desautels fivehole giving Vernon a early 3-1 lead just twenty three seconds into the period. Sparrows goal was unassisted. Sparrow look to catch the Warriors defenceman napping while caught Desautels off gaurd. Both teams looked a little sluggish in the opening few minutes couldnt get much going early. Brett Mulcahy would get a parcial breakaway but slowed down looking to dish the pass off to another Viper player trying to join the rush, wich would have given Vernon a two on one but Mulcahy's pass missed the Vernon forward on a great missed opportunity. Minutes later Dexter Dancs on a parcial breakaway was stopped by a huge defencesive play by Adam Plant. On the same play the Vipers were able to get the puck out front to a wide open Michael McNicholas who was robbed by Andy Desautels who sprawled out somehow just got his toe out to stone McNicholas at the side of the net on a huge game saver. Just minutes later the Warriors come back up ice on a three on two rush Carl Hesler was stopped by Danny Todosychuk before Liam Blackburn jumps on the rebound getting West Kelowna to within a goal cutting the lead to 3-2 at 8:12 Hesler and Taki Pantziris with the assists. Less then two minutes later the Vipers would get into penalty trouble, West Kelowna with a long two man advantage makes the Vipers pay after Taki Pantziris's point shot was stopped by Todosychuk before Carl Hesler alone in front went up stairs on the rebound tying the game 3-3 at 11:56 with just six second remaining in the Vipers first penalty. Pantziris and Adam Plant with the assists. The Warriors still on the powerplay (second man advantage) couldnt capitalize as Vernon was able to kill off the remainder of the second powerplay. Vernon went almost six minutes at one point without a shot on goal. The Vipers would get their second powerplay of the night late in the period. Vernon would struggle to get much of anything going as the Vipers couldnt stay in the offensive zone for long periods of time as the Warriors with a very strong aggressive attack were able to allow just two shots and kill off the minor. West Kelowna with a great chance to take the lead on a two on one but somehow Jordan Masters missed an open cage on a close call for the Vipers. The Vipers come on late in the final minutes had a few flurries in and around the West Kelowna goal were tied 3-3 after 40 minutes of play. The Vipers with an excellent start to the period jumped out to a two goal lead just twenty three seconds into the 2nd had a great chance to grab a three goal lead but Michael McNicholas was robbed by Warriors starting goaltender Andy Desautels who made a huge game saver. This shot goes in and its 4-1 Vipers, but it dosnt the Warriors come back and make it a one goal game and get back into the game. The Warriors outshot the Vipers 15-14. Michael Statchuk didnt see a single shift that period, while Brendan Persley saw very limited ice time.
3rd Period: The Vipers come out hitting early, getting a few big checks off the opening draw before getting into penalty trouble early, giving West Kelowna a long two man advantage after former West Kelowna Warrior Brett Mulcahy would get tossed from the contest after crosschecking Taki Pantziris into the end boards. Pantziris was down for a few minutes before being helped off the ice. Pantziris would miss some of the third but come back to return. The Vipers penalty kill was very solid early and often boxing the Warriors to the outside, keeping West Kelowna to the outside and along the wall. The Warriors with just two shots in the first four minutes couldnt generate any offence against a strong Viper penalty kill. West Kelowna would finally get going in the final minute of the five minute major. First Adam Plant's quick shot from the circle was stopped by Vipers starting goaltender Danny Todosychuk before Todosychuk was forced to make a second save with traffic going hard to the net. Todosychuk was very good tonight and in this period keeping the Vipers in the game. With just seven seconds remaining in the five minute major, Tyson Dallman got the puck past Todosychuk at the side of the net giving the Warriors their first lead of the night at 8:29 Matt Anholt & David Pope with the assists. West Kelowna with three straight goals grabbed a 4-3 lead. On the penalty kill most of the first half of the period the Vipers needed eleven and a half minutes to record their first shot on goal. Just past the midway mark Vernon would get their third man advantage of the night but struggle getting just two shots from well out couldnt stay in the offensive zone for long as West Kelowna with a fairly easy penalty kill. Brendan Persley went down after taking a hit and was slow getting to the bench. Persley looked shaken up and miss a few shifts but stayed on the bench and didnt see much ice time for the remainder of the game. The Vipers pressing hard for the game tying goal couldnt get through the neutral zone as West Kelowna with a solid defensive game come the final eight minutes or so did a great job at shutting down Vernon's offence. The Vipers with just two shots in fifteen minutes of play couldnt get into the Warriors zone. On the few times Vernon did get deep in West Kelowna's end the Warriors sent two guys in on the Viper player with a very aggressive forecheck. The Vipers couldnt get anything going before late in the period West Kelowna pressured Vernon's defence and eventually got the Vipers to break down in their own end before Jordan Masters put West Kelowna up 5-3 at 18:24 Jason Cotton and Seb Lloyd collcected the assists. Off the next draw the Vipers would get Danny Todosychuk to the bench for the extra attacker before both teams would call late timeouts. Reid Simmonds missed a shot at the empty net with a long shot from the point. The Vipers would eventually run out of time in the end before tempers once again heated up with just 1.9 seconds remaing after a huge scrum formed in front of Andy Desautels. Everyone got involved as punches were thrown, words were exchanged. Dexter Dancs and Tyson Dallman exchanged words before giving each other a jab. Dancs looked to be very upset with Dallman. Rylan Ferster and Jason Williamson were upset at the benches giving it to the referee's. Demico Hannoun and Dexter Dancs would both get ten minute misconducts before the buzzer would go as West Kelowna would defeat Vernon 5-3. The Warriors owned the final twenty minutes scoring once on a long five on three before putting the game away with a late goal. A solid defensive game by West Kelowna limited Vernon's chances allowing just five shots on goal. West Kelowna outshot Vernon 17-5.
Top Players: (Vernon)
Jared Wilson (2 goals) Played very well at both ends of the rink tonight. Wilson with two first period goals was very good on the Viper blueline.
Michael Statchuk didnt see a single shift in the second period but played very well in periods one and three. Statchuk played up front and on the backend through out the game played with alot of energy, was involved in the play, was physical and had lots of jump.
Logan Mick played most of the game with alot of jump and physical play. Was skating hard, hitting guys, playing at both ends of the rink.
Colton Sparrow (1 goal) Was also very good tonight, had lots of jump, was involved in the play, worked and played hard all night.
Danny Todosychuk (38 saves) Was very solid for the Vipers, good on the penalty kill and kept Vernon in the game at times making several key saves.
Game Thoughts: (Vernon)
The Vipers have lost five in a row on the road have now lost eight straight games in West Kelowna going back to 2011. Vernon's last win at Royal Le Page Place was a 5-2 win back on Saturday, September 24th 2011. The Vipers with just two wins in West Kelowna in their last eleven visits. I thought the Vipers rebounded well after a 4-1 loss in Merritt Tuesday played well tonight. The Vipers come out with a ton of jump-energy, were very physical in the opening frame had a 2-1 lead going into the 2nd. After a quick goal just twenty three seconds into the middle frame, Vernon's second period problems continue as the Vipers got into penalty trouble and it cost them. The Warriors with back to back goals in the period tied the game in a period that the Vipers didnt play that bad but were burned on the powerplay. It was all West Kelowna in the third, wich looked to be a great penalty kill early to start the period cost the Vipers with just seven seconds remaining on the five minute major as West Kelowna with their fourth straight goal grabbed their first lead of the night. Once again penalties killing the Vipers. Vernon needed almost twelve minutes for their first shot on goal didnt do themselves any favors but getting just five shots on goal in a period when trailing. The Vipers had troubles getting pucks to the net, wont win many games with just five shots in a period. The Vipers couldnt generate any offence, had troubles all period getting through the neutral zone. I thought Vernon played hard, battled hard and competed but didnt get the bounces tonight. Dont forget the Vipers also played the 3rd period down two men (Mulcahy and Povolfskie) were both tossed from tonight's game. One penalty call I have a tough time with is after Brett Mulcahy hit Taki Pantziris into the end boards, the referee just a foot away from the play, also saw the play didnt make a call but the second referee on the Vipers blueline at the other end of the rink makes the call. Frustrating for the Vipers and coaching staff. With the loss the Vipers fall three points behind the Warriors in the standings as Vernon's struggles continue. This team has really started to struggle since mid December and hasnt been the same team from previous months. Inconsistancy, dicapline and poor second periods have been the Vipers problems as of late. The Vipers with a tough schedule here could drop to fourth or fifth place in a hurry if they dont get back on a streak in a hurry.
Top Players: (West Kelowna)
Taki Pantziris (2 assists) Was very solid on the Warriors backend. Made a big defensive play in the 2nd period on the penalty kill was also good getting pucks through to the net. Good on his feet, can skate and gets involved with the play.
Ben Tegtmeyer also played very well on the blueline. A bigger kid was very steady all night.
Carl Hesler (1 goal & 2 assists) Was very good for the Warriors. Quick, involved in the play, was always in and around the net.
Jordan Masters (1 goal) Was also very strong up front, had a few chances looked good. Missed a great opportunity in the second period missed an open net on a two on one.
Reid Simmonds I thought played very well through out tonight's game.
Tyson Dallman (1 goal) Played with an edge all night, off the start of the game was in the face of several Vipers yapping away, took a few wacks and hacks at different Vernon players inbehind the play, or on his way to the bench. Both Liam Coughlin and Dexter Dancs wanted to drop the gloves with Dallman but both times skated away. Seemed to get under the skin of the Vipers all night. Was very good at getting the Vipers off their game.
Game Thoughts: (West Kelowna)
The Warriors now one of the leagues hottest teams have won three straight and unbeaten in their last eight games climb to within five points of Division leading Penticton. Both these two teams cant seem to win on the road vs each other. The Vipers have lost eight straight in West Kelowna while the Warriors have just one win in their last thriteen visits to Kal Tire Place. West Kelowa didnt get off to the start they wanted slowly come back in the second half of the first played well to finish the period capitalized with the man advantage going 2-4 and playing very well defensively, especially in the 3rd. The Warriors didnt give Vernon much room at all most of the final twenty minutes shutting down the Vipers offence allowing just five shots on goal. West Kelowna was driving hard to the net most of the night, making it difficult on Danny Todosychuk. A few plays the Warriors I think got away with not being called for goaltender interference. Give West Kelowna credit they played hard, scored on their opportunities and capitalized on Vernon's penalties. This was a pretty entertaining game to watch, with a little bit of everything. A great atmosphere tonight, with one of the biggest crowds I have ever seen at Royal le Page Place. One of the loudest crowds that was rocking all night, made for a playoff like atmosphere.
Scratches:
Vernon:
Mark Hamilton (Injured)
Mason Blacklock (Injured)
West Kelowna:
Kylar Hope
Nathan Craft
Energy player of the game:
Liam Blackburn
Three Stars:
1st Star: Taki Pantziris (2 assists)
2nd Star: Jordan Masters (1 goal)
3rd Star: Jared Wilson (2 goals)
For more on tonight's game visit the BCHL boxscore,
http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=1231471&link=bchl
For more on tonight's game and the West Kelowna Warriors, visit Jon Zacks Warriors blog,
http://thegeneralsreport.wordpress.com/
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