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 Interior Division Final Game 1 as Vernon defeated Penticton 4-3 in front of 2,071 fans at the South Okanagan Events Centre.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon: Austin Smith
Penticton: Olivier Mantha
1st Period: The Vees got off to a quick start jumping out to an early 1-0 lead just twenty nine seconds into the game. Ben Dalpe on a three on two rush ripped a shot from just past the circle that beat Austin Smith high blocker side giving Penticton a 1-0 lead at :29 Chris Rygus collected the assist. This was a goal I thought Smith would like to have back but on my way home from the game Vipers play by play man Graham Turnbull said Dalpe's shot went off Riley Guenther before beating Smith. The Vipers didnt have their legs moving early as Penticton come out of the gates hard and fast, really skating hard, moving the puck. The Vees with not alot of great opportunities early defitnetley controlled the play early on outshooting the Vipers 4-0 early. Vernon would get the games first powerplay and recording their first shot of the night, wich took them just over eight minutes. The Vipers with a few good looks created some decent chances but couldnt capitalize as Penticton was able to kill off the minor. Just as the powerplay expired the Vipers were called for too many men as the Vees would get their first shot with the man advantage. Austin Smith made a big save off Vees defenceman Brett Beauvais as the Vipers penalty kill was also good only allowing two shots killing off the minor. The Vipers seemed to settle down in the second half and get a little more zone time in the Vees end but couldnt generate much offence as Penticton was doing a great job at bottling up the defensive zone giving Vernon all kinds of troubles trying to break into the Vees zone. The Vipers would get their second powerplay of the period but struggled as the Vees with a fairly strong penalty kill stopped Vernon's man advantage again. Just as the penalty expired the Vipers would get called for too many men for a second time this period giving Penticton a second opportunity with the man advantage. Brendan Persley one on one shorthanded ripped a hard shot from the circle that handcuffed Olivier Mantha who just got a peice of the puck with his shoulder-armpit area made the tough save. Penticton with two flurries down low couldnt convert on both passes missed two good looks as the Vipers would kill off the Vees powerplay as both teams went 0-2 in the opening period with the man advantage. Penticton was up 1-0 after 20 minutes of play. The Vees with a quick start jumped out to an earl 1-0 lead just twenty nine seconds into the game, were very quick, carried the better of the play in the first half didnt get alot of scoring opportunities. The Vipers who wernt skating played very physical had troubles getting into the Vees zone most of the period had very little pressure in the Penticton end. The Vees outshot the Vipers 8-3.
2nd Period: The Vipers rebounded with a quick start of their own tying the game early. Dylan Chanter's point shot beat Vees starting goaltender Olivier Mantha tying the game 1-1 at :26 Riley Guenther and Colton Sparrow picked up the helpers. The Vipers didnt quit there, just thirty seven seconds later Mason Blacklock's shot was redirected in front by Liam Coughlin giving Vernon a 2-1 lead at 1:03 Blacklock & Ryan Renz with the assists. Penticton come right back with a flurry of chances. Captain Brad McClure with a nice rush went hard towards the net was stopped by Vipers starting goaltender Austin Smith before Smith was forced to make a quick glove save off Riley Alferd. Penticton come at the Vipers with a series of quick, hard working shifts down low as the Vees were really forcing the play down low before Matty Saharchuk got the play in deep, the Vipers forced a turn over down low before Michael McNicholas with a quick low shot beat Mantha giving Vernon a 3-1 lead at 4:37 McNicholas's goal was unassisted. This was the end of the night for Olivier Mantha who gave up three goals on just nine Viper shots. Hunter Miska would take over the job between the pipes. Once again just like the last Viper goal, back come the Vees as Penticton stormed back and basically dominated the play for the remainder of the period. The Vees really using their speed and quickness down low were buzzing in and around the Vernon goal. Just like the opening period the Vipers played a physical game and played very well defensively keeping the Vees to the outside, limiting their chances. Austin Smith also had to be sharp making several saves from in close. Penticton would get the lone powerplay of the period, Brett Beauvais with a great chance from the slot was stopped by Smith. The Vees with some good pressure moved the puck well but the Vipers with a great job blocked all the shooting lanes as the Vees had no where to shoot or move as Vernon's penalty kill was strong killing off the penalty. Penticton carried most of the play as the play was in the Vipers end most of the middle frame as Vernon couldnt get much of anything going offensively. Jack Ramsey was hit hard going to the net fell hard backwards hitting his head on the ice was a little slow to get up but was ok and stayed in the hockey game. Austin Smith would make his biggest save of the night robbing Cody DePourcq from the slot with about three and a half minutes to go keeping the Vipers in the contest. Vernon was up 3-1 after 40 minutes of play. The Vipers with a great start tied the game before scoring twice more within the first five minutes to grab a 3-1 lead chasing Vees starting goaltender Olivier Mantha from the game. But it was all Penticton after the Vipers third goal as the Vees carried the puck on a string at times. The Vees were all over the ice in the Vernon zone couldnt get alot of opportunities as Vernon's defence did a great job at keeping Penticton to the outside, being physical and limiting the Vees chances. The Vipers who basically didnt leave their own end didnt get another shot on goal after their 3rd goal. Penticton outshot Vernon 16-6.
3rd Period: The Vees would catch a break early capitalizing on a lucky bounce getting on the board to get within a goal to start the third period. With a faceoff deep in the Vipers zone, Vernon won the draw as the puck come back to the Viper d-man before taking a funny bounce over the defenceman's stick where Brad McClure was there to pick up the loose puck, make a nice move in front to put the puck up and over Austin Smith cutting the Vernon lead to 3-2 at 1:31 McClure's goal was unassisted. Unlike the 2nd period the Vipers were able to get through the neutral zone, get pucks in deep and generate some pressure in the Penticton zone. Colton Sparrow with a great individual effort broke in along the side wall, carried the puck in from centre went in and around a Vees defenceman before going to the net slide the puck along the ice under Hunter Miska with Tyler Povelofskie going to the net giving the Vipers a 4-2 lead at 4:20 Sparrow's goal was unassisted. The Vipers kept even with the Vees most of the period matching them line for line and once again playing very physical, Vernon laying out some thunderous checks all night had the Vees looking over their shoulders at times. Penticton with some nice passing coming out of their own end once again were really using their speed and skill but just like the 2nd period the Viper defence was doing a great job at shutting down the Vees speed and offence. Vernon's defence was keeping Penticton to the outside, limiting the Vees to very little scoring opportunities. Not alot of scoring plays at both ends of the rink in a fairly tight checking period. Both teams battled hard, going back and forth. The Vipers had a great chance to basically put the game away after Brendan Persley setup Brett Mulcahy on a two on one rush but Mulcahy missed the net. On the same play back come the Vees after Erik Benoit had a two on one going the other way but was stopped by Smith who made a big blocker save keeping this a two goal game. The play slowly started to open up a little as shortly after Mason Blacklock with a odd man rush tried sending a pass through the middle ended up getting blocked before Blacklock picked up the rebound was able to get off a quick shot from down low couldnt beat Miska. With three and a half minutes remaining Dylan Chanter through the puck up the middle, landing right on the stick of Max Coatta who burried his shot past Austin Smith getting the Vees to within a goal at 16:35 Coatta's goal was unassisted. From here on in it was all Penticton, as the Vees with a good push for the final three minutes. The Vees really buzzing had the Vipers back on their heels at times. Brad McClure with a quick shot from the circle couldnt beat Smith who made a nice quick save. Penticton with two nice passing plays couldnt convert come close to tying the game. The Vees would call a timeout before getting Hunter Miska to the bench for the extra attacker with 1:12 remaining. The Vipers won some big draws late in the game couldnt clear the zone as Austin Smith had to be sharp making a few tough saves in the final minute before Penticton would go offside with thirty something seconds to go, Vernon would win the draw get the puck into the neutral zone where one Viper banked the puck off the side wall and just about hit the open cage before a Penticton defenceman was able to clear the puck from the blue paint at the last second before the Vees would get the puck in deep but would run out of time as the Vipers would hang on for a hard fought 4-3 victory taking Game 1 of the Interior Division Finals. I thought the Vipers played a pretty strong period, were finally able to get the play in deep and get some pressure in the Vees zone. Both teams were pretty even at times. Penticton had the better scoring chances but couldnt capitalize. The Viper defence was solid only giving up six shots. Vernon outshot Penticton 9-6.
Top Players: (Vernon)
Josh Bryan played very well on the Vernon blueline. Bryan was a workhorse back there had a solid game.
The line of Michael McNicholas (1 goal), Liam Coughlin (1 goal) and Mason Blacklock (1 assist) was very good for the Vipers tonight. I thought McNicholas played well on the penalty kill and was good along the boards with the puck, made some nice plays. Coughlin was really flying, was laying the body, really skating hard, played well.
The line of Colton Sparrow (1 goal & 1 assist), Brett Mulcahy & Brendan Persley didnt do alot of damage on the scoreboard but played and worked hard most of the night. Sparrow was very good in and along the wall, competed and worked hard, earning the Vipers 4th goal. Persley laid out a few big hits also worked hard, had a few opportunities.
Logan Mick had a strong game for Vernon, especially in the 3rd period. Mick was another Viper who battled and competed hard all night. Played physical, was chipping pucks in deep, winning the battles down low, really competed tonight.
The line of Michael Statchuk, Tyler Povelfskie and Matty Saharchuk once again looked good. This 4th line has really stepped up and played very well for the Vipers these playoffs. This line eats up alot of minutes by grinding away down low, battles and works hard in and around the net, trying to get guys off there game.
Ryan Renz (1 assist) I thought had a solid game on the backend. The Viper captain was very good in his own end kept things simple, making no mistakes played well.
Austin Smith (27 saves) Looked a little shaky early to start the game but settled down as the game went on and played well. Smith who hasnt given up alot of rebounds in these playoffs made the first save before either covering up the rebounds or the Viper defence cleared the zone. Smith with some big saves in the 2nd period gave his team a chance to win.
Game Thought's: (Vernon)
Well the Vipers didnt get off to the start they wanted, giving up the games first goal just twenty nine seconds into the game. The Vipers wernt skating, had troubles containing the Vees speed and skill in the first half of the opening period but seemed to settle down as the 1st went along. I thought the Vipers responded well with three goals less then five minutes apart to grab a 3-1 lead and chase Vees goaltender Olivier Mantha. Vernon got off to a great start in the second but had to depend on some good defensive play as the Vipers were outplayed most of the period. In the 3rd I thought Vernon battled and worked hard, finally found out a way to get through the neutral zone was able to generate and get pressure in the Penticton zone. The Vipers held their own in the third and kept up with the Vees. The Vipers played a very physical game were laying out some big checks were also very good on the draw tonight. I thought the Viper defence was very solid most of the night, give the Vipers credit they kept the Vees to the outside, limiting their chances. Vernon didnt have alot of scoring opportunities but capitalized on their chances. I didnt notice Demico Hannoun in the 3rd, Hannoun blocked a shot in the 1st period and went off limping but stayed in the game. Riley Guenther was checked hard into the boards late in the 1st period, left the ice with fourty something seconds left in the period but returned to start the 2nd period. This was a hard fought greasy road win as the Vipers have now won three straight over Penticton.
Top Players: (Penticton)
Brett Beauvais had a strong game on the Vees blueline. had atleast two maybe three good looks-chances, jumped up into the play on occasion was very good. This kid always plays well vs the Vipers.
Max Coatta (1 goal) Not the biggest kid but quick, always buzzing in and around the goal. This kid works hard every shift, dosnt quit and was rewarded tonight with Penticton's third goal.
The line of Matt Serratore, Riley Alferd & Jack Ramsey was one of the Vees top lines tonight. This line saw a ton of ice and was very strong.
Brad McClure (1 goal) The Vees captain who always seems to play well against Vernon had another strong game tonight. McClure was very dangerous with and without the puck, always going hard to the net, has a qicked shot, can skate and move the puck well.
Game Thought's: (Penticton)
The Vees got off to a quick start and carried the edge in play in the opening ten minutes or so but really didnt generate alot of good chances. The Vees speed and skill gave the Vipers alot of trouble most of the night but the Vees couldnt generate alot of offensive chances. Penticton outshot Vernon 30-18 but alot of those shots were from the outside. The Vees with limited chances couldnt capitalize. This team is very quick, can move the puck in a hurry and break out in a hurry. A very good transition game this team has lots of speed and skill and is dangerous almost anytime with the puck. The Vees needed a better start to the 2nd period and needed to get atleast one more goal during the middle frame after outplaying Vernon and getting sixteen shots on goal. Penticton did a great job at bottling up the neutral zone as well as their own end giving Vernon all kinds of trouble in the first two periods, as the Vipers couldnt get the puck into the Vees zone. I dont think Penticton got the goaltending tonight they needed. The Vees needed a big save early in that 2nd period switched goaltenders. Penticton is going to have to try and figure out a way to get more opportunities on Austin Smith and get more bodies to the net.
Scratches:
Vernon:
Mark Hamilton (Injured)
Dexter Dancs (Suspended)
Penticton:
Josh Blanchard
Shane McColgan
Energy player of the game:
Max Coatta (1 goal)
Three Stars:
1st Star: Austin Smith (27 saves)
2nd Star: Brad McClure (1 goal)
3rd Star: Colton Sparrow (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=1312992&link=bchl
For more on the Penticton Vees and tonight's game visit Fraser Rodgers Vees blog,
http://pentictonvees.wordpress.com/
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