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 Finals Game 2 as Penticton tied the series after defeating Vernon 5-3 in front of 2,099 fans at the South Okanagan Events Centre.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon: Austin Smith
Penticton: Hunter Miska
1st Period: The Vipers got off to a much better start compared to last night's start. Vernon would get a little zone time early but no real scoring chances as the Vees who jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead last night needed four and a half minutes to record their first shot of the night. Vernon was outshooting the Vees 4-1 early in the hockey game. Penticton would get the games first powerplay and it would be a costly one after the Vipers would lose energy forward TJ Dumonceaux who was tossed from the game, after being called for a check from behind. The Vees with some good pressure created some opportunities. Erik Benoit with a quick shot from in tight was stopped by Austin Smith before Smith was forced to make another quick save off Max Coatta on the rebound keeping this game scoreless. The Vees with just three shots couldnt capitalize as Vernon's penalty kill was good killing off the minor. Just over a minute later the Vipers would open the scoring after Dylan Chanter's point shot beat Hunter Miska giving Vernon a 1-0 lead at 9:53 Dexter Dancs & Michael McNicholas picked up the helpers. The Vees come right back with a strong push and less then two minutes later would tie the game 1-1 after Brad McClure went wide around Ryan Renz went hard to the goal was stopped by Austin Smith before Steen Cooper burried the rebound high glove side at 11:46 McClure and Paul Stoykewych with the assists. This goal seemed to give Penticton some life and a little momentum as the Vees really come on hard, carrying the play the Vees were really buzzing in and around the Viper zone as Vernon was having all kinds of troubles containing the Vees speed and skill down low. Penticton would get into penalty trouble giving the Vipers a two man advantage. On one of the penalties Dexter Dancs who returned to the Viper lineup after serving his three game suspension was crosschecked from behind and was a little slow getting up, Dancs needed some attention at the Vernon bench as it looked like he was cut on the play. At one point during the powerplay I think it was Brett Mulcahy that was pushed into Vees goaltender Hunter Miska, Miska would lose his stick on the play, in the meantime Vees Head Coach-GM Fred Harbinson and the Penticton bench were going nuts on the play really giving it to the referee's. With some good puck movement the Vipers worked the puck around, Jared Wilson setup Mason Blacklock down low who then setup Colton Sparrow in front to tap home the puck giving the Vipers a 2-1 lead at 17:20 and still on the man advantage. Blacklock and Wilson with the assists. The Vees were able to kill off the remainder of the second powerplay but were down a goal. Just as the penalty expired Mason Blacklock alone in the slot had a great chance at giving Vernon a 3-1 lead beat Hunter Miska but hit the post. On the next play Brad McClure fired a shot after the whistle on Austin Smith that drew a crowd as Jared Wilson went right after the Penticton captain. Wilson would get called for roughing on the play giving the Vees a late powerplay. Brett Beauvais with a wicked shot from the circle was stopped by the quick glove of Smith. In the final minute Dexter Dancs left the ice, heading to the Vipers dressing room along with the team trainer. The Vees couldnt capitalize on the powerplay before the opening period come to an end. Vernon was up 2-1 after 20 minutes of play. As both teams were heading off Fred Harbinson was interviwed on the jumbo tron and went nuts on the officiating before steaming off walking away from the interview. I thought the Vipers had a much better start tonight over last night and played well for most of the first half. After opening the scoring the Vees were able to come right back, tying the game before getting some good pressure deep in the Vernon zone. I thought the Vees were a little sharper and quicker in the second half of the period. Penticton outshot Vernon 12-7.
2nd Period: The Vees would start the middle frame on the man advantage that was carried over from the 1st period. Dexter Dancs was ok and returned to the Vernon bench. The Vipers were able to kill off the remainder of the penalty before the Vees come at Vernon hard and often really flying. Penticton with some good jump were all over the Vipers early. Riley Alferd with a wrap around couldnt beat Vipers starting goaltender Austin Smith who made a tough save from in close. The Vees with several flurries in and around the Vernon net had the Vipers back on their heels at times. Erik Benoit setup Brad McClure in front who couldnt beat Smith before Cam Amantea with a shot from the slot was stopped by Smith who was busy early in the 2nd period. Shortly after Brendan Persley down the left wing ripped a hard shot that was stopped by the quick glove of Vees starting goaltender Hunter Miska. The Vipers were having all kinds of trouble slowing down the Vees and clearing the zone as it was all Penticton early. The Vipers couldnt get through the neutral zone were basically playing in their own end for most of the period. Vernon would get a bit of a break after some solid pressure deep in their own end the Vipers would get a powerplay. Dexter Dancs carried the puck before feeding Michael McNicholas who waited forced Miska to come out to challenge before catching the Penticton goaltender out of position setup Brett Mulcahy who hit the open cage giving Vernon a 3-1 lead at 10:02 McNicholas & Dancs collected the assists. The Vees come right back and once again were back on the attack as Penticton was really playing hard down low, the Vees were winning the battles looked like they had the puck on a string at times as it was all Vees. Penticton would get a powerplay but again a strong Vernon penalty kill and the Vipers were able to excape killing off the minor. Less then two minutes later the Vipers with a turnover just inside their own blueline couldnt clear the zone as the Vees were able to rush right back in and on that play it looked like the Vees had scored to get within a goal after Steen Cooper's shot looked to beat Austin Smith but the goal was waived off. The Vees bench was going nuts really giving it to the referee's. On the replay on the jumbo tron you could clearly see the puck went up and over Austin Smith under the crossbar and out. After both referee's talked things over the goal would count. Steen Cooper with his second of the night at 17:31 Brad McClure and Paul Stoykewych collected the helpers. The goal was originally given to McClure before being changed at the start of the 3rd and given to Cooper. Just over a minute later Patrick Sexton setup Brad McClure catching the Vernon defence napping as McClure went in for the breakaway put a nice move on Smith in close went high upstairs tying the game 3-3 at 18:35 as the SORC erupted. Sexton & Chris Rygus with the assists. Less then a minute later the Vipers would get into penalty trouble giving Penticton a late two man advantage as Vernon was starting to come unglued late in the 2nd period. The period would come to an end before the Vees could get much going as the game was tied 3-3 after 40 minutes of play. The Vipers were outplayed the entire period as Penticton come out strong early and often really attacked the Viper zone with a ton of speed and skill giving the Viper defence all kinds of trouble. The Vipers with very little offence and zone time basically played most of the 2nd in their own end. Give credit to the Vipers they were able to hold off the Vees after some solid goaltending by Austin Smith before taking a 3-1 lead. But the wheels would fall off late in the period as Penticton with two quick back to back goals tied the game late. The Vees outshot the Vipers 11-7.
3rd Period: Penticton would start the 3rd with a two man advantage that was carried over from the 2nd period. The Vees with some good pressure had the Viper penalty killers back on their heels allowed Shane McColgan to rip a hard shot from the circle that beat Austin Smith but went off the post. Vernon with a strong penalty kill was able to get out of a huge hole and kill off both penalties to start the period. About a minute and a half later Matt Serratore setup Riley Alferd who beat Smith giving the Vees their first lead of the night as Penticton was up 4-3 at 3:39 Serratore with the lone helper. Just two minutes later after a scramble in front of the Vernon goal it looked like Austin Smith had the puck covered before a pile of bodies in and around the Viper crease pushed Smith and the puck into the back of the net as Penticton took a two goal lead at 5:38 emiditley after the Vipers on the ice and the Vernon bench erupted wanting the goal waived off. On the jumbo tron replay it showed Austin Smith having the puck under his pads for a good few seconds atleast if not longer before being pushed into the back of the net with the puck coming out the other end. The goal counted as the Vipers were not happy. Max Coatta was credited with the unassisted goal as the Vipers would take a bench minor after arguing with the referee's and Vipers Associate Coach Kris Mallette would get tossed from the game giving Penticton an early powerplay. Just over a minute later Dylan Chanter and Nicolas Pierog would get slashing minors Chanter would also pick up a ten minute misconduct as the wheels were falling off for the Vipers. The Vipers with another good penalty kill were able to kill off the minor. Vernon would come back and finally get a little pressure deep in the Vees end but were held to the outside with very limited chances. Tempers slowly started to heat up as the period went on as both teams were exchanging some stick work with each other. Brad McClure and Brendan Persley got tangled up before exchanging words as both players picked up minors. With a two goal lead Penticton sat back while not alot of flow was going on as the Vipers couldnt get much of anything going offensively and the Vees were basically just getting the play in deep and eating the puck along the wall. Erik Benoit on a two on one couldnt connect on the pass on a missed opportunity. The Vees with a solid defensive game all around really shut down Vernon in the 3rd. Late in the 3rd Mason Blacklock went down and was very slow to getting up before always walking to the Viper bench where he was having troubles getting into the bench. I didnt notice him on the ice for the remainder of the game. Several scrums broke out late in the period with lots of pushing and shoving as this really started to look like the Vernon-West Kelowna series. The Vipers who didnt play that physical of a game really started laying the body late in the period as did the Vees. The Vipers would get Austin Smith to the bench for the extra attacker with 1:14 to go but couldnt get the play in deep to try and get pucks to the net. In the dying seconds Jack Ramsey missed the empty cage after a shot from just outside the Vernon blueline before the buzzer sounded. Penticton would come away with the split on home ice tying the series after a 5-3 win. The Vipers with a huge penalty kill to start the period got a huge lift were able to kill off both minors before giving up an early goal just after the penalty kill. Penticton with two quick back to back goals put the game away played a solid defensive game shutting down the Viper attack. The game got real chippy in the 3rd with both teams engaging in activities during the play and after the whitsle. The Vees outshot the Vipers 13-8.
Top Players: (Vernon)
Josh Bryan I thought had another strong game on the Vipers blueline. Bryan who was solid in Game 1 was very good tonight.
Liam Coughlin played well for the second straight night, showed alot of hustle and determination. Was really skating hard, trying to make plays.
Michael McNicholas (2 assists) Made a few heads up plays before setting up and helping setup two Viper goals.
Colton Sparrow (1 goal) Battled hard and competed most of the night. Sparrow was always in and around the front of the net, digging in looking for loose pucks, battling trying to knock a few guys around.
Game Thought's: (Vernon)
The Vipers with a much better start tonight played fairly well in the opening period scored twice didnt get alot of opportunities but held their own really battled. Losing TJ Dumonceaux really hurt as the Vipers missed his energy, spark and speed he brings to the lineup. Dont forget his play on the penalty kill. The Vipers were very lucky they didnt start the game with a penalty as both Josh Bryan and Austin Smith were caught on the ice during warmup when the buzzer sounded. The 2nd period was a different story, after being outplayed for most of the period Vernon would hold off the Vees after getting some solid goaltening from Austin Smith before grabbing a 3-1 lead. Even though being outplayed the Vipers looked to hold off the Vees before coming unglued late in the period when the wheels fell off giving up two late back to back goals allowed Penticton to tie the game and then get into penalty trouble giving the Vees a long two man advantage heading into the 3rd. The Vipers got out of a big hole come up with a huge penalty kill killing off both minors after Shane McColgan almost scored but hit the post. Things were looking good before the Vipers gave up two quick back to back goals to start the 3rd couldnt gain any real zone time had all kinds of trouble getting by the Vees defence. The Vipers didnt play as near as physical game as in Game 1 didnt start hitting and laying the body until late in the 3rd, I guess trying to set the tone for Game 3. I really liked Vernon's penalty kill (Vees were 0-6) The Vipers with very little pressure in the Penticton zone couldnt seem to generate or create many scoring chances. The Vipers didnt get enough pucks on goal need to get more pucks to the net and get bodies going to the net if they want to beat Penticton. Vernon also has to try and find a way to contain the Vees speed and skill up front as Penticton was buzzing in and around the Vernon zone most of the night. The Vipers were just less then three minutes away from going into the 3rd with a two goal lead, let this one slip away late in a dissapointing loss for sure.
Top Players: (Penticton)
Paul Stoykewych (2 assists) Had a strong game on the Vees backend. Played very well.
Max Coatta (1 goal) Played with alot of energy, hustled all night, wasnt afraid to get down low and into the gatherings along the boards. Always has his feet moving and goes to the net.
The line of Brad McClure (1 goal & 1 assist), Erik Benoit & Steen Cooper (2 goals) was the Vees top unit. This line was all over the ice and very dangerous. These three gave Vernon all kinds of trouble tonight, there quick, move the puck well and hard to knock off the puck. McClure has looked very strong so far in both games has given the Vipers all kinds of trouble. Was a workhorse tonight, hard to knock off the puck and keep away from the goal. Benoit is quick, reads the play well, creates plays. Cooper was very good as well, really saw and read plays well tonight, was always in and around the net.
Riley Alferd (1 goal) Had another strong performance tonight, just like he did in Game 1. This kid plays hard, goes to the net, always battling has a quick shot and can move the puck. Very dangerous at times.
Chris Rygus (1 assist) I thought was solid on the Penticton blueline. I didnt notice him as much in Game 1 but played very well in Game 2.
Patrick Sexton (1 assist) Another Vees d-man that played very well. Made a nice pass finding Brad McClure open for the breakaway that tied the game 3-3 late in the 2nd period.
Shane McColgan had a very strong game. Was out of the lineup in Game 1 was a force tonight, this kid works extremely hard, is very strong down low and hard to knock off the puck.
Game Thought's: (Penticton)
After battling back but falling just short in Game 1 the Vees battled back in Game 2 but battled back and battled back to hang on for the 5-3 win scoring four straight goals. I thought both teams held their own in the opening period, with Penticton having a slight edge in zone time the Vees really stepped up their play in the 2nd and early in the 3rd to seal the victory. It was all Vees in the middle frame as Penticton's speed and skill was giving the Viper defence all kinds of troubles. The Vees running circles around the Vipers at times had some good opportunities in the 2nd really worked hard down low, won most of the battles and races for the puck. The Vees were very strong down low and along the wall, hard to knock off the puck. Give Penticton credit they played hard and earned the win. The Vees always send two forecheckers in deep cause all kinds of havoc for the Viper defence. Penticton was also very good on faceoffs winning most of the draws. Penticton has a ton of speed and skill and make you pay, they move the puck well with a good cycle game down low. Very hard to beat down low and knock off the puck, they work hard, cause lots of havoc on the other teams defence. This team can move the puck and in a hurry. The Vees defence was very solid, did a great job at shuttinf down the Vipers offensive players and limited Vernon's scoring chances. The Vipers with very little zone time in the Penticton end because of this.
Scratches:
Vernon:
Mark Hamilton (Injured)
Demico Hannoun (Injured)
Penticton:
Josh Blanchard
Ben Dalpe (Injured)
Energy player of the game:
Riley Alferd (1 goal)
Three Stars:
1st Star: Brad McClure (1 goal & 1 assist)
2nd Star: Steen Cooper (2 goals)
3rd Star: Brett Mulcahy (1 goal)
For more on tonight's game visit the BCHL boxscore,
http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=1312993&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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