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 Semi-Final Game 2 as Vernon defeated West Kelowna 4-1 tying the series 1-1 in front of 759 fans at Royal Le Page Place.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon: Austin Smith
West Kelowna: Andy Desautels
1st Period: The Vipers got off to a good start, getting the play in deep got a good cycle going early before Brett Mulcahy setup Brendan Persley 1:55 into the opening frame who was denied by the pad of West Kelowna goaltender Andy Desautels. Vernon carried the early edge in play before a minor scrum inbehind the Warriors goal after TJ Dumonceaux was taken hard to the ice by atleast three West Kelowna players, some pushing and shoving occured with the Warriors coming out on top with the games first powerplay. With the Warriors on the man advantage and some pressure deep in the Viper zone Austin Smith made the first save off a scramble in front before a West Kelowna player (Didnt catch the # or name) put the puck into the open cage at 6:43 but the goal was waived off with the Vipers coming out on top with a powerplay, after a West Kelowna slashing penalty. Meaning both teams played a little four on four before Vernon would get a shortened powerplay. Dallas Calvin (AP) who was called up for tonight's game tried saucering a nice pass over to Demico Hannoun on a Vernon two on one but Adam Plant come up with a big defensive play breaking up Calvin's pass and a great scoring opportunity by the Vernon Vipers. Tempers heated up through out tonight's game with lots of intensity-battles after the whistle, as several scrums broke loose between plays especially in the 1st and 2nd periods. The Vipers were the better of the two teams in the first half were outshooting the Warriors 6-3 at the midway mark. Former Westside Warriors forward Brett Mulcahy would open the scoring after a broken play. Mulcahy stole the puck just inside the West Kelowna blueline before ripping a hard high shot that went through traffic and upstairs past Andy Desautels giving Vernon their first lead of the series and the game at 14:27 Mulcahy's goal was unassisted. Two minutes later Matty Saharchuk tried flipping the puck up and over Andy Desautels from behind the net as the puck went up and over bouncing in front come close to hitting Desautels but didnt. The Warriors who didnt have the same jump as in Game 1 have very little puck possesion and zone time finally managed to get a flurry of close range shots in the final few minutes. Vernon goaltender Austin Smith was forced to make three quick back to back to back saves in close before the Warriors would get a late powerplay. The Vipers penalty kill that didnt look that great last night responded with a much better effort tonight and were able to kill off the remainder of the clock not allowing a single shot on the penalty kill. Vernon was up 1-0 after 20 minutes of play. The Vipers responded with a much better performance and effort tonight after last night's 5-1 loss. Vernon carried the majority of the play, had the majority of scoring chances and were the better of the two hockey clubs. Shots were even 10-10.
2nd Period: West Kelowna would start the period on the powerplay, that was carried over from the opening period. The Vipers penalty kill would kill off the minor. Vernon would get an early powerplay and capitalize after Josh Bryan setup Brett Mulcahy for his second of the night beat Warriors starting goaltender Andy Desautels giving Vernon a 2-0 lead at 5:52 Bryan and Michael McNicholas picked up the helpers. Just thirty seconds later Kelowna product Brendan Persley with a burst of speed cut down the left wing, broke free before ripping a low hard shot from the circle that beat Desautels fivehole giving the Vipers a early 3-0 lead at 6:22 Persley's goal was unassisted. This goal really took the crowd out of the game as you could hear a pin drop in Royal Le Page Place. Just after the third Vernon goal West Kelowna would get their third powerplay of the night. With some pressure the Warriors moved the puck around well setting up David Pope who let go a quick shot from the top of the circle but couldnt beat Austin Smith who through up the glove making a quick glove save. The Vipers would eventually kill off the penalty. Just as the powerplay expired the Vipers would get caught pinching allowing Reid Simmonds to come down one on one, Simmonds was held along the wall before setting up Tyson Dallman who was stopped down low by Vipers starting goaltender Austin Smith. Smith looked to have the puck covered at the side of the net, but the play was still alive as the Warriors banged out the loose puck before Warriors captain Matt Anholt jumped on the loose puck in front sliding it home past Smith who didnt have a chance cutting the Vernon lead to within two goals at 8:58 Simmonds and Dallman collected the assists. It looked like Smith was talking with one of the referee's after the goal, my guess would be asking why the play wasnt blown dead. This goal got the crowd back into the game and gave the Warriors some life as West Kelowna seemed to add some jump and momentum back into their game. West Kelowna would carry the next few minutes of play and come close on atleast two seperate occasions where a quick shot from outside looked to be gloved-stopped by Smith but the puck squirted loose but on both occasions the Warriors didnt have a body in and around the net to go after the loose puck. The Vipers would slowly regain their edge in play and come back with a flurry of seperate chances. Michael McNicholas with a quick shot from in close was stopped by Andy Desautels before getting the rebound beat the Warriors goaltender from in close but hit the crossbar. Dexter Dancs and Liam Coughlin on two different plays both drove hard to the net one on one couldnt jam the puck past Desautels who shut the door down low. Vernon would get a powerplay had a few opportunities but couldnt capitalize with the man advantage. Michael Statchuk's point shot was redirected in front by Dexter Dancs as the puck just missed the far side of the net. The Warriors got lucky on a few plays in the period as Vernon didnt get the bounce they needed on two plays, one after Michael McNicholas couldnt jam home a loose puck in the crease with Andy Desautels down and out and Demico Hannoun couldnt slide a loose puck in the crease home on two missed opportunities. Vernon was up 3-1 after 40 minutes of play. The Vipers with two early back to back goals opened up a three goal lead to start the period before West Kelowna would come back just minutes later scoring their first of the night, on a play that looked to have been blown dead. Other then a few minutes I thought the Vipers once again carried the play, were the better of the two teams and outchanced the Warriors most of the period. Vernon with some great missed opportunities could have easily put this game away. The Vipers outshot the Warriors 14-8.
3rd Period: Andy Desautels had to be alert early after Michael Statchuk's long blast from the point forced the West Kelowna netminder to kick out a big pad save just over two minutes into the final frame. Just a few minutes later Dexter Dancs and Liam Coughlin going hard to the net on a odd man rush couldnt beat Desautels in close. With a two goal lead the Vipers would hit the Warriors blueline, dump the play in and forecheck hard in after the puck. The Vipers with a solid shutdown period had West Kelowna playing in their end of the rink most of the third. Anytime the Warriors got through the neutral zone, Vernon's defence did a great job at keeping West Kelowna to the outside limiting the Warriors opportunities. Just before the halfway mark the Vipers would get a powerplay, with some good pressure Vernon couldnt find the back of the net after the Warriors were able to kill off the penalty. Just seconds later West Kelowna would get a shot with the man advantage but another strong penalty kill by the Vipers would kill off the man advantage. West Kelowna with all kinds of troubles getting pucks and bodies to the net couldnt generate much offence tonight were kept to the outside and very limited on scoring chances. With three minutes remaining Dallas Calvin and Seb Lloyd collided just inside the West Kelowna blueline as both players locked knee's as Lloyd went down in alot of pain before the play was blown down. Lloyd was down for a while before slowly leaving the ice on one leg almost hobbling to the Warriors bench in extreme pain. Lloyd would head to the dressing room and not return. Calvin was given a five minute major and tossed from the hockey game giving West Kelowna a five minute powerplay with three minutes to go. The diehard Warrior fans were really fired up after this play-penalty really giving it to the Viper bench and Calvin as he was leaving the ice. The Warriors couldnt get any sustained pressure or attack going as the puck would get in the Vernon zone before the Vipers would almost right away fire the puck back out. West Kelowna having all kinds of trouble getting the powerplay clicking would eventually pull Andy Desautels with 2:10 remaining. It didnt take long as seconds later Kenny Citron fed Brett Mulcahy who from just past centre ice hit the open cage (shorthanded) for his third goal of the night giving Vernon a 4-1 lead at 18:12 Citron with the lone helper. West Kelowna would send Desautels back between the pipes to finish the game, with West Kelowna still on the man advantage, the Vipers kept the Warriors to the outside for the remainder of the period until the final twenty seconds when Nathan Craft bumped-hit Austin Smith outside of his crease as Smith fell to the ice before Michael Statchuk chased after Craft dropping the gloves as the two tangled in the Vipers zone. Smith was ok and stayed in the game as Craft was ejected from the hockey game. While the penalties were being sorted out Brendan Persley and Riley Guenther were both tossed from the game, each receiving ten minute misconducts after Persley got involved exchanging words with three different West Kelowna players as well as Andy Desautels. Tempers really heated up in the final nineteen seconds as both benches were exchanging words with one another. The West Kelowna crowd was now getting on the Vipers chanting "Vernon Sucks" Vernon Sucks" The Vipers would get out of the final nineteen seconds with no further altercations as Vernon would even up the best of seven series tying the series 1-1 after a 4-1 win. The Vipers with a perfect dump and chase third period were able to keep the Warriors in their own end for most of the period, Vernon's defence did a great job at shutting down West Kelowna's offence were able to come up with a strong penalty kill to finish the game pulled out the split on the road to even the series. Vernon outshot West Kelowna 11-7.
Top Players: (Vernon)
Michael Statchuk I thought played very well on the Viper backend. Statchuk was involved with the play from the point, had some good looks at the net, got pucks to the net and stepped in for his team mate after the Warriors bumped-hit Austin Smith in the final nineteen seconds.
The line of Dexter Dancs, Michael McNicholas (1 assist) and Liam Coughlin was very good up front for Vernon. I thought Dancs was very strong with the puck, was hard to knock off the puck and keep away from the puck, had some very good strides, getting the play into the West Kelowna zone, also had a few good opportunities. McNicholas also was very strong at both ends of the rink, had a few good chances, also hit the crossbar in the 2nd period had a strong game.
Brett Mulcahy (3 goals) Come to play tonight scoring three goals vs his former team. Mulcahy a Kelowna native was very good at both ends of the rink, was skating hard, winning battles and good with and without the puck.
Dylan Chanter had a real solid game on the Viper blueline, was physical, hard to beat one on one and good along the boards.
Brendan Persley (1 goal) Played a strong game, was bumping and grinding all night, showed alot of hustle, scored the game winner on a nice low shot that beat Andy Desautels fivehole added some spark to the Viper lineup tonight.
Ryan Renz the Viper captain I thought played very well defensively. Come up with a huge blocked shot to end the 1st period on the penalty kill, shook things off and come back ready for the 2nd period. Made a few real nice defensive plays through out tonight's game.
Austin Smith (24 saves) I dont think Smith was forced to make alot of big saves but did make several key saves at key times through out the hockey game. Smith who looked a little shaky handling and catching the puck in Game 1 looked much more comfortable in game 2 was good between the pipes.
Game Thought's: (Vernon)
After a poor performance and effort in Game 1 the Vipers responded with a much better performance and effort in a very strong Game two tonight. Vernon come ready to play tonight and were the better team for most of the game. The Vipers carried the better of the play, and had the majority of scoring chances. Right from the opening puck drop the Vipers got off to a good start and played well for most of night. Vernon was getting pucks to the net, created and generated a ton of good opportunities, played physical-were hitting all game, were strong on the forecheck, strong on the puck and solid defensively. The Vipers gave up atleast ten odd man rushes in Game 1, tonight I think they may have gave up one. Vernon's defence was much better in Game two, did a great job at shutting down the Warriors top offesive-skilled players, limited the Warriors scoring chances all night to a bare minimum and kept West Kelowna to the outside, Austin Smith was able to do the rest. This was a complete turn around from last night's 5-1 loss. Two quick back to back early goals to start the 2nd period just thirty seconds apart was key, as the Vipers jumped out to a 3-0 lead. The Vipers played a much more disaplined game as well as got a huge game from their penalty kill. I sure hope Seb Lloyd is ok and returns to the Warriors lineup but this was a blown call by the referee's. Dallas Calvin and Lloyd collided by accident, Calvin did not deserve a five minute major nor a penalty. Congrats to Jason Williamson for picking up his first career coaching playoff victory.
Top Players: (West Kelowna)
Matt Anholt (1 goal) Showed alot of jump and hustle most of the night, the Warriors captain played hard adding alot of energy all night, was going hard to the net, was rewarded for his hard work scoring West Kelowna's lone goal.
Game Thought's: (West Kelowna)
It's almost like both teams switched jersey's for tonight's game. I didnt think West Kelowna had nearly as much jump and energy in their game tonight, compared to last night. The Warriors didnt seem to have their legs going, couldnt generate much offence all game. The Vipers shutdown West Kelowna's top offensive-skilled players who were almost unnoticable tonight. I said it before, the Vipers kept the Warriors to the outside, limited their opportunities and did a great job at shutting down the Warriors powerplay that was on fire in Game 1. The Warriors playing with a short bench were missing some key-skilled players, lost Seb Lloyd late in the third. Andy Desautels who had a pretty quiet night last night, didnt look as sharp as he usally is seemed to loose sight of the puck on several plays in and around the net. Another small crowd at Royal Le Page Place, made alot of noise at times. West Kelowna just didnt seem to get their game going had troubles all night against a strong Vernon club.
Scratches:
Vernon:
Mark Hamilton (Injured)
Jared Wilson (Suspended)
Tyler Povolfskie
West Kelowna:
Taki Pantziris
Ryan Ivey
Jason Cotton (Injured)
Jordan Masters (Injured)
Energy Player of the game:
Matt Anholt (1 goal)
Three Stars:
1st Star: Brett Mulcahy (3 goals)
2nd Star: Brendan Persley (1 goal)
3rd Star: Ryan Renz
For more on tonight's game visit the BCHL boxscore,
http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=1312966&link=bchl
For more on the West Kelowna Warriors and tonight's game visit Jon Zacks Warriors blog,
http://thegeneralsreport.wordpress.com/
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