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 5 as West Kelowna defeated Vernon 4-1 in front of 1,012 fans at Royal Le-Page Place.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon: Austin Smith
West Kelowna: Cody Porter
1st Period: The Vipers got off to a quick start getting three great opportunities within the first minute and a half. Just twenty four seconds into the game Colton Sparrow setup Brett Mulcahy on a two on one as Mulcahy didnt get off a good enough shot before Cody Porter made the pad save. Thirty seconds later Liam Coughlin from behing the Warriors goal setup a wide open Michael McNicholas in front who somehow missed an open net and then about twenty seconds later Mason Blacklock alone in the high slot was stopped by Porter who come out to challenge shut the fivehole making a big save as Vernon couldnt capitalize on their chances early. Shortly after West Kelowna would get the games first powerplay. Carl Hesler was stopped by Austin Smith who come way out of his crease making the first save before smothering the puck on Hesler's second opportunity as the Warriors powerplay was clicking early. The Warriors man advantage didnt last very long before taking a penalty evening up the ice with some four on four play before Vernon would get a very short powerplay before taking a penalty as both teams went back to playing four on four before West Kelowna would get a late powerplay but couldnt capitalize. Shortly after Jared Wilson's point shot was stopped by Cody Porter with traffic in front before Carl Hesler and Liam Blackburn would break out on a two on one at the nine minute mark. Hesler would keep and shoot but missed the net on a great opportunity. A very tight checking game with not alot of room out there for either hockey club as both teams played hard, went back and fourth with not alot of scoring chances at either ends of the rink. The Warriors would get a late powerplay, their third of the period but a strong penalty kill and the Vipers would head to the dressing room tied 0-0 after 20 minutes of play. Vernon with three great opportunities off the opening draw couldnt find the back of the net in a very evenly matched 1st period. The Warriors outshot the Vipers 13-9.
2nd Period: Off the opening faceoff Brendan Persley tried setting up Brett Mulcahy on a two on one Vernon odd man rush just ten seconds into the middle frame but Mulcahy couldnt connect on the pass. West Kelowna would get their fourth man advantage of the night early just thirty seconds into the second as Vernon would play most of the period shorthanded giving West Kelowna five powerplays. The Vipers were able to do a good job with the penalty kill killing off the minor. The Warriors would head right back to the man advantage just three minutes later this time capitalizing. Jason Cotton who lead the Warriors in scoring during the regular season returned to the lineup tonight after leaving during Game 1 of the playoffs made a nice play-pass setting up Kylar Hope at the side of the net on a nice bang bang passing play giving West Kelowna a 1-0 lead at 6:17 Cotton with the lone assist. This was the Warriors first lead of a game since Game 1 of this series. Just one twent four later Carl Hesler spotted David Pope in front who beat Vipers starting goaltender Austin Smith fivehole for his first goal of the series gave the Warriors a 2-0 lead Hesler & Liam Blackburn collected the helpers. Off the next draw back come West Kelowna as Liam Blackburn down low tried feeding David Pope who was driving to the net hard but couldnt connect on the pass. Vernon back on their heels were having all kinds of trouble in their own end as the Warriors were turning up the heat as West Kelowna was all over the Vipers. Vernon with just two shots on goal at the halfway mark. The Warriors would go on powerplay #5 moving the puck around it looked the puck come over the blueline but the play was kept alive, Braden Pears found David Pope at the top of the circle who blasted one high top corner past Smith giving the Warriors a 3-0 lead at 11:48 Pears with the only assist on the play. I thought the puck come out on this play wich means the whistle should have gone, but the play stayed alive and the Warriors find the back of the net. Just over two minutes later Jason Cotton was sprung for the breakaway but two Vipers hustled back before doing a great job defensively to breakup Cotton but Liam Coughlin would be called for hooking on a call I still cant believe was called. The West Kelowna powerplay didnt last very long before the Warriors would take a penalty as both teams played a little four on four. The Vipers would get caught again leaving Matt Anholt alone down low who beat Smith giving West Kelowna a 4-0 lead at 14:41 and in full control of the contest. Reid Simmonds and Ben Tegtmeyer with the assists. The Warriors didnt quit, Braden Pears with a hard shot from the point beat Austin Smith but hit the corssbar before Ben Tegtmeyer was able to walk right alone but was stopped by Smith as the Vipers were having all kinds of trouble defensively. On the next shift Demico Hannoun would sucker Reid Simmonds into dropping his gloves as Hannoun skated away but it was both players who recieved minors. Less then a minute later the Vipers penalty troubles continued as Vernon would take back to back minors. The Warriors with all kinds of pressure had some good chances. Adam Osczevski was stopped at the side of the net, Tyson Dallman and Liam Blackburn were both denied as the Warriors couldnt capitalize. At the buzzer Mason Blacklock was given a ten minute misconduct. West Kelowna was up 4-0 after 40 minutes of play. The Vipers missed a great opportunity ten seconds into the period couldnt connect on a odd man rush fell into penalty trouble taking several undisaplined penalties. The Vipers played most of the period shorthanded gave up four goals as West Kelowna outplayed Vernon. The Warriors outshot the Vipers 9-3.
3rd Period: With Mason Blacklock sitting out the first half of the period serving his ten minute misconduct the Vipers got off to a quick start come storming out of the gates. Just less then a minute into the final frame the Vipers with a flurry of chances in and around the West Kelowna net, Mason Blacklock couldnt hit the open cage before a mad scramble in the blue paint for the loose puck as everyone was battling hard as the Vipers either couldnt grab the loose puck or got a shot off before hitting a body in front before finally Brendan Persley poked home the loose puck with a ton of traffic in and around the Warriors goal getting the Vipers on the board at 1:27 TJ Dumonceaux with the lone assist. Vernon kept coming as either the Warriors were sitting back on a three goal lead or the Vipers picked up their game and took it to West Kelowna. The Vipers with a ton of pressure forced West Kelowna into an early penalty as the Warriors would get into a little penalty trouble giving Vernon the first of three straight powerplays. The Vipers with some good pressure at times couldnt get much going as the Warriors forecheck and tight man to man coverage gave the Vipers very little time and space to generate and create chances. It seemed like West Kelowna was forcing two players to Vernon's one making the Vipers having to make that quick pass or take that quick shot. West Kelowna kept Vernon's powerplay to the outside for most of all three man advantages as the Vipers were having troubles at times getting pucks to the net with no real good shooting lanes. When Vernon did manage to get pucks throug, Riley Guenther riffled a quick shot from the point that got through some bodies but was stopped by the quick pad of Warriors starting goaltender Cody Porter. West Kelowna would kill off the first two powerplays before the Vipers would get a few late opportunities down low but couldnt beat Porter. West Kelowna with a very good penalty would kill off all three Viper powerplays. Shortly after TJ Dumonceaux with a two on one couldnt get his pass across after a nice stick work by a Warriors d-man to breakup the Viper odd man rush. Mac Ferner would leave the ice at one point after blocking a shot but would stay in the game. Vernon carried the play and was all over the Warriors but as the game went on the Vipers had troubles creating and generating chances as time was running down. Vernon would get a few good chances in the second half but Cody Porter made some good saves keeping this a three goal lead. Late in the game the Warriors really bottled up the neutral zone as Vernon couldnt get much of anything going. At the buzzer a scrum of players formed down in the one corner in the West Kelowna zone as everyone got involved with lots of pushing and shoving, getting the gloves and sticks up as words were being exchanged. In the end the Warriors would stave off elimination and live to play another game staying in the series coming away with a huge 4-1 victory as Vernon leads the series 3-2 with Game 6 tomorrow night in Vernon. The Vipers come out firing everything on goal, getting pucks and bodies to the net, couldnt capitalize on three powerplays had their fare share of chances scored once but couldnt battle back from a 4-0 Warrior lead battled and played hard in the final period. The Vipers outshot the Warriors 15-4.
Top Players: (Vernon)
Riley Guenther I thought was Vernon's best defenceman this evening. Really carried the puck alot tonight, was involved in the play and rush, looked very strong all night.
The line of Colton Sparrow, Brendan Persley (1 goal) & Brett Mulcahy was the Vipers top unit. Sparrow setup Mulcahy off the opening draw on a Viper two on one while Persley tried setting up Mulcahy on an odd man rush just ten seconds into the 2nd period as this line created most of the Vipers opportunities. All the played hard.
The Vipers fourth line of Logan Mick, Matty Saharchuk and Tyler Povolofskie played very well and did a great job. This line battled and competed, was in the face of West Kelowna's 3rd-4th line was in the face, played physical and was engaged in the play.
Game Thought's: (Vernon)
With a chance to end the West Kelowna Warriors season the Vipers will now get a second opportunity tomorrow night on home ice. The Vipers with three great opportunities within the first minute and a half couldnt capitalize. I thought this could have been the turning point, the Vipers score within the first minute or so grab the early lead, take the crowd out of the game early and now have the Warriors thinking oh no, here we go again. Both teams played hard were very evenly matched in the opeing period couldnt get alot going in a very tight checking 1st period. Giving up four goals in the second, playing most of the period shorthanded isnt going to win you games at anytime of the season. The Vipers with several undisaplined penalties were also given atleast three or four penalties that were terrible. I dont like to blame the referees or rant about poor officiating on here but there was atleast three or four penalties given to Vernon in the 1st and 2nd period that were not penalties by anymeans. The Vipers looked to be fighting the referees in the second as it looked like anytime a Viper hit or touched a West Kelowna player, they were given a penalty. Dont get me wrong the Vipers took some very undisaplined penalties that were fully deserved but atleast three or four were not. Down four goals going into the third the Vipers come out strong and really took it to West Kelowna. I said this earlier, was it the Vipers really outplaying the Warriors or was West Kelowna sitting back on a four goal lead? Either way Vernon played a heck of a period couldnt capitalize on three straight powerplays didnt have alot of time or space out there. I didnt think the Vipers defensive coverage was very good, on atleast two goals the Warriors were wide open. The Vipers also didnt look as sharp as they did in Games two, three and four. I thought there passing wasnt as crisp tonight and made a few little mistakes through out the game. In a game with the Warriors starting a young 16 yr old goaltender the Vipers needed to get more pucks on net, drive hard to the net, make his night uncomfortable, get in his head, get bodies and lots of traffic in front. Cody Porter had a fairly easy night until the 3rd when Vernon finally starting throwing everything to the net, went hard to the net at times made the young goaltender have to make some tough-good saves.
Top Players: (West Kelowna)
Ben Tegtmeyer (1 assist) I thought played a strong game on the Warriors backend. Was involved in the play, jumped up into the rush, carried the puck lots and was good at both ends of the rink.
The line of Jason Cotton (1 assist), Tyson Dallman & Matt Anholt (1 goal) was West Kelowna's best line-most dangerous unit. Five on five this line was all over the ice, giving the Vipers all kinds of havoc. Vernon had troubles containing these three all night, as this line was really generating and creating offence. Very quick, moved the puck well were really buzzing. I didnt see Cotton on the ice in the 3rd and noticed the Warriors juggled their lines for the final period. Not sure what happened to him.
David Pope (2 goals) Had all kinds of opportunities in the first four games couldnt find the back of the net, scored his first of two goals of the series tonight was very dangerous on the powerplay. Pope who has a wicked shot is very hard to slow down-contain. This kid can really skate, handle and move the puck.
Carl Hesler (1 assist) Was also very strong and dangerous tonight. This kid can really skate, move the puck well and is always in and around the net. Really sees the ice well was also hard to stop.
Liam Blackburn (1 assist) Also played well, had a few chances again has played well this series.
Braden Pears (1 assist) Had a strong game on the West Kelowna blueline. Likes to join the rush, get involved in the play, hit the crossbar in the middle frame can really skate, move the puck. Makes the smart play, played very well at both ends of the rink.
Mac Ferner battled hard tonight. Come up with a few big blocked shots played very well on defence.
Cody Porter (26 saves) Made his first career BCHL playoff start tonight didnt see much action in the first two periods was forced to be called apon on several chances during the third. Porter who I didnt think looked that comfortable in Game 4 played very well tonight, made some tough-good saves keeping his club in the game. If Porter dosnt make a few early saves after Vernon's first goal, this is a different hockey game and makes for a intertesting finish.
Game Thought's: (West Kelowna)
On a night when the Warriors season was on the line, West Kelowna come to play and played hard. Give the Warriors credit for playing a strong game at both ends of the rink, earned the win giving them another chance to keep playing. This was anybody's game after the 1st period. I thought both teams played well and were fairly even after one period before the Warriors capitalized on Vernon's undisaplined penalties and poor defensive coverage. West Kelowna was all over the Vipers in the 2nd period scoring twice on the powerplay adding two more goals taking a 4-0 lead into the 3rd. The Warriors gave up an early goal to start the third but played very well defensively all night, espically in the 3rd. The Warriors with a strong forecheck sent two guys in deep and did a great job at bottling up the neutral zone and there own end giving the Vipers very little time or space. West Kelowna kept Vernon to the outside most of the night, limited the Vipers chances through out the game.
Scratches:
Vernon:
Mark Hamilton (Injured)
Dexter Dancs (Suspended)
West Kelowna:
Taki Pantziris
Seb Lloyd (Injured)
Adam Plant (Injured)
Jordan Masters (Injured)
Andy Desautels (Injured)
Energy player of the game:
Mac Ferner
Three Stars:
1st Star: David Pope (2 goals)
2nd Star: Matt Anholt (1 goal)
3rd Star: Cody Porter (26 saves)
For more on tonight's game visit the BCHL boxscore,
http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=1312974&link=bchl
For more on the West Kelowna Warriors & tonight's game visit Jon Zacks Warriors blog,
http://thegeneralsreport.wordpress.com/
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