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 Game 1 of the BCHL Fred Page Cup Finals as Coquitlam defeated Vernon 6-4 in front of 1,917 fans at Kal Tire Place.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon: Austin Smith
Coquitlam: Gordie Defiel
1st Period: The Vipers didnt need long to open the scoring after Josh Bryan sent Brendan Persley in alone for the breakaway beat Gordie Defiel giving Vernon the 1-0 lead at :40 Bryan & Jared Wilson collected the helpers. The Express come right back with a great opportunity after the following faceoff, Mark Whiteley with a quick low shot from the circle was stopped by Austin Smith who made a big pad save. The Vipers with a ton of pressure early and often were really flying, buzzing in and around the Coquitlam net. Colton Sparrow setup Brett Mulcahy who was alone in front went high giving the Vipers a 2-0 lead at 3:05 Sparrow and Brendan Persley with the assists. Vernon with two shots had two goals. Less then two minutes later the Vipers would get the games first powerplay. Dexter Dancs down the left wing was stopped by Defiel who made a quick save before the Vipers with traffic in front beat Gordie Defiel fivehole before an Express defender was able to quickly clear the puck from the blue paint as the Vipers were close to jumping out to a 3-0 lead. The Vipers with a few good scoring opportunities moved the puck around well setup a wide open Demico Hannoun at the side of the net who couldnt connect on the pass missed with a wide open cage on a missed opportunity. The Vipers with a good powerplay couldnt capitalize as Coquitlam was able to kill off the penalty. Vernon was all over Coquitlam most of the period were outshooting the Express 6-2 eight minutes into the contest. Austin Smith stoned Corey Makin making a quick glove save keeping the Express off the board. Just before the halfway mark a hard working shift by the 4th line almost paid off. Matty Saharchuk stayed with the play after being hit, setup Logan Mick who's quick low shot was just about redirected in by Saharchuk going to the net on a close play. Just past the midway mark Colton Sparrow setup Brendan Persley on an odd man rush, couldnt beat Express starting goaltener Gordie Defiel who made a quick save off the Vipers assistant captain. Coquitlam would get their first powerplay of the night just past the ten minute mark after the Vipers were caught with too many men but a very good penalty kill by Vernon was able to kill off the minor as the Express didnt record a single shot with the man advantage. Just as the penalty expired Dexter Dancs with a spin o rama move at the neutral zone was able to hold onto and keep the puck setup Demico Hannoun for the breakaway put a nice move in close beat Defiel giving Vernon a 3-0 lead at 15:40 Dancs and Michael McNicholas picked up the assists. In the final minute of play Cody Boyd was exchanging words with Michael Statchuk, the two went up ice in each others faces before the two dropped the gloves in more of a wrestling match then a scrap. The Vipers were up 3-0 after 20 minutes of play. Vernon with a quick start opened the scoring just fourty seconds into the game looked very strong in the opening twenty minutes. The Vipers who were very physical, carried most of the play, were first to the puck, won most of the battles along the boards and were winning the races. Coquitlam was having all kinds of troubles with the Vipers speed and forecheck down low. The Express were outplayed most of the 1st, had some good looks at Austin Smith and the Vernon goal but really didnt generate much offensive chances. Vernon outshot Coquitlam 12-8.
2nd Period: Coquitlam with a great start to the middle frame got on the board early after Vipers starting goaltender Austin Smith stopped Daniell Lange Bo Pieper jumped on the rebound getting the Express on the scoreboard at 2:58 Lange and Zach Hodder picked up the helpers. Coquitlam would get their second man advantage of the night about a minute and a half later, moving the puck around the Express with a few quick low shots from in close just missed the net or didnt get some puck luck coming very close to getting within a goal. The Vipers penalty kill come up big with atleast two or three big blocks were able to hold off a good Coquitlam powerplay killing off the early minor. Vernon who quit hitting, wasnt skating-moving their feet wasnt the same team that Viper fans saw in the opening period as a much more quicker, faster skating Express team looked good and was the better of the two teams in the first half. The Vipers would get their second powerplay just before the ten minute mark. Moving the puck around, getting too fancy the Vipers missed some great opportunities after not being able to capitalize on atleast two open nets. Coquitlam was caught running around in their own end on the penalty kill was able to kill off the penalty. Just two minutes later the Express would get their third powerplay and capitalize. Bo Pieper from the slot beat Smith at 13:44 as Vernon's three goal lead was now down to just a goal. Jace Hennig & Zach Hodder picked up the helpers. Less then two minutes later the parade to the penalty box continuted as Vernon would get back to back powerplays to finish the 2nd period. On the first man advantage again the Vipers didnt look that good but missed on atleast one maybe two open nets making one too many passes as Coquitlam with a fairly easy penalty kill. On the second powerplay the Vipers looked bad making some poor passes, throwing the puck around loosely were very lucky they almost coughed the puck up at the blueline on several plays. Coquitlam would eventually tie the game shorthanded after a Vernon pass went back to the point bounced over Jared Wilson's stick, Wilson went back casually for the puck in the mean time was being chased down by Corey Mackin who stole the puck from Wilson going in for the shorthanded breakaway beat Austin Smith tying the game at 18:57 on an unassisted play. The Vipers with two poor powerplays blew a three goal lead. The game was tied 3-3 after 40 minutes of play. The Express with a quick start, scored early got on the scoresheet got some momentum and life really come out flying. Coquitlam with a much better period were really flying, put pressure on the Viper defence, forcing the Vipers into several turnovers even got under the skin of the Vipers through out the period. The Express got their legs moving, are quick, really move the puck and dangerous in and around the goal. The Vipers on the other hand come out very relaxed, maybe too over confident? Took their foot off the gas? I dont know but didnt have a very good period giving up three goals and missed on some good opportunities. Vernon quit skating, quit hitting, were a different team then the one that was up 3-0 after the opening period. Coquitlam outshot Vernon 16-11.
3rd Period: Vernon come out strong to start the third, were really flying early. With some good pressure Colton Sparrow setup Brett Mulcahy in the slot looked to given the Vipers a 4-3 lead but somehow Gordie Defiel made a huge save in the opening minute keeping this game tied. The Vipers with all kinds of pressure looked good in the opening few minutes before grabbing an early lead. Demico Hannoun spotted Mason Blacklock who went in alone for the breakaway put Vernon up 4-3 at 3:04 Blacklock with the lone helper. Just seconds later the Vipers with an early man advantage looked to jump ahead by two after Colton Sparrow was robbed at the side of the net after Defiel slid across the crease stacking the pads just got a peice of Sparrow's shot with his glove as Coquitlam with a huge penalty kill were only down by a goal with lots of time remaining. Just over a minute later Vipers captain Ryan Renz with a turnover just inside the neutral zone gave up a two on one, Bo Pieper with a quick snap shot tied the game 4-4 at 6:40 with his third goal of the game. Canon Pieper with the assist. Just over a minute later Dexter Dancs setup Liam Coughlin on a Vernon odd man rush, but Coughlin was robbed by Gordie Defiel who come across the blue paint to make a huge pad save keeping this game tied, back come the Express on the same play would grab their first lead of the night. Bo Pieper with his fourth goal of the night beat Smith from in close giving Coquitlam a 5-4 lead at 8:03 Mark Whiteley and Canon Pieper collected the assists. Two quick back to back goals by the Express totally changed the momentum of the hockey game, giving the Express a ton of momentum and life as well as confidence and took the wind out of the sails of the Vernon Vipers. These two quick goals seemed to deflate the Vipers as Coquitlam with all the momentum slowly started to carry the play and take over the game. The Express come very close to grabbing a two goal lead after a diving Josh Bryan tried to block a shot had the puck go off himself and just go past the far corner of the wide open cage almost going into the back of his own net. The Express with a very hard working forecheck and strong cycle down low were carrying the better of the play took a two goal lead after Corey Mackin beat Austin Smith in close giving Coquitlam a 6-4 lead at 11:42 Zach Hodder & Ryan Rosenthal with the assists. Frustration then took over as the Vipers got into penalty trouble. Coquitlam seemed to be getting under the skin of several Viper plays and it seemed to work as the Express with a late five on three man advantage. Vernon was able to kill off the first powerplay before Corey Mackin beat Austin Smith but hit the crossbar in the dying seconds of the man advantage. The Vipers with a good penalty kill would excape killing off the two man advantage. With just over three minutes to go the Vipers tried pulling out the stops. Austin Smith would head to the Vernon bench with two minutes remaining for the extra attacker. Josh Bryan was able to get a quick hard shot through traffic but couldnt beat Gordie Defiel who looked a little shaky in the opening period really settled down and come up huge in the third making several game savers. Defiel made atleast three big saves in the final two minutes before the Vipers would call a late timeout. Vernon just couldnt get any sustained pressure late before Riley Guenther playing goal made a big save off Ryan Rosenthal in the final minute blocking a shot from in close keeping this a two goal game. The Express would keep Vernon to the outside before the final buzzer would go as Coquitlam with a huge come from behind road win walks away with a 6-4 victory and a 1-0 series lead. The Vipers with a good start come out with a ton of pressure, had some good scoring chances grabbed an early lead before giving up two quick back to back goals. I thought Vernon was the better team in the first five minutes couldnt recover after the Express capitalized on some turnovers scored two quick back to back goals scored one more for insurance. Vernon outshot Coquitlam 12-11.
Top Players: (Vernon)
Josh Bryan (1 assist) Had a strong game on Vernon's blueline. Bryan who has been one of if not the Vipers best d-man these playoffs was very good at both ends of the rink. Was very good defensively as well as offensively with the puck. Come up with several big blocked shots logged alot of minutes.
Michael Statchuk I thought played very well on the backend, was smart, didnt panic, made a few heads up plays through out the game, even dropped the gloves in the 1st period.
Mason Blacklock (1 goal) Who has been in and out of the Vipers lineup with two different injuries this regular season, hasnt been the same player from the start of the season. Blacklock has really been struggling the past few months I thought looked good tonight, I dont think he stood out and had a bunch of scoring chances, but for the first time in several months looked to be skating hard, battling and competing and was in hard for the puck. Seemed to have alot more energy tonight and more grit in his game.
The line of Colton Sparrow (1 assist), Brett Mulcahy (1 goal) & Brendan Persley (1 goal & 1 assist) once again was the Vipers top unit. This line has really caught fire these playoffs and been the Vipers best line-players all playoffs. I thought Sparrow was by far the Vipers best player tonight, played and showed alot of determination with his hard work and compete level. Was very strong with the puck along the boards, hard to knock off the puck tonight, really read and saw the ice well. Persley with two points played with alot of energy like always worked and battled hard all game.
Dylan Chanter was also very good on the blueline. Was physical, good with and without the puck has really come along way since joining the Vipers in January. Seems to be playing with alot more confidence.
Game Thought's: (Vernon)
After a very strong 1st period the Vipers were out to a 3-0 lead and looked to be running away with Game 1. Vernon with two quick first period goals was all over the Express most of the opening frame. The Vipers playing physical, won most of the races and battles for the pucks were very hard to contain until the 2nd period when the wheels fell off. Coquitlam with a quick early goal got on the scoresheet and back into the game in a hurry. The Vipers quit skating-moving the puck, also stayed away from the hitting allowed the Express to get their legs going, gained some confidence used their speed and quickness down low crept back into the hockey game before tying the game late in the 2nd shorthanded. The Vipers with several missed opportunities didnt look very good with the man advantage, got too fancy with their passing, also coughed up the puck way too many times. The Vipers looked very sloppy and disorganised with the powerplay were pretty bad in the second period. I thought Vernon responded with a great start to the 3rd re-gained the lead before giving up two quick back to back goals never recovered. The Vipers with again turnovers and some sloppy play in their own end, quit hitting and skating at times and it cost them. When was the last time the Vipers-Austin Smith gave up six goals in a game? When was the last time the Vipers blew a 3-0 lead? Vernon with two weeks off prior to tonight's game needs to be much better tomorrow night. The Vipers were in full control of the game after the 1st period looked to be running away with the game, this team cant sit back on any kind of lead, they just arnt good enough and need to keep their foot on the gas pedal all game. Vernon needs to be better, sharper and play a full sixty minutes tomorrow night. Pretty disapointing with the small crowd and the final result. I really like the look of Kal Tire Place now that they have added several RBC Cup signs-banners to the rink, making it look and feel more like the home for the 2014 RBC Cup.
Top Players: (Coquitlam)
Zach Hodder (3 assists) Now leads all Express defencemen in points with eleven. Hodder is quick, moves the puck well, can skate and really find the open lanes.
Cameron Marks also with a solid game on the backend. I really liked the looks of this young kid. Not the biggest kid but is quick, can skate and move the puck as well as has some moves. Had a strong game on the blueline.
Adam Rockwood lead the Express in scoring during the regular season with 74 pts didnt pick up any tonight but was dangerous at times through out tonight's game. Wearing a cage is very skilled and slick with the puck, really sees and reads the ice well can make things happen in a hurry. Was hard to knock off the puck at times, played very well.
Corey Mackin (1 goal) Was also very strong up front, this kid played very well in Game 1 seemed to be up and down the ice all night. Involved in the play, was in and around the Vernon net most of the night.
Bo Pieper (4 goals) Was Coquitlam's best player, this kid was very dangerous and obviously hard to contain.
Ryan Rosenthal (1 assist) Leads the Express in points these playoffs is another dangerous player for Coquitlam. Picking up just one assist looked like he may have scored on the empty netter but was stopped by a big block by Vipers d-man Riley Guenther. Rosenthal is very good with and without the puck, a good-quick skater also makes things happen in a hurry.
Gordie Defiel (31 saves) Gave up two goals on the Vipers first two goals looked a little shaky at times through out the opening period really seemed to get better and look more confident as the game went on. I didnt think he looked all that good in the first two periods, had troubles with his rebounds and puck control as well as positioning, getting caught out of position on several occasions in the 2nd but come up large for the Express in the final period. Making some huge game savers in the 3rd giving his club a chance to win.
Game Thought's: (Coquitlam)
After being off the last week and a few days the Express showed signs of rust and it looked like it was going to cost them Game 1 after falling behind 2-0 early in the opening period and down three goals after twenty minutes of play. Coquitlam who was outhit, outworked and outplayed for most of the 1st period recovered and responded with a heck of a 2nd period, scoring three goals to tie the game heading into the final frame. The Express with an early goal to start the second period, gained some momentum and life got their legs going, were quick down low and really move the puck well. The defence likes to jump up into the play-rush and get involved. Coquitlam outplayed and outworked Vernon in the middle frame fell behind early to start the 3rd before getting some solid goaltending early keeping them in the game. The Express then capitalized on two Vernon turnovers scored two quick back to back goals never looked back coming away with a 6-4 win taking Game 1 of the finals. Give this team a ton of credit for not quiting, battling back down three goals and then having to come from behind in the 3rd after giving up an early goal. This team looked and got better as the game went on, the Express are quick, move the puck well and have some snipers that can rifle that puck in on net in a hurry. Coquitlam just like Vernon started the first two playoff series on the road, now start the Fred Page Cup on the road took Game 1 had a fair good turnout of fans show up for tonight's game.
Scratches:
Vernon:
Mark Hamilton (Injured)
Kenny Citron (Injured)
Coquitlam:
Anthony Gardner
Joey Santucci (Suspended)
Energy player of the game:
Canon Pieper (2 assists)
Three Stars:
1st Star: Bo Pieper (4 goals)
2nd Star: Zach Hodder (3 assists)
3rd Star: Brendan Persley (1 goal & 1 assist)
For more on tonight's game visit the BCHL boxscores,
http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=1316014&link=bchl
For more on tonight's game and the Coquitlam Express visit Eddie Gregory's Express blog,
http://expressvoice.blogspot.ca/
No comments:
Post a Comment