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 2 of the BCHL Fred Page Cup Finals as Coquitlam defeated Vernon 4-3 in overtime in front of 1,865 fans at Kal Tire Place.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon: Austin Smith
Coquitlam: Gordie Defiel
1st Period: The Vipers would get off to a good start, getting the play in deep Vernon with some early pressure would attack early. TJ Dumonceaux with an excellent chance just over two minutes into the opening period got a shot off from the slot that didnt catch enough of it with his stick forced Gordie Defiel to make the save. The Express come right back about a minute later with their first play in the Viper zone caught Austin Smith out of position but Marc Biega couldnt get a off a quick shot before Smith was able to recover back into the crease on a missed opportunity by Coquitlam. The Vipers would come right back opening the scoring about a minute and a half later after Jared Wilson spotted Dexter Dancs down the left wing, Dancs went hard to the goal got a shot off that went in and off Defiel and into the back of the net giving Vernon the early 1-0 lead at 4:47 Wilson with the assist. Less then a minute later the Express would get the games first powerplay but it was the Vipers penalty kill that stood out after TJ Dumonceaux setup Brendan Persley on a two on one giving the Vipers a 2-0 lead at 6:27 Dumonceaux with the helper. Vernon would get into penalty trouble taking a penalty shorthanded giving Coquitlam a two man advantage and the Express capitalized. With just fourteen seconds remaining on the first penalty Ryan Rosenthal was stopped by Smith before Canon Pieper got the Express on the scoresheet on the rebound at 7:13 Rosenthal and Marc Biega collected the helpers. Still on the man advantage the Express couldnt tie the game as Vernon was able to kill off the minor. Both teams were battling hard, going back and fourth in a fairly evenly matched period. Not alot of scoring chances at either ends of the rink as both teams were doing a good job at closing the shooting lanes and keeping each others offensive players to the outside. The Vipers slowly started to come on late in the 1st and would carry the edge in the final five minutes as Demico Hannoun with a spin and fire from the circle beat Coquitlam starting goaltender Gordie Defiel but went off the crossbar as the Vipers come close to re-taking a two goal lead. In the final minute Dexter Dancs fed Josh Bryan who was going hard to the net was stopped by Defiel who come across the crease to make a big pad save off Bryan at the side of the goal. The Vipers with a 2-1 lead after 20 minutes of play. The Vipers got off to a good start, had some early pressure scored early before taking a two goal lead shorthanded. Both teams were fairly even. Coquitlam outshot Vernon 12-11.
2nd Period: The Express come out hard to start the middle frame were in strong on the forecheck had the Vipers back on their heels a bit as Vernon had troubles getting out of their own end. Coquitlam with all kinds of pressure couldnt get pucks to the net as the Vipers did a good job at keeping the Express to the outside, the Vipers also come up big with a ton of blocked shots. It was all Coquitlam early as the Vipers had troubles getting through the neutral zone and into the offensive zone. Vernon would catch a bit of a break, Dexter Dancs was able to break through a check before carrying the puck into the Express zone, going to the net a scramble in front of Gordie Defiel before the puck went up in the air and somehow landed in back of the net giving the Vipers a 3-1 lead at 7:58 Dancs was credited with the goal, Liam Coughlin & Michael McNicholas picked up the assists. This goal seemed to wake up the Vipers as Vernon slowly started getting the play in deep and was able to generate a little offence. The Vipers really picked up the physical play in the second half were hitting hard, both teams were hitting most of the night. Coquitlam would get into penalty trouble giving Vernon a late two man advantage. Gordie Defiel made a nice glove save but didnt see alot of rubber as the Vipers powerplay struggled. The Express with a good penalty kill was able to kill off both minors were still down by two late in the period. Coquitlam would get a late powerplay in the final minute and a half couldnt capitalize as Vernon was up 3-1 after 40 minutes of play. The Express carried the early edge in play couldnt generate much offence were held to the outside with very good looks at the net. The Vipers caught a bit of a break scored the lone goal of the period were up by two heading into the 3rd. Just like the 1st period not alot of scoring chances at both ends of the rink. Vernon outshot Coquitlam 12-7.
3rd Period: The Express started the third on the man advantage that was carried over from the 2nd period. With not much time remaining on the powerplay Coquitlam couldnt get much going before the Vipers couldnt clear the zone just as the penalty expired. Adam Rockwood stayed with the puck and play setup Corey Mackin who beat Vipers starting goaltender Austin Smith cutting the Vernon lead to just a goal at :46 Rockwood with the assist. The Express come right back off the following faceoff, Bo Pieper alone in the slot just missed the goal on a very close call as Coquitlam was within inches of tying the game. Colton Sparrow early into the period in tight looked to put Vernon ahead by two but hit the crossbar on a close call. A few minutes later Austin Smith come up with his biggest save of the night stopping Bo Pieper on a parcial breakaway. Chances at both ends of the rink early as the scoring opportunities started to pick up. Colton Sparrow with another good chance lead the attack on a Vernon two on one couldnt beat Gordie Defiel who made a big save keeping this a 3-2 game. The Vipers with several good opportunities in the first half couldnt beat the Express netminder who was huge in the period making several big saves. Liam Coughlin went wide around his defender cut hard to the goal was stopped by Defiel before getting a second opportunity on the rebound beat Defiel as the puck rolled behind the goaltender near the goal line before the puck was cleared on a close call. Vernon was really coming on in the first ten minutes with lots of good looks couldnt score on their opportunities. Coquitlam really using their speed didnt get many scoring opportunties but capitalized on their chances. Adam Rockwood was able to walk in from behind the net beat Smith upstairs tying the game 3-3 at 12:21 Corey Mackin with the helper. The Vipers looked real tired as the game went on, didnt have much jump or speed in their game were being outskated and outworked at times as Coquitlam's speed and energy used it to their advantage. As time was winding down it looked like Vernon was sitting back, trying to get out of the period still tied. With fourty seven seconds left Michael MicNicholas with the puck on his stick ripped a hard shot from the slot forced Gordie Defiel to just get a peice of the puck with the tip of his glove making a huge save to keep the game tied. The Vipers with several goal mouth scrambles in the final minute come close to just about banging home a loose puck for the game winner couldnt beat Defiel. The game was tied 3-3 after 60 minutes of play. Coquitlam with an early goal cut the lead to within one made for a exciting period as both teams exchanged chances early before the Vipers took over the play getting numerous scoring opportunities couldnt beat Gordie Defiel who come up large in the 3rd keeping the Express in the game. Vernon outshot Coquitlam 22-13.
Overtime: Just 2:07 into the extra frame Riley Guenther lost the puck in the neutral zone allowing Adam Rockwood to lead the rush on a three on one, Rockwood waited before going to the net beat Austin Smith on the only shot of overtime gave the Express the come from behind 4-3 OT win as the Coquitlam bench erupted onto the ice taking a 2-0 series lead. The Vipers were caught standing around the entire period, Vernon wasnt skating, were standing still didnt last very long before giving up the overtime winner. Coquitlam outshot Vernon 1-0.
Top Players: (Vernon)
The line of Dexter Dancs (2 goals), Michael McNicholas (1 assist) & Liam Coughlin (1 assist) was pretty good. I dont think they were dangerous or very good but looked good at times through out the hockey game. Coughlin was skating hard and getting a few good rushes-looks at the net on seperate occasions, while Dancs scored twice was going to the net hard played hard.
Colton Sparrow I thought played another great game. Really picked up the physical play laid out several big checks, was battling and skating hard. Had a great opportunity to give Vernon a 4-2 lead early in the third hit the crossbar.
Dylan Chanter had another strong-physical game on the Vipers backend. Chanter who looked good last night, played hard and physical again tonight. Seemed to play a little more with the puck tonight, jumped up into the play was the Vipers best d-man.
Game Thought's: (Vernon)
For the second straight night Vernon cant hold onto a lead. Last night the Vipers up 3-0 after the opening period gave up three in the second before re-taking the lead early in the third gave up three more in the 3rd to lose 6-4. Tonight the Vipers get off to another great start, jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead blew a 3-1 lead in the 3rd. I thought the Vipers played much better tonight still didnt play a full sixty minutes, couldnt capitalize on their chances looked very tired and out of gas tonight, especially in the third period. The Vipers just dont seem to have that high twempo-high energy play in their game, they look tired-worn out and cant keep up with the Express at times. In both games this series, the Vipers come out strong, play with alot of jump and energy, have gotten out to two or three goal leads on Coquitlam but then cant seem to keep playing like this for the remainder of the game. The Vipers should be up 2-0 in this series after being up 3-0 in Game 1 and 2-0 in Game 2. If the Vipers couldnt have played a full sixty minutes Coquitlam wouldnt have been able to come from behind in either of the games. Vernon up 3-1 late in the 2nd period gets a two man advantage cant put the Express away had several good opportunities in the 3rd couldnt beat Gordie Defiel who was solid. I thought the Vipers did a good job at limiting the Express opportunities closed the shooting lanes, didnt give up alot of time and space for Coquitlam couldnt get that fourth goal. Austin Smith looked very shaky at times tonight, giving up a ton of rebounds. For the first time these playoffs the Vipers are down 2-0 in a series head to Coquitlam in a very tough situation and a must win in Game 3 Monday. Another very dissapointing small crowd for Game 2 of the League Finals.
Top Players: (Coquitlam)
Canon Pieper (1 goal) Took a big hit in the 2nd period left the ice-Coquitlam bench before returning to the game. Played very well, another player that is good with and without the puck, really sees and reads the play well.
Brendan Lamont I thought played with a ton of energy, was really flying all night. Wasnt afraid to go into the corners, was buzzing in and around the Viper zone all game. Had alot of jump was a real energy player for the Express. Was another player that the Vipers had troubles containing-slowing down.
Adam Rockwood (2 goals & 1 assist) Had a strong game for Coquitlam. Rockwood can really skate and move the puck as well as does a great job at avoiding being hit. This kid can really move in and out of his defenders giving the oposition a very hard time to contain him. Im surprised was still in the game after taking a huge hit from Colton Sparrow late in the second period, stayed on the ice and in the game, must be a tough kid.
Corey Mackin (1 goal & 1 assist) Looked good again for the second straight night. Mackin is another Express player that plays hard, hard to contain and get off the puck, always seems to be battling in the thick of things down low and in and around the net.
Gordie Defiel (42 saves) This kid was solid in the 3rd gave his team a chance to come from behind and pull off the win. Defiel was rock solid in the 3rd making several big saves keeping the Vipers off the scoresheet. He allows one or two early goals on several of the Vernon opportunities and this game may have been over. Made some huge saves, is very good down low.
Game Thought's: (Coquitlam)
For the second straight night the Express fall behind early, giving up two early back to back goals to fall behind 2-0 but once again rallied to mount another come from behind win on the road. Coquitlam played a much better 1st period after being outplayed last night in period one. The Express are very quick, move the puck in a hurry and get into the Vipers zone in a hurry. Tonight the Express were limited to scoring chances but capitalized on their opportunities and also relied on their goaltender to bail them out every now and again. Not alot of scoring chances at both ends of the rink in the first two periods, before the Vipers had a ton of good scoring opportunities in the third. The Express are very opportunistic and go to the net, looking for chances. Coquitlam played a much more physical game tonight, also took some big hits. Give this team credit they battled back, they didnt quit and won both games on the road to open the League Finals. Coquitlam now heads home with a chance to sweep the series and a chance at winning their first league championship title.
Scratches:
Mark Hamilton (Injured)
Kenny Citron (Injured)
Coquitlam:
Anthony Gardner
Joey Santucci (Suspended)
Energy player of the game:
Colton Sparrow
Three Stars:
1st Star: Adam Rockwood (2 goals & 1 assist)
2nd Star: Dexter Dancs (2 goals)
3rd Star: Gordie Defiel (42 saves)
For more on tonight's game visit the BCHL boxscore,
http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=1316015&link=bchl
For more on tonight's game and the Coquitlam Express visit Eddie Gregorys Express blog,
http://expressvoice.blogspot.ca/
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