For anyone who could not attend or watch today’s Vipers game here are my thoughts and views from today’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 today’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 today's RBC Cup Semi-final game as Yorkton defeated Vernon 6-3 at Kal Tire Place.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon: Austin Smith
Yorkton: Kale Thomson
1st Period: The Vipers would get a great opportunity to open the scoring just ten seconds into the game. Colton Sparrow setup Brett Mulcahy in front who was stopped by Kale Thomson as Mulcahy collided with a Terriers defenceman going head over heels. Vernon with a good start seemed to have the early jump on Yorkton would get the games first powerplay early to start the game. Vernon with some good pressure didnt generate alot of chances couldnt capitalize as the Terriers would kill off the penalty. The Terriers needed three minutes to get their first shot on goal before getting a two man advantage. Former Vipers forward Riley Hunt with a great chance at the side of the net hit the side of the net as Yorkton come close to opening the scoring. The Terriers with good pressure had troubles getting pucks to the net as Vernon's penalty kill was good. The Vipers would kill off the first minor and come close to killing off the second penalty but two Vipers got caught high near the blueline, Tanner Lischynsky's shot from the high slot beat Austin Smith giving the Terriers a 1-0 lead on the man advantage at 9:05 Devon McMullin & Tyson Enzie collected the helpers. Yorkton would strike again and just fourty six seconds later take a 2-0 lead. Tayler Thompson setup Daylan Gatzke who beat Smith shortside from the circle at 9:51 This goal seemed to really take the life and energy out of Vernon. The Terriers gained off the momentum of the back to back goals carried the edge in play for a few minutes before Vernon would get it's second powerplay of the afternoon. Jared Wilson setup Brett Mulcahy in front who beat Kale Thomson at 15:47 getting the Vipers on the board. Wilson and Michael McNicholas with the assists. Off the following faceoff Kailum Gervais come back the other way had a great opportunity was stopped by Vipers starting goaltender Austin Smith. The Vipers slowly got their game going late in the period, had some pressure but didnt generate any real quality chances. The Terriers would respond and catching the Vipers off gaurd Yorkton showed alot of hustle in the final two minutes would get atleast three or four quick shots from in close but couldnt hit the net as the Vipers were back on their heels. Joshua Ellis just deflected a shot wide of the goal on a close call that would have put the Terriers up 3-0. Yorkton finished the period strong had the Vipers pinned in their own end as Vernon had troubles clearing the zone. The Terriers were up 2-1 after 20 minutes of play. Vernon got off to a good start, Brett Mulcahy with a great chance to open the scoring just ten seconds into the game couldnt capitalize. Yorkton's two goals in fourty six seconds seemed to take the wind out of the sails of the Vipers, Vernon's bench looked pretty dejected and the Vipers just couldnt seem to recover. Vernon outshot Yorkton 12-5.
2nd Period: The Vipers would get an early powerplay in the opening minute and capitalize. Dexter Dancs setup Michael McNicholas in front who beat Terriers starting goaltender Kale Thomson at 1:36 to tie the game 2-2. Dancs & Mason Blacklock with the assists. This goal gave the Vipers some life and got the crowd back into the game. Vernon really come on strong and were all over Yorkton early and often as the Terriers were back on their heels. The Vipers come very close to taking their first lead of the afternoon, after a few goal scrambles. Brett Mulcahy with a good opportunity got a shot off from the slot that forced Thomson to hold on tight, as the Terriers goaltender fell back into the crease keeping the puck out. Vernon with all kinds of pressure just missed the net-far corner on a few close shots had the fans buzzing. Yorkton had troubles getting out of their own end as the Vipers were all over the Terriers but couldnt capitalize. The Terriers would get their first rush of the period and score. Chase Norrish's point shot was redirected in by Dylan Johnson giving the Terriers a 3-2 lead at 8:57 on Yorkton's first shot of the period. On the next play the Vipers would take an undisaplined penalty giving the Terriers their third powerplay of the night but a very good penalty kill by the Vipers and they would kill off the minor. Just as the penalty expired Chase Norrish's point shot went up and over the shoulder of Austin Smith putting Yorkton up 4-2 at 11:39 Norrish's goal was unassisted. This was the end of the afternoon for Austin Smith who was pulled after giving up four goals on just eight Yorkton shots. Danny Todosychuk would replace Smith who was seeing his second bit of action in the tournament. But the Vipers would respond in a hurry with a good push back. Demico Hannoun setup Dexter Dancs at 12:38 as the Terriers lead was now at 4-3 Hannoun and Michael McNicholas collected the helpers. Yorkton looked to be testing Danny Todosychuk as the Terriers were getting some long shots in on the Vernon goaltender who was giving up some pretty big rebounds. Just a few minutes later the Terriers would get another shot with the man advantage before taking a penalty wich put both teams four on four before the Vipers would get a late shortened powerplay. The Terriers would kill off the penalty and head back to even strength. The Terriers were up 4-3 after 40 minutes of play. The Vipers with a great start to the 2nd period come out on fire, scoring on an early man advantage tied the game before getting alot of close calls just missing the net or forcing the goaltender to hold onto the puck. The Vipers outplayed the Terriers in the first seven or so minutes had a ton of pressure couldnt capitalize for the go ahead goal before giving up the third goal on Yorkton's first shot of the period. The Terriers with two goals less then three minutes apart once again jumped out to a two goal lead. The Vipers would reply quickly but just couldnt get any bounces in and around the Terriers net. Shots were even 13-13.
3rd Period: In the opening minute Demico Hannoun setup Colton Sparrow at the side of the net who's shot just missed the far corner on a close call. The Vipers carried the edge in play early but couldnt generate no offence as Yorkton's defence was solid. Keeping Vernon to the outside, playing hard along the boards the Vipers couldnt get anybody to the front of the net as all shots were from well outside. The Vipers would get a early powerplay, Liam Coughlin would get a great opportunity going in for the breakaway would get slashed on the play didnt get off a shot as Vernon would get a two man advantage. But the Vipers struggled, missing passes, players out of position and give the Terriers credit their defence was solid doing a great job at keeping the Vipers to the outside as Vernon couldnt generate no scoring chances. Yorkton with a huge penalty kill would kill off both minors. Just as the final penalty expired the Vipers would take yet another undisaplined penalty giving the Terriers a powerplay. The Vipers were able to kill off the penalty and get control of the puck and the play as the Vipers carried the edge in play but again couldnt get anything going. Vernon looked frustrated with several missed passes as the Terriers played a heck of a defensive game in the third. The Vipers with no quality chances tried getting Danny Todosychuk out for the extra attacker but on the way to the bench Todosychuk would fall on his way to the bench before Daylan Gatzke with his second of the afternoon hit the open cage giving Yorkton a 5-3 lead at 18:17 Gatzke's goal was unassisted. Vernon would pull Todosychuk for the extra attacker but it didnt last long as Tayler Thompson with his second point of the game hit the empty net giving the Terriers a 6-3 lead. Riley Guenther slammed his stick into the glass breaking the side glass in frustration. Guenther would get tossed from the game while there was a delay in the game to replace the broken plain. When the play returned Jason Williamson sent out his twenty year olds for their final shift of the season, as in the end the SJHL & Western Canada Cup Champion Yorkton Terriers come away with a 6-3 victory to advance to the RBC Cup Championship game. Several Vernon players, especially the older veteran players held their head low on the bench as the Terriers celebrated the victory. The Vipers just couldnt get anything going in the 3rd, Vernon carried the edge in play but couldnt generate any real scoring threats as the Terriers come up with a huge defensive shut down period hung on for the one goal lead before adding two empty netters for the win. Shots were even 12-12.
Top Players: (Vernon)
Josh Bryan I thought had a good game on the Viper blueline. Bryan in his final Junior hockey game had a strong game and season.
Michael McNicholas (1 goal & 2 assists) Had a strong game up front collecting three points this afternoon, to finish off his career with the Vipers.
Brett Mulcahy (1 goal) I thought had a good game, Mulcahy in his final Junior hockey season had a few good chances, scored once on the powerplay, was working hard.
Colton Sparrow I thought worked and battled hard like he has all playoffs and Tournament had a great chance to tie the game in the opening minute of the 3rd but just missed the far corner. The Terriers looked to get under the skin of several Vipers including Sparrow.
Game Thought's: (Vernon)
The Vipers with a good start to the game felll behind early after giving up two quick back to back goals just fourty six seconds apart wich seemed to take the life out of the team. After some early penalties the Vipers got off their physical game, not knowing what the referees were going to call, the Vipers looked afraid to hit, thinking they will get a penalty. This was a big turning point in the game. Give Vernon credit they battled back to tie the game but once again fell behind two goals giving up two goals in less then three minutes in the 2nd period. The Vipers with a real strong 2nd period come hard at the Terriers with a ton of pressure. Vernon would tie the game early on the powerplay couldnt seem to get any bounces or breaks in and around the Yorkton goal coming very close to taking the lead. After totally outplaying the Terriers and not getting that third goal, the Terriers on their first rush of the period scored on their first shot of the period. These two quick goals once again seemed to take the wind out of the sails of Vernon. The Vipers didnt get the goaltending they needed this afternoon, Austin Smith didnt look his normal self, I thought looked shaky at times would like back atleast two goals. Down just a goal heading into the 3rd the Vipers couldnt mount any real pressure or quality chances, several missed passes, players out of position, the Vipers struggled offensively couldnt generate any offence. Most of Vernon's shots were from well outside with no traffic in front. Vernon had troubles against a strong Terriers defence who played very well today. The Vipers really struggled with the man advantage going 1-6 with the powerplay including a two man advantage in the 3rd. I thought going down two goals early in the 1st and then giving up two quick back to back goals in the 2nd after outplaying the Terriers really deflated the Vipers and they just couldnt recover. Vernon looked frustrated and looked to panic as the third period went on just didnt have a great game overall. I didnt think the Vipers played with alot of energy or jump most of the game, Vernon lacked urgencey in their game and it showed. Vernon just didnt play with that energy and intensity that had vs Toronto Lakshore the other night. This was a different Vipers team we saw play today. The Vipers top scorers were nowhere to be seen through out the game. The Vipers didnt get any bounces or puck luck today, needed a few of those. Great to see one of the biggest if not the biggest crowd of the Tournament today, not a sellout but a pretty big crowd for a Saturday afternoon. With the season all now over, it will be very interesting to see what brings us with next season's Vipers. Vernon has a possible six players returning is going to have to do some heavy recruiting-scouting to fill the empty spots from this years players not returning. Id like to take this time to thank the Vernon Vipers, the players, the coaches, the management and everyone involved on a great season and a tough way to lose. I myself didnt expect this team to go as far as they did this year and give them a ton of credit. Right from Training Camp you could see on paper the Vipers had a very strong team and when playing at their best were one of the toughest teams to beat-play against. Consistancy was a big problem this year and I think if they played every game like they showed, they would have been right up there in the standings as one of if not the top team in the league.
Top Players: (Yorkton)
Chase Norrish (1 goal & 1 assist) Played a very strong game this afternoon. I thought Norrish and Devon McMullin were the Terriers two top d-men played a heck of a tournament. Norrish saw a ton of ice today was very well at both ends of the rink.
Jordan Ross had a strong game for Yorkton. One of the bigger kids on the Terriers played with alot of jump, was really involved in the play.
Brady Norrish played very well on the Yorkton backend. Saw alot of minutes was very hard to beat down low and in along the boards.
Daylan Gatzke (2 goals) Had a strong game scoring twice was very good up front for the Terriers.
Tayler Thompson (1 goal & 1 assist) Was very good this afternoon, a bigger kid was also heavily involved in the play.
Kale Thomson (34 saves) For a kid who I didnt think looked or played that good at the start of the RBC Cup sure come on late in the Tournament and played very well in some big games. Didnt have to make any real outstanding saves today but was solid between the pipes making the key saves when called apon. Got lucky on a few saves but thats when you need at this time of the year.
Game Thought's: (Yorkton)
The Terriers fell behind 5-0 to the Vipers in the preliminary round rallied to come within a goal would fall 6-4. Well today was a different story. The Terriers would be the ones that jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead forced Vernon into having to claw back wich they did, would tie the game but Yorkton went right back to work once again taking another two goal lead but this time the Terriers would hold on to a one goal lead in the 3rd before adding two empty netters to put the game away. I didnt think this Yorkton team looked or played that great at the start of the Tournament but come on late and played better as the RBC Cup went on. Give Yorkton full credits for a hard working game and a solid defensive game really shut down the Vipers offence, didnt give Vernon any real good quality shots or chances through out the game. I thought Yorkton kept the Vipers to the outside, limited their chances, got under their skin and got Vernon off their game. The Terriers got a few lucky breaks-bounces today and thats how the game goes sometimes. Yorkton was very good on the penalty kill and down low, in and around the net and hard on the puck along the wall. The Terriers held off the Vipers attack early at the start of the 2nd period before scoring twice to re-gain the two goal lead. This was a big turning point. Yorkton did a good job at tying up the Viper forwards down low and along the boards, keeping the Vipers outside of the box. The Terriers tied up and shit down Vernon's top players, keeping them almost invincible all afternoon. If the Vipers score once or two goals after outplaying Yorkton in the first seven minutes this may be a different game.
Scratches:
Vernon:
Mark Hamilton
Logan Mick
Dallas Calvin
Yorkton:
Sam Stormoen
Zach Zadorozniak
Corwin Stevely
Cortlan Procter
Matthew Cox
Players of the Game:
Vernon: Michael McNicolas (1 goal & 2 assists)
Yorkton: Chase Norrish (1 goal & 1 assist)
For more on today's game visit the Hockey Canada boxscore and game summary,
http://stats.hockeycanada.ca/game/show/7691858?subseason=142110&referrer=1060585
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