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 RBC Cup game as Vernon defeated Toronto Lakeshore 3-2 in overtime at Kal Tire Place.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon: Austin Smith
Toronto Lakeshore: Evan Buitenhuis
1st Period: The Patriots got off to a good start, had some early jump would get the games first powerplay early. Moving the puck well Toronto Lakeshore didnt generate much offence but did generate some pressure with the man advantage but couldnt capitalize as Vernon would kill off the minor. Back to even strength the Vipers had troubles getting out of their own end as the Pats kept applying good pressure would open the scoring shortly after the powerplay. Andreas Tsogkas beat Austin Smith down low giving the Patriots an early 1-0 lead at 6:34 Tsogkas's goal was unassisted. Two and a half minutes later Vernon would get their first powerplay before getting a two man advantage. Toronto Lakeshore was able to kill off the first penalty before Colton Sparrow setup Brett Mulcahy in front who beat Evan Buitenhuis tying the game 1-1 at 11:57 Sparrow & Josh Bryan with the helpers. This goal seemed to give the Vipers a bit of a lift as Vernon who was outplayed for parts of the first half slowly started coming on in the second half. The Vipers putting lots of pucks on net were having troubles generating or coming up with those grade "A" chances. The Vipers who carried the better of the play late in the period had some good pressure had a few scrambles in front of the crease couldnt find the back of the net. TJ Dumonceaux with a great opportunity late couldnt beat Evan Buitenhuis in front with five and a half minutes to go. It was tied 1-1 after 20 minutes of play. The Patriots with a good start had lots of jump and energy looked to have a bit of jump on the Vipers early. Toronto Lakeshore would open the scoring and carry the better of the play in the first half before the Vipers with even the score on the man advantage really come on strong late to finish the period, were the better of the teams in the second half. The Vipers may have outshot the Pats but didnt generate alot of great opportunities. Alot of the Viper shots were from in close or from a ways out. Not alot of scoring chances at either ends of the rink. Vernon outshot Toronto Lakeshore 17-9.
2nd Period: Toronto Lakeshore would get an early powerplay but couldnt capitalize after some good pressure. Both teams were back and fourth with not alot of opportunities. Logan Mick with a chance in front couldnt beat Patriots starting goaltender Evan Buitenhuis in close. Around the halfway mark, the Patriots with a strong forecheck forced Ryan Renz into turning over the puck behind his own goal, a quick pass out front setup Brandon Willett who couldnt connect on the pass missed a great opportunity. Back come Vernon the other as Michael McNicholas tried setting up Demico Hannoun on an odd man rush but was hauled down giving the Vipers their first of two powerplays this period but Vernon couldnt capitalize. The Vipers with lots of pressure in the second half come up with some good chances couldnt beat Buitenhuis who played very well. Nathan Feric on a Patriots odd man rush was stopped by Vipers starting goaltender Austin Smith. The game was tied 1-1 after 40 minutes of play. I thought the Vipers were the better of the team at times carried the play in spurts had some chances but again not alot of great opportunities. Vernon outshot Toronto Lakeshore 13-5.
3rd Period: Just a few minutes into the third Demico Hannoun with a breakaway would get stopped by Evan Buitenhuis before going crashing hard into the end boards. Hannoun was very slow to get up stayed on for his shift before went off holding his head on the bench. Hannoun seemed to be ok and stayed in the game. The Vipers with some of their best chances of the night come early into the 3rd. Liam Coughlin who had a strong game had three opportunities but couldnt beat Buitenhuis. Vernon with some early pressure and chances looked good in the first half before Toronto Lakeshore come on strong in the second half. The Patriots with several close calls to taking the lead had atleast three or four wild scrambles in and around Austin Smith but couldnt find the back of the net. Late in the game Michael McNicholas setup Demico Hannoun on the odd man rush put Vernon ahead 2-1 at 15:11 sending Kal Tire Place into a frenzy. McNicholas and Dexter Dancs with the assists. But just over two minutes later the Pats come very close to tying the game on another goal mounth scramble as Toronto Lakeshore was pressing. Fans were starting to get a little nervous late as the Patriots were really coming on. Toronto Lakeshore were all over Vernon in the final few minutes with a ton of pressure. Brendan Persley who returned to the Vipers lineup tonight saved a goal with a few minutes to go after making a huge shot block in front. The Pats would call a timeout before getting Evan Buitenhuis to the bench for the extra attacker with just over a minute to go. The Patriots would then get a five on three after the Vipers would take a late penalty. Toronto Lakeshore with tons of pressure come very close to tying the game late before getting a quick shot off the end glass the puck come back out front, with Austin Smith down and out a mad scramble in front for the loose puck everyone was banging away at the puck before Michael Prapavessis tied the game with 7.5 seconds remaining as the Patriots bench erupted in excitement as you could hear a pin drop at Kal Tire Place. Nathan Feric with the lone assist at 19:53 The game was tied 2-2 after 60 minutes of play. What a heck of a hockey game and a wild 3rd period. The Vipers come out strong, getting several great scoring chances couldnt take the lead played very well early were the better of the teams before the Patriots rallied to tie the game late come on strong in the second half, were really putting tons of pressure on the Vipers getting several close calls to coming close to tying the game. Toronto Lakeshore outshot Vernon 8-7.
Overtime: Both teams played it pretty tight early didnt give one another much time or space as both teams didnt get any real opportunities. The Vipers would get the first great chance just over five minutes into the extra frame after a Toronto Lakeshore defenceman just about put the puck into his own net, before Evan Buitenhuis was able to cover up the loose puck at the side of the goal with a ton of bodies going hard to the net on a very close call. Just a few minutes later Vernon would get a powerplay in overtime and put the game away. Michael McNicholas setup Dexter Dancs in the corner went hard to the net slid the puck fivehole-low along the ice beating Buitenhuis giving the Vipers the 3-2 overtime win at 10:17 as the Vipers bench erupted onto the ice as Kal Tire Place went into a frenzy. McNicholas and Riley Guenther collected the assists. Very little if any real scoring chances in overtime other then the play where the Pats d-man just about put the puck into his own net, it wasnt until Dexter Dancs OT winner. The Vipers outshot the Patriots 9-2.
Top Players: (Vernon)
I thought the line of Colton Sparrow (1 assist), Liam Coughlin & Brett Mulcahy (1 goal) were very strong for Vernon tonight. Sparrow didnt do alot with the puck tonight but played with alot of energy and hard work. I thought Coughlin had a heck of a game, was really skating hard, had several good opportunities was very strong and hard to knock off the puck.
The line of Mason Blacklock, Logan Mick and TJ Dumonceaux was another line that played very well. I thought these three were very strong and effective in the 1st but played very well all night. Were really skating, battling and strong on the forecheck.
Michael McNicholas (2 assists) Played very well tonight, really sees and reads the play well, a perfect pass to setup Demico Hannoun on the odd man rush for Vernon's second goal of the night late in the 3rd.
Game Thought's: (Vernon)
This was one of if not the Vipers best performances-games since the Interior Finals vs Penticton. After going 2-0 in the three team round robin tournament to advance to the BCHL Fred Page Cup Finals I dont think Vernon has played or looked that great even their first three games at the RBC Cup. Something happened after the three team round robin tournament because the Vipers were not the same team vs Coquitlam. Even the first three games at the Royal Bank Cup Vernon still didnt look or play at their best. Ive said it all season, the Vipers have a very strong team on paper and when playing at their best, they are one of the hardest teams to beat. The only problem is they have been very uncosistant all season at playing at their best and playing a full sixty minutes. Tonight was by far the best game at the RBC Cup and one of the Vipers better games in a long time. I thought Toronto Lakeshore had the early jump and step on Vernon at the start of the game but after going down 1-0 the Vipers seemed to get some life after tying the game and really come on strong in the second half. I thought as the game went on the Vipers played very well but werent getting any real great opportunities. The Vipers were getting lots of pucks on goal just werent getting grade A chances. I thought Vernon had their best chances in the 3rd. I thought the Vipers were good offensively but had troubles with the Patriots speed and strong forecheck as Toronto Lakeshore was giving Vernon's defence all kinds of trouble in their own end. I felt bad for the boys after giving up the late goal with just 7.5 seconds to go, it was great to see them pull it out in overtime. Vernon really worked hard, battles and competed played hard all night. The Vipers along with the Patriots were really skating hard. With the win the Vipers advance to the semi-finals (teams and times to be announced at a later date). I was once again very dissapointed with the crowd tonight, sure they had a pretty big crowd tonight but still wasnt a sellout. I thought tonight's attendance looked to be the biggest of the tournament.
Top Players: (Toronto Lakeshore)
Tyler Currie had a strong game on the Pats blueline.
Andreas Tsogkas (1 goal) was very strong, dangerous with the puck, a good skater, can really get going. Very skilled.
Jacob Hayhurst & Brandon Willett reminded me alot like the Jones Twins (former Vipers) These two kids were really flying tonight. The two of them were very dangerous with and without the puck, the Vipers had troubles with these two all night. Not the biggest kids but have some quick wheels, hard on the puck, strong on the forecheck were giving Vernon's defence all kinds of troubles.
Nathan Feric (1 assist) & Kevin Shier both had a strong games. Feric likes to play the body, very aggresive, strong with the puck. Two of the bigger bodies on the team played and looked very strong.
Rory Bell I thought also played well, not sure what he did but he sure had alot of attention from the Vernon players, getting all kinds of shoves after a whistle, players exchanging words inbetween shifts etc.
Evan Buitenhuis (43 saves) Played very well between the pipes. Gave his team a chance to win and kept them in the game at times. I thought Toronto Lakeshore looked good in all of their games leading up to tonight's contest but I wasnt sure about their goaltending, as Buitenhuis didnt seem to get tested much in the Pats first three games. Well he was tested tonight and made some good saves.
Game Thought's: (Toronto Lakeshore)
The OJHL Champion Toronto Lakeshore's season is all but over after a very tough hard fought overtime loss tonight. The Pat's finish the RBC Cup at 1-3 looked good through out the tournament. This was by far the most exciting and entertaining game at the RBC Cup. I thought the Patriots played Vernon very tough, kept the Vipers to the outside and didnt give up alot of scoring opportunities until the 3rd. Toronto Lakeshore competed and played hard, I would say the quickest team at the tournament yet the smallest club here. The Patriots won most of the draws and the puck battles tonight, Toronto Lakeshore's very strong yet aggresive forecheck gave the Viper defence all kinds of troubles, winning the battles and races the Patriots were very dangerous down low and in and around the net. The Pats with several goul mouth scrambles or opportunities in and around the net didnt get any real bounces to go there way tonight. At times Toronto Lakeshore carried the better of the play and then the Vipers would take over, both teams put on one heck of a hockey game for the deciding game to decide the team who gets into the semi-finals. What a feeling it must have been to tie the game with just seconds remaining before giving up the game winner knowing your season is over. What a heart breaking loss for these kids and this team. Id like to take this time to wish all the Patriot players, coaching staff and management a big thank you for putting on some good hockey for the City of Vernon and the Viper fans here at the RBC Cup. You guys had one heck of a season, you have nothing to hang your heads about. You come along way, that many teams would kill for the opportunity. Wishing you all the best in your future careers and next season. I hope you had a wonderful stay in Vernon!
Scratches:
Vernon:
Mark Hamilton
Matty Saharchuk
Dallas Calvin
Toronto Lakeshore:
Lior Goldenberg
Louis Di Matteo
Alex Grose
Quinn Syrydiuk
Jeremy Pullara
Players of the Game:
Vernon: Dexter Dancs (1 goal & 1 assist)
Toronto Lakeshore: Evan Buitenhuis (43 saves)
For more on tonight's game visit Hockey Canada's website,
http://stats.hockeycanada.ca/game/show/6545002?subseason=142110&referrer=1060585
For more on the game and the RBC Cup visit Dustin Scafe's Merritt Centennials blog,
http://dustinscafe.blogspot.ca/
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