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 BCHL Exhibition Vipers-Spruce Kings game as Vernon defeated Prince George 4-3 in overtime in front of a small crowd at Kal Tire Place.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon: Jarrod Schamerhorn
Prince George: Jesse Jenks
1st Period: The Vipers come out with alot of jump early and often. Jordan Low made a big defensive play early breaking up Ayden MacDonald's two on one. Vernon showing their speed really carried the edge in play before getting an early five on three powerplay. The first PP of the contest. The Vipers with good puck control moved the puck around but didnt generate alot of great opportunities missing the net on several plays. Late in the powerplay Thomas Aldworth with the only real good quality chance couldnt beat Jesse Jenks who made a big save as Vernon would get atleast six shots with the man advantage before PG would kill off the two man advantage. The Vipers were all over the Spruce Kings in a very physical opening period with lots of hitting through out the period. Vernon was outshooting the Spruce Kings 10-3 at the halfway mark. Prince George would slowly get their game going in the second half, Michael Buonincontri and Cole Todd with two good opportunities would be denied by former Merritt Centennials goaltender Jarrod Schamerhorn. The Spruce Kings would get a late flurry of action inside the Viper zone playing a little better as the period went on. Things heated up late in the period as both teams got into a mini scrum inside the PG blueline with several players getting involved. Chad Staley speared Thomas Aldworth as the two were going to the penalty boxes. Staley and Cole Todd were exchanging words in the penalty boxes with Aldworth and Kenny Citron. After both teams were sperated Vernon would come out on top with their second powerplay of the evening. TJ Dumonceaux would get stopped in the slot after Jenks made a nice save. With time winding down in the man advantage the score clock stopped for several seconds while the play continued, The Vipers moved the puck around before Johnny Coughlin's point shot was redirected in front by TJ Dumonceaux giving Vernon a late 1-0 lead at 18:22 Coughlin & Riley Guenther collected the assists. At the time of the goal the score clock was still not working, as the play was stopped after the Vipers goal as the score keepers tried fixing the score clock. On the next play the score clock would stop working for a second time before it was fixed. PG would get their first powerplay with just four seconds to go, giving them a man advantage to start the 2nd period. It was 1-0 Vernon after 20 minutes of play. Other then a few shifts the Vipers carried most of the play and had the better of the scoring chances. The Vipers really used their speed but really didnt create alot of scoring chances. The Spruce Kings were limited with the puck, didnt have alot of pressure in the Vernon zone. The Vipers with a very good opening period. The Vipers outshot the Spruce Kings 16-9.
2nd Period: Prince George started the period with the man advantage that was carried over from the opening period. The Spruce Kings moved the puck around couldnt generate any real scoring chances, were limited in shots couldnt tie the game as Vernon would kill off the minor. Shortly after PG would head back to the powerplay and again didnt get any real good looks with the man advantage as Vernon was able to kill off the powerplay. The Spruce Kings looked much better this period carried the better of the play as the Vipers quit hitting and couldnt generate any offence. Brent Lashuk with a great opportunity couldnt beat Vipers starting goaltender Jarrod Schamerhorn. Thomas Aldworth put the Vipers up by two after a quick low shot beat Jesse Jenks blocker side giving Vernon a 2-0 lead at 10:03 Linden Hora and Blaine Caton picked up the helpers. Vernon who didnt seem to have the same jump or intensity they played with in the 1st did get two good chances shortly after Aldworth's goal. MacKenzie Bauer couldnt beat Jenks at the side of the net before Trevor Fidler was stopped in front on a three on one. Fidler would get sent to the penalty box on the play giving the Spruce Kings their third man advantage of the period. But it was the Viper penalty kill that went to work, shorthanded Linden Hora setup Blaine Caton on a two on one giving the Vipers a 3-0 lead at 14:40 Hora with the only assist. Vernon seemed to play a little better after getting two quick back to back goals but PG responded and had some good pressure just couldnt generate any real offensive chances. The Vipers would get caught in their own zone late in the period, having troubles getting the puck out the Spruce Kings had Vernon hemmned in their own zone before getting on the board late. Chad Staley fed a wide open Just Rai in the slot who beat Schamerhorn shortside at 19:10 as PG was down by two. Staley and Michael Buonincontri picked up the helpers. The Vipers were up 3-1 after 40 minutes of play. Prince George started the period off with two early man advantages seemed to gain some confidence and played a much better period. Even though the Vipers were outplayed for most of the second period, Vernon capitalized with back to back goals around the halfway mark jumped out to a comfortable three goal lead. But the Spruce Kings didnt quit and got on the board late to get within two with one period remaining. PG outshot Vernon 12-9.
3rd Period: The Spruce Kings come out with some good jump early come very close to getting within a goal after Jarrod Schamerhorn was caught out of his net in the opening minutes coughed up the puck as a PG player through the puck out front but luckily for the Vipers no Spruce Kings were open. The Vipers come very close to re-taking a three goal lead. Three minutes into the period Branden Wagner setup Ayden MacDonald on a two on one but MacDonald couldnt finish in close. On the same play MacDonald would get tossed from the contest after given a five minute major for checking to the head. A scrum broke loose after the hit as the Spruce Kings went after MacDonald. PG would also pick up a penalty on the melay after the check as both teams played four on four before Prince George would get a full three minute powerplay. Jeremiah Luedtke on the man advantage spotted Brogan O'Brien in the slot beat Schamerhorn cutting the Vernon lead to within a goal at 6:54 Luedtke & Brent Lashuk with the assists. Less then two minutes later the Justin Rai tied the game 3-3 at 8:24 Chad Staley and Valik Chichkin with the helpers. The Vipers come right back on a two on one couldnt capitalize missing the goal. Vernon started to pick up the physical play laying out some big checks, come very close to some marginal hits on a few checks. Both teams had a few flurries of chances but it was the Vipers with the better quality chances. With just over six minutes remaining the Vipers would get their second five minute major of the night, lost Johnny Coughlin for checking from behind as the Spruce Kings with a huge powerplay to almost finish the game. But another strong penalty kill by the Vipers ate up alot of time off the clock with a big penalty kill. TJ Dumonceaux setup Anthony Latina who couldnt beat Spruce Kings starting goaltender Jesse Jenks in the final few minutes before PG would take a late penalty sending both teams to four on four before Vernon would get a late powerplay. Unable to capitalize the Vipers with a hard working last few shifts come on strong late were really buzzing in and around the Prince George net tried setting up a few late opportunities couldnt quite finish in front before the buzzer sounded. The game was tied 3-3 after 60 minutes of play. Both teams with a few good chances but it was the Vipers that had the better of the opportunities. PG didnt quit scored two quick back to back goals forced overtime. The Vipers with a few undisaplined penalties couldnt stay out of the penalty box this period. The Vipers outshot PG 13-5.
Overtime: Off the opening faceoff Justin Rai with a great chance in close couldnt beat Jarrod Schamerhorn in front before the Vipers broke out. Thomas Aldworth carried the puck up ice before setting up Luke Voltin in the slot went glovehand past Jesse Jenks for the OT winner giving Vernon the 4-3 lead at :38 Aldworth with the lone assist on the game winner. Vernon outshot Prince George 2-1.
Top Players: (Vernon)
Jake Emilio I thought played very well on the Vipers blueline.
Trevor Fidler played with alot of jump and energy. Was really skating hard, played well tonight.
MacKenzie Bauer was another rookie that played and worked hard all game.
Linden Hora (2 assists) I thought looked fairly good through out tonight's game.
Thomas Aldworth (1 goal & 1 assist) Is going to be the Vipers best player this season. This kid stands out from the rest of the group, a real strong skater, moves the puck up ice, soft hands, a bigger body thats hard to knock off the puck. Has really been impressive during Training Camp and these pre-season games.
Luke Voltin (OT Winner) I thought really battled and competed hard all night, this kid worked hard, was always on the fly, banging and crashing down low. Played with alot of energy.
Game Thought's: (Vernon)
I really liked the Vipers game in the 1st, I thought Vernon come out of the gates with a very strong effort. The Vipers really used their speed and slick passing to create a few good opportunities didnt generate alot of chances in that opening period, did manage to get pucks to the net. The Vipers carried most of the play outplayed PG but were only rewarded for one goal. I didnt think Vernon looked as good in the 2nd period but give credit to the Spruce Kings who seemed to tighten up a bit and eventually get some pressure in the Viper zone. Even though PG outplayed the Vipers in the middle frame, give credit to Vernon who scored twice jumping out to a 3-0 lead. The Vipers couldnt seem to get through the neutral zone, were caught deep in their own zone had troubles coming out of their own end. Vernon would give up two early back to back goals in the third didnt panic managed to create and generate some good looks, got into penalty trouble in the 3rd but were able to hold on and get the win in the extra period. Vernon played hard all night and competed, this is what we want to see. The Vipers didnt back down from the phycial play or the scrums. Overall I thought tonight was a pretty good entertaining Exhibition game with lots of big hits, a few scrums and some nice goals at both ends. Give full credit to Kevin Kraus and Eric Godard who only taking over from Jason Williamson last weekend, looked to have this team playing with some systems. I was impressed with their passing, especially in the 1st and their breakout. The powerplay even though didnt generate alot did have good puck possesion and good puck movement. The penalty kill even though giving up a powerplay goal scored once shorthanded and created several shorthanded oportunities. The Vipers were very aggresive on the penalty kill limited PG's opportunities. The Vipers generated alot of odd man rushes and the kids looked to gel together tonight. I saw alot of good things on the ice as well as behind the bench through out the game. With the win the Vipers improve to 3-1 during the pre-season.
Top Players: (Prince George)
Justin Rai (2 goals) Didnt notice him much in the 1st period but as the game went on, seemed to stand out and get involved in the play. Has a quick release, goes to the net alot.
Michael Buonincontri (1 assist) Was one of PG's better forwards tonight. A good skater seemed to get involved in the play through out the game.
Cole Todd played a fiesty yet physical game, throwing his weight around I thought looked good for the Spruce Kings.
Brent Lashuk (1 assist) Also impressed me tonight. A bigger body that was hard to contain down low played well. Goes to the net, had a few chances tonight from in close.
Jordan Low played very well on Prince George's blueline. Made several smart heads up plays on the backend. Saw alot of icetime.
Jesse Jenks (36 saves) Played well between the pipes for PG. Kept the Spruce Kings in the contest in that opening period after Vernon fired 16 shots on the goaltender. Couldnt be faulted on any of the Vipers four goals.
Game Thought's: (Prince George)
The Spruce Kings fall to 0-3 in Exhibition play didnt get off to a great start. I thought PG was physical early and often had troubles containing the Vipers speed and skill. The Spruce Kings were lucky they were only down just a goal after the first twenty minutes. PG was outplayed in the first period but come on and seemed to get their game going in the 2nd and 3rd periods but just didnt seem to have that offensive touch getting very little great opportunities. PG managed a few good chances but overall didnt get alot of pressure in the Vernon zone. The Spruce Kings gave up way too many odd man rushes couldnt capitalize with two five minute majors in the 3rd. Give Prince George credit they didnt quit, they battled and played hard all night tied the game in the 3rd but couldnt put the Vipers away with the powerplay. For two teams that dont see much of each other during the regular season, sure played with alot of emotion tonight in a very fiesty game with several scrums breaking out. Tomorrow's rematch in PG should be very interesting.
They didnt announce the scratches or three stars
Here is tonight's lineup-rosters
Vernon:
Danny Todosychuk
Jarrod Schamerhorn
Kenny Citron
Ryley Booth
Mitchell Oliver
Jake Emilio
Liam Coughlin (didnt play)
Riley Guenther
Blaine Caton
Anthony Latina
Jagger Williamson
TJ Dumonceaux
Trevor Fidler
MacKenzie Bauer
Linden Hora
Luke Shiplo (didnt play)
Thomas Aldworth
Luke Voltin
Riley Brandt
Branden Wagner
Ayden MacDonald
Johnny Coughlin
Prince George:
Jesse Jenks
Bailey Depalma (didnt play)
Alex Brooks-Potts
Stephen Penner
Alexander Stoley
Jake McCarthy
Frankie Spellman
Jake LeBrun
Justin Rai
Karan Toor
Michael Buonincontri
Riley Hawes
Jeremiah Luedtke
Cole Todd
Marco Ballarin
Matt Stief
Brent Lashuk
Kyle Lohmann
Chad Staley
Brogan O'Brien
Rider Stoglin
Valik Chichkin
Jordan Low
Braiden Epp
Taylor Allen
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