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 Vipers-Vees game as Penticton defeated Vernon 3-1 in front of 2,036 fans at Kal Tire Place.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon: Jarrod Schamerhorn
Penticton: Hunter Miska
1st Period: The Vipers would get the games first scoring chance early. Just less then two minutes into the hockey game TJ Dumonceaux setup Vipers leading scorer Thomas Aldworth on a two on one who couldnt beat Hunter Miska who come across the blue paint to make a big pad save. Vernon playing with alot of energy and jump early looked to have a bit of edge on the Vees in the opening few minutes. The Vipers out to a quick 4-0 lead in shots before Penticton would get their first puck on goal four minutes into the period. Vernon had the better of the play early before the Vees come back with a hard working shift just before the halfway mark. Penticton with their first bit of pressure deep in the Vernon zone cycled and moved the puck well but didnt really get any quality scoring chances. The Vipers were able to hold off the Vees for a few minutes before a wild play just about got the Vipers on the board early. With just over eight minutes to go Brandon Egli's long dump in shot took a funny bounce off the corner glass coming right out front of the Vees goal and through the crease as Hunter Miska had fled the net to retrieve the dump in. Penticton was lucky the puck didnt go in the empty cage on a close call. On the same shift Trevor Fidler with a quick shot from inside the circle tried beating Miska blocker side was stopped before Anthony Latina jumped on a rebound couldnt beat the Penticton Vees tender on two great chances for Vernon. A few minutes later the Vees would get the games first powerplay, but the Vipers were able to kill off the man advantage. Penticton with not alot of scoring opportunities had their best chance of the period late. Jarod Hilderman's point shot was redirected in front but stopped by Schamerhorn. In the final minute Penticton would open the scoring. Steen Cooper caught the Vipers out of position setup a wide open Demico Hannoun in front found the open cage giving the Vees a 1-0 lead at 19:24 Cooper with the lone helper. Penticton was up 1-0 after 20 minutes of play. I thought the Vipers got off to a strong start, couldnt capitalize on a two on one less then two minutes into the game had some good chances but just couldnt find the back of the net. I thought Vernon had a slight edge in play, had the better scoring opportunities. Both teams were fairly even at times, but Vernon had more offensive zone time. The Vees didnt generate much offence in the opening period scored the lone goal of the period. The Vipers outshot the Vees 12-11.
2nd Period: The Vees come at the Vipers hard off the opening draw as Penticton with a strong forecheck pressed Vernon with some early pressure. But less then two minutes in TJ Dumonceaux set Liam Coughlin on a Viper odd man rush but again Hunter Miska was there for the big save. A few minutes later Penticton would get their second shot with the man advantage. But it was the Vipers aggresive penalty kill that lead to some great shorthanded opportunities. Hunter Miska with another big save off another Vernon odd man rush then stopped Thomas Aldworth shorthanded who was hauled down on his way to the net was awarded a penalty shot. With Miska way out of his crease to challenge, Aldworth come in on an angle went high glove side shot up and over the net. Vernon's penalty kill was very strong killing off the minor. Less then a minute later the Vipers would get their first look with the powerplay. Blaine Caton at the side of the net would get two cracks at the puck but couldnt beat Vees starting goaltender Hunter Miska who made two big stops as Penticton with a very aggresive forecheck would kill off the penalty. Less then a minute later the Vees would jump back on their second powerplay of the period. Vipers starting goaltender Jarrod Schamerhorn had to be sharp was forced to make several saves while down off Vees leading scorer Tyson Jost. Jost with atleast three or four wacks at the loose puck couldnt get the puck up and over Schamerhorn who may have got some help from his defenceman as Penticton with several good chances early on the man advantage. The Vipers aggresive penalty kill went back to work, as Liam Coughlin lead the attack with a three on one. Coughlin tried going for the pass out front couldnt get the shot through as Dante Fabbro lost an edge fell but recovered making a huge defensive play blocking Coughlin's pass. Still on the PP former Vernon Vipers forward Demico Hannoun's point shot looked to get redirected along the way found the back of the net from the blueline gave the Vees a 2-0 lead at 11:06 Hannoun would get credit for the goal giving him two on the night. Dante Fabbro with the lone assist. The Vees come on strong in the second half took over the edge in play and carried the better of the play. Penticton would get their fare chances. Matt Serratore was stopped by Schamerhorn and then Josh Laframboise couldnt beat the Vernon goaltender who come across the crease to make a nice pad save. The Vipers who got into penalty trouble put Penticton back on the man advantage for a third time this period. In the final minute Schamerhorn come up with a huge pad save keeping the Vees from going up by three. The Vees with back to back powerplays to finish the 2nd couldnt capitalize. Penticton was up 2-0 after 40 minutes of play. The Vipers with several good opportunities in the first half couldnt buy a goal. For the second straight period Vernon with an odd man rush in the opening two minutes couldnt solve Hunter Miska and then shorthanded get atleast three or four good quality chances, including a penalty shot didnt have the finish around the net. Vernon with some missed opportunities fell behind 2-0 after giving up a powerplay goal. The Vees who for a second straight period were outchanced come on strong in the final ten minutes. Penticton carried the edge in play, had several good scoring chances also couldnt find the back of the net as both goaltenders were playing well. The Vees outshot the Vipers 16-8.
3rd Period: Penticton would start the frame with the man advantage that was carried over from the 2nd period. Brandon Egli's long dump in shot would take a few funny hops along the ice before fooling Hunter Miska just going over the crossbar on a weird play. With only seconds remaining the Vipers were able to kill off the penalty. Up two goals and just twenty minutes away from their sixth straight victory the Vees come at the Vipers early and often giving Vernon's defence all kinds of trouble. Penticton then started to sit back with three players clogging the neutral zone gave the Vipers offence all kinds of trouble getting pucks into the Vees zone. The Vipers down two goals couldnt get much of anything going offensively as the Vees defensive coverage and tight checking game shutdown Vernon's offensive weapons. The Vees with a very solid shutdown period really slowed the game down, making things very difficult for the Vipers. Vernon with no real pressure or offensive zone time were limited to shots and opportunities most of the first half. Just past the midway mark Liam Coughlin would get a great chance at the side of the net, almost on the goal line looked to have Hunter Miska beat but went high ringing his shot off the crossbar. A few minutes later Mitch Newsome and Riley Alfred lead the attack with a Vees two on one, Newsome kept and fired but couldnt beat Jarrod Schamerhorn who played the shot well absorbing the puck with no rebound in sight. As the period went on it didnt look very good for Vernon who couldnt muster any offensive chances but with about six minutes to go the Vipers come on late with some good pressure. Several hard working shifts and the Vipers were starting to click. Thomas Aldworth with a hard working shift won the battle, stole the puck from the Penticton d-man went hard to the net before banging in a loose puck in front getting the Vipers on the board cutting the Penticton lead to within a goal at 16:14 Liam Coughlin & TJ Dumonceaux collected the assists. This goal got the crowd back into the game as well as the Vipers. Vernon would call a late timeout with 1:34 to go, getting Schamerhorn to the bench for the extra attacker the Vipers couldnt generate anything nor could they keep hold of the puck as a strong defensive game from the Vees late forced the Vipers into coughing up the puck or turning it over inside the Vees zone. A long shot from the neutral zone just missed the empty net before Matt Serratore put the game away with an empty netter at 19:57 Riley Alfred & Dante Fabbro picked up the helpers. Penticton would win their sixth straight after a 3-1 victory on the road. The Vees with a solid defensive game in the final period almost put the Vipers and fans to sleep. Vernon had all kinds of troubles getting through the neutral zone, getting pucks on goal and creating some chances. The Vipers would get a late serge and come on strong to finish the game would get within a goal couldnt for overtime for a second straight game. Vernon outshot Penticton 11-8.
Top Players: (Vernon)
Brandon Egli I thought was one of Vernon's better d-men tonight. In just his third game with the Vipers Egli looked good with and without the puck. Plays a calm and steady game on the Viper backend. A smooth skater just about caused some panic for the Vees on two long dump in plays that took a favorable bounce on both long shots.
The line of Liam Coughlin (1 assist), Thomas Aldworth (1 goal) & TJ Dumonceaux (1 assist) was by far the Vipers top unit. All three played very well together, created and generated some great opportunities but just couldnt solve Hunter Miska-have any finish in and around the net. I thought Coughlin really worked hard tonight, was really skating. Aldworth had another strong game up front for the Vipers. This kids a work horse, forces the opponents into turning over the puck on several occasions, is very strong on the forecheck and hard to knock off the puck once he gets it. Dumonceaux played with a ton of jump, was really flying tonight was also good with and without the puck. Setup atleast two odd man rushes had a very strong game up front.
Anthony Latina was another player that come to play, played with alot of energy. Was skating hard created and generated some chances.
Johnny Coughlin I thought had a very strong game on the blueline. The first year Viper was good with and without the puck, making several heads up plays through out the game. On a few plays it looked like the rookie defenceman was going to lose the puck or the one on one battle but ended up coming out on top.
Jarrod Schamerhorn (30 saves) Made his sixth straight start for the Vipers played well between the pipes. Wasnt faced with a ton of shots-opportunities but made some key-big saves through out the game.
Game Thought's: (Vernon)
The Penticton Vees snapped the Vipers three game winning streak in a game I thought the Vipers held their own and battled the Vees from start to finish. This was a game the Vipers could have won if they burried their chances. Neither team pulled away in a very evenly matched game. In no way was this a convincing win for Penticton. I really liked the Vipers start, getting a two on one just minutes into the game had several good chances in both the first two periods couldnt buy a goal. Vernon is really missing some secondary scoring after their first line. The Vipers have a very hard working team but need to get some scoring from the 2nd and 3rd lines. I think the Vipers need another one or two kids who can put the puck in the net. Vernon just dosnt have the depth in the scoring department. So far from what I have seen early in the season the Vipers dont have any finish around the net. Game after game we are seeing the Vipers miss several good quality scoring chances are coming up empty handed each game. In a game like tonight vs the top team in the league, these are going to come back to haunt you. Vernon outchanced Penticton most of the night, you look at all the Vipers missed scoring chances and this is easily a 6 or 7-2 Viper victory. Vernon didnt get the bounces and thats the way it goes sometimes. I really liked the Vipers penalty kill, even though they gave up a powerplay goal, the Vipers penalty kill was very dangerous tonight. Getting atleast three or four quality chances shorthanded. This is where Vernon needed a goal, at the time were only down 1-0. This could have been a turning point. For the first game in atleast the last four games tonight was the first I didnt think Vernon's younger kids stood out. During the Vipers three game winning streak I thought Vernon's rookie's-younger players really stepped up their play and game and it showed through out the three games. Im not saying these kids didnt come to play tonight, they just didnt stand out as in the previous three games. Hunter Miska made 33 saves and played well but was seeing almost all of Vernon's 34 shots in a game where the Vipers didnt get any traffic or bodies in and around the second year Penticton goaltender. Miska's going to make those saves nine out of ten times, the Vipers need to get bodies and traffic in front, go hard to the net, get in the grey area's and make Miska's night difficult. Miska was picking off the Viper shots with his glove hand like he was picking cherries. Dont get me wrong the kid played well, come up with some big saves but was seeing everything wich makes life a little more easier. With the loss the Vipers drop from 2nd to 4th place (tied with West Kelowna for 3rd). Former Vipers Troy Cherwinski & Cody Bostock were at tonight's game.
Top Players: (Penticton)
Dante Fabbro (2 assists) I thought played very well on the Vees backend. One of the more stand out defencemen tonight was very strong on the blueline. Lost an edge on a three on one shorthanded but recovered nicely to make a huge defensive play on Liam Coughlin in the 2nd period.
Patrick Newell not one of the biggest kids but caught my eye tonight. Played with alot of jump and energy was always on the fly.
Matt Serratore (1 goal) Played a strong game up front for the Penticton Vees. Serratore had a few good opportunities played hard all night.
Lewis Zerter-Gossage was another kid who played well and looked well. A bigger body played hard all night, was going hard to the net, was strong with and without the puck. Looked good.
Josh Laframboise I thought also looked very good up front for the Vees. A good skater had atleast two good looks at the net was skating hard, played with alot of jump in his game was noticable.
Hunter Miska (33 saves) Was forced to make a big save off Thomas Aldworth in the opening few minutes made the big saves when called apon gave the Vees momentum and confidence. Miska who was seeing everything tonight didnt have much if any traffic in front was getting a good look at most of Vernon's shots. May have had a little puck luck with him played well.
Game Thought's: (Penticton)
The Vees win their sixth straight and improve to a league best 9-1 after a hard fought 3-1 victory in Vernon. A bounce here or there and Penticton could have been down two or three goals after the opening period or even more after the 2nd period. I thought the Vees played hard in the opening two periods but didnt get nearly as many scoring opportunities as Vernon. As I stated earlier this could have easily been a 6 or 7-2 victory by the Vipers if they capitalize on their chances. I Vernon carried a slight edge in play in the 1st and had the better of the scoring chances. In the 2nd the Vipers rattled off atleast five or six good chances in the first half but the Vees slowly pulled away in the second half with a much better performance. Penticton with four powerplays in the middle frame only scored once gave up several shorthanded opportunities. The Vees are very quick, move the puck well are very evenly matched with the Vipers this year. I liked Penticton's penalty kill, even though they only had to kill off one minor the Vees are very aggresive on the point-player with the puck. The Vees were missing some key players from their lineup tonight (Cody DePourcq & Patrick Sexton). I didnt see much from Vees leading scorer-rookie Tyson Jost who with a flurry of chances on the PP didnt stand out. I also didnt see much from former Vipers forward Demico Hannoun. Yes he scored twice but I didnt think he was very noticable. Give credit to the Vees who played very well in the third, a strong shutdown defensive game by Fred Harbinson and his crew made things very difficult for the Vipers who couldnt get much of anything going until late. Penticton limited the Vipers chances in the 3rd, played very well defensively and clogged up the neutral zone. Both teams battled and worked hard, played well made for a good hockey game. These same two teams will meet next Saturday in Penticton.
Scratches:
Vernon:
Kenny Citron (Injured)
Ryley Booth
Penticton:
Cody DePourcq
Patrick Sexton
Energy player of the game:
Thomas Aldworth (1 goal)
Three Stars:
1st Star: Demico Hannoun (2 goals)
2nd Star: Thomas Aldworth (1 goal)
3rd Star: Hunter Miska (33 saves)
BCHL Boxscore,
http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=1358158&link=bchl
Fraser Rodger's Penticton Vees Blog,
http://pentictonvees.wordpress.com/
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