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-Centennials game as Vernon defeated Merritt 7-3 in front of 1,467 fans at Kal Tire Place.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon: Danny Todosychuk
Merritt: Anthony Pupplo
1st Period: Just over three minutes intothe contest Jake Clifford's point shot got through traffic couldnt beat Danny Todosychuk who somehow made a nice save with bodies in front. On the same play-shift the Vipers stormed back up ice as Liam Finlay and Jagger Williamson went in on a two on one rush, Williamson setup Finlay for a quick onetimer giving Vernon an early 1-0 lead at 3:32 Williamson with the lone assist. Both teams come out hard were very evenly matched early and often. Merritt come back with a strong forecheck and a hard working shift got some sustained pressure in the offensive zone had the Vipers back on their heels for a few minutes. A quick shot from the point was redirected in front forcing Danny Todosychuk to make a big save keeping this a one goal game. The play went back and fourth with not alot of scoring opportunities in the opening period. In the second half Vernon would respond with two quick back to back goals fourty five seconds apart to grab a three goal lead. Johnny Coughlin with his first career BCHL goal put the Vipers up 2-0 at 14:57 Thomas Aldworth & Liam Coughlin collected the helpers. Fourty five seconds later Luke Voltin with lots of time and space beat Anthony Pupplo on the wrap around giving Vernon a 3-0 lead at 15:42 Voltin's goal was unassisted. On the next shift the Vipers would get the games first powerplay but a good kill by the Centennials would kill off the minor. With 1:20 remaining #3 didnt have a name nor was on the lineup sheet was stoned by Todosychuk who just got a peice of #3s shot with his shoulder-elbow. The Cents would get a late penalty with just seconds remaining. Vernon was up 3-0 after 20 minutes of play. The Vipers got on the board early jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the second half with two quick goals fourty five seconds apart. Not alot of scoring chances in the opening period as both teams were fairly evenly matched. The Vipers outshot the Centennials 14-12.
2nd Period: The Cents started the second period on the man advantage that was carried over from the 1st period. A quick shot from the slot missed the net as the puck come off the back glass in a hurry landed in front of the Viper net as Diego Cuglietta couldnt connect on the bouncing puck missed an open net on a close call. The Vipers were just seconds away from killing off the penalty before Merritt would get a very short two man advantage. Just as the first penalty expired Josh Teves setup Jake Clifford at the top of the circle beat Vipers starting goaltender Danny Todosychuk at 1:58 as Merritt was down 3-1. Just a few plays later Cole Chorney couldnt beat Todosychuk on the wrap around. The Centennials were all over Vernon to start the middle frame. The Vipers had troubles clearing their own end as well as getting into the Cents zone. Danny Todosychuk come up with another big save making a quick glove save off Jake Clifford from the side wall. Vernon would get their second PP of the night, TJ Dumonceaux looked to beat Centennials starting goaltender Anthony Pupplo but hit the post, Thomas Aldworth collected the rebound was stopped by the Merritt goaltender who just got a peice of Aldworth's shot with the knob of his goal stick. The Vipers with good pressure, had some chances couldnt convert with the man advantage. A big penalty kill by Merritt allowed the Cents to get back in the hockey game. Just seconds before the powerplay expired the Centennials would get their third PP of the game, as a minute later Nick Fidanza got the Centennials to within a goal at 8:34 Shane Poulsen & Michael Ederer picked up the assists. Vernon really struggling this period couldnt get any sustained pressure in the Merritt zone had just three shots in the first half of the period. Merritt was all over the Vipers carrying the better of the play. Brandon Egli with two huge defensive plays broke up a Cents attack while Kenny Citron also made a big defensive play in his own end. Vernon played a little better in the second half had stints of pressure. Just past the halfway mark Luke Shiplo's point shot missed the net before Colton McCarthy went hard to the net beat Anthony Pupplo down low gave Vernon a 4-2 lead at 12:25 Luke Shiplo and Mitch Meek with the assists. TJ Dumonceaux lead the attack with a three on one couldnt get the pass through on a missed opportunity. With five minutes to go Gavin Gould would burst in for a two on nothing breakaway couldnt beat Todosychuk fivehole. This was a big save and a turning point as just over three minutes later Thomas Aldworth put the Vipers up by three at 18:43 retoring Vernon's three goal lead for a second time tonight. Liam Coughlin & Mitchell Oliver with the helpers. Vernon was up 5-2 after 40 minutes of play. The Centennials got on the board early started the period with back to back powerplays. Merritt got off to a strong start had the Vipers back on their heels most of the first ten minutes. The Cents with some good chances couldnt beat Danny Todosychuk. The Vipers who had troubles clearing the zone, also had troubles getting into the Merritt zone. Vernon would play better in the second half scored twice restoring a three goal lead. The Vipers with very little pressure and scoring chances were lucky to be up after this frame. The Centennials were the better of the two teams, outchanced Vernon as both teams scored twice. Merritt outshot Vernon 14-10.
3rd Period: Merritt would get an early powerplay to start the final frame but a strong penalty kill by the Vipers would kill off the penalty. Vernon with a good start looked much better after a rough 2nd period. The Vipers looked to have some good jump and energy in their game early before the Cents would get within two after Cole Chorney beat Danny Todosychuk high over the shoulder at 5:43 Vernon with a 5-3 lead. On the following shift, Michael Ederer come right back had a great opportunity at the side of the net couldnt beat the Vernon goaltender. Six minutes later Colin Grannary went inside out on a Vernon defenceman before going in for the parcial breakaway couldnt beat Todosychuk who come up with a big save keeping this a two goal game. Back come the Vipers Jagger Williamson tried setting up Liam Finlay who couldnt beat Anthony Pupplo in close. The Centennials would get their second PP of the period just past the midway mark but couldnt generate much as Vernon would kill off the minor. Twenty two seconds later Brendan Wagner gave Vernon a 6-3 lead at 15:48 taking the life and momentum out of the Cents. Riley Brandt with the assist. Thirty two seconds later Luke Voltin on his second wrap around of the game beat Pupplo giving the Vipers a 7-3 lead at 16:25 Voltin's goal was unassisted. This put the game out of reach. The Vipers would win their third straight over Merritt with a 7-3 victory. The Vipers with a good start played much better after a rough 2nd period. Merritt would get on the board fairly early getting to within two goals, did have a few good quality chances to get within a goal couldnt beat Danny Todosychuk who made some big saves tonight. The Vipers would pump in two quick back to back goals in the second half to seal the win. At times the Vipers looked to carry the play and have the momentum but Merritt would come right back and then at times have the better of the play. The shift in the game went back and fourth this period. Merritt outshot Vernon 13-10.
Top Players: (Vernon)
Brandon Egli I thought was one of Vernon's better defenceman this evening. Made two big defensive plays in the 2nd period to break up two different Merritt scoring plays also made a few real nice passes coming out from his own end to get the Viper offence in motion.
The line of Jagger Williamson (1 assist), Liam Finlay (1 goal) & Luke Voltin (2 goals) played a heck of a game tonight. This line was really flying, played with lots of jump, energy and speed. All three were hard to contain and defend against.
Riley Brandt (1 assist) Isnt afraid of anything. Played very physical, was skating the wind up and down the rink tonight was a real sparkplug for the Vipers. Brandt adds a ton of jump and energy to the Vipers bench, really seems to get the team going banging and crashing all night.
Colton McCarthy (1 goal) I thought looked good at times, a bigger body, goes to the net adds some grit to the Vernon lineup.
Johnny Coughlin (1 goal) Scored his first career BCHL goal was good on the backend.
Danny Todosychuk (36 saves) Making his second straight start was very solid between the pipes tonight. Made several big saves in the second period kept Vernon in the game at times. Also made some tough but big saves in the 3rd when the Centennials were down just two goals. Todosychuk looked very confident, didnt give out many rebounds played his position well, made some timely saves through out the game.
Game Thought's: (Vernon)
I thought the Vipers played very well in the 1st period, scored early to get the all important first goal of the game, didnt get alot of great opportunities in the opening period capitalized on their chances. Two quick back to back goals in the second half put them out to a 3-0 lead. This may have looked good on the scoreboard but I think Vernon thought they had this one in the bag as the Vipers were outplayed most of the 2nd period, especially in the first half. Vernon had troubles clearing the zone, didnt get alot of pressure in the Cents zone had just three shots in the first ten minutes. After allowing Merritt to get within a goal the Vipers played a little better in the second half were able to get two goals back and re-take a three goal lead heading into the 3rd. I thought the Vipers played much better in the final frame, put the game away in the second half with two goals in thirty two seconds. Vernon seemed to bend but not break tonight, didnt allow Merritt to tie it up always played with the lead. I thought the Vipers had troubles defensively clearing the zone and one on one defensive battles. I didnt think the Vipers generated alot of chances tonight, capitalized on their chances, scored some timely goals. Danny Todosychuk played very well, kept his team in the game at times was counted on for some big saves. This was a huge win as Vernon now sits tied with West Kelowna for 2nd place jumps two points ahead of Merritt. With the BCHL card deadline looming will the Vipers make any moves?
Top Players: (Merritt)
Cole Chorney (1 goal) Played with alot of jump, had some good chances played well up front for the Cents.
Rhett Willcox played a rough and tough physical game, seemed to get under the skin of a few Vernon players, played with some grit added some spark to the Centennials lineup.
Gavin Gould (2 assists) Was stopped on a 2nd period breakaway, showed lots of jump in his game, was hard to contain, quick on his feet was involved in the play often.
Jake Clifford (1 goal) I thought was one of Merritt's better d-men in the loss. Seemed to always get that quick shot off from the point.
Game Thought's: (Merritt)
The Centennials have now lost three straight and four straight in Vernon. I didnt think this was a 7-3 game, I thought the Cents worked and played hard, had the better of the play for most of the 2nd period and spurts in the 3rd couldnt burry their chances. Danny Todosychuk was very good in goal for the Vipers robbed the Centennials on a few great opportunities. Merritt was in this game most of the night, needed a big save now and again to keep this game in hand. Obviously falling down 3-0 after the 1st period on the road is a killer, but give Merritt credit they scored early to start the 2nd climbed to within a goal just couldnt seem to get the game tying goal before giving up another two or three goal lead. I thought Merritt had the better of the scoring chances couldnt capitalize on their opportunities. Anthony Pupplo may have wanted one or two goals back didnt get much help from his defence on the seven goals. I thought the Cents battled and worked hard, didnt get many bounces in a game where the game was closer then the final score.
Scratches:
Vernon:
Riley Guenther
Blaine Caton
Mackenzie Bauer (Injured)
Mark Ferner
Merritt:
Brandon Duhaime
James Neil
Malik Kaila
Cole Arcuri
Braden Fuller
Energy player of the game:
Riley Brandt (1 assist)
Three Stars:
1st Star: Luke Voltin (2 goals)
2nd Star: Thomas Aldworth (1 goal & 1 assist)
3rd Star: Johnny Coughlin (1 goal)
BCHL Boxscore,
http://www.vipers.bc.ca/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=1358280&link=bchl
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