West Kelowna 6 Vernon 5 (Double Overtime)

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-Warriors game as West Kelowna defeated Vernon 6-5 in double overtime in front of 862 fans at Royal Le Page Place.

Starting Goaltenders:

Vernon: Jarrod Schamerhorn
West Kelowna: Andy Desautels

1st Period: The Warriors jumped on the Vipers early and often as West Kelowna playing with alot of jump got off to a quick start.  The Warriors carried the play early were really skating, moving the puck well were in the offensive zone often.  Four minutes into the game Warriors captain Andrew Johnson and Michael Buonincontri lead a two on one rush, Johnson kept and fired but went high over the Viper goal on a missed opportunity.  Vernon looked flat didnt have much jump or energy had trouble getting pucks on net and getting into the offensive zone.  West Kelowna carried the better of the play in the first half were outshooting Vernon 6-2 at this point, the Vipers had atleast three shots on goal that wernt counted but at this point the Warriors were the better of the two teams didnt get alot of quality chances.  Just past the halfway mark the Warriors would get the games first powerplay but a good penalty kill by the Vipers were able to kill off the minor.  Josh Bly would open the scoring after going inside-out on a Vernon defender before ripping a wicked shot past Jarrod Schamerhorn giving WK at 1-0 lead at 16:37 Bly's goal was unassisted.  The Vipers seemed to wake up and finally get some play in the Warriors end, Trevor Fidler with a great look at the net with 1:21 to go would get the Vipers first and only good scoring opportunity of the period couldnt beat Andy Desautels who made a good save from Fidler in the slot.  Off the next draw Luke Shiplo made a poor defensive play gave up a two on one allowing Brett Mennear to setup Brayden Gelsinger at 18:57 giving West Kelowna a 2-0 lead.  Mennear with the lone assist.  The Warriors were up 2-0 after 20 minutes of play.  West Kelowna got off to a good start, had lots of jump and energy were really skating, moving the puck carried the better of the play for most of the period.  The Warriors didnt generate alot of scoring chances managed to score two goals less then two minutes apart late to finish the period.  The Vipers looked flat off the opening puck drop as the Vipers didnt show much emotion, didnt have alot of energy in their game played most of the period in their own end.  The Vipers struggled defensively coughing up the puck in their own end, gave the Warriors too much time and space.  Vernon couldnt get through the neutral zone had very little pressure in the Warriors zone had just one quality scoring chance were outplayed most of the 1st period.  West Kelowna outshot Vernon 11-8.

2nd Period: The Vipers with a much better start come out strong, in the opening few seconds the Vipers tried banging away a loose puck at the side of the net couldnt beat Andy Desautels who stood his post well keeping the puck out,  Anthony Latina walked in from the slot in the opening minute couldnt beat Warriors starting goaltender Andy Desautels.  Vernon playing with lots of jump and energy in their game early would get an early powerplay to start the 2nd period.  TJ Dumonceaux waisted little time getting the Vipers on the board at 2:42 cutting the WK lead to a goal.  Luke Voltin & Liam Finlay collected the assists.  Off the following faceoff the Vipers come right back, had a great opportunity to tie the game missed the net after a quick shot from the hashmarks.  Andy Desautels would go down and stay down for several minutes before being attended to by the team trainer.  I didnt see what happened but the Warriors veteran goaltender stayed in the game after looking dazed while hunched over talking with the trainer.  The Warriors needed almost six minutes to record their first shot on goal.  Within minutes Vernon would get into penalty trouble taking back to back minors.  On the first man advantage it was Thomas Aldworth who would get a great chance shorthanded on a parcial breakaway ripped a high hard shot up and over the net on a missed opportunity.  The Vipers with a good penalty kill would kill off the first penalty before heading right back to the box.  Riley Brandt with a burst of speed got in for a parcial breakaway ripped a shot that missed the net on another missed opportunity shorthanded.  West Kelowna would make Vernon pay after Jason Cotton's powerplay goal at 8:04 put the Warriors up 3-1 giving West Kelowna the two goal lead.  Jordan Masters and Liam Blackburn picked up the helpers.  But just fourty four seconds later Johnny Coughlin coughed up the puck allowing Jonathan Desbiens to walk in alone went high glove on Vipers starting goaltender Jarrod Schamerhorn gave West Kelowna a 4-1 lead at 8:53 Desbiens goal was unassisted.  This was the end of the night for Schamerhorn who was replaced with backup goaltender Danny Todosychuk who returned to the Viper lineup tonight.  Schamerhorn gave up four goals on fifteen West Kelowna shots.  Off the following draw Jason Cotton come down the right wing, was able to snap a quick high shot off from the circle forced Todosychuk to make his first save of the night, made a tough upper body save.  After giving up two quick back to back goals, Vernon responded well come right back with a few hard working shifts would get back to within two goals after Trevor Fidler found the back of the net at 11:52 Luke Shiplo and Anthony Latina picked up the helpers.  This goal gave Vernon life and momentum as the Vipers kept coming in waves getting several great opportunities.  Luke Voltin setup Liam Finlay on a two on one who couldnt hit the net.  The Vipers with several opportunities missed the net on most of them.  Vernon would get a late PP but couldnt convert had a few good looks at the net.  The Vipers didnt quit, kept coming before Colton McCarthy setup Luke Voltin in front who couldnt hit the net.  The Vipers buzzing in and around the West Kelowna goal had good pressure were carrying the better of the play.  The Warriors were up 4-2 after 40 minutes of play.  The Vipers with a strong start had a few good chances off the opening puck drop before got back into the game on TJ Dumonceaux's powerplay goal.  After getting into penalty trouble Vernon would give up two goals in fourty four seconds fell behind 4-1.  Other then the back to back penalties and the two goals in fourty four seconds I thought the Vipers owned the second period, outplayed West Kelowna for most of the play.  The Warriors with very little puck possesion scored twice didnt get many chances.  Vernon on the other hand had lots of great scoring chances, either missed the net or couldnt finish missing on some great opportunities.  Vernon outshot West Kelowna 13-7.

3rd Period: Scott Patton started the 3rd period between the pipes for WK as Andy Desautels didnt come out for the third.  Vernon would get an early powerplay in the opening minute and capitalize.  Luke Voltin's quick shot beat Patton at 2:13 making this a one goal game.  Luke Shiplo and Liam Finlay with the assists.  Just like the 2nd period Vernon showing lots of jump and pressure early as the Vipers were all over West Kelowna to start the period.  Scott Patton made a huge pad-toe save on a shot from the corner, with taffic in front I dont think Patton saw this shot but somehow made the difficult save with bodies in front.  Vernon throwing everything towards the net come close on a few shots before the Warriors would get an early PP.  Jason Cotton with a wicked shot from the circle beat Danny Todosychuk for the Warriors second powerplay goal of the night gave West Kelowna a 5-3 lead at 8:17 Rylan Yaremko with the assist.  Less then four minutes later the Warriors got into penalty trouble giving Vernon four straight powerplays to finish the game.  One of those powerplays was a five on three.  The Vipers with lots of puck movement didnt get alot of shots on goal as the WK defence did a good job at keeping Vernon's shooters to the outside.  West Kelowna's penalty kill come up huge blocking several shots.  The Warriors were able to kill off the first penalty before Vernon would get a five on three.  Thomas Aldworth beat Scott Patton who didnt even move on this goal getting the Vipers to within a goal.  With traffic in front Patton didnt have time to react to Aldworth's quick release from the slot.  Aldworth's goal come at 15:01 TJ Dumonceaux and Liam Finlay picked up the helpers.  With Vernon still on the man advantage the Warriors once again come up with some huge blocked shots were able to kill off the second of the five on three minor.  But less then a minute later Brett Meanner coughed up the puck to a wide open Liam Finlay who spun, shot and fired beat Patton tied the game 5-5 at 17:05 as the Vipers who were down 4-1 at one point rallied to tie the game late.  Riley Guenther with the lone assist.  In the final minute Vernon would get their fifth powerplay of the frame but couldnt connect before the final buzzer.  It was tied 5-5 after 60 minutes of play.  The Vipers dominated the third scored three times to earase a 4-1 Warriors lead to send the game into overtime.  The Vipers outplayed most of the period had West Kelowna back on their heels.  Scott Patton looked shaky through out the period.  Vernon outplayed West Kelowna for most of the entire period, with five powerplays the Vipers were able to strike twice.  For the second straight period the Vipers with several good opportunities.  West Kelowna with very little pressure-puck possesion played most of the period in their own end.  The Vipers outshot the Warriors 14-7.

Overtime: Vernon started the extra frame with the man advantage that was carried over from the 3rd.  Luke Voltin with the Vipers best opportunity was alone in front couldnt beat Scott Patton at the top of the crease ran out of room before Patton sprawled out to make the big glove save.  West Kelowna with a good penalty kill was able to excape and kill off the minor.  Vernon all over the Warriors carried the better of the play, had some very good chances to end it.  TJ Dumonceaux skated down the right wing cut hard to the net was able to get in behind the West Kelowna defence lost the handle in front on a missed opportunity.  Johnny Coughlin alone at the top of the circle jumped into the play shot but missed the top corner hitting the outside of the netting on another missed opportunity.  In the final minute Liam Finlay wound up skated through the neutral zone was able to get free before ripping a hard low shot that forced Patton into making a big blocker save keeping this game tied.  It was tied 5-5 after 65 minutes of play.  Vernon with a great chance missed an opportunity to end the game with the man advantage as the Vipers were once again all over WK for all of overtime. Vernon outshot West Kelowna 5-0.

Double Overtime: Thomas Aldworth with a great look fell as he was able to get a shot off couldnt get a strong enough shot off while going down on an odd man rush.  The Warriors would get their first best chance of the overtime periods.  Brayden Gelsinger on a two on one rush couldnt beat Danny Todosychuk who closed the fivehole keeping this game tied.  The play really opened up at both ends of the rink as both teams started to create and generate chances.  Anthony Latina with the best chance to end it but beat Scott Patton hit the post on a close call.  The Vipers started getting a little too fancy in the offensive zone turned over the puck one too many times and on the third time it cost them as Liam Blackburn burst out on a two on one before ripping a hard shot that beat Todosychuk at 3:19 giving the West Kelowna Warriors a 6-5 double overtime victory.  Both teams with chances at both ends of the rink as the play opened up, Vernon couldnt get pucks to the net while the Warriors had the better of the chances in this overtime period pulled out the win.  West Kelowna outshot the Vipers 3-0.

Top Players: (Vernon)

Anthony Latina (1 assist) I thought played hard all night, was really skating hard, played with lots of jump, seemed to have the puck on his stick alot tonight looked good for Vernon.

Trevor Fidler (1 goal) Played very well for the Vipers.  Another kid who worked and played hard most of the game.  Had a few chances was going to the net, battled and competed hard.

Liam Finlay (1 goal & 2 assists) Forced overtime with his game tying goal with just less then three minutes to go in the 3rd.  Finlay who was all over the ice tonight, generated and created alot of chances for Vernon.  Really used his speed and smaller statue to get through the West Kelowna defence.  Was hard to contain most of the night.

Luke Voltin (1 goal & 1 assist) Played a strong game up front.  Voltin who has been playing very well the last week or two carried the play-puck alot tonight.  Really used his tough physical play to get in and around the net, battled and competed hard.  Created and generated some good chances could have easily had more then the one goal.

Game Thought's: (Vernon)

The Vipers didnt get off to the start they wanted, they were outplayed, outskated and outscored in the opening period.  Vernon looked flat in the opening period, didnt have alot of jump-energy generated very little scoring chances, had very little pressure-puck possesion in the Warriors zone.  Giving up back to back goals late to finish the 1st period is tough to come back from, espeically playing on the road.  Give Vernon credit they come back with a much better start in the 2nd got on the board early outplayed West Kelowna for most of periods two, three and overtime one.  The Vipers played with alot more jump and energy, used their speed to their advantage.  Vernon with good pressure generated and created lots of quality scoring chances in the 2nd and 3rd periods had troubles hitting the net, missing on lots of missed opportunities.  Vernon had the Warriors on their heels for most of the 3rd.  The Vipers with a great chance to end it in overtime on the powerplay, needs to capitalize on these opportunities.  We have seen this all season, the Vipers get lots of good scoring chances but either miss the net or get robbed by the goaltender.  Vernon dosnt seem to have that finish in and around the net to capitalize on these chances.  Other then the 1st period and a few penalties-poor defensive plays I thought Vernon was the better of the two teams for most of the night.  I thought the Vipers turned over the puck way too many times tonight, as well as gave up several odd man rushes.  Vernon's defence didnt look that great tonight.   Give the Vipers credit, they played a poor opening period fell behind 4-1 but battled back to force overtime and gain a point.  The Vipers need to be more prepared and ready to start games and need to play a full sixty minutes.  Tonight was a huge game vs a West Kelowna team that has been one of the hottest teams in the league as of late.  Vernon needed-wanted the two points to stay within reach of the 2nd place Warriors.  The Vipers have struggled in West Kelowna over the years have just three wins in their last eleven visits to Royal Le Page Place.  The Vipers will finish the road trip tomorrow in Langley.

Top Players: (West Kelowna)

Rylan Yaremko (1 assist) Is a bigger body on the blueline that is steady all game.  Hard to beat one on one down low, plays his position well.

Andrew Johnson I thought was one of the better West Kelowna Warriors this evening.  The Warriors captain showed alot of quickness on his feet, good with the puck, dangerous at times, has a nose for the net.

Kristian Blumenschein played very well on the backend.  Come up with several big block shots on the penalty kill in the 3rd.

Jason Cotton (2 goals) Played well for West Kelowna.  Always dangerous, has a wicked shot, a good skater, can move the puck up ice in a hurry, is hard to contain and defend against.

Brayden Gelsinger (1 goal) Was another Warriors player that stood out at times for me.  Scored once had a few opportunities.

Kyle Marino was another defenceman that played very well on the point. 

Game Thought's: (West Kelowna)

The Warriors have been one of the hottest teams as of late had atleast a point in eleven of their last twelve games heading into tonight's game.  West Kelowna with just one regulation loss in their last twelve games before tonight have been playing very well latley.  The Warriors with a great-quick start jumped on Vernon early, really skating hard, moving the puck didnt generate alot of scoring chances did carry the better of the play for most of the 1st period.  Two quick back to back goals to finish the opening period put the Vipers in a hole.  What happened to the Warriors after the first period?  They were outplayed for most of the 2nd and 3rd periods.  Other then two quick back to back goals in the 2nd it was all Vernon as the Warriors didnt generate much offence in the 2nd and 3rd having all kinds of trouble in their own end.  West Kelowna couldnt contain the Vipers attack-speed for most of the night.  WK with very little puck possesion in the 2nd and 3rd couldnt get much of anything going.  The Warriors played most of the 3rd back on their heels.  Scott Patton looked shaky at times in the 3rd.  West Kelowna took way too many penalties in the 3rd.  Up by two goals theres no need to take these penalties.  After jumping out to a 4-1 lead the Warriors were lucky to hang on for the win tonight.  If Vernon scores on some of their chances this game is over before overtime.  Overall this was a very entertaining and exciting game to watch.  Former Vernon Lakers forward Rylan Ferster picked up his 100th win tonight as Head Coach of the Warriors.

Scratches:

Vernon:

Mitch Meek
Liam Coughlin
Mackenzie Bauer (Injured)

West Kelowna:

None

Energy player of the game:

Jordan Masters (1 assist)

Three Stars:

1st Star: Jason Cotton (2 goals)
2nd Star: Liam Finlay (1 goal & 2 assists)
3rd Star: Liam Blackburn (Overtime winner)

BCHL Boxscore,

http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=1358265&link=bchl

Kyle Anderson's West Kelowna Warriors Blog,

http://wkwarriors.blogspot.ca/