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 Vernon defeated West Kelowna 3-0 in front of 1,470 fans at Kal Tire Place.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon: Jarrod Schamerhorn
West Kelowna: Andy Desautels
1st Period: Just thirty seconds into the contest Mac Ferner with a quick shot from the blueline forced Jarrod Schamerhorn into a big save. The Warriors with a good start showed some jump early. A minute and a half into the game Luke Shiplo with a big defensive play blocked Jason Cotton's shot off the ankle breaking up a West Kelowna odd man rush. Shiplo was in pain couldnt get off the ice as the Vipers couldnt clear the zone. The Viper defenceman was limping before finally able to get to the Vernon bench would shake it off and stay in the hockey game. The Vipers having trouble getting through the neutral zone couldnt get much going in the opening minutes. TJ Dumonceaux would get Vernon's best chance about four minutes into the period went wide before cutting hard to the net was in alone put a move in front went around Andy Desautels before somehow sliding the puck around the left pad of Desautels missing the net on a great opportunity. The Warriors come right back would get a great chance of their own, Kristian Blumenschein walked in from the point couldnt beat Schamerhorn who stayed with the shot made a nice chest save. On the same play-shift the Vipers come storming back, Thomas Aldworth with a burst of speed setup Liam Coughlin going to the net, Coughlin had Desautels beat but hit the post on a missed opportunity by the Vipers. Vernon would get the first powerplay of the night a few minutes later. With some good pressure the Vipers were unable to really create any good chances as West Kelowna would kill off the minor. Just before the penalty expired Vernon would take a penalty as both teams played four on four for a few seconds before the Warriors would get their first look with the man advantage. Kristian Blumenchein with a quick release from the point forced Jarrod Schamerhorn into making a big glove save stopping the play on the Warriors best chance of the PP. Vernon would kill off the remainder of the penalty kill. The Warriors looked to be the better of the two teams in the first half before Vernon slowly started to get their game going in the second half. Both teams with a few good looks couldnt find the back of the net as the play was a little more even at times. WK would get a late powerplay but it was the Vipers speed on the penalty kill that went to work. Anthony Latina and Trevor Fidler went back and fourth on a two on one, Latina would setup Fidler who shot high and over the goal missing a wide open net on another missed opportunity. In the final minute of play tempers heated up as a mini line brawl took place deep in the Viper zone. Everyone was pushing and shoving with some punches being thrown as these two teams dont like one another. Penalties were evened out as Vernon would kill off the remainder of the penalty at the buzzer. It was 0-0 after 20 minutes of play. West Kelowna got off to a quick start, looked pretty good in the opening few minutes had some chances were really moving the puck well, created and generated some chances early. The Vipers couldnt seem to get through the neutral zone early had troubles getting into the attacking zone but would eventually get their game going in the second half. Vernon missed some great chances in close on atleast three quality opportunities. I thought West Kelowna was the better team in the first half but the Vipers stayed even with the Warriors in the second half. West Kelowna outshot Vernon 13-8.
2nd Period: For a second straight period the Warriors with a quick start jumped on the Vipers early. Colton McCarthy come back with a close shot. McCarthy walked out from the corner in the opening two minutes fired a low shot along the ice just missed the far corner. This was the only real good opportunity in the first half for the Vipers. West Kelowna with two good scoring chances in the opening few minutes. Liam Blackburn with a quick high shot from inside the circle forced Vipers starting goaltender Jarrod Schamerhorn who just get a peice of the puck with his glove sending the puck into the netting behind the goal. A few shifts later Schamerhorn had to be alert made a tough pad save off Gerydon Robinson's hard shot from the blueline. Robinson's shot got through traffic was stopped just at the last second on a shot I dont think Schamerhorn saw until the last minute. The Vipers looked a little sluggish to start the middle frame were having troubles getting out of their own end as the Warriors were pressing with a strong forecheck. WK had the better of the play early and often were really skating, winning the battles and the race to the pucks. Vernon with just two shots on goal in the first eight minutes didnt look very good. The Vipers slowly started to get their legs going just before the halfway mark. The line of Colton McCarthy, Trevor Fidler & Anthony Latina really had a strong game for Vernon. This line played with alot of energy was creating some good chances in the period. Some nice passing allowed this line to come in on an odd man rush but couldnt hit the net. As the period went on Vernon really started moving the puck, were skating hard and now were carrying the better of the play. TJ Dumonceuax, Liam Coughlin and Thomas Aldworth all with good chances couldnt find the back of the net. Warriors starting goaltender Andy Desautels tried coming out of his crease to stop the puck, got caught behind the net just got back in time to dive in front of the open cage robbing Liam Coughlin who looked to have the games first goal. The Vipers come close on several chances in the second half couldnt buy a goal. It was 0-0 after 40 minutes of play. The Warriors with a good start, jumped on Vernon early. West Kelowna with some good chances in the opening few minutes couldnt beat Jarrod Schamerhorn who was good between the pipes. The Warriors were all over the Vipers in the first half couldnt capitalize on their chances allowed Vernon to slowly get back in the game, where the Vipers speed and skill went to work in the second half. Vernon had the better of the play and was the better team in the second half but couldnt capitalize on their chances. Shots were even 12-12.
3rd Period: The Vipers come out with a strong start, really skating hard Vernon jumed on West Kelowna had some good pressure early before getting an early powerplay. Thomas Aldworth with a burst of speed skated through the WK zone made two moves before ripping a high hard shot that beat Desautels but went off the crossbar on a close call. Vernon would then open the scoring still on the man advantage. Some nice three way passing allowed Anthony Latina to beat Andy Desautels shortside giving the Vipers a 1-0 lead at 4:24 Colton McCarthy and Trevor Fidler collected the helpers. Just a few plays later Kylar Hope with a great look at the net was stopped by Schamerhorn who made a big save. A few minutes later West Kelowna would get a powerplay but a strong penalty kill by the Vipers. TJ Dumonceaux was hitting anybody in his way laid out Jason Cotton with a big check along the side wall. Cotton would stay down was slow to get up, needed help from the trainer off the ice but would stay in the game. The Vipers would kill off the penalty. Just over a minute later Anthony Latina setup Luke Shiplo who skated in from the point beat Andy Desautels giving Vernon a 2-0 lead at 10:49 Latina went crashing into the Warriors goaltender this setting off fireworks as a second line brawl took place as everyone was once again throwing punches, pushing and shoving. Latina with the lone assist on the goal would get sent to the penalty box giving the Warriors another shot with the PP. During all of this Scott Patton come off the bench with his mask on was stretching looked to be going between the pipes for West Kelowna, as starting goaltender Andy Desautels was being attended on by team trainer. After several minutes Patton returned to the bench and Desautels would stay in the game. Vernon with another solid penalty kill would kill off another minor. Less then three minutes later a parade to the penalty box as tempers once again heated up and in a hurry. Anthony Latina skated towards Andy Desautels during a stopage in play, the two started exchanging words before Mac Ferner come flying in getting a hold of Latina. At the same time TJ Dumonceaux & Ryan Yaremko started pushing and shoving before dropping the gloves. Liam Coughlin then got into the mix with Brayden Gelsinger as everyone was getting involved. Dumonceaux, Latina, Ferner, Yaremko, Coughlin and Gelsinger were all tossed from the hockey game but for some reason Gelsinger remained on the bench would stay in the game. Shortly after Thomas Aldworth with a great look at the net couldnt beat Andy Desautels who made a big save off the Viper forward. With two and a half minutes remaining Jarrod Schamerhorn made a huge pad save off Liam Blackburn off a deflection in front keeping this a two goal game. The Warriors would eventually get Desautels to the bench with 1:46 to go but it would be the strong hard work by Trevor Fidler who won the battle for the loose puck setup a wide open Liam Finlay in front who found the back of the open net giving the Vipers a 3-0 lead at 18:57 Fidler with the assist. This would put the game away as Vernon would come away with a huge 3-0 victory to move four points up on the Warriors in the standings. The Vipers with a good start, got some pressure on West Kelowna early would eventually open the scoring early on the man advantage, getting the all important first goal. Both teams with good chances early before the Vipers would take over the edge in play and jump out to a 2-0 lead. This is when all the fireworks started as a parade to the penalty box for most of the period. Lots of emotions between these two teams showed through out the game. Vernon was the better of the team in the third come away with a big victory now lead the season series 3-2. Vernon outshot West Kelowna 17-8.
Top Players: (Vernon)
Brandon Egli I thought played a pretty good game on the Vernon blueline. Carried the puck a few times was shifty with the puck looked good on his feet tonight.
The line of TJ Dumonceaux, Thomas Aldworth and Liam Coughlin started off slow but as the game went on really got going. Aldworth and Coughlin both set each other up with some nice chances, were clicking well together. Aldworth with a nice rush couldnt find the back of the net hit the crossbar. Coughlin hit the post in the 1st and then looked to have opened the scoring in the 2nd was robbed after Andy Desautels dove across the crease to get back into the net keeping this game scoreless. Dumonceaux was flying playing with alot of energy all night. Was really strong on the penalty kill, laid out three different hits all on one shift shorthanded.
The line of Anthony Latina (1 goal & 1 assist), Colton McCarthy (1 assist) & Trevor Fidler (2 assists) was the Vipers best unit tonight. These three played well off the opening faceoff. I thought played with alot of jump and energy were basically creating all of Vernon's chances when the Vipers didnt look so hot. This line really got Vernon going in the 2nd period added some energy were creating and generating offence.
Luke Shiplo (1 goal) Played very well on the backend. A smooth skater was really skating hard tonight, moving the puck in a hurry was good with and without the puck.
Riley Brandt was another kid who played with alot of energy and jump tonight. When does this kid stop hustling. Was really flying tonight, was good on the penalty kill really used his speed and quickness to create some shorthanded breakout opportunities.
Jarrod Schamerhorn (33 saves-Shutout) Made some big saves when called apon when the Warriors were reeling. Schamerhorn who once again has taken the bulk of the load between the pipes with Danny Todosychuk down with yet another injury was very solid tonight. Made a few big saves in the opening few minutes off the start of the 1st and 2nd periods and made two big saves late in the 3rd to preserve the win and shutout.
Game Thought's: (Vernon)
Tonight was a hard fought well deserved win for the Vernon Vipers. I thought the Vipers didnt get off to the greatest starts in both the 1st and 2nd periods responded well in the second half of both the 1st and 2nd periods. I was really impressed with the 3rd as Vernon played a very well round period to finish off West Kelowna. In the first two periods the Vipers with several missed opportunities couldnt capitalize on their chances. I really liked Vernon's penalty kill and it looks like the powerplay is slowly starting to produce and improve as of late. The Vipers have now won two straight will play four games in the next five days. With the win Vernon moves four points up on West Kelowna in a game wich was very exciting and entertaining through out. These two teams dont like each other going back to last year's playoffs. In a game where there wasnt alot of hitting tempers sure come out in two mini line brawls.
Top Players: (West Kelowna)
Andrew Johnson had a strong game on the Warriors blueline.
Kristian Blumenschein also played very well on the backend. I thought was West Kelowna's best d-man this evening. Jumped into the play, had atleast two or three good chances was good with and without the puck.
Greydon Robinson played well, was steady all night.
Andy Desautels (34 saves) Was very good between the pipes for the Warriors. Desautels made some big saves as both goaltenders played very well tonight. Got lucky twice after Liam Coughlin and Thomas Aldworth both hit the bar managed to make some big saves through out the game to give his team a chance to win.
Game Thought's: (West Kelowna)
I thought West Kelowna had good starts to both the first and second periods, had some good chances early couldnt capitalize. In both periods the Vipers were able to keep the puck out of the net, give them a chance to get back into the game and stay even with the Warriors. I thought WK was missing their offence from their top offensive players. I thought West Kelowna's top players didnt get alot of looks at the net, were all pretty quiet offensively. The Warriors were getting contributions from other kids who dont normally get alot of chances, created the Warriors offence tonight. Both teams with some good chances needed until the 3rd period to break the goose egg. This was a hard fought game at both ends of the rink, both teams played very well, both played very hard and made a very exciting game for the fans. This could have easily been anyones game with the amount of missed chances through out the game. West Kelowna still has trouble in Vernon only have two wins at Kal Tire Place since the 2010 season.
Scratches:
Vernon:
Danny Todosychuk (Injured)
Riley Guenther (Injured)
Mackenzie Bauer (Injured)
West Kelowna:
Hunter Zandee
Ryan Ivey
Johnathan Desbiens
Energy player of the game:
TJ Dumonceaux
Three Stars:
1st Star: Jarrod Schamerhorn (33 saves-Shutout)
2nd Star: Anthony Latina (1 goal & 1 assist)
3rd Star: Luke Shiplo (1 goal)
BCHL Boxscore,
http://www.vipers.bc.ca/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=1358318&link=bchl
Kyle Anderson's West Kelowna Warriors Blog,
http://wkwarriors.blogspot.ca/
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