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 4-3 in front of 1,647 fans at Kal Tire Place.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon: Danny Todosychuk
Merritt: Anthony Pupplo
1st Period: Just 1:05 into the game Mitch Meek coughed up in the puck inside his own blueline allowing Colin Grannary in for a parcial breakaway, Grannary was being hooked on the play got off a weak shot that was stopped by Danny Todosychuk on a great opportunity early for the Centennials. Merritt would get the games first powerplay on the play that lasted just less then a minute before taking a penalty of their own as both teams played a little four on four before the Vipers would get their first look with the man advantage. On the shortened PP Vernon would capitalize. Kenny Citron setup Anthony Latina in front who beat Anthony Pupplo giving Vernon the early 1-0 lead at 3:28 Citron and Brandon Egli picked up the helpers. The Vipers gained momentum off the powerplay goal and started rolling, pouring on the pressure. The Vipers getting lots of pucks to the goal were firing everything towards Anthony Pupplo who didnt have to make any real difficult saves but had to be alert making several good saves in the opening frame. The Cents back on their heels couldnt get out of their own end as Vernon was carrying the play all in the Merritt zone. The Centennials with just three shots in the first half before a minor scrum formed in front of Anthony Pupplo at the ten minute mark. Riley Brandt and Rhett Willcox got involved in some pushing and shoving as both players were sent to the penalty box continued to chirp at one another while in the sin bin. Edmonton Oilers draft pick Liam Coughlin would get a great chance in front made a slick move in front went backhand forehand before being stoned by Pupplo in close. Less then a minute later the Centennials would get their second good opportunity of the period after veteran defenceman Shane Poulsen's point shot looked to handcuff Danny Todosychuk who was forced to make a difficult save with bodies going to the net. The Vipers would then get their second PP of the night but didnt look very good as Merritt was able to kill off the minor. The Vipers who were all over Merritt just before this last powerplay went into a bit of a lull and the Cents took advantage playing some hard nosed hockey for a good few minutes. Merritt with little scoring chances had some good pressure deep in the Vernon zone was unable to get any real quality chances but had the Vipers on their heels. Vernon's defence struggled all night was coughing up the puck, turning the puck over in their own end wasnt having a strong game on the backend. With four minutes left Brandon Egli made a huge defensive play knocking away the puck from Diego Cuglietta who was in alone for the parcial breakaway. Gavin Gould with two good chances late was stopped by Todosychuk with a few minutes remaining and then on a late powerplay was robbed by the Vernon goaltender at the buzzer from down low. Vernon was up 1-0 after 20 minutes of play. The Centennials come close to opening the scoring in the opening minute on a Viper turnover before Vernon grabbed an early 1-0 lead on the man advantage. It was all Vipers the first ten to twelve minutes as they peppered Anthony Pupplo who played very well. In the second half Merritt slowly come on and played a good three or four minutes with some hard working shifts didnt generate alot of quality chances in that time. The Centennials didnt look to have their feet moving in the first half, were skating a little better in the second half of the period. The Vipers looked to sit back and took their foot off the gas in the second half. The Vipers outshot the Centennials 17-8.
2nd Period: Merritt started the middle frame with the PP that was carried over from the end of the opening period. The Cents come close to tying the game after a quick shot from the corner look to catch Danny Todosychuk off guard looked to hit someone or something in front and just go past the far corner. The Vipers were able to kill off the remainder of the minor but the Centennials kept on the attack. Another shot from the corner just about went in on another close call as the Cents were buzzing early. The hard work paid off after Captain Sam Johnson's shot from the circle looked to go in and off Zak Bowles who was going to the net tied the game 1-1 at 3:31 the Vipers including Todosychuk complained right away the puck was gloved in by Bowles as the referee and linesmen gathered near the penalty box but after discussion the goal stood. Johnson with the assist. The Vipers who looked half asleep needed five minutes to get their first shot of the period again looked disorganized making several poor passes as well as turning over the puck. Miss communication between Todosychuk and the Viper defence after the Viper goaltender caught then released the puck into the corner where all the Vernon players were skating around wondering where the puck was. The Vipers were lucky Merritt didnt capitalize on this opportunity. The Centennials who looked much better were really skating hard, come in waves attacking the Vipers zone. Colin Grannary with a great opportunity couldnt beat Todosychuk who made a huge save with the game tied. On the same play back come Vernon on a three on two attack. Mitch Meek jumped up into the play missed a wide open net after Cetennials starting goaltender Anthony Pupplo dove across the crease to make the save. A very sloppy period from the Vipers and at times from both hockey clubs. The Centennials looked very good to start the period but as the frame went along Merritt too looked sloppy at times. A very scrambled period at times with not alot of flow and several turnovers at both ends of the rink. Towards the second half Vernon played a little better at times. Mitch Meek for the second time this period jumped up into the play to join an odd man rush but this time missed the far corner on a weak shot. With just less then six minutes to go Merritt would get their third shot with the man advantage but couldnt capitalize on a good Viper penalty kill. Late in the period Gavin Gould sprung Jake Clifford for the parcial breakaway who beat Danny Todosychuk giving the Centennials a 2-1 lead at 18:27 Gould & Diego Cuglietta picked up the assists. Merritt was up 2-1 after 40 minutes of play. This was a very scrambed and sloppy period with lots of mistakes at both ends of the rink but more from the Vipers side. Vernon looked half asleep were caught standing around in their own end. Way too many turnovers and mistakes in their own end lead for a pretty ugly period. The Cents started off with a great start, really come to play and looked good. Tied the game early had some good jump and pressure couldnt contain and play with that the full twenty minutes. Vernon outshot Merritt 11-8.
3rd Period: Zak Bowles with a breakaway just thirteen seconds into the final frame was stoned by Danny Todosychuk who made a huge save in the opening seconds keeping this a one goal game. Vernon would get an early powerplay just fourty five seconds into the third and capitalize. Liam Coughlin setup Thomas Aldworth who tied the game 2-2 at 2:10 Coughlin and Liam Finlay with the assists. This was the Vipers first and only shot of the period in the first eight minutes as Merritt was flying coming in with several odd man rushes. Todosychuk was forced into making several big saves keeping the Vipers in this game. Colin Grannary with a great chance couldnt give the Cents a two goal lead. Stephen Seeger's shot from the circle graized the post. The Centennials carried the better of the play, were the better team as again Vernon looked to be half asleep. Athony Latina come very close to tying the game after letting rip a wicked shot from the right wing beat Anthony Pupplo who couldnt beat the post. The Vipers were getting some rushes but were looking for the cute play instead of just shooting and getting pucks on net, the Vipers dished off the pass wich didnt go no where, waisting a great opportunity. Just past the halfway mark Vernon looked to be going on the PP after Griffyn Martin laid out a cheap shot before Riley Brandt come flying in dropping the gloves went right after Martin before the linesmen broke the pair up. Brandt now heading to the penalty box as well as Martin evenend things up. But just fourty seconds later Gavin Gould would get called four minutes for high sticking giving the Vipers a big powerplay. With the powerplay clicking the Vipers would strike again with the man advantage. Liam Coughlin in front put Vernon up 3-2 at 12:17 Liam Finlay & Luke Shipplo collected the helpers. With the Vipers still on the powerplay the Centennials penalty kill was good and able to kill off the second of the four minute double minor. But just twenty seven seconds after killing off the minor former Vernon Vipers forward Michael Roberts who was called up as an "AP" for tonight's game gave his hometown team a 4-2 lead after a wicked shot from inside the circle at 14:44 Roberts goal was unassisted. But back come the Cents and leading scorer John Schiavo would get two good chances on the following shift couldnt beat Todosychuk who made two huge saves as Merritt was pressing. The Centennials didnt quit and once again Todosychuk was forced to make another huge save while down and out but the puck went back out front where Michael Ederer hit the open cage cutting the Vernon lead to 4-3 at 16:10 Colin Grannary picked up the assist. The Vipers were able to kill some time off the clock and did a good job at keeping the play in the Cents zone not allowing Anthony Pupplo a chance to go to the bench for the extra attacker. With less then two minutes to go Danny Todosychuk took a lazer of a shot to the mask looked to be very woozy after the shot. As the play went up ice Todosychuk looked to be dazed bending over with his head down. Merritt would get Pupplo to the bench for the extra attacker with twenty two seconds to go before calling a very late timeout. The Vipers couldnt clear the zone as Merritt was able to get three or four quick shots towards the net two were blocked or didnt get through before Todosychuk made one last big save before the final buzzer as Vernon was able to hang on for the 4-3 victory and take the season series 5-2. This was a wild and entertaining period. Zak Bowles with a breakaway just thirteen seconds into the period couldnt beat Todosychuk to give Merritt a two goal lead before the Vipers would tie the game a few minutes later on the powerplay. Vernon with just one shot in the first eight minutes was outplayed most of the first half needed their goaltender to keep them in this game and give them a chance to win. After Todosychuk come up with some big saves the Vipers were able to capitalize on another powerplay and then get a big goal from a former player that made his return tonight wich turned out to be the game winner. The Cents didnt fold the tent or quit and battled right back, scored within minutes of the Vipers fourth goal made this a one goal game for a great finish. The Centennials were the better team had the better of the play. Merritt outshot Vernon 13-9.
Top Players: (Vernon)
I really liked the line of Linden Hora, Nicholas Rasovic and Michael Roberts (1 goal). I thought this line was really flying, moved the puck well, was creating chances. Hora I thought played one of his better games of the season, was involved in the play, finished his checks, got pucks to the net and played the body. Roberts who played parts of two seasons with the Vipers (2011-2013) played well scored the game winner.
Anthony Latina (1 goal) I thought played with alot of jump and energy, was really skating hard.
TJ Dumonceaux Was another player who played with alot of jump and energy, didnt do much offensively did more away from the puck. Played physical, was really hard on the puck, added alot of energy to the lineup.
Liam Finlay (2 assists) Played a good game, another player that is a real buzzsaw out there. Very quick on his feet, hard to contain, very crafty and shifty with and without the puck, was good on the PP.
Riley Brandt was really flying this evening, played very physical was in the face of several different Centennial players. Played with lots of energy and emotion.
Danny Todosychuk (25 saves) After a so so game in Coquitlam Friday night, Todosychuk come back with a very strong performance tonight. Didnt see alot of action in the first period was forced to make atleast three big saves before keeping his team in the game during the final two periods. Made some huge saves in the 2nd and 3rd periods giving his team a chance to stay in the game.
Game Thought's: (Vernon)
This was by far one of the Vipers poorest games in a while. After a great start Vernon played very well and looked very good in the opening ten to twelve minutes of the 1st period before laying back and almost going to sleep. Up 1-0 the Vipers were all over Merritt in the opening frame needed another goal or two to put the Cents away early ended up taking their foot off the gas and basically went into a bit of a lull in the second half of the first period allowed Merritt to hang around only down a goal. Other then the first half of the opening period Vernon with not alot of offensive opportunities most of the night had very little sustained pressure in the Cents zone most of the night. The Vipers then got real sloppy in the 2nd period made several mistakes, coughed up the puck, had all kinds of troubles defensively all night. The Vipers didnt look to be on the same page with one another making all kinds of mental errors-mistakes. The lone bright spot was Danny Todosychuk & the Viper powerplay. Vernon who didnt really generate much offence did look good with the man advantage. The Viper defence coughed up or turned over the puck way too many times tonight were very lucky to still be in this game come the third period and very lucky to hang on for the win in a game where they didnt deserve to be in. Vernon has now won nine straight at home and moves thirteen points up on Merritt & West Kelowna in the standings.
Top Players: (Merritt)
Shane Poulsen played very well on the Cents blueline.
John Schiavo didnt do any damage on the scoreboard was dangerous at times in and around the net. I dont think stood out all night but now and again was a threat.
Colin Grannary (1 assist) Was really involved in the play, had several good scoring opportunities was really skating hard, has a nose for the net.
Gavin Gould (1 assist) I thought played with lots of jump and energy, was really flying in the opening period and through out the game. Another player that was involved in the play, had several good scoring chances.
Game Thought's: (Merritt)
Not getting off to the start they wanted I thought the Centennials played a little better in the second half of the 1st period. Only down 1-0 after twenty minutes the Cents really come on strong to start the second frame. Tying the game early Merritt really started skating and carried the play in the first half. Getting good looks and chances the Cents were the better team in the 2nd and 3rd periods but couldnt get that all important two goal lead. The Cents couldnt put the Vipers away, allowed Vernon to hang around and stick in the game. Merritt looked very good at times in the 2nd and then at other times didnt look very good. A very scrambed and sloppy second period. The Centennials managed to get two in the 2nd to grab their first lead of the night couldnt get the next goal inwich allowed Vernon to tie the game before taking a two goal lead in the 3rd. The Cents with some bad timing on penalties in the final frame ended up costing them. I thought for most of the 2nd and 3rd periods the Centennials were the better team. Give the Cents credit other then the powerplay did a real good job at containing and shutting down the Vipers top line. The Centennials did a good job at containing Thomas Aldworth and Liam Coughlin minus the powerplay. Merritt was really skating hard, especially after not having their legs moving in the opening period. The Cents were moving the puck, had several odd man rushes had lots of looks and good opportunities all night. Merritt didnt get the bounce or lucky break they needed come the 3rd ran into a hot goaltender now finishes the season 0-4 in Vernon and has yet to win in Kal Tire Place since October 2013.
Scratches:
Vernon:
Jagger Williamson (Injured)
Mackenzie Bauer (Concussion)
Luke Voltin (Injured)
Colton McCarthy (Concussion)
Merritt:
Cole Chorney
Brandon Duhaime
James Neil
Energy player of the game:
Liam Finlay (2 assists)
Three Stars:
1st Star: Liam Coughlin (1 goal & 1 assist)
2nd Star: Jake Clifford (1 goal)
3rd Star: Riley Guenther
BCHL Boxscore,
http://www.vipers.bc.ca/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=1358446&link=bchl
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