Saturday, January 17, 2015

Vernon 5 Coquitlam 3

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-Express game as Vernon defeated Coquitlam 5-3 in front of 1,792 fans at Kal Tire Place.

Starting Goaltenders:

Vernon: Jarrod Schamerhorn
Coquitlam: Braden Krogfoss

1st Period:  The Express got off to a quick start and looked good in the opening few minutes.  Just twenty six seconds into the contest Vernon product Noah Turanski went in for the parcial breakaway beat Jarrod Schamerhorn but hit post on a close call.  Coquitlam had the early jump on the Vipers looked to have a little more energy to start the game.  The Express moving the puck around got pucks and shots to the net were outshooting Vernon early 5-2 at one point.  The Vipers needed five minutes to get their first scoring chance after Liam Coughlin tried sneaking a puck in from the corner that just about handcuffed Braden Krogfoss who had to lean tight against the post to hold onto the puck and wait for a whistle.  Just under six minutes into the frame Vernon would get the games first powerplay that only lasted not even a minute before the Vipers took a penalty, as both teams played a little four on four before the Express would get a late but shortened powerplay.  Four on four the Vipers had the better of the chances.  Thomas Aldworth setup Liam Finlay on a two on one but Finlay couldnt beat Krogfoss.  Vernon with three good opportunities couldnt beat the Express goaltender.  Coquitlam couldnt muster much offensively couldnt capitalize with the man advantage.  Shortly after killing off the minor Vernon exploded really turned on the offence and poured on the pressure.  The Vipers with all kinds of control carried the play were all over the Express.  Riley Brandt, Thomas Aldworth and Liam Coughlin all with good chances couldnt beat Braden Krogfoss who was very solid between the pipes.  Coquitlam having all kinds of trouble getting out of their own end would eventually get out of their own end and get their first scoring chance in several minutes.  Luke Voltin went down in front of the Viper bench was tangled up with a Coquitlam player was slow to get up, went off on one foot.  Was attended too by the Vipers trainer before leaving the bench for the teams dressin room where he wouldnt return.  Former Langley Rivermen forward Brendan Gulka setup leading scorer Corey Mackin on a two on one but Mackin couldnt connect on the pass on a missed opportunity.  Coquitlam would get their second powerplay of the night would get just two shots on goal with very little pressure couldnt open the scoring with the man advantage.  The Express would come on late with a few good shifts before coming close to opening the scoring late.  In the finla thirty seconds Jarrod Schamerhorn had to be sharp made a tough save with traffic in front was able to hold onto the puck.  It was 0-0 after 20 minutes of play.  The Express looked pretty good in the opening five minutes or so had some good jump and energy had the edge in play.  Vernon looked a little slow and making a few turnovers in their own end looked half a sleep on a few shifts needed about five minutes or so to get their game going.  After killing off a shortened Coquitlam PP the Vipers took over the play and basically dominated the Express peppering Braden Krogfoss with 27 shots.  Vernon with lots of pressure had lots of good chances couldnt beat the Express goaltender.  Vernon outshot Coquitlam 27-13.

2nd Period: The Express got the play in deep off the opening draw and attacked early.  Thanvir Bandesha with a redirect in front just missed the far side on a good chance in the opening few seconds.  Coquitlam with good jump off the opening faceoff.  The Vipers were able to clear the zone before Anthony Latina would get into the Coquitlam zone before firing the puck in wich hit and went off Liam Finlay and into the goal giving Vernon a 1-0 lead at 1:00 Braden Krogfoss looked to be leaving the crease going for Latina's dump in shot that hit Finlay fooling the Express netminder.  Latina & Luke Shiplo collected the helpers.  Vernon would then get back to back early powerplays and capitalize.  Just thirteen seconds into the first man advantage Liam Coughlin setup Thomas Aldworth who put Vernon up 2-0 at 3:17 Coughlin and Liam Finlay with the assists.  Just twenty five seconds later the Vipers would get their second man advantage but it was Corey Mackin who would break in for the shorthanded parcial breakaway but missed the net before Liam Coughlin would give the Vipers a 3-0 lead at 4:35 Luke Shiplo and Thomas Aldworth picked up the helpers.  Vernon with three quick goals to start the period in less then five minutes.  Thinking the Express down three goals would fold in the towels and call it a night, well wrong.  Coquitlam come back with a strong push back.  The Express really turned up their game as both teams went back and fourth with lots of action at both ends of the rink.  Both teams getting good scoring chances made for an entertaining period.  Brendan Lamont and Daniell Lange would come in on an odd man rush, Lamont would keep and fire beat Vipers starting goaltender Jarrod Schamerhorn just graized the post on a close call.  Thomas Aldworth at the other end would get a parcial breakaway but couldnt beat Express starting goaltender Braden Krogfoss who made a nice pad save in tight.  Coquitlam would get their second PP of the evening but couldnt capitalize.  Shortly after the man advantage Corey Mackin spotted a wide open Brendan Lamont in front got the Express on the board.  Mackin with a sweet backhand pass from behind the goal setup Lamont in front at 12:20 Mackin & Brett Supinski collected the helpers.  The Vipers looked to have troubles with the Express speed as Vernon was giving up several odd man rushes before both teams tightened up defensively.  The play went back and fourth for several minutes with no real scoring chances at either ends of the rink.  The Vipers would get a late powerplay that would continue into the 3rd.  Vernon was up 3-1 after 40 minutes of play.  Luke Voltin returned to the Vipers bench for the start of the frame, didnt see a shift but was on the bench.  The Vipers with a quick start jumped out to a early 3-0 lead with three goals in less then five minutes.  Coquitlam responded well with a strong push back as the Express playing their best period of the night had several good chances only managed one goal.  A fairly evenly matched period with both teams getting in on the offensive attack.  The Vipers outshot the Express 19-10.

3rd Period: Vernon started the final frame on the man advantage that was carried over from the end of the 2nd period.  Luke Shiplo walked in from the point, was able to get in close couldnt beat Braden Krogfoss who made a big save with bodies in front.  The Express with a big kill would get back in the game with an early powerplay goal of their own.  The Vipers got into penalty trouble early giving the Express a two man advantage and Coquitlam made em pay.  The Express worked the puck back and fourth down low before Brendan Lamont setup a wide open Corey Mackin at the side of the net who beat Schamerhorn high at 2:34 The Vipers lead was down to 3-2.  Lamont and Brett Supinski with the helpers.  With the Express still on the PP Vernon's penalty kill was very good and was able to kill off the remainder of the second powerplay.  Shortly after Colton McCarthy with a parcial breakaway couldnt hit the net on a chance for the Vipers to re-gain their two goal lead.  Back at the other end Brendan Gulka come close just missing the far corner.  Thomas Aldworth with a great opportunity down low couldnt beat Krogfoss and then on the same shift the Vipers sent Liam Finlay in alone for the breakaway split the two defenders went high and over the net on a missed opportunity.  On the following shift the Express would win the faceoff deep in the Vernon zone.  Brett Supinski beat Jarrod Schamerhorn who looked to be caught off guard tied the game 3-3 at 8:53 Brendan Lamont and Corey Mackin with the assists.  Just over a minute later Coquitlam would get their third PP of the frame but didnt generate much couldnt break the 3-3 tie.  Less then a minute later the Vipers would get a shot with their first powerplay of the 3rd.  Luke Shiplo's shot was deflected in by TJ Dumonceaux giving Vernon a 4-3 lead at 13:32 Shiplo with three assists and Liam Finlay picked up the assists.  Just fourteen seconds later Thomas Aldworth setup Dumonceaux on a two on one for his second of the night gave the Vipers a 5-3 lead at 13:46 Aldworth with the helper.  Two big goals got the crowd back into the game and really fired up the Vipers.  The Express who were basically going with two lines most of the night looked to be getting tired as Coquitlam with very little zone time didnt generate much other then the two goals in the final frame.  The Vipers really showing their speed seemed to get better as the period went along.  Riley Brandt now stepped up the physical play in the game laid out some hard checks.  The Vipers would call a timeout with just under four minutes to go played very well to finish the game.  The Express kept Braden Krogfoss in goal would get a great opportunity late to make this a one goal game.  Corey Mackin setup Brendan Lamont with 1:17 to go couldnt beat Jarrod Schamerhorn who made a big save to keep this a two goal game.  Vernon would hang on for their sixth straight win in a 5-3 victory.  Luke Voltin was on the bench for the 3rd saw a few limited shifts seemed to be skating well and finished the game.  The Express got an early powerplay goal made things very interesting before tying the game couldnt hold on to force overtime gave up two Viper goals in fourteen seconds.  Vernon played very well in the third had some good chances.  The Express scored twice but didnt look as hungry as they played and showed in the 2nd period.  Coquitlam didnt get nearly as much zone time in the 3rd as in the second frame looked to run out of gas late in the period.  The Vipers with two solid 3rd periods this weekend keep rolling along.  Vernon outshot Coquitlam 13-10.

Top Players: (Vernon)

Kenny Citron Played a strong game on the Vernon blueline.  Was very solid all night.

Liam Coughlin (1 goal & 1 assist) Seems to be getting better and better as the season goes along.  The second year Viper forward picked up two points had another strong game for the second time this weekend. 

Riley Guenther I thought played very well on the backend.  The Vipers captain looked calm and steady cleared the zone when needed be, made some smart decisions tonight.

TJ Dumonceaux (2 goals) Another Viper that had a strong weekend played very well again tonight.  Was good on the penalty kill and strong on the forecheck.  Dumonceaux blocked a shot in the 1st period went off with a bit of a limp, stayed in the game.  Two big goals late to finish the game still is without a scholarship in his last season with the Vipers.

Luke Shiplo (3 assists) Has been more then expected this season.  It seems like every game we expect Shiplo to be one of if not the Vipers best d-man.  Picking up three helpers tonight was very solid and at both ends of the rink.  Really likes to carry the puck, get involved in the rush and create plays. 

Thomas Aldworth (1 goal & 2 assists) Played another strong game for a second time this weekend.  Aldworth is amazing to watch, has such power to beat a defender one on one, has a wicked shot and can turn on the jets in a second.  Very hard to knock off the puck, contain and slow down in front.  Really sees the ice well.

Liam Finlay (1 goal & 2 assists) Was a buzzsaw tonight, really used his speed and size to get in and around the more bigger Coquitlam Express lineup.  Finlay was really moving his feet all night, was good with and without the puck.  Had several good chances.

Riley Brandt played another strong game, this kid isnt the biggest kid isnt afraid to hit anyone on the ice.  Laid out some pretty big checks tonight played with a ton of jump and energy.

Game Thought's: (Vernon)

The Vipers pick up their seventh straight win on home ice have now won six in a row.  Vernon with a pretty good effort and game played very well in the win.  The Vipers looked half a sleep to start the game, needed five or so minutes to get going then dominated the opening period outshooting the Express 27-13 but the game was scoreless.  If the Vipers get two or three goals in the opening period this may have been a much higher score.  The Vipers peppered Braden Krogfoss couldnt buy a goal would open the flood gates early to start the 2nd with three goals in less then five minutes.  The Vipers looked good for most of the game did give up several odd man rushes in the 2nd had a few mental lapses but responded well in the 3rd with two late goals to come away with the victory.  Vernon's powerplay with three goals tonight has really improved and seems to be getting better each game.  I also liked the Vipers penalty kill tonight, giving up just one PP goal.

Top Players: (Coquitlam)

Taylor Green played very well on the blueline.  Seemed to move the puck and clear the zone in a hurry, made some smart plays with and without the puck.

Nicholas Coltura another defenceman that played well for Coquitlam.  A good skater, also moves the puck in a hurry, makes that good first pass coming out of the defensive zone.

The line of Brendan Lamont (1 goal & 2 assists), Corey Mackin (1 goal & 2 assists) & Brett Supinski (1 goal & 2 assists) was the Express top unit by far.  This line was out every second shift, seeing a ton of icetime.  Coquitlam basically going with two lines most of the night really relied on this line to lead the way.  Very quick, move the puck well, really read and see the ice well are very dangerous and make things happen in a hurry.  Very exciting to watch.  Gave the Vipers all kinds of trouble almost every shift on the ice.

Brendan Gulka was also a bit of a threat at times through out the game.  Didnt record any points but played well, had some opportunities.

Noah Turanski played in front of his hometown come very close to opening the scoring just twenty six seconds into the game hit the post has some good size, dosnt see alot of ice time but I thought hard to play against.  Dished out a few checks in the opening frame looked good in a limited role.

Braden Krogfoss (54 saves) Made 27 saves alone in the 1st period, gave his team a chance to win and kept his club in tonight's game.  This could have easily been a 4 or 5-0 Vernon lead after the opening period if it wasnt for this kid.  Dosnt give up alot of rebounds plays his position well, hard to beat down low, is also quick on his feet.

Game Thought's: (Coquitlam)

A re-match of last season's BCHL Finals the Coquitlam Express made their first and only visit of the season impressed me.  Not knowing much about the Express other then the standings I thought Coquitlam played well and showed they have alot more then their record.  Coquitlam got off to a good start, had good energy and jump on the Vipers early were outplayed pretty good in the 1st.  The Express were very lucky to get out of the opening frame scoreless.  The Express then fell behind 3-0 early to start the 2nd period didnt quit and responded well with their best period of the night, played very hard, created and generated lots of good quality chances only managed one goal.  The Express with a strong attack are lead by their top line of Mackin, Lamont and Supinski.  Basically playing with only two lines the Express didnt have as much jump or energy in the 3rd looked to run out of gas as the 3rd got deeper.  Give Coquitlam credit they batted back down three goals tied the game and looked to maybe force overtime gave up a late powerplay goal and then fell behind two after giving up a second Vernon goal just fourteen seconds later.  The Express with not alot of chances or zone time in the 3rd had troubles with the Vipers speed and offensive attack in the final twenty minutes.  One of the more bigger teams in the league that I have seen this season sure dont use it to their advantage.  This team dosnt play all that physical.  Overall a good entertaining hockey game.

Scratches:

Vernon:

Mitchell Oliver
Jagger Williamson (Injured)

Coquitlam:

Colton Kerfoot
Cameron Bertsch

Energy player of the game:

Liam Finlay (1 goal & 2 assists)

Three Stars:

1st Star: TJ Dumonceaux (2 goals)
2nd Star: Luke Shiplo (3 assists)
3rd Star: Braden Krogfoss (54 saves)

BCHL Boxscore,

http://www.vipers.bc.ca/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=1358415&link=bchl

Eddie Gregory's Coquitlam Express Blog,

http://expressvoice.blogspot.ca/

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