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-Vees game as Penticton defeated Vernon 3-2 in front of 3,326 fans at the South Okanagan Events Centre.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon: Danny Todosychuk
Penticton: Hunter Miska
1st Period: The Vees come out with good jump, good off to a quick start. A minute into the opening frame, Jack Ramsey setup Tyson Jost in front couldnt beat Danny Todosychuk on a great opportunity in the opening minute. Penticton with good pressure early, were moving the puck, getting pucks to the net creating chances in the early goings. Patrick Sexton jumped into the play, couldnt beat Todosychuk from the slot as the Vees were buzzing early. Almost three minutes in Colton McCarthy would get Vernon's best chance after being tripped on a parcial breakaway giving the Vipers the games first powerplay just minutes into the game. TJ Dumonceaux with a good look at the net, wired a hard low shot from the top of the circle in the dying minute of the man advantage couldnt beat Hunter Miska as the Vees would kill off the minor. Less then two minutes later Vernon would get their second look with the man advantage. Getting pressure and four shots on goal, Hunter Miska was sharp making some key saves as the Vipers were 0-2 with the PP. Just over eight minutes into the 1st period and Vernon was outshooting Penticton 7-3 at this point. After killing off back to back Vernon powerplays, two and a half minutes later the Vees would get their first look with the PP. Getting a few good shots but not alot of puck possession the Vipers with a good penalty kill killed off the penalty. On the following shift Thomas Aldworth was sprung for the parcial breakaway couldnt beat Miska who was ready to play tonight. Both teams were very evenly matched from here on in until the buzzer as the play was fairly even going back and fourth. Each club was able to generate some zone time in each others end. With five minutes remaining Matt Serratore ripped a quick shot from the left circle forcing Danny Todosychuk to make a quick snag with the leather keeping this game scoreless. A minute later Dakota Conroy who was acquired from the Vipers for Liam Finlay walked in untouched from the high slot before wiring a shot from in close couldnt beat the Vipers goaltender who made tow big saves late in the period. Penticton gained some momentum late and finished the 1st with a good attack in the final few minutes. The Vipers back on their heels a little were caught admiring the Vees passing plays as Penticton was pressing in the final minute. Pat Newell setup Tyson Jost who was able to walk in beat Danny Todosychuk in close giving Penticton a 1-0 lead at 19:34 Newell & Jack Ramsey picked up the assists. It was 1-0 Penticton after 20 minutes of play. The Vees with a good start, had good pressure, got two or three good chances in the opening few minutes before the Vipers would get back to back powerplays couldnt capitalize. Both goaltenders played well as both teams played well in a fairly even played opening period. Penticton outshot Vernon 16-15.
2nd Period: In the opening minutes Jagger Williamson and Mackenzie Bauer with two good chances in close couldnt beat Vees starting goaltender Hunter Miska who was down and out. The Vees come right back with a strong push back. With a strong forecheck Connor Chartier couldnt beat Vipers starting goaltender Danny Todosychuk with a backhand from in close, making a big pad save keeping this a one goal game. Vernon couldnt clear the zone, turned over the puck twice inside the defensive zone before Dakota Conroy gave Penticton a 2-0 lead at 2:36 Dante Fabbro and Lewis Zerter-Gossage with the helpers. Three minutes later the Vees would get their second chance with the PP, the first of the 2nd period. Former Vernon Vipers forward Demico Hannoun alone in front, was stopped by Todosychuk. The Vipers with a good PK killed off the minor. It was all Vees early and often as Vernon couldnt get much of anything going as Penticton really using their speed and skill had all kinds of puck possession and zone time carried the majority of the play. The Vipers with very little puck possession werent in the offensive zone much in the first half. Danny Todosychuk had to be sharp kept the Vipers in the game were still down two goals. Just before the midway mark Liam Finlay on an odd man rush beat Hunter Miska but couldnt beat the post. Brandon Egli joined the attack, pounced on the rebound couldnt beat the Vees goaltender who come up with a huge save off Finlay's shot keeping the Vipers off the scoreboard. Two and a half minutes later Penticton would get a four minute powerplay after Liam Coughlin's double minor. Vernon with a very good penalty kill, once again got some key saves from Danny Todosychuk were able to excape and kill off the double minor. This was huge and a turning point in the game as now still down two goals and not three or four Vernon seemed to build off this PK slowly worked their way back into this hockey game. The Vipers now in the offensive zone were coming on in the second half, looked much better as the period went on. Vernon with good pressure had some looks at the net before getting a late powerplay. Moving the puck around, Viper captain Riley Guenther setup Thomas Aldworth who ripped a wicked shot high past Miska getting Vernon on the board at 17:39 cutting the Vees lead to just a goal. Guenther and former Penticton Vees forward Liam Finlay collected the assists. Less then a minute later the Vees would get a late man advantage that lasted all of five seconds before taking a minor penalty of their own sending both teams to four on four to finish the 2nd period. It was 2-1 Penticton after 40 minutes of play. The Vipers had two real good opportunities in the opening minute couldnt get the puck past Hunter Miska who played very well this evening. Miska with two big saves in the opening minute before a Viper turnover put Penticton up by two goals. The Vees gained momentum carried the better of the play for most of the first half before the Vipers turned the table, getting some life and momentum after two big penalty kills were able to get a PP goal late to climb within a goal. Shots were even 11-11.
3rd Period: The Vipers come out with good jump off the opening faceoff. Liam Coughlin with a strong shift battled his way through the offensive zone in the opening minute put a shot through traffic couldnt beat Hunter Miska who somehow saw the puck, making a big save. Off the following shift a long dump in play from inside centre ice fooled Danny Todosychuk who went to make the routine glove save had the puck graize off the top of his glove going into the corner on a close play. The Vipers would get an early PP to start the 3rd had some good looks couldnt get any real sustained pressure as the Vees killed off the minor. Less then two minutes later Anthony Latina with a dump in forced Hunter Miska to come way out of his crease to play the puck, Latina pounced on the rebound firing a quick shot towards the net forced the Vees goaltender to react in a hurry made a huge pad save off Latina just got back between the pipes on time to make the big save. With the puck still in play, Penticton having troubles couldnt clear the zone on two different opportunities before coughing up the puck right to Latina who beat Miska tied the game 2-2 at 8:50 Latina with all the hard work on that shift forced the Vees into several turnovers tied the game. Latina's goal was unassisted. On the following play Demico Hannoun tried setting up Riley Alferd going to the net on an odd man rush couldnt connect on the pass. Just two minutes after Vernon's game tying goal Penticton would get a big powerplay couldnt capitalize after another solid penalty kill by the Vipers. Just thirty four seconds after killing the minor the Vipers couldnt clear the zone, turning over the puck allowed Lewis Zerter-Gossage to walk in went forehand, backhand beat Danny Todosychuk in close gave Penticton a 3-2 lead at 13:23 Steen Cooper & Mike Lee with the helpers. Todosychuk made a nice glove save off Jarod Hilderman keeping this a one goal game. Vernon with a good push back had several opportunities couldnt beat Hunter Miska who was on his game tonight. Miska with several big stops kept this a one goal game. The Vipers with lots of pressure late couldnt get one past the Vees netminder. Miska made a huge save off Brandon Egli from the point and Thomas Aldworth from the circle. Mark Ferner would call a late timeout before getting Todosychuk to the bench for the extra attacker with 1:09 remaining. Penticton was able to clear the zone three or four times didnt come close at a chance at the empty net would hang on for the 3-2 victory winning the season series 6-1. The Vees come off the bench to congratulate Hunter Miska before several players got a little carried away with several high fives doing some showboating at the end of the game. I thought the Vipers played a much better 3rd responded well had some good chances, were able to battle back down two goals tied the game at two couldnt hold off the Vees before a late charge to finish the game. Vernon carried the play at times this period, had a bit of a slight edge in play. A very entertaining period with chances at both ends. Hunter Miska was the difference. Vernon outshot Penticton 15-6.
Top Player's: (Vernon)
Mitch Meek played very well defensively, played a very smart but defensive game.
Riley Guenther (1 assist) Was another Vernon defenceman that I thought played well this evening. Guenther looked calm and cool on the backend all night.
Anthony Latina (1 goal) Had lots of jump in his game, scored the game tying goal in the 3rd played with alot of intensity, showed alot of emotion at times, worked hard and competed.
TJ Dumonceaux playing in his final regular season BCHL game in his final season with the Vipers played a strong, physical game, was skating hard all night, played with lots of jump and energy.
Thomas Aldworth (1 goal) Has really struggled as of late hasnt looked or been the same player the last month or so. Tonight I thought Aldworth showed signs of his former self, played a hard, intense game, really skated hard, outskated several Vees players for the puck, looked to be in the zone. Had some good looks-chances through out the game, didnt see much icetime in the 3rd until the final few minutes.
Liam Finlay (1 assist) One of three finalists up for the BCHL Rookie of the Year was another Viper that stood out for me. Really skating hard, played with alot of intensity, was going all night.
Danny Todosychuk (30 saves) Making his second straight start in his final season with Vernon played very well has suffered back to back losses to finish the regular season. Made some big saves through out the game, was good on the PK gave his team a chance to win.
Game Thought's: (Vernon)
The Vernon Vipers finish the BCHL regular season on a two game losing streak finish the season with a 36-18-1-3 record good enough for 2nd place in the Interior Division and currently tied with Chilliwack for 3rd overall in the league. With Vernon locking up 2nd place a while back, the Vipers have been basically playing the last month or so with none of these games meaning much other then team pride-stats etc. Where as teams below the Vipers have been fighting for their playoff lives. I thought Vernon played very well in a game that didnt mean much in the standings. Other then the first ten minutes of the 2nd period this was a very hard fought, entertaining hockey game. The Vipers fell down 2-0 but didnt quit, battled back tying the game before giving up the winner with just over six minutes to go. A few turning points I look back on, Vernon would get two early powerplays to start the game couldnt capitalize went 0-2 allowed the Vees to hang around, & give Penticton some momentum. If the Vipers score once or even twice on those two powerplays, this could be a different game. The second turning point was killing off the double minor in the 2nd period. With Penticton up 2-0 the Vees score once or twice and this game is basically over or else a long fight back. The Vipers kill off the double minor, get some life and momentum before scoring a late powerplay goal to end the period are now within a goal heading into the 3rd. I like Vernon's compete level, thought they played hard, battled and got lots of pucks to the net. I really liked the Vipers PK, was very good. A few turnovers in the defenzive zone cost them two goals. I thought the Vipers did a good job at containing some of the Vees more offensive threats. This was anybody's game. Nice to see the Vipers get out a fan bus to both Salmon Arm & Penticton for te final two regular season games. With a 5-1 Merritt win in Salmon Arm tonight, the Centennials clinch 3rd place meaning the Vipers & Cents will meet in the opening round of the playoffs.
Top Player's: (Penticton)
Gabe Bast played well on the Vees blueline. Was physical at times, good down low and in and around the net.
Demico Hannoun had a strong game vs his former team. Was going hard all night, created and generated offensive chances.
Dakota Conroy (1 goal) A bigger body was involved in the play, played well up front, had some looks at the net.
Tyson Jost (1 goal) I thought was dangerous at times, seemed to be in and around the Vernon goal often. Seems to know where the puck is. Really sees and reads the ice well.
Hunter Miska (39 saves) Improved to 6-1 vs Vernon this season was the difference. Miska made several key-big saves through out the game keeping his team in the game at times. Miska was the bussier of the two netminders saw alot more action. Has a very good-quick glove, quick on his feet, reads the plays well, plays his position well, was fighting pucks through traffic, made some big saves.
Game Thought's: (Penticton)
The Vees like Vernon are also basically playing with pride dont have alot of meaning in their games the last month or so standings wise will finish the regular season vs Salmon Arm tomorrow night. Penticton who has owned the Vipers all season finish with a 6-1 record over Vernon this season had to battle and fight hard for the win tonight. The Vees may have won six out of seven games over the Vipers this season but in all but maybe one game every game was down to the final buzzer. Other then the first half of the 2nd period this was a very evenly matched game with chances at both ends of the rink. Both goaltenders played very well. A bounce or call here or there and this game could have gone the other way. I thought the Vees capitalized on their chances, were very oportunistic tonight. Went out to a 2-0 lead before having to re-gain their lead and then hold onto the one goal game for the winner. Penticton just like Vernon broke down mentally in their own end a few times, cost them the game tying goal but managed to rally late scoring the winner with just over six minutes to go. A huge crowd on hand for the Vees second last regular season home game. With the Silverbacks loss tonight, the Vees are still awaiting their playoff opponent. West Kelowna & Salmon Arm are tied in points for the final playoff spot with both teams playing their final games of the regular season tomorrow night.
Scratches:
Vernon:
Luke Shiplo
Nicholas Rasovic
Luke Voltin (Injured)
Penticton:
Cam Amantea
Energy player of the game:
Patrick Sexton
Three Stars:
1st Star: Hunter Miska (39 saves)
2nd Star: Lewis Zerter-Gossage (1 goal & 1 assist)
3rd Star: Thomas Aldworth (1 goal)
BCHL Boxscore,
http://www.vipers.bc.ca/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=1358533&link=bchl
Fraser Rodgers Penticton Vees Blog,
https://pentictonvees.wordpress.com/
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