Saturday, February 14, 2015

Vernon 4 Nanaimo 1

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-Clippers game as Vernon defeated Nanaimo 4-1 in front of 1,924 fans at Kal Tire Place.

Starting Goaltenders:

Vernon: Jarrod Schamerhorn
Nanaimo: Guillaume Decelles

1st Period: The Vipers would get an early powerplay just thirty seconds into game.  Thomas Aldworth at the side of the net with a great opportunity couldnt beat Guillaume Decelles who also stopped Anthony Latina as the Vipers with two good chances couldnt capitalize as the Clippers killed off the minor.  Just over two and a half minutes later Vernon would get another shot with the man advantage.  This time the Vipers had some pressure but no real chances were 0-2 with the PP early to start the game.  Just as the penalty expired the Clippers would get their first shot with the man advantage.  The Vipers with a very aggresive penalty kill were right on top of Nanaimo's powerplay did a good job at forcing the puck to the outside and chipping it outside of the zone.  TJ Dumonceaux with a shorthanded opportunity tried going wide around a Nanaimo d-man before cutting to the net couldnt beat Guillaume Decelles down low as Vernon would kill off the penalty.  Just after the penalty Corey Renwick found an open lane up the middle went in for the parcial breakaway before being slashed was stopped by Jarrod Schamerhorn as the Clippers went back to another powerplay.  Ryan Coghlan joined the rush was stoned by Schamerhorn who made a huge right pad save from in close.  Just after Nick Gushue's shot bounced off a Viper defenceman in front to a wide open Jake Jackson who found the open cage giving Nanaimo a 1-0 lead at 12:16 Gushue & Austin Dick collected the helpers.  The Vipers responded less then three minutes later, Luke Shiplo setup a wide open Riley Brandt going to the net tied the game 1-1 at 15:03 Shiplo with the assist.  On the play Colton McCarthy was given a misconduct giving the Clippers their third powerplay of the frame.  On the penalty kill Liam Coughlin hit Yanni Kaldis into the boards next to the Clipper bench.  Kaldis looked to turn his body at the last second going into the boards was down on the ice before everyone jumped in going after Coughlin.  Kaldis was down for a minute or two before being helped off the ice never returned to the game.  Coughlin was tossed from the game given five minutes for boarding giving Nanaimo a very short seven second two man advantage.  The Vipers penalty kill who had given up one powerplay goal already was spectacular would kill off the remainder of Colton McCarthy's minor before killing off the remainder of the opening period.  The Clippers who couldnt get any sustained pressure didnt record a single shot with the fiver minute major still with two minutes remaining on the powerplay.  It was 1-1 after 20 minutes of play.  Vernon with two early powerplays couldnt jump on the Clippers and take advantage ended up giving up the games first goal rallied with the game tying goal just minutes later.  The Vipers were the better team five on five and other then giving up one powerplay goal looked very good on the penalty kill.  The Vipers outshot the Clippers 10-9.

2nd Period: Nanaimo started the second frame still on the powerplay that was carried over from the end of the 1st period.  Again the Clippers couldnt get anything going had troubles setting up inside the Vernon zone didnt get a single shot on the five minute major as the Viper penalty kill with a huge kill were still in this game.  The Vipers had troubles getting going after a huge penalty kill as the Clippers carried the play but didnt generate many scoring chances.  Nanaimo had more pressure with the puck but didnt get alot of zone time to create any real scoring plays.  Vernon would their first powerplay of the period.  TJ Dumonceaux with two real good chances couldnt find the back of the net.  Dumonceaux from the slot couldnt beat Clippers starting goaltender Guillaume Decelles fivehole and then missed a great opportuinity couldnt go high blocker as the Clippers would kill off the minor.  Just as the penalty expired Nanaimo caught the Viper defence napping made the long stretch pass spotted Sheldon Rempal coming out of the penalty box was sent in all alone for the breakaway couldnt beat Vipers starting goaltender Jarrod Schamerhorn who made a big save keeping this game tied.  Just over a minute and a half later Vernon would get their second shot with the man advantage.  Moving the puck around the Vipers couldnt generate any real scoring threat as Nanaimo with a good kill would kill off the penalty.  Just after the powerplay Nick Gushue wired a rocket of a shot from the right faceoff circle beat Jarrod Schamerhorn but couldnt beat the post with just over four minutes remaining in the frame.  On the same shift Nanaimo would get a late powerplay and this time Ryan Coghlan with a rocket of a shot from the exact same spot beat Schamerhorn but hit the crossbar as the Clippers with back to back close calls.  The Vipers penalty kill was once again sharp killing off the minor.  TJ Dumonceaux with a great look at the net and good opportunity in the final minute couldnt beat Guillaume Decelles after a hard slapper was topped by the quick glove of Decelles.  It was still tied 1-1 after 40 minutes of play.  The Viper penalty kill was solid killing off the remainder of the five minute major not giving up a single shot but the Viper powerplay couldnt get going was 0-4.  The Clippers powerplay was also struggling missed a great opportunity with the five minute major.  Nanaimo with one post and a crossbar come close to taking the lead.  Not alot of chances in this period as Vernon outshot Nanaimo 9-8.

3rd Period: Off the opening draw the Clippers got the play in deep before a scramble in front of Jarrod Schamerhorn couldnt burry the loose puck as the net come crashing down on the Vernon goaltender stopping the play.  Off the following faceoff Anthony Latina with a nice rush up ice was being held off by a Clipper defender still managed to get a quick low shot off that was quickly stopped by a huge toe-pad save by Guillaume Decelles.  On the play the Vipers would get an early powerplay.  Anthony Latina with two good chances couldnt put the Vipers ahead after being robbed by Decelles who dove across the blue paint to make a huge save with his goal stick robbing Latina in front.  Nanaimo with some solid goaltending would kill off the minor.  The Vipers with a great opportunity to grab the lead had back to back powerplays to start the final frame but couldnt capitalize.  After a good penalty kill back come the Clippers with a three on two attack but the Vipers with a strong defensive play forced the puck out in a hurry as Colton McCarthy and Nicholas Rasovic lead the charge on a two on one, McCarthy waited to shoot before setting up the open Rasovic who slid  the puck past Guillaume Decelles giving the Vipers a 2-1 lead and their first of the night at 7:16 McCarthy with the assist.  Less then two minutes later Vernon with another shot with the powerplay couldnt capitalize as another strong Clipper penalty kill.  Nanaimo just couldnt get much of anything going were being outshot 10-2 at the halfway mark as it was all Vipers in the first half.  Vernon with three straight powerplays and a good balance of play five on five were the better team this period.  Mackenzie Bauer with a shot through traffic couldnt beat Decelles.  With six minutes to go the Vipers got a little sloppy in their own end coughed up the puck on a few occassions as Nanaimo slowly started to come on late.  The Clippers offence who had been very quiet most of this period was now buzzing had the Vipers back on their heels.  Vernon with several turnovers inside their own end couldnt clear the zone as the Jarrod Schamerhorn had to be sharp made several key saves keeping this a one goal game.  The Vipers would catch a break and come out on an odd man rush.  Anthony Latina setup Jagger Williamson who was going hard to the net had the puck go in off a Clipper d-man giving Vernon a 3-1 lead at 17:30 Latina was credited with the goal while Williamson collected an assist.  Nanaimo would call a timeout and then get Guillaume Decelles to the bench with just over two minutes remaining.  The Clippers with some sustained pressure lost the battle along the boards before Thomas Aldworth with a huge burst of speed blew by the Clipper defenceman before hitting the open net giving Vernon a 4-1 lead at 18:43 Aldworth's goal was unassisted putting this game away.  The Vipers would come away with their third straight win with a 4-1 victory.  Vernon with a solid 3rd come out hard, had three straight powerplays scored a huge five on five goal in the first half to grab their first lead of the night.  The Vipers who carried most of the play were the better of the two teams played well.  Nanaimo who took too many penalties in the final period played most of the period in their own end.  The Clippers with very little puck possession couldnt get any real sustained pressure or attack going.  Vernon outshot Nanaimo 16-5.

Top Player's: (Vernon)

Brandon Egli I thought played very well on the Viper backend.  Looked very good on the powerplay, getting that quick hard onetimer off from the point.  Was really skating hard, moving the puck well and getting shots off from the point.

Anthony Latina (1 goal) Returned from his three game suspension added some energy to the Viper offence.  Latina with several good rushes lead the way with a good game up front.  Latina who is always chirpping in and after the whistle plays hard, trys to get under the skin of the other team was going tonight.

Nicholas Rasovic (1 goal) Has really stepped up his play this past week-weekend playing some of his best hockey as a Viper.  Had another strong game, scored his second of the season was involved alot this evening.

Thomas Aldworth (1 goal) Played with alot of jump and energy had atleast two good chances tonight couldnt find the back of the net.  Aldworth who hasnt scored in a while has had troubles fighting the puck latley.  Played with alot more confidence tonight.

Riley Brandt (1 goal) What more can you say about this young man.  Comes to play each and every shift like its his last.  Plays with a ton of energy and jump, always skating, hitting and working hard.  Really battled and competed tonight, worked hard and earned his goal.

Colton McCarthy (1 assist) I thought played well and is another kid who is coming along. 

Johnny Coughlin I thought played and looked fairly good on the backend.  Made a few nice defensive plays tonight wasnt flashy but played well defensively.

Jarrod Schamerhorn (21 saves) Really like Schamerhorn's new goal equipment to match the Viper jersey-colours.  Looks sharp!  Didnt see alot of action but made the big saves when needed.  Made two good saves in the opening frame almost back to back when the game was still scoreless.  Was seeing most of the pucks, didnt give out any rebounds played his position well.

Game Thought's: (Vernon)

After getting just two wins in their last seven games the Vipers have really responded with three straight wins over two of the league's top teams (Nanaimo & Penticton) and then the league's hottest team in Salmon Arm.  I even watched the game last weekend in Chilliwack on the computer and even though the Vipers lost a tough one in double overtime I thought deserved a better fait.  The Vipers have really picked up their game and played very well the last four games.  Giving up a single goal in all of the last three games vs some very strong teams is pretty impressive.  Give alot of credit to Mark Ferner and his defensive structure.  The Viper defence and goaltending has been very good the last week.  With the top two lines struggling offensively, its nice to see guys like Riley Brandt & Nicholas Rasovic pick up the slack.  Tonight was a very good game.  I thought Vernon got better as the game went on and really played their best come the 3rd period.  I really liked the Vipers penalty kill, killing off that five minute major to end the first period and start the second frame was huge-key.  May have been a TSN turning point.  The Viper powerplay struggled, going 0-7 vs a team like Nanaimo you have to try and take advantage and get your goals when you can.  The Clippers are the highest scoring team in the league, the Vipers were lucky the powerplay didnt come back to haunt them.  Vernon gets two or three goals on the PP and this game is over in a hurry.  With the win Vernon moves to within three points of Nanaimo for second overall in the league standings.   

Top Player's: (Nanaimo)

Ryan Coghlan played very well on the Clippers blueline.  Hit the crossbar late in the 2nd period on the powerplay.  Played well defensively and joined the rush.

Jacob Hanlon didnt do much with the puck but was the fastest player out there.  This kid has some wheels and was dangerous at times with a strong forecheck.  Plays aggresive, gets inbehind the defence in a hurry.

Sheldon Rempal played very well up front for the Nanaimo Clippers.  Was in on the play, in and around the net.

Jake Jackson I thought was the Clippers most dangerous forward.  Always in on the attack, a good skater, really sees the ice well.

Nick Gushue (1 assist) Had a good game on the backend, hit the post with a rocket of a shot in the opening period.

Guillaume Decelles (31 saves) Played well through out the game, dont think you could fault him on any of the three Viper goals.  Come up with some big-key saves on the powerplay at the start of the game and then in the 3rd period.  Made a huge save off Anthony Latina on the Viper PP dove across the crease to rob the Viper forward.  Dosnt give up many rebounds, likes to come out of his crease alot and play the puck.

Game Thought's: (Nanaimo)

Former Vipers Head Coach-GM Mike Vandekamp & Jason Williamson both made their return to Vernon have now lost the first two of three Interior games this weekend will play in West Kelowna tomorrow afternoon.  The Clippers with a fairly big more older-veteran hockey club move the puck well but didnt get alot of great opportunities.  The Clippers took several undissaplined penalties through out the game like Vernon struggled with the man advantage going 1-5.  Not getting a single shot on the five minute major was the turning point.  The Clippers get two maybe three goals and its going to be very difficult for Vernon to try and comeback.  I didnt think Nanaimo had alot of sustained pressure through out the game, played more in their own end had a great showing of Clipper fans in attendance tonight.  I thought the Clippers turned over the puck in their own end often and didnt seem to play with enough eurgency.  This was a tight game and could have gone either way.  The Vipers now split the season series with Nanaimo 1-1. 

Scratches:

Vernon:

Blaine Caton (Injured)
Luke Voltin (Injured)

Nanaimo:

Anthony Rinaldi
Jordan Low
Devin Brousseau

Energy player of the game:

Thomas Aldworth (1 goal)

Three Stars:

1st Star: Nicholas Rasovic (1 goal)
2nd Star: Riley Brandt (1 goal)
3rd Star: Jarrod Schamerhorn (21 saves)

BCHL Boxscore,

http://www.vipers.bc.ca/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=1358503&link=bchl

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