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 West Kelowna defeated Vernon 2-0 in front of 946 fans at Royal Le Page Place.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon: Danny Todosychuk
West Kelowna: Stephen Heslop
1st Period: The Vipers would get the games first chance of the night and early. Colton McCarthy was able to get a quick back hand off from the slot with traffic in front but just missed the far corner. Just over a minute later Warriors captain Andrew Johnson tried setting up Liam Blackburn on a two on one as Blackburn couldnt connect on the pass on a missed opportunity. On the same shift and just seconds later Blackburn and Johnson would re-gain the puck on a Viper turnover inside their own end and get a second odd man rush, this time around Blackburn tried setting up Johnson who couldnt hit the net on two great chances for West Kelowna in the opening few minutes. The Vipers then started getting their legs going and started to carry the play. Vernon with pressure couldnt generate any real good quality chances as the Warriors defence was doing a good job at keeping the Vipers to the outside limiting their shots and chances. Just before the halfway mark West Kelowna would get the games first powerplay. Just over a minute later the Warriors would get a five on three man advantage. WK with good pressure didnt get alot of looks at the net as the Vipers penalty kill kept the Warriors to the outside. Vernon would kill off the first PP just before Riley Brandt would go in alone from his own blueline for a shorthanded breakaway, Brandt being hooked on the play couldnt beat "AP" Stephen Heslop who made the save keeping this game scoreless. Both teams would play a little four on four as West Kelowna was called for the hooking. Vernon would get a late powerplay but unable to muster any real good chances as the Warriors killed off the remainder of the minor. Just less then three minutes later West Kelowna would head back to the powerplay before getting a late five on three for a second time tonight. For a second straight powerplay the Warriors with lots of pressure were moving the puck around before Jason Cotton was robbed by Danny Todosychuk who come across the blue paint to make a huge pad save off Cotton in the final minute. Vernon with a good penalty kill got some timely saves from Todosychuk as the Vipers were able to kill off the first penalty were still down a man heading into the 2nd period. It was 0-0 after 20 minutes of play. Each team would get a great opportunity in the opening few minutes but couldnt capitalize. It was Vernon who got off to the good start carried the play early and often were the better team in the first half but didnt generate much offence. The Warriors defence kept the Vipers to the outside limiting their chances. Vernon would get into penalty trouble in the second half as the Warriors with two five on three's couldnt capitalize with the man advantage. The Warriors had the better puck possession due to the two five on three powerplays. The Vipers with some good penalty killing and goaltending were able to kill off the penalties. Vernon outshot West Kelowna 14-10.
2nd Period: The Warriors started the frame with the man advantage that was carried over from the end of the opening period. Brayden Gelsinger was robbed by Vipers starting goaltender Danny Todosychuk who for a second time tonight had to come across the crease to make another huge pad save keeping this game scoreless. The Vipers with another big penalty kill would kill off the remainder of the minor. WK kept coming as the Warriors looked to have a slight edge in play. The Warriors playing with alot of jump and energy to start the second period were buzzing early and often. West Kelowna with lots of pressure early were moving the puck around had good looks at the net but couldnt beat Todosychuk. Todosychuk had to be sharp made a tough save with the puck squeezed up against his pad and the post as the Warriors tried jamming the loose puck in. West Kelowna may have had the better of the play but like the Vipers couldnt generate much offence early. The Vipers would get their second powerplay of the night just before the halfway mark. The Vipers with good puck possession couldnt get anything going as again the Warriors defence did a great job at boxing the Vipers out as West Kelowna would kill off the minor. The Vipers turned things around in the second half picking up their game. Vernon slowly started to come on turning the tides as now the Vipers were carrying the play and had a ton of pressure deep in the WK zone. With seven and a half minutes remaining Anthony Latina setup Liam Finlay with the Vipers best opportunity of the frame just missed the far corner on a great chance from the high slot. Vernon looking like they were on a PP were moving the puck around, unable to generate any real good looks. On every second whistle or stopage in play lots of altercations after the whitsle as some pushing and shoving occurred. It was still 0-0 after 40 minutes of play. The Warriors with a strong start to the period come out with lots of jump and energy outplayed the Vipers early and often couldnt beat Danny Todosychuk on a few good quality chances. The Vipers would turn the tables and come back in the second half with a strong finish to the period outplayed West Kelowna but with just one real good chance didnt generate much for offence. Vernon outshot West Kelowna 14-10.
3rd Period: The Warriors got off to a quick start and come out strong. West Kelowna jumped on the Vipers early who were back on their heels. The Warriors with a few good chances in the opening minutes were on the attack. WK looked like they were on the powerplay. Moving the puck around spotted Tanner Campbell in the slot who couldnt beat Todosychuk who made a big save. Just a few shifts later Todosychuk somehow made a huge save off Tyler Kunz's point shot that was re-directed on its way to the net. On their heels early Vernon would get forced into taking an early penalty giving the Warriors another powerplay. Less then fourty seconds later West Kelowna would get their third two man advantage of the game and make the Vipers pay. With lots of open ice the Warriors moved the puck around before Tanner Campbell spotted a wide open Liam Blackburn who had two cracks at the puck before beating a diving Todosychuk giving West Kelowna a 1-0 lead at 7:10 Campbell with the assist. WK still on the man advantage went back to work but a strong finish to the penalty kill and the Vipers would kill off the minor. West Kelowna all over Vernon as the Vipers with just three shots in the first half of the period. Just minutes after killing off the penalty Vernon would get thier third powerplay. The Vipers struggled with the man advantage as West Kelowna would kill off the minor. Vernon would get a great chance in the second half Thomas Aldworth tried setting up Liam Coughlin on a Viper two on one but a Warriors defenceman (didnt see who it was) come up with a huge defensive play to break up Aldworth's pass. Just over a minute later the Vipers would get a late powerplay that lasted just seconds after Vernon would get a penalty as both teams played some four on four. While four on four Mac Ferner would give the Warriors a two goal lead after a blast from the point beat Danny Todosychuk who looked to be screened on the play giving West Kelowna a 2-0 lead at 15:59 Andrew Johnson with the helper. Still four on four the Vipers with some late pressure had all kinds of troubles getting pucks to the net as time was winding down the Vipers would eventually get Todosychuk to the bench for the extra attacker with 1:25 remaining. A late Vernon timeout and the Vipers pushed for a goal. Missing the net on several occasions the Vipers just couldnt generate much for offence. Liam Blackburn and Andrew Johnson both missed long shots at the open cage before the Warriors would eventually tie the puck and Vipers up in their own end to kill off the remaining seconds to come away with the 2-0 victory. This period was basically all Warriors as West Kelowna come out with a strong third period. The Warriors with lots of jump were all over Vernon early and often pouring on the pressure getting some good chances early. The Vipers would get into penalty trouble and it cost them as WK scored the first goal of the night wich was huge at this point in the hockey game. The Vipers back on their heels just couldnt get anything going most of the period. Down two goals the Vipers come on late with some pressure but again no real good chances. West Kelowna with a solid final twenty minutes picked up a huge win. Vernon outshot West Kelowna 10-9.
Top Players: (Vernon)
Kenny Citron I thought was the Vipers most physical player, layed the body, was strong on the backend played very well for the Vipers tonight.
Mitch Meek was another defenceman that I thought looked and played good through out the game. Jumped up into the play carried the puck from time to time played with confidence.
Liam Finlay was flying most of the night, went down in the 2nd period and was slow to get up went awkwardly to the Viper bench before being looked at. Was ok and stayed in the game. Was one of if not the lone Viper that played with a ton of intensity. Really buzzing, moving in and out of bodies trying to create or generate some kind of offence for the Vipers.
Danny Todosychuk (31 saves) How good has the Vipers goaltender been the last three games? Todosychuk has played very very well the last three games making some huge saves, keeping his team in most of the three games. Tonight the Vernon native was the more busier of the two goaltenders having to make the more difficult saves. Todosychuk made two huge pad saves late in the 1st and early in the 2nd period keeping this game scoreless. Was very good on the penalty kill made some timely saves through out the game.
Game Thought's: (Vernon)
The Vipers have now lost three straight games for the first time this season and have been shutout in all three games. On the drive home from Salmon Arm Saturday I was thinking to myself wondering if any team has been shutout back to back games? I was trying to think back if a Vernon team has ever been shutout in back to back games and I couldnt recall such a thing. Now its three straight games without a goal. This has to be some kind of BCHL record? Does anyone know? The Vipers offence has dried up and are now 0-2 on this six game road trip. I thought the Vipers had a good start to the game carried the better of the play atleast in the first half before getting into penalty trouble. I thought Vernon was the better of the two teams in the 2nd period but again got into penalty trouble. The Vipers may have been the better of the two teams for most of the 1st and 2nd periods but didnt generate much scoring chances. Most of Vernon's shots were from well outside, no traffic in front or bodies going to the net. Give some credit to the Warriors defence who did box the Vipers out and limit their shots and chances but the Vipers still have to bare down and dig deep in games like this. The Vipers were back on their heels early to start the 3rd and couldnt recover were outplayed most of the frame and again got into penalty trouble. The Vipers with way too many penalties. Graham Turnbull said it best on the post game show, the Vipers were fighting the referee all night. Give credit to Vernon's penalty kill wich was busy and did a pretty good job. When the Vipers did manage to get some pressure late in the game, again no real good chances or else missed the net. I didnt think Vernon played with the same compete level as they did in the 1-0 loss in Salmon Arm Saturday. The Vipers needed to get more bodies and traffic going to the net, especially with an "AP" goaltender between the pipes. Make his night miserable, do whatever it takes to try and get him off his game. Get lots of pucks to the net and go to the net for the rebounds-second opportunities. The Vipers didnt make Heslop work for the shutout, Vernon didnt make Heslop have to make any spectacular saves. Since the home and home series vs Coquitlam the Vipers have been incosistant and in all but one game yet to play a full sixty minutes. I also noticed the Vipers are not going to the net like they use to, staying to the outside, not jumping on rebounds and dont seem to be playing with that same intensity. Game three of this six game road trip goes Friday in Victoria. This is a good time for the boys to get out of town, get away from the normal routines through out the day and spend time quality time away on the bus, in the hotels, on the road together for some team bonding. The one good thing about this little rough patch the Vipers are in right now is atleast they have a decent lead in the standings where a few losses wont hurt them. Imagine if they were in a dog fight for the final playoff spot right now, these games could be the season. This was the final regular season meeting between these two teams as the Vipers win the season series 4-3.
Top Players: (West Kelowna)
Jason Cotton I thought was good for most parts of the game, was dangerous when down low. Was robbed late in the opening frame after getting stopped by Danny Todosychuk who made a huge pad save keeping the game scoreless. Cotton who seems to play well vs the Vipers was skating hard tonight.
Tanner Campbell (1 assist) I thought was really flying most of the night, made a nice pass to setup Liam Blackburn for the Warriors first goal of the game. Played with lots of jump and energy didnt quit skating all night.
Tyler Kunz I thought played a heck of a game on the West Kelowna blueline. Was very solid all night.
Nick Rutigliano was another d-man that played well on the backend.
Liam Blackburn (1 goal) Had a great opportunity early in the 1st couldnt connect on a two on one pass from Andrew Johnson then returned the favor by setting up Johnson on the same shift who couldnt capitalize on a second two on one. Blackburn was skating well, played well through out the game. Didnt get alot of scoring opportunities was involved in the play.
Stephen Heslop (33 saves) Playing in just his third game of the season, picked up his first career win and first career BCHL shutout making 33 saves. Playing in two games last season with Cowichan Heslop was called up as an "AP with starting goaltender Andy Desautels out of the Warriors lineup. Heslop who kicked out a few rebounds wasnt forced into making any real big saves saw most of Vernon's 33 shots, made the saves when needed played well in replace of Andy Desautels.
Game Thought's: (West Kelowna)
After snapping a five game losing streak Saturday with a huge 2-1 win over the Merritt Centennials the Warriors pickup another huge win over Vernon tonight to climb into 3rd place two points up on Merritt and four points up on Salmon Arm who the Warriors will face Friday. Tonight was just their six win in their last seventeen games pick up a huge win. I thought Vernon was the better of the two teams for most of the 1st and 2nd periods had the better of the play. West Kelowna had the better of the scoring chances and more powerplays but couldnt beat Danny Todosychuk. Whatever was said between periods worked as the Warriors responded with a strong start to the 3rd and never let up as West Kelowna outplayed the Vipers most of the final frame. WK had Vernon back on their heels early and often forcing the Vipers into penalties. The Warriors could have put this game away earlier if they would have connected on a few PP goals. West Kelowna with a huge goal on the two man advantage would open the scoring and basically never look back. Give credit to the Warriors defence who played very well, kept the Vipers to the outside most of the night, limited their shots and chances. Hanging on to the final playoff spot needed a huge game and a huge win in order to stay ahead of the Silverbacks. The Warriors are basically in playoff mode now needing wins on almost every night will travel to Salmon Arm Friday for a huge matchup with the Silverbacks. The Penticton Vees coaching staff was in attendance tonight.
Scratches:
Vernon:
Mackenzie Bauer (Concussion)
Luke Voltin (Injured)
West Kelowna:
Kristian Blumenschein
Jordan Masters
Bennett Huber
Scott Patton
Andy Desautels
Energy player of the game:
Tanner Campbell (1 assist)
Three Stars:
1st Star: Stephen Heslop (33 saves)
2nd Star: Danny Todosychuk (31 saves)
3rd Star: Liam Blackburn (1 goal)
BCHL Boxscore,
http://www.vipers.bc.ca/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=1358463&link=bchl
Kyle Anderson's West Kelowna Warriors Blog,
http://wkwarriors.blogspot.ca/
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