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 Interior Division Finals Game 3 as Vernon defeated Penticton 5-2 in front of 1777 fans at Kal Tire Place.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon: Danny Todosychuk
Penticton: Hunter Miska
1st Period: The Vees for the third straight game in this series jumped out to an early lead. Captain Patrick Sexton's shot from the point was redirected in front by former Western Hockey Leaguer Connor Chartier giving Penticton an early 1-0 lead at 0:48 Sexton & Dakota Conroy picked up the helpers. The Vees with lots of energy and jump come out strong, carried the play early and often as the Vipers had all kinds of trouble getting out of their own end and through the neutral zone. Danny Todosychuk returned to the Vipers lineup after being out since Game 1 of the opening round of the playoffs made a big save off Riley Alferd in close. Vernon's defence couldnt clear the front of the net before former Cowichan Capital Steen Cooper put home the loose puck on a scrum in front of the Viper goal giving Penticton a 2-0 lead at 3:58 Demico Hannoun with the assist. Mark Ferner and the Vipers would call a timeout to try and settle down the Vipers as you could hear a pin drop inside Kal Tire Place. Vernon with just two shots on goal at this point had no puck possession or zone time inside the Vees end. The line of Colton McCarthy, Riley Brandt & Luke Voltin started to lay the body as the Vipers picked up the physical play finally got the puck and some zone time in the offensive zone. The Vipers finally managed to get some pucks to the net as Hunter Miska had to make atleast three or four saves in a row but most of Vernon's shots were from well outside. The Vees would come back with a hard working shift of their own and at this point I thought still were the better of the two teams early. Not alot of scoring chances at either ends of the rink with Penticton carrying the play. The Vees were outshooting the Vipers 10-5 at one point. Just before the halfway mark is when the Vipers got things rolling and slowly come on. Vernon with their best pressure and forecheck of the night picked up the physical play, were now skating and had a slight edge in play. The Vees now back on their heels a bit were still up two goals before Riley Brandt with a sharp angle shot from the corner somehow beat Hunter Miska on a bad angle along the goal line got the Vipers on the board at 15:47 Luke Voltin picked up the assist. Just 1:16 later Liam Coughlin with a bankshot off the side wall setup Thomas Aldworth who skated out of his own end through the neutral zone before ripping a shot from the high slot beat Miska clean tied the game 2-2 at 17:03 Coughlin with the lone assist as Kal Tire Place erupted. Less then a minute later Vernon would get the games first powerplay and the Vipers would capitalize. Luke Shiplo gave the Vipers their first lead of the night and the series as Vernon went ahead 3-2 at 18:13 Liam Coughlin and Thomas Aldworth picked up the helpers. The Vees and their fan bus of fans were stunned blew a two goal lead. In the final minute Connor Chartier would get a good look at the net from in close, was stopped by Danny Todosychuk who made a huge save in tight late in the frame kept this a one goal game. Vernon was up 3-2 after 20 minutes of play. For the third straight game in this series the Vees jump out to a quick lead jumped on Vernon early. The Vipers had all kinds of troubles getting out of their own end and getting through the neutral zone were outplayed for most of the first half. The Vipers slowly come on after the timeout but it was just before the midway mark when Vernon took over the remainder of the period. The Vees with a big two goal lead to start outplayed the Vipers for the first six to seven minutes before Vernon responded with three quick back to back to back goals in less then three minutes had the better of the play and outplayed the Vees in the second half. Vernon outshot Penticton 14-13.
2nd Period: The Vipers come out strong, left off right where they finished after the opening frame. Vernon with a good quick start got some good quality chances early in the period. Mackenzie Bauer went in on a two on one setup Luke Voltin who was stonned by Vees starting goaltender Hunter Miska who come across the blue paint to make a huge pad save off the Viper rookie, on the same play back come Penticton former Viper prospect Dakota Conroy got off a quick backhand from the slot forced Vipers starting Goaltender Danny Todosychuk to make a huge pad save just getting a peice of it with his toe. On that play the Vees would their first man advantage early into the middle frame had troubles sustaining any real pressure as the Vipers would kill off the minor. Just after Mackenzie Bauer setup Anthony Latina on another Viper two on one, as Latina just missed the net on a good chance by the Vipers. A shift or two later Liam Coughlin with a nice individual effort put Vernon up 4-2 at 6:29 Luke Shiplo and Thomas Aldworth collected the assists. Fred Harbinson yanked Hunter Miska from the game who gave up four goals on nineteen Viper shots was replaced by backup goaltender Brendan Barry who was seeing his first BCHL playoff game. The Vipers with a ton of pressure moved the puck around had troubles getting pucks-shots on goal before Vipers come close to scoring. A shot from in close somehow got through the skates of Barry who couldnt find the loose puck, Gabe Bast was alert to quickly clear the puck from the crease on a close call. The Vipers kept the pressure on with a strong forecheck before Colton McCarthy with a bit of a weak shot from in close beat Brendan Barry firehole on a goal the rookie goaltender would like to have back. Vernon was up 5-2 at 13:02 Luke Voltin picked up the helper. This was the end of the night for Barry who was pulled in favor of Hunter Miska. Barry gave up the lone goal on just two Vernon shots. Tyson Jost come back would get a good look at the net from the slot was stopped by Todosychuk. The Viper netminder made his biggest save of the night robbing Cam Amantea spun around stopping the puck with his goal stick on a highlight reel save. Penticton stepped up the physical play before coming on in the final four or five minutes. The Vipers got a little sloppy in their own end, turned over the puck several times as the Vees were pressing. Penticton with a strong forecheck, moved the puck well had good puck possession had the Vernon defence on their heels before the Vipers would get a late powerplay. Vernon would struggle with the PP after a very solid penalty kill by the Vees. In the dying seconds Jack Ramsey with a great opportunity shorthanded was left all alone in front was stopped by Danny Todosychuk who come up with a big save in the final minute. Vernon was up 5-2 after 40 minutes of play. The Vipers with a good start, had two odd man rushes couldnt capitalize would kill off an early penalty before getting two big goals chasing both Penticton goaltenders grabbing a three goal lead. Vernon looked good outplayed the Vees for most of the frame until Penticton finished the period with a good push back, took it to the Vipers the final four or five minutes. Vernon outshot Penticton 8-5.
3rd Period: Off the opening faceoff the Vipers were able to get the play in deep, before Liam Coughlin with a quick low shot forced Hunter Miska into stretching out made a huge pad save in the opening minute. Vernon with good pressure early jumped on the Vees out of the gates had Penticton hemmed in at times did a great job at getting the puck in deep before playing with a strong forecheck were very hard to knock off the puck. The Vipers with one shift killed off atleast three minutes as the Vees couldnt overpower Vernon's forecheck and aggresive play along the wall. Penticton would get an early powerplay just their second of the night. Former Vipers forward Demico Hannoun with a rocket of a shot from the left faceoff circle was robbed by Danny Todosychuk who made a huge glove save keeping the Vees off the scoreboard on this man advantage. The Vipers would get into penalty trouble as the Vees would get a five on three with fifty five seconds left on the first Viper minor. Fred Harbinson would get Hunter Miska to the bench for the extra attacker with still over eleven minutes to go in the hockey game. Off the following faceoff Harbinson's plan just about backfired as a long Vernon shot from their own end just missed the open cage. Penticton with a ton of pressure and puck possession had the Vipers hemmed in their own end, wiring shots from the point missed on four seperate shots had troubles hitting the net. The Viper penalty kill was big come up with atleast three huge shot blocks before Tyson Jost fanned on a shot from in close as the Vees struggled to hit the net. Todosychuk did have to be alert made two saves as the Vees with just two shots missed a great opportunity to get back in the game as Vernon would come up with a huge penalty kill killed off the five on three as Miska would return to the pipes. From here on in it was all Penticton as the Vees down three goals with ten minutes to go were pressing hard. Penticton with a ton of pressure didnt really generate many scoring chances as the Viper defence had a strong night. Less then four minutes remaining the Vees would get one last shot with the man advantage, and again get goaltender Hunter Miska to the bench for the extra attacker but not for long as the Vees would take a penalty evening things up. Vernon would get a late but shortened PP would wind down the clock before coming away with a huge 5-2 victory to get back into the series as Penticton leads the best of seven series 2-1. The Vipers with a strong start, had a heck of a forecheck going on killed off alot of minutes early off the clock before the Vees would get a huge five on three powerplay, had troubles hitting the net failed with the man advantage. It was all Penticton in the 3rd who couldnt beat Danny Todosychuk. Penticton outshot Vernon 10-4.
Top Players: (Vernon)
The line of Liam Coughlin (1 goal & 2 assists), TJ Dumonceaux & Thomas Aldworth (1 goal & 2 assists) come to play tonight picked up six points in the win. This line has been quiet the last month or so had one of their best games in a while tonight. Aldworth with two goals in Game 1 was skating hard tonight, carried the puck alot, found a ton of open ice tonight had lots of time and space to create and generate chances. Was hard to contain and defend against. I thought Liam Coughlin had one of his better games in sometime. Like Aldworth was skating hard, found lots of open ice, was hard to defend against, really stepped up his game this evening. TJ Dumonceaux was very strong on the penalty kill, one of the Viper veterans showed alot of hustle tonight.
The line of Anthony Latina, Mackenzie Bauer and Jagger Williamson played a strong, relentless game. Latina who returned to the lineup after leaving Game 2 started the game with a cage before removing it just minutes into the game. I thought Latina played with alot of jump, energy and battled, was up and down the ice all night, creating havoc on the Vees. Played with a little grit tonight, got under the skin of a few Vees players. I thought Bauer had his best game of the playoffs, didnt look or play like a rookie. Handled himself pretty good, was skating well, involved in the play, moved the puck well, was involved in two odd man rushes, played physical at times.
The line of Colton McCarthy (1 goal), Riley Brandt (1 goal) & Luke Voltin (22 assists) was a huge spark to the Viper lineup. These three competed, played physical, played with alot of energy-jump, added that grit and spark when needed were very good tonight. Never quit skating, finished their checks, got involved in the dirty areas, scored two big goals. McCarthy had the Vees chasing him around all night, was under their skin through out the game.
Luke Shiplo (1 goal & 1 assist) Played and looked more comfortable tonight. Scored a big goal with the man advantage in the opening frame to give Vernon their first lead of the night and the series.
Danny Todosychuk (26 saves) Made his return after leaving during Game 1 of the Vipers-Merritt series due to a leg injury. The Vernon product looked and played very well made some huge saves through out the game. Gave up two early goals to start the game, didnt get rattled, was calm stayed focused finished the game not allowing another goal. Was seeing the puck, didnt give out any big rebounds, was quick on his feet, looked very solid between the pipes.
Game Thought's: (Vernon)
Tonight wasnt looking so good after just four minutes into Game 3. The Vipers fell behind 2-0 early but after a quick timeout, responded well and never looked back. Penticton with a great start on the road were looking to roll right along. The Vees jumped on the Vipers early but give Vernon credit they responded well. Come out hitting, played physical after the timeout, slowly started to get their game going. The Vipers looked much better in the second half outplayed the Vees scored three quick goals in less then three minutes to get their first lead of the night and the series. These three goals could be a turning point, I thought got the crowd back into the game, got the Vipers into the game of course and also stunned the Vees. Penticton just couldnt recover after giving up the three goals late in the 1st period. I really liked the Vipers game tonight, I thought they played physical, were very good with the puck down low and on the forecheck, giving the Vees all kinds of troubles. I thought the Viper defence was very good, a few turnovers late in the 2nd period but overall were very strong tonight. After taking some undisaplined penalties in Games 1 & 2 the Vipers stayed away from the after the whistle activities and played hockey. A heck of a job on the penalty kill, espeically in the 3rd on the six on three with Hunter Miska pulled for the extra attacker. The Viper penalty kill come up with some huge blocked shots. I also think the Vipers got some solid goaltending from Danny Todosychuk. Taking nothing away from Jarrod Schamerhorn who has been great all season, Todosychuk had a very strong game tonight, made some huge saves through out the night, none bigger then his stick save in the 2nd period. Overall as the game went on I thought Vernon got better, played a little more relaxed, and did alot of the little things right. Didnt make a whole lot of mistakes. The Vipers also did a much better job at containing and shutting down the Vees top players. Tonight was a must win and the Vipers come away with a huge victory getting back in the series. Vernon losses tonight and this series is basically over. The Vipers who had just one win over the Vees all season, will gain a ton of boost and confidence with tonight's win. This was a character win!
Top Player's: (Penticton)
Gabe Bast I thought was one of Penticton's better players tonight. Played very well on the blueline, made a huge defensive play in the 2nd period after reaching back to clear the puck from going into the open cage.
Connor Chartier (1 goal) Played with alot of jump and energy, opened the scoring for the Vees had atleast two or three good chances tonight, was involved in the play.
Cam Amantea I thought played with an edge, played physical, played in your face style of hockey, competed and played hard through out Game 3.
Game Thought's: (Penticton)
With the all important Game 3 the Vees jumped out to a very quick 2-0 lead looked to run away with the game before the wheels fell off. The Vees with a great start on the road, jumped on the Vipers early scoring two goals in the first four minutes had the Vipers on the ropes. Penticton with a ton of jump early carried the play were all over Vernon. The Vees couldnt contain that energy and offence let the game get away from them. The Vees got the crowd out of the game early, had their fans who made the trip down make alot of noise looked to not like the physical play. The Vees gave up a soft goal from a sharp angle on the goal line I dont think got the goaltending they needed. Hunter Miska who has been lights out all season and playoffs didnt look sharp tonight. Allowed atleast two soft goals or goals he should have stopped. Penticton gave up three quick back to back to back goals to finish the opening period, couldnt seem to recover. The Vees with an early powerplay to start the 2nd couldnt capitalize, this could be a turning point if your a Vees fan. Penticton scores on the man advantage here and its now tied. The Vees dont capitalize and Vernon comes right back just after the PP jumps ahead by two before taking a three goal lead into the 3rd. Give the Vees come credit, they didnt quit playing. Yes they were outplayed at times through out the contest but did manage to put together a good push back late in the final minutes of the second and then had good pressure in the final frame. Specialty teams was also a difference as the Vees with another good opportunity with a five on three in the 3rd get the goaltender out for a six on three had troubles hitting the net. Penticton with a ton of pressure and puck possession miss the net on atleast four shots couldnt get back into the game on a missed opportunity. The Vees six game winning streak was snapped with the loss. Im sure the Vipers didnt think this series was over heading into tonight's game 3 while Im sure Penticton didnt think this series was over before the puck drop tonight. The Vees still have the series lead have a big test tomorrow night in Game 4 before heading back to Penticton for Game 5 Friday. Game 4 is going to be huge for both clubs. Penticton with its first loss in Vernon this season are 3-1 at Kal Tire Place and 8-2 vs the Vipers this season.
Scratches:
Vernon:
Mitchell Oliver
Nicholas Rasovic
Liam Finlay
Penticton:
Shane Gwinner
Mitch Newsome
Energy player of the game:
Colton McCarthy (1 goal)
Three Stars:
1st Star: Liam Coughlin (1 goal & 2 assists)
2nd Star: Thomas Aldworth (1 goal & 2 assists)
3rd Star: Luke Shiplo (1 goal & 1 assist)
BCHL Boxscore,
http://www.vipers.bc.ca/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=1437169&link=bchl
Fraser Rodgers Penticton Vees Blog,
https://pentictonvees.wordpress.com/
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