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-Chiefs game as Vernon defeated Chilliwack 8-3 in front of 1,583 fans at Kal Tire Place.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon: Jarrod Schamerhorn
Chilliwack: Aidan Pelino
1st Period: The Chiefs would get the games first scoring opportunity just over a minute into the game. Vimal Sukumaran come down the wing one on one before ripping a high shot that forced Jarrod Schamerhorn into just getting a piece of it with his upper body-shoulder. About a minute later Vernon would get the games first powerplay and capitalize on their first look at the net. Just eight seconds into the man advantage Odeen Tufto setup former Chilliwack Chief defenceman Darren Rizzolo going to the net beat Aidan Pelino giving Vernon an early 1-0 lead at 2:15 Tufto & Bo Pellah collected the helpers. This goal seemed to ignite the Vipers who would score three goals in just less then three minutes. Fifty five seconds after Rizzolo's goal Nicholas Rasovic setup Joe Cipollone in front giving Vernon a 2-0 lead at 3:10 Rasovic and Brett Stapely with the assists. Two minutes later the Vipers were going on the powerplay after a big hit in the Viper zone, with the Chiefs unable to touch the puck, the play would continue up ice before Riley Brandt lead the attack on an odd man rush decided to shoot and beat Aidan Pelino giving Vernon a 3-0 lead at 5:10 Bo Pellah and Odeen Tufto picked up the assists. The penalty would be cancelled due to the goal but the Chiefs would lose Kale Kane who was the player getting the penalty would receive a ten minute penalty for checking to the head. This was the end of the night for Aidan Pelino who allowed three goals on just four Viper shots. Matteo Esposito would replace Pelino. Chilliwack who was off to a bad start were down three goals early. The Vipers didnt stop. Bo Pellah would late sneak into the Chiefs zone before getting off a quick shot from the circle that was stopped by Matteo Esposito before Riley Brandt missed on the rebound. A few shifts later Steven Jandric wired a shot from the slot was stopped by Esposito. The Vipers would break out on a three on two, with some nice tic tac toe passing Liam Finlay couldnt tap one home at the side of the net after the puck went off his skate and into the corner on a close call. The Vipers with all kinds of pressure were firing everything on the Chilliwack net. Jarrod Schamerhorn who wasnt tested at all for most of the first half come up with a big pad save off a wrap around just before the midway mark. The Chiefs with a flurry of chances had a few hard working shifts forced Schamerhorn into making a few saves before the Vipers would go up by four at the halfway mark after Steven Jandric's shot looked to hit a few players in front before Liam Finlay put home the rebound in tight giving Vernon a 4-0 lead at 10:08 Jandric with the lone helper. Just less then three minutes later Vernon would get their second PP of the frame. Steven Jandric with a good opportunity but it was Chilliwack who would kill off the minor. The Vipers outshooting the Chiefs 9-4 at one point before Chilliwack would come back with a good push to finish the 1st. The Chiefs come on late in the final minutes gave the Vipers a bit of a scare with some solid pressure in the Vernon zone. Schamerhorn forced into making a few good saves kept the Chiefs off the board. Just before the period come to an end, Chilliwack would get a very late powerplay that would continue into the 2nd period. Vernon was up 4-0 after 20 minutes of play. The Chiefs would get a great opportunity 1:10 into the game before giving up three quick goals in less then three minutes didnt get off to a great start. Chilliwack didnt get the big save when needed and couldnt contain the Vipers that seemed whatever they threw at the net went in. Vernon with four goals in the first ten minutes looked to have this game in the bag before the Chiefs finished the period on a strong note, didnt allow the Vipers to walk all over them. Vernon outshot Chilliwack 13-10.
2nd Period: The Chiefs started the middle frame with the man advantage that was carried over from the end of the 1st period. Chilliwack looked good on the PP, moving the puck around, had some good zone time, had some good looks at the net couldnt get one past Vipers starting goaltender Jarrod Schamerhorn who come up with some big saves while shorthanded as Vernon would excape and kill off the minor. Chilliwack kept coming, having the Vipers hemned in their own end poured on the pressure as Vernon either sitting on a four goal lead or were having troubles with the Chiefs offensive attack. Vernon would catch a break after trying to fight off a strong Chilliwack forecheck-attack Riley Brandt would lay out the biggest hit of the night in the neutral zone before colliding with two Chiefs in front of the Viper bench. Somehow Brandt would end up with the puck, burst down the right wing before ripping a high shot past Chiefs goaltender Matteo Esposito giving Vernon a comanding 5-0 lead at 6:28 on a highlight reel hit-goal. Jimmy Lambert with the lone assist. Seconds after Brandt scored Austin Adam gave a big two handed slash to one Vernon player just off to the side of the net, along the end boards. The Vipers kept their cool and didnt retaliate. Adam somehow got away with no penalty. Just minutes later the Vipers would get their third man advantage of the night. Vernon with a good looking PP, moved the puck around, had several good chances in close couldnt capitalize as the Chiefs would kill off the minor. Chilliwack didnt quit and kept coming as it was all Chiefs for the 2nd period. Vimal Sukumaran would break in on a parcial breakaway with two Viper defenders wacking away at the Chilliwack forward couldnt beat Jarrod Schamerhorn who stayed with the play, made a big save keeping the Chiefs off the board. Jake Smith somehow missed a wide open cage from the side of the net, Smith fired but the puck either was stopped by Schamerhorn or hit a body in front, either way the puck stayed out as Chilliwack couldnt buy a goal at this point. With Andrew Shortridge out of the lineup, Jarrod Schamerhorn had to be sharp and was forced into making nineteen Chilliwack saves this period. The Chiefs would eventually get on the board after Kohen Olischefski setup Jesse Lansdell in front beat Schamerhorn down low cutting the Vernon lead to 5-1 at 14:17 Olischefski and Connor McCarthy picked up the helpers. Off the next play Chilliwack would get their second powerplay of the night and get their second goal of the game. Vimal Sukumaran at 15:38 from Jordan Kawaguchi & Dennis Cholowski with the assists. The Vipers with very little zone time, played most of the period in their own end. Austin Cho with one of Vernon's few scoring chances lead an odd man rush ripped a hard shot from along the wall couldnt beat Matteo Esposito. Chilliwack come back and come very close to getting a third goal after Mark Esposito's point shot was redirected on it's way to the net, just missed the far corner. Vernon was up 5-2 after 40 minutes of play. After a rough opening ten minutes to start the game, Chilliwack bounced back with a solid performance in the middle frame. The Chiefs outscored the Vipers 2-1 this period were by far the better of the two teams, as Chilliwack took it to Vernon. The Chiefs with a ton of shots on Jarrod Schamerhorn, created and generated some of their best opportunities of the game only managed two goals. The Vipers played most of the second period in their own end. Schamerhorn was keeping his club in the game. Chilliwack outshot Vernon 21-9.
3rd Period: Chilliwack had alot more jump to start the final period. In the opening minute former Vernon Vipers forward Linden Hora with a good look at the net, couldnt beat former teammate Jarrod Schamerhorn on a good opportunity. Jagger Williamson tried setting up Hunter Zandee a few plays later on a two on one early couldnt beat Matteo Esposito in close. The Vipers would catch the Chiefs defence napping after three Vipers would go in alone for the breakaway. Liam Finlay setup Odeen Tufto who was going to the net, gave Vernon a 6-2 lead at 4:17 Finlay with the helper. Less then two minutes later the Vipers would get an early powerplay but struggled as the Chiefs would kill off the minor. Just as the penalty expired Nicholas Rasovic in front couldnt bang home a loose puck come close to giving Vernon a 7-2 lead. The Vipers looking-playing very casual sat back on a 6-2 lead as Chilliwack carried the better of the play, as Vernon was held in their own zone. For a second straight period Jarrod Schamerhorn had to be big, making several saves with the Chiefs pressing. Chilliwack couldnt seem to buy a bounce or catch a break on several plays in and around the net. The bouncing or loose puck seemed to always find it's way into or underneath Schamerhorn. Viper captain Colton McCarthy would give Vernon a 7-2 lead at 11:01 Jimmy Lambert with the assist. On the following shift a minor scrum broke loose before the Chiefs would get a man advantage. Down 7-2 the Chiefs would pull Matteo Esposito for the extra attacker and it worked. Chilliwack moving the puck around, had lots of ice and control of the puck before finding the back of the net. Mark Esposito's point shot found it's way through a maze of players in front beat Jarrod Schamerhorn at 13:10 Schamerhorn didnt see the puck at all as Vernon's lead was down to 7-3. Chilliwack would once again pull Esposito for the extra attacker, but this time while playing five on five. The Vipers couldnt hit the open net before Esposito would head back between the pipes after a faceoff in the Chiefs zone. A few plays later Esposito would once again leave the ice as the Chiefs would add the extra man but it would cost them after Steven Jandric hit the open cage giving Vernon a 8-3 lead at 14:09 Mitchell Oliver with the helper. The final five minutes would seem to last forever before the Chiefs would run out of time as Vernon would come away with the 8-3 victory. This was a bit of a wild period with the Chiefs pulling their goaltender three different times for the extra attacker, while the Vipers even though being outplayed for most of the period still managed to score three goals. Jarrod Schamerhorn was once again very good between the pipes for a second straight period. Chilliwack outshot Vernon 14-7.
Top Player's: (Vernon)
Jarrod Schamerhorn (42 saves) Picked up his first win of the season come back with a solid performance tonight after a tough 4-3 overtime loss to the visiting Coquitlam Express Friday. Schamerhorn who has taken over the #1 job with Andrew Shortridge out of the lineup, will be seeing alot of action until Shortridge returns. The second year Vernon goaltender looked very calm and steady between the pipes this evening, making some big saves in the 2nd period. Didnt see as many high qulaity shots-chances in the 3rd still had to be sharp and focused with the Chiefs pressing.
Riley Brandt (2 goals) Had a heck of a weekend. Played hard, competed and tried his best offensively in the two games this weekend to try and help his team to victories. One of the hardest working Vipers, never quits. Played physical, battled hard and scored twice, had some good chances in both games this weekend.
Odeen Tufto (1 goal & 2 assists) Had a strong game up front for the Vipers. Was good in the faceoff circle, was going to the net all night, and was rewarded with three points. A good skater, quick has skill.
Steven Jandric (1 goal & 1 assist) I thought had a hard working night. Had some opportunities, played hard, didnt quit battling.
Game Thought's: (Vernon)
After a tough loss last night to Coquitlam in a game where the Vipers played hard, fully deserved the win got a big win tonight, their first win at home this season. A great start by Vernon who jumped on the Chiefs early, scoring three quick goals less then three minutes apart to take a 4-0 lead just ten minutes into the contest. The Vipers got some breaks-bounces and capitalized on their opportunities. Looking to be in full control the Vipers may have took their foot off the gas and coasted for the remainder of the game as Chilliwack slowly started to come on late in the 1st period before outplaying the Vipers in the final two periods. The Vipers played most of the 2nd period in their own end, had very little zone time, were badly outshot 21-9 got some great goaltending from Jarrod Schamerhorn. In the 3rd and still being outplayed I dont think gave up as many quality chances, managed to catch some more breaks scored three goals to come away with the win. It seemed whatever the Vipers put on goal, went in. Did the Vipers take their foot off the gas? or was Chilliwack that good and just got off to a bad start? I think it was a bit of both. This was a big win before heading out on a five game road trip, starting next weekend in Chilliwack at the BCHL Showcase. Vernon will play two top teams in Cowichan and Wentahcee next weekend before heading to the Island for three games in three days the following weekend. A very good test for the boys, will see what kind of team there made of after this road trip.
Top Player's: (Chilliwack)
Mark Esposito (1 goal) Had a steady game on the Chiefs blueline.
Vimal Sukumaran (1 goal) Was one of the more dangerous Chilliwack players. Stopped on a breakaway, had some good looks at the net tonight, just couldnt capitalize on the opportunities.
Jake Smith (1 assist) I thought played well in the loss. Seemed to get involved in the play, carried the puck often, tried creating and generating some chances.
Game Thought's: (Chilliwack)
The Chiefs would get the games first scoring chance just 1:10 into the game but then fell apart. The Vipers with three goals in less then three minutes would chase starting goaltender Aidan Pelino who allowed three goals on just four Viper shots. Both goaltenders didnt have a great game, I dont think the Chiefs got the goaltending they needed or wanted tonight, I think Chilliwack needed a few big saves at different times and just didnt get those saves. The game was just ten minutes old and the Chiefs were down 4-0. Give Chilliwack credit, they didnt fold the tents, they battled back late in the first to keep the score 4-0 and come ready to play and played hard in the 2nd and 3rd periods. The Chiefs were by far the better team in the final two periods, really outplayed and dominated the game. Chilliwack would get three in the final two periods but its too late. One of those games where you think, if the Vipers dont jump out to an early 3-0 or 4-0 lead and the Chiefs still outplay the Vipers in the 2nd and 3rd periods, would this be a different outcome-final score? I was very surprised to see the Chiefs pull goaltender Matteo Esposito in the 3rd down 7-2 and do it three times in the period. Ive never seen that before in Junior hockey. Chilliwack had some good chances just couldnt solve Jarrod Schamerhorn. The Chiefs have a very big team that dosnt play or use the body as much as I would have thought. Chilliwack's last win in Vernon was a 5-4 victory on November 5th 2010. Great to see a decent crowd of Chiefs fans in attendance tonight.
Scratches:
Vernon:
Michael Roberts
Griffin James
Andrew Shortridge
Chilliwack:
Olivier Areseneau
Ben Sharf
Energy player of the game:
Liam Finlay (1 goal & 1 assist)
Three Stars:
1st Star: Riley Brandt (2 goals)
2nd Star: Odeen Tufto (1 goal & 2 assists)
3rd Star: Bo Pellah (2 assists)
BCHL Boxscore,
http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=1477071&link=bchl
Graham Turnbull's Vernon Vipers Blog,
http://vipersvenom1.blogspot.ca/
No comments:
Post a Comment