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-Centennials Game as Merritt defeated Vernon 4-1 in front of 2,066 fans at Kal Tire Place.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon: Andrew Shortridge
Merritt: Cole Kehler
1st Period: The Centennials got off to a good start, had some good jump early before getting a good chance in the opening minutes. Just two minutes into the contest Merritt captain Malik Kaila with a shot from the blueline forced Andrew Shortridge into making a quick pad save who returned the Viper lineup after missing the past three games with an injury. The Cents had a good jump on the Vipers were the better team this period, carried the better of the play early and often. The Vipers having all kinds of troubles getting shots on goal, as the Centennials defence was solid boxing players from out front. The Vipers needed five minutes to get their first shot of the period and it was a good one, as Colton McCarthy & Riley Brandt were both going to the net hard, looking for a rebound couldnt beat former Kamloops Blazers goaltender Cole Kehler who stood tall pounced and cover the loose puck in the crease. A few minutes later Vernon would get the games first powerplay but struggled. With just a single shot Merritt was able to kill off the minor. Very few scoring opportunities at both ends of the rink but the Cents would get a great chance after Ryan Coghlan jumped in from the point couldnt beat Andrew Shortridge who somehow made a big save with bodies in front on just the second opportunity for Merritt. The Vipers would come right back and get just their second opportunity of the frame after a shot from Griffin James caused a mad scramble in front of the Centennials goal. Cole Kehler was sharp located and covered the puck after a goal mouth scramble. The Vipers with several wacks at the loose puck, couldnt open the scoring. Merritt was outshooting Vernon 6-2 at one point. It was 0-0 after 20 minutes of play. The Vipers struggled offensively to get any kind of opportunties had troubles getting shots on goal and pucks to the net. Vernon who didnt show alot of intensity, didnt have much jump in their game, looked flat most of the period. The Cents who were the better of the two teams carried most of the play but didnt generate alot of great chances. Merritt outshot Vernon 9-8.
2nd Period: The Centennials would get an early powerplay, their first of the night and capitalize. Merritt needed only eleven seconds before Nick Jermain with a wicked snap shot from the slot beat Vipers starting goaltender Andrew Shortridge giving Merritt a 1-0 lead at 2:52 Gavin Gould and Mike Faulkner collected the assists. Just over a minute later the Vipers would get their second PP of the night. The Vipers needed four minutes to get their first shot of the period and that was on this powerplay, their only shot of the man advantage as the Centennials penalty kill was very solid, killed off the minor. Just a few minutes later Vernon would get back on the powerplay but again with just one shot were hearing the hecklers from the crowd before the Cents would capitalize on a Vernon turnover and make the Vipers pay. Ryan Forbes beat Shortridge fivehole shorthanded giving Merritt a 2-0 lead at 9:37 Ryan Coghlan & Gavin Gould with the helpers. The Vipers with just one shot on the PP gave up a shorthanded goal as Merritt would kill off the penalty. The Vipers struggling had just two shots in the first half of the middle frame. On the following play the Cents would jump on the man advantage but unable to take a commanding three goal lead as the Viper penalty kill would kill off the minor. For a second straight period it was all Merritt as the Vipers once again struggled offensively. Odeen Tufto had a good chance down low, couldnt beat Kehler at the side of the net on Vernon's lone scoring chance. The Centennials carried the better of the play, once again didnt generate a whole lot of opportunities, but capitalized on their chances had the two goal lead. A minor scrum broke out at the buzzer with both teams getting involved. Some pushing and shoving in front of the Centennials goal. The Vipers would come out of the scrum with a powerplay to start the 3rd. It was 2-0 Merritt after 40 minutes of play. Another solid period by Merritt, played very well defensively, didnt get alot of scoring chances but capitalized on their chances, got a huge goal shorthanded to grab the two goal lead. The Cents carried most of the play. The Vipers once again struggled, playing with not alot of energy looked lifeless most of the period. With just one good scoring chance, the Vipers struggled with the man advantage. Merritt outshot Vernon 15-8.
3rd Period: The Vipers started the final frame on the PP and capitalized. Odeen Tufto jumped on the rebound in front, put home the rebound into the open cage getting Vernon on the board at 0:44 Christian Cakebread & Bo Pellah with the helpers. This goal seemed to energize the Vipers who come out flying the following shift, Vernon come out to play the final twenty minutes jumped on Merritt early and often. The Vipers skating hard, finally showed signs of life, had lots of jump, showed some intensity/emotion for the first time tonight. The Vipers didnt get alot of great looks-opportunities were competing and getting shots on goal, something they had troubles doing in the first two periods. Cole Kehler who didnt have to break much of a sweat in the first two frames made a few good saves in the third with the Vipers pressing. Vernon would get the lone powerplay of the period but once again struggled with the man advantage. Getting just one shot the Centennials would kill off the minor. Just as the penalty expired Gavin Gould broke loose for the breakaway missed the net before the Vipers come back the other way, but Liam Finlay was denied in front by Centennials starting goaltender Cole Kehler who made a nice save in close. It was now the Cents who couldnt get anything going, were back on their heels as the Vipers were pushing. Ryan Forbes come down the right wing, had a great chance to give Merritt a 3-1 lead ripped a rocket of a shot off the far post as the goal light come on, as the play continued up ice. It was all Vipers in the first half but in the second half Merritt's defence stepped up their play, did a great job at shutting down Vernon's offensive players as the Centennials now playing a more defensive game late in the 3rd were hitting centre and dumping in the puck in. The Vipers with time winding down couldnt get anything going as the Centennials blueline was shutting the Vipers down. Michael Regush with a hard shot from the slot looked to beat Andrew Shortridge who looked to make the save with the knob of his goal stick. The Vipers really struggled in the last six to seven minutes couldnt get much of anything going would eventually get Shortridge to the bench with 1:38 to go but on a turnover inside the ofensive zone Zak Bowles would put the game away with the empty netter on just Merritt's second shot of the period gave Merritt a 3-1 lead at 18:39 Gavin Gould with the lone assist. The Vipers would call a timeout before getting Andrew Shortridge back to the bench for the extra attacker. Nick Jermain would get his second of the night into the open cage gave Merritt a 4-1 lead at 19:33 Colin Grannary & Ryan Coghlan picked up the helpers. This sealed the victory for the last place Centennials who come away with the 4-1 win. The Vipers with their best period and effort of the game, finally showed up in the 3rd but were too little, too late. Vernon with an early powerplay goal, got the crowd back into the game, gave a good push back for most of the period couldnt generate much for opportunities. The Centennials who were outplayed the entire period sat on a one goal lead before playing a very solid defensive game late in the period, added two empty netters for the victory. Vernon outshot Merritt 15-4.
Top Player's: (Vernon)
Odeen Tufto (1 goal) I thought played well in a game where the Vipers didnt play that well. Tufto with a good opportunity in the 2nd period, was going to the net, working hard in the corners, battled hard all night.
Andrew Shortridge (25 saves) Returned to the lineup after missing the last three games with an injury may have wanted the Centennials second goal back but other wise played well. Didnt have to stand on his head or make 40 plus shots as he has recently made some good saves, kept his team in the game in the first two periods.
Game Thought's: (Vernon)
The Vipers are struggling have won just twice in their last eight games. I didnt think the Vipers were ready to play from the drop of the puck. Merritt carried the better of the play, was by far the better team in the first two periods. The Vipers struggled early on having troubles getting shots on goal, pucks to the net, couldnt generate much for offence, had very little pressure in the offensive zone. Vernon with no jump, no intensity, played with no emotion, wasnt hitting, looked lifeless out there for most of the first two periods. The Vipers powerplay also struggled, gave up a shorthanded goal in the second period, had troubles keeping the puck in the offensive zone, as well as getting shots on net and pucks to the net. With just eight shots in the 1st and seven in the 2nd it wasnt looking good until an early powerplay goal to start the 3rd. For whatever reason the Vipers have responded with a strong 3rd period the past three games and again tonight. For the first time tonight, I saw the Vipers skating hard, playing with some energy and jump in their game, showed some emotion and played with a little intensity outplayed Merritt the entire 3rd but could only muster the one goal. The Vipers looked very good in the final frame, played their best hockey of the night. You gotta wonder what would have happened if the Vipers played like this for all three periods? The one and only excuse you could use tonight, this was the Vipers fourth game in five nights. This team has been very uncosistant all season, from one period to another, from one game to another, you just never know what team your going to see play next. The Vipers have had troubles with the lower teams in the standings all season. Vernon needs wins and in a hurry, they cant be losing to teams last in the Division when they are struggling to make the playoffs as we speak. One of if not the biggest crowd of the season, great to see! The Vipers travel to Wenatchee Saturday, are in tough against a strong Wild team.
Top Player's: (Merritt)
Ryan Coghlan (2 assists) Had a good game on the Centennials blueline, chipped in with two assists played very well. A good skater, can move the puck and played well defensively.
Colin Grannary (1 assist) Looked and played well up front for Merritt.
Mitch Lipon Not the biggest kid, but played big, a quick skater, played with/showed alot of hustle, no quit in this kid. Played with a ton of jump/energy all night.
Zak Bowles (1 goal) Played very well.
Gavin Gould (3 assists) The veteran forward had a big game up front for Merritt, picking up three helpers was involved in the play all game.
Nick Jermain (2 goals) Opened the scoring on the powerplay, added the Cents second empty netter of the night. Played well up the middle, good skater, was involved in the play.
Ryan Forbes (1 goal) With a huge shorthanded goal in the middle frame, to give Merritt a 2-0 lead. The Centennials assistant captain played well.
Cole Kehler (29 saves) Picked up his first win over the Vipers, didnt have to make any real big saves played well through out the game when called apon. Only facing fifteen shots in the first two periods saw very little rubber made a few tough saves down low-in and around the crease made the saves when needed.
Game Thought's: (Merritt)
The last place Merritt Centennials get their first win over the Vipers this season are now 1-2 vs Vernon this year. Merritt dropped both games of a home & home series back in mid October played a solid road game this evening. The Cents get just their 11th win in Vernon since the 2003-04 season are 11-29-1 in Vernon since 2003-04. Give Merritt a ton of credit, they played very well through the first two periods. Didnt get a whole lot of scoring chances, capitalized on their opportunities, played very well defensively blocking shots-getting sticks in the way, really did a good job at limiting Vernon's shots in the first two periods. The Cents defence did a great job at boxing out the Vipers from the front of the net. In the 3rd the Centennials may have been back on their heels early, give up an early powerplay goal saw Vernon fight back but as the final period went on, the Cents defence was solid, did a good job at limiting the Viper shots-chances basically shutdown the Viper offence the second half of the third. Merritt gets just their third win of the season away from home moves to within a point of Trail and five points of Vernon.
Scratches:
Vernon:
Brett Stapely
Callum Volpe
Merritt:
Zack Zorn
Mark O'shaughnessy
Energy Player of the Game:
Liam Finlay
Three Stars:
1st Star: Gavin Gould (3 assists)
2nd Star: Nick Jermain (2 goals)
3rd Star: Cole Kehler (29 saves)
BCHL Boxscore,
http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=1477221&link=bchl
Graham Turnbull's Vernon Vipers Blog,
http://vipersvenom1.blogspot.ca/
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