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 the Vipers-Centennials game as Merritt defeated Vernon 3-2 in front of 1,664 fans at Kal Tire Place.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon: Andrew Shortridge
Merritt: Cole Kehler
1st Period: The Centennials jumped on the Vipers off the opening draw, Andrew Shortridge had to be alert made a big pad save just seconds into the game before Ryan Forbes missed the net on a second opportunity. Merritt with a quick start, was skating, applying good pressure on the Vipers, created a few good chances in and around the net before Viper captain Colton McCarthy snapped a shot from the circle that looked to handcuff former Kamlopps Blazers goaltender Cole Kehler who got a peice of McCarthy's shot that got behind the Cents netminder slowly went off the post on a close call fourty five seconds into the period. The Centennials carried the better of the flow. Former Viper "AP" Mark O'shaughnessy with a shot from just inside the blueline forced Shortridge into making a blocker save on a good look by the Cents. The Centennials would get the games first powerplay just over five minutes into the contest. Jimmy Lambert was given five minutes for checking to the head and a game misconduct after hitting Gavin Gould inside the neutral zone. Both players went down, before Lambert was able to get up. Gould was down on the ice for several minutes, looked after by the team trainer sat on the bench for sometime but stayed in the hockey game. Merritt struggled the first few minutes with the man advantage couldnt get any kind of control or setup the PP before Michael Regush beat a screened Andrew Shortridge from the slot giving Merritt a 1-0 lead at 7:25 Tyler Ward and Nick Florentino collected the helpers. The Centennials slowly got the powerplay clicking, started moving the puck around, had some shots-looks at the net only managed the lone goal. A few minutes after the powerplay, Vernon would get their first look with the man advantage, getting just one shot struggled on the PP. A Viper turnover lead to Ryan Forbes lead a two on one shorthanded attack, Forbes was stopped by Shortridge before burrying the rebound giving Merritt a 2-0 lead at 14:23 Brett Jewell & Malik Kaila with the assists. The Cents would kill off the remainder of the penalty. With three and a half minutes remaining Colin Grannary couldnt corral the loose puck in front, missed a wide open net on a missed opportunity come close to giving the Centennials a 3-0 lead. It was all Merritt as the Cents were skating hard, getting good quality chances were outplaying the Vipers for most of the frame. Late in the period Bo Pellah with a turnover allowed Zak Bowles to lead the rush on a three on one, Bowles decides to shoot but missed the net. Merritt was up 2-0 after 20 minutes of play. Specialty teams was the difference as the Cents with a powerplay goal and shorthanded goal held a two goal lead. Merritt jumped on Vernon off the opening faceoff, the Cents with a strong forecheck were skating hard, created some good chances, outplayed the Vipers for most of the 1st period. The Vipers looked flat for most of the period, showed very little energy-intensity, were being out skated. Vernon had just three shots for most of the first half, had troubles getting any kind of scoring chances. The Vipers with very little zone time. Merritt outshot Vernon 15-7.
2nd Period: The Vipers come out of the gates with a little more jump & energy after looking pretty flat most of the 1st period. Vernon carried the play early couldnt get any real good scoring opportunities. The Vipers with the better of the play, werent generating any offence before getting an early PP. Off the draw the Vipers had three quick shots from in close couldnt beat Centennials starting goaltender Cole Kehler who made some key saves off the start of the PP. This was all the offence Vernon would get, as the Vipers struggled couldnt get anything going with the man advantage as Merritt would kill off the minor. This seemed to give the Cents a little life, as Merritt stormed back with good pressure, had a good push back. Nick Fidanza with a quick shot from the slot beat Vipers starting goaltender Andrew Shortridge but couldnt beat the post as the puck went inbehind the Vernon goaltender but somehow stayed out of the back of the net. Merritt with good pressure, had the Vipers back on their heels for a few minutes before losing Zak Bowles. Bowles would get tossed from the game after a check to the head on Odeen Tufto. Bowles would get five minutes and a game misconduct giving Vernon a five minute powerplay. The Vipers struggled with the man advantage, passed the puck around, back and fourth, back and fourth killing off most of the penalty by passing the puck around. The Cents with a good penalty kill early, kept Vernon to the outside, were able to clear the zone several times, even caught the Vipers icing the puck. With just one shot on the PP the Vipers would finally find the back of the net in the final minute of the powerplay. Bo Pellah setup Latrell Charleson who wired a rocket of a shot found the back of the net, getting the Vipers on the board at 15:08 Pellah and Brett Stapley with the assists. With sixteen seconds left on the five minute major the Cents would go down two men, taking a second penalty giving Vernon a short two man advantage. Merritt would kill off the remainder of the five minute major, just as the penalty expired the Centennials sprung Tyler Ward in for the shorthanded breakaway coming out of the penalty box. Ward went in alone was denied by Andrew Shortridge who come up with a huge save. Why was this key, because on the next rush, Christian Cakebread at the side of the net, hit the wide open cage after Cole Kehler was way out of position tied the game 2-2 on the powerplay at 16:33 Odeen Tufto & Bo Pellah with the helpers. It was tied 2-2 after 40 minutes of play. A much better period from the Vipers, as Vernon played with some energy, showed some life, looked to have some jump in their game, would catch a big break getting the back to back powerplays to tie the game. With the two powerplays, the Vipers were able to carry alot of the majority of the play but give Merritt credit there penalty kill was very good and very close to killing off the five minute major. The Vipers carried most of the play, as Merritt with not alot of zone time spent seven minutes killing penalties. Vernon outshot Merritt 16-5.
3rd Period: Brett Stapley would get in close, just over three minutes into the final frame missed the net on a missed opportunity from in close. Early on it looked as if both teams were playing with some caution not wanting to make the first mistake. Not much flow to this period as both teams looked very scrambed at times, making mistakes, poor passes and couldnt seem to get much of anything going. Ben Butcher with a great opportunity just before the halfway mark missed from in close, on another good chance. The Vipers having all kinds of troubles hitting the net, couldnt get any kind of offence going this period. Neither team really carried the play as both teams went back and fourth. Colin Grannary with a highlight real dangle went inside out on two Viper defenders before sliding the puck fivehole on Shortridge giving Merritt a 3-2 lead at 9:40 Nick Jermain and Gavin Gould with the assists. From here on in the Cents really tightened up defensively, hitting center dumping the puck in. The Vipers struggled to get out of their own end, again had troubles getting any kind of offensive threat going. Vernon did get some good looks at the net, just couldnt hit the net. Gavin Gould would get a breakaway to try and give Merritt a two goal lead was denied by Andrew Shortridge also got some help from Mac Ferner who hustled back to try and tie up Gould's stick at the last second. With time winding down the Vipers would get Shortridge to the bench with 1:40 to go, Odeen Tufto with a great chance come down the left wing, snapped a quick shot just missed the net on another missed opportunity. The Vipers having all kinds of troubles hitting the net this period. Mitchell Oliver with a strong defensive play broke up Ryan Forbes chance at hitting the open cage. Into the final minute the Vipers struggled to get any pucks to the net would drop their third in a row as the Cents would come away with the 3-2 victory. For a team that needs wins and has to beat teams below them in the standings, sure didnt show much of it in the 3rd. The Vipers didnt show alot of energy-intenisty in the 3rd. For a team that has been struggling, struggled to get pucks to the net, create and generate chances. The Centennials got the big goal midway through the period to take the lead and held on, played well defensively. Vernon outshot Merritt 10-4.
Top Player's: (Vernon)
Charley Michalowski I thought was skating hard, tried to create and generate some kind of offence, didnt get alot of offensive chances, played hard all night.
Game Thought's: (Vernon)
The Vipers drop two big games back to back, to teams who are below them in the standings. These are must win games and the Vipers need wins if they want to make the playoffs. After their best game of the season, Tuesday vs Penticton Vernon gives up four points in losses to Trail & Merritt. This team is struggling and not looking good. The Vipers have just two wins in their last eleven games. The Vipers cant seem to play a full sixty minutes, they still are having troubles passing, several turnovers, have struggled with the powerplay all season. Consistancy has been a big issue this season. From period to period you dont know what Vipers team is going to show up. I thought the Vipers looked flat, werent skating, showed no life-energy or intensity in the 1st fell behind 2-0. A much better turn around and effort in the 2nd saw the Vipers get two powerplay goals, even the score and outplay Merritt. But in the 3rd for a team that needs this game-win didnt show much intensity, play with energy had troubles all third period getting any real good scoring chances. The Vipers missed the net from in close and in and around the net atleast ten times just in the 3rd period alone. The Vipers played well-looked pretty good in the 2nd period but were outplayed in the 1st and didnt have much drive in the 3rd. Playing just one period isnt going to win you many games. I thought Vernon really missed Riley Brandt's intensity, energy and physical play, Brandt seems to get the team going, a huge spark plug. With the loss and a Trail win over Salmon Arm tonight, the Vipers drop to 5th in the Division and as of tonight are out of the Playoffs. The Smoke Eaters still have three games in hand and the Vipers have a pretty tough schedule coming up. It dosnt look very good for the Vipers. Could we see Vernon miss the playoffs for a third time in five years?
Top Player's: (Merritt)
Tyrell Buckley I thought played very well on the Centennials backend. Has played very well against Vernon this year.
Colin Grannary (1 goal) Scored a highlight reel goal in the 3rd, for the game winner also played very well in the victory.
Mitch Lipon battled and competed all night, wasnt afraid to go into the corners, battle along the wall.
Nick Jermain (1 assist) Was involved in the play often through out the game, played well.
Nick Fidanza played a hard nosed game, battled and competed.
Ryan Forbes (1 goal) Scored shorthanded was in and around the net, involved in the play, looked strong.
Mark O'shaughnessy played well on the blueline.
Cole Kehler (31 saves) Didnt see alot of action tonight, but made the saves when called apon. I thought played his position well, quick on his feet, dosnt give out alot of rebounds, made some key saves but again didnt have to make any real outstanding saves.
Game Thought's: (Merritt)
The Merritt Centennials make their final visit to Kal Tire Place this season, pick up their second win in Vernon this year snapping a three game losing streak. The Centennials are now just ten points back of Trail for the fourth and final playoff spot. Give the Cents credit, for a team that sits last in the Interior Division played well on the road, in a rink they havent done very well in over the years. I thought Merritt got off to a quick start, had lots of intensity, energy jumping on Vernon off the opening faceoff. The Centennials outoworked, outplayed and outscored the Vipers in the 1st. Jumping out to a 2-0 lead on the road was big, now Vernon is the team that has to try and claw back on home ice. The Centennials gave up two powerplay goals in the 2nd allowing the Vipers to even the score, did a good job with the penalty kill. Sure they gave up two PP goals but I thought the Cents penalty kill was good. Didnt give up alot of shots-opportunities. Merritt was outplayed most of the second period but held their own against Vernon, keeping the Vipers to the outside, giving very little time and space. The Cents kept battling and would get the game winner in the 3rd shutting down the Vipers in the final twenty minutes. Give Merritt credit only giving up ten shots in the final frame, didnt give up alot of chances, forced Vernon into shooting from well out. The Cents with a strong defensive game in the 3rd.
Scratches:
Vernon:
Brendan Barry
Riley Brandt (Suspended)
Liam Finlay
Merritt:
Ryan Coghlan
Energy Player of the Game:
Christian Cakebread (1 goal)
Three Stars:
1st Star: Colin Grannary (1 goal)
2nd Star: Cole Kehler (31 saves)
3rd Star: Christian Cakebread (1 goal)
BCHL Boxscore,
http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=1477337&link=bchl
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