I was at tonight's Vipers-Vees game as Penticton defeated Vernon 4-2 in front of 1,647 fans at Kal Tire Place.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon: Ty Taylor
Penticton: Matthew Robson
1st Period: Well just a minute into the opening period Nick Jones was left alone at the side of the net couldn't beat Ty Taylor who just got a piece of Jones shot from in close making a big save in the opening minute. On the same play the Vipers just got the puck out of their own end before Carter Stephenson turned over the puck inside the neutral zone allowing Taylor Ward in for the parcial breakaway who went fivehole on Taylor giving Penticton a 1-0 lead at 1:12 on a goal I think Taylor would like to have back. David Eccles collected the lone assist. The Vees
looked sharp early were outshooting Vernon 3-0 as the Vipers needed three minutes to record their first shot on goal. Penticton would get the games first powerplay just less then five minutes into the frame. Penticton with just two shots on goal and not a lot of pressure couldn't capitalize with the man advantage was unable to grab a early two goal lead. A few plays after the powerplay Grant Crulkshank would break in for the breakaway missed the net on a good opportunity to give Penticton a 2-0 lead. A few minutes later Crulkshank and Owen Sillinger went in for the two on one but couldn't find the back of the net as the Vees with some good chances in the first half. The Vipers holding their own against the league best Vees were limited on offence didn't muster any real great quality chances. A lot of back and fourth play with not a lot of great chances at either ends of the rink. The Vees would get a late powerplay and capitalize. Ty Barnstable's shot was blocked in front by Jagger Williamson before the puck come out into the slot for Taylor Ward who ripped a quick shot from the slot past Ty Taylor gave Penticton a 2-0 lead at 19:32 Barnstable & Nick Jones with the helpers. At the buzzer both teams started pushing and shoving before tempers heated up in a hurry. Steven Jandric and Ryley Risling dropped the gloves got into a scrap just to the side of the Viper bench. Lots of pushing and shoving and players exchanging words before the minor scrum was broken up. It was 1-0 Penticton after 20 minutes of play. The Vees capitalized on a Viper turnover opened the scoring 1:12 into the game got off to a quick start. Penticton looked good in the opening few minutes. The Vees with a breakaway and two on one rush couldn't capitalize on two good quality chances in the first half. The Vipers held their own didn't generate/create much for offensive chances. Vernon didn't get any real quality chances were limited in the offensive zone. I thought both teams were fairly even at times with a lot of the play going back and fourth. I thought the Vees were a little better, had a slight edge in play, were a little quicker with the puck and on the breakout, did create-generate a some good chances. Penticton outshot Vernon 13-7.
looked sharp early were outshooting Vernon 3-0 as the Vipers needed three minutes to record their first shot on goal. Penticton would get the games first powerplay just less then five minutes into the frame. Penticton with just two shots on goal and not a lot of pressure couldn't capitalize with the man advantage was unable to grab a early two goal lead. A few plays after the powerplay Grant Crulkshank would break in for the breakaway missed the net on a good opportunity to give Penticton a 2-0 lead. A few minutes later Crulkshank and Owen Sillinger went in for the two on one but couldn't find the back of the net as the Vees with some good chances in the first half. The Vipers holding their own against the league best Vees were limited on offence didn't muster any real great quality chances. A lot of back and fourth play with not a lot of great chances at either ends of the rink. The Vees would get a late powerplay and capitalize. Ty Barnstable's shot was blocked in front by Jagger Williamson before the puck come out into the slot for Taylor Ward who ripped a quick shot from the slot past Ty Taylor gave Penticton a 2-0 lead at 19:32 Barnstable & Nick Jones with the helpers. At the buzzer both teams started pushing and shoving before tempers heated up in a hurry. Steven Jandric and Ryley Risling dropped the gloves got into a scrap just to the side of the Viper bench. Lots of pushing and shoving and players exchanging words before the minor scrum was broken up. It was 1-0 Penticton after 20 minutes of play. The Vees capitalized on a Viper turnover opened the scoring 1:12 into the game got off to a quick start. Penticton looked good in the opening few minutes. The Vees with a breakaway and two on one rush couldn't capitalize on two good quality chances in the first half. The Vipers held their own didn't generate/create much for offensive chances. Vernon didn't get any real quality chances were limited in the offensive zone. I thought both teams were fairly even at times with a lot of the play going back and fourth. I thought the Vees were a little better, had a slight edge in play, were a little quicker with the puck and on the breakout, did create-generate a some good chances. Penticton outshot Vernon 13-7.
2nd Period: The Vees would lose Ryley Risling for the first half of the period after picking up a ten minute misconduct at the buzzer to end the 1st period. Penticton would get an early powerplay but didn't generate much for offence as the Viper penalty kill was solid killing off the minor. Just seconds after killing off the penalty, the Vees would head back to the PP after Shane Kelly would serve his checking to the head penalty, wich results in an automatic ten minute misconduct. On the play the Vipers would also lose Austin Adamson who picked up a ten minute misconduct for saying something to the referee. This got Mark Ferner and the Viper bench upset, as Ferner and the Vernon coaching staff were really giving it to the officials during the stoppage in play. The crowd also not happy with the officiating was letting the referee's have it. Vernon needed six minutes to get their first shot on goal. Shorthanded Hunter Zandee and Jagger Williamson broke loose for the breakaway. Zandee decided to keep and shoot was easily stopped by Vees starting goaltender Matthew Robson on a missed opportunity by Vernon. On the same play-shift back come the Vees the other way, Grant Crulkshank unloaded a quick shot from the circle that beat Vipers starting goaltender Ty Taylor but hit the crossbar on a missed opportunity for Penticton. Once again the Viper penalty kill was solid, didn't give up much for chances were able to kill off the minor. Penticton couldn't capitalize after back to back powerplays. But just three minutes later Grant Crulkshank on a parcial breakaway beat Ty Taylor fivehole giving Penticton a 3-0 lead at 12:00 on another goal I think Taylor would like to have back. Owen Sillinger with the assist. Vernon responded with a strong push back, poured on the attack but once again didn't generate-create a lot of quality chances. Jimmy Lambert on an odd man rush with a nice move in close couldn't beat Robson. With about six and a half minutes remaining in the middle frame Connor Clouston with a quick shot from the circle couldn't beat Matthew Robson who flashed the leather, making a quick glove save. On the following play-shift Robson made another nice glove save, this time off Steven Jandric. Two quality chances for Vernon. With four and a half minutes left the Vipers would get their first look with the man advantage. Captain Riley Brandt setup Carter Stephenson who's rocket of a shot beat Matthew Robson high cutting the Penticton lead to 3-1 at 17:20 Stevenson and Jagger Williamson picked up the helpers. Off the following faceoff and just ten seconds later Cooper Watson sprung Jimmy Lambert for the breakaway put a nice move on Robson in tight before finding the back of the net got Vernon to within a goal at 17:30 as Kal Tire Place erupted. Watson & Connor Clouston collected the assists. The Vipers with two goals in ten seconds were back in the game. Penticton was up 3-2 after 40 minutes of play. The Vees with back to back powerplays didn't get any real quality chances, couldn't capitalize with the man advantage. Vernon playing shorthanded for most of the first half lost Austin Adamson and Shane Kelly for ten minutes each. Most of the first half was played in the Vernon end, due to the powerplay but in the second half it was Vernon who carried a lot of the play. The Vipers didn't generate-create a lot of opportunities tonight would finally get a few good quality chances in the second half of the frame. The Vipers with two big back to back goals ten seconds apart, got within a goal to make things interesting. The Vipers were the better team in the 2nd period outshot Penticton 15-7.
3rd Period: Vernon come out strong, jumped on the Vees early. The Vipers with a strong attack carried a lot of the play early, but once again didn't generate-create any real good chances. The Vipers looked good early, carried the better of the play but had troubles getting pucks to the net. Penticton needed seven minutes to record their first shot of the 3rd were outplayed for most of the first half, but played well defensively. The Vees would get a powerplay just before the midway mark. Penticton with several good looks-chances couldn't beat Ty Taylor who was solid on the penalty kill, made some big stops keeping this a one goal game. Penticton with six shots at atleast five good quality chances couldn't grab the two goal lead. Taylor and the Vipers with a huge penalty kill, would kill off the minor. The Vipers come right back and once again took it to the Vees. Vernon carried a lot of the play, was having troubles getting to the front of the net. Penticton playing with a one goal lead late in the game, sat back played very well defensively. With Just over five minutes remaining Riley Brandt with a hard shot forced Matthew Robson into making a big toe save keeping this a one goal game. The Vipers with a ton of pressure just couldn't create any real quality chances as time was winding down. Mark Ferner would call a timeout with 1:37 left, got Ty Taylor to the bench for the extra attacker. With good pressure the Vees come up with two shot blocks before a poor pass in the neutral zone allowed Grant Crulkshank to scoop up the errand pass and hit the empty netter from inside the Viper blueline giving Penticton a 4-2 lead at 19:04 Crulkshank's goal was unassisted. The Vees bench was very vocal after the goal, with a big celebration from the bench. The Vipers would get Taylor back to the bench for the extra attacker, Shane Kelly's point shot got through traffic handcuffed Matthew Robson who had trouble closing the puck with his glove, as the puck fell behind the Vees goaltender before being covered up with just less then thirty seconds to go. The Vees would wind down the clock to end the game, coming away with the 4-2 victory. Other then some real good looks-opportunities on the lone powerplay of the period, I thought Vernon was the better of the two teams. The Vipers carried most of the play, had lots of pressure but had troubles creating-generating chances. Most of Vernon's shots were from well outside with no traffic in front. Vernon struggled offensively all night. Penticton's defence was very solid through out the game but very strong in the 3rd blocking several shots, getting in the shooting lanes and limiting the Vipers time and space. Penticton outshot Vernon 11-10.
Top Player's: (Vernon)
Keith Anderson played very well through out the game. I thought played with a lot of jump-energy, worked-battled hard, was mucking and grinding and laid out the odd hit.
Ryan Brushett Didn't get any real good scoring chances, was another kid that played with a lot of jump-energy, skating hard, moving the puck well, worked-played hard, tried creating-generating some chances, was good with the puck at times.
Austin Adamson was another forward who didn't really get any good opportunities, was skating hard, showed lots of jump & energy, was really moving the puck well through the neutral zone, tried using his wheels to create-generate some offence.
Connor Clouston (1 assist) Played well on the backend. Returned to the lineup tonight after being out with a concussion.
Game Thought's: (Vernon)
The Vipers fell behind early, giving up the games first goal just 1:12 into the opening period put themselves into a bit of a hole falling down 3-0 midway through the 2nd period. I don't care who your playing, anytime your down 3-0 its going to be a battle to try and come back and win that game. Give the Vipers full credits for battling back, getting within a goal and making the final period interesting. Vernon could have easily folded the tents and packed it in after it was 3-0. I thought the Vipers held their own against the league's top team for most of the night. Other then a few shifts here and there I thought both teams were fairly evenly matched and stacked up well against one another. Vernon had troubles all night creating-generating opportunities. Most of the Viper shots were from well outside with little to no traffic in front. The Vipers had troubles getting to the front of the net and didn't go to the grey area enough. Vernon worked hard, battled hard but needed to dig a little deeper to try and create-generate some better chances. Give full credit to the Viper penalty kill that was solid. Only giving up one PP goal, was very strong tonight. Other then the one Vees powerplay in the 3rd the Viper PK limited Penticton to very few opportunities with the man advantage. The Vipers were really limited offensively with very few quality chances, only had a handful of opportunities all night. Ty Taylor needs to be better and stop the Vees first and third goals. These are saves you need when your playing one of the leagues best. The Vipers wearing their new third set jerseys tonight, looked sharp. Navy blue with yellow and red stripes along with yellow numbers and name bars outlined in red. I really like the looks of the new uniforms, much better then the past few season third set jerseys. I still like tradition and wish they would stick with one set of jerseys. Former Vernon Vipers forward Bryce Kakoske and former Viper captain David Robinson were in attendance tonight.
Top Player's: (Penticton)
Joseph Leahy played well on the backend, was good at both ends of the rink.
The line of Chris Klack, Taylor Ward (2 goals) and Nick Jones (1 assist) Was dangerous at times. Ward with two goals gave the Vees a 2-0 lead was one of the better Penticton forwards. Skated well, was always involved in the play. Has a nice quick shot-release played very well in the win. Klack who impressed me during the two pre-season games back in August is quick on his feet, moves the puck in a hurry. Jones who was dangerous vs the Vipers last season, picked up one helper had a great opportunity a minute into the game.
Jared Nash I thought played very well, was going to the net, played-worked hard all night.
Grant Crulkshank (2 goals) I thought was the Vees most dangerous player. Missed the net on a 1st period breakaway, hit the crossbar on a 2nd period powerplay, was all over the ice this evening. Very strong with and without the puck, has some wheels, was hard to play against and defend against. Was another kid who stood out during the exhibition games vs Vernon.
David Eccles was solid on the Penticton blueline, played very well defensively.
Game Thought's: (Penticton)
The Vees jumped out to a 3-0 lead before hanging on for the 4-2 victory. The Vees have now won eight straight over Vernon going back to the 2014-15 regular season. Penticton who may be the league's top team and now twelve points up on the Vipers didn't dominate tonight's game. This game was fairly even at times as the Vipers gave Penticton a good push-run for their money. This was a very entertaining hockey game that could have easily gone either way. Either team could have won. Going up three goals was huge and a big key to the game-win. The Vees could have easily put the game away went 1-5 with the man advantage. Unlike last season where the Penticton powerplay was lights out, tonight the Vees PP struggled at times-ran into a good penalty kill (Vipers). The Vees don't seem to have that quick bang bang play they killed the Vipers with last year. The Vees really limited to their chances with the man advantage. Like Vernon I also thought Penticton didn't get a huge amount of quality chances through out the night. Sure the Vees had some good opportunities but unlike in past seasons where the Vees put on a clinic at times vs the Vipers. The Vees did create-generate more opportunities were also limited to their chances at times. I think the Vees had a slight edge in play after the 1st may have been outplayed at times during the 2nd and definitely in the 3rd. The Vees needed seven minutes in the final frame to record their first shot on goal. Give credit to Penticton's defence tonight that played very very well. Really took away a lot of time and space, limited Vernon's chances, blocked several shots and allowed Matthew Robson a fairly routine night between the pipes. I don't think Robson was tested as much as Mark Ferner and the Vipers would like. These two teams will meet next November 11th in Penticton. With the win Penticton improves to 15-2 & 10-1 on the road, have won eight straight away from home. How good have the Vees been in Vernon? Since the 2011-12 regular season Penticton is 13-4 at Kal Tire Place. The Vees have dominated the Vipers over the past few seasons. Since the 2011-12 regular season Penticton is 25-8 vs the Vipers. Earlier in the week the Vees acquired 20 yr old forward Duncan Campbell who was released by the WHL Brandon Wheat Kings. Today the Vees acquired forward Matt Gosiewski (98) from the NAHL Minnesota Magicians for future considerations. Both players weren't in the lineup tonight. I was surprised not to see any Vees fans at the game. If there were some, they didn't make any noise.
Scratches:
Vernon:
Sol Seibel
Derek Osik
Nicholas Rasovic (Injured)
Penticton:
Gabe Bast (Injured)
Jonny Tychonick
Energy Player of the Game:
Keith Anderson
Three Stars:
1st Star: Taylor Ward (2 goals)
2nd Star: Grant Crulkshank (2 goals)
3rd Star: Jimmy Lambert (1 goal)
BCHL Boxscore-Game summary,
Fraser Rogers Penticton Vees Blog,
Mark Ferner said in his post game interview that Anderson & Zandee were a couple of his best players last nite. Why were they not on the ice in the last 2 minutes. The line of Jagger Brant & Lansdell has been a disaster since being put together in my opinion. Lansdell does not show any qualities of being on the so called 1st line or even being on the team..just my view
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