Surrey 3 Vernon 2 Overtime

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-Eagles game as Surrey defeated Vernon 3-2 in overtime in front of 1,855 fans at Kal Tire Place.

Starting Goaltenders:

Vernon: Ty Taylor

Surrey: Michael Botiz

1st Period: The Vipers jumped on Surrey early and often, carried the play in the opening few minutes but didn't really generate any real good scoring chances before the Eagles would get the games first powerplay just over three minutes into the opening frame. The Eagles with a good opportunity come fourty five seconds into the man advantage, Nick Fia's shot from the high slot got through traffic in front was stopped by Ty Taylor. Late in the PP Ashton Calder ripped a low shot along the ice, that just missed the car corner. Surrey didn't really generate much

was unable to capitalize with the PP. Just over three minutes later Cooper Watson with a rocket from the point
beat Michael Botiz but rang his shot off the crossbar as Vernon come very close to opening the scoring. Two minutes later Mitchell Oliver's shot from the blueline forced Botiz into making a tough pad save at the last second keeping this game scoreless. The Vipers continued to carry the better of the play, were all over Surrey. Former West Kelowna Warrior Hunter Zandee was really flying in the 1st was creating/generating all kinds of chances in and around the net. Zandee would be denied by former Salmon Arm Silverback goaltender Michael Botiz with five minutes remaining in the frame on another good opportunity by Vernon. A few shifts later captain Riley Brandt forced Botiz into making a big glove save with three and a half minutes to go. Vernon would get their first look on the powerplay, with less then three minutes remaining. The Vipers once again come very close to opening the scoring after Mitchell Oliver's point shot beat Michael Botiz as the puck was rolling through the crease, before Tyler Cooper cleared the loose puck out of the blue paint and out of the danger zone. The Eagles would excape and kill off the minor. Niko Karamanis was having troubles-issues with his skates, twice fell and couldn't get back up as it looked like the skate blade popped out. This giving the Viper forward all kinds of trouble getting back to the bench. After the second incident Karamanis made his way to the Viper dressing room with the trainer, missed the remainder of the period before returning to the bench for the 2nd period. It was 0-0 after 20 minutes of play. The Vipers were the better of the two teams, carried most of the play. Vernon with a lot of zone time, created-generated some quality chances couldn't solve Michael Botiz who was solid between the pipes for the Surrey Eagles. The Vipers could have easily been up three or four goals after the 1st period. The Eagles on the other hand, didn't get a lot of pressure in the offensive zone, managed very little zone time or puck possession. Vernon outshot Surrey 16-8.

2nd Period: Christian Cakebread come very close to giving Vernon a 1-0 lead beat Michael Botiz a minute into the middle frame but couldn't beat the post on a close call. Levi Johnson would be denied at the side of the net, could solve Michael Botiz who come up with a big save with traffic in front after a goal mouth scramble. The Vipers with a strong shift, drove hard to the net forced the Eagles into a penalty on the same play. The Vipers on the powerplay less then five minutes into the frame but it would be the Eagles who would get the scoring opportunity. After Vernon iced the puck, the Eagles won the draw setting up Logan Mostat who ripped a quick low shot from in front was stopped by Vipers starting goaltender Ty Taylor who come up with a huge save on the powerplay keeping this game scoreless. The Vipers couldn't get much going with the man advantage, as Surrey would kill off the minor. Once again Vernon carried the better of the play but didn't get as many quality chances this period as they did in the opening frame. Just past the halfway mark Eagles captain Paul McAvoy was sprung for the breakaway was stopped by Taylor who closed the fivehole, slid back into the net before kicking out the puck at the last second. This looked to be a close call, as the puck could have easily gone across the goal line when Taylor went back into the net but the play continued. Jesse Nelson would leave the Eagles bench, was spotted going to the Surrey dressing room with the trainer. I didn't see-notice if Nelson returned to the hockey game. Ashton Calder was left all alone, walked into the slot untouched before ripping a wicked shot off the mask of Taylor, Calder would stick with the play, get the puck back on the same play-shift before beating Ty Taylor giving Surrey a 1-0 lead at 13:20 Jeffery Stewart & Cole Williams collected the assists. This was a mental breakdown defensively as the Vipers allowed Calder to walk in alone, get a good chance from the slot before capitalizing on the second opportunity. Just seconds off the following faceoff the Eagles would get just their second look with the man advantage. On the powerplay a Surrey forward was hit hard into Ty Taylor, as both players went hard into the net knocking Taylors mask off. The Eagles would come out on top with another powerplay, getting a shortened two man advantage. Moving the puck around, the Eagles forcing a ton of pressure created/generated some of their best quality chances of the night. Jacob Dupont, Ashton Calder, Paul McAvoy and Darius Davidson all were denied by Ty Taylor who had to be sharp, was forced into making several big saves while on the penalty kill. Vernon's PK was also very solid, blocked several shots. Surrey seemed to be firing everything towards the net. The Eagles with some great opportunities couldn't capitalize as the Vipers would kill off both minors. Just twenty four seconds after killing off both minors the Vipers responded with a big push back shift to tie the game. Brett Stapley with a hard working shift, setup Hunter Zandee at the circle who picked the top corner tied the game 1-1 at 17:38 Stapley and Steven Jandric picked up the helpers. Vernon didn't quit, finished the period with some hard working shifts. Inside the final minute Brett Stapley setup Steven Jandric on a two on one, Jandric was robbed by Michael Botiz who come across the blue paint to make a huge save with his goal stick keeping the puck out with twenty three seconds remaining. Biggest save of the night, was a game saver. It was 1-1 after 40 minutes of play. For a second straight period I thought the Vipers were the better team and carried the majority of the play. Vernon didn't get nearly as many quality chances like the opening frame, still managed to carry a lot of the flow and puck possession. Surrey would open the scoring and could have jumped out to a two or three goal lead if it wasn't form some key saves from Ty Taylor and a very good Viper penalty kill. The Eagles again didn't generate a lot of zone time, did manage to get a lot of shots on the two man advantage, had some very good chances on the PP couldn't capitalize. Surrey outshot Vernon 17-12.

3rd Period: Vernon looked a little slow-sluggish to start the final frame as the Eagles had the better jump. Surrey looked and was the better of the two teams early to start the 3rd. Ashton Calder with a great opportunity to give the Eagles the lead either missed the net in close or was stoned by Ty Taylor (I couldn't see) either way a missed opportunity by the Eagles just a few minutes into the 3rd period. Neither team really had any great chances early before the Vipers would jump on the man advantage. Vernon moving the puck around, had some good pressure before Michael Botiz couldn't recover and get back into position on time was down and out before Mitchell Oliver spotted the open cage giving Vernon a 2-1 lead and their first lead of the evening at 8:33 Riley Brandt & Brett Stapley drew the assists. On the following shift Tyler Maser with a quick shot from the high slot forced Botiz into making a huge pad save, keeping this a one goal game. On the same play-shift Chris Jandric coughed up the puck in the defensive zone, giving the Eagles an odd man attack. Ashton Calder's shot was redirected in front by Darius Davidson tying the game 2-2 at 9:25 Calder and Desi Burgart with the assists. This goal seemed to take the wind out of the sails of the Vernon Vipers. Surrey would respond with back to back hard working shifts as the Eagles played a much better 3rd. Again it looked like the Vipers were just a little flat at times, just a step behind the play and the Eagles seemed to jump on their chances, getting some good chances. Vernon seemed to get their legs going and pick up the pace late in the frame. The Vipers would get a shot to grab the lead on the man advantage with just less then five minutes to go. Moving the puck well, getting good pressure the Vipers had some real good looks. Carter Stephenson with two heavy shots from the backend just missed the far corner on both shots. The Vipers firing everything to the net, forced Botiz into making a few good saves couldn't capitalize as Surrey would excape and kill off the minor. Vernon really poured it on in the final few minutes, took it to the Eagles late. It was tied 2-2 after 60 minutes of play. I thought Surrey looked to have a little more jump early, seemed to jump on the Vipers who looked a little flat footed early on. The Eagles played their best hockey in the final twenty minutes, finally had some zone time, were able to try and create-generate some offensive chances. I thought the Eagles had a slight edge in play early, before both teams were pretty evenly matched. It was in the second half when Vernon took over the play and finished strong. The Vipers would get their first lead of the night but couldn't hold it for more then a minute after a defensive breakdown turned over the puck inside their own zone allowed the Eagles to tie the game. Give the Vipers credit they seemed to pick up their game and battle hard down the stretch but unable to re-gain the lead. Vernon needed a big goal on the late powerplay, had some good looks couldn't find the back of the net. Vernon outshot Surrey 14-6.

Overtime: The Vipers won the opening draw, were able to get into the offensive zone unable to generate much, before the Eagles come back the other way. Lead by captain Paul McAvoy carried the play before setting up Nick Minerva who's quick shot from the circle was redirected by Darius Davidson for his second of the night that beat Ty Taylor giving Surrey a 3-2 overtime win as the Eagles bench erupted pouring onto the ice. Davidson's goal was scored at at 0:38 Minerva & McAvoy picked up the helpers. Surrey outshot Vernon 1-0.

Top Player's: (Vernon)

Mitchell Oliver (1 goal) I thought was one of if not the Vipers best defencemen. Scored on the powerplay, was getting pucks to the net all night, jumping up in the play, was good at both ends of the rink.

The line of Brett Stapley (2 assists), Steven Jandric (1 assist) & Hunter Zandee (1 goal) was the Vipers top unit. I thought this line-these three were one of if not the Vipers better players tonight. I thought all three played hard, competed and battled through out the night. Stapley wasn't afraid to go into the boards, made some real nice plays from the wall. Jandric was skating hard, was robbed on a two on one late inside the final minute of the 2nd period, looked to have a wide open cage. Zandee who has really stepped up his game this season, was a work horse tonight, had a very strong game up front for Vernon. Was skating hard, played physical, was creating-generating chances through out the game. 

Christian Cakebread who got off to a bit of a slow start to start the 2016-17 season seems to be coming along, scored twice in the win over Nanaimo Sunday afternoon had a strong game tonight in the loss to Surrey. Had a real good look at the net in the opening minute of the 2nd period, rang his shot off the post. Cakebread was another kid who worked and played hard tonight.

Jimmy Lambert played with-showed a lot of hustle, had a few good looks at the net. Was really skating hard, going to the net. Created/generated some offensive opportunities.

The Vipers fourth line of Levi Johnson, Tyler Maser and Derek Osik had a pretty strong game. Johnson played and battled hard, was going to the net, when with the puck, had a real good opportunity in the 2nd. Maser with a great chance to give Vernon a 3-1 lead couldn't beat Michael Botiz from the slot in the 3rd. Osik I think has slowly come on and picked up his game the past week or two. Was in banging bodies, worked and played hard, earned his minutes tonight.

Ty Taylor (29 saves) Couldn't be faulted on any of the three Surrey goals played very well between the pipes. Taylor come up with some big saves while on the penalty kill late in the 2nd period, also made a big save off Paul McAvoy's 2nd period breakaway. Taylor gave his team a chance to win.

Game Thought's: (Vernon)

Other then maybe ten minutes or so in the 3rd I thought the Vipers played very well and deserved the victory. Vernon returning home after a six game road trip, lost their first home game this season played very close to sixty minutes. The Vipers jumped on the Eagles early and often in the 1st and 2nd periods couldn't solve former Salmon Arm Silverbacks goaltender Michael Botiz. If the Vipers score two or three goals in that opening frame this is a totally different hockey game. You cant allow teams like the Eagles to hang around, and give them confidence-a chance to win on the road. Vernon needs to bury teams like the Eagles and not give them a chance to win the hockey game. The Vipers didn't get many if any breaks, needed to lift their game to another level tonight. I thought Vernon had the better of their chances in the opening frame, needed to get traffic in front, and make life a little more difficult for the Eagles netminder. The Vipers with several quality scoring chances, needed to capitalize on some of those opportunities. The Vipers gave up two defensive turnovers-breakdowns, ended up in the back of their net. The Vipers need to beat teams like Surrey who had just one win coming into tonight's game. These are games-points you cant let get away from you, especially with the top four teams in the Interior Division all within three or four points. Vernon almost stayed away from the front of the net, allowed Michael Botiz to see almost every shot. The Vipers needed to capitalize on that late powerplay towards the end of the 3rd period. Here's your chance to score-get the game winner. Give the Viper penalty kill a pat on the back for a huge PK towards the end of the 2nd period, killing off the two man advantage. After starting the season 3-0 Vernon has lost five of their last seven, begin a three game road trip tomorrow in West Kelowna.

Top Player's: (Surrey)

Tyler Cooper I thought was one of the better Surrey defencemen. Cooper saw a lot of ice time, made a huge defensive play in the opening period to save a goal after reaching back into the crease to clear the loose puck from going in on a Mitchell Oliver point shot. 

Paul McAvoy (1 assist) The Eagles captain with a good rush-carried the play into the Viper zone before setting up the play for the overtime winner. McAvoy had a strong game up front, was stopped on a 2nd period breakaway, was involved in the play often. A good skater, has some wheels.

Ashton Calder (1 goal & 2 assists) Was one of if not Surrey's best players. This kid was all over the ice, very dangerous with and without the puck. Always seemed to have the puck on his stick, created/generated some good opportunities through out the night. A smooth skater, was involved in the play often, seems to find those open holes, really sees and reads the play well.

Nick Fia was another forward that I thought played well for the Eagles. 

Jacob Dupont Played well on the blueline. Jumped up into the play at times, was good defensively.

Darius Davidson (2 goals) Scored the game winner just thirty eight seconds into the fourth frame, giving the Eagles just their second win of the season. I didn't really notice Davidson until midway through the middle frame and then into the 3rd. Really picked up his game and got going as the game went along. Has some good size, seemed to get more involved in the game as the game went along. 

Michael Botiz (40 saves) Was solid between the pipes and basically the only reason why the Eagles won this game tonight. Give this kid all the credit for holding his team in the game, especially after the first two periods. Botiz made some big time saves in the opening frame, keeping this game scoreless. Was seeing everything, didn't give up many rebounds, was caught out of the net on a few occasions was the difference in the game.

Game Thought's: (Surrey)

The Eagles come into tonight's game with just one win on the season don't look or play like a team with a 1-6-1-0 record. Surrey didn't get off to a great start were outplayed and out chanced most of the evening really relied on their goaltender who gave them a chance to win and basically keep them in the hockey game. The Eagles with very little zone time in the first two periods, didn't generate much for offence but capitalized on their chances and defensive turnovers off the Vipers. Surrey played much better in the 3rd had a lot more zone time and puck possession in the final twenty minutes. I thought the Eagles had troubles offensively in the first two periods especially, couldn't muster any real offensive-pressure. Surrey played a lot of the 1st and 2nd periods in their own end. Were the Vipers the better team? Yes, was Surrey outplayed and out chanced most of the night? Yes. But give the Eagles credit, they relied on Michael Botiz to bail them out on several occasions, got some timely goals and saves, scored-capitalized on their chances, changed the momentum in the 3rd and fought off a few big penalty kills themselves to atleast get a point before picking up the win in overtime. This was the Eagles first regular season win in Vernon since a 7-4 victory September 28th 2013. The Eagles wrap up a three game road trip tomorrow in Salmon Arm.

Scratches:

Vernon:

Sol Seibel

Ryan Brushett

Nicholas Rasovic (Injured)

Surrey:

Jackson Ross

Tyler Paterson

Energy Player of the Game:

Jimmy Lambert

Three Stars:

1st Star: Darius Davidson (2 goals)

2nd Star: Ashton Calder (1 goal & 2 assists)

3rd Star: Brett Stapley (2 assists)

BCHL Boxscre-Game summary,

http://bchl.ca/game-summary?game_id=7291

Vernon Vipers Game recap,

http://www.vipers.bc.ca/vipers-lose-3-2-in-ot