I was at tonight's Vipers-Chiefs game tonight as Vernon defeated Chilliwack 3-2 in double overtime in front of 1,497 fans at Kal Tire Place.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon: Cole Demers
Chilliwack: Mark Sinclair
1st Period: The Chiefs jumped on the Vipers early and often in the opening few minutes. Even though Vernon held an early 2-1 shot lead it was the visiting Chilliwack Chiefs who got off to a quick start. The Chiefs carried a lot of the play and with some early pressure held Vernon in their own end in the opening few minutes. Chilliwack unable to generate-create many chances, were held to the outside. Kale Kane made his way to the Chiefs dressing room in the opening few minutes was spotted down in the tunnel being checked out by the teams
trainer. Kane looked to be stretching-dangling his one arm, looked to be in some discomfort as the trainer looked to be attending to his shoulder-arm. Kane and the team trainer were down the tunnel for a good six to seven minutes before Kane left the game and didn't return. Jimmy Lambert would get the games first good opportunity just over four minutes into the 1st period. Lambert going to the net, fell but was able to get a quick low shot off from the high slot just missed the net on a chance in front for the Vipers. A few shifts later Steven Jandric and Davis Bunz got tangled up along the side wall inside the Vernon blueline, before both players took a swing-punch at one another before grabbing onto each other and hitting the ice. The two were separated and sent to the penalty box. Two minutes later the Vipers with the games first powerplay would open the scoring, Steven Jandric in front beat Mark Sinclair giving Vernon a 1-0 lead at 10:16 Carter Stephenson & Michael Ufberg collected the helpers. Two players later back come the Chiefs, Aaron O'Neil who had a strong night for Chilliwack was denied in front after Cole Demers made a big save just moments after the Vipers opened the scoring. A few shifts later Chilliwack would get their first look on the man advantage after Vernon would take two undisciplined minors in their own end. Jordan Kawaguchi beat Cole Demers in front tying the game 1-1 at 12:44 Tommy Lee and Davis Bunz with the assists. The play got very scrambled at times in the Vernon defensive zone as the Chiefs really using their weight and size were winning most of the races-battles along the wall. The Vipers playing a lot of the period in their own end were having troubles getting out of their own end at times. Chilliwack carried a lot of the play, but didn't generate much offence. The Chiefs with a few good looks down low and in front couldn't burry the odd opportunity. The Vipers would get their second powerplay of the night, late to finish the frame. Time would run out before the PP expired. It was tied 1-1 after 20 minutes of play. The Chiefs were the better team, outplayed the Vipers most of the opening frame. Chilliwack carried a lot of the play, but didn't generate a lot of great opportunities. The Chiefs used their size and hard work to win a lot of the battles, simply outworked Vernon for most of the 1st period. The Vipers weren't in the game much from the drop of the puck. Vernon struggled early and through out the game in their own end and offensively. The Vipers didn't look to have much jump, were much slower, were losing several races to the puck, being outworked most of that period. The Vipers with very little scoring chances, managed to open the scoring. A pretty feisty period with both teams mixing it up now and again, either during the game or after a stoppage in play. This was the second meeting between both teams after Vernon played in Chilliwack Saturday. Chilliwack outshot Vernon 12-9.
trainer. Kane looked to be stretching-dangling his one arm, looked to be in some discomfort as the trainer looked to be attending to his shoulder-arm. Kane and the team trainer were down the tunnel for a good six to seven minutes before Kane left the game and didn't return. Jimmy Lambert would get the games first good opportunity just over four minutes into the 1st period. Lambert going to the net, fell but was able to get a quick low shot off from the high slot just missed the net on a chance in front for the Vipers. A few shifts later Steven Jandric and Davis Bunz got tangled up along the side wall inside the Vernon blueline, before both players took a swing-punch at one another before grabbing onto each other and hitting the ice. The two were separated and sent to the penalty box. Two minutes later the Vipers with the games first powerplay would open the scoring, Steven Jandric in front beat Mark Sinclair giving Vernon a 1-0 lead at 10:16 Carter Stephenson & Michael Ufberg collected the helpers. Two players later back come the Chiefs, Aaron O'Neil who had a strong night for Chilliwack was denied in front after Cole Demers made a big save just moments after the Vipers opened the scoring. A few shifts later Chilliwack would get their first look on the man advantage after Vernon would take two undisciplined minors in their own end. Jordan Kawaguchi beat Cole Demers in front tying the game 1-1 at 12:44 Tommy Lee and Davis Bunz with the assists. The play got very scrambled at times in the Vernon defensive zone as the Chiefs really using their weight and size were winning most of the races-battles along the wall. The Vipers playing a lot of the period in their own end were having troubles getting out of their own end at times. Chilliwack carried a lot of the play, but didn't generate much offence. The Chiefs with a few good looks down low and in front couldn't burry the odd opportunity. The Vipers would get their second powerplay of the night, late to finish the frame. Time would run out before the PP expired. It was tied 1-1 after 20 minutes of play. The Chiefs were the better team, outplayed the Vipers most of the opening frame. Chilliwack carried a lot of the play, but didn't generate a lot of great opportunities. The Chiefs used their size and hard work to win a lot of the battles, simply outworked Vernon for most of the 1st period. The Vipers weren't in the game much from the drop of the puck. Vernon struggled early and through out the game in their own end and offensively. The Vipers didn't look to have much jump, were much slower, were losing several races to the puck, being outworked most of that period. The Vipers with very little scoring chances, managed to open the scoring. A pretty feisty period with both teams mixing it up now and again, either during the game or after a stoppage in play. This was the second meeting between both teams after Vernon played in Chilliwack Saturday. Chilliwack outshot Vernon 12-9.
2nd Period: Vernon started the period on the powerplay, that was carried over from the end of the 1st. The Vipers on the attack early, had some good pressure, were forcing the play-pucks to the net. The Vipers with some good looks, had some chances early but couldn't capitalize as the Chiefs killed off the minor. Just as the penalty expired the Vipers rattled off three quick scoring chances. Brett Stapley alone in the slot, ripped a hard shot just wide of the far corner, the puck come back to Michael Ufberg who's shot looked to go off a body in front managed to still hit the net, forcing Chiefs starting goaltender Mark Sinclair into kicking out Ufberg's shot on a big save. The Vipers kept pressing, on the following play Jimmy Lambert with a quick shot from the slot just missed the net. Vernon with some good chances, either couldn't hit the goal or was stopped by Sinclair. Chilliwack held in their own end for close to three minutes. Back come the Chiefs and on a harmless dump in, Vipers starting goaltender Cole Demers couldn't stop a shot from in close, that beat him fivehole before a mad scramble in front of the Viper goal. The puck ended up coming out the other side, sitting in the blue paint for a good five seconds before Hunter Zandee rushed back clearing the puck from harms way. But Vernon unable to clear the zone, now on a tired shift were caught hemmed in their own end. The Chiefs continue to press before Justin Dixson's weak shot attempt somehow beat Demers fivehole giving Chilliwack a 2-1 lead at 3:50 Dixson's goal was unassisted. This was a shot-goal Cole Demers I think would like to have back. You think this goal would deflate the Vipers, wrong! Vernon responded with a strong push back shift and come right back with several strong shifts in the offensive zone. Captain Riley Brandt with a shot from the high slot couldn't beat Mark Sinclair who made a nice save. Vernon once again buzzing in and around the Chiefs zone. A few plays later Derek Osik and Will Calverly got tangled up to the side of the Chilliwack goal. Both players exchanged punches as three separate mini scrums broke loose as tempers heated up in a hurry. Another feisty period with both teams showing signs of bad blood. Osik and Calverly got tangled up before the two hit the ice, Calverly got back on his feet before holding Osik to the ice before the scrum was broken up. Both players made their way to the penalty box, as the Vipers would come out on top with the man advantage. Vernon unable to capitalize with the PP would eventually tie the game minutes later. Riley Brandt setup Ryan Brushett who used his wheels to score a highlight reel goal, beat Mark Sinclair top shelf tying the game 2-2 at 13:52 Brandt & Michael Ufberg with the assists. The Vipers kept coming carried the majority of the play for most of the 2nd period. Vernon with several opportunities in and around the net either missed the goal or couldn't beat Mark Sinclair down low. Towards the end of the period Viper newcomer Connor Clouston had the puck roll off his stick as he circled behind his own net, the puck darted out front before Cole Demers was able to clear the puck from the front of the goal with a Chilliwack player charging hard on a close call-mishap. Chilliwack would get called for two many men, giving Vernon a late powerplay. The Chiefs with a second big penalty kill kept this game tied heading into the 3rd. It was tied 2-2 after 40 minutes of play. Vernon responded with a much better effort and period come out of the gates strong, jumping on the Chiefs early and often. It's almost like the two teams switched jerseys after the opening frame. Vernon really stepped up their physical play, their speed and overall worked-played hard to earn a tie after fourty minutes. The Vipers had several quality chances either had troubles hitting the net or couldn't burry their chances. Chilliwack on the other hand, looked like a different team. The Chiefs didn't have that same drive they showed in the opening frame, played a lot of the 2nd period in their own end, were limited to two or three decent scoring chances, were outplayed and outhit that second period. Vernon outshot Chilliwack 15-8.
3rd Period: Just 1:18 into the final frame a Viper forward was hit hard into the Chiefs bench, Kohen Olischefski looked to be holding down the Vernon player, was given two minutes for interference on an undisciplined penalty early to start the 3rd. Vernon with an early powerplay couldn't capitalize as the Chiefs with another big kill. Just as the penalty expired Chilliwack would jump on a powerplay (four minutes) after Derek Osik's high sticking penalty. The Chiefs struggled to generate/create any offence couldn't get anything going. The Vernon penalty kill was very solid, kept the Chiefs to the outside, were able to clear the zone on almost every play. Chilliwack with just a single shot on the man advantage looked to grab the lead late on the powerplay. Jake Smith would be robbed after Cole Demers come across the blue paint to stone Smith at the side of the net, after making a huge left pad save keeping this game tied. The Vipers get a massive game saver would kill off the four minutes. The play then went back and fourth but neither team could muster any offence. Both teams looked fairly even as the play would go back and fourth. Both teams went several minutes without recording a single shot on goal. Just past the halfway mark former Vernon Viper Linden Hora setup Jordan Kawaguchi going to the net on a two on one rush, Kawaguchi couldn't connect on the pass, missed as the Chiefs missed on a great opportunity. As the 3rd continued it was Vernon who seemed to pick up their second wind, as the Vipers slowly started coming on in the second half. Vernon with a few good looks-opportunities again couldn't hit the net from in close, on some missed shots. Chilliwack would get a huge powerplay with just over five minutes to go. But another solid penalty kill by the Vipers and the Chiefs couldn't grab the lead. Chilliwack went atleast seven minutes without a shot on goal towards the end of the period. It was tied 2-2 after sixty minutes of play. Both teams with chances to grab the lead on the powerplay couldn't capitalize with the extra attacker. It was fairly even for most of the first half, before the Vipers took over the edge in play in the second half. I thought Vernon was the better team late in the second half. The Vipers for a second straight period had some good quality chances couldn't capitalize. Chilliwack had a few good opportunities, none better then Jake Smith towards the end of a powerplay, was robbed at the side of the goal. Vernon outshot Chilliwack 11-5.
Overtime: Just fourty five seconds into the extra frame, Mark Sinclair comes out of the crease to handle the puck, captain Riley Brandt tries going between Sinclair and the Chiefs net, bumped Sinclair who went down. With no call on the play, Brandt was able to get control of the puck, setup Jagger Williamson in front who was stoned by Sinclair who just got back between the pipes on time, to make a huge pad save off the Vernon product keeping this game going. A few shifts later Chris Jandric with two slick moves down low, cut hard to the goal, made a quick shot from in tight went up high looked to just miss the top corner on a close call as the Vipers with two great chances early into OT. Vernon carried a lot of the play in the extra frame couldn't pop home the game winner. It was tied 2-2 after 65 minutes of play. Vernon outshot Chilliwack 3-1.
Double Overtime: Jagger Williamson with good pressure early, couldn't get through the Chilliwack defence before turning the puck over just inside the blueline. The Chiefs looked to have the Vipers down and out on the following play, after some good pressure Chilliwack unable to burry home the overtime winner, missed the net on a few shots from in close. Ryan Brushett from his own end, turned on the jets burst through the neutral zone got deep into the Cheifs zone, went behind the goal before getting the puck out front, where Niko Karamanis was able to beat Mark Sinclair down low at 2:53 giving Vernon a 3-2 double overtime victory, as the Vipers bench poured onto the ice. Brushett with the lone assist. Both teams had some good pressure-opportunities before Karamanis's overtime winner. Vernon outshot Chilliwack 2-0.
Top Player's: (Vernon)
Michael Ufberg (2 assists) I thought played well on the Viper backend. Skated well, was really moving the puck-play up ice. Made some smart moves-passes to get the play rolling on several occasions.
Brett Stapley With a handful of good quality chances, played well tonight. Battled and worked hard down low-in front of the net, to free up some open ice.
Ryan Brushett (1 goal & 1 assist) Looked to get better as the game went on. Brushett with a highlight reel goal in the 2nd period to tie the game, did all the work in double overtime to help create-setup the overtime winner. This kid has some wheels and some skill. Can really move, was hard to contain at times with the puck. Really sees the ice well.
Jagger Williamson who I think hasn't played that well as of late, looked to step up his game tonight. Seemed to play with an edge at time, was physical, laying out one of the more bigger checks tonght. Had a great opportunity early into the first overtime, was exchanging words with several Chiefs through out the game.
Riley Brandt (1 assist) Played with a lot of jump, showed a lot of hustle and determination through out the game. Took a run at a few Chilliwack players through out the night.
Chris Jandric played very well on the blueline. Played with some confidence tonight, jumped up into the play, made a few defensive plays as well as offensive plays with the puck.
Game Thought's: (Vernon)
The Vipers didn't look-play very well at all at the start of the game, really stepped up their game-play in the 2nd and 3rd periods. Vernon didn't show much hustle or effort in the opening frame, were outplayed, outworked and outchanced were lucky to be tied 1-1 going into the 2nd period. The Vipers responded with a much better effort and work ethic for the final two periods showed up and looked-played like a team. This was a completely different team come the middle frame. Vernon with several quality opportunities in the 2nd and 3rd periods either missed the net or couldn't burry their chances. Chilliwack may have the advantage in size but I thought the Vipers were the more physical team. Give credit to the Viper penalty kill, that was very sharp tonight. Killing off the four minute high sticking penalty in the 3rd was huge. Vernon snaps their two game losing streak with the victory also picks up their first overtime win of the season are now 1-2 in overtime. The Vipers also improve to 3-1 on home ice pick up a huge win move to within three points of Merritt are now three points up on Trail who comes to town Friday. This was a very entertaining hockey game. After starting the season 3-0 the Vipers were 3-10 in their last thirteen games before tonight. I didn't see a lot of Jesse Lansdell and Connor Clouston in the 2nd and 3rd periods. I don't recall seeing Clouston much at all in the 3rd period and overtimes. The Vipers improve to 10-1 vs Chilliwack at home since the 2003-04 regular season. Former Vernon Vipers captain Lennie Rampone was in attendance. Rampone was the Vipers captain winning the 1999 Royal Bank Cup.
Top Player's: (Chilliwack)
Colin Bernard played well on the Chiefs blueline. Was steady all night.
Justin Dixson (No name bar on his jersey) Played with an edge all night, was in the face of several Vipers through out the game, getting under the skin of several Vernon players. Jagger Williamson and Dixson exchanged words several times through out the contest.
Tommy Lee (1 assist) I thought played very well, has some quickness in his feet, can skate, is smooth with and without the puck, seems to know where to go, reads the ice well.
Aaron O'Neil With atleast two or three real good quality chances, was another Chilliwack forward who played well tonight in the loss.
Connor McCarthy Was a monster on the Chiefs blueline, saw a lot of minutes, was very hard to play against.
Jordan Kawaguchi (1 goal) Got the Chiefs on the scoreboard in the 1st period, saw a lot of ice time, follows the puck, was involved in the play at all times, always in and around the net.
Mark Sinclair (37 saves) Played very well between the pipes for the Chilliwack Chiefs. Made some key saves at times also got lucky at times when the Vipers looked to have an opening, missed the net.
Game Thought's: (Chilliwack)
The Chiefs jumped on Vernon early and often early to start the game, were the better of the two teams in the opening frame. Chilliwack carried most of the play, were all over the Vipers. A good strong forecheck with lots of pressure but didn't generate a lot of great chances that 1st period. The Chiefs gave up the games first goal needed two plus minutes to tie the game seemed to get away from their game plan come the 2nd and 3rd periods. The Chiefs looked like a different team come the middle frame. After beating the Vipers 7-2 in Chilliwack Saturday, did Chilliwack think this was going to be another easy victory? The Chiefs were outplayed and outchanced most of the 2nd and 3rd periods. Chilliwack did play well at times in the 3rd didn't generate much, had a few opportunities. The Chiefs surrendered a lot of opportunities in the 2nd and 3rd periods. Chilliwack had their chances to maybe go ahead or grab a two goal lead failed to capitalize with the man advantage. Scoring once on the powerplay, the Chiefs had some good opportunities on the man advantage couldn't maybe put the Vipers away. Give credit to Chilliwacks penalty kill late in the 2nd and 3rd periods for killing off some big penalties. The Chiefs have a big team with some monster defencemen come into town with a 9-3-1 record as one of the leagues top teams, snapped a four game winning streak. The Chiefs with no luck in Vernon it seems have just one win in Vernon since the 2003-04 regular season. The Chiefs last regular season win in Vernon was a 5-4 victory November 5th 2010. Penticton Vees head coach-GM Fred Harbinson and his coaching staff were in attendance tonight.
Scratches:
Vernon:
Cooper Watson
Nicholas Rasovic (Injured)
Levi Johnson
Chilliwack:
Carver Watson
Cole Poliziani
Energy Player of the Game:
Steven Jandric (1 goal)
Three Star's:
1st Star: Niko Karamanis (Scored the Overtime winner)
2nd Star: Ryan Brushett (1 goal & 1 assist)
3rd Star: Mark Sinclair (37 saves)
BCHL Boxscore-Game summary,
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