I have had season tickets for the past 28 years and been following Junior hockey in Vernon for close to thirty five years. I've missed only three home games since 1998-99 season. 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 Vernon defeated Merritt 4-2 in front of 1,622 fans at Kal Tire Place.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon: Ty Taylor
Merritt: Jacob Berger
Their was about an hour delay in tonight's game after the Centennials bus broke down. The Cents didn't arrive at the arena until around 7pm with warm up taking place around 7:20pm and the game starting minutes before 8pm.
1st Period: The Vipers had a strong shift to start the game, had two or three cracks at a loose puck in front of Jacob Berger and the Centennials goal a minute into the contest on a wild goal mouth scramble. Vernon banging away couldn't bury the puck past a pile of players and Jacob Berger. The play would come back the other way before Chris Jandric lost the puck at the side of the goal, come within inches of almost putting the puck into his own net, after the puck looked to almost sneak through the side of the post and Ty Taylor's pad. Jandric & Taylor couldn't corral the puck, before Merritt stormed in, banged away at the loose puck before Centennials leading scorer Henry Cleghorn found the back of the mesh, giving Merritt a 1-0 lead at 1:38 Chase Bell and Mathieu Gosselin drew the assists. Thirty one seconds later the Snakes would get the games first powerplay, but struggled with the extra attacker. Vernon managed just a single shot. Jacob Berger had to be sharp, after a goal mouth scramble just as the minor expired. Two minutes later the Vipers worked the puck back to the point, Michael Ufberg wiffed on his shot, allowing the Cents to spring Mathieu Gosselin in for the breakaway, Gosselin wound up and drilled a lazer of a shot from the hashmarks, beat Ty Taylor before ringing the puck off the crossbar as Merritt come within inches of grabbing a two goal lead. Minutes past the midway mark captain Jagger Williamson wearing Sean Patchell's old jersey #11 tried setting up Jesse Lansdell on the two on one, but couldn't hit the tape of Lansdell's stick, on a missed opportunity. On the following play the Centennials would get their first look with the PP. Merritt with just one shot, couldn't capitalize as the Vipers killed off the penalty. Just over a minute later the Cents would jump back on the powerplay. Moving the puck around, Chase Bell setup Colten Gerlib who's blast from the circle beat Ty Taylor giving Merritt a 2-0 lead at 18:58 It was all Vernon at this point, but the Centennials had the two goal lead. Inside the final minute assistant captain and former Chilliwack Chief Jesse Lansdell laid out two big hits before Jagger Williamson with a big check in front of the benches. With about fifteen seconds remaining, the Cents sprung Ashton Stockie in for the breakaway, looked to have Taylor beat glove side, fired wide on a missed opportunity. It was 2-0 Merritt after 20 minutes of play. I thought the Vipers were the better of the two teams but down 2-0. The Snakes carried most of the play, had a ton of zone time but didn't generate enough opportunities. I thought Vernon controlled a lot of the play, had some looks-chances but weren't getting the bounces. The Centennials opened the scoring just over a minute in after a turnover off Chris Jandric. Merritt with very little zone time, saw a lot of the opening period in their own end, would jump out to the two goal lead late on the powerplay. The Cents didn't generate much for offence, basically scored on their opportunities. The Snakes were very lucky they weren't down 4-0 after Mathieu Gosselin hit the crossbar and Ashton Stockie missed the net in the dying the seconds on a breakaway. Vernon outshot Merritt 11-7.
2nd Period: Both teams went back and fourth early before Niko Karamanis tried setting up Jimmy Lambert in close about five minutes in on an odd man rush, but Lambert couldn't connect on the pass. The Vipers getting a little too fancy with their passing early, were trying to make things look pretty, instead of just shooting the puck-looking for the rebound. As the period continued Vernon slowly took over the edge in play. Just past the halfway mark the Vipers would jump on the man advantage but struggled. The Centennials would kill off the minor. The Snakes went back to the powerplay, two minutes later, struggling early eventually Vernon would capitalize. Jagger Williamson setup Michael Young at the point, who wired a shot past Centennials starting goaltender Jacob Berger cutting the Merritt lead to 2-1 at 16:07 Williamson & Josh Prokop collected the helpers. On the following play, Jimmy Lambert with a great individual effort, come down the right wing, fired the puck from just before the goal line, come very close to banking the puck in and off Jacob Berger, who had to be alert to make a quick reaction save, as Lambert and the Vipers come very close to tying the game. The Snakes kept pressing, with a strong shift down low, the Vipers battled hard in front of the Centennials goal, Jesse Lansdell with a great individual effort, started the play before Jagger Williamson was able to bury the rebound in front on a bit of a goal mouth scramble, tying the game 2-2 at 17:59 Josh Prokop and Jesse Lansdell picked up the assists. It was 2-2 after 40 minutes of play. Both teams played hard, went back and fourth early before the Vipers seemed to slowly pull away as the period continued. Vernon with a strong forecheck and a ton of pressure in and around the goal, had some good looks-chances in close. Once again it looked like the Snakes weren't getting the breaks, as shots were either blocked or redirected in front, as Vernon struggled to get pucks to the net, weren't getting the bounces early. The Vipers didn't quit, kept pressing and pressing hard, would capitalize on a key powerplay late, before tying the game minutes later. A strong finish to the period for Vernon. The Centennials had a good start but couldn't match Vernon's hard work as the period went on. The Cents played a lot of the middle frame in their own end, were chasing the Vipers/or the puck, relied on Jacob Berger early, to make some big stops. The Centennials were basically running around in their own end, having troubles with the Vipers speed and skill. Other then maybe the first six or seven minutes it was all Snakes. Vernon outshot Merritt 18-6.
3rd Period: Vernon would get an early powerplay just thirty eight seconds in but in able to capitalize with extra attacker. About five minutes in, Jack Vincent lead a Merritt odd man rush, carried the puck across the Viper blueline, before being denied by Vipers starting goaltender Ty Taylor who had to be alert, made a big stop off Vincent on a tough shot. On the next play the Cents would jump on the powerplay on a bizarre penalty. Jimmy Lambert finished his check along the end wall, almost next to the official who called Lambert for boarding. Lambert was in shock after being called, while the fans at Kal Tire Place, let the official know about the blown call. The Snakes would kill off the minor. Just before the midway mark Zach Court got around a Viper defender before trying to beat Michael Young one on one, Court looked to get around Young, before the rookie Viper defenceman made a huge defensive play, breaking up the play before Court crashing into Ty Taylor and the Vernon goal. Michael Ufberg moved the puck up ice, before Keyvan Mokhtari wheeled in across the Merritt blueline before setting up former Drayton Valley Thunder captain Sam Anzai who wired a lazer of a shot past Jacob Berger, giving Vernon a 3-2 lead at 8:55 Ufberg & Mokhtari drew the helpers as the Vipers grab their first lead of the night. A member of the Centennials coaching staff was upset from the Merritt bench about something, come down to the gate wanting to speak with an official. The official looked at Martin before dropping the puck as the game continued. At the halfway mark the Vipers would get a powerplay, while on the man advantage tempers heated up in a hurry after Jesse Lansdell and Michael Van Unen started exchanging words, both players dished out a few wacks/crosschecks before Lansdell got in a good sucker punch as the two were separated. Lansdell fired up went after Van Unen with the linesmen between the two. The two exchanged words going to the penalty box, were exchanging words while in the sin bin. Mattias Dal Monte and Henry Cleghorn both come up large with two big shot blocks, while shorthanded. Dal Monte took the worst of his block, went down the tunnel, was attended too by the Centennials trainer. Merritt would kill off the penalty, just as the penalty expired Josh Prokop spotted Jagger Williamson in front for his second of the evening, giving Vernon a 4-2 lead at 12:23 Prokop with the lone assist. With about five-six minutes remaining, Ty Taylor come close to turning over the puck behind his goal, had to try and get back to his crease, was flopping around in the blue paint, would catch a huge break as the Cents in able to get the puck towards the front of the net. Taylor and the Snakes catch a huge break. Shortly after Merritt would jump on a late powerplay, with pressure the Centennials had trouble getting pucks through. Vernon with a strong PK was able to kill off the penalty. The Centennials would get Jacob Berger to the bench for the extra attacker with about 2:40 remaining. Michael Young took a long slapper from his own end, just missing the open cage. The Centennials tried pressing hard, had troubles keeping the play-puck in the offensive zone, as the Snakes with some strong defensive play late, would wind down the clock, didn't really get any quality chances at the open cage, would battle back to come away with the hard fought 4-2 victory. Both teams didn't generate a lot of offensive chances, but it was Vernon who carried the better of the play. The Cents had a few looks-a few good quality chances were really limited to their opportunities. The Snakes with two big goals minutes apart grabbed their first lead of the game, battled hard down the stretch to hold on to the victory. I thought the Viper defence made some defensive plays in the final frame. The Centennials pressed hard, had troubles getting any real sustained pressure-zone time. Vernon outshot Merritt 7-6.
Top Player's: (Vernon)
Michael Young (1 goal) I thought played very well on the Viper backend. Looked confident, was skating-moving the puck, played well defensively. Made a big defensive play in the 3rd.
Shane Kelly I thought played strong-hard on the blueline. Played with a bit of an edge, but also stayed disciplined. Really used his size and body strength to box out any Centennial forwards.
Josh Prokop (3 assists) Was in the right spot at the right time. His line battled-competed.
Jagger Williamson (2 goals & 1 assist) Lead by example. Picking up three points, had a strong night. Seemed to be making things happen, was creating/generating plays through out the night. I thought opened up the ice at times, was going to the net often.
Jesse Lansdell (1 assist) Played with a bit of an edge, was physical in the opening frame, finishes his checks, plays hard along the boards, gets under the skin of the opposition, mucks and grinds all night. One of the hardest working Vipers almost every night.
Jimmy Lambert Didn't record a single point, but was dangerous through out the contest. Made things happen in a hurry, was hard to defend-play against, opens up the ice, had several quality chances in the win.
Game Thought's: (Vernon)
I thought the Vipers were the better of the two hockey clubs as Vernon outplayed the Centennials most of the night. The Snakes fell behind early and then down 2-0 late in the opening frame, didn't panic. I thought even though down two goals, the Vipers carried the better of the play, had more puck possession but didn't generate much for offence. Vernon had some looks-chances weren't getting the bounces. Vernon was very lucky they werent down 4-0 after the 1st period. The Centennials hit a crossbar and then missed the net on a late breakaway in the dying the seconds. It almost looked the same in the 2nd period, when early the Vipers were getting a little too fancy, passing the puck, instead of shooting-going for the rebound. But as the period continued the Vipers took over the edge in play and outplayed Merritt for the remainder of that 2nd period. Again Vernon not getting any breaks, would eventually get on the board on a key powerplay, before tying the game minutes later. The Snakes responded with two big 3rd period goals, really battled-played hard in the 3rd to hang on for the win. Overall I thought Vernon was the better team, carried the better of the play, had more puck possession, saw a lot more time in the offensive zone. I thought the Snakes did a good job at limiting Merritt's chances, played well defensively. As the game went on Vernon looked to get stronger/better. The Vipers speed and skill were just too much for the Cents. Give this team credit for not folding the tents, The Vipers could have easily folded the tents after the 1st and come away with the loss. Vernon didn't quit skating, kept pressing and playing hard, had to earn their goals. When I arrived at the rink and heard of the delay, I thought to myself, this could be bad for the Vipers. Here the Snakes are in gear ready to go, while the Cents are stuck on the side of the road with a broken down bus. When Merritt eventually gets to the rink around 7pm its like business as usual other then the late start, but the boys get off the bus and start the game, in the mean time Vernon has been in gear-sitting in the dressing room, waiting for the Cents to arrive to start the game, with the delay, I thought maybe this could hurt the Vipers. Luckily it all worked out. This was a big come from behind win after the Penticton Vees fell 3-2 in overtime to the West Kelowna Warriors. I was very surprised with the small crowd for a Friday. Other then the Vipers 2nd, 3rd and fourth goals, their wasn't much atmosphere-energy in the building, Kal Tire Place was very quiet through out most of the game. assistant coach Jerred Smithson was behind the Viper bench as assistant coach and former Viper captain Kevin Kraus was running the bench with Mark Ferner in Arizona scouting. With the win Vernon improves to 24-7-1-4 sit atop the Interior Division-overall standings are six points up on Wenatchee and five points up on Penticton.
Top Player's: (Merritt)
Henry Cleghorn (1 goal) I thought had some jump-energy in his game, was skating hard, played well for most of the game.
Jack Vincent I thought was another Cents forward who played strong-well through out the loss. A good skater, has some skill.
Jacob Berger (32 saves) I thought played well between the pipes. Had to be sharp off the opening faceoff, was forced into making a few saves in the opening minute on a goal mouth scramble. Played well early into the middle frame, making some key-big stops with the Centennials up by a pair of goals. Really battled hard, gave his team a chance to win.
Game Thought's: (Merritt)
The Centennials made their first visit to Kal Tire Place this evening were riding high after a big 5-3 win in Trail Tuesday. After being outplayed in the 1st it was Merritt who was up 2-0. The Cents who didn't generate much for offensive chances, opened the scoring on an early turnover, before getting a late powerplay. The Cenntennials played a lot of that opening frame in their own end, scored on their opportunities. I thought the Cents looked good early to start the 2nd period but couldn't contain the Viper attack as the period went on. The Snakes speed, skill and hard work were too much for Merritt. The Centennials really needed that third goal to maybe sink any chance of a Viper comeback, couldn't get the next goal, instead surrender two late 2nd period goals. Now tied heading into the 3rd the Centennials cant hold off the Viper attack, give up two back to back goals, could never recover. I thought Merritt pressed hard, but had trouble getting pucks to the net and creating/generating any real quality chances. Overall the Centennials played a lot of the game in their own end, were chasing the puck/Vipers most of the night. Jacob Berger was called apon several times through out the night, to try and slow down-stop Vernon's attack. The Cents had trouble getting any zone time-puck possession for great lengths at a time. Mathieu Gosselin comes very close to giving Merritt a 3-0 lead, rings a shot off the crossbar in the 1st, while Ashton Stockie misses the net on a breakaway in the dying seconds of the opening frame. If the Cents could have score on at least one of these two quality chances, this may have been a totally different game-outcome. Instead the Cents cant get that all important next-third goal, give up the next four goals, to drop to 0-3 vs the Vipers this season. With the loss Merritt drops to 14-15-2-1 sit 6th in the Interior Division are four points up last place Salmon Arm and six points back of West Kelowna.
Scratches:
Vernon:
Brett Stapley (Playing at the World Junior A Challenge)
Tanner Wishnowski (Injured)
Jack Judson (Injured)
Merritt:
Rylan Van Unen
Joey Berkopec
Vicent Duplessis
Joe Martin
Energy Player of the Game:
Jesse Lansdell (1 assist)
Three Star's:
1st Star: Jagger Williamson (2 goals & 1 assist)
2nd Star: Josh Prokop (3 assists)
3rd Star: Chase Bell (2 assists)
Boxscore-Game Summary,
http://bchl.ca/stats/game-summary/8133
Merritt Centennials Blog,
http://q101.ca/sports
Game Report,
https://lscluster.hockeytech.com/game_reports/official-game-report.php?lang_id=1&client_code=bchl&game_id=8133
Text-Boxscore,
https://lscluster.hockeytech.com/game_reports/text-game-report.php?lang_id=1&client_code=bchl&game_id=8133
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