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 2-0 in front of 2,041 fans at Kal Tire Place.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon: Ty Taylor
Merritt: Jacob Berger
1st Period: The game started with the goal judge behind Vipers starting goaltender Ty Taylor, leaving the goal light on and would stay on for about the first minute and a half before the first whistle-stoppage in play. That's when the officials noticed the light on, after several attempts the goal judge was finally able to turn off the goal light. About a minute later Brendan Schneider walked in front the circle before getting a quick low shot off that was denied by Ty Taylor on the Centennials first look-opportunity of the game. Merritt would jump out to a quick 2-0 lead in shots before the Vipers responded with three straight shots of their own. About six minutes in the Cents had Vernon hemmed in their own end, for a solid four minutes or so with lots of good pressure, but no real quality chances. The Snakes come very close to getting called with too many men on the ice in the first half. On a line change, the Cents fired the puck towards the Vernon bench, as the last Viper changing just got off the ice in time as no Viper touched the puck. Just past the halfway mark with about eight minutes left Jesse Lansdell setup Josh Prokop alone in the high slot, ripped a rocket that was stopped by Jacob Berger. Berger with a big stop keeping this game scoreless. With just over five minutes remaining the Snakes would get the games first powerplay, but it would be Ashton Stockie who carried the play/puck up ice, broke into the Viper zone one on one with Chris Jandric who made a strong defensive play, breaking up an offensive shorthanded opportunity from Ashton Stockie. About a minute into the man advantage, Cameron Trott would take an undisciplined penalty, sending both teams to four on four. The Centennials would get a late powerplay, but the Vipers would kill off the minor. Just as the penalty expired, Jesse Lansdell looked to have a wide open cage, wasn't quick enough to the front of the net, was denied by Jacob Berger on the wrap around. Inside the final minute, Mathieu Gosselin with a quick shot from in close, was stopped by Ty Taylor with about fourty seconds remaining. Seconds later Merritt would get their first look with the powerplay, late inside the final minute. On the man advantage, in the dying seconds Brendan Schneider tried poking home the loose puck, couldn't beat Ty Taylor in tight. It was 0-0 after 20 minutes of play. Both teams played a very tight checking opening frame, with very little room to create/generate much for offence. The Centennials had a few more looks-opportunities then the Vipers, while I thought Merritt had a slight edge in play-zone time over Vernon. Merritt outshot Vernon 9-7.
2nd Period: The Centennials started the 2nd period on the powerplay, that was carried over from the opening frame. Keyvan Mokhtari using his speed and quickness, got down the ice in a hurry, ended up getting tangled up with Merritt's starting goaltender Jacob Berger. Berger had to quickly fire the puck out of harms way, from behind the net. Mokhtari used his speed for a second time, caught up to the play/puck, stealing the puck, before getting off a shot, forcing Berger to freeze the play dead. Mokhtari with a strong-aggressive forecheck-penalty kill, killed off an easy fifteen seconds. Mokhtari and the Vernon Vipers would kill off the remainder of the penalty. Minutes later the Snakes would get an early powerplay. A shot from the point would be redirected in front by Niko Karamanis couldn't solve Jacob Berger who made the difficult save with bodies in front. Merritt would kill off the minor. Just past the midway mark, Alex Swetlikoff drove hard to the goal, tried beating his defender one on one, was able to get off a shot from in close, was denied at the top of the crease from Jacob Berger. Minutes later the Vipers pressing, setup former Kelowna Rockets draft pick Jordan Sandhu on a two on one attack, would be stoned in front after Jacob Berger come out to challenge made a huge game saver, keeping this game scoreless. With the Centennials pressing, Colten Gerlib with a shot from the side wall with just over five minutes remaining, beat Ty Taylor but not the crossbar, as Merritt comes within inches of opening the scoring. I think a Viper player skated in front of Taylor at the same time Gerlib fired the puck, may have screened his own netminder on a close call. Inside the final two minutes the Cents would get a late powerplay. On the man advantage, Ty Taylor was forced to make his biggest save-saves of the night. Inside the final minute, with about fifty seconds left and Centennials pressing, Taylor come across the crease to make a highlight reel save, before having to somehow go back across the crease the other direction to stop/cover up the rebound. Two huge game savers inside the final minute. On the following play-shift down a man the Vipers would go down two men after taking a second penalty. On the penalty-play tempers heated up in a hurry, with several scrums. Ty Taylor was bumped into-taken down to the ice with a Centennials player, before a Vernon player got involved, as all three were rolling around on the ice. Both teams emotions quickly engaged in a hurry before officials were forced to break up the minor scrums deep in the Snakes zone, with no additional penalties on the play. Vernon was able to clear the zone a few times, killing off the remainder of the clock to end the period. It was 0-0 after 40 minutes of play. This was another tight checking period but I thought the Snakes had a slight edge in play. Somewhere either just before the halfway mark or just after the midway mark, Vernon carried the play for several minutes, had a ton of good looks-opportunities couldn't solve Jacob Berger. Merritt come very close to opening the scoring with about five minutes left, rang a shot off the crossbar and then couldn't beat Ty Taylor inside the final minute, with two very strong chances at the top of the crease. Both goaltenders played well that period. Vernon outshot Merritt 11-8.
3rd Period: The Cents started the final frame on a two man advantage that was carried over from the 2nd period. Vernon would kill off the first minor, before going right back to the sin bin. Chris Jandric who just come out of the penalty box, was going right back in after taking an early penalty just over a minute in, giving Merritt another five on three powerplay. Shorthanded and down two men, the Vipers sprung Brett Stapley in for the breakaway who was stopped by Jacob Berger who stayed with Stapley all the way, made a large save on the Viper penalty kill. On the play, Shane Kelly crashed the goal, running over Berger before tempers heated up for a second time this evening. Lots of pushing and shoving, with punches thrown. Kelly and one Merritt player, looked to drop the gloves with two officials between the two players. Kelly would be tossed from the contest. The Centennials still on the original powerplay, couldn't convert as Vernon would kill off the minor. A huge penalty kill from the Snakes. Just as the penalty expired, the Vipers would get their first PP of the 3rd. Brett Stapley with two big draws inside the Centennials zone, allowed the Snakes to gain control. Stapley would eventually setup Jimmy Lambert who ripped a lazer of a shot blocker side, beating Jacob Berger, giving Vernon a 1-0 lead at 3:50 Stapley drew the lone assist. Just over a minute later the Vipers would go back to the powerplay, but shorthanded Zach Zorn tried beating Cameron Trott one on one, managed to get a quick shot off, forcing Ty Taylor into making the save shorthanded. This was the Centennials first shot of the period. The Cents would excape and kill off the minor. Just past the midway mark, with about nine minutes left, the Centennials sprung Brendan Schneider in for the breakaway, went high glove ripped his shot over the goal, on a missed opportunity. About a minute and a half later, Merritt would jump on the powerplay but couldn't capitalize, before taking a penalty of their own. Both teams played four on four for about twenty nine seconds before Vernon would get a late powerplay. The Snakes struggled with the man advantage, as Merritt killed off the penalty. With about two minutes left Jesse Lansdell and Brendan Schneider were exchanging words after a stoppage in play. The two were separated before heading the their benches. Lansdell took a shove towards Schneider before Schneider took a swing back. Both were lucky the officials didn't catch any of this. The two were then yapping back and fourth on the bench with each other. With time winding down, the Centennials put on some late pressure, forcing Ty Taylor into making two stops inside the final two minutes. The Cents who didn't get Jacob Berger to the bench, waited until 1:11 left to call a timeout and then get the goaltender to the bench for the extra attacker. Merritt poured on the pressure with the extra man. The Vipers come up with at least two big blocks but also got some timely saves from Ty Taylor before Jesse Lansdell was able to clear the zone, break out on the two on one, setup captain Jagger Williamson who hit the open cage, giving Vernon a 2-0 lead at 19:35 Lansdell and Josh Prokop added the assists. This goal basically sealed the win for the Snakes, who got a late push from the Cents who would run out of time. Vernon would hang on for the 2-0 victory. The Vipers with a very solid penalty kill, were forced to kill off two five on three's to start the 3rd, lost one defenceman, were the better of the two teams in the final twenty minutes. I thought Vernon carried the better of the play, had the better looks, finally opened the scoring and then had to hang on for the win with an empty netter. Merritt went a good ten minutes at least with just one shot on goal, struggled offensively with just five shots. The Cents had a few looks-opportunities, none better then Brendan Schneider's breakaway. The Centennials pressed hard in the final two minutes, had some good looks-chances, couldn't find the back of the net, lost a heart breaker. Vernon outshot Merritt 11-5.
Top Player's: (Vernon)
Keyvan Mokhtari I thought really used his speed and quickness to open up the ice, make plays happen, was very dangerous through out the evening. Gave Merritt defenders all kinds of trouble and was very strong on the penalty kill. Played with a ton of jump-energy, was skating hard, played hard all night.
Niko Karamanis I thought was another forward that played hard-well through out the game. Was going to the net, played hard in front of the net. Had a strong game for the Vipers.
Jimmy Lambert (1 goal) Was really flying, generated/created some plays, made things happen. Another Viper forward that opened up the ice at times, with his speed and skill.
Chris Jandric I thought was one of the better Vernon d-men. Played very well at both ends of the rink, made several big defensive plays.
Ty Taylor (22 saves-Shutout) Recorded his second straight shutout and his fifth of the season. Taylor back stopped the Vipers to a 4-0 win in Salmon Arm last weekend, has stopped all 46 shots in back to back games within the week. Taylor is having a very strong year, has looked confident, got help from his team mates, has really picked up his game this season, playing-looking like a veteran 20 yr old goaltender.
Game Thought's: (Vernon)
The Vipers had to really battle-earn the win-two points tonight. I thought Vernon played well in the opening frame, didn't generate/create much for offence in a very tight checking game. I thought the Snakes had their best period in the 2nd with a handful of grade a chances, couldn't capitalize on their opportunities. Jimmy Lambert with a huge opening goal, early into the final frame on the powerplay, gets the game winner. The Vipers forced to kill off back to back five on three's before scoring on their powerplay. How big was the penalty kill? Especially late in the 2nd and early into the 3rd? I thought Vernon's defence played very well in front of Ty Taylor, limiting Merritt to just twenty two shots. Overall this was a fairly evenly matched game as both teams battled hard, both were forced into finding that extra gear to try and open the scoring. I thought the Snakes powerplay, struggled at times. Josh Latta made his Viper debut after coming over in a trade with the Salmon Arm Silverbacks December 29th. Latta played on the 3rd line, really showed his speed at times, played well-held his own. These two teams will meet again one week tonight, in Merritt. These two teams will play three times in the month of January to finish off the season series. Vernon improves to 4-0 vs Merritt this season. With the win Vernon improves to 27-8-1-4 sit atop the Interior Division and overall standings are nine points up on Trail & Penticton and six points up on Wenatchee. Before the game I noticed a leak coming from the roof on the con course of Kal Tire Place. Kal Tire Place is only seventeen years old.
Top Player's: (Merritt)
Brendan Schneider had a heck of a hockey game. The Centennials super pest, played with an edge, has some wheels, can move in a hurry. Not the biggest kid, but plays big. Goes to the net, creates/generates opportunities, was all over the rink. One of if not the Cents best forward.
Colten Gerlib Played a strong game on Merritt's blueline. Other then his two minors, was getting pucks to the net, rang a shot off the crossbar in the 2nd period, sees-reads the ice well.
Ashton Stockie I thought played well at times. Made things happen, when with the puck.
Jacob Berger (27 saves) Seems to always play big vs the Vipers. Berger was solid between the pipes last season vs Vernon, has played well against the Snakes this season. Only problem this year, is Berger and the Centennials have yet to beat the Vipers. Made some big stops through out the night, especially in the middle frame. The Vipers score two or three in that second period, and this may be enough for the win. Berger gave his team a chance to win.
Game Thought's: (Merritt)
Coming off back to back losses to the Coquitlam Express, the Cents give Vernon all they can handle and play a hard fought, tight checking game, come up short in a game Merritt could have easily won. I thought Merritt come ready to play, held their own for most of the night, were scoreless heading into the 3rd needed to capitalize on the two five on three powerplays at the end of the 2nd period and early into the 3rd. The Centennials score at least once on the PP and now puts the Snakes on their heels and the pressure on the home team. Merritt sure didn't play/look like a 6th place hockey team tonight. The Centennials played hard-battled for close to sixty minutes, come up short. I thought the Centennials did a good job at limiting the Vipers speed/skill at times, limiting Vernon's opportunities at times. Merritt needed to capitalize on some of their opportunities-powerplays, needed more then just five shots in the 3rd period. Merritt went 0-6 with the man advantage. The Cents have dropped three straight and five of their last seven road games. Merritt falls to 0-4 vs the Vipers have been outscored 11-4 in the four games. A very feisty game at times, as tempers heated up in a hurry. The Centennials have just ten wins in Vernon since the 2002-03 regular season. With the loss Merritt falls to 15-18-2-1 sit 6th in the Interior Division are two points up on last place Salmon Arm & five points back of West Kelowna.
Scratches:
Vernon:
Sol Seibel
Tanner Wishnowski (Injured)
Jack Judson (Injured)
Coleton Bilodeau
Merritt:
Sam Miller
Jack Vincent
Vincent Duplessis
Energy Player of the Game:
Jagger Williamson (1 goal)
Three Star's:
1st Star: Jimmy Lambert (1 goal)
2nd Star: Ty Taylor (22 saves-Shutout)
3rd Star: Jacob Berger (27 saves)
Boxscore-Game Summary,
http://bchl.ca/stats/game-summary/8173
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=8173
Text Boxscore,
https://lscluster.hockeytech.com/game_reports/text-game-report.php?lang_id=1&client_code=bchl&game_id=8173
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