I was at tonight's Game 1 of the Interior Division semi-finals between the Vipers & Wild as Vernon defeated Wenatchee 7-1 in front of 2,090 fans at Kal Tire Place.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon: Ty Taylor
Wenatchee: Austin Park
1st Period: The Vipers got off to a quick start, jumped on the Wild early. Vernon with early control and edge in play, were outshooting Wenatchee 4-0 just three minutes in. On a delayed penalty and Ty Taylor on the bench for the extra attacker, the Snakes were able to keep control of the puck/play. Michael Young spotted Brett Stapley jumping over the boards for the sixth attacker, faked a shot before setting up captain Jagger Williamson alone at the faceoff dot, beat a sprawling Austin Park, giving Vernon an early 1-0 lead at 3:21 Stapley & Young drew the assists. The Vipers outshooting Wenatchee at this point 5-0. Two minutes later former Salmon Arm Silverbacks forward Josh Latta with speed broke into the offensive zone, went one on one before setting up Derek Brown joining the rush on a Viper odd man attack. Brown beat Austin Park fivehole with the puck coming out the other end but into the end boards on a quality chance. The Wild responded with a good push back. The Wild quickly come back the other way, setup Daniel Chladek down the left wing, who ripped a quick shot from the circle just missed the far corner on a quality chance from Wenatchee. A few minutes later the Vipers fired high and over the net, with the puck taking an awkward bounce off the end glass come back over the goal forcing Austin Park to take a swing at the puck with his goal stick, swatting the puck out of mid air on a close call. This puck could have easily went in and off Park and into the back of the net. The Wild needed seven minutes to record their first shot of the game. The Snakes setup alternate captain Jimmy Lambert in the high slot at the halfway mark, couldn't solve Austin Park making a big save. Vernon outshooting the Wild 8-1 at this point. With about six minutes to go Vernon product Coleton Bilodeau with a great chance couldn't beat Austin Park. Shortly after Lucas Sowder with a good look/opportunity couldn't beat Ty Taylor. About a minute or so later Derek Brown with another opportunity was denied by Austin Park. The Snakes getting some quality chances in the second half before Alex Swetlikoff setup Coleton Bilodeau in front, giving Vernon a 2-0 lead at 16:44 Swetlikoff with the lone assist. It was 2-0 Vernon after 20 minutes of play. It was all Vipers for most of the opening frame. Vernon carried the better of the play for most of the period. The Snakes had more puck possession and zone time, had several good looks/quality chances through out the 1st. Vernon could have easily been up four or five goals. The Wild were chasing the Vipers most of the period, saw very limited time in the offensive zone, didn't have much puck possession, were limited to their shots on goal and scoring opportunities. Wenatchee had troubles creating/generating offence. Vernon outshot Wenatchee 15-6.
2nd Period: The Wenatchee Wild jumped on the Snakes off the opening faceoff. The Wild with a good forecheck had lots of early pressure in the attacking zone. Just two minutes in a quick shot from the point was redirected in front forcing Vipers starting goaltender Ty Taylor to make a quick reaction save flashing the leather with his trapper. Vernon responded back the other way. The fourth line playing with a ton of speed and confidence used their quickness and hard work to get the play in deep forcing a scramble in front of Wild starting goaltender Austin Park. Alex Swetlikoff managed to find the loose puck on the goal mouth scramble found the back of the net, giving Vernon an early 3-0 lead at 2:41 Mitch Andres & Michael Ufberg collected the helpers. The Vipers score on just their second shot of the period. The Wild come right back with a strong push back shift. Just past the halfway mark Wenatchee would get the games first powerplay. Good pressure and a few good looks but the Wild PP couldn't capitalize as Vernon killed off the minor. Two minutes later former Chilliwack Chiefs forward Jesse Lansdell with a solid individual effort setup Niko Karamanis in front, giving Vernon a 4-0 lead at 15:43 Lansdell & Cameron Trott with the assists. It was all Wild up to this point but the Vipers had the edge on the scoreboard. Inside the final minutes Derek Brown tried setting up Josh Latta on a Viper two on one but Cooper Zech with a strong defensive play, broke up the Viper odd man rush. It was 4-0 Vernon after 40 minutes of play. It was all Wild for most of the 2nd period as Wenatchee re-grouped after a tough opening frame played much better. The Wild carried most of the play, had a ton of pressure in the Viper zone, had Vernon back on their heels often but the Snakes played very well defensively, kept Wenatchee to the outside, limited their time and space, also limited their shots and opportunities. The Wild may have been the better of the two teams but had troubles generating/creating offence. Both teams with very few shots on goal in the first half. The Vipers played a lot of the middle frame in their own end, had very few opportunities, capitalized on their chances. You couldn't blame Austin Park on any of Vernon's goals, but in a period where your team outplayed the other, the Wild need some stops in this period to keep the game close. Wenatchee outshot Vernon 11-5.
3rd Period: The Wild switching goaltenders to start the final frame. Seth Eisele replaced Austin Park to start the third. Park allowed four goals on twenty Vernon shots after two periods. The Wild with a quick start jump on the Snakes off the opening faceoff. Nathan Iannone was denied by Ty Taylor before Sam Morton jumps on the rebound, dekes out Taylor getting the Wild on the board at 0:21 cutting Vernon's lead to 4-1. Iannone drew the lone assist. Wenatchee kept coming, pressing to try and get back in the game early before Jesse Lansdell spotted Niko Karamanis on a Viper odd man rush, Karamanis outwaited Seth Eisele before getting his second of the night, giving Vernon a 5-1 lead at 6:32 Lansdell picked up the assist. Less then two minutes later Jagger Williamson with a hard shift down low setup Jesse Lansdell before setting up Niko Karamanis for his third of the night, on some nice three way passing, giving Vernon a commanding 6-1 lead at 8:20 Lansdell and Williamson picked up the helpers. Seth Eisele gives up two goals on just four shots not even halfway through the period. The Wild would spring Murphy Stratton in for the breakaway. With Chris Jandric on his heels the entire way, Stratton managed to get a shot off but unable to beat Ty Taylor. Just past the second half the Snakes would get their first powerplay of the evening and capitalize. Cameron Trott with a laser from the backend beat Seth Eisele top corner giving Vernon a 7-1 lead at 12:56 Chris Jandric and Brett Stapley collected the assists. A minute and a half later Vernon would go back to the powerplay, but a good aggressive penalty kill from Wenatchee and the Wild would kill off the minor. Inside the final three minutes the Wild would get a late powerplay but unable to capitalize. Vernon would take Game 1 7-1. Wenatchee with a quick start, jumped on Vernon early. The Wild get to within three goals, had lots of pressure on the Snakes early before giving up two quick back to back goals allowing the Vipers to blow the game open in the 3rd period. I thought both teams were evenly matched at times but it was the Vernon offence that took over in the 3rd. The Vipers with three 3rd period goals. With the score out of hand, the Wild didn't back down/quit, played hard-kept battling through out the final period. The Snakes had the better scoring chances. Wenatchee outshot Vernon 10-9.
Top Player's: (Vernon)
The line of Derek Brown, Josh Latta and Jordan Sandhu had their opportunities were creating/generating chances through out the night. Brown with at least two or three quality chances in the 1st couldn't find the back of the net. Latta played hard, was hard in on the puck as was Sandhu.
The line of Jagger Williamson (1 goal & 1 assist), Niko Karamanis (3 goals) & Jesse Lansdell (3 assists) was Vernon's top line. This line combined for eight points was flying. Had a ton of confidence, created/generated some highlight reel goals.
The line of Coleton Bilodeau (1 goal), Alext Swetlikoff (1 goal & 1 assist) & Connor Marritt was another strong/solid line for the Vipers. These kids hustled, played hard-competed all night. Were one of the better lines. Caused all kinds of havoc in the offensive zone, were hard to defend against.
Cameron Trott (1 goal & 1 assist) Played well on the Viper blueline.
Keyvan Mokhtari Played with a ton of jump/energy was really flying. Was hard to defend against, hard in on the puck/forecheck.
Mitch Andres (1 assist) How good has Mitch Andres been in the second half of the season. Really come along way this season and matured into a solid defenceman in his rookie season. Carried the puck up ice, played with confidence, was steady on the blueline.
Ty Taylor (26 saves) Improves to 2-1 vs Wenatchee this season didn't see a ton of chances but made the saves when called apon. I thought Taylor played well, played with confidence, was seeing pucks all night.
Game Thought's: (Vernon)
The Vipers with a strong start, jumped on Wenatchee early played very well in the 1st, could have easily been up four or five goals after one period. I thought Vernon was the better of the two teams in the 1st and 3rd periods. It was the middle frame where the Snakes were outplayed but played very well defensively. Vernon saw a lot of action in their own end in the 2nd period but kept the Wild to the outside, limiting their shots and opportunities. Vernon's speed and skill was the difference. I thought the Vipers were flying all night, hard in on pucks, created/generated several highlight reel goals. Three out of the Viper four lines were very strong. I thought the Snakes top line had their troubles defending against Wenatchee. Didn't create/generate much for offence compared to the other lines. Going back to the regular season Vernon has won nine straight and has just one loss in their last fourteen games. The Vipers have won ten straight at home and fourteen of their last sixteen home games. A ton of college and NHL scouts at tonight's game. The Vipers better not get too cocky and realise this was just one game. This series is far from over. Game 2 will be a big game for both teams.
Top Player's: (Wenatchee)
Lucas Sowder I thought played hard, was going to the net, was hard in on pucks.
Nathan Iannone (1 assist) Was one of Wenatchee's hardest working forwards. This kid was a work horse, was hard in on the forecheck, made things happen. Battled/competed all night.
Game Thought's: (Wenatchee)
The Wild were outplayed in the opening frame, were down two goals heading into the second period, didn't look very good after one period. Give Wenatchee credit, they re-grouped and come back with a strong push in the middle frame. Wenatchee turned the tables and outplayed the Vipers in the 2nd but couldn't get their offence going. The Wild really needed a save in that second period, instead allow two goals on just five Vernon shots. Wenatchee with another strong start to the 3rd period, got on the board just twenty one seconds in, before giving up two quick back to back goals and the route was on. The Wild had troubles containing the Viper attack/offence and troubles offensively. I didn't think Wenatchee created/generated enough opportunities. The Wild with very few chances through out the night, need more in Game 2. A pretty tame game with very little rough stuff. Both teams played disciplined and the referee's let the teams play. A very quick paced game with very few whistles. Great to see a small turnout of Wild fans in the building tonight. Overall a disappointing crowd for the second round of the playoffs. Just over 2,000 fans. I would have expected close to 2,500 or so for a game between Vernon & Wenatchee. I was shocked with the outcome/final score. I would have never guessed this. I was thinking more like a 3-2 or 4-3 tight checking game with one team maybe adding an empty netter.
Scratches:
Vernon:
Shane Kelly (Injured)
Josh Prokop (Injured-Out for the season)
Jack Judson (Suspended)
Jack Judson (Suspended)
Wenatchee:
Noah Kim
Lukas Svejkovsky
Sam Hesler
Drake Usher
Energy Player of the Game:
Coleton Bilodeau (1 goal)
Three Star's:
1st Star: Niko Karamanis (3 goals)
2nd Star: Jesse Lansdell (3 assists)
3rd Star: Alex Swetlikoff (1 goal-1 assist)
I am having difficulties displaying more then a handful of posts/articles on the front page of my blog. I use to be able to post/show at least fifteen to twenty posts/articles on the front page of this blog, until this week it only has been showing the previous three-four days worth of articles/posts. If you would like to read any previous posts you will have to go to page two to read other articles/posts. To get to page two scroll down to the final article/post of this blog and click on "older posts" shown in the bottom right hand corner. Once clicking on "older posts" you will get to page two. You can continue doing this on to page three, page four and so on.
I am having difficulties displaying more then a handful of posts/articles on the front page of my blog. I use to be able to post/show at least fifteen to twenty posts/articles on the front page of this blog, until this week it only has been showing the previous three-four days worth of articles/posts. If you would like to read any previous posts you will have to go to page two to read other articles/posts. To get to page two scroll down to the final article/post of this blog and click on "older posts" shown in the bottom right hand corner. Once clicking on "older posts" you will get to page two. You can continue doing this on to page three, page four and so on.
Boxscore-Game Summary,
Game Report,
Text Boxscore,
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