I was at tonight's Game 2 of the Interior Division semi-finals between the Vipers & Wild as Vernon defeated Wenatchee 3-1 in front of 2,059 fans at Kal Tire Place.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon: Ty Taylor
Wenatchee: Austin Park
1st Period: The Vipers jumped on the visiting Wenatchee Wild off the opening faceoff. Just two minutes in the 4th line with a solid shift down low setup Connor Marritt who couldn't beat Austin Park in close. The Wild responded with a good push back shift. Coming back the other way couldn't bang in the loose puck on a goal mouth scramble. The Snakes would come right back the other way before Mitch Andres shot from the blueline went post and in, giving Vernon an early 1-0 lead at 2:50 Brett Stapley drew the lone assist. Just under two minutes later the Vipers would get the games first powerplay. Getting some looks Vernon couldn't capitalize with the man advantage. Minutes later Coleton Bilodeau driving hard to the goal, couldn't solve Austin Park. Jimmy Lambert setup Keyvan Mokhtari going to the net, would be stopped in close by Austin Park at the halfway mark. It was all Vernon at this point as the Vipers were outshooting Wenatchee 7-2 halfway through the 1st. With about seven or eight minutes left the Wild come in on an odd man rush but a Viper defender made a solid defensive play, breaking up the two on one. With about five and a half minutes to go the Wild sprung Josh Arnold in for the breakaway, couldn't beat Ty Taylor who made a large save keeping this a one goal game. Minutes later with Wenatchee pressing, a shot from the point would be redirected on it's way to the front of the net by Lucas Sowder who was stoned by Ty Taylor who come across the blue paint to make another big stop with about two and a half minutes remaining in the opening frame. Shortly after Jesse Lansdell would give Vernon a 2-0 lead at 18:37 Mitch Andres and Cameron Trott picked up the helpers. Inside the final minute the Snakes turned the puck over behind the goal, allowing a Wenatchee player to jump on the loose puck, feed it out front before Ty Taylor had to be alert made a huge save from in close before getting back to his feet was forced to make another large save with forty five seconds remaining. Two big game savers from the Vernon netminder. It was 2-0 Vernon after 20 minutes of play. Just like in Game 1 Vernon jumped on the Wild early and often. Unlike last night the Vipers didn't get nearly as many scoring chances in Game 2 but had some good looks/opportunities through out the period. It was all Vipers for most of the 1st before the Wild changed the momentum, coming on strong to finish the period. Wenatchee picked up their game and pressed hard in the final four or five minutes. The Snakes were the better team for the first fifteen minutes. Jagger Williamson was getting under the skin of several Wild players. Lots of chirping going on between the Viper captain and the Wenatchee bench. Lots of chirping between whistles as a lot more after the whistle activities went on tonight, compared to Game 1. Vernon outshot Wenatchee 14-12.
2nd Period: Just like in Game 2 the Wild come out of the gates hard and took it to Vernon early and often. With the Vipers back on their heels in the opening minute, the Wild capitalized. Chad Saski's shot from well out was stopped by Vipers starting netminder Ty Taylor. Taylor looked to have the puck, froze thinking he had it in his equipment, but the puck was lying just to the left of Taylor's pad and the post before AJ Vanderbeck tapped home the loose puck, getting the Wild on the board, cutting Vernon's lead to 2-1 at 1:55 Saski drew the lone helper. Wenatchee kept coming, pouring on the pressure. The Wild forecheck was giving the Snakes all kinds of troubles. Minutes after the goal, Michael Ufberg coughed up the puck inside his own end, giving the Wild a three on one. Once again Ty Taylor was forced to be strong, made a big stop early, keeping this a one goal game. About five minutes in Jagger Williamson setup Niko Karamanis going hard to the net, couldn't solve Austin Park who made a big stop in close. Just before the midway mark Ty Taylor was forced to make another big stop in close with the Wild pressing. Shortly after Jagger Williamson with a burst of speed going hard for the puck, forced Wild starting goaltender Austin Park to come charging out for the puck. Williamson went around Park, looked to have an open cage but somehow shot wide. I think a Wenatchee defender lifted Williamson's stick at the last minute on a quality chance for Vernon. The play really slowed down in the second half with lots of whistles-stoppages in play, making for very short shifts between whistles. Inside the final three minutes Lucas Sowder beat Ty Taylor from the high slot, rang his shot off the crossbar as Wenatchee come within inches of tying the game. The Wild slowly regained pressure and carried the play the final few minutes. It was 2-1 Vernon after 40 minutes of play. Just like in Game 2 the Wild responded after a rough opening period, with a much stronger effort and performance in the 2nd period. Unlike last night, Wenatchee managed to get on the board in the middle frame had the Vipers on the ropes for most of the 2nd. The Wild were by far the better of the two teams, totally outplayed and outworked Vernon for most of that 2nd period. The Snakes turned over the puck often in their own end, had troubles with Wenatchee's strong forecheck, were losing a lot of the races-puck battles. Vernon did have a few good looks couldn't capitalize on their opportunities. The Wild with a ton of zone time and puck possession only managed to get one past Ty Taylor. Jagger Williamson blocked a shot from the point, looked to take it off the arm/wrist, was in some discomfort on the way to the bench, seemed to be ok, stayed in the hockey game. The Wild bench werent happy with the officiating constantly yelling at the referee's. The Wild coaching staff even stayed behind on the bench after the period to wait to talk with the officials, but the stripes wanted nothing to do with them, skated off the ice. Wenatchee outshot Vernon 13-5.
3rd Period: Off the opening puck drop the Wild got the play in deep, forced Vernon into a turnover behind the net before setting up Jasper Weatherby at the side of the goal, just missed the far corner on a missed opportunity. The Snakes responded with a good push back shift, the Vipers setting up Keyvan Mokhtari all alone in front, tried to outwait Austin Park before being stoned in front after a large save from the Wild netminder. Two good chances at both ends of the rink. Minutes later with the Vipers back on their heels, the puck took a funny bounce come right through the Viper crease and out. Wenatchee with a ton of looks/chances couldn't solve Ty Taylor who had to be alert. Just past the halfway mark Wenatchee would get their first powerplay of the night. But shorthanded Jesse Lansdell sprung Viper captain Jagger Williamson in for the breakaway, with the crowd getting to their feet, the Lumby product beat Austin Park fivehole before crashing hard into the end boards, giving Vernon a 3-1 lead at 13:54 Lansdell collected the assist. Williamson was down for a good minute before slowly getting up. The Viper trainer come out to check on the Viper forward, while Kal Tire Place was still going bonkers, gave Williamson a huge ovation on his way to the bench. Williamson and the trainer would head to the Viper dressing room before returning to the bench. Once play resumed the Vipers penalty kill took over once again. This time Vernon sprung Jimmy Lambert in for the breakaway, couldn't beat Austin Park, robbing Lambert on the shorthanded breakaway. The Snakes with a solid penalty kill, would kill off the minor, get a huge ovation from the crowd. The Vipers seemed to get an extra jolt after the Williamson goal/penalty kill, come to life late in the game. The Wild would get a few late looks before Jagger Williamson would get in behind the Wenatchee defence be stoned by Austin Park before Park had to stop Niko Karamanis on the rebound. Two quality chances for the Snakes, while two large saves from the Wenatchee goaltender with just two and a half minutes left. The Wenatchee Wild would get Austin Park to the bench with about a minute and a half remaining. With no real pressure the Wild would get called for too many men on the ice, sending Vernon to a late powerplay, just their second of the evening. The Snakes would use the man advantage and wind down the clock. Jimmy Lambert coming across the neutral zone, fired a pretty hard shot towards Austin Park and the Wild goal just seconds before the buzzer sounded. Park wasn't too happy with the play, skated well out of his goal to confront Lambert who was racing behind the Wenatchee goal to grab the game puck. While it looked like nothing would occur, Lucas Sowder skated towards Lambert taking a swing towards the Viper forward as tempers heated up after the buzzer. The officials quickly got into the mix and broke things up as Vernon would hang on for the 3-1 victory, taking a 2-0 series lead. Both coaches would stay behind well after the players were off the ice, to talk to the officials. For a second straight period the Wenatchee Wild took it to the Vernon Vipers and outplayed the Snakes for atleast the first half. The Wild with a ton of pressure early, forced the Vipers into several turnovers in their own end, had several quality looks/chances couldn't capitalize on their opportunities. With Vernon back on their heels, Wenatchee come very close to tying the game. A bounce here or there and this game was easily tied. The Wild were the better of the two teams by far in the first half. But after Vernon's third goal, the Vipers seemed to build off the crowd and change a bit of the momentum in the second half, playing a little better. The Snakes also had their fare share of good looks/quality chances. Both goaltenders made some big saves in the 3rd. Wenatchee outshot Vernon 10-9.
Top Player's: (Vernon)
The line of Jesse Lansdell (1 goal & 1 assist), Jagger Williamson (1 goal) & Niko Karamanis was the Vipers strongest line. These three played hard, never quit skating, were hard in on pucks, moving the puck up ice, in the battle zone down low, created/generated several looks-opportunities. Lansdell stepped up the physical play, laid out some solid checks, while Karamanis's speed was causing all kinds of havoc for the Wild. Williamson carried the Vipers on his back and gutted out one heck of a performance. The Viper captain blocked a hard shot in the middle frame, went hard into the boards after the 3rd goal, sucked it up and didn't quit until the final buzzer. What an effort by Williamson.
The forth line of Coleton Bilodeau, Connor Marritt and Alex Swetlikoff saw limited ice time in the 3rd played a heck of a game. Were strong in the 1st period, driving to the net, winning battles down low, getting bodies-pucks to the goal, worked hard.
Jimmy Lambert I thought played a heck of a game. Didn't get a ton of chances but did all the small things that most fans don't see. Won the race-battle for pucks, chipped pucks in, to make sure his line could change, really played with a lot of jump/energy. Had a shorthanded breakaway in the 3rd, battled hard in the final twenty minutes.
Mitch Andres (1 goal & 1 assist) Has looked super good in Games 1 & 2. Playing with a ton of confidence, moving the puck up ice, seeing a ton of ice time, played very well in the win tonight.
Ty Taylor (34 saves) Was the difference. The second year goaltender was solid between the pipes. Taylor kept his team in the hockey game, giving his team mates a chance to win. Saw a ton more rubber in Game 2 was tested often through out the game. Made two huge game savers inside the final minute of the opening frame, while also having a little luck on his side.
Game Thought's: (Vernon)
Just like in Game 1 the Vipers got off to a quick/strong start, jumping on Wenatchee early and often. I thought Vernon played very well, were the better of the two teams for most of the 1st but the period/game slowly changed in the final four or five minutes of the opening frame. The Vipers didn't seem to have the same jump/energy were back on their heels for most of the 2nd and 3rd periods. The Snakes having all kinds of trouble in their own end, had troubles clearing the zone, turned over pucks often, were relying on Ty Taylor a lot. The Vipers were losing puck battles, races to the puck, couldn't contain Wenatchee's speed and strong forecheck. Unlike Game 1 Vernon didn't get near as many quality/grade a chances tonight. Yes the Vipers had some good looks-opportunities, couldn't bury their chances. Down to five defencemen in back to back games, took a toll tonight. I thought Vernon played better defensively in Game 1. The Vipers gave up way too many opportunities. How big was Jagger Williamson's shorthanded marker? The Vipers may have caught a few breaks tonight, gutted one out in a game maybe they were lucky to win. The referee's let both teams play, allowing several penalties go in a very chippy game. Both teams chirping one another through out the game. A huge win to grab a 2-0 series lead. Affiliated player "AP" Elan Bar-Lev-Wise took the warmup but I don't think was on the bench for the game. At least I didn't see him. Former Vipers David Robinson (2009-2011), Bryce Kakoske (2008-2011) & Brad Farynk (2000-2002) were in attendance. The Snakes have won ten straight going back to the regular season, have just one loss in their last fifteen games. The Vipers have won eleven straight on home ice and fifteen of their last seventeen home games.
Top Player's: (Wenatchee)
Chad Saski (1 assist) Played very well on the Wild backend. Not the biggest kid but moves the puck well. Reads & sees the play well.
Murphy Stratton I thought played well at times. A bigger body, cut through the middle often, got the play in the offensive zone. Made things happen.
August Von Ungren Was one of the more dangerous Wenatchee forwards. Had some good looks-opportunities, was in and around the goal.
Lucas Sowder Was one of the more dominate forwards. Had several good looks/quality chances. Can skate, move the puck well and create/generate chances.
Josh Arnold Was another kid who played very well. Had his fare share of chances.
Sam Morton wearing a cage was involved in the play often. Dangerous in and around the net.
Zak Galambos I thought played hard, battled and competed, was involved in the play.
Austin Park (25 saves) Was pulled after the 2nd period in Game 1 allowing four goals on twenty Vernon shots. Played very well tonight. Made some big stops through out the contest, gave his team a chance to win and get back in the game with the Vipers leading 2-0.
Game Thought's: (Wenatchee)
After getting blown out 7-1 in Game 1 you knew the Wild would respond with a much better effort and performance tonight in a big Game 2 matchup. Wenatchee didn't get off to a strong start, were once again outplayed for most of the opening period for a second straight night. The Wild find themselves down two goals after the 1st for a second straight night, slowly changed the momentum towards the end of the 1st and carried that momentum into the 2nd and 3rd periods. It was all Wild in the 2nd and 3rd as they totally dominated the game. The Wild with a strong forecheck, were hard in on pucks, winning the battle/races, forcing Vernon into several turnovers in their own end. Wenatchee had the Snakes back on their heels in the final two periods only mustered one goal for a second straight game. The Wild had a ton of great looks/quality chances couldn't capitalize on their opportunities. Wenatchee come very close to tying the game on several plays in the 3rd, wasn't getting the bounces to go their way. A tough break on a 3rd period powerplay, gave up a shorthanded marker and then a second shorthanded breakaway, fell apart on the man advantage. The Wild were by far the better of the two teams, battled/competed just fell short in a game they should have won. Wenatchee wearing their third jerseys for a second straight night, had a few fans in attendance, will make their way home tonight need a big win in Game 3 Tuesday to get back into this series. The Wild don't want to fall down 3-0 or its a long hill to climb. This was a very intense nail bitter if your a Viper fan watching. A playoff like atmosphere inside the rink.
Scratches:
Vernon:
Shane Kelly (Injured)
Josh Prokop (Injured-Out for the season)
Jack Judson (Suspended)
Wenatchee:
Noah Kim
Lukas Svejkovsky
Daniel Chladek
Energy Player of the Game:
Jagger Williamson (1 goal)
Three Star's:
1st Star: Ty Taylor (34 saves)
2nd Star: Mitch Andres (1 goal & 1 assist)
3rd Star: Jesse Lansdell (1 goal & 1 assist)
Boxscore-Game Summary,
Game Report,
Text Boxscore,
This game tonight was highly entertaining with two good teams on the ice. I must say the playoff atmosphere in the hockey rink was electric. I hadn't had as much fun or felt as energized as a fan at a game for along time. This was a real reminder of what Vipers games used to be like where the fans really got into it. I hope this is a turning point and that the energy that fans used to give returns. Go, Viper, Go
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