Scoring Summary:
| 1st |
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| No Scoring |
| 2nd |
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3:48 | MER | Josh Kagan (8) ASST: Tyson Galloway (1) |
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| 4:12 | VER | Connor Marritt (5) ASST: Matt Kowalski (3), Nicholas Kent (2) (PP) |
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| 9:44 | MER | Rylan Van Unen (3) ASST: Brett Roloson (4) |
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| 3rd |
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| 10:56 | VER | Jackson Caller (1) ASST: Matt Kowalski (4), Nicholas Kent (3) |
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| 19:06 | VER | Dawson Holt (1) ASST: Matt Kowalski (5) |
Vernon outshot Merritt 44-31 Reilly Herbst made 29 saves in the win, while Ryan Winter made 41 saves in the loss.
Boxscore-Game Summary,
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8 comments:
This is posted on the Centennials website:
Late Dagger The Difference Against Vernon
October 17, 2019
The Centennials got snaked by the Vipers in the final minute of play and fell by a score of 3-2 in Derek Sweet-Coulter’s debut as bench boss.
In the first period the teams skated to a scoreless draw, but not for lack of trying. Ryan Winter got the call in net for the Cents, and was called upon numerous times to make huge stops some of the desperation variety. The Vipers also got quality goaltending from Reilly Herbst and shots were 12-11 in favour of Merritt after the first.
The middle stanza saw the Centennials draw their first penalty of the game, and the Vipers and their league worst powerplay was able to convert. Bodies in front and a bounce came free to Connor Marritt who broke the goose eggs and made it 1-0 for the Vipers 4 minutes into the frame. Captain Rylan Van Unen was able to tie the game before the period’s halfway mark after him and Brett Roloson streaked down the right wing, and Roloson fed the pass back to set Van Unen up for a rocket farside blocker on Herbst. Youngster Tyson Galloway then recorded his first point in the BCHL when he set up Josh Kagan with the perfect backhand dish on a platter that Kagan potted past Herbst to give the Cents the lead. Payton Matsui had an opportunity on the penalty shot after a hard charge to the net. Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to convert on the powerplay after being poke checked by the Vernon netminder. Shots after 2 periods of play were 29-21 in favour of the Vipers.
The final frame saw the Cents weather the Vipers attack, and counter with some solid offensive play with the lead. Unfortunately, a play off a faceoff led to Jackson Caller getting the puck around Winter to tie the game 2-2 halfway through the 3rd. Then with the game winding down, and it looking like overtime was on the horizon the Centennials the Vipers found the heart breaker from newcomer Dawson Holt to make it 3-2. With the net empty the Cents tried to push for the equalizer, but couldn’t get traction in the offensive end and 3-2 would be the final. Final shots were 44-31 in favour of the Vipers.
After the game, Head Coach Derek Sweet-Coulter said the team played a great game given the circumstances.
“It was an emotional day for everyone. The guys really came out hard and played extremely well all things considered. Still a few minor mistakes out there, but the guys know when they’ve made a mistake and want to learn from it.”
The Cents will look to learn from this game and move on against the West Kelowna Warriors in West K Saturday. Puck drop 6pm.
This is posted on the Vipers website:
After the Buzzer – Vipers Score in Final Minute, Win 3-2
October 16, 2019
Merritt, BC: The Vernon Vipers put up a season high 44 shots on the Merritt, goal, but it was a goal in the final minute from newcomer Dawson Holt was the difference as the Vipers won 3-2.
It was a tale of two segments in the first period as the Vipers looked locked in for the first half, with the Centennials reciprocating in the final half. No offense, but not from a lack of effort as both teams generated a number of quality opportunities. The shots finished even 12-11 in favour of the Cents, but both Reilly Herbst and Ryan Winter were locked in a perfect for a scoreless first period.
The Vipers dominated the shot clock in the middle frame and thanks to an early powerplay were able to get on the board first. A Matt Kowalski shot was blocked in front and Connor Marritt pounced on the rebound and ripped it past the glove of Winter to give the Vipers a 1-0 lead. Despite the heavy shot and chance advantage, the Vipers failed to increase their lead. The Cents were opportunistic and evened the game up off a neutral zone turnover and Rylan Van Unen went far post and in to even the game at 1. Five minutes later, another turnover and another goal as Josh Kagan was set up on a 2 on 1 to make it 2-1 Merritt. The turning point of the game was a sequence late in the 2nd period. Payton Matsui was hauled down on a breakaway and awarded a penalty shot. Herbst made a great save to ensure his team went into the dressing room trailing by 1.
The third was by far the Vipers best period. They started on a powerplay and generated some chances, but more importantly generated momentum. The ice continued to tilt in the Vipers favour as the period approached the midway mark. Following the media timeout, the Vipers executed on a set play that saw Jackson Caller backhand home his first of the season to even the game up. The Cents had some chances of their own and again the Vipers defence was solid and so was the goaltending. A chance in front of the Vipers goal that wasn’t converted on turned into a rush the other way and Dawson Holt rifled home a hard shot from the right circle in the final minute to give the Vipers a 3-2 lead. The Cents would pull their goalie in an attempt to even up the game, but Bar-lev-Wise was perfect in the final two defensive zone draws and the buzzer sounded to give the Vipers their 3rd straight win.
The Vipers are next in action Friday night when they travel to Penticton to take on the Vees.
I watched the Vipers game online but couldn't pick up the away broadcast feed, so I was forced to listen to the Merritt Centennials broadcast crew. The two sounded like a bunch of school girls checking out the new boy in class. These two were screaming and yelling like a bunch of school kids and were very annoying.
The Vipers with a huge come back win on the road in one of the smallest rinks in the league, pull out the 3-2 victory for there third straight win and longest winning streak of the season. Vernon was the better of the two teams, had a ton of quality chances and scoring opportunities through out the game. If it wasn't for Ryan Winter, the Snakes could have easily won by six or more goals. At times the play was evenly matched and the Centennials could have taken a lead or jumped ahead by two goals. I thought the first period was evenly matched. Vernon was all over the Cents in the first half of the second period, but the Centennials pushed back and were the better team in the second half. Merritt carried a lot of the play early in the 3rd but the Vipers seemed to find another gear, took over the play and the game in the second half of the final period, to score twice to come away with the win. Both goaltenders were good.
I really liked newcomer Dawson Holt, thought he played very well and had chemistry with Connor Marritt and Matt Kowalski. Adds a lot of energy, speed and skill to the line and Vipers roster. Looked very good in his Vipers debut, scored the game winner inside the final minute of the 3rd period.
Don't look now but the Snakes are playing there best hockey of the season.
Go Vipers Go!
Where's all the doomsdayers and naysayers now after this little winning streak?
A few on here were calling for the coaches head after 3 games and panic panic panic!
Teams need time to gel and develop chemistry....hope this is the rebound they needed and look forward to more competitive hockey the rest of the season.
Go Vipers Go!
The
real test is still to come with 13 out of 14 games on the road and as the coach stated the returnees from last year need to pick it up .
To "Unknown", don't get ur hopes up and be so sure of your team just because they've got a "little winning streak" just because they've won a couple games does not mean they're sudde my the best team in the league either. It just means they're not the worst.
Bobby C.....you mention 13 out of 14 games on the road,this schedule seems somewhat "OFFSIDE",is there any other team that has to play similar amount of games away from their home rink,during the year(in a row) ? Seems like the Vipers were not well liked by the schedule maker ??
The teams approve their own schedule based on arena availability and other team requests. So be thankful cause you'll 22 home games to attend after the crazy road trip
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