This is posted on the Vipers website:
Vipers clinch first in BCHL!
by don klepp | Added 2010-02-20
A dominant first period was all the Vernon Vipers needed in Salmon Arm to defeat the Silverbacks 4-1 and guarantee first place in the BCHL this year.
With two games yet to play, the Vipers have 101 points. Meanwhile the Penticton Vees have 98 points from their 59 games, and they cannot overtake Vernon.
From the opening faceoff the Vipers took control and they bombarded Tony Ierfino with 15 shots in the period. The Silverback defencemen had no answer for the Viper cycle, although they were able to block several Viper shots. Also, Adam Thompson blasted a point shot off Ierfino’s right goal post.
Against the run of play, Mark Zengerle scored the game’s opening goal at 4:43. Both Viper defencemen were caught off to the side of their net and the puck squirted to Zengerle, who banged the puck past Blake Voth on his second attempt.
Unfazed, the Vipers went back to work, scoring three goals in the remainder of the period. At 6:34, Dan Nycholat buried a long rebound resulting from a Cory Kane shot. Kane had been sprung on the right wing by Patrick McGillis’s stretch pass.
Mike Collins then notched his 29th of the season on the power play at 13:15. From a scramble in front, Cole Ikkala tried a backhand between his legs. Collins flicked the rebound into the yawning cage.
The Kane/McGillis/Short line struck again at 17:55. Darren Robak’s point shot was deflected by McGillis and Rob Short swatted in the rebound that came off Ierfino’s pad.
A slick three-way passing play put the Vipers up 4-1 early in the second period. With Salmon Arm’s Devin Gannon off for holding, Connor Short dug the puck out of the right corner and flicked to Kellen Jones. Kellen’s quick lateral pass was buried by David Robinson at the goal mouth.
The Vipers then went into cruise control, which nearly cost them because the Silverbacks sensed an opening and went on the offensive for much of the second period. Their 12 shots doubled the Vipers’ output, but Blake Voth was sharp in net and the Viper defenders cleared rebounds.
In the third, each team had eight quality scoring chances as the play opened up, but again both netminders were very good and occasionally brilliant. Voth’s best save was a lightning fast glove stop of Josh Manson’s point blank shot from 10 feet, while Ierfino robbed Steve Weinstein, Connor Jones, and Sahir Gill, among others.
The Vipers, who outshot the Silverbacks in each of their seven meetings this season, registered 34 shots to the Silverbacks’ 25. Vernon won five of those contests.
The two teams could meet in the second round of the playoffs if Salmon Arm can win its first round playoff with one of Quesnel, Trail, or Merritt.
Game Notes:
• Patrick McGillis and Darren Robak, who had not seen game action for some time, subbed in for Dylan Walchuk and Curtis Gedig. They both had solid games. Fellow rookie Garrett Noonan, who paired with Robak, was named the game's first star.
• Jayson Reardon, who had missed 9 games through injury, returned to the Salmon Arm lineup. Fellow defencemen Matt Ridley and Josh Monk are still on the limp.
• Blake Voth, who dropped his goals-against average to 1.78, can set a new BCHL record if he allows fewer than 9 goals in Vernon’s two remaining games. The current record holder, Nanaimo’s Simon Nolet, had a GAA of 1.98 in 2004-05.
• The Vipers seem certain to set a new team record for fewest goals allowed. They’ve surrendered just 114 so far. The record of 137 was set by the Penticton Vees in 2005-06.
• The 2009-10 Vipers are just the sixth team in BCHL history to amass 100 points in a season. The 1989-90 New Westminster Royals (108 points) and the 1998-99 Vernon Vipers (106 points), each with 52 victories, lead the way. With wins in their remaining games against Westside and Surrey, this year’s Viper squad could move into third spot with 105 points.
• Meanwhile, the Penticton Vees (98 points with one game remaining versus Trail) could also join that elite group.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Friday, February 19, 2010
Vernon 4 Salmon Arm 1
I was at tonights BCHL game as Vernon defeated Salmon Arm 4-1 in front of 1,356 fans at the Sunwave Centre.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon: Blake Voth
Salmon Arm: Tony Ierfino
1st Period: The Vipers got off to a strong start, getting the puck in deep. With a strong forecheck and cycle down low Vernon with all kinds of sustained pressure early but couldnt get any pucks towards the goal. Vernon controlled the play early before the Silverbacks got the puck in deep and on their first action in the Vipers zone, Corey Chakeen found Mark Zengerle in front who had two cracks at the puck finally getting his second shot past Blake Voth at 4:43 Steve Weinstein couldnt hold off Zengerle who was stopped by Voth on the first shot but scored on his second shot giving Salmon Arm the 1-0 lead. Both shots were the Backs first two of the game and wouldnt record another shot on goal until very late in the period. Chakeen with the lone assist. Just under two minutes later Vernon come back on a nice passing play, Rob Short & Cory Kane did all the work to setup Dan Nycholat who beat Tony Ierfino at 6:34 tying the game 1-1. Short & Kane with the helpers. The Vipers would keep the pressure on for most of the remainder of the period. It was all Vernon as the Vipers looked like they were men playing against boys. Steve Weinstein had a great chance with traffic in front and Ierfino down and out, Weinstein missed the open net firing wide. Salmon Arm was having all kinds of trouble with Vernons cycle and strong forecheck down low as the Vipers dominated the play in and around the boards. Braden Pimm was stopped by Ierfino, Patrick McGillis who was in tonights lineup and played very well had a chance at the side of the net. Vernon dominated the opening period as the play was deep in the Backs end the entire 1st. Mike Collins with an unreal no look behind the back pass out front to Cole Ikkala, who was also stopped in close. The Vipers with the games first powerplay went to work. Cole Ikkala setup Mike Collins in front who beat Ierfino at 13:15 putting Vernon up 2-1. Ikkala & Braden Pimm with the assists. The Vipers kept coming, Adam Thompsons big blast from the point beat Ierfino but hit the post, come back hitting Ierfino from behind as the Backs goaltender was forced to stop the play making the save. Cory Kane with a quick shot from the slot was stopped by Tony Ierfino. Another nice three way passing play resulted in a goal, Patrick McGillis & Cory Kane setup Rob Short at 17:55 giving the Vipers a 3-1 lead. Vernon won all battles and races to the puck, as Salmon Arm had several chances to clear the zone but couldnt, wich forced a turnover and resulted in a Viper scoring chance. Very late in the period Travis Statchuks quick shot from the circle handcuffed Blake Voth as he had troubles in making the save. Vernon was by far the better team dominating the opening period up 3-1 after 20 minutes of play. The Vipers outshot the Silverbacks 17-4.
2nd Period: The Vipers would get an early powerplay but struggle in the early going looking very lack luster before late in the man advantage David Robinson scored putting Vernon up 4-1 at 3:40 Kellen & Connor Jones with the assists. The Vipers didnt seem to have that drive they had in the 1st period, the Silverbacks on the other hand stepped up their play a little in the 2nd period getting some chances. The Backs with a few decent chances in the first half of the period generated some offence at times. This wasnt all that entertaining of a period with some sloppy play at both ends of the rink, both teams making mistakes at times. Salmon Arm did step up the physical play in the second frame laying out some decent checks, Charlie Vasaturo was hitting everything in site. Vasaturo was really trying to get under the skin of the Vipers, taking an extra shot or shove after a play. The Silverbacks best chance come on a nice three way passing odd man rush as the puck ended up on the stick of leading scorer Mark Zengerle who was stopped in close by Voth. On the same play the Vipers couldnt clear the zone, a screened shot from the point was tipped in front by who else, Mark Zengerle. The puck beat Blake Voth fivehole but somehow come out the other end missing the net. The Backs would get their first powerplay of the night but struggled getting very little shots on goal as the Vipers penalty kill did a great job at clogging up the middle, keeping the Backs to the outside as Vernon would kill off the minor. Shortly after the Silverbacks went back on the man advantage but it didnt last too long as the Vipers were rewarded a powerplay wich resulted in some four on four hockey. The Vipers didnt play their best period getting very few and little scoring chances as the Silverbacks had the edge in play. Blake Voth played very well making 12 saves. In the final minute of play Tony Ierfino come out of his net to collect the puck, David Robinson with some good hustle stole the puck from Ierfino, throwing it out front to Connor Jones who had an empty net but couldnt hit the net after a diving Kyle Pedan & Jayson Reardon slide through the crease to stop Jones in close as the Backs with a huge defensive play. Vernon was up 4-1 after 40 minutes of play. The Silverbacks outshot the Vipers 12-6.
3rd Period: Josh Manson with a great chance early to start the period was stopped by Voth in the slot. Vernon would get an early powerplay but couldnt convert as the Silverbacks had the best chance shorthanded. Travis Statchuk with a quick shot from the circle was stopped by Voth. Shortly after Salmon Arm would get a crack at the powerplay but it was the Vipers shorthanded who had the best chance. Cory Kane & Rob Short went in two on one, Kane setup Short who was stopped by Ierfino. As the 3rd period got going the play really opened up at both ends of the rink with some great chances for both teams. Brett Knowles was stopped by Voth who played very well. Cory Kane with a quick shot from the slot couldnt beat Ierfino who made a nice toe save. Patrick McGillis was stopped in close. The Vipers had the better of the chances but couldnt beat Ierfino who kept his hockey club in the hockey game. Mike Collins and Braden Pimm in two on one, but Pimm couldnt beat Ierfino who made a huge pad save coming across the crease. Steve Weinstein then was robbed at the side of the goal after a diving Ierfino covered up on the rebound. Kevin Kraus with the biggest hit of the night levelled Josh Manson. Manson then come back with a big hit on Connor Jones. Devin Gannon with a great chance was stopped by Voth. Both goaltenders played very well this evening. Late in the game Connor & Kellen Jones on a two on one but Kellen couldnt beat Ierfino. Vernon would get a late powerplay wich ended any hopes of any comeback by the Silverbacks. In the end the Vipers would defeat Salmon Arm 4-1 and clinch top spot in the entire BCHL and clinch the Interior Division Pennant for the second straight season. Vernon outshot Salmon Arm 13-9.
Top Players: (Vernon)
The line of Connor Jones (1 assist), Kellen Jones (1 assist) & David Robinson (1 goal) looked very good up front. Both Jones Twins were really skating tonight, when these kids get that cycle and strong forecheck going down low, they are almost untouchable.
I was very impressed with the line of Cory Kane (2 assists), Rob Short (1 goal & 1 assist) & Patrick McGillis (1 assist). Cory Kane has looked very good his last two games and been playing some good hockey as of late, Kane is really skating hard now, and using his shot & stick handling to his advantage. Rob Short another kid who has been playing very well down the stretch here. Short was physical tonight, and was very good with and without the puck. Again very strong on the penalty kill. Nice to see Patrick McGillis get into the lineup. I really like this kid and think hes going to be very good for the Vipers next season. McGillis worked hard all night, was skating hard, showed lots of hustle. Had some good chances, won several one on one battles down low. Had a real strong game.
Mike Collins (1 goal) Played a strong game for Vernon up front. Collins seemed to know where everyone was tonight, made some real nice plays through out tonights game.
Jonathan Milhouse played very well, showed lots of hustle. Was skating hard.
Blake Voth (24 saves) Improves to 20-2 and still remains the leagues #1 goaltender. What can you say about Voth who has really come into his own and played extremely well since Graeme Gordon went down with his injury. Voth looked very sharp, showed lots of confidence, played his position well, didnt give up many of any rebounds. Made some big saves in the 3rd period.
Garrett Noonan played a very strong game for the Vipers on the blueline.
Kevin Kraus played a strong game as well on the backend. Kraus made some real nice heads up plays. Had some good hits, but none bigger then on Josh Manson in the 3rd.
Steve Weinstein another d-man who played a heck of a game on the Vipers blueline. Weinstein jumped up into the play on several occasions, really played well at both ends of the rink. Looked very confident carrying the puck tonight, had a few good scoring chances.
Top Players: (Salmon Arm)
Tony Ierfino (30 saves) I was suprised Ierfino didnt get a star tonight. I thought Ierfino played very well, made some big saves in the opening period and then come up huge with some big saves in the 3rd to keep his team in the game and give them a chance to make a comeback. If it wasnt for Ierfino this could have been a much different score. Ierfino has seemed to play the Vipers very well this season, except for maybe the exceptions of one game. Other then that Ierfino has played very well vs Vernon but now is 2-5 against the Vipers.
Charlie Vasaturo was trying to get under the skin of the Vipers most of the night, laid out some good hits, was always in the face of several Vernon players, even tried taking a few extra shots or shoves after a play or end of a line change.
Brett Knowles. Don Klepp was right Knowles played a very physical game, was by far the most physical Silverback tonight.
Mark Zengerle (1 goal) Zengerle now has 4 goals & 5 assists in seven games vs Vernon this season. This kid is a treat to watch, one heck of a skater, and always seems to know where everyone is, by making thos sweet no look passes. Zengerle had most of Salmon Arms best scoring chances but only managed to put one past Blake Voth.
Game Thoughts: (Vernon)
First off Id like to take this time to congratulate the Vernon Vipers on clinching top spot in the BCHL and the Interior Division Pennant for the second straight season. This is the seventh time in team history the Vipers have clinched top spot in the BCHL. (1970,1972,1976,1988,1999,2003 & 2010) This is the 14th time the Vipers have won the Interior Division Pennant in team history. (1988,1989,1990,1991,1992,1997,1999,2000,2002,2003,2005,2007,2009 & 2010) Vernon started out this three game road trip knowing they were in for a battle playing three of the top teams in the Interior Division and so far have won the first two games of this trip. Tonight was a huge win as Penticton defeated Westside 5-4 in overtime wich means a Viper loss tonight and Vernon would need to knock off either Westside or Surrey in their final two games of the season. Putting that much more pressure on the Vipers. Vernon can now rest any players that may have some minor bumps or bruises. I was very impressed with the Vipers tonight, other then a so so 2nd period Vernon played extremely well coming up with the 4-1 win. This could also be a 2nd round Playoff matchup so the Vipers wanted to send a message and say look this is what your going to see come Playoff time. Vernon looked very good at both ends of the rink. The Vipers cycle and strong forecheck was almost unstopable in the 1st period, when the Vipers play the cycle and forecheck down low they are very hard to play against. The Vipers defence played very well, really shutdown some of Salmon Arms more skilled players. Vernon has now won six straight games and seem to be getting primmed up for the Playoffs playing some very good hockey as of late.
Game Thoughts: (Salmon Arm)
How times have changed in Salmon Arm. This use to be one of the best rivalries in the BCHL, It didnt matter if the game was played in Vernon or Salmon Arm you could expect a huge playoff type crowd in attendance. Most of the Vernon-Salmon Arm games in Salmon Arm were jammed packed, several empty seats tonight, very little noise and atmosphere at the Sunwave Centre tonight. With the Silverbacks just above 500 and playing incosistant hockey all season these games havnt been the same. The Silverbacks have been very incosistant against Vernon all season, you just never know what Salmon Arm team your going to see. The Backs come out flat and were outplayed the entire 1st period, the team played a little better in the 2nd and really tried opening it up against Vernon in the 3rd but still in the end they couldnt compete with the Vipers. These are two different hockey teams and tonight Vernon was the better of the two. The Vipers won all the races and battles for loose pucks. The Backs with several turnovers and blind passes in their own end couldnt seem to get much going. Several missed shots through out tonights game, dont forget the missed opportunities with not shooting the puck on the powerplay. Alot of indivdual work by several players, at times the Backs looked disorganised and frustrated. You can also see the fans of Salmon Arm are frustrated. Heres a team that hasnt won a hockey game since January 30th and may not get out of the first round of the Playoffs.
Scratches:
Vernon:
Curtis Gedig
Dylan Walchuk
Salmon Arm:
Levi Hantula
Matt Ridley
Christopher Hoe
3 Stars:
1st Star: Garrett Noonan
2nd Star: Rob Short (1 goal & 1 assist)
3rd Star: Brett Knowles
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon: Blake Voth
Salmon Arm: Tony Ierfino
1st Period: The Vipers got off to a strong start, getting the puck in deep. With a strong forecheck and cycle down low Vernon with all kinds of sustained pressure early but couldnt get any pucks towards the goal. Vernon controlled the play early before the Silverbacks got the puck in deep and on their first action in the Vipers zone, Corey Chakeen found Mark Zengerle in front who had two cracks at the puck finally getting his second shot past Blake Voth at 4:43 Steve Weinstein couldnt hold off Zengerle who was stopped by Voth on the first shot but scored on his second shot giving Salmon Arm the 1-0 lead. Both shots were the Backs first two of the game and wouldnt record another shot on goal until very late in the period. Chakeen with the lone assist. Just under two minutes later Vernon come back on a nice passing play, Rob Short & Cory Kane did all the work to setup Dan Nycholat who beat Tony Ierfino at 6:34 tying the game 1-1. Short & Kane with the helpers. The Vipers would keep the pressure on for most of the remainder of the period. It was all Vernon as the Vipers looked like they were men playing against boys. Steve Weinstein had a great chance with traffic in front and Ierfino down and out, Weinstein missed the open net firing wide. Salmon Arm was having all kinds of trouble with Vernons cycle and strong forecheck down low as the Vipers dominated the play in and around the boards. Braden Pimm was stopped by Ierfino, Patrick McGillis who was in tonights lineup and played very well had a chance at the side of the net. Vernon dominated the opening period as the play was deep in the Backs end the entire 1st. Mike Collins with an unreal no look behind the back pass out front to Cole Ikkala, who was also stopped in close. The Vipers with the games first powerplay went to work. Cole Ikkala setup Mike Collins in front who beat Ierfino at 13:15 putting Vernon up 2-1. Ikkala & Braden Pimm with the assists. The Vipers kept coming, Adam Thompsons big blast from the point beat Ierfino but hit the post, come back hitting Ierfino from behind as the Backs goaltender was forced to stop the play making the save. Cory Kane with a quick shot from the slot was stopped by Tony Ierfino. Another nice three way passing play resulted in a goal, Patrick McGillis & Cory Kane setup Rob Short at 17:55 giving the Vipers a 3-1 lead. Vernon won all battles and races to the puck, as Salmon Arm had several chances to clear the zone but couldnt, wich forced a turnover and resulted in a Viper scoring chance. Very late in the period Travis Statchuks quick shot from the circle handcuffed Blake Voth as he had troubles in making the save. Vernon was by far the better team dominating the opening period up 3-1 after 20 minutes of play. The Vipers outshot the Silverbacks 17-4.
2nd Period: The Vipers would get an early powerplay but struggle in the early going looking very lack luster before late in the man advantage David Robinson scored putting Vernon up 4-1 at 3:40 Kellen & Connor Jones with the assists. The Vipers didnt seem to have that drive they had in the 1st period, the Silverbacks on the other hand stepped up their play a little in the 2nd period getting some chances. The Backs with a few decent chances in the first half of the period generated some offence at times. This wasnt all that entertaining of a period with some sloppy play at both ends of the rink, both teams making mistakes at times. Salmon Arm did step up the physical play in the second frame laying out some decent checks, Charlie Vasaturo was hitting everything in site. Vasaturo was really trying to get under the skin of the Vipers, taking an extra shot or shove after a play. The Silverbacks best chance come on a nice three way passing odd man rush as the puck ended up on the stick of leading scorer Mark Zengerle who was stopped in close by Voth. On the same play the Vipers couldnt clear the zone, a screened shot from the point was tipped in front by who else, Mark Zengerle. The puck beat Blake Voth fivehole but somehow come out the other end missing the net. The Backs would get their first powerplay of the night but struggled getting very little shots on goal as the Vipers penalty kill did a great job at clogging up the middle, keeping the Backs to the outside as Vernon would kill off the minor. Shortly after the Silverbacks went back on the man advantage but it didnt last too long as the Vipers were rewarded a powerplay wich resulted in some four on four hockey. The Vipers didnt play their best period getting very few and little scoring chances as the Silverbacks had the edge in play. Blake Voth played very well making 12 saves. In the final minute of play Tony Ierfino come out of his net to collect the puck, David Robinson with some good hustle stole the puck from Ierfino, throwing it out front to Connor Jones who had an empty net but couldnt hit the net after a diving Kyle Pedan & Jayson Reardon slide through the crease to stop Jones in close as the Backs with a huge defensive play. Vernon was up 4-1 after 40 minutes of play. The Silverbacks outshot the Vipers 12-6.
3rd Period: Josh Manson with a great chance early to start the period was stopped by Voth in the slot. Vernon would get an early powerplay but couldnt convert as the Silverbacks had the best chance shorthanded. Travis Statchuk with a quick shot from the circle was stopped by Voth. Shortly after Salmon Arm would get a crack at the powerplay but it was the Vipers shorthanded who had the best chance. Cory Kane & Rob Short went in two on one, Kane setup Short who was stopped by Ierfino. As the 3rd period got going the play really opened up at both ends of the rink with some great chances for both teams. Brett Knowles was stopped by Voth who played very well. Cory Kane with a quick shot from the slot couldnt beat Ierfino who made a nice toe save. Patrick McGillis was stopped in close. The Vipers had the better of the chances but couldnt beat Ierfino who kept his hockey club in the hockey game. Mike Collins and Braden Pimm in two on one, but Pimm couldnt beat Ierfino who made a huge pad save coming across the crease. Steve Weinstein then was robbed at the side of the goal after a diving Ierfino covered up on the rebound. Kevin Kraus with the biggest hit of the night levelled Josh Manson. Manson then come back with a big hit on Connor Jones. Devin Gannon with a great chance was stopped by Voth. Both goaltenders played very well this evening. Late in the game Connor & Kellen Jones on a two on one but Kellen couldnt beat Ierfino. Vernon would get a late powerplay wich ended any hopes of any comeback by the Silverbacks. In the end the Vipers would defeat Salmon Arm 4-1 and clinch top spot in the entire BCHL and clinch the Interior Division Pennant for the second straight season. Vernon outshot Salmon Arm 13-9.
Top Players: (Vernon)
The line of Connor Jones (1 assist), Kellen Jones (1 assist) & David Robinson (1 goal) looked very good up front. Both Jones Twins were really skating tonight, when these kids get that cycle and strong forecheck going down low, they are almost untouchable.
I was very impressed with the line of Cory Kane (2 assists), Rob Short (1 goal & 1 assist) & Patrick McGillis (1 assist). Cory Kane has looked very good his last two games and been playing some good hockey as of late, Kane is really skating hard now, and using his shot & stick handling to his advantage. Rob Short another kid who has been playing very well down the stretch here. Short was physical tonight, and was very good with and without the puck. Again very strong on the penalty kill. Nice to see Patrick McGillis get into the lineup. I really like this kid and think hes going to be very good for the Vipers next season. McGillis worked hard all night, was skating hard, showed lots of hustle. Had some good chances, won several one on one battles down low. Had a real strong game.
Mike Collins (1 goal) Played a strong game for Vernon up front. Collins seemed to know where everyone was tonight, made some real nice plays through out tonights game.
Jonathan Milhouse played very well, showed lots of hustle. Was skating hard.
Blake Voth (24 saves) Improves to 20-2 and still remains the leagues #1 goaltender. What can you say about Voth who has really come into his own and played extremely well since Graeme Gordon went down with his injury. Voth looked very sharp, showed lots of confidence, played his position well, didnt give up many of any rebounds. Made some big saves in the 3rd period.
Garrett Noonan played a very strong game for the Vipers on the blueline.
Kevin Kraus played a strong game as well on the backend. Kraus made some real nice heads up plays. Had some good hits, but none bigger then on Josh Manson in the 3rd.
Steve Weinstein another d-man who played a heck of a game on the Vipers blueline. Weinstein jumped up into the play on several occasions, really played well at both ends of the rink. Looked very confident carrying the puck tonight, had a few good scoring chances.
Top Players: (Salmon Arm)
Tony Ierfino (30 saves) I was suprised Ierfino didnt get a star tonight. I thought Ierfino played very well, made some big saves in the opening period and then come up huge with some big saves in the 3rd to keep his team in the game and give them a chance to make a comeback. If it wasnt for Ierfino this could have been a much different score. Ierfino has seemed to play the Vipers very well this season, except for maybe the exceptions of one game. Other then that Ierfino has played very well vs Vernon but now is 2-5 against the Vipers.
Charlie Vasaturo was trying to get under the skin of the Vipers most of the night, laid out some good hits, was always in the face of several Vernon players, even tried taking a few extra shots or shoves after a play or end of a line change.
Brett Knowles. Don Klepp was right Knowles played a very physical game, was by far the most physical Silverback tonight.
Mark Zengerle (1 goal) Zengerle now has 4 goals & 5 assists in seven games vs Vernon this season. This kid is a treat to watch, one heck of a skater, and always seems to know where everyone is, by making thos sweet no look passes. Zengerle had most of Salmon Arms best scoring chances but only managed to put one past Blake Voth.
Game Thoughts: (Vernon)
First off Id like to take this time to congratulate the Vernon Vipers on clinching top spot in the BCHL and the Interior Division Pennant for the second straight season. This is the seventh time in team history the Vipers have clinched top spot in the BCHL. (1970,1972,1976,1988,1999,2003 & 2010) This is the 14th time the Vipers have won the Interior Division Pennant in team history. (1988,1989,1990,1991,1992,1997,1999,2000,2002,2003,2005,2007,2009 & 2010) Vernon started out this three game road trip knowing they were in for a battle playing three of the top teams in the Interior Division and so far have won the first two games of this trip. Tonight was a huge win as Penticton defeated Westside 5-4 in overtime wich means a Viper loss tonight and Vernon would need to knock off either Westside or Surrey in their final two games of the season. Putting that much more pressure on the Vipers. Vernon can now rest any players that may have some minor bumps or bruises. I was very impressed with the Vipers tonight, other then a so so 2nd period Vernon played extremely well coming up with the 4-1 win. This could also be a 2nd round Playoff matchup so the Vipers wanted to send a message and say look this is what your going to see come Playoff time. Vernon looked very good at both ends of the rink. The Vipers cycle and strong forecheck was almost unstopable in the 1st period, when the Vipers play the cycle and forecheck down low they are very hard to play against. The Vipers defence played very well, really shutdown some of Salmon Arms more skilled players. Vernon has now won six straight games and seem to be getting primmed up for the Playoffs playing some very good hockey as of late.
Game Thoughts: (Salmon Arm)
How times have changed in Salmon Arm. This use to be one of the best rivalries in the BCHL, It didnt matter if the game was played in Vernon or Salmon Arm you could expect a huge playoff type crowd in attendance. Most of the Vernon-Salmon Arm games in Salmon Arm were jammed packed, several empty seats tonight, very little noise and atmosphere at the Sunwave Centre tonight. With the Silverbacks just above 500 and playing incosistant hockey all season these games havnt been the same. The Silverbacks have been very incosistant against Vernon all season, you just never know what Salmon Arm team your going to see. The Backs come out flat and were outplayed the entire 1st period, the team played a little better in the 2nd and really tried opening it up against Vernon in the 3rd but still in the end they couldnt compete with the Vipers. These are two different hockey teams and tonight Vernon was the better of the two. The Vipers won all the races and battles for loose pucks. The Backs with several turnovers and blind passes in their own end couldnt seem to get much going. Several missed shots through out tonights game, dont forget the missed opportunities with not shooting the puck on the powerplay. Alot of indivdual work by several players, at times the Backs looked disorganised and frustrated. You can also see the fans of Salmon Arm are frustrated. Heres a team that hasnt won a hockey game since January 30th and may not get out of the first round of the Playoffs.
Scratches:
Vernon:
Curtis Gedig
Dylan Walchuk
Salmon Arm:
Levi Hantula
Matt Ridley
Christopher Hoe
3 Stars:
1st Star: Garrett Noonan
2nd Star: Rob Short (1 goal & 1 assist)
3rd Star: Brett Knowles
(Game Preview) Vernon @ Salmon Arm:
Vernon (48-6-0-3) @ Salmon Arm (28-24-3-3)Last Game Played:
Wednesday February 17th Vernon defeated Penticton 3-2 (Overtime)
Wednesday February 17th Merritt defeated Salmon Arm 6-4
Tonight is the seventh & final meeting of the regular season between the defending Royal Bank Cup Champion Vernon Vipers & the Salmon Arm Silverbacks. The Vipers lead the season series 4-2. The Vipers are on a five game winning streak, while the Silverbacks have a tie in their last seven games. You can listen to tonights game live with Todd Miller starting at 6:45 on 107.5 Kiss FM
Let’s take a look at the Vernon Vipers:
The Vipers currently sit #1 overall in the league as the BCHL’s best team & #2 overall in Canada with a record of 48-6-0-3 three points up on the 2nd place Penticton Vees. Vernon has scored a league high 284 goals and given up the least amount of goals with just 113. Vernon is 24-4-0-1 at home & 24-2-0-2 on the road. The Vipers are 8-1-0-1 in their last 10 games. The Vipers have three players in the leagues top 20 in scoring. Connor Jones (35-43-78), Mike Collins (28-46-74) & Braden Pimm (25-41-66). Blake Voth leads the league as the BCHL’s top goaltender. Voth has a record of 19-2 with 3 shutouts and a GAA of 1.82 Graeme Gordon is 3rd the leagues top 10 goaltenders with a record of 29-7 with 2 shutouts and a GAA of 2.03
The Vipers need just one win in their final three games of the regular season or a Penticton loss and Vernon clinches top spot in the BCHL and the Interior Division.
Tonight is the second game of a current three game road trip for the Vipers.
Vernon started out 4-0 against Salmon Arm, but has dropped the last two meetings.
The Vipers owe the Silverbacks a payback after dropping the last two games, in wich both games Vernon didn’t show up ready to play and was outplayed most of both games.
Specialty teams and goaltending will be the difference.
Blake Voth has started eight straight games for Vernon, is Voth the Vipers new #1 man between the pipes?
The Vipers need to watch & try and contain leading scorer Mark Zengerle who is very dangerous with the puck.
Mike Collins has 3 goals & 2 assists in five games vs. Salmon Arm this year.
Braden Pimm has 1 goal and 4 assists vs. the Backs.
Jonathan Milhouse has 4 goals & 3 assists vs. the Silverbacks.
Former Silverback Graeme Gordon is 4-2 against Salmon Arm.
Players To Watch:
Connor Jones (35-43-78)
Mike Collins (28-46-74)
Braden Pimm (25-41-66)
Kellen Jones (13-39-52)
Jonathan Milhouse (19-31-50)
Cory Kane (22-27-49)
Dylan Walchuk (19-27-46)
Rob Short (21-24-45)
Cole Ikkala (22-22-44)
Dan Nycholat (6-37-43)
Bryce Kakoske (12-27-39)
Kevin Kraus (4-21-25)
Curtis Gedig (11-10-21)
David Robinson (11-10-21)
Graeme Gordon (29-7 Record-1 Shutout 2.03 GAA)
Blake Voth (19-2 Record-3 Shutouts-1.82 GAA)
Let’s take a look at the Salmon Arm Silverbacks:
The Silverbacks currently sit in 4th place in the Interior Division with a record of 28-24-3-3 The Backs have scored 222 goals and given up 222 goals. Salmon Arm is 14-9-2-3 on home ice & 14-15-1-0 on the road. Salmon Arm is 2-7-1-0 in their last 10 games. The Silverbacks have two players in the leagues top 20 in scoring. Mark Zengerle is the leagues leading scorer with (32-84-116) while David Killip has (32-42-74)
Salmon Arm has really struggled as of late with just a single tie in their last seven games.
The Silverbacks last win was way back on January 30th in a 8-4 win over Williams Lake.
The Backs have been outscored 34-18 in their last seven games.
Salmon Arm will need strong goaltending tonight in order to knock off the Vipers. The Backs will also have to try and slow down and contain Vernons speed and skill up front.
Tonights game depending on the final out come, this could be a preview of a second round playoff matchup between these two teams.
Tony Ierfino is 2-5 against Vernon this year.
David Killip has 4 goals & 2 assists vs. Vernon.
Mark Zengerle has 3 goals & 5 assists vs. the Vipers this season.
The Silverbacks have just two remaining games in the regular season, tonight vs. Vernon & Saturday night vs. Surrey.
Salmon Arm defeated Vernon 3-1 back on January 2nd in their last meeting between these two teams. Since that win the Backs have gone 6-9-1-1
Players To Watch:
Mark Zengerle (32-84-116)
David Killip (32-42-74)
Corey Chakeen (30-29-59)
Greg Noyes (22-32-54)
Tyler Gubb (23-27-50)
Travis Statchuk (17-31-48)
Charlie Vasaturo (7-19-26)
Bobby Lipsett (4-15-19)
Tony Ierfino (23-23-2 Record-1 Shutout-3.54 GAA)
Heres a look at the season series between these two teams:
Friday, September 11th @ Vernon: Vernon wins 3-2
The Vipers raised the 2009 RBC Cup banner to the rafters in the teams home opener in a 3-2 victory over the Salmon Arm Silverbacks. Mike Collins (2 goals) & Braden Pimm (2 assists) lead the attack for the Vipers, Cole Ikkala scored the game winner at 17:23 of the 3rd to give Vernon the 3-2 victory. Graeme Gordon defeated his former team making 21 saves between the pipes. Greg Noyes & Charlie Vasaturo scored for Salmon Arm, Tony Ierfino made 39 saves in the loss.
http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxScores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=712508&link=bchl
Saturday, September 12th @ Salmon Arm: Vernon wins 4-3 Overtime
Vernon took a 2-0 lead into the 3rd period on goals from Mike Collins and Jonathan Milhouse before the Silverbacks scored three goals in the final period sending the game to Overtime. David Killip, Mark Zengerle & Travis Statchuk scored for Salmon Arm. Dylan Walchuk scored Vernons only goal in the 3rd. Vipers d-man Adam Thompson ended the game at 2.37 of the extra period giving the Vipers the 4-3 win to improve to 2-0 on the season. Vernon outshot Salmon Arm 32-26 Graeme Gordon made 23 saves for the win, while Tony Ierfino made 28 saves taking the loss.
http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxScores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=712515&link=bchl
Tuesday, November 3rd @ Salmon Arm: Vernon wins 4-3
David Killip & Tyler Gubb put Salmon Arm up 2-0 after the 1st period before the Vipers would get 2nd period goals from, Jonathan Milhouse (shorthanded) & Sawyer Mick. Bryce Kakoske & Dylan Walchuk would give Vernon a 4-2 lead in the 3rd scoring four straight goals before Greg Noyes got the Backs within one goal at 15:49 of the 3rd period. Vernon would hang on for the 4-3 victory. Graeme Gordon made 22 saves vs. his former team, while Tony Ierfino made 24 saves in the loss.
http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxScores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=712673
Friday, December 11th @ Vernon: Vernon wins 3-2
Sawyer Mick put Vernon up 1-0 at 7:18 of the opening period giving the Vipers a 1-0 lead after 20 minutes of play. Braden Pimm put the Vipers up 2-0 at 18:01 of the 2nd period, as Vernon was up 2-0 after 40 minutes of play. Bryce Kakoske just 32 seconds into the 3rd on the powerplay gave Vernon a commanding 3-0 lead. Josh Manson put Salmon Arm on the scoreboard at 2:28 cutting the lead to 3-1. Mark Zengerle got the Backs to within one at 17:55 but Vernon would hang on for the 3-2 victory. The Vipers outshot the Silverbacks 31-14.
http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxScores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=712796&link=bchl
Thursday, December 31st @ Salmon Arm: Salmon Arm wins 4-2
Mark Zengerle at 29 seconds & Josh Manson at 1:03 of the opening period put the Backs up 2-0 early. Jonathan Milhouse on a two man advantage gets Vernon on the scored at 14:23 of the 1st period. David Killip on the powerplay with just four seconds remaining in the 2nd period put Salmon Arm up 3-1. Steve Weinsten at 8:05 of the 3rd cuts the lead to 3-2. David Killip unassisted at 19:38 into an empty net gives the Silverbacks the 4-2 victory. Tony Ierfino makes 30 saves for the win, while Graeme Gordon makes 20 saves taking the loss.
http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxScores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=712842&link=bchl
Saturday, January 2nd @ Vernon: Salmon Arm wins 3-1
SCORING SUMMARY
PERIOD 1
Salmon Arm Silverbacks at 1:16 - Josh Manson from Devin Gannon and Josh Monk
Salmon Arm Silverbacks at 4:19 - Levi Hantula from Matt Cassidy and Brett Knowles
Salmon Arm Silverbacks at 10:37 - Mark Zengerle from Tyler Gubb
PERIOD 2
No Scoring
PERIOD 3
Vernon Vipers at 9:38 - Jonathan Milhouse from Rob Short
Salmon Arm outshot Vernon 40-22 Tony Ierfino made 21 saves picking up the win, while Graeme Gordon made just 2 saves taking the loss. Gordon was pulled in favor of Blake Voth who made 32 saves in relief.
http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=712849&link=bchl
Here's a look at both team's rosters:
Vernon:
Mike Collins
Braden Pimm
Cory Kane
Dylan Walchuk
Jonathan Milhouse
Cole Ikkala
Kevin Kraus
Connor Jones
Dan Nycholat
Curtis Gedig
Adam Thompson
David Robinson
Steven Weinstein
Kellen Jones
Rob Short
Sahir Gill
Bryce Kakoske
Garrett Noonan
Patrick McGillis
Darrin Robak
Blake Voth
Graeme Gordon
Salmon Arm:
Mark Zengerle
David Killip
Corey Chakeen
Greg Noyes
Tyler Gubb
Travis Statchuk
Charlie Vasaturo
Josh Manson
Christopher Hoe
Matt Cassidy
Bobby Lipsett
Devin Gannon
Brett Knowles
Josh Monk
Jayson Reardon
Rick Soo
Matt Ridley
Justin Krabben
Brandon Mistal
Levi Hantula
Kyle Peden
Tony Ierfino
Kurt Williams
Vipers Look To Clinch League Title:
This is in todays Morning Star Newspaper:Vipers look to clinch league title
Published: February 18, 2010
The Vernon Vipers can wrap up first place in the B.C. Hockey League with a win over the Salmon Arm SilverBacks tonight at the Sunwave Centre.
If not, they’ll have two more cracks at clinching that all-important first-round playoff bye as they visit the Westside Warriors Saturday night at Royal LePage Place before hosting the Surrey Eagles in a Sunday matinee at Wesbild Centre for their final regular-season game.
The 48-6-0-3 Vipers earned a three-point cushion atop the standings with a 3-2 overtime win over the second-place Penticton Vees Wednesday night at the South Okanagan Events Centre.
First star Kellen Jones (12th) rushed up the left wing in OT and snuck a sharp-angle wrist shot between Vees’ goalie Sean Bonar and the post for the winner before 2,323 fans.
“I’m sure he (Bonar) would want to have that one back,” grinned Jones, who played with the Penticton keeper at the World Junior A Challenge last November in Summerside, P.E.I.
Added Bonar, who made 27 saves: “I definitely wanted it back. He just made a good shot. He beat me low blocker. I should have been quicker to my post.”
A constant string of penalties called by Andrew Guest seemed to stymie any physicality between the two clubs. Penticton (46-8-0-4) went 1-for-8 on the powerplay, while the Vipers were 0-for-5.
“Our team worked really hard on the penalty kill,” said Kellen. “It really upsets the flow of the game but we just clawed our way back with a couple greasy goals. It was a great way to win.
“I think the bye will help us a lot, so these are big games coming up. We need a win for sure.”
Penticton’s Alex Szczechura (27th) opened the scoring with the extra man at 8:47 of the first period, tapping home the rebound off Garrett Milan’s shot from the slot.
“Once we do (get chances), finishing our chances on any team is going to be key through the playoffs,” said Milan. “You’re not going to get as many chances, it will be a tighter game defensively against whoever you play.”
Despite the loss, Milan said the Vees still have confidence they can be successful against their rivals.
“We still have eight of 14 points against them,” said Milan of their 3-1-0-2 record. “We won the season series against them. All of the games have been close. We definitely aren’t scared of them.”
After a scoreless second period, Sahir Gill, with his first goal since rejoining the Vipers in January (scoresheet credits Cory Kane), bounced a shot off a body in front of Bonar to equalize for Vernon early in the third frame.
The Vees’ Bo Dolan restored Penticon’s lead after Eric Filiou won a faceoff back to the blueliner, who picked the top corner through traffic to beat Blake Voth (23 saves).
The Vipers’ David Robinson forced overtime with his 11th goal (scoresheet credits Jones), a backhander that redirected past Bonar.
Vees’ head coach Fred Harbinson liked his team’s effort, noting there wasn’t much they could do about the two redirected goals.
“I thought we played hard,” said Harbinson, noting his team battled with three lines as captain Denver Manderson is still out with a lower body injury. “It was a high tempo game. We know we will be fine. We had a good series.”
Vipers’ head coach Mark Ferner was happy to come out of Penticton’s barn with two points. The Vees have lost at home just three times in regulation, and twice in overtime, all season.
“We just needed to get pucks to the net,” said Ferner. “Guys were focused to play within the system. Obviously it’s still a race for first overall. We haven’t had tons of success against Penticton other than the last two games. Morally it was a good victory.”
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Close Shave For The Micker:
This is posted on Gregg Drinnans Blog:Close shave for The Micker
The Revelstoke Grizzlies, a junior B team that plays in the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League, raised $1,226 to help Bruin Stairs, a minor hockey player from Vernon who has some medical difficulties. . . . As a result, Troy Mick, the Grizzlies' GM/head coach, experienced a close shave. The players had agreed to shave their heads if they were able to raise more than $500, while Mick said he would climb on board if they raised $1,000. "Deep, deep down I was hoping they would get close because then we could still give them the money," said Mick. "But they went over-the-top and I'm more than happy to do it because it's for a great cause."
Vipers-Vees Highlights:
Penticton Vees play by play man, Ryan Pinder has posted the Vipers-Vees highlights from last nights Vipers 3-2 overtime win. Pinder also has a good recap from last nights game. Check out Pinders Blog & last nights highlights.http://pentictonvees.podbean.com/2010/02/18/vees-vs-vipers-highlights/
Vipers Shade Vees In Overtime:
This is in the Vipers website:
Vipers shade Vees in overtime
by don klepp | Added 2010-02-18
Kellen Jones scored the winning goal at 2:18 of the first overtime to propel the Vipers to a 3-2 victory over the host Penticton Vees.
The win moves the Vipers one step closer to clinching first place in the Interior Division. They now have 99 points with three games remaining, while the Vees have 96 points and just two more games to play. The Vipers can clinch with a win in Salmon Arm Friday night.
The game was a much gentler affair than Friday’s barn burner in Vernon. Both teams seemed content to win the game with skill and speed, especially in the first period. Yes, the passing was crisp and the tempo was swift, but the opening period lacked emotion.
When the game threatened to become more intense, referee Andrew Guest stepped in with a series of marginal penalties while ignoring other more blatant infractions. The Vipers drew three straight penalties early in the period, and the Vees capitalized on the third.
At 8:47, Alex Szczechura popped in a rebound off Beau Bennett’s shot after Blake Voth had made a quick right pad save. Szczechura showed good puck sense on the play, following Bennett’s path to the net.
In the latter part of the period, the Vipers had two power plays of their own, but were unable to break through the Vees’ tight, disciplined four-man box. Indeed, the Vipers generated their best scoring chances at even strength while the Vees were dangerous only with the man advantage.
The pace picked up somewhat in the second period, but Sean Bonar and Blake Voth were unbeatable in their respective nets. Voth was particularly sharp during four Vee power plays in the period. In one sequence, his stick was knocked away and he made three brilliant stops with his right pad. In another sequence, he stared down Alex Szczechura, who had all the time in the world to make a play just outside the crease.
So, the teams saved the drama for the third period and overtime. First, the line of Cory Kane, Sahir Gill, and Rob Short equalized at 3:03 of the third. Following a strong forecheck, Gill whipped a backhand across the goal face and the puck bounced in off a Vee defender. The goal was credited to Cory Kane by a confused referee.
The Vees rebounded with a deflection of their own at 5:01 when Bo Dolan’s innocent-looking point shot ricocheted off the shaft of a Viper defender in the slot.
Once again, the Vipers equalized. At 14:33, Sean Bonar stopped a Connor Jones shot, but David Robinson pounced on the rebound and fired a high backhand past Bonar. The goal was credited to Kellen Jones.
The third period featured plenty of end-to-end action, but both teams blocked numerous shots and again the goalies were good when shots got through.
Kellen’s O.T. goal came when Connor sprung Kellen loose on the left wing. With a defenceman veering toward him, Kellen got everything into a wrist shot that beat Bonar on the short side.
In the end, the Vipers won this game because they killed off seven of eight Vee power plays. (Coming in, the Vees led the BCHL with a power play operating at 29.91 percent.) All six Viper defencemen had a strong game, as they had in Friday’s win over Penticton.
Kellen Jones was announced as the first star, with Penticton’s Matt Paltridge the second star and Blake Voth third star.
Vipers shade Vees in overtime
by don klepp | Added 2010-02-18
Kellen Jones scored the winning goal at 2:18 of the first overtime to propel the Vipers to a 3-2 victory over the host Penticton Vees.
The win moves the Vipers one step closer to clinching first place in the Interior Division. They now have 99 points with three games remaining, while the Vees have 96 points and just two more games to play. The Vipers can clinch with a win in Salmon Arm Friday night.
The game was a much gentler affair than Friday’s barn burner in Vernon. Both teams seemed content to win the game with skill and speed, especially in the first period. Yes, the passing was crisp and the tempo was swift, but the opening period lacked emotion.
When the game threatened to become more intense, referee Andrew Guest stepped in with a series of marginal penalties while ignoring other more blatant infractions. The Vipers drew three straight penalties early in the period, and the Vees capitalized on the third.
At 8:47, Alex Szczechura popped in a rebound off Beau Bennett’s shot after Blake Voth had made a quick right pad save. Szczechura showed good puck sense on the play, following Bennett’s path to the net.
In the latter part of the period, the Vipers had two power plays of their own, but were unable to break through the Vees’ tight, disciplined four-man box. Indeed, the Vipers generated their best scoring chances at even strength while the Vees were dangerous only with the man advantage.
The pace picked up somewhat in the second period, but Sean Bonar and Blake Voth were unbeatable in their respective nets. Voth was particularly sharp during four Vee power plays in the period. In one sequence, his stick was knocked away and he made three brilliant stops with his right pad. In another sequence, he stared down Alex Szczechura, who had all the time in the world to make a play just outside the crease.
So, the teams saved the drama for the third period and overtime. First, the line of Cory Kane, Sahir Gill, and Rob Short equalized at 3:03 of the third. Following a strong forecheck, Gill whipped a backhand across the goal face and the puck bounced in off a Vee defender. The goal was credited to Cory Kane by a confused referee.
The Vees rebounded with a deflection of their own at 5:01 when Bo Dolan’s innocent-looking point shot ricocheted off the shaft of a Viper defender in the slot.
Once again, the Vipers equalized. At 14:33, Sean Bonar stopped a Connor Jones shot, but David Robinson pounced on the rebound and fired a high backhand past Bonar. The goal was credited to Kellen Jones.
The third period featured plenty of end-to-end action, but both teams blocked numerous shots and again the goalies were good when shots got through.
Kellen’s O.T. goal came when Connor sprung Kellen loose on the left wing. With a defenceman veering toward him, Kellen got everything into a wrist shot that beat Bonar on the short side.
In the end, the Vipers won this game because they killed off seven of eight Vee power plays. (Coming in, the Vees led the BCHL with a power play operating at 29.91 percent.) All six Viper defencemen had a strong game, as they had in Friday’s win over Penticton.
Kellen Jones was announced as the first star, with Penticton’s Matt Paltridge the second star and Blake Voth third star.
Vernon 3 Penticton 2 (Overtime)
I was at tonights BCHL game as Vernon defeated Pentict5on 3-2 in overtime in front of 2,323 fans at the South Okanagan Events Centre.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon: Blake Voth
Penticton: Sean Bonar
1st Period: Off the opening draw the Vipers line of Connor Jones, Kellen Jones & David Robinson got the puck in deep and in the first minute had a real good scoring chance in front with traffic in front of Sean Bonar but couldnt get the puck through the crowd. Back come the Vees and on their first rush up ice Garrett Milan had a great chance but just missed the net. Shortly after Milan and the Vees on a three on two, as the puck come back to Milan who was stopped in close by Blake Voth. Milan with two real good quality scoring chances early. Vernon would then get into some penalty trouble taking back to back to back minors giving Penticton three early powerplays. Vernons penalty kill was sharp early killing off both minors not giving up any chances but the Vipers couldnt stop the Vees on their third man advantage, Blake Voth stopped Garrett Milan in the slot but couldnt handle the rebound as Alex Szczechura burried it past Voth at 8:47 putting Penticton up 1-0 giving them the all important first goal of the game. Just over a minute and a half later the Vipers would get their first powerplay on a makeup call by Andrew Guest who took the flow right out of tonights first place showdown, by calling penalty after penalty. Pentictons penalty kill was solid blocking several Viper shots as the Vees would kill off the minor. Neither team was very physical and now looked afraid to make a big hit thinking they may get a penalty on the play. Both teams with very little chances in a tight checking period. Vernon would come on late in the 1st getting some good sustained pressure deep in the Penticton zone but had troubles generating any kid of offence, the Vipers with 13 shots in the period but very few quality chances. Sahir Gill in behind the Penticton net, got a quick shot off trying to sneak one past Bonar, but Bonar was their to hug the post and cover up the puck. The Vipers carried the edge in play for the final five or six minutes but were unable to get anything past Sean Bonar. Penticton lead 1-0 after 20 minutes of play. The Vipers outshot the Vees 13-9.
2nd Period: The Vipers would start the 2nd period on the powerplay with 37 seconds still remaining from a late man advantage wich was carried over from the end of the 1st period. Penticton would kill off the remainder of the powerplay. Shortly after the Vipers on an odd man rush, the pass went through the slot to a wide open Steve Weinstein who just missed shortside on a good early scoring chance. Vernon would get an early powerplay, Cory Kane in front couldnt handle the bouncing puck after having a wide open net on a great scoring chance as the Vipers come oh so close to tying the game, Penticton would kill off another Vernon powerplay. Again no real offensive threats coming from either team, as alot of battling along the boards took place in the 2nd period. The best scoring chance came when Alex Szczechura was left all alone in front of Blake Voth, Szczechura got two quick shots off in close but couldnt beat Voth as the Vipers got lucky. Vernon would get into penalty trouble once again taking back to back to back minors giving the Vees three more powerplays. Vernons penalty kill was once again sharp, especially Rob Short & Kellen & Connor Jones who ate up alot of the clock on all three penalty kills. The Vipers would excape and kill off all three minors. The Vipers would get a late powerplay but couldnt generate much offence as Penticton killed off the minor, the Vees then would get a late powerplay but again the Vipers penalty kill killed off the minor. Neither team could get much going in the middle frame with so many penalties. Penticton lead 1-0 after 40 minutes of play. The Vees outshot the Vipers 8-7.
3rd Period: Vernon would get the puck in deep early and with some good pressure down low moved the puck around, before Cory Kane put one past Bonar at 3:04 tying the game 1-1. Rob Short with the lone assist. A mad scramble in front of Bonar and somehow Kanes shot found the back of the net. Just over two minutes later the Vees won the draw deep in the Vipers zone, the puck would come back to the point where, Bo Dolans screened shot somehow found its way through a maze of players and beat Voth upstairs at 5:01 as Penticton got back their lead up 2-1. Ryan Viselli with the lone helper on the goal. Just over three minutes later Penticton would go on another powerplay and come close to taking a 3-1 lead. A shot from the slot hit the post as Alex Szczechura was all alone at the side of the net but couldnt connect on the rebound as the Vipers excaped on that play. Ben Sexton then missed from the side of the net after Voth was going down, Sexton fired high and over the net as two real good chances. Vernon would kill off the minor. In the second half of the 3rd Vernon got their legs going and that great cycle were all so use to watching. The Vipers would get the puck in deep and with some good sustained pressure Vernon was finally able to create and generate some real good scoring chances. Kevin Krauss point shot was tipped by Connor Jones but just missed. Braden Pimm with a Penticton player all over him, drove hard to the net but was stopped by Sean Bonar. David Robinson with a chance at the side of the net was stopped by Bonar. The Vipers would then get another powerplay, once again the Vees penalty killers come up with some huge shot blocks, getting anything and everything in the way of the Vernon shooters, in the end the Vees penalty kill got the job done killing off the minor, but just as the penalty expired Kellen Jones beat Bonar at 14:33 tying the game 2-2. David Robinson & Curtis Gedig picked up the assists. I thought it was Robinson who scored the goal but they gave the goal to Jones. At this time it didnt really matter as Vernon had tied the game late in the 3rd. This didnt stop the Vipers as they kept coming with that solid forecheck and cycle down low, moving the puck well, generating chances. Vernon was by far the better of the two teams in the 3rd, especially in the second half of the period. With just 5.5 seconds remaining and a faceoff deep in the Vipers zone, Mark Ferner would call a timeout. The Vees would win the draw, send the puck back to the point, getting a quick shot off the puck was tipped at the side of the net and just went over the top of the goal as a diving Blake Voth hit the ice, as Penticton come oh so close to winning it in the dying seconds. The game was tied 2-2 after 60 minutes of play. Vernon outshot Penticton 8-7.
Overtime: The Vipers with the best chance in the extra period tried sending veteran Mike Collins in for the breakaway, but Joey Laleggia showed good hustle getting back into the defensive zone to break up the breakaway as Collins couldnt get a shot off. On Vernons first real good rush up ice, Kellen Jones crossed the blueline, looked back for the pass but decided to carry the puck into the Vees zone, getting a quick snap shot off from the circle Jones beat Bonar shortside at 2:18 sending the Vipers bench into an uproar jumping onto the ice as Vernon knocked off Penticton 3-2 in overtime. The Vipers outshot the Vees 2-1. Both teams split the season series between one another 3-3.
Top Players: (Vernon)
The line of Connor Jones, Kellen Jones (2 goals) & David Robinson (1 assist) Played very well for the Vipers tonight. Both Jones Twins were really skating hard, working hard down low. This line was very effective and dangerous in the 3rd.
I was also impressed with the line of Mike Collins, Braden Pimm & Cole Ikkala. Pimm & Collins looked very good down low and in and around the net. Collins made some real nice heads up plays through out tonights contest. Pimm was very hard to fight off the puck, especially in the 3rd period.
I was also impressed with the line of Rob Short (1 goal), Sahir Gill & Cory Kane (1 goal). What can you say about Rob Short, this kid worked his butt off all night. Was very solid on the penalty kill, saw alot of time on the penalty kill. Short was very good for Vernon. I was really impressed with Cory Kanes play tonight. Kane was really skating hard and fast tonight, had a few chances where he let his wicked wrist shot go but missed the net. Played one of his better games in a while. Sahir Gills five game point streak came to an end tonight.
Adam Thompson & Garrett Noonan both played very well on the blueline. Thompson took a beating tonight. Looked as if he hurt his shoulder or wrist on one play, went to the bench and gotit chekced out. Stayed in the game and looked fine, but then got tangled up with a Penticton player and looked as if he hit his knee, but seemed fine and continued the game.
Blake Voth (23 saves) Made his 8th straight start for the Vipers making 23 saves improving to 19-2 on the season. Played very well tonight, looked calm and confident between the pipes.
Top Players: (Penticton)
Sean Bonar (27 saves) Dropped his 2nd straight game to the Vipers. Bonar didnt have any real huge saves to make tonight but did play well through out the game. I think he would like to have back Kellen Jones ot winner. Bonar has now given up 16 goals in his last six games.
Alex Szczechura (1 goal) Now has five points in six games vs Vernon. Szczechura had several chances all night. Was really flying out there tonight, looked real strong up front for the Vees.
Garrett Milan (1 assist) I thought played very well in the first two periods. Had two real nice chances early in the opening period. This kid has always played well against the Vipers. Very shifty in and around the net.
Ben Sexton I was impressed with Sexton tonight. Had a few chances, looked good with and without the puck. Had a wide open net in the 3rd but fired high and over the goal.
Matt Paltridge played a solid game on the Penticton blueline, this kid blocked several Viper shots, was the best d-man on the ice tonight.
Game Thoughts: (Vernon)
Another huge victory for the Vipers over the Vees there second in just six days. Vernon really come to play and show Penticton they can play with them. Vernon who was 1-3 against the Vees before this past weekend evened the season series 3-3 with two huge wins. Vernon is now just a single win away from clinching the top spot in the BCHL and in the Interior Division. The Vipers with three games remaining in the regular season. Vernon was unable to play physical tonight with Andrew Guest calling a very tight game. Both teams almost looked afraid at checking due to getting called for a penalty on the play. A very defensive game tonight, with two of the highest scoring teams in the league fans saw more battles along the boards and in front of the net then odd man rushes and lots of great scoring chances. Very little scoring chances at either ends of the rink. Give full credit to Vernon for shutting down Pentictons top players. The Vipers penalty kill was also very strong giving up just a single goal on eight chances. Give the Vipers full credit for not going away, they kept battling and battled back twice, down 1-0 heading into the 3rd and then down 2-1 late in the period to send the game to overtime. All three meetings between these two teams in Penticton have gone to overtime where the Vipers have pulled out two victories.
Game Thoughts: (Penticton)
Give full credit to the Vees for shutting down the Vipers high powered offence for two full periods. Pentictons defence played very well against the Vernon cycle and forecheck in the first two periods but couldnt contain or slow them down in the final frame. This was just the Vees 5th loss on home ice, two of them have come against the Vipers. Penticton battled hard and played hard but in the end couldnt hold the lead. I would say Fred Harbinson cant be happy with some missed opportunities that could have changed tonights game and outcome. Im not one for talking about or complaining about the officials but Andrew Guest once again ruined a great hockey game. This was supose to be a first place showdown and us the fans were treated to penalty after penalty for most of the game. Guest took alot if any flow out of tonights game by calling way too many penalties. & I dont mean just against Vernon, there were calls at both ends that were very unworthy of being called. For such a big game it was sad to see Guest ruin a great game.
Scratches:
Vernon:
Darren Robak
Patrick McGillis
Penticton:
Denver Manderson (Injured)
Hayden Trupp
3 Stars:
1st Star: Kellen Jones (2 goals)
2nd Star: Matt Paltridge
3rd Star: Blake Voth (23 saves)
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon: Blake Voth
Penticton: Sean Bonar
1st Period: Off the opening draw the Vipers line of Connor Jones, Kellen Jones & David Robinson got the puck in deep and in the first minute had a real good scoring chance in front with traffic in front of Sean Bonar but couldnt get the puck through the crowd. Back come the Vees and on their first rush up ice Garrett Milan had a great chance but just missed the net. Shortly after Milan and the Vees on a three on two, as the puck come back to Milan who was stopped in close by Blake Voth. Milan with two real good quality scoring chances early. Vernon would then get into some penalty trouble taking back to back to back minors giving Penticton three early powerplays. Vernons penalty kill was sharp early killing off both minors not giving up any chances but the Vipers couldnt stop the Vees on their third man advantage, Blake Voth stopped Garrett Milan in the slot but couldnt handle the rebound as Alex Szczechura burried it past Voth at 8:47 putting Penticton up 1-0 giving them the all important first goal of the game. Just over a minute and a half later the Vipers would get their first powerplay on a makeup call by Andrew Guest who took the flow right out of tonights first place showdown, by calling penalty after penalty. Pentictons penalty kill was solid blocking several Viper shots as the Vees would kill off the minor. Neither team was very physical and now looked afraid to make a big hit thinking they may get a penalty on the play. Both teams with very little chances in a tight checking period. Vernon would come on late in the 1st getting some good sustained pressure deep in the Penticton zone but had troubles generating any kid of offence, the Vipers with 13 shots in the period but very few quality chances. Sahir Gill in behind the Penticton net, got a quick shot off trying to sneak one past Bonar, but Bonar was their to hug the post and cover up the puck. The Vipers carried the edge in play for the final five or six minutes but were unable to get anything past Sean Bonar. Penticton lead 1-0 after 20 minutes of play. The Vipers outshot the Vees 13-9.
2nd Period: The Vipers would start the 2nd period on the powerplay with 37 seconds still remaining from a late man advantage wich was carried over from the end of the 1st period. Penticton would kill off the remainder of the powerplay. Shortly after the Vipers on an odd man rush, the pass went through the slot to a wide open Steve Weinstein who just missed shortside on a good early scoring chance. Vernon would get an early powerplay, Cory Kane in front couldnt handle the bouncing puck after having a wide open net on a great scoring chance as the Vipers come oh so close to tying the game, Penticton would kill off another Vernon powerplay. Again no real offensive threats coming from either team, as alot of battling along the boards took place in the 2nd period. The best scoring chance came when Alex Szczechura was left all alone in front of Blake Voth, Szczechura got two quick shots off in close but couldnt beat Voth as the Vipers got lucky. Vernon would get into penalty trouble once again taking back to back to back minors giving the Vees three more powerplays. Vernons penalty kill was once again sharp, especially Rob Short & Kellen & Connor Jones who ate up alot of the clock on all three penalty kills. The Vipers would excape and kill off all three minors. The Vipers would get a late powerplay but couldnt generate much offence as Penticton killed off the minor, the Vees then would get a late powerplay but again the Vipers penalty kill killed off the minor. Neither team could get much going in the middle frame with so many penalties. Penticton lead 1-0 after 40 minutes of play. The Vees outshot the Vipers 8-7.
3rd Period: Vernon would get the puck in deep early and with some good pressure down low moved the puck around, before Cory Kane put one past Bonar at 3:04 tying the game 1-1. Rob Short with the lone assist. A mad scramble in front of Bonar and somehow Kanes shot found the back of the net. Just over two minutes later the Vees won the draw deep in the Vipers zone, the puck would come back to the point where, Bo Dolans screened shot somehow found its way through a maze of players and beat Voth upstairs at 5:01 as Penticton got back their lead up 2-1. Ryan Viselli with the lone helper on the goal. Just over three minutes later Penticton would go on another powerplay and come close to taking a 3-1 lead. A shot from the slot hit the post as Alex Szczechura was all alone at the side of the net but couldnt connect on the rebound as the Vipers excaped on that play. Ben Sexton then missed from the side of the net after Voth was going down, Sexton fired high and over the net as two real good chances. Vernon would kill off the minor. In the second half of the 3rd Vernon got their legs going and that great cycle were all so use to watching. The Vipers would get the puck in deep and with some good sustained pressure Vernon was finally able to create and generate some real good scoring chances. Kevin Krauss point shot was tipped by Connor Jones but just missed. Braden Pimm with a Penticton player all over him, drove hard to the net but was stopped by Sean Bonar. David Robinson with a chance at the side of the net was stopped by Bonar. The Vipers would then get another powerplay, once again the Vees penalty killers come up with some huge shot blocks, getting anything and everything in the way of the Vernon shooters, in the end the Vees penalty kill got the job done killing off the minor, but just as the penalty expired Kellen Jones beat Bonar at 14:33 tying the game 2-2. David Robinson & Curtis Gedig picked up the assists. I thought it was Robinson who scored the goal but they gave the goal to Jones. At this time it didnt really matter as Vernon had tied the game late in the 3rd. This didnt stop the Vipers as they kept coming with that solid forecheck and cycle down low, moving the puck well, generating chances. Vernon was by far the better of the two teams in the 3rd, especially in the second half of the period. With just 5.5 seconds remaining and a faceoff deep in the Vipers zone, Mark Ferner would call a timeout. The Vees would win the draw, send the puck back to the point, getting a quick shot off the puck was tipped at the side of the net and just went over the top of the goal as a diving Blake Voth hit the ice, as Penticton come oh so close to winning it in the dying seconds. The game was tied 2-2 after 60 minutes of play. Vernon outshot Penticton 8-7.
Overtime: The Vipers with the best chance in the extra period tried sending veteran Mike Collins in for the breakaway, but Joey Laleggia showed good hustle getting back into the defensive zone to break up the breakaway as Collins couldnt get a shot off. On Vernons first real good rush up ice, Kellen Jones crossed the blueline, looked back for the pass but decided to carry the puck into the Vees zone, getting a quick snap shot off from the circle Jones beat Bonar shortside at 2:18 sending the Vipers bench into an uproar jumping onto the ice as Vernon knocked off Penticton 3-2 in overtime. The Vipers outshot the Vees 2-1. Both teams split the season series between one another 3-3.
Top Players: (Vernon)
The line of Connor Jones, Kellen Jones (2 goals) & David Robinson (1 assist) Played very well for the Vipers tonight. Both Jones Twins were really skating hard, working hard down low. This line was very effective and dangerous in the 3rd.
I was also impressed with the line of Mike Collins, Braden Pimm & Cole Ikkala. Pimm & Collins looked very good down low and in and around the net. Collins made some real nice heads up plays through out tonights contest. Pimm was very hard to fight off the puck, especially in the 3rd period.
I was also impressed with the line of Rob Short (1 goal), Sahir Gill & Cory Kane (1 goal). What can you say about Rob Short, this kid worked his butt off all night. Was very solid on the penalty kill, saw alot of time on the penalty kill. Short was very good for Vernon. I was really impressed with Cory Kanes play tonight. Kane was really skating hard and fast tonight, had a few chances where he let his wicked wrist shot go but missed the net. Played one of his better games in a while. Sahir Gills five game point streak came to an end tonight.
Adam Thompson & Garrett Noonan both played very well on the blueline. Thompson took a beating tonight. Looked as if he hurt his shoulder or wrist on one play, went to the bench and gotit chekced out. Stayed in the game and looked fine, but then got tangled up with a Penticton player and looked as if he hit his knee, but seemed fine and continued the game.
Blake Voth (23 saves) Made his 8th straight start for the Vipers making 23 saves improving to 19-2 on the season. Played very well tonight, looked calm and confident between the pipes.
Top Players: (Penticton)
Sean Bonar (27 saves) Dropped his 2nd straight game to the Vipers. Bonar didnt have any real huge saves to make tonight but did play well through out the game. I think he would like to have back Kellen Jones ot winner. Bonar has now given up 16 goals in his last six games.
Alex Szczechura (1 goal) Now has five points in six games vs Vernon. Szczechura had several chances all night. Was really flying out there tonight, looked real strong up front for the Vees.
Garrett Milan (1 assist) I thought played very well in the first two periods. Had two real nice chances early in the opening period. This kid has always played well against the Vipers. Very shifty in and around the net.
Ben Sexton I was impressed with Sexton tonight. Had a few chances, looked good with and without the puck. Had a wide open net in the 3rd but fired high and over the goal.
Matt Paltridge played a solid game on the Penticton blueline, this kid blocked several Viper shots, was the best d-man on the ice tonight.
Game Thoughts: (Vernon)
Another huge victory for the Vipers over the Vees there second in just six days. Vernon really come to play and show Penticton they can play with them. Vernon who was 1-3 against the Vees before this past weekend evened the season series 3-3 with two huge wins. Vernon is now just a single win away from clinching the top spot in the BCHL and in the Interior Division. The Vipers with three games remaining in the regular season. Vernon was unable to play physical tonight with Andrew Guest calling a very tight game. Both teams almost looked afraid at checking due to getting called for a penalty on the play. A very defensive game tonight, with two of the highest scoring teams in the league fans saw more battles along the boards and in front of the net then odd man rushes and lots of great scoring chances. Very little scoring chances at either ends of the rink. Give full credit to Vernon for shutting down Pentictons top players. The Vipers penalty kill was also very strong giving up just a single goal on eight chances. Give the Vipers full credit for not going away, they kept battling and battled back twice, down 1-0 heading into the 3rd and then down 2-1 late in the period to send the game to overtime. All three meetings between these two teams in Penticton have gone to overtime where the Vipers have pulled out two victories.
Game Thoughts: (Penticton)
Give full credit to the Vees for shutting down the Vipers high powered offence for two full periods. Pentictons defence played very well against the Vernon cycle and forecheck in the first two periods but couldnt contain or slow them down in the final frame. This was just the Vees 5th loss on home ice, two of them have come against the Vipers. Penticton battled hard and played hard but in the end couldnt hold the lead. I would say Fred Harbinson cant be happy with some missed opportunities that could have changed tonights game and outcome. Im not one for talking about or complaining about the officials but Andrew Guest once again ruined a great hockey game. This was supose to be a first place showdown and us the fans were treated to penalty after penalty for most of the game. Guest took alot if any flow out of tonights game by calling way too many penalties. & I dont mean just against Vernon, there were calls at both ends that were very unworthy of being called. For such a big game it was sad to see Guest ruin a great game.
Scratches:
Vernon:
Darren Robak
Patrick McGillis
Penticton:
Denver Manderson (Injured)
Hayden Trupp
3 Stars:
1st Star: Kellen Jones (2 goals)
2nd Star: Matt Paltridge
3rd Star: Blake Voth (23 saves)
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
(Game Preview) Vernon @ Penticton:
Vernon (47-6-0-3) @ Penticton (46-8-0-3)Last Game Played:
Saturday February 13th Vernon defeated Prince George 5-2
Sunday February 14th Penticton defeated Prince George 7-0
Tonight is the sixth & final meeting of the regular season between the defending Royal Bank Cup Champion Vernon Vipers & the Penticton Vees. The Vipers are on a four game winning streak, while the Vees are riding a two game winning streak.
Let’s take a look at the Vernon Vipers:
The Vipers currently sit #1 overall in the league as the BCHL’s best team & #2 overall in Canada with a record of 47-6-0-3 just two points up on the 2nd place Penticton Vees. Vernon has scored a league high 281 goals and given up the least amount of goals with just 111. Vernon is 24-4-0-1 at home & 23-2-0-2 on the road. The Vipers are 8-1-0-1 in their last 10 games. The Vipers have three players in the leagues top 20 in scoring. Connor Jones (35-42-77), Mike Collins (28-46-74) & Braden Pimm (25-41-66). Blake Voth leads the league as the BCHL’s top goaltender. Voth has a record of 18-2 with 3 shutouts and a GAA of 1.81 Graeme Gordon is 3rd the leagues top 10 goaltenders with a record of 29-7 with 2 shutouts and a GAA of 2.03
This is the first of a final three game road trip for Vernon facing off against the top teams In the Interior Division. If the Vipers want to clinch first place their going to have their hands full with three tough games on the road. Penticton tonight, Salmon Arm Friday & Westside Saturday. Vernon then comes home and plays its final game of the regular season Sunday vs Surrey.
The Vipers need a solid 60 minute effort again just like they played in Fridays 5-3 win over the Vees.
Tonights game should have a playoff like atmosphere to it, with both teams wanting that top spot in the Interior Division.
Specialty teams will be a huge part of tonights game, Vernon needs to try and stay out of the penalty box and make Penticton pay on the powerplay.
Vernon is 2-2-0-1 against Penticton this season.
Sean Bonar has played very well against Vernon this season & in his career, so the Vipers need to get lots of traffic and pucks towards the veteran goaltender. The Vipers need to drive to the net and get bodies in and around Bonar. The only way your going to beat Sean Bonar is getting the goaltender to move side to side.
Will Blake Voth get his 8th straight start for the Vipers? Or will Graeme Gordon be back from his injury & get the call between the pipes?
Tonight should be a very entertaining and exciting hockey game as the leagues top two teams meetup.
Vernon is 4-23 on the powerplay against the Vees in all five games this year.
The Vipers need to be ready to battle and play physical against Penticton, it showed in Fridays 5-3 win over the Vees that this team dosnt like to be hit.
Vernon needs to slow down & try and contain sniper Beau Bennett who is very dangerous with the puck. The Vipers also need to keep their eye on Garrett Milan and Joey Laleggia who has points in 18 straight games.
Players To Watch:
Connor Jones (35-42-77)
Mike Collins (28-46-74)
Braden Pimm (25-41-66)
Jonathan Milhouse (19-31-50)
Kellen Jones (11-39-50)
Cory Kane (21-27-48)
Dylan Walchuk (19-27-46)
Rob Short (21-23-44)
Cole Ikkala (22-22-44)
Dan Nycholat (6-36-42)
Bryce Kakoske (12-27-39)
Kevin Kraus (4-21-25)
Curtis Gedig (11-9-20)
David Robinson (11-9-20)
Graeme Gordon (29-7 Record-1 Shutout 2.03 GAA)
Blake Voth (18-2 Record-3 Shutouts-1.81 GAA)
Let’s take a look at the Penticton Vees:
The Vees currently sit in 2nd place in the Interior Division & #3 overall in Canada with a record of 46-8-0-3 two points back of the league leading Vernon Vipers. The Vees have scored 270 goals and given up 133 goals. Penticton is 23-3-0-1 on home ice & 23-5-0-2 on the road. Penticton is 8-2-0-0 in their last 10 games. The Vees have two players in the leagues top 20 in scoring. Vees Captain Denver Manderson (Injured) is the leagues 2nd leading scorer with (40-73-113) while Beau Bennett is the leagues 3rd leading scorer with (41-71-112) Joel Rumpel & Sean Bonar are in the leagues top 10 goaltenders. Rumpel is 2nd in the leagues top goaltenders with a 18-3 record, two shutouts and a GAA of 1.92 Sean Bonar is 7th in the league in goaltenders with a 27-8 record. Bonar has four shutouts and a GAA of 2.59 For more info, stats and great game coverage check out Ryan Pinders Penticton Vees blog, http://pentictonvees.podbean.com/
Penticton has three games remaining in the regular season but all are at home. Tonight vs Vernon, Friday vs Westside and Saturday vs Trail.
In the five games between these two teams this season, Penticton is 5-21 with the man advantage.
Vees Captain Denver Manderson has two goals and four assists in four games vs. Vernon.
Alex Szczechura & Joey Holka have four points against Vernon.
Penticton is 1-1 at home vs. Vernon this season.
Goaltending will be key for both of these two teams.
The Vees have lost just four games on home ice but heading into tonights contest have one loss in their last five home games.
Vees Captain Denver Manderson is still out of the lineup due to an injury, no word on when the Vees leading scorer will return.
Penticton needs to try and slow down and contain the Vipers top line of Connor Jones, Kellen Jones & David Robinson.
The Vees have 15 NCAA commited players this year already.
Penticton is playing its fifth game in just nine days.
The Vees have the hottest scorer and reigning player of the week Beau Bennett. The 18-year-old rookie sensation racked up six goals and 14 points in four games last week and has 48 points in his last 17 games.
After two fights and both coaches going at one another between both benches, will see some fire works tonight? Or is the two points and first place more important?
Players To Watch:
Denver Manderson (40-73-113)
Beau Bennett (41-71-112)
Joey Laleggia (12-48-60)
Alex Szczechura (26-32-58)
Garrett Milan (28-27-55)
Joey Holka (26-23-49)
Andrew Pickering (13-32-45)
Ben Sexton (12-26-38)
Matt Paltridge (12-22-34)
Ryan Viselli (10-17-27)
Joel Rumpel (18-3 Record-2 Shutouts-1.92 GAA)
Sean Bonar (27-8 Record-4 Shutouts-2.59 GAA)
Heres a look at the season series between these two teams:
October 3rd @ Vernon: Penticton wins 2-0
Vernon outshot Penticton 34-15 but lost their first game of the season 2-0 after Denver Manderson (shorthanded) & Joey Holka scored for the Vees. The Vipers had many chances but couldn’t beat Sean Bonar who played very well making 34 saves for the shutout. Graeme Gordon made 13 saves in the loss. Penticton ended Vernon’s 22 game winning streak (going back to Game six of last years BCHL Finals)
http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxScores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=712575&link=bchl
Friday October 9th @ Penticton: Vernon wins 2-1 Overtime
Mike Collins 2nd period goal looked like the game winner before Alex Szczechura tied the game late in the 3rd at 15:11 sending the game to overtime. Dylan Walchuk setup Rob Short at 2:30 of the extra period giving the Vipers the 2-1 OT victory. Graeme Gordon made 24 saves for the win, while Sean Bonar made 25 saves taking the loss. Vernon outshot Penticton 27-25.
http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxScores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=712589
Friday, December 4th @ Vernon: Penticton wins 4-1
Alex Szczechura & Denver Manderson seconds apart put Penticton up 2-0 early in the 1st period before Bryce Kakoske with a late goal cut the lead to 2-1. Specialty teams took over in the 2nd period as Garrett Milan & Joey Holka scored on the powerplay giving the Vees a 4-1 lead heading into the 3rd. No scoring in the final period as Penticton defeated the Vipers 4-1 outshooting Vernon 36-25. Sean Bonar made 25 saves for the win, while Graeme Gordon made 32 saves taking the loss. Denver Manderson collected three points.
http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxScores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=712772
Saturday, December 12th @ Penticton: Penticton wins 3-2 overtime
SCORING SUMMARY
PERIOD 1
Vernon Vipers at 4:19 (PP) - Jonathan Milhouse from Connor Jones and Dan Nycholat
PERIOD 2
No Scoring
PERIOD 3
Penticton Vees at 2:06 (PP) - Joey Laleggia from Beau Bennett and Denver Manderson
Vernon Vipers at 4:35 (SH) - Jonathan Milhouse from Mike Collins and Dan Nycholat
Penticton Vees at 9:45 - Joey Holka from Garrett Milan and Ben Sexton
OVERTIME
Penticton Vees at 3:40 - Matt Paltridge from Beau Bennett and Denver Manderson
Vernon outshoots Penticton 39-28 Sean Bonar makes 37 saves for the victory, while Graeme Gordon makes 25 saves taking the loss.
http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=712800&link=bchl
Friday February 12th @ Vernon: Vernon wins 5-3
SCORING SUMMARY
PERIOD 1
Vernon Vipers at 3:52 - Kellen Jones from Kevin Kraus and Connor Jones
PERIOD 2
Vernon Vipers at 6:38 (PP) - Mike Collins from Dan Nycholat
Vernon Vipers at 8:37 (PP) - Cole Ikkala from Connor Jones and Dan Nycholat
Penticton Vees at 9:43 - Joey Laleggia from Logan Johnston and Bo Dolan
Vernon Vipers at 18:42 - Connor Jones from Kellen Jones and David Robinson
PERIOD 3
Penticton Vees at 12:36 (PP) - Garrett Milan from Beau Bennett and Alex Szczechura
Penticton Vees at 13:51 (PP) - Beau Bennett from Joey Laleggia and Ben Sexton
Vernon Vipers at 19:27 (PP) - Braden Pimm from Sahir Gill and Adam Thompson
Vernon outshot Penticton 29-20. Blake Voth made 17 saves for the win, while Sean Bonar made 24 saves taking the loss.
http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=712976&link=bchl
Here's a look at both team's rosters:
Vernon:
Mike Collins
Braden Pimm
Cory Kane
Dylan Walchuk
Jonathan Milhouse
Cole Ikkala
Kevin Kraus
Connor Jones
Dan Nycholat
Curtis Gedig
Adam Thompson
David Robinson
Steven Weinstein
Kellen Jones
Rob Short
Sahir Gill
Bryce Kakoske
Garrett Noonan
Patrick McGillis
Darrin Robak
Blake Voth
Graeme Gordon
Penticton:
Denver Manderson
Beau Bennett
Joey Laleggia
Alex Szczechura
Garrett Milan
Joey Holka
Andrew Pickering
Ben Sexton
Matt Paltridge
Logan Johnston
Ryan Viselli
Jake Johnson
Eric Filiou
Isaac Macleod
Bo Dolan
Luke Curadi
Derik Johnson
Byron Sorensen
Stefan Nicholishen
Joel Rumpel
Sean Bonar
Vees Cling To First-Place Hopes:
This was in yesterdays Penticton Herald Newspaper:
Vees cling to first-place hopes
By David Crompton
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Mathematically, the Penticton Vees don‘t have to beat the Vernon Vipers tonight to have a chance to catch Vernon for first place in the Interior Conference.
But, realistically, the Vees have to win – and even then they‘ll need some help to finish on top and get the bye in the first round of the playoffs.
The Vees and Vipers convene for the sixth and final time in the regular season tonight at 7 p.m. at the South Okanagan Events Centre.
“It‘s going to be another big test for us,” said Vees general manager and head coach Fred Harbinson. “We‘ve still got a really good chance, when you look at the schedule, if we can win tonight.
“If we end up (in second place), it‘s not the end of the world.”
The Vees missed a big chance to move into first place on Friday when the Vipers beat Penticton 5-3 at Wesbild Centre. The Vees (46-8-3) did bounce back to clobber both Merritt 9-3 and Prince George 7-0 at home, but now sit two points back of Vernon with the Vipers (47-6-3) holding a game in hand.
“Vernon played really physical and we didn‘t respond until it was too late,” said Harbinson. “It was a disappointing loss, but we bounced back and jumped on (Merritt and P.G.) early the next two nights to give ourselves one more chance.”
The Vees still lead the season series seven points to five, but the Vipers could all but clinch the conference title if they win in regulation time tonight.
The Vees would hold the tiebreaker with an overtime loss or tie, but then would need a lot of help to catch the Vipers on the last weekend of the regular season.
The Vees finish up with home games against Westside and Trail, while Vernon plays in Salmon Arm and Westside before closing it out at home against Surrey.
The Vees will not have captain and scoring leader Denver Manderson for tonight‘s game, and the 113-point gunner likely won‘t play in the final two games on the weekend. Manderson has missed seven straight games with an undisclosed lower-body injury, but maintained that he has “turned a corner” in his rehabilitation.
Asked if Manderson would see action before the playoffs, Harbinson said simply: “I wouldn‘t count on it.”
The Vees, however, do have the BCHL‘s hottest scorer and reigning player of the week Beau Bennett. The 18-year-old rookie sensation racked up six goals and 14 points in four games last week and has 48 points in his last 17 games.
Bennett is third in the league with 112 points, Manderson has 113 and Salmon Arm‘s Mark Zengerle has 114 points with three games left.
While Manderson is still out, talented forwards Eric Filiou (mono) and Alex Szczechura (lacerated finger) returned last week after missing 15 and five games, respectively.
“Filiou was a lot better in the last two games and Szczechura is starting to shoot the puck again,” said Harbinson. “We‘ve definitely got things going in the right direction with the playoffs around the corner.”
Harbinson said the Vees will go with No. 1 goalie Sean Bonar against Vernon. Bonar took the loss Friday in Vernon, but then got the shutout against P.G.
“Couldn‘t fault Sean at all on any of the goals,” the coach said. “We deflected two into our own net and they had a couple more on bang-bang plays.”
The Vees have a chance to either tie or eclipse the franchise record for wins in a season of 48 set in 2000-01 when the then-Penticton Panthers went 48-10-2.
“It‘s not something we focus on, but it just says that no matter if we‘re first or second that ’hey, we had a pretty good year‘,” said Harbinson.
ICE CHIPS: The Vipers and Vees are second and third, respectively, in the Canadian Jr. A Hockey League weekly rankings. Spruce Grove Saints of the Alberta league remain No. 1, while the BCHL‘s Alberni Valley Bulldogs moved up one spot to No. 5 … Vees rookie D Joey Laleggia has a league-best 18-game point streak going. Laleggia also leads all BCHL defencemen with 60 points … In between weekend home games, the Vees will hold their annual dinner and awards banquet Saturday at the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre. Tickets are $30 and must be purchased in advance.
Vees cling to first-place hopes
By David Crompton
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Mathematically, the Penticton Vees don‘t have to beat the Vernon Vipers tonight to have a chance to catch Vernon for first place in the Interior Conference.
But, realistically, the Vees have to win – and even then they‘ll need some help to finish on top and get the bye in the first round of the playoffs.
The Vees and Vipers convene for the sixth and final time in the regular season tonight at 7 p.m. at the South Okanagan Events Centre.
“It‘s going to be another big test for us,” said Vees general manager and head coach Fred Harbinson. “We‘ve still got a really good chance, when you look at the schedule, if we can win tonight.
“If we end up (in second place), it‘s not the end of the world.”
The Vees missed a big chance to move into first place on Friday when the Vipers beat Penticton 5-3 at Wesbild Centre. The Vees (46-8-3) did bounce back to clobber both Merritt 9-3 and Prince George 7-0 at home, but now sit two points back of Vernon with the Vipers (47-6-3) holding a game in hand.
“Vernon played really physical and we didn‘t respond until it was too late,” said Harbinson. “It was a disappointing loss, but we bounced back and jumped on (Merritt and P.G.) early the next two nights to give ourselves one more chance.”
The Vees still lead the season series seven points to five, but the Vipers could all but clinch the conference title if they win in regulation time tonight.
The Vees would hold the tiebreaker with an overtime loss or tie, but then would need a lot of help to catch the Vipers on the last weekend of the regular season.
The Vees finish up with home games against Westside and Trail, while Vernon plays in Salmon Arm and Westside before closing it out at home against Surrey.
The Vees will not have captain and scoring leader Denver Manderson for tonight‘s game, and the 113-point gunner likely won‘t play in the final two games on the weekend. Manderson has missed seven straight games with an undisclosed lower-body injury, but maintained that he has “turned a corner” in his rehabilitation.
Asked if Manderson would see action before the playoffs, Harbinson said simply: “I wouldn‘t count on it.”
The Vees, however, do have the BCHL‘s hottest scorer and reigning player of the week Beau Bennett. The 18-year-old rookie sensation racked up six goals and 14 points in four games last week and has 48 points in his last 17 games.
Bennett is third in the league with 112 points, Manderson has 113 and Salmon Arm‘s Mark Zengerle has 114 points with three games left.
While Manderson is still out, talented forwards Eric Filiou (mono) and Alex Szczechura (lacerated finger) returned last week after missing 15 and five games, respectively.
“Filiou was a lot better in the last two games and Szczechura is starting to shoot the puck again,” said Harbinson. “We‘ve definitely got things going in the right direction with the playoffs around the corner.”
Harbinson said the Vees will go with No. 1 goalie Sean Bonar against Vernon. Bonar took the loss Friday in Vernon, but then got the shutout against P.G.
“Couldn‘t fault Sean at all on any of the goals,” the coach said. “We deflected two into our own net and they had a couple more on bang-bang plays.”
The Vees have a chance to either tie or eclipse the franchise record for wins in a season of 48 set in 2000-01 when the then-Penticton Panthers went 48-10-2.
“It‘s not something we focus on, but it just says that no matter if we‘re first or second that ’hey, we had a pretty good year‘,” said Harbinson.
ICE CHIPS: The Vipers and Vees are second and third, respectively, in the Canadian Jr. A Hockey League weekly rankings. Spruce Grove Saints of the Alberta league remain No. 1, while the BCHL‘s Alberni Valley Bulldogs moved up one spot to No. 5 … Vees rookie D Joey Laleggia has a league-best 18-game point streak going. Laleggia also leads all BCHL defencemen with 60 points … In between weekend home games, the Vees will hold their annual dinner and awards banquet Saturday at the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre. Tickets are $30 and must be purchased in advance.
Vipers School Rookie-Laden Kings:
This is in todays Morning Star Newspaper:Vipers school rookie-laden Kings
By Graeme Corbett - Vernon Morning Star
Published: February 16, 2010
Compared to Friday’s heavyweight showdown with the Penticton Vees, the Vernon Vipers’ Saturday-night tilt with the Prince George Spruce Kings looked more like a sparring session.
With nine rookies and a short bench, the Kings offered minimal resistance to the Snakes, who looked disinterested at times in earning a 5-2 decision before 1,900 B.C. Hockey League fans at Wesbild Centre.
Vernon (47-6-0-3), who visit the Vees (46-8-0-3) tonight at South Okanagan Events Centre, peppered Sprucies’ netminder Kyle Nielsen with 19 of their 45 shots in the first period. The New Westminster product showed a good glove hand, limiting the Vipers to one goal in the opening 20 minutes.
Nielsen stopped Cory Kane’s backhander on a partial breakaway early on, then had to be sharp get a blocker on Kevin Kraus’s deflected point shot.
Vipers’ forward Connor Jones (35th goal) finally solved the Kings’ keeper when he wheeled up the middle, and pulled a slick toe drag before firing a quick snap shot past Nielsen’s blocker at 12:05.
Vipers’ assistant coach Jason Williamson wasn’t surprised the by lack of intensity.
“They didn’t have a lot of jump either. We want to be more physical, but you can’t because you’ve got the puck the whole time.
“There’s always a little bit of a hangover after a big game, but they’ll get up for it again (against Penticton on Wednesday).
“We were good enough to win, that’s about it.”
The 16-36-1-4 Kings equalized on an early second-period powerplay as super pest Zac Rasmussen set up RJay Berra (15th) for an easy redirect past netminder Blake Voth, who faced just one shot in the opening frame.
That seemed to wake the Vipers up because a minute later, Cole Ikkala (22nd) took a nice neutral-zone feed from Mike Collins to race in alone, unleashing a wicked snapshot past Nielsen.
David Robinson, recorded his 11th goal a few minutes after that, chipping in a loose puck at side of net to make it 3-1 Vipers.
“(Friday) night felt like a playoff game out there and tonight we came out flat,” said Robinson.
“Maybe you can call it a hangover, but we’ve got to play every game the same way. A good team doesn’t take a night off, but we kind of did that tonight. The urgency wasn’t there for us.”
Joe Morgan (15th), one of just three 1989-born players in the Spruce Kings’ lineup, pulled Prince George within a goal at 13:32.
But as the game wore on, the Vipers had their way with Kings in the offensive zone, generating numerous odd-man rushes and generally playing keepaway with the puck for long stretches.
Said Sprucies’ head coach Ed Dempsey: “They’re trying to finish first in their division and the BCHL. Give them credit, they were very business-like and did what they needed to beat us.
“Our goalie was outstanding, and once our forwards got going we did a pretty good job, but our defence didn’t play hard enough.”
With Prince George mathematically eliminated from playoff contention, their remaining games are basically an audition for next season. Coldstream’s Riley Spraggs, who plays with the KIJHL’s Revelstoke Grizzlies, played his fifth game as a call-up with Prince George against the Vipers, and Dempsey liked what he saw.
“He works hard, he’s a good skater, gets involved and bangs around. I was happy with the way he played.
“We’re giving ice time to a lot of young guys...it’s an audition. This is a good chance for us to see them under fire.”
Added Spraggs: “I thought we did a pretty good job of containing them on the powerplay. Our goalie stood on his head tonight with all those shots, but it’s tough to get going against a team that’s this skilled.”
Third-period goals by third star Robbie Short (21st), on a sweet centering pass from Sahir Gill, and first star Kellen Jones (11th), on a shorthanded odd-man rush with Connor, capped the Vipers’ attack.
SNAKE BITES: Voth, who recorded 16 stops, made his seventh straight start, as veteran keeper Graeme Gordon is day-to-day with a lower body injury...Gill has assists in each of his last five games, Kellen has helpers in four, and Connor has goals in four straight.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Vipers Duo Helped Inspire Scupture Now On Display At 2010 Games:
Vipers duo helped inspire scupture now on display at 2010 GamesTuesday, February 16, 2010 - Submitted by Derek Jory, Vancouver Canucks
When fans enter General Motors Place to take in the most sought-after event the 2010 Winter Olympics has to offer, exhilarating hockey won’t be the only thing on display.
Changes throughout the arena will be as noticeable as its new name, Canada Hockey Place, and one attraction in particular is sure to generate as much buzz as who quarterbacks Team Canada’s top power play unit.
A life-size retro-futurist metal sculpture of a hockey player, entitled Hockey Player, will be on display at Gate 3 during the Games with its permanent home at GM Place yet to be determined. The steel statue is such a breathtaking piece that, like Roberto Luongo highway robbery, words simply cannot depict its beauty.
Standing more than 6-feet tall and weighing roughly 450 pounds (including the base), the sculpture was created off a sketch from more than 800 pieces of steel, 100 in the face alone, it comes apart into two pieces for “easy” transport and took eight painstaking months to build.
The genius/madman behind this epic work of art is Cory Fuhr, a 38-year-old self-taught metal sculptor from Vernon whose larger-than-life work has been featured throughout North America for the past 13 years.
With a distinct eye for the human form and a style unlike what can be found in the world of metal sculpting, Fuhr has established himself as a one-of-a-kind artisan. Combine that with the unique barn Fuhr works out of on an organic onion farm outside of Vernon, a barn he calls the “disaster zone,” which was built by his grandfather, a watchmaker, and the only word that comes to mind is original.
Original seems fitting in this case as his latest masterpiece, one that will draw as many camera flashes as the Olympic countdown clock prior to liftoff, was his first stab at creating a hockey player. He’s tackled a speed skater, a dancer, a diva, a hand and a leg, among other things, but never a rugged symbol of Canada’s game.
“When you get into something like hockey, it’s a bit of a study,” admitted Fuhr. “I wanted the stick to be on the right and I originally saw it in my head a certain way, then I framed it up and realized it was set up left-handed and I had to do some research to see how common that is.”
Fuhr is the first to admit that when he starts working on a project, he goes into his own world and nothing else matters. Understanding that, he’s a hockey fan, just not one with a wealth of knowledge for the sport.
Turns out Fuhr’s neighbours are billeting a pair of Californians playing for the Vernon Vipers of the BCHL this season, forward Cory Kane and defenceman Steve Weinstein, so when he ran into a problem, he’d summon his muses.
“They put on gear and posed in a lot of different stances for me,” laughed Fuhr. “They would pop down every week or so and hum and haw over the piece with me and it was nice to have their direct input.”
A perfectionist at heart, Fuhr’s hockey player became a labour of love, like every piece of work he creates, and this led to constant fidgeting and movement of pieces. Almost every day he’d cut out a part and weld it somewhere new, even if it was just moved a fraction of an inch, until the flow was finally right.
“When it’s done, I know it’s done because it becomes more than the sum of the parts, it becomes a moving, fast-looking form,” added Fuhr.
When the process was complete, a hockey player like no other, one gliding on its left skate, head up and stick ready to take a pass or blast a shot; one with as much articulate detail in the head and stomach as a human – but with more gears; one that will amaze and re-amaze time after time, emerged, along with Fuhr’s appreciation for hockey.
“The funny thing is that this process has made me respect the game so much more. One of the things about hockey, which I didn’t realize, is that it’s a real gladiator sport, but the rink is small and the game is so fast. You have to be so quick mentally to play it and the more I looked at that and the gear and the structure, the physical structure of the sport, the less random I thought it was.
“My respect level for the game went up a lot. I watched hockey before, but now I totally think differently about the whole sport and see it in a whole new way.”
Those fortunate enough to score a hockey ticket for one of the games at Canada Hockey Place will be saying the same thing in a few short days, but about Fuhr’s Hockey Player.
It’s going to make everyone see art in a whole new way.
Vipers 2010 Awards Gala:
This is posted on the Vipers website:2010 Awards Gala
by Viper staff Added 2010-02-16
Ticket are on sale now until Friday for the 2010 Vipers Award Gala at the Best Western Vernon Lodge on Monday Feb. 22, starting at 7:30pm. The Wine and Cheese Awards Ceremony is a chance for fans and family to watch the Vipers players get well deserved awards for the year and have a chance to meet the players and Vipers staff. Tickets are only $15 each and will not be sold at the door so make sure you get your tickets from the Vipers Office Monday thru Friday, 9am-4pm. For more information you can also contact the Vipers Office at 250-542-6022, everyone is welcome!
Vipers Player Profile With Bryce Kakoske:
Kiss FM's Rob Abramenko has once again made one of his great Vernon Vipers video's, Abro just finished player profile with Vipers forward, Bryce Kakoske. Check it out,http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KtC7QPG4sVY
Monday, February 15, 2010
BCHL Places Three In Top Five Of CJHL's Latest Weekly Rankings:
BCHL places three in top five of CJHL's latest weekly rankingsMonday, February 15, 2010 - Submitted by BCHL Media
The Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL) announced today its Weekly Top 20 rankings in conjunction with NHL Central Scouting. Last week’s rankings and the leagues in which the teams belong to are in parenthesis.
The CJHL Weekly Top 20 as of Monday, February 15th, 2010:
1. (1) Spruce Grove Saints (AJHL)
2. (2) Vernon Vipers (BCHL)
3. (3) Penticton Vees (BCHL)
4. (4) Kingston Voyageurs (OJAHL)
5. (6) Alberni Valley Bulldogs (BCHL)
6. (7) Dauphin Kings (MJHL)
7. (5) Grande Prairie Storm (AJHL)
8. (9) Brockville Braves (CJHL)
9. (10) Pembroke Lumber Kings (CJHL)
10. (8) Oakville Blades (OJAHL)
11. (12) Woodstock Slammers (MJAHL)
12. (11) Georgetown Raiders (OJAHL)
13. (13) Fort William North Stars (SIJHL)
14. (14) Westside Warriors (BCHL)
15. (15) Weyburn Red Wings (SJHL)
16. (16) Flin Flon Bombers (SJHL)
17. (17) Fort McMurray Oil Barons (AJHL)
18. (18) Burlington Cougars (CCHL)
19. (19) Abitibi Eskimos (NOJHL)
20. (20) Les Cobras de Terrebonne (LHJAAAQ)
Honorable mention goes to the Powell River Kings (BCHL), Sherwood Park Crusaders (AJHL), Portage Terriers (MJHL), North Bay Trappers (NOJHL), and Miramichi Timberwolves (MJAHL).
The rankings are based upon a variety of factors which includes the league in which the teams belong to, their winning percentage, their win-loss record, total points accumulated, their goals-for versus goals-against ratio, amongst other factors.
The CJHL is an amalgamation of eleven Junior A hockey leagues from across Canada. More information on the CJHL can be found by clicking on the league website. http://www.cjhlhockey.com/
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Penticton Moves Back Within Two Points Of Vipers:
The Penticton Vees moved back within two points of the Vernon Vipers for first place in the Interior Division with a huge 7-0 win over the visiting Prince George Spruce Kings tonight. Penticton now faces off against Vernon Wednesday night in Penticton in a huge first place showdown. The Vees have three remaining games left in the regular season (Vernon, Westside & Trail) while the Vipers have four games left in the season (Penticton, Salmon Arm, Westside & Surrey)Here's the box scores from tonights Vees-Spruce Kings game,
http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=712986&link=bchl
Vernon Vipers Valentines Day Video:
Kiss FM's Rob Abramenko has once again made one of his great Vernon Vipers video's, Abro just finished a special video for Valentines Day. Abro interviews the Vipers staff and players on love, romance and so much more... Check it out,http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9m_4f41X84
Vipers Skate Past Spruce Kings:
This is posted on the Vipers website:
Vipers skate past Spruce Kings
by Don Klepp | Added 2010-02-13
In a game that lacked last night’s intensity between the Vipers and the Penticton Vees, the host Vernon team did just enough to defeat the Prince George Spruce Kings, 5-2.
Despite out shooting the Spruce Kings 19-1 in the first period, the Vipers skated off with just a 1-0 lead after 20 minutes, compliments of a Connor Jones individual effort. He took a pass from Kevin Kraus at the Viper line and skated through the Prince George team. Connor’s wicked wrist shot sailed over Kyle Nielsen’s right shoulder.
Vernon’s three power plays in the opening frame lacked the urgency from the previous evening, when the Vipers went 3 for 6 versus Penticton. Except for a Dan Nycholat point shot that hit Nielsen’s goal post, the Vipers rarely threatened on their five man advantages in the game. They controlled play, but kept looking for the perfect tip in play instead of going hard to the net.
By contrast, Prince George scored on its first power play when RJ Berra got position at the Viper goal mouth and tipped in Zac Rasmussen’s slap pass at 3:20 of the second period. At that point, the northerners were outworking the Vipers and they outshot their hosts 9-8 in the period.
Nonetheless, the Vipers took a 3-1 lead on goals by Cole Ikkala and David Robinson. Ikkala’s goal, an unstoppable wrist shot from the left faceoff circle, came just a minute and 9 seconds after the Prince George goal. Robinson’s goal, his 11th in 16 games with the Vipers, came as he stationed himself just outside Nielsen’s crease. Dan Nycholat’s high point shot caromed off a body in front, went off the back glass, and right to Robinson, who batted it out of the air.
The goal did not take the air out of the Spruce Kings’ balloon, however. They drew within one goal of the Vipers after a strong forecheck by Jeff Earnest, Joe Morgan, and Lyndon Martell. Morgan picked up a loose puck along the right boards in the Viper zone and fired over Blake Voth’s left shoulder from about 25 feet.
So, despite being outshot by 27-10 going into the third period, the Spruce Kings were down by only one goal.
Realizing that the game was still on a knife edge, the Vipers emerged with more purpose in the third period when they outshot the visitors 18-8. Prince George also stepped up its game and Blake Voth had to be very sharp to deny Rasmussen and Earnest on a Spruce King power play.
On that same power play, Kellen Jones iced the game with a short handed goal at 9:55. He and Connor went in on a patented two-on-one rush and Connor’s pass arrived in the crease as the same time as Kellen’s stick.
Earlier, at 6:59, another hard net drive by Rob Short had given the Vipers a 4-2 lead. Steaming in from the right side, Short deflected Sahir Gill’s perfect slap pass from the PG blue line.
Game Notes:
• The Rasmussen/Berra/Muchalla line, which has scored 14 of the last 17 Prince George goals, generated the bulk of the Prince George scoring chances in this game.
• Cole Ikkala continued his strong play, scoring his 9th goal in the last 11 games.
• The Vipers stayed on course to score 300 goals this season, a feat that has not been accomplished since the Salmon Arm Silverbacks had an even 300 in 2003-2004. (The last Viper team to score that often, the 1998-99 Royal Bank champions, lit the red light 305 times in 60 games.)
• By the way, the 1984-85 Penticton Knights had an incredible 485 goals! Apparently defensive play wasn’t allowed back then. Brett Hull alone had 105 goals in 1983-84.
• Dan Nycholat’s two assists gave him 6 points in the last 4 games. Kevin Kraus, Garrett Noonan, and Adam Thompson were bthe other Viper defenceman to draw assists.
• Blake Voth’s assist on the Connor Jones goal was the rookie goalie’s first BCHL point.
• The win allowed the Vipers to stay four points ahead of the Penticton Vees, who overwhelmed the Merritt Centennials 9-3 Saturday.
Vipers skate past Spruce Kings
by Don Klepp | Added 2010-02-13
In a game that lacked last night’s intensity between the Vipers and the Penticton Vees, the host Vernon team did just enough to defeat the Prince George Spruce Kings, 5-2.
Despite out shooting the Spruce Kings 19-1 in the first period, the Vipers skated off with just a 1-0 lead after 20 minutes, compliments of a Connor Jones individual effort. He took a pass from Kevin Kraus at the Viper line and skated through the Prince George team. Connor’s wicked wrist shot sailed over Kyle Nielsen’s right shoulder.
Vernon’s three power plays in the opening frame lacked the urgency from the previous evening, when the Vipers went 3 for 6 versus Penticton. Except for a Dan Nycholat point shot that hit Nielsen’s goal post, the Vipers rarely threatened on their five man advantages in the game. They controlled play, but kept looking for the perfect tip in play instead of going hard to the net.
By contrast, Prince George scored on its first power play when RJ Berra got position at the Viper goal mouth and tipped in Zac Rasmussen’s slap pass at 3:20 of the second period. At that point, the northerners were outworking the Vipers and they outshot their hosts 9-8 in the period.
Nonetheless, the Vipers took a 3-1 lead on goals by Cole Ikkala and David Robinson. Ikkala’s goal, an unstoppable wrist shot from the left faceoff circle, came just a minute and 9 seconds after the Prince George goal. Robinson’s goal, his 11th in 16 games with the Vipers, came as he stationed himself just outside Nielsen’s crease. Dan Nycholat’s high point shot caromed off a body in front, went off the back glass, and right to Robinson, who batted it out of the air.
The goal did not take the air out of the Spruce Kings’ balloon, however. They drew within one goal of the Vipers after a strong forecheck by Jeff Earnest, Joe Morgan, and Lyndon Martell. Morgan picked up a loose puck along the right boards in the Viper zone and fired over Blake Voth’s left shoulder from about 25 feet.
So, despite being outshot by 27-10 going into the third period, the Spruce Kings were down by only one goal.
Realizing that the game was still on a knife edge, the Vipers emerged with more purpose in the third period when they outshot the visitors 18-8. Prince George also stepped up its game and Blake Voth had to be very sharp to deny Rasmussen and Earnest on a Spruce King power play.
On that same power play, Kellen Jones iced the game with a short handed goal at 9:55. He and Connor went in on a patented two-on-one rush and Connor’s pass arrived in the crease as the same time as Kellen’s stick.
Earlier, at 6:59, another hard net drive by Rob Short had given the Vipers a 4-2 lead. Steaming in from the right side, Short deflected Sahir Gill’s perfect slap pass from the PG blue line.
Game Notes:
• The Rasmussen/Berra/Muchalla line, which has scored 14 of the last 17 Prince George goals, generated the bulk of the Prince George scoring chances in this game.
• Cole Ikkala continued his strong play, scoring his 9th goal in the last 11 games.
• The Vipers stayed on course to score 300 goals this season, a feat that has not been accomplished since the Salmon Arm Silverbacks had an even 300 in 2003-2004. (The last Viper team to score that often, the 1998-99 Royal Bank champions, lit the red light 305 times in 60 games.)
• By the way, the 1984-85 Penticton Knights had an incredible 485 goals! Apparently defensive play wasn’t allowed back then. Brett Hull alone had 105 goals in 1983-84.
• Dan Nycholat’s two assists gave him 6 points in the last 4 games. Kevin Kraus, Garrett Noonan, and Adam Thompson were bthe other Viper defenceman to draw assists.
• Blake Voth’s assist on the Connor Jones goal was the rookie goalie’s first BCHL point.
• The win allowed the Vipers to stay four points ahead of the Penticton Vees, who overwhelmed the Merritt Centennials 9-3 Saturday.
Vipers Get Gritty To Gong Vees:
This is in todays Morning Star Newspaper:Vipers get gritty to gong Vees
By Graeme Corbett - Vernon Morning Star
Published: February 14, 2010
While Vancouver was busy entertaining the world for the Winter Olympic opening ceremony, the Vernon Vipers put on a little fireworks display of their own Friday night at Wesbild Centre.
In an emotionally charged B.C. Hockey League game that clearly meant more than the two points at stake, the Snakes came out with their most physical effort of the season to earn a 5-3 decision over the Penticton Vees in front of 2,432 fans.
The Vipers, who hosted the Prince George Spruce Kings (16-34-1-4) Saturday night at Wesbild, will look to even the season series with Penticton at 3-3 when they visit the South Okanagan Events Centre Wednesday night.
From the opening faceoff, the first-place Vipers (46-6-0-3) took it to the second-place Vees (44-8-0-3), as the Jones boys, Kellen and Connor, set the tone with big hits on Byron Sorenson and Alex Szczechura on their first shift.
In Vernon’s zone, Sahir Gill levelled Vees’ rookie Beau Bennett in the crease after he rang iron on Penticton’s first scoring chance.
Third star Kellen (10th goal) netted the lone first-period tally at 3:52, sweeping in to bury the loose puck after Connor (first star) was checked trying to dangle through slot.
“We went in looking at it as a playoff game and our team really started to play together and really bought into the system – dumping pucks, hitting guys, all the basic things we need to do to win,” said Connor, who railroaded Andrew Pickering with a monstrous open-ice hit in the third period.
“We know Penticton is chasing us, so this win in huge for us. It’s unreal. It’s like a playoff game, great crowd tonight, they were behind us the whole time. Those games are the best.”
Vernon extended its lead in the second frame with a pair of powerplay goals two minutes apart. Mike Collins (28th) walked into slot and wired a shot post-and-in past netminder Sean Bonar at 6:38. Cole Ikkala (21st), standing on Bonar’s doorstep, tipped Connor’s point shot for the other goal.
Penticton responded shortly after when second star Joey Laleggia (11th) drove up the left wing and unleashed a gorgeous shot over netminder Blake Voth’s shoulder.
“It’s always a battle coming into their barn and trying to get a win. We’ve done it twice this year but we knew this was going to be a hard one,” said Laleggia, a Burnaby product.
“Bottom line is they capitalized on their chances. Whenever they got a chance inside the slot they buried it.”
Connor, with his team-leading 34th goal, restored the three-goal cushion late in the second period, converting a sensational spinning backhand pass from Kellen on an odd-man rush.
Fancy goals and highlight-reel hits aside, Vipers’ head coach was most impressed with his team’s commitment to systems.
“That was probably one of our most physical games, but at the same time we were doing a lot of good things away from the puck. Our whole group came to play tonight. Everybody was on the same page.”
The Vees battled back in the third period after referee Jim Maniago, who made some questionable calls against both teams, placed Penticton on a lengthy 5-on-3.
Back-to-back powerplay goals by Garrett Milan (26th), on a sneaky backdoor pass from Bennett, and Bennett (38th), on a nice one-timer to Voth’s right, pulled Penticton within a goal.
Ferner praised his crew for not hitting the panic button.
“It’s a good learning experience for us. A lot of teams would have went the other way, but I thought our guys, especially on the bench, responded in a positive way.”
Any momentum the Vees gained quickly evaporated when Logan Johnston jumped Ikkala right after a faceoff. Not only did Ikkala win the fight with a hard takedown, but Johnston picked up the instigator penalty.
Livid with the Vees’ antics, Ferner, normally slow to anger, exchanged several heated verbal volleys with Penticton head coach Fred Harbinson between the benches. Maniago sent both bench bosses to the dressing room early.
“It’s 4-3, your obviously still in the hockey game and they jump one of our players,” said Ferner. “If you’re going to be a tough guy, then be a tough guy and have some honour.”
Added Harbinson: “Mark wasn’t happy with Logan going after Ikkala there, but we felt there was a head shot thrown our way. I don’t care what the score was, we’re not going to sit back and let them steamroll over us.
“I was happy with the way our guys battled right to the end. It’s going to make for a real wild one on Wednesday.”
On the ensuing powerplay, Braden Pimm (25th) posted the insurance marker with a bullet from the slot with 33 seconds remaining.
For the final crescendo, Vipers’ captain tangled with the Vees’ Joey Holka in the dying seconds.
SNAKE BITES: The Vees played without leading scorer Denver Manderson (113 points), who has missed the last several games with and injury...Vipers’ netminder Graeme Gordon hasn’t played in six games since suffering a lower body injury. Ferner said he is day-to-day...The North Okanagan Knights saw an end to their Kootenay International Junior Hockey League playoff hopes after they fell 6-2 to the host Princeton Posse Friday night at the District Arena. Goals by Trevor Fitzgerald and Karson Holt had the 11-34-0-4 Knights leading 2-1 after 20 minutes, but the Posse (30-13-0-6) stormed back with five unanswered goals. North Okanagan closes the season when they host the Penticton Lakers (13-31-0-4), who clinched the final berth in the Okanagan Division, Wednesday night at Nor-Val Sports Centre in Armstrong.
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