Vees Stung By Redirected Shot, Face Elimination:

This is in todays Morning Star Newspaper:

Vees stung by redirected shot, face elimination
                  
by Emanuel Sequeira - Penticton Western News

Mar 21, 2015

The Vernon Vipers listened to the message delivered by coach Mark Ferner and it resulted in a 4-3 double overtime win over the Penticton Vees Friday at the South Okanagan Events Centre.

"All we told the kids is throw as many pucks to the net as possible, who knows what happens," said Ferner, as his team takes a 3-2 series lead in the BCHL Interior Division Final. "Obviously it wasn't directed at the net. We got a bounce tonight."

Luke Voltin, who opened the scoring at 16:01 of the first period, had his shot redirected off a Vees leg fooling goalie Hunter Miska, who finished with 37 saves and was caught going in the direction he thought the puck was heading, beating him glove side at 5:37.

"That's a double overtime goal. Just throwing pucks. We were lucky to get one past him," said Vipers captain Riley Guenther. "I was just ecstatic. Pretty pumped. We're starting to get bounces our way. We're stating to get rewarded for our hard work."

The Vipers led 1-0 after the first period, however, the Vees rebounded in the second, scoring three unanswered goals starting with Riley Alferd's tally on a wraparound that found a small hole in Danny Todosychuk. Assists went to Matthew Serratore and Jack Ramsey. Ten minutes later, Steen Cooper gave the Vees a 2-1 lead when his centering pass hit a Vernon stick and beat Todosychuk five hole. Cody DePourcq and Dante Fabbro helped set that goal in motion. Seven seconds later, Miles Gendron handed off the puck to Dakota Conroy, who dished it off to Connor Chartier in the offensive zone and he wired his sixth goal in 10 playoff games past Todosychuk's glove. The Viper netminder finished with 48 saves on the night, including 14 in the first period.

The Vipers scratched their way back in the third period starting with Mackenzie Bauer's goal that hit Miska's left shoulder then bounced into the top corner of the net.  Guenther took a pass from Jagger Williamson to force overtime when his shot beat Miska, who appeared to be screened on the play.

Chartier said he felt they started great but took their foot of the pedal a bit.

"I thought we progressed in overtime. Playing better and better and kind of wearing them out. Unfortunately they got a lucky bounce," said Chartier.

Vees coach-general manager Fred Harbinson liked his team's play in the third period and never felt they sat back.

"We made an individual mistake on the second goal. It ended up in our net. Gave them some life," said Harbinson. "Then they get a seeing eye shot with two minutes to go. In the overtime, I thought we really controlled the play. One of the weirder goals I've ever seen in overtime."

Game 6 now shifts to Vernon's Kal Tire Place Saturday evening. Even with the series lead now, the Vipers know it won't be easy to finish off the sixth ranked team in the Canadian Junior Hockey League. Ferner admitted the series is far from over. Guenther expects another war.

"They are not going to roll over. We know the fourth win is always the hardest one," said Guenther. "It will be a great game. Hopefully it will be a good crowd. Good Vernon/Penticton game for sure."

Outside of the Vees' quiet dressing room, Chartier said "it's do or die tomorrow."

"We're not really panicking as a group. We still believe in each other. That's key for right now," said Chartier, adding its important that the group doesn't get too high or too low. "We've been a good team all year. Most successful team Ive ever been on. I believe in every one of the guys."

Should the Vees win, Game 7 returns to the SOEC Sunday at 6 p.m.

Interior Division Finals: Game 6 Penticton 5 Vernon 1

For anyone who could not attend or watch tonight’s Vipers game here are my thoughts and views from tonight’s game. You may agree or disagree but we all have our own view and opinion on any game we watch. This is my opinion and my thoughts on how I saw tonight’s game. I try to be unbiased and give a fare recap on both sides. Thanks for stopping by & visiting my blog.

I was at tonight's Interior Division Finals Game 6 as Penticton defeated Vernon 5-1 in front of 3,196 fans at Kal Tire Place.

Starting Goaltenders:

Vernon: Danny Todosychuk
Penticton: Hunter Miska

1st Period: Off the opening faceoff the Vipers got the play deep in the Penticton zone tried to setup Liam Coughlin who was alone in front of the net couldnt connect on the pass through the slot on a great opportunity just seconds into the game.  A few minutes later Coughlin would send a high shot from just inside the blueline that handcuffed Miska who had troubles making wich looked to be a routine save.  Vernon would get the games first powerplay, just three minutes into the period but struggled as the Vees with a solid penalty kill gave up just two shots killed off the minor.  Both teams looked a little slow/tired after last night's double overtime game in Penticton.  Both teams looked a little tenative early playing with a little caution trying not to make the games first mistake.  The Vipers had the only real scoring opportunities early but it was the Vees outshooting the Vipers 4-1 in the first few minutes.  Riley Brandt was stopped twice at the halfway mark in tight on a good quality chance by the Vipers.  Both teams looked fairly even with not alot of action at either ends of the rink before Penticton slowly come on.  The Vees began skating, moving the puck looked to have more jump over the Vipers as the Vees were coming on in the second half.  Vernon would get into penalty trouble taking back to back penalties.  Penticton with their first of two straight powerplays but it was the Vipers aggresive forecheck that just about cost the Vees the opening goal of the night.  Dante Fabbro lost an edge inside his own blueline with Riley Brandt lurking around for the loose puck would have been off to the races on a shorthanded breakaway but Fabbro was quick to recover swatted at the loose puck to clear it away from the Viper rookie.  The Vees struggled with the man advantage couldnt get setup before Liam Coughlin went in all alone for the shorthanded breakaway beat Hunter Miska in close but hit the outside of the net on a very close call as the Vipers with a solid aggresive penalty kill would kill off the first of two penalties.  Penticton would waist anytime on the second man advantage, moving the puck around Connor Chartier picked the top corner beat Danny Todosychuk from in close giving Penticton a 1-0 lead late in the frame at 18:49 Cody DePourcq & Miles Gendron collected the assists.  Penticton was up 1-0 after 20 minutes of play.  Like I said earlier both teams looked a little slow/tired at the start of the game were fairly even in the first ten minutes.  The Vipers would get the better of the scoring chances held their own in the first half before the Vees got things rolling in the second half.  Penticton carried the flow of the second half played with alot more jump didnt get any real scoring chances other then the powerplay goal.  The Vipers looked out of sink making some poor passes, werent skating, looked a little sluggish didnt have that energy/jump to start the game.  This was not a good period for the Vipers.  Penticton outshot Vernon 14-10.

2nd Period: Just two minutes into the middle frame Vees captain Patrick Sexton with a shot from the blueline had Tyson Jost parked in front forced Vipers starting goaltender Danny Todosychuk to make a difficult save with Jost in front at the top of the crease.  Just over four minutes in veteran forward Cam Amantea gave Penticton a 2-0 lead early to start the period at 4:05 Cody DePourcq and Mike Lee with the helpers.  On the following shift the Vees would get into penalty trouble.  The Vees would lose Miles Gendron after picking up a ten minute misconduct while Vernon would get a two man advantage.  The Vipers struggled with the open ice, moving the puck ever so slowly Vernon waisted most of the PP passing the puck around, taking second looks at the net allowed the Vees penalty killers to get set and block the shooting lanes.  Penticton with a solid penalty kill gave up very little room would limit the Viper scoring chances before the Vipers would end up taking a penalty ending the powerplay.  Both teams played four on four for thirty seconds before Penticton would get a late man advantage.  The Vipers were able to kill off the minor but just as the penalty expired Cam Amantea would get his second of the night and period giving Penticton a 3-0 lead at 8:32 this sending the Vees fans in attendance into a frenzy.  Tyson Jost with the lone assist.  The Vees then began to come on and come on hard, taking it to the Vipers.  Penticton really using their speed and strong work ethic had the Vipers back on their heels down three goals in front of a packed rink gave Vernon troubles all night.  The Vees carried most of the play, didnt get alot of scoring opportunities had lots of sustained pressure.  Hunter Miska lost an edge took a spill in the crease looked to go down awkwardly didnt get up, was in alot of discomfort.  The team trainer come out to talk-check on the veteran netminder who was slow to get up, shook it off and stayed in the game.  Vernon would come back just after the midway mark as Vees starting goaltender Hunter Miska had to make his two biggest saves of the night at this point, made two big pad saves from in close keeping this a three goal game.  Once again Penticton would storm back with more pressure.  The Vipers with a costly turnover inside their own blueline couldnt clear the zone allowed Steen Cooper to setup a wide open Dakota Conroy who beat Danny Todosychuk put Penticton up 4-0 and in full control at 14:06 Cooper & Connor Chartier picked up the assists.  The Vipers who didnt show much for offence tonight responded in a hurry, just a minute and a half later TJ Dumonceaux on an odd man rush beat Miska getting Vernon on the board at 15:37 cutting the Vees lead to 4-1 Thomas Aldworth with the assist got the crowd into the game for the first time tonight.  The Vipers seemed to gain some momentum off the goal and feed off the crowd come on strong to finish the period.  Shortly after Vernon with a ton of pressure deep in the Vees zone were buzzing in and around the goal, Colton McCarthy couldnt lift the puck up and over Hunter Miska who was down come very close to getting the Vipers within two goals.  The Vipers kept coming, with a flurry of chances in and around the net Thomas Aldworth and Liam Coughlin both couldnt lift the puck up and over Hunter Miska who was down for a second time before the puck come back to the point, Brandon Egli's shot went high and over the net as the Vipers with their best pressure-opportunities of the night couldnt capitalize.  TJ Dumonceaux was then stopped by the quick glove of Miska who made a nice save off the Viper MVP.  The Vees reeling, were back on their heels got lucky would excape the Viper attack were up 4-1 after 40 minutes of play.  Penticton with a huge goal early to start the 2nd jumped out to a 2-0 lead just four minutes into the frame.  On the next shift the Vipers would get a crucial two man advantage had all kinds of troubles with the powerplay, couldnt capitalize as the Vees with a solid penalty kill kept the Vipers off the scoreboard.  Vernon really needed a goal at this point in the hockey game.  Shortly after the Vees jumped out to a huge 3-0 lead, just after killing off the two man advantage.  This goal seemed to really deflate the Vipers and the crowd, taking the life out of the Vipers and the rink.  The fourth goal basically put the game away the way the Vipers were playing at this point.  The Vees with a very strong period, were by far the better team.  Penticton didnt generate a whole lot of offensive chances, capitalized on their chances.  Vernon didnt look very good at all for most of the period.  It wasnt until Dumonceaux's goal late in the period gave the Vipers some life, would gain some momentum and get their best pressure of the night had some very good chances in the final minutes once again couldnt capitalize.  Vernon outshot Penticton 17-10.

3rd Period: Down by three heading into the final frame the Vipers needed a goal early to try and get back in the game.  But it was Penticton who come very close to scoring early, just over two and a half minutes into the frame, a shot from in close at the side of the net rolled through the crease and out of the other side as Todosychuk didnt know where the puck was.  A few shifts later Riley Brandt with a great look-opportunity couldnt connect on a pass out front.  The Vipers had all kinds of troubles early getting any kind of pressure on the Vees.  The play went back and fourth with very little action before Vernon would finally get some sustained pressure but couldnt get any real good scoring chances.  The Vees sitting on a three goal lead did a great job at blocking shots, clogging up the neutral zone really limited the Vipers opportunities.  The Vees would put this game away early after Patrick Newell on a breakaway gave Penticton a 5-1 lead at 6:19 Demico Hannoun with the helper.  Both teams would shifts at a time with pressure but no real scoring chances.  Matt Serratore with a great opportunity to give the Vees a 6-1 lead was stopped by Danny Todosychuk.  The Vipers carried an edge in play for atleast half the period had very limited scoring chances as Penticton would come away with the huge 5-1 victory staving off elimination forcing a Game 7 tomorrow night in Penticton.  With the Vees up by three goals heading into the 3rd the Vipers had some pressure at times didnt generate much for offence.  Penticton played very well defensively shut down the Viper top line, limited the Vipers scoring chances salted the game away with an early goal in the frame.  Vernon who really stepped up their physical play in the final twenty minutes played with alot more energy but it was too little too late dropped a very dissapointing game 6 on home ice.  Vernon outshot Penticton 10-6.

Top Player's: (Vernon)

Liam Coughlin I thought played with alot of desire, was one of the lone Viper forwards that really created or generated much for offence.  Coughlin was involved in the play, seemed to always be in the play was the lone Viper that stood out.

Game Thought's: (Vernon)

With a chance to win their 17th Interior Division Championship on home ice the Vipers were outplayed not looking very good at all in Game 6 will have another crack at it tomorrow night in Game 7.  Vernon looked tired/sluggish and very tenative early in the game, never showed or played with much jump-energy through out the game.  Was it nerves?  One of the biggest crowds in recent years other then one goal had nothing to reallt cheer about tonight.  I didnt think the Vipers looked or played very well tonight, everyone looked out of sink, made some poor passes, players overskating the puck, waited too long to shoot, were very slow moving the puck coming out of their own end.  The powerplay was not very good, were way too slow, didnt generate much for opportunities.  I did really like the penalty kill, had atleast one or two good shorthanded chances tonight.  The Vipers with not alot of pressure, pucks to the net or scoring chances.  Vernon had their best opportunity-chances late in the 2nd but other then that, didnt really generate much for offence tonight.  Where was the Vipers aggresive physical play tonight?  They didnt start hitting until the 3rd period, by then the game was over.  The turning point or one of two would have to be Liam Coughlin's shorthanded breakaway in the 1st.  Coughlin scores here and it gives the Vipers a huge 1-0 lead, gets the crowd into the game.  Maybe puts the Vees back on their heels. Or the two man advantage.  The Vipers down 2-0 needed a powerplay goal at this point to get back in the game.  Vernon scores once or twice here and this could be a different game.  It seems over the years that the Vipers never do well-play well in front of large crowds at home.  Going back to the Mike Vandekamp era the Vipers struggled at home in front of a large crowd.  Is it nerves?  I dont know....  After a huge emotional come from behind double overtime win last night in Penticton, it looked like the Vipers emptied the tanks in Game 5 and ran out of gas for Game 6.  This was a pretty dissapointing loss in front of one of the biggest crowds in recent years.  The Vipers better respond and come ready to play in Game 7 with the season on the line. 

Top Players: (Penticton)

Gabe Bast had a strong game on the Vees backend.  Stood his own, was good defensively, played well through out the night.

Cody DePourcq (2 assists) The Penticton native and the lone Vee left from the RBC Cup Championship team had a strong effort-game tonight picking up two assists.  Took a huge check in the 3rd period, was right back up and stayed in the play.  Battled hard, was a warrior down low, hard to contain along the wall, played his heart out.

Connor Chartier (1 goal & 1 assist) Has played very well in this series got Penticton on the scoreboard first with a PP goal played very well this evening.  Strong with the puck, good skater, moves the puck well, hard to defend against.

Patrick Sexton was a rock on the Vees blueline, played physical, dished out some of the more bigger Penticton hits tonight.  Saw alot of minutes, was solid all night.

Cam Amantea (2 goals) The veteran twenty year old scored two huge goals for Penticton, giving them a 2-0 and 3-0 lead in the 2nd period was ready for tonight, come to play.  Playing his final year of Junior hockey had a very strong night.

Hunter Miska (36 saves) Didnt see alot of action but was his busiest-saw the most Viper flurries towards the end of the 2nd period.  Wasnt overly tested much tonight but did have to make a few big stops. 

Game Thought's: (Penticton)

It was one year ago today the Penticton Vees were down 3-2 in the series to the Vipers played Game 6 in Vernon won 2-0 forced a Game 7 where Vernon would come away with the overtime victory.  With their season on the line in a must win situation the Penticton Vees basically dominated coming away with a huge-must win Game 6 5-1 victory forcing a Game 7 back home tomorrow night.  Both teams looked a little tenative early before the Vees would get rolling and carried the play in the second half of the opening period.  Penticton with a huge late powerplay goal got on the board first then scored three times in a crucial second period basically putting the Vipers away.  Penticton playing with a ton of jump and energy looked hungry tonight, outplayed and outworked the Vipers most of the night.  The Vees were very good with the forecheck, won alot of the battles, forced Vernon into coughing up the puck-making turnovers didnt get alot of chances tonight but capitalized on their chances.  In Game 5 Penticton had the better opportunities, couldnt capitalize.  Tonight they took advantage and burried their chances.  It seemed like the Vees would carry the play for several minutes at a time, didnt get any real scoring chances before getting one shot that would go in.  The Vees battled hard all night, were very strong with the puck down low, along the wall and in and around the net.  The Vees really limited the Viper attack, keeping them away from out front, allowing Hunter Miska to see most of the Vernon shots.  Penticton did a great job at shutting down Thomas Aldworth.  Give the Vees full credit for a huge-must win game, playing in front of large crowd on the road, held off the Vipers early before taking over tonight's game.  For a second year in a row these two teams will meet in Penticton in Game 7, winner takes all!

Scratches:

Vernon:

Mitchell Oliver
Nicholas Rasovic
Michael Roberts "AP"

Penticton:

Shane Gwinner
Lewis Zerter-Gossage  

Energy player of the game:

TJ Dumonceaux (1 goal)

Three Stars:

1st Star: Cam Amantea (2 goals)
2nd Star: Connor Chartier (1 goal & 1 assist)
3rd Star: Hunter Miska (36 saves)

BCHL Boxscore,

http://www.vipers.bc.ca/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=1437188&link=bchl

Fraser Rodgers Penticton Vees Blog,

https://pentictonvees.wordpress.com/

Graham Turnbull's Vernon Vipers Blog,

http://vipersvenom1.blogspot.ca/

Interior Division Finals: Vipers-Vees Game 5 Highlight's:

Here are the Interior Division Finals Game 5
highlight's from Friday, March 20th between the Penticton Vees & Vernon Vipers.  Vernon took Game five 4-3 in double overtime lead the best of seven series 3-2.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7ILjOE-Zd4

Game Preview: Interior Division Finals: Game 6 Penticton @ Vernon:

2nd Round: Interior Division Finals (Seven game series) Penticton Vees (7-4) vs Vernon Vipers (7-2)

The Penticton Vees & defending Interior Division Champion Vernon Vipers meet for a thirteenth time this season with the Vees winning eight of the twelve games (regular season & playoffs). Vernon is coming off a Game five 4-3 double overtime victory lead the best of seven series 3-2. You can listen to tonight's game live with Graham Turnbull starting with the pre-game show at 5:45pm on 107.5 Kiss FM.

Interior Division Finals Schedule:

Game 1 Saturday, March 14th Vernon @ Penticton 6pm (Vees won 4-3 double overtime)
Game 2 Sunday, March 15th Vernon @ Penticton 6pm (Vees won 5-2)
Game 3 Tuesday, March 17th Penticton @ Vernon 7pm (Vipers won 5-2)
Game 4 Wednesday, March 18th Penticton @ Vernon 7pm (Vipers won 5-2)
Game 5 Friday, March 20th Vernon @ Penticton 7pm (Vipers won 4-3 double overtime)
Game 6 Saturday, March 21st Penticton @ Vernon 6pm
Game 7 Sunday, March 22nd Vernon @ Penticton 6pm

Here's a look at the season series between the two teams

The Vipers went 2-6-0-0 vs Penticton this season (Regular Season & Exhibition)

Saturday, August 30th (Pre-Season) Penticton @ Vernon (Vipers won 5-3)
Friday, October 17th Penticton @ Vernon (Vees won 3-1)
Saturday, October 25th Vernon @ Penticton (Vees won 1-0)
Friday, November 14th Penticton @ Vernon (Vees won 4-2)
Friday, December 5th Penticton @ Vernon (Vees won 4-3)
Friday, January 2nd Vernon @ Penticton (Vees won 3-0)
Wednesday, February 11th Vernon @ Penticton (Vipers won 2-1)
Friday, February 27th Vernon @ Penticton (Vees won 3-2)

Here’s a look at the previous 21 playoff meetings between Vernon & Penticton:

1966-67 Penticton defeated Vernon 4 games to 1
1967-68 Penticton defeated Vernon 4 games to 0
1971-72 Vernon defeated Penticton 4 games to 3 (BCJHL Final)
1973-74 Penticton defeated Vernon 4 games to 0
1974-75 Vernon defeated Penticton 4 games to 2
1975-76 Penticton defeated Vernon (No Stats)
1976-77 Penticton defeated Vernon 4 games to 2
1982-83 Penticton defeated Vernon 4 games to 3
1986-87 Vernon defeated Penticton 4 games to 0
1987-88 Vernon defeated Penticton 4 games to 0
1992-93 Penticton defeated Vernon 4 games to 1
1993-94 Vernon defeated Penticton 4 games to 3
1994-95 Penticton come back down 3-1 defeating Vernon 4 games to 3
2001-02 Vernon defeated Penticton 4 games to 2
2002-03 Vernon defeated Penticton 4 games to 0
2004-05 Vernon defeated Penticton 4 games to 0
2006-07 Vernon defeated Penticton 4 games to 1
2007-08 Penticton defeated Vernon 4 games to 3
2008-09 Vernon defeated Penticton 4 games to 1
2009-2010 Vernon defeated Penticton 4 games to 2
2013-2014 Vernon defeated Penticton 4 games to 3

All-Time Vernon-Penticton Playoff Records-Stats Since 2004-05:

Since the 2004-05 playoffs Vernon is 25-13 vs. Penticton

Since the 2004-05 playoffs Vernon has outscored Penticton 130-93

Since the 2004-05 playoffs Vernon is 13-5 at home vs. Penticton

Since the 2004-05 playoffs Vernon is 12-8 in Penticton

Vernon's last playoff win at home vs Penticton was a 5-2 victory on Wednesday, March 18th 2015

Penticton's last playoff win at the Kal Tire Place was a 2-0 victory on February 21st 2014

Vernon's last playoff win at the South Okanagan Events Centre was a 4-3 double overtime victory on Friday, March 20th 2015

Penticton's last playoff win at home vs Vernon was a 5-2 victory on Sunday, March 15th 2015

Lets take a look at the Vernon Vipers:

The defending Interior Conference Champion Vernon Vipers return home after a 4-3 double overtime victory in Game 5 Friday have a chance to win the Interior Division Championship for a seventeenth time in franchise history.  The Vipers are 3-18 with the man advantage in the first five games of this series.  Vernon is 4-0 at home in the playoffs have won sixteen of their last seventeen home games.  Since the 2004-05 playoffs Vernon is 13-5 at home vs. Penticton have won seven of the last eight playoff meetings over Penticton. 

Thomas Aldworth (4-3-7) leads the team in playoff goals with four while Liam Coughlin (3-7-10) leads the team lead in points with ten.

Liam Finlay played in 13 games with the Vees (2013-2014) before being traded to Vernon on October 28th 2014 for future considerations (Dakota Conroy).

Graham Turnbull's Vernon Vipers Venom Blog,

http://vipersvenom1.blogspot.ca/

Vernon Vipers 2014-15 Playoff Stats:

Games Played: 9
Wins: 7
Losses: 2
Overtime Losses: 1
Home Record: 4-0
Road Record: 3-2
Overtime Record: 2-1
When the Vipers score first: 4-0
When the opponents score first: 3-2
Leading after 1st Period: 4-0
Tied after 1st Period: 2-0
Trailing after 1st Period: 1-2
Leading after 2nd Period: 5-0
Tied after 2nd Period: 1-0
Trailing after 2nd Period: 1-2
Out shooting Opponents: 4-0
Out shot by Opponents: 3-2
One goal games: 5-1
Goals For: 31
Goals Against: 24
Streak: Three game winning streak

Vernon Vipers Returning Players:

TJ Dumonceaux (94)
Danny Todosychuk (94)
Riley Guenther (94)
Kenny Citron (95)
Liam Coughlin (94)

Vernon Vipers Departing & traded players from last years team:

Dexter Dancs (95)
Michael McNicholas (94)
Brett Mulcahy (93)
Demico Hannoun (95)
Jared Wilson (94)
Colton Sparrow (93)
Mason Blacklock (94)
Josh Bryan (93)
Brendan Persley (93)
Logan Mick (96)
Ryan Renz (93)
Michael Statchuk (94)
Tyler Povelofskie (96)
Matty Saharchuk (95)
Austin Smith (93)
Dylan Chanter (95)

Vernon’s Home record vs Penticton: (regular season & playoffs)

2-3-0-0

Vernon’s Road record vs Penticton: (regular season & playoffs)

2-4-0-1

Vernon’s Playoff scoring leaders vs Penticton:

Liam Coughlin (3-4-7)
Thomas Aldworth (3-3-6)
Luke Voltin (2-4-6)
Riley Guenther (2-2-4)
Kenny Citron (0-3-3)
Liam Finlay (1-2-3)
Riley Brandt (2-1-3)
Brandon Egli (1-1-2)
Luke Shiplo (1-1-2)
Anthony Latina (1-1-2)
TJ Dumonceaux (0-2-2)
Colton McCarthy (1-1-2)
Jagger Williamson (0-2-2)
Blaine Caton (1-0-1)
Johnny Coughlin (0-1-1)
Mackemzie Bauer (1-0-1)

Jarrod Schamerhorn (0-2 Record)
Danny Todosychuk (3-0 Record)

Lets take a look at the Penticton Vees:

The Interior Division Pennant winning & Regular season champion Penticton Vees make their sixth visit of the season to Kal Tire Place.  The Vees are coming off a 4-3 double overtime loss at home Friday in Game 5 are 3-2 in Vernon this season.  Penticton went 3-0 at Kal Tire Place during the regular season are 0-2 in Vernon in the playoffs.  The Vees season is on the line in a do or die game.  Penticton won a league high 44 games this season, losing just nine times in regulation.  The Vees have lost three straight for the first time this season.  The Vees are 3-25 with the man advantage in the first five games of this series.  Penticton is 8-4 vs the Vipers this season (regular season & playoffs) have given up fourteen goals in their last three games.  Penticton has blown two goal leads in three of the five games this series.

Tyson Jost (6-1-7) & Connor Chartier (6-3-9) share the team lead in playoff goals with six each, while Demico Hannoun (3-8-11) leads the team in points with eleven.

Demico Hannoun played 47 games in Vernon last season collecting (15-29-44) in his only season with the Vipers before being traded to Surrey in the off season.

Fraser Rodgers Three Vees blog,

http://pentictonvees.wordpress.com/

Penticton Vees 2014-15 Playoff Stats:

Games Played: 10
Wins: 6
Losses: 4
Overtime Losses: 2
Overtime Record: 3-2
Home Record: 4-2
Road Record: 2-2
Goals For: 36
Goals Against: 30
Streak: Three game losing streak

Penticton Vees Returning Players:

Riley Alferd (95)
Steen Cooper (95)
Cody DePourcq (95)
Jarod Hilderman (97)
Jack Ramsey (95)
Matthew Serratore (94)
Patrick Sexton (94)
Hunter Miska (95)

Penticton Vees Departing & traded players from last years team:

Brad McClure (93)
Brett Beauvais (94)
Nicolas Pierog (93)
Ben Dalpe (94)
Max Coatta (94)
Travis Blanleil (94)
Erik Benoit (93)
Paul Stoykewych (95)
Cam Amantea (94)
Alexandre Coulombe (95)
Shane McColgan (93)
Christopher Rygus (93)
Josh Blanchard (96)
Olivier Mantha (93)

Penticton’s Home record vs Vernon: (regular season & playoffs)

5-1-0-1

Penticton’s Road record vs Vernon: (regular season & playoffs)

3-2-0-0

Penticton’s Playoff scoring leaders vs. Vernon:

Dante Fabbro (2-3-5)
Demico Hannoun (1-4-5)
Connor Chartier (4-1-5)
Dakota Conroy (0-3-3)
Steen Cooper (2-1-3)
Cody DePourcq (1-2-3)
Patrick Newell (0-3-3)
Jack Ramsey (1-2-3)
Tyson Jost (2-0-2)
Riley Alferd (2-0-2)
Miles Gendron (0-2-2)
Lewis Zerter-Gossage (0-2-2)
Mike Lee (0-1-1)
Cam Amantea (1-0-1)
Patrick Sexton (0-1-1)
Gabe Bast (0-1-1)
Jarod Hilderman (0-1-1)
Matt Serratore (0-1-1)

Hunter Miska (2-3 Record)

Here's a look at both teams rosters:

Vernon Vipers:

http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/stats_1team.cfm?leagueID=2393&clientID=1413&teamid=224096

Penticton Vees:

http://www.vipers.bc.ca/leagues/stats_1team.cfm?leagueID=2393&clientID=1413&teamid=224101

Interior Division Finals: Game 5 Vernon 4 Penticton 3 Double Overtime:

For anyone who could not attend or watch tonight’s Vipers game here are my thoughts and views from tonight’s game. You may agree or disagree but we all have our own view and opinion on any game we watch. This is my opinion and my thoughts on how I saw tonight’s game. I try to be unbiased and give a fare recap on both sides. Thanks for stopping by & visiting my blog.

I was at tonight's Interior Division Finals Game 5 as Vernon defeated Penticton 4-3 in double overtime in front of 2,747 fans at the South Okanagan Events Centre.

Starting Goaltenders:

Vernon: Danny Todosychuk
Penticton: Hunter Miska

1st Period: The Vees jumped out to a good start on the Vipers, carried the play early and often.  Penticton was getting pucks to the net and getting control of the play off the opening faceoff was outshooting Vernon 6-1 just over five minutes into Game 5.  The Vipers struggled offensively to start, had troubles getting across the neutral zone and getting pressure in the Vees zone needed three minutes to get their first shot on goal.  Penticton would get the games first good quality scoring chance after a quick low shot from the blueline forced Danny Todosychuk to make the save had to be sharp stopping former Vipers prospect Dakota Conroy on the doorstep.  Two minutes later Miles Gendron's point shot got through bodies in front was redirected at the last second just went wide of the far corner as the Vees didnt get the bounce come close to opening the scoring with two good chances in the opening minutes.  The Vees continued to press and attack carrying the majority of the play didnt get alot of great chances from here on in.  The Vipers back on their heels a bit would get just their second shot of the period halfway through the opening frame were outshot 9-2 at this point.  Vernon would slowly get going in the second half, found a way to get through the neutral zone, getting some zone time in on the Vees defence.  The Vipers looking and playing much better in the second half.  With just over five minutes remaining, Patrick Newell one on one beat his d-man along the boards cut hard to the net was stopped by Danny Todosychuk who made a tough save as Newell was going hard to the goal before stopping former Vipers forward Demico Hannoun on the second opportunity.  Todosychuk making his third straight start of this series was good-keeping the Vipers in the game to this point.  Just over a minute later a hard working play by one Viper (I didnt see who it was) made a dash for the blueline, kept the puck in at the Vees blueline, fired the puck back into Vees teritory.  Riley Brandt with good hustle and a strong forecheck would battle two Penticton Vees down low against the end wall was holding his own before digging the puck free to Luke Volton who was able to find find some open ice went to the net before beating Hunter Miska from in close giving Vernon the 1-0 lead at 16:01 Brandt with the lone helper.  This was the first time the Vipers had opened the scoring in the series.  Just over a minute later the Vees would get the games first powerplay.  The Vees struggled at times but also had some good pressure couldnt convert as the Vipers with a big kill would kill off the minor.  The Vipers now playing with the lead gained some momentum played very well to finish the 1st period.  Vernon was up 1-0 after 20 minutes of play.  Penticton got off to a good start, jumped on the Vipers early.  The Vees moving the puck, created and generated a few good chances early carried the better of the play were the better team in the first half outshooting Vernon 9-2 at the halfway mark.  The Vipers woke up and got their game going in the second half, played much better scored a late goal on a hard working shift by Riley Brandt and Luke Voltin to grab the first lead of the night.  Penticton outshot Vernon 14-7.

2nd Period: The Vees with another strong start to a period for a second straight period jumped on the Vipers early and often.  Penticton skating hard, really moving the puck well used their speed and strong forecheck were all over the Vipers for most of the period.  Penticton getting pucks to the net early forced Vipers starting goaltender Danny Todosychuk to make some good saves.  The Vees pressing hard were buzzing in and around the goal were throwing the puck around come close to tying the game couldnt connect on a few passes in and around the net.  Vernon once again was back on their heels had troubles getting out of their own end and through the neutral zone.  Todosychuk made some big saves keeping this a one goal game.  The Vees would eventually tie the game after the Vipers couldnt clear the zone, Penticton kept the puck in at the blueline got the play down low.  Matt Serratore setup a wide open Riley Alferd who was all alone behind the net just beat Danny Todosychuk on the wrap around tied the game 1-1 at 8:57 Serratore and Jack Ramsey picked up the assists on a goal I think Todosychuk would like to have back.  The Vees would get their second man advantage about a minute and a half later.  Penticton struggled early with the PP as the Vernon penalty kill was solid.  Liam Coughlin looked to do something to his arm-wrist looked to be in some discomfort heading to the bench, would get looked at by the trainer before going to the Viper dressingroom.  Coughlin would return minutes later and finish the game.  The Vees would get a late surge moving the puck around setup Connor Chartier who missed a wide open net in front on a missed opportunity as Vernon would kill off the penalty.  About a minute and a half later the Vipers would get their first look with the powerplay.  Vernon would struggle having all kinds of trouble getting through the neutral zone as the Vees penalty kill did a good job at bottling up Vernon's powerplay unit inside their own zone.  The Vipers would eventually get setup and in the final seconds of the PP get a mad scramble in front of Hunter Miska.  Fighting for the loose puck Thomas Aldworth couldnt get a good shot off with Miska down and out before the puck come back to the slot this time the Vipers fired high and over the net missing on the top half of the open cage as Miska was able to get to his feet just as the Vees would kill off the remainder of the minor.  Vernon was outplayed all period had some late pressure in the final minutes before the wheels come off.  Just as the Vipers had good pressure on the Vees Penticton come back with a good push back.  The Vees would get the puck in deep and with a strong forecheck won the battles along the wall had the Vipers reeling in their own end.  Danny Todosychuk made a big save with two minutes to go before stretching out to make a huge game saver pad save off Dante Fabbro.  On the save Todosychuk was very slow to get up looked to be in discomfort getting back to his feet as the Vipers were able to clear the zone.  Todosychuk bent over for the next faceoff didnt look in good shape before a turnover deep inside the Viper zone, Vernon couldnt clear the zone allowed Steen Cooper room down low to beat Todosychuk fivehole giving Penticton a 2-1 lead at 18:13 their first lead of the game.  Cam Amantea & Cody DePourcq collected the helpers.  Off the following faceoff just seven seconds later Connor Chartier was able to skate through the slot before ripping a high shot over the glove of Todosychuk giving Penticton a 3-1 lead at 18:20 Dakota Conroy and Miles Gendron with the assists as the Vees bench erupted sending the SOEC into a frenzy.  Todosychuk still looking to be in some discomfort stayed in the hockey game as all eyes were on the Vernon bench and backup goaltender Jarrod Schamerhorn.  Penticton had a 3-1 lead after 40 minutes of play.  Just like the 2nd period in Game 4 the Vipers had all kinds of trouble were outplayed for most of the frame.  The Vees with another strong start, jumped on the Vipers early and often.  Penticton really buzzing in and around the goal had several good looks-opportunities in close.  Danny Todosychuk played very well keeping his team in the game.  The Vees would eventually tie the game before scoring two late goals to grab a two goal lead heading into the 3rd.  Vernon with very little offence-pick possession had all kinds of troubles defending against the Vees speed and forecheck.  Penticton outshot Vernon 14-9.

3rd Period: Both teams looked to be fairly even off the opening faceoff before the Vipers would get within a goal just minutes into the final frame.  Mackenzie Bauer jumped on a huge turnover inside the Vees blueline got a high shot off from the point that caught Vees starting goaltender Hunter Miska high near the shoulders looked to handcuff the veteran goaltender as the puck went up and over Miska into the back of the goal cutting the Vees lead to 3-2 at 2:57 Bauer's goal was unassisted.  This goal got the Viper bench and the Viper fans who were in attendance tonight back into the game.  A huge momentum changer as the Vipers slowly come on with the Vees looking at sitting back with a one goal lead.  Vernon was coming on and in waves but had troubles getting pucks to the net and creating chances.  Almost every shift the Vipers would get in across the Vees blueline before either turning over the puck or losing the puck.  The Vees with very little puck possession or zone time were basically just clearing the puck from their zone, changing lines and getting back to playing defence.  The Vipers would get the lone PP of the third, this just their second of the night.  Once again Vernon struggled as Penticton with a huge penalty kill would kill off the minor.  Lewis Zerter-Gossage with a good opportunity one of the Vees few of the period was stopped in close by Danny Todosychuk who looked fine, didnt look to be in any discomfort.  Vernon come close to tying the game after a Luke Shiplo's point shot was redirected on its way to the net, just went up and over the goal.  With Vernon still pressing the Vipers would slowly get pucks to the net late in the 3rd still unable to really generate much for offensive chances.  Miska was seeing all of Vernon's shots until with just over two minutes to go Liam Finlay won the draw, the Vipers got the puck back to captain Riley Guenther whos shot from the blueline somehow got through bodies in front beat wich looked like a screened Hunter Miska tied the game 3-3 at 17:48 Williamson and Finlay with the helpers as the Viper bench erupted.  The Vipers with good pressure had a good attack to finish the 3rd forced overtime for a second time this series.  It was tied 3-3 after 60 minutes of play.  The Vipers with a strong 3rd period kept pushing and pushing, coming in waves didnt create or generate alot of offensive chances got an early goal off a Vees turnover to get within a goal before tying the game late to force overtime.  Penticton sat back most of the period with the Vipers pressing as Vernon carried the majority of the play.  Vernon outshot Penticton 13-12.

Overtime: Penticton responded with a quick start jumped on the Vipers.  Using their speed and aggresive forecheck the Vees pounded the puck in deep before cycling the play down low were buzzing in and around the net.  Miles Gendron with a good opportunity in close early couldnt beat Todosychuk.  Once again Vernon back on their heels looked to be chasing the Vees, having all kinds of troubles with the Penticton forecheck were losing alot of the one on one battles.  Vernon with just one shot in the first fifteen minutes were being outplayed as Penticton dominated the overtime period.  Anthony Latina went into the end boards awkwardly was a little slow to get up would stay in the game.  The Vees throwing the puck around had several good opportunities couldnt beat Danny Todosychuk who kept his club in the game.  Captain Cody DePourcq, Matt Serratore, Connor Chartier and Jack Ramsey all with great chances couldnt end it for the Vees.  The Vipers were just hanging on by a thread would get some pressure late in OT.  The Vipers would get a few good looks at the net setup Riley Guenther whos pointshot got through traffic before forcing Hunter Miska to make a quick glove save off a shot I dont think he saw until late.  Vernon with their best pressure-chances of the extra frame had some good sustained pressure late to finish overtime.  It was still tied 3-3 after 80 minutes of play.  The Vees were by far the better team in overtime, were all over Vernon had several real good chances couldnt find the back of the net.  Penticton looked fresh, had lots of jump and energy were really skating, moving the puck.  While the Vipers looked sluggish-tired through out the extra frame.  The Vipers struggled, were back on their heels had all kinds of trouble containing the Vees speed and forecheck got luck excaping without giving up the game winner.  Penticton outshot Vernon 8-7.

Double Overtime: The Vipers responded after a not so good first overtime come ready to play for the second overtime period.  Vernon got off to a strong start, carried the play early and often.  Both teams had a few shots early with no real scoring chances before Luke Voltin's shot from just inside the Vees blueline looked like a dump in play went off a Vees player in front found the back of the net beating Hunter Miska on a lucky bounce giving Vernon a 4-3 double overtime win at 5:37 sending the Viper bench onto the ice in a huge celebration at centre ice.  Just like in Game 1 the second overtime didnt last very long before a game winner.  The old saying goes, just through pucks to the net, you never know whats going to happen.  The Vipers who have been getting the better of the bounces the last three games got a gift in double overtime for the game winner giving Vernon a 3-2 series lead.  Vernon outshot Penticton 4-3.

Top Players: (Vernon)

Brandon Egli played very well on the Viper backend.  Was one of the more steady d-men for the Vipers.

Mitch Meek also played very well on the blueline.  Was very good down low, made several strong defensive plays.

Riley Guenther (1 goal) Scored a huge game tying goal with just over two minutes to go in the 3rd to force overtime.  For the second straight game was very noticable, had a strong game defensively and offensively.  Was good at moving the puck in a hurry, made that first quick pass coming out of the zone, played with alot of confidence and saw alot of minutes tonight.

Anthony Latina who has been a big asset this season had a very strong night, was flying all game, played one of his most physical games of the season battled and competed hard all night.  Never quit skating, was all over the rink.  A true warrior.

The line of Liam Coughlin, Thomas Aldworth and TJ Dumonceaux worked and battled extremely hard all night.  The Vipers top line didnt record any points but were playing hard.  Dumonceaux was really skating, played with alot of jump in his game, was flying especially in the 1st period.  Aldworth who had plenty of rushes with the puck, couldnt seem to get the bounces or puck luck had troubles getting pucks to the net played with alot speed, was flying all night.  Coughlin also played hard, tried creating and generating chances.

The line of Colton McCarthy, Riley Brandt (1 assist) and Luke Voltin (2 goals) has really stepped up their play in the playoffs has played very well this series had a strong game.  Brandt who was hitting everyone and anyone in his way, had a very physical game, really throwing his weight around.  A huge competator battled and competed all night, won several battles down low and along the wall.  This kid never gives up, plays hard for sixty minutes.  McCarthy didnt stand out as much as in previous games, stayed out of the penalty box playing a much more disciplined game.

Danny Todosychuk (48 saves) Was one of the reasons the Vipers forced overtime and got the victory.  Making his third straight start of this series may have wanted the Vees first goal back was very solid between the pipes tonight.  Made several key saves in the 2nd when the Vees were all over Vernon and then made some big saves in the first overtime with Penticton attacking.  Give Todosychuk credit, after looking to get hurt on a save off Dante Fabbro late in the 2nd period Todosychuk stayed in the game, gave his team a chance to win.  A solid performance for the Viper veteran.

Game Thought's: (Vernon)

The Vernon Vipers come away with a huge come from behind double overtime victory take a 3-2 series lead have a chance to wrap up the series tomorrow night at home.  The Vipers who opened the scoring for the first time this series didnt get off to a good start.  I thought Penticton was the better team in the first half of the 1st period before the Vipers come back with a good finish in the second half.  For the second straight game Vernon didnt look good at all in the 2nd period, were outplayed pretty bad for most of the frame.  Two late goals just seven seconds apart looked to be a killer but give this team full credit.  All season Viper fans have seen this team come back to win hockey games in the 3rd.  This team has done very well this season with 3rd period comebacks and they did it once again tonight.  Down two goals heading into the 3rd the Vipers get a huge goal from Mackenzie Bauer early to start the third giving them some life and getting them back into the game, as the Vipers pressed and took it too the Vees Vernon would eventually tie the game forcing overtime.  The Vipers once again were outplayed in the first overtime got very lucky forced a second overtime before Luke Voltin's second goal of the night was the OT winner.  Here is my turning point.  Lets say Todosychuk is hurt and cant finish the game, Jarrod Schamerhorn starts the 3rd period cold, seeing his first action in three games.  With the Vees up by two goals, pepper Schamerhorn maybe get to the cold goaltender get one, maybe two more goals in the 3rd come away with the 4 or 5-1 victory.  But Todosychuk stays in the game, battles through whatever kind of injury or discomfort he has and makes several big saves in overtime to give the Vipers a chance to win.  The Vipers with very little puck possession and very few if any scoring chances in the 2nd period and first overtime didnt quit, kept battling have now won three straight games in this series and their first playoff win in Penticton in this series.  Vernon didnt get alot of great scoring chances tonight, capitalized on their chances, got solid goaltending, never quit.  After Sunday's Game two 5-2 loss in Penticton the Vipers were down 2-0 in the series didnt look good.  I would have never seen this coming.  This was very close to Game 7 last year between these two teams.  The Vees had a 3-1 lead heading into the 3rd before the Vipers scored two goals to force overtime won it in OT 4-3.  This was a huge emotional win for the Vipers.  This game-win will go along ways for the boys.  Winning three straight over the Vees and winning in Penticton, something they have had troubles doing during the regular season.  Throw all the stats out the window, Game 6 is tomorrow.  The Vipers now have a chance to win their 17th Interior Division Championship tomorrow night on home ice.  How do the Vees get two out of the three stars? Vernon wins the game and the OT hero dosnt get a star? How about Danny Todosychuk? Stays in the game, makes 48 saves and no star?

Top Players: (Penticton)

Dante Fabbro I thought played a strong game on the Vees backend.  Was moving the puck well, made some smart plays this evening.

Patrick Newell had a very strong game up front for Penticton.  Had several good scoring chances, was hard to defend against.  A good skater, quick on his feet, is good with the puck.

Steen Cooper (1 goal) Played well, had lots of jump in his game, was in and around the net has played well this series.

Lewis Zerter-Gossage Had a few looks-chances, was a bigger body that looked and played very well in Game 5.

Game Thoughts: (Penticton)

The Vees really stepped up their game after back to back 5-2 losses in Games 3 & 4 in Vernon.  I didnt think Penticton played their best hockey in both Games 3 & 4 were ready to go tonight in front of a huge crowd, looked very close to being sold out.  For the first time this series the Vees didnt get on the scoreboard first, did manage to score three straight goals to grab a two goal lead heading into the 3rd before blowing a two goal lead for the third time this series.  Penticton who outplayed and dominated the Vipers in periods 2 and the first overtime had the better scoring chances through out the game couldnt capitalize on their chances.  The Vees really used their speed and aggresive forecheck tonight to give Vernon all kinds of troubles.  The Vipers on several opportunities couldnt clear the zone after the Vees defence did a great job at standing tall at the blueline, keeping the puck-play inside the Viper zone.  I thought Penticton won most of the one on one battles and races for the pucks, and was better on the draw.  I really liked the Vees defensive efforts keeping the puck in at the blueline.  After the Vipers looked very good in the faceoff circle in the first few games the Vees won more of the faceoffs in Game 5.  What happened to the Vees in the 3rd?  Your up 3-1 in your own rink and cant hold onto that lead?  The Vees lost just three times at home during the regular season, one was to the Vipers.  Just one loss in the playoffs at the SOEC Penticton is almost unbeatable at home.  The Vees who have lost three straight for the first time this season, are now one game away from their season coming to an end.  What happened to Hunter Miska?  This kid was lights out vs Vernon during the regular season and Games 1 & 2 has looked beatable since.  The Vipers have scored fourteen goals on Penticton in the last three games.  You have to wonder if the Vees coaching staff and players from last year are thinking about last years Game 7 loss to Vernon.  The Vees in a game where they should have won, leave devistated. 

Scratches:

Vernon:

Mitchell Oliver
Nicholas Rasovic
Michael Roberts "AP"

Penticton:

Mitch Newsome

Energy player of the game:

Steen Cooper (1 goal) 

Three Stars:

1st Star: Connor Chartier (1 goal)
2nd Star: Riley Alferd (1 goal)
3rd Star: Riley Guenther (1 goal)

Fraser Rodgers Penticton Vees Blog,

https://pentictonvees.wordpress.com/

Graham Turnbull's Vernon Vipers Blog,

http://vipersvenom1.blogspot.ca/

Game Preview: Interior Division Finals: Game 5 Vernon @ Penticton:

2nd Round: Interior Division Finals (Seven game series) Penticton Vees (7-3) vs Vernon Vipers (6-2)

The Penticton Vees & defending Interior Division Champion Vernon Vipers meet for a twelvth time this season with the Vees winning eight of the eleven games (regular season & playoffs). Vernon is coming off a Game four 5-2 victory evening the best of seven series 2-2. You can listen to tonight's game live with Graham Turnbull starting with the pre-game show at 6:45pm on 107.5 Kiss FM.

Interior Division Finals Schedule:

Game 1 Saturday, March 14th Vernon @ Penticton 6pm (Vees won 4-3 double overtime)
Game 2 Sunday, March 15th Vernon @ Penticton 6pm (Vees won 5-2)
Game 3 Tuesday, March 17th Penticton @ Vernon 7pm (Vipers won 5-2)
Game 4 Wednesday, March 18th Penticton @ Vernon 7pm (Vipers won 5-2)
Game 5 Friday, March 20th Vernon @ Penticton 7pm
Game 6 Saturday, March 21st Penticton @ Vernon 6pm
Game 7 Sunday, March 22nd Vernon @ Penticton 6pm

Here's a look at the season series between the two teams

The Vipers went 2-6-0-0 vs Penticton this season (Regular Season & Exhibition)

Saturday, August 30th (Pre-Season) Penticton @ Vernon (Vipers won 5-3)
Friday, October 17th Penticton @ Vernon (Vees won 3-1)
Saturday, October 25th Vernon @ Penticton (Vees won 1-0)
Friday, November 14th Penticton @ Vernon (Vees won 4-2)
Friday, December 5th Penticton @ Vernon (Vees won 4-3)
Friday, January 2nd Vernon @ Penticton (Vees won 3-0)
Wednesday, February 11th Vernon @ Penticton (Vipers won 2-1)
Friday, February 27th Vernon @ Penticton (Vees won 3-2)

Here’s a look at the previous 21 playoff meetings between Vernon & Penticton:

1966-67 Penticton defeated Vernon 4 games to 1
1967-68 Penticton defeated Vernon 4 games to 0
1971-72 Vernon defeated Penticton 4 games to 3 (BCJHL Final)
1973-74 Penticton defeated Vernon 4 games to 0
1974-75 Vernon defeated Penticton 4 games to 2
1975-76 Penticton defeated Vernon (No Stats)
1976-77 Penticton defeated Vernon 4 games to 2
1982-83 Penticton defeated Vernon 4 games to 3
1986-87 Vernon defeated Penticton 4 games to 0
1987-88 Vernon defeated Penticton 4 games to 0
1992-93 Penticton defeated Vernon 4 games to 1
1993-94 Vernon defeated Penticton 4 games to 3
1994-95 Penticton come back down 3-1 defeating Vernon 4 games to 3
2001-02 Vernon defeated Penticton 4 games to 2
2002-03 Vernon defeated Penticton 4 games to 0
2004-05 Vernon defeated Penticton 4 games to 0
2006-07 Vernon defeated Penticton 4 games to 1
2007-08 Penticton defeated Vernon 4 games to 3
2008-09 Vernon defeated Penticton 4 games to 1
2009-2010 Vernon defeated Penticton 4 games to 2
2013-2014 Vernon defeated Penticton 4 games to 3

All-Time Vernon-Penticton Playoff Records-Stats Since 2004-05:

Since the 2004-05 playoffs Vernon is 24-13 vs. Penticton

Since the 2004-05 playoffs Vernon has outscored Penticton 126-90

Since the 2004-05 playoffs Vernon is 13-5 at home vs. Penticton

Since the 2004-05 playoffs Vernon is 11-8 in Penticton

Vernon's last playoff win at home vs Penticton was a 5-2 victory on Wednesday, March 18th 2015

Penticton's last playoff win at the Kal Tire Place was a 2-0 victory on February 21st 2014

Vernon's last playoff win at the South Okanagan Events Centre was a 4-3 overtime victory on Saturday, March 22nd 2014

Penticton's last playoff win at home vs Vernon was a 5-2 victory on Sunday, March 15th 2015

 

Lets take a look at the Vernon Vipers:

The defending Interior Conference Champion Vernon Vipers make their seventh visit of the season to the South Okanagan Events Centre.  The Vipers are coming off a 5-2 win in Game 4 Wednesday to even the best of seven series 2-2.  The Vipers are 3-16 with the man advantage in the first four games of this series.  Vernon has won just once this season in Penticton, a 2-1 regular season win on February 11th.  The Vipers went 1-3 at the SOEC during the regular season are 0-2 in Penticton in these playoffs.  Since the 2004-05 playoffs Vernon is 11-8 in Penticton last playoff victory at the South Okanagan Events Centre was a 4-3 overtime win in Game 7 last season in the Interior Division Finals.   

Thomas Aldworth (4-3-7) leads the team in playoff goals with four while Liam Coughlin (3-7-10) leads the team lead in points with ten.

Liam Finlay played in 13 games with the Vees (2013-2014) before being traded to Vernon on October 28th 2014 for future considerations (Dakota Conroy).

Graham Turnbull's Vernon Vipers Venom Blog,

http://vipersvenom1.blogspot.ca/

Vernon Vipers 2014-15 Playoff Stats:

Games Played: 8
Wins: 6
Losses: 2
Overtime Losses: 1
Home Record: 4-0
Road Record: 2-2
Overtime Record: 1-1
When the Vipers score first: 3-0
When the opponents score first: 3-2
Leading after 1st Period: 3-0
Tied after 1st Period: 2-0
Trailing after 1st Period: 1-2
Leading after 2nd Period: 5-0
Tied after 2nd Period: 1-0
Trailing after 2nd Period: 0-2
Out shooting Opponents: 4-0
Out shot by Opponents: 2-2
One goal games: 4-1
Goals For: 27
Goals Against: 21
Streak: Two game winning streak

Vernon Vipers Returning Players:

TJ Dumonceaux (94)
Danny Todosychuk (94)
Riley Guenther (94)
Kenny Citron (95)
Liam Coughlin (94)

Vernon Vipers Departing & traded players from last years team:

Dexter Dancs (95)
Michael McNicholas (94)
Brett Mulcahy (93)
Demico Hannoun (95)
Jared Wilson (94)
Colton Sparrow (93)
Mason Blacklock (94)
Josh Bryan (93)
Brendan Persley (93)
Logan Mick (96)
Ryan Renz (93)
Michael Statchuk (94)
Tyler Povelofskie (96)
Matty Saharchuk (95)
Austin Smith (93)
Dylan Chanter (95)

Vernon’s Home record vs Penticton: (regular season & playoffs)

2-3-0-0

Vernon’s Road record vs Penticton: (regular season & playoffs)

1-4-0-1

Vernon’s Playoff scoring leaders vs Penticton:

Liam Coughlin (3-4-7)
Thomas Aldworth (3-3-6)
Luke Voltin (0-4-4)
Kenny Citron (0-3-3)
Riley Guenther (1-2-3)
Brandon Egli (1-1-2)
Riley Brandt (2-0-2)
Luke Shiplo (1-1-2)
Liam Finlay (1-1-2)
Anthony Latina (1-1-2)
TJ Dumonceaux (0-2-2)
Colton McCarthy (1-1-2)
Jagger Williamson (0-1-1)
Blaine Caton (1-0-1)
Johnny Coughlin (0-1-1)

Jarrod Schamerhorn (0-2 Record)
Danny Todosychuk (2-0 Record)

Lets take a look at the Penticton Vees:

The Interior Division Pennant winning & Regular season champion Penticton Vees have lost two straight for the first time these playoffs take over home ice advantage in the Interior Division Finals with two of the final three games played in Penticton.  The Vees are 3-23 with the man advantage in the first four games of this series.  The Vees have won four straight playoff games at home have won nine of their last ten home games (regular season & playoffs).  Penticton is 8-3 vs the Vipers this season (regular season & playoffs) have given up ten goals in their last two games.  All three of the last three games in this series ended in a 5-2 final.

Tyson Jost (6-1-7) leads the team lead in playoff goals with six, while Demico Hannoun (3-8-11) leads the team in points with eleven.

Demico Hannoun played 47 games in Vernon last season collecting (15-29-44) in his only season with the Vipers before being traded to Surrey in the off season.

Fraser Rodgers Three Vees blog,

http://pentictonvees.wordpress.com/

Penticton Vees 2014-15 Playoff Stats:

Games Played: 9
Wins: 6
Losses: 3
Overtime Losses: 1
Overtime Record: 3-1
Home Record: 4-1
Road Record: 2-2
Goals For: 33
Goals Against: 26
Streak: Two game losing streak

Penticton Vees Returning Players:

Riley Alferd (95)
Steen Cooper (95)
Cody DePourcq (95)
Jarod Hilderman (97)
Jack Ramsey (95)
Matthew Serratore (94)
Patrick Sexton (94)
Hunter Miska (95)

Penticton Vees Departing & traded players from last years team:

Brad McClure (93)
Brett Beauvais (94)
Nicolas Pierog (93)
Ben Dalpe (94)
Max Coatta (94)
Travis Blanleil (94)
Erik Benoit (93)
Paul Stoykewych (95)
Cam Amantea (94)
Alexandre Coulombe (95)
Shane McColgan (93)
Christopher Rygus (93)
Josh Blanchard (96)
Olivier Mantha (93)

Penticton’s Home record vs Vernon: (regular season & playoffs)

5-1-0-0

Penticton’s Road record vs Vernon: (regular season & playoffs)

3-2-0-0

Penticton’s Playoff scoring leaders vs. Vernon:

Dante Fabbro (2-2-4)
Demico Hannoun (1-4-5)
Connor Chartier (3-1-4)
Patrick Newell (0-3-3)
Tyson Jost (2-0-2)
Jack Ramsey (1-1-2)
Lewis Zerter-Gossage (0-2-2)
Dakota Conroy (0-2-2)
Steen Cooper (1-1-2)
Cody DePourcq (1-1-2)
Mike Lee (0-1-1)
Miles Gendron (0-1-1)
Cam Amantea (1-0-1)
Patrick Sexton (0-1-1)
Gabe Bast (0-1-1)
Jarod Hilderman (0-1-1)
Riley Alferd (1-0-1)

Hunter Miska (2-2 Record)

Here's a look at both teams rosters:

Vernon Vipers:

http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/stats_1team.cfm?leagueID=2393&clientID=1413&teamid=224096

Penticton Vees:

http://www.vipers.bc.ca/leagues/stats_1team.cfm?leagueID=2393&clientID=1413&teamid=224101

Vipers Square Series With Vees:

This is in todays Morning Star Newspaper:

Vipers square series with Vees
               
Mar 20, 2015

The B.C. Hockey League Interior Division championship series is going at least six games.

The Vernon Vipers got a pair of empty-net goals from Liam Coughlin as they iced the Penticton Vees 5-2 Wednesday night before 2,207 fans at Kal Tire Place.

The Ryan Hadfield Memorial Trophy best-of-seven final is square at 2-2 with Game 5 going Friday night at the South Okanagan Events Centre, where the Vees took the opening two tilts. The sixth game is Saturday night in Vernon. Game 7, if required, goes Sunday night in Penticton.

Rookie Blaine Caton and defencemen Brandon Egli and Riley Guenther also scored for the Vipers, while Riley Alferd and Cody DePourcq countered for the Vees. Penticton went 0-for-12 on the powerplay combined in the two losses.

Vernon, who finished second in the regular season behind the Interior and BCHL champion Vees, outshot Penticton 32-28. Danny Todoyschuk won his second straight start, while Hunter Miska took the loss.

The Vees went in front at 8:44 of a rather scrambly first period when Riley Alferd beat Todoyschuk five-hole from four feet out. D-man Jarod Hilderman drew the assist.

Caton had a shot by blueliner Kenny Citron ricochet off his skate and past Miska for the equalizer six minutes later. Egli earned the secondary helper.

Egli wired a bomb from the right point, five hole, with 35 seconds remaining in Vees' captain Patrick Sexton's slashing penalty, late in the period. Johnny Coughlin fed Egli a clean pass from the left point.

The Vees levelled the score at 3:51 of the second period when DePourcq, parked just to the left of Todosychuk, buried a cross-ice pass from Steen Cooper, D-man Gabe Bast pocketed the other assist.

With 7:19 to play, Guenther moved up and basically took advantage of a garage sale in the Vees' crease, backhanding a loose puck high into a wide open cage with Miska down and out with numerous other prone bodies. Riley Brandt and Luke Voltin earned assists by taking the puck hard to the net.

The Vees pulled Miska for a sixth attacker, and after Viper super pest Colton McCarthy was assessed a minor and misconduct for a blow to Penticton d-man Mike Lee's head up against the glass deep in the Vees' zone, enjoyed a two-man advantage. Guenther retrieved a loose puck near the right sidewall and rifled it off the Penticton end boards. Coughlin raced down ice and tapped in the insurance tally with 48 seconds remaining.

Coughlin recorded a second freebie by converting a shot from centre just 24 seconds later.

Bast slashed Coughlin on the glove and speared Vernon forward TJ Dumonceaux after the second empty-netter, drawing an unsportsmanlike minor.

“That was huge, taking these two at home," said Egli, a 20-year-old traded to Vernon along with defenceman Mitch Meek from the Victoria Grizzlies early in the season. "The guys are playing as a team and with discipline and when we work hard and play the way our systems work, it’s gonna go our way.”

Egli smiled when asked if the Vees had a hate-on for McCarthy, who received an unsportsmanlike penalty for a loud cheer in Miska's direction after Egli's snipe.

“He’s a great player to have on our side. I think we can feed off him so it’s good.”

Cooper, a 19-year-old veteran out of Duncan, says the Vees expect to recover from the double defeats in Vernon.

“The tables are even as it stands right now, but we’re going home," said Cooper, who has a scholarship to Minnesota-Mankato Mavericks next season. "We’ve been a good team at home all year and we’ve just gotta get our mind-set back on track and get ready for the next game.”

The Vees only lost once to Vernon during the regular season, but Cooper certainly didn't expect a short playoff series.

“No, we never expected it to be easy. Obviously, Vernon’s a great team. They finished the regular season second behind us so we knew they were gonna put up a good fight. Even after we went up two games to nothing, we knew they were gonna come out strong. It’s what we expected. They outcompeted us in the last two games. We just gotta get back to the intense mentality and take care of business.”

Penticton's prime-time line of ex-Viper Demico Hannoun, Patrick Newell and rookie phenom Tyson Jost fizzled in both games in Vernon.

Jost, who turned 17 on St. Patrick's Day and will likely be a high draft pick in the 2016 NHL entry draft, had an-all planet shift with two minutes to play in the second period. The Kelowna product was stoned by Todoyschuk, struck iron and then walked the puck into the crease, where Lee's shot went off target.

“It was pretty frustating when we came back to the bench," said Jost. "Things sometimes don’t go your way. I thought our line deserved one there We worked hard and got the puck down low and the bounces didn’t go my way. Hopefully, next game things will change.”

Jost and Viper leading scorer Liam Finlay – who missed Games 3 and 4 with a concussion – were linemates with the major midget Okanagan Rockets last year.  Jost feels for his buddy, but is more concerned with getting the Vees back in the series lead.

"I thought we had a good start, but no results to show for it," said Jost. "Credit to them, they played well. It was a hard battled game and in the end, we could have done more to win, but they deserved to win. We have to come out strong and bounce back hard next game in Penticton.”

Guenther, the Viper captain and one of four skaters who were with Vernon when they stunned the Vees in seven games in last year's Interior final series, was confident coming home.

“We knew we had to come back here and take care of business in our backyard," said the 20-year-old from Calgary. "This one was a little more greasier than Game 3, but we were able to pull it out. We’ve got momentum now and we know we had to win one in Penticton so hopefully Game 5 we can go in there and steal one.”

He says you can throw the regular-season stats out on the porch.

“We don’t care about whatever happened in the regular season. It’s a fresh sheet for us and now it’s a best-of-three right down to the wire. We’re lifted up now. We knew we could do it. Hopefully, we can keep riding this into Penticton."

The game-within-a-game continued at the buzzer as Cooper picked up the puck, a task normally handled by alternate captain Liam Coughlin after a Viper playoff win. The Vipers urged referees Tyler Hawthorne and Ryan LeSage to return the puck for their dressing room shrine. It is now safe and sound inside the room.

“We got the puck back from the ref, but I’m not sure if it’s the right one," smiled Guenther.

The series winner advances to the league's unique three-team, round-robin format with the teams seeded based on their regular-season records. The round-robin opens Wednesday, March 25 with the No. 1 seed hosting the second-rated team.

The Nanaimo Clippers (2-1 on the Powell River Kings) and the Chilliwack Chiefs (3-0 on the Prince George Spruce Kings) lead the other Divisional final series.

Vernon Vipers Player Profile With "AP" Levi Johnson:

This is posted on the Hockeytube.net website:

OK Rockets Profile #18 Levi Johnson

Posted by HockeyTube on Feb 25th, 2015

Hockeytube.net talked to Okanagan Rocket’s #18 Levi Johnson about his first year with the team, how het started in the sport and his future goals. We also talked to him about playing with the BCHL Vernon Vipers and his plans to pursue a Junior A hockey career.  We also play another round of ‘5 Things You Don’t Know About Me’..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6IBpzAVjyo

Vipers Alumni Goaltender Hammond Ties NHL Record:

Former Vernon Vipers goaltender Andrew Hammond tied an NHL record Tuesday made 25 saves in an overtime win over the Carolina Hurricanes.  Hammond improved to 11-0-1 with the Senators this season.

The Ottawa Senators recalled Hammond from the American Hockey League (AHL) Binghamton Senators on January 29th 2015. Hammond was in his second season with the Binghamton Senators before being called up to Ottawa where he attended the Senators development camp in July before being released from the Sens Training camp.

Hammond played parts of two years in Vernon (2007-2009) after coming over in a trade with the Surrey Eagles during the 2007-08 season. In 52 regular season games with the Vipers Hammond posted a (33-15-1) record recording 6 shutouts.

Andrew Hammond's Player Profile:

http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=38007

This is posted on TSN's website:

Hammond ties record in Sens' OT win

The Canadian Press

NHL: Senators 2, Hurricanes 1 (OT)

RALEIGH, N.C. - A dozen or so games into an already impressive career, Andrew Hammond is beginning to figure things out.

The 27-year-old rookie became the second goalie in NHL history to give up no more than two goals in each of his first 12 starts, and the Ottawa Senators beat Carolina 2-1 when Mark Stone scored 4:46 into overtime Tuesday night.

Hammond (11-0-1) matched the record set by Boston's Frank Brimsek, who in 1938 also went 12 consecutive games without allowing more than two goals.

"It was awesome to tie that record tonight. Maybe (the NHL) caters to my game a little bit more," Hammond said.

"Now that I've made a few adjustments and added a little bit more structure to my game I've been able to kind of think the game a little bit better," he said. "The guys at this level are so skilled they make the play more often than not. For me, a big part of my game is just reading the play and maybe that helps a little bit."

Hammond made 35 saves to outduel the Hurricanes' Anton Khudobin, who stopped 31 shots but lost for the first time in six career appearances against Ottawa.

"Hammond was real good," Senators coach Dave Cameron said. "Any time a guy can come in and have an old coach coach him and he (ties) a record from before the old coach was even born, you go back a long way."

The win left Ottawa four points behind Boston in the race for the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.

And the victory came in a tough building for the Senators, as Carolina is 11-0-2 in its last 12 meetings with Ottawa at PNC Arena.

"That's one of the most exciting overtimes I've ever been a part of," Carolina coach Bill Peters said. "I thought they dominated in the second (period), and then we recovered in the third and had a good pushback."

"It was kind of like a playoff-style hockey game, and I thought both goaltenders made big saves."

Elias Lindholm gave Carolina a 1-0 lead in the first period with his 15th goal. Patrick Wiercioch tied it in the second for Ottawa with his second.

The Senators are 12-1-1 since a 6-3 home loss to the Hurricanes on Feb. 16. Carolina also beat Ottawa 3-2 on Jan. 17.

"For a team that's not necessarily playing for the playoffs, Carolina played a great game," Hammond said.

Stone's goal was his 18th of the season. Kyle Turris and Erik Karlsson, who leads NHL defencemen with 56 points and 38 assists, set up Stone.

"We had a ton of chances," Stone said. "And some of the saves (Hammond) makes — when any goalie makes them you kind of shake your head. But for him to be that stable this early in his NHL career is spectacular to see."

The Hurricanes led 1-0 after the first period despite being outshot 10-7.

Lindholm scored on a rush at 12:59 of the first, beating Hammond over the left shoulder with a drive from the top of the right circle. A cross-ice pass gave Jeff Skinner his 100th career assist.

NOTES: Carolina will visit Montreal on Thursday. Ottawa will host Boston in the opener of a four-game homestand. ... Carolina D Jack Hillen (concussion) missed his sixth straight game. D Rasmus Rissanen (MCL) was out and is expected to miss 3-4 weeks. C Riley Nash was a healthy scratch. ... Ottawa's healthy scratches were C Colin Greening, C Zack Smith and D Eric Gryba. ... Carolina's Brad Malone and Ottawa's Mark Borowiecki fought at 2:44 of the first. The Hurricanes' Nathan Gerbe fought the Senators' Milan Michalek at 17:28 of the third.

Interior Division Finals: Game 4 Vernon 5 Penticton 2

For anyone who could not attend or watch tonight’s Vipers game here are my thoughts and views from tonight’s game. You may agree or disagree but we all have our own view and opinion on any game we watch. This is my opinion and my thoughts on how I saw tonight’s game. I try to be unbiased and give a fare recap on both sides. Thanks for stopping by & visiting my blog.

I was at tonight's Interior Division Finals Game 4 as Vernon defeated Penticton 5-2 in front of 2,027 fans at Kal Tire Place.

Starting Goaltenders:

Vernon: Danny Todosychuk
Penticton: Hunter Miska

1st Period: The Vees would get the games first scoring opportunity just two minutes into the game.  Mike Lee's shot from the blueline was stopped by Danny Todosychuk who had to be alert made a tough save with Steen Cooper parked all alone in front.  On the following play Thomas Aldworth carried the puck through the Penticton zone before ripping a hard shot that beat Hunter Miska high but went off the crossbar as both teams with two good chances in the opening minutes.  A few minutes later the Vees would get the games first powerplay getting just two shots couldnt capitalize with the man advantage.  Just 1:16 later the Vees would open the scoring, Riley Alferd come down the right wing held off Luke Shiplo before going hard to the net looked to bank his shot off a player in front and in past Danny Todosychuk giving Penticton a 1-0 lead at 8:44 Jarod Hilderman collected the assist.  Just twenty three seconds later the Vees head back to the powerplay, their second of the frame.  Penticton unable to take advantage were 0-2 with the PP.  Thirty three seconds later the Vipers would get their first shot with the man advantage but it would be the Vees aggresive penalty kill that would create troubles.  Thomas Aldworth couldnt handle the puck at the point allowed Matt Serratore to break free tried going in for the shorthanded breakaway ended up going in one on one was able to get a shot off but was stopped by Todosychuk.  Vernon like Penticton couldnt capitalize with the powerplay.  About a minute and a half later the Vipers would eventually tie the game.  Outshooting Penticton 11-5 at one point got a bit of a break after Kenny Citron's point shot went in and off Blaine Caton beat Hunter Miska tied the game 1-1 at 15:01 Citron and Brandon Egli with the helpers.  Just less then two minutes later the Vipers would get their second look with the man advantage but struggled early with some very soft but poor passes.  Luke Shiplo with a burtal giveaway at the blueline allowed Matt Serratore to go in alone shorthanded but again for the second time tonight was stopped by Danny Todosychuk before a Viper defenceman come crashing into the net knocking the net off its mournings.  The Vipers caught a break went back to the PP and capitalized.  Brandon Egli's blast from the blueline beat Miska clean along the ice gave Vernon a 2-1 lead at 18:21 Johnny Coughlin & Anthony Latina with the assists.  On the goal Colton McCarthy would take an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty giving Penticton a late powerplay, their third of the period.  The Vipers would kill off the remainder of the frame before the minor expired as Vernon was up 2-1 after 20 minutes of play.  Penticton has now opened the scoring in all four games, jumped out to the 1-0 lead again tonight.  Both teams worked hard, were fairly even through out the period before both teams got into some penalty trouble.  The Vipers got a little too relaxed on the powerplay, gave up two shorthanded chances on both powerplays were lucky got two big saves from Danny Todosychuk.  Vernon fired alot of pucks on net-Hunter Miska scored two late goals to grab the lead.  Vernon outshot Penticton 15-9.

2nd Period: The Vees started the second period with the man advantage that was carried over from the end of the 1st.  The Vipers would kill off the remaining seconds before going to sleep.  Penticton jumped on the Vipers early and often had Vernon bottled up in their own end as the Vees were moving the puck around, had all kinds of pressure.  Lewis Zerter-Gossage with a wrap around couldnt beat Vipers starting goaltender Danny Todosychuk who went post to post to make a huge save.  Anthony Latina got caught couldnt get off for a change was on the ice for atleast two full minutes as the Vipers were running around in their own end trying to clear the zone but couldnt.  Penticton swarming in and around the Viper net were buzzing with a strong forecheck, forced the Vipers into several turnovers.  Todosychuk had to be sharp made a few tough saves in close as the Vees also missed the net on a few quick shots from the point looking for the deflection in front.  Mackenzie Bauer couldnt clear the zone before veteran forward Cody DePourcq went bar and down on a wide open cage as the Vees had the Vernon goaltender all over the crease caught Todosychuk way out of position found the back of the open cage tied the game 2-2 at 3:51 Steen Cooper and Gabe Bast picked up the helpers.  Vernon then with an undisaplined penalty gave Penticton their fourth PP of the night.  The Vees couldnt capitalize after a good Viper penalty kill.  Just after the minor expired Anthony Latina had a great look at the net had all kinds of open ice just fired wide on a missed opportunity.  Back come the Vees, Matt Serratore setup a wide open Jack Ramsey going to the net was stopped by Todosychuk who come up with another big-key save with the game still tied.  Vernon still having all kinds of trouble defending against the Vees forecheck needed nine and a half minutes to get their first shot on goal.  On the play Vernon would get their third powerplay of the game.  The Vees would get away with a major two handed slash in front of the net as emotions started to take over as both teams were laying out several cheap shots at one another as the game got chippy.  The Vees would get caught giving Vernon a two man advantage but with just two shots on goal the Vipers would struggle.  Penticton with a heck of a penalty kill were blocking shots, getting in the shooting lanes were giving the Vernon powerplay all kinds of trouble.  Penticton with a very good penalty kill would kill off both minors.  The Vipers did manage to string together a few hard working shifts come on late with a decent push didnt generate much offence in the 2nd period.  Tyson Jost come inches away from giving the Vees a 3-2 lead late beat Danny Todosychuk but hit the post with 2:02 to go in the frame.  Penticton would get called for too many men on the ice in the final minute on a very late call from the referee, well after the play had been blown dead for offside.  The Vipers would run out of time before the buzzer as the game was tied 2-2 after 40 minutes of play.  The Vees with a strong start, never quit and never looked back as Penticton would tie the game early jumped on the Vipers and dominated the 2nd period.  The Vees with a very strong hard working work ethic were strong on the boards, the forecheck and forcing the Vipers into turnovers inside their own blueline.  Penticton with not alot of scoring chances, had a few were taking lots of shots from the point looking for the redirect in front.  The Vipers on the hand struggled, had all kinds of troubles getting out of their own end and through the neutral zone needed almost ten minutes to get their first shot of the period.  The Vipers making several mental errors on clearing attempets were caught with too long of shifts.  The Vipers looked tired and very slow moving the puck-passes.  Penticton outshot Vernon 10-4.

3rd Period: Vernon started the final frame with the man advantage that was carried over from the end of the 2nd period.  On the powerplay the Vipers would take an undisaplined penalty blowing the PP as both teams played four on four before Penticton would get an early but shortened powerplay early into the 3rd.  Danny Todosychuk come up with his biggest save of the night somehow robbed former Vipers prospect Dakota Conroy in front making a huge pad save keeping this game tied.  The Vipers with a huge penalty kill were able to kill off the minor.  Penticton with a few good looks at the net, missed the net.  Both teams then went back and fourth skating hard.  The Vipers with a hard working shift caught a break after Riley Brandt's shot low along the ice almost fooled Vees starting goaltender Hunter Miska who was forced to sprawl out made a huge save before the puck popped out coming back out front to a scrum in front of the Vees goal before Luke Volton banged away at the loose puck before Viper captain Riley Guenther put home the rebound just before the net come off its mournings giving Vernon a 3-2 lead at 7:19 Voltin & Brandt with the assists.  On the following shift Anthony Latina with a great solo effort come hard into the Vees zone, cut around one defender before going hard to the net looked to have Miska out of his crease before Mackenzie Bauer ran into Miska taking a penalty giving the Vees their seventh powerplay of the night.  Penticton with good puck movement really moved the puck around, were looking for the redirect in front werent getting the bounces.  Tons of pressure but the Vees couldnt capitalize as another good penalty kill by Vernon would kill off the minor.  Both teams picked up the pace as the phycial play continued as both clubs were going back and fourth with action at both ends of the rink.  The Vees and Vipers with good opportunities made for a very exciting but yet nerve racking period.  Former Viper forward Demico Hannoun ripped a hard shot from the circle forced Todosychuk to make the blocker save let out a big rebound before Tyson Jost pounced on the loose puck was all alone in front, Jost looked to have Todosychuk beat somehow just missed the far corner of the open bottom corner shot just inches wide of the goal missing on a great opportunity to tie the game.  Vernon really picked up their defensive game as the period went on, blocking shots, getting in the shooting lanes did a good job at keeping Penticton to the outside.  The Vees were pressing late couldnt get Hunter Miska out of the net before the Vipers got the play deep into the offensive zone had a good forecheck deep in the Vees zone were killing off time off the clock before the Vipers took another undisaplined penalty with just 1:02 remaining.  With the faceoff deep in the Viper zone the Vipers were lucky enough to get control of the puck before Riley Guenther fired the puck down ice missing the net, Liam Coughlin hit the jets raced down ice put the loose puck home into the open net giving Vernon a 4-2 lead at 19:12 Riley Guenther with the lone helper.  Still on the powerplay the Vees couldnt get full control of the puck before Liam Coughlin would get his second of the night shorthanded into the open cage giving Vernon a 5-2 lead at 19:36 Coughlin's goal was unassisted.  The Vees would take a penalty on the play taking away the powerplay as both teams went to four on four.  The Vipers would hang on winding down the clock to come away with the 5-2 victory.  The Vees would take the game puck with them as they headed to the dressing room as the Vipers went straight to the referee wanting their game winning puck back.  The one referee went after the Vees as they headed off the ice got the game puck back giving it to the Vipers as the saluted the crowd at centre ice.  Penticton with two early powerplays couldnt capitalize.  The Vipers would get the game winner on a bit of a lucky break, catching a few bounces along the way before holding onto the win tying the series at 2-2.  Both teams played a hard fought game and period.  I thought both teams had good chances and good pressure.  Vernon carried the play at times and then so did Penticton.  The Vees had a little more sustained pressure and the better opportunities but the Viper defence & penalty kill was very good in the frame.  Vernon outshot Penticton 13-9.

Top Players: (Vernon)

Riley Guenther (1 goal & 1 assist) Had a solid game on the Vernon blueline.  The Viper captain I thought played very well at both ends of the rink, was very solid defensively and good with his stick, was good one on one.

Anthony Latina (1 assist) For the second straight night played his heart out.  This kid has come to play and show hes a leader on this hockey team.  I really like Latina's compete and hard work he brings to the Viper lineup.  Was skating all over the ice tonight, created and generated chances through out the game, was also strong on the forecheck.

Colton McCarthy worked hard and competed for the second straight game, took an undisaplined penalty just before the final minute of the 3rd was very strong on the forecheck, hard on the puck and battled through out the game.  The former Western Hockey Leaguer plays with an edge, dosnt back down from the rough stuff adds that sandpaper to the Viper roster.

Danny Todosychuk (26 saves) Making his second straight start of the series played very this evening.  Unlike In Game 3 where the Vernon product was forced into making several big saves for the Vipers tonight Todosychuk didnt face the same amount of quality scoring chances still had to make some big stops giving his team a chance to win.  Was seeing the puck tonight, didnt give out alot of rebounds, was good on the penalty kill making some key saves shorthanded.

Game Thought's: (Vernon)

After going 1-6 vs Penticton during the regular season, then losing the first two games of this series in Penticton the Vipers have now rattled off two impressive victories to even the best of seven series at 2-2 with Game 5 Friday in Penticton and Game 6 Saturday in Vernon.  The Vipers come up with another huge-clutch victory tonight.  Vernon who played very close to a full sixty minutes last night in Game 3 werent so lucky tonight excaped a ton of pressure from the Vees in the 2nd period and in spurts in the 3rd.  I thought the Vipers kept even with Penticton in the opening frame got alot of pucks-shots on goal-Hunter Miska were able to rebound after giving up the games first goal, responded late with two big goals to finish the 1st.  The Vipers then went to sleep-fell apart in the 2nd were outplayed-dominated the entire middle frame.  The Vipers having all kinds of trouble clearing the zone, were taking too long of shifts, looked tired making several soft passes coughed up the puck or turned it over on several occasions were lucky to be tied heading into the 3rd.  Vernon needed almost ten minutes to get their first shot on net in the 2nd struggled with the man advantage that period.  The Vipers had all kinds of trouble with Penticton's aggresive forecheck.  Give Vernon credit they come back with a much better effort-performance come the 3rd, scored early into the final frame to grab the lead before hanging on to the win thanks to Liam Coughlin's two shorthanded empty net goals.  I thought the Vipers kept pace with the Vees at times and then at times had troubles with Penticton.  The Viper penalty kill was very good through out the game, and Vernon's defence played very well in the 3rd.  A few of the Viper rookies-younger kids on the team, really showed there nerves tonight.  Atleast I thought.  A few made some very poor-soft plays in crucial times of the game, where they had lots of time and space but maybe were caught up in the emotion-playing with some nerves.  Vernon who didnt get many bounces or luck in the first two games, had some luck-a few bounces on there side tonight.  The Vipers who have had troubles scoring on Hunter Miska this season have now scored ten goals in the last two games.  Give full credit to Vernon who after being in Game 1 and falling short were no where near in Game 2 have come back with back to back strong efforts to tie the series and beat Penticton, something they were only able to do in the regular season once.  Last night's win was a huge confidence booster, helped alot with tonight's win.  Back to back wins over the Vees gives this team the knowlege knowing Penticton can be beat.  The Vipers have all the momentum and confidence on their side heading into Game 5.

Top Players: (Penticton)

Matt Serratore I thought was one of the better Vees tonight, played with alot of jump-energy, was really skating hard, very aggresive on the penalty kill, got two shorthanded chances couldnt find the back of the net.  Was involved in the play through out the game, competed and worked extremely hard.  Was hard to defend against.

Steen Cooper (1 assist) Played a solid game for Penticton, played hard, was going to the net, going to the dirty area's, adds some grit and veteran experience to the Vees lineup.

Cody DePourcq (1 goal) Who has been basically invisible all series rose to the occasion tonight, scored a huge game tying goal early into the 2nd on a strong forecheck by the Vees was really skating hard, one of the smaller kids in the league competed and worked hard all three periods. 

Dakota Conroy who was the "future considerations" in the Liam Finlay trade earlier this season had a solid game-effort tonight.  His bigger body and veteran presence showed down low and in and around the net.  Made some smart plays in the game, had atleast two chances was stoned by Danny Todosychuk on the man advantage early into the 3rd with the game tied.

Game Thought's: (Penticton)

The Vees who are very good at getting off to a quick-strong start opened the scoring for the first time in all four games this series.  Penticton struggled with the powerplay, going 0-8 the Vees could have changed the momentum and the outcome of tonight's hockey game if they score on a few man advantages and this is a different game.  The Vees played well and better then last night but for the second straight night give up the lead and two late 1st period goals to trail Vernon heading into the 2nd.  Penticton who may have had the bounces-breaks in Games 1 & 2 didnt get a break or bounce tonight.  The Vees with a solid 2nd period dominated the Vipers only managed one goal, the game tying goal at the time.  Penticton looking for the deflection in front outshot and outscored Vernon in the 2nd but were tied heading to the third.  I thought the Vees had several good looks at the net-good opportunities didnt have that scoring touch in and around the net.  Pucks that may have gone in earlier in the season or playoffs were just going wide, hitting a stick or body in front.  Like I said, the Vees just didnt get the bounces tonight.  Penticton who dosnt give up alot of goals has now given up ten in the last two games.  Hunter Miska who was lights out through out the regular season looks human in Games 3 & 4.  Overall a very good hockey game, very exciting and nerve racking at times with some very poor officiating.  Several blatant missed calls at both ends of the rink.  Both teams emotions got the better of them during spurts of the game, as the chippy plays appeared now and again.  Great to see a big turnout of Vees fans at the game tonight.  Penticton now heads home with the series tied 2-2 have to be thinking of what happened last season.  The Vees had all the momentum and confidence heading into Game 3 may be a bit worried.  Game 5 Friday is very crutial for both teams.

Scratches:

Vernon:

Mitchell Oliver
Nicholas Rasovic
Liam Finlay

Penticton:

Shane Gwinner
Mitch Newsome

Energy player of the game:

Colton McCarthy

Three Stars:

1st Star: Riley Guenther (1 goal & 1 assist)
2nd Star: Liam Coughlin (2 goals)
3rd Star: Cody DePourcq (1 goal)

BCHL Boxscore,

http://www.vipers.bc.ca/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=1438644&link=bchl

Fraser Rodgers Penticton Vees Blog,

https://pentictonvees.wordpress.com/

Graham Turnbull's Vernon Vipers Blog,

http://vipersvenom1.blogspot.ca/