Saturday, December 20, 2014

Vernon 5 Powell River 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 Vipers-Kings game as Vernon defeated Powell River 5-2 in front of 1,691 fans at Kal Tire Place.

Starting Goaltenders:

Vernon: Jarrod Schamerhorn
Powell River: Stefan Wornig

Tonight's game was delayed fourty minutes as the referees got stuck in traffic in Kelowna in a major accident this afternoon. 

1st Period: The Vipers come out hard and strong took it to Powell River early and often out of the gate.  Just a minute and a half into the opening period the Vipers were buzzing in the Kings end, Colton McCarthy with a great opportunity couldnt beat Stefan Wornig who made a big save early.  A few minutes later Wornig was forced to make another big save off Luke Voltin in the slot.  The Kings back on their heels couldnt get out of their own end as Vernon playing with a ton of jump had all kinds of pressure deep in the Powell River zone.  Outshooting the Kings 7-0 Powell River would open the scoring on their first shot of the night.  Kings leading scorer Jacob Pritchard with a hard working shift deep in the Vipers zone won the battle along the wall, spotted a wide open Jarid Lukosevicius who went upstairs on Jarrod Schamerhorn getting the Kings on the board first at 4:33 Pritchard with the lone assist.  Vernon come right back with a strong push back, Liam Finlay with a nice pass in the slot setup Riley Brandt who was stopped by Stefan Wornig, within a few minutes Wornig then made a huge save off TJ Dumonceaux as the Kings netminder was keeping Powell River in the game early making some big stops.  Off Dumonceaux's save Powell River come right back the other way, veteran JJ Coleshaw with a wrap around couldnt beat Jarrod Schamerhorn.  Mitch Meek's point shot was redirected in front couldnt beat Wornig who again made another difficult save with traffic in front.  The Vipers were all over Powell River in the first half outshooting the Kings 16-3 at this point.  Just minutes past the midway mark Johnny Coughlin made a big defensive play breaking up JJ Coleshaw's pass on a Kings two on one rush.  Vernon didnt generate nearly as much offence in the second half of the period still carried the majority of the play but were now having troubles getting pucks through to the net.  Vernon with several good looks at the net, missed on most of their shots shooting high and missing the goal.  With just over four minutes to go, the Vipers were able to clear the zone with Powell River putting on some late pressure got the puck to Thomas Aldworth who ripped a lazer of a shot past Stefan Wornig tying the game 1-1 at 16:06 Liam Coughlin with the helper.  In the final minute Wornig stopped Thomas Aldworth at the side of the net with traffic in close had to be sharp made a tough save down low keeping this game tied.  It was tied 1-1 after 20 minutes of play.  It was all Vernon in the opening frame as the Vipers dominated the period.  Vernon carried the play, outplayed the Kings the entire frame.  The Vipers with lots of great scoring chances were stopped by Stefan Wornig who kept the Kings in the contest making several big saves.  Powell River with very little pressure got very limited zone time in the Vipers end were lucky to be tied.  Vernon outshot Powell River 20-4.

2nd Period: The Kings stormed out of the period on fire as Powell River come out hard taking it to the Vipers early and often.  The Kings looking like a different team after the opening period had lots of jump were buzzing in and around the Viper goal early.  Vipers starting goaltender Jarrod Schamerhorn was solid early made atleast three or four big saves in the opening minutes off of scrambles in front of the Viper goal.  Colton McCarthy come back the other way lead an odd man rush couldnt convert on an open cage as the puck come out front Stefan Wornig went the other way as McCarthy just missed the open cage.  Powell River would get the games first powerplay of the evening, early to start the period.  Again Jarrod Schamerhorn was very good for the Vipers made several big saves down low with bodies in and around the top of the crease.  It was now Vernon's goaltending that was keeping the Vipers in the game early.  Vernon was able to kill off the Kings PP.  Just as the penalty expired the Vipers responded come back just seconds later to take a two goal lead.  Jagger Williamson setup Luke Voltin going to the net gave Vernon a 2-1 lead at 5:11 Williamson with the lone assist.  Powell River playing a much better game in the first half of the period had a slight edge in play but as the period went on the Vipers slowly started to get rolling and took over the edge in play.  Luke Voltin with a great opportunity in front couldnt beat Wornig, the Kings goaltender then made a big save off Liam Coughlin in front.  At the halfway mark the Vipers would get their first look with the man advantage.  TJ Dumonceaux with a great opportunity couldnt beat the quick glove of Kings starting goaltender Stefan Wornig who made a big glove save.  Shorthanded JJ Coleshaw one on one forced Jarrod Schamerhorn to make a big glove save at the other end of the rink.  The Vipers couldnt capitalize as the Kings would kill off the minor.  Just as the penalty expired Vernon would respond with a quick goal.  Liam Coughlin with a nice pass from the corner spotted TJ Dumonceaux in front put Vernon up 3-1 at 13:56 Coughlin & Anthony Latina collected the assists.  In the final minute the Vipers were once again buzzing, Luke Shiplo with a nice move found some open ice, went hard to the net rang a shot off the mask of Wornig before stopping Liam Coughlin with a nice pad save.  Vernon with some pressure and chances late were up 3-1 after 40 minutes of of play.  Powell River responded with a much better period, come out strong.  The Kings with some early pressure had the Viper defence back on their heels were all over Vernon early and often.  Jarrod Schamerhorn was very good made several big saves in the opening minutes keeping this game tied.  Schamerhorn also made a few big saves on a penalty kill, wich the Vipers were able to kill off before coming right back to take their first lead of the night.  Powell River with a good first half to the period couldnt hold off the Vipers for long as Vernon really come on strong in the second half, taking it to the Kings.  The Vipers with two goals once again were the better team.  Shots were even 15-15.

3rd Period: In the opening minutes Mitch Meek setup Anthony Latina going to the net, redirected his shot just wide of the open cage as Vernon come close to taking a three goal lead.  The Vipers with a strong start, come out hard once again were buzzing early and often.  The Kings couldnt seem to get much going early were held in their own end.  Luke Voltin with a strong play, kept the play alive took a big hit in the Kings zone allowed Liam Coughlin to spot TJ Dumonceaux in the slot beat Stefan Wornig for his second of the night, gave Vernon a 4-1 lead at 4:00 Coughlin and Johnny Coughlin with the helpers.  Coughlin with an amazing stretch pass was able to thread the puck through a Kings defender landed the puck on Dumonceaux's stick before in the back of the net.  Within a few shifts Thomas Aldworth come very close to giving Vernon a 5-1 lead after ripping a wicked wrist shot from the circle was stopped by the knob of Stefan Wornig's goal stick.  Liam Coughlin then with a great chance couldnt beat Wornig down low.  The Vipers with all kinds of pressure looked very dangerous early.  The Vipers were really skating hard early and often had the edge in play before getting into penalty trouble.  Powell River would get a very late two man advantage.  Vernon was able to kill off the first PP but within seconds Jarid Lukosevicius with his second of the game ripped a wicked wrist shot from the high point beat Jarrod Schamerhorn high got the Kings to within two goals.  But less then a minute later the Vipers responded and re-took a three goal lead.  Thomas Aldworth setup Liam Finlay at 11:12 gave the Vipers a 5-2 lead.  Aldworth and Johnny Coughlin with the assists.  Off the following faceoff the Kings would get into penalty trouble taking a minor and losing Jarid Lukosevicius for the next ten minutes.  Powell River was able to kill off the minor.  From here on in the Vipers basically played dump and chase, would kill off alot of valuable time off the clock didnt allow the Kings to really try and get anything going for a late third period comeback.  Vernon's defence was very solid in the final frame really shutdown the Kings attack.  Powell River with a few good looks couldnt beat Schamerhorn who was solid all night.  The Kings looked to be a little tired late in the period, didnt seem to have much left in the tank to finish the game.  The Vipers with a few late chances would hold on for the 5-2 victory and sweep the season series with the Kings.  Vernon with a strong start, got off to a good start attacked the Kings zone early and often.  A big goal four minutes into the period put the Vipers ahead by three as they never looked back.  The Kings with not alot offence in the period had a late two man advantage couldnt capitalize.  Vernon kept coming and didnt back off played very well defensively.  The Vipers outshot the Kings 14-6.

Top Players: (Vernon)

The line of Liam Coughlin (3 assists), TJ Dumonceaux (2 goals) & Thomas Aldworth (1 goal & 1 assist) Was very strong tonight.  This line played very hard, saw alot of ice and was hard to contain all night.  Coughlin was very good with and without the puck, was skating hard at both ends of the rink, made some really nice passes for goals tonight.  Made atleast two defensive plays to break up a Kings rush.  Dumonceaux was really flying, played with a ton of jump and energy. was physical was a real buzzsaw.  Aldworth was hard to slow down and contain was hard to stop one on one.

The line of Anthony Latina (1 assist), Colton McCarthy and Luke Voltin (1 goal) also had a very strong night.  I was very impressed with McCarthy's play.  Id say played his best game as a Viper tonight.  Was really skating, working hard, was all over the rink.  Involved in the play, created and generated opportunities, was going to the net looked very good.  Latina looked to get under the skin of the Powell River Kings as on several occassions several Powell River players went after the Viper forward during stopages in play.  Voltin played a hard two way game this evening, was another Vernon player that was really skating hard-going to the net, worked and competed all night.  Played with alot of jump and energy.

Luke Shiplo Played very well on the Viper defence.  I thought Shiplo was very strong at both ends of the rink, saw alot of icetime was good with and without the puck.  Generated some offensive chances was quick on his feet, made some smart plays.

Riley Brandt was another kid who was flying all night, played physical, seemed to be hitting everybody in his way.  Was really buzzing, skating hard, created and generated some offensive chances, was involved in the play.  This kid dosnt back down from no one, adds alot of jump and energy to the Vipers lineup.

Johnny Coughlin (2 assists) Played very well on the backend.  Made a big defensive play in the first period, broke up a Kings two on one attack.  Was steady all game.

Jarrod Schamerhorn (23 saves) Has played alot of hockey the past two months with Danny Todosychuk out of the lineup.  Schamerhorn made his biggest saves in the 2nd period when the Kings were on the attack.  Made several big saves early to start the 2nd period when the game was tied 1-1. 

Game Thought's: (Vernon)

After a dissapointing 6-3 loss in Merritt last night, the Vipers were ready to play tonight and responded with close to a sixty minute effort-performance tonight.  Vernon come out of the gates hot, jumped on Powell River who played in Langley Friday were all over the Kings the entire 1st period.  However Powell River would get on the board first on their first shot of the night, but this didnt set Vernon back.  Instead they come right back with a strong push back, kept coming in waves eventually tied the game late.  I thought the Vipers were the better team for most of the night, outplayed the Kings most of the night had the much better scoring chances and carried most of the play.  Give Powell River some credit they did jump on Vernon early to start the 2nd period but the Vipers got some solid goaltending wich allowed them to stay in the game before taking the lead after a big penalty kill and then grabbing a two goal lead.  The Vipers were outplayed at times early to start the second but as the period went on, got better and took over the play.  I really liked Vernon's third period, the Vipers didnt sit on a two goal lead, instead they jumped on the Kings early, getting an early goal just minutes into the period to take a three goal lead and never looked back.  Vernon was strong on the forecheck all night, won the battles, created and generated lots of good quality chances could have easily walked away with a 8-2 victory if it wasnt for Stefan Wornig.  The Vipers now head into the Christmas break with a two week layoff.  Former Viper forward Colton Sparrow was at tonight's game.

Top Players: (Powell River)

Jarid Lukosevicius (2 goals) Lead the Kings attack with both goals on the night.  Lukosevicius has a wicked shot and seems to find the open ice.  A good skater, played hard, physical and was involved in the play.

JJ Coleshaw I thought had most of the Kings scoring chances, seemed to be one of their better players tonight.  A bigger body, can skate, move the puck and get pucks to the net.  Created and generated chances but couldnt beat Jarrod Schamerhorn.

Stefan Wornig (44 saves) One of the bigger goaltenders Ive seen play this season kept his team in the game all night, gave the Kings a chance to win.  Making fourty four saves kept Powell River in the game, espeically in the 1st period, making several big saves in a period where the Kings were lucky to get out of tied 1-1.  Wornig has a very quick-good glove covers alot of the net, was very strong tonight between the pipes.

Game Thought's: (Powell River)

The Kings coming off an 8-5 loss in Langley Friday are on a seven game road trip where tonight they didnt generate much offence in a game where they were basically outplayed most of the night.  The Kings had a much better start-period in the middle frame but couldnt keep up any sustained pressure or attack for the full twenty minutes.  Powell River all over Vernon off the opening draw to start the second couldnt beat Jarrod Schamerhorn who kept the Vipers in the game with some solid goaltending.  Powell River really needed a break or a lucky bounce here to take the lead, but would eventually give up an early goal fell down two goals heading into the 3rd.  The Kings played most of the third in their own end couldnt get much going at all, had troubles with Vernon's speed and forecheck all night.  The Kings with five regulars out of the lineup had troubles producing offence most of the night.  Powell River couldnt seem to get any real sustained pressure for more then a few minutes.  Any pressure or chances the Kings would get, they allowed the Vipers to come back the following shift and give up a goal, taking any momentum away from them.  The Kings with just two wins in Vernon since the 2003-04 season.

Scratches:

Vernon:

Trevor Fidler (Injured)
Makenzie Bauer (Injured)
Blaine Caton

Powell River:

Kurt Keats
Stephen Hiff
Austin Kamer
Jonny Evans
Carmine Buono

Energy player of the game:

Luke Voltin (1 goal)

Three Stars:

1st Star: TJ Dumonceaux (2 goals)
2nd Star: Jarid Lukosevicius (2 goals)
3rd Star: Liam Coughlin (3 assists)

BCHL Boxscore,

http://www.vipers.bc.ca/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=1358352&link=bchl

Alex Rawnsley's Powell River Kings Blog,

http://kingsofthecastle.wordpress.com/

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