Sunday, March 15, 2015

Game 2: Interior Division Finals: Penticton 5 Vernon 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-Vees Game 2 of the Interior Division Finals as Penticton defeated Vernon 5-2 in front of 1,972 fans at the South Okanagan Events Centre.

Starting Goaltenders:

Vernon: Jarrod Schamerhorn
Penticton: Hunter Miska

1st Period: For the second straight night the Vees would open the scoring.  Penticton needed all but fourty two seconds to grab a 1-0 lead after former Vernon Vipers forward Demico Hannoun lead the Vees attack with a three on two rush.  Hannoun setup Tyson Jost going to the net who beat Jarrod Schamerhorn giving Penticton the early 1-0 lead at 0:42 Hannoun & Patrick Newell collected the assists.  The Vees didnt quit there and kept coming, leading the charge early and often.  Penticton getting the early jump on the Vipers carried the early edge in play.  About one minute and twenty seconds after Jost opened the scoring the Vees come very close to jumping out to a 2-0 lead two minutes into Game 2.  Vipers netminder Jarrod Schamerhorn had to come across the crease to make a huge game saver off Lewis Zerter-Gossage at the side of the net keeping this a 1-0 game.  The Vipers having all kinds of trouble getting out of their own end and into the offensive zone couldnt get through the neutral zone.  Penticton was outshooting Vernon 4-0 just three minutes into the 1st period.  Vernon would finally get into the Penticton zone but had troubles getting shots through-pucks to the net, as the Vees were doing a great job at getting in the shooting lanes, blocking shots and getting sticks in the way as atleast three or four Viper shots went off a Penticton stick up and over the glass into the netting.  The Vipers needed almost seven minutes to record their first shot on goal before getting the games first powerplay.  Thirty seven seconds into the man advantage the Vees would take their second penalty giving the Vernon Vipers a long two man advantage.  Just eleven seconds into the two man advantage the Vipers moved the puck around before getting it down low where former Penticton Vees forward Liam Finlay was able to get his shot past Hunter Miska and into the back of the net tying the game 1-1 at 7:48 TJ Dumonceaux and Thomas Aldworth picked up the helpers.  Shortly after a scrum formed in and around the Vees goal where several players on both sides got involved in pushing and shoving as tempers heated up in a hurry in the first half of Game 2.  The Vipers would take a penalty evening up the play to four on four.  During this stopage-scrum on the ice Liam Finlay was down on the Viper bench as both teams trainers attended the Viper rookie.  In the mean time more pushing and shoving occured between the two benches.  Mark Ferner was extremely upset at the referee's before Fred Harbinson come down to ice level opened the bench door.  Harbinson and Eric Godard looked to be exchanging words before Ferner and Herbinson both got into words as both benches were heated.  Finlay was helped off the Viper bench headed to the Vernon Viper dressing room where he was taken out on a stretcher (this according to the Vipers broadcast).  Finlay did not return to the hockey game.  The Vees would continue to work over the Vipers through out the opening frame.  Tyson Jost and Patrick Newell with two good looks at the net were denied by Jarrod Schamerhorn.  In the second half Penticton would get their first full PP of the game but unable to capitalize as Vernon would kill off the minor.  A very chippy period with both teams giving out several cheap shots and shots behind the play.  Both teams getting away with several undisaplined penalties in a very emotional-fiesty game.  More scrums-altercations continued late in the period again as these teams dont like one another.  In the final minute Vernon couldnt clear the zone allowed Patrick Sexton to keep the puck in at the blueline setup Cody DePourcq before spotting Cam Amantea in front who gave Penticton a 2-1 lead at 19:22 Depourcq and Sexton with the assists.  This was a killer giving up the go ahead goal in the final minute on a bad clearing attempt.  In the final seconds Colton McCarthy rubbed out Hunter Miska as tempers heated up again just before the buzzer as the Vees would get their second powerplay with four seconds remaining.  Penticton was up 2-1 after 20 minutes of play.  The Vees got off to a quick start opening the scoring just fourty two seconds into the hockey game jumped on Vernon early and often.  The Vees dominated the play outplayed the Vipers the entire opening period.  Penticton who was outhit in Game 1 played a very physical in your face 1st period, were strong on the puck and gave Vernon all kinds of trouble with their speed and quickness.  The Vees did a great job at blocking shots-getting sticks in the way.  Vernon with very little puck possession or zone time had troubles the entire period getting puck possession and pressure in the Vees zone.  Vernon with several undisaplined penalties were playing on emotion and getting carried away with their own emotions.  The Vipers arent going to win hockey games when they take close to seven minutes to get their first shot on goal.  The Vipers were lucky to only be down a goal.  Penticton outshot Vernon 19-7.

2nd Period:  The Vees started the middle frame with the man advantage that was carried over from the end of the 1st.  Needing just fifty seven seconds Tyson Jost down low beat Jarrod Schamerhorn in close gave Penticton a 3-1 lead at 0:57 Jack Ramsey & Demico Hannoun with the helpers.  On the goal the Vipers would take another undisaplined penalty sending the Vees right back to the PP.  Penticton struggled with the PP as Vernon with a good penalty kill killed off the minor.  Like the opening frame Penticton kept coming putting all kinds of pressure on the Vipers didnt stop.  For the second straight period Vernon needed six and a half minutes to get their first shot on Hunter Miska as the Vipers couldnt get any kind of offence going.  The Vees moving the puck in a hurry were buzzing in and around the Vernon goal most of the period.  Riley  Alferd, Dakota Conroy, Matt Serratore and Tyson Jost all with good chances couldnt beat Schamerhorn who was keeping his club in the game.  Vernon with no pressure or puck possession was once again being outplayed the entire period.  The Vipers would finally get the puck deep in the Vees zone just before the midway mark, getting their first bit of pressure in and around the Penticton goal.  The Vipers would get a flurry of shots from in close couldnt beat Hunter Miska before TJ Dumonceaux was stopped on the fourth shot as the Vipers had their best pressure on Miska all night.  More chippy play continued from the 1st period into the 2nd period as both teams once again getting involved after the stopages.  The Vipers looked to be getting their second powerplay of the night, only lasted fourteen seconds before another undisaplined Vernon penalty sent both teams to four on four.  Penticton would get a shortened man advantage couldnt capitalize on the PP would grab a three goal lead just after their powerplay.  Dakota Conroy setup Connor Chartier who beat Jarrod Schamerhorn put Penticton up 4-1 at 13:50 Conroy & Lewis Zerter-Gossage with the assists.  Just less then two minutes later Demico Hannoun with his third point of the night gave the Vees a 5-1 lead at 15:44 were in full control.  Patrick Newell with the lone assist.  Anthony Latina was spotted lying on the ice in front of the Viper bench (I didnt see what happened) the play kept going as Latina stayed lying on the ice before slowly tried getting to his knees couldnt get off the ice.  The Viper trainer jumped onto the ice while the play was going before the whistle blew the play dead.  Latina was bleeding from mouth was helped off the ice to the Viper dressing room, didnt return to the hockey game.  No penalty was given on the play.  The Vipers now without Liam Finlay & Anthony Latina.  Vernon would get into more penalty trouble take two minors late in the period with the Vees not being able to put the Vipers away couldnt capitalize with the man advantages.  Penticton was up 5-1 after 40 minutes of play.  This game was now over as the Vees were hands down by far the better hockey club this evening.  For a second straight period the Vees were all over Vernon from start to finish this period.  The Vees carried the play, had several scoring chances scored three goals to jump ahead 5-1 heading into the 3rd.  The Vipers for a second straight period needed six and a half minutes to get their first shot of the frame, once again had very little zone time, puck possession, were held in their own end most of the period.  Vernon taking several undisplained penalties had a flurry of shots in a scramble in front of the Vees goal didnt generate much for offence.  Penticton outshot Vernon 16-8.

3rd Period: With the Vees up by four goals and the game way out of reach Penticton took their foot off the gas, sat back for most of the final twenty minutes.  With not much hitting or whistles the play-time moved along fairly quickly with very little action-scoring chances at either ends of the rink.  The Vipers would get the lone PP of the third, couldnt generate much went 1-4 with the man advantage tonight.  Penticton would get the first great scoring opportunity of the final frame.  Cam Amantea pounced on a big rebound off Jarrod Schamerhorn who made the first save kicked out the rebound to a wide open Amantea who beat the Vernon goaltender but the puck rolled out the other side into the far boards missing the open cage behind Schamerhorn.  TJ Dumonceaux ripped a high hard shot that caught Vees starting goaltender Hunter Miska up high near his shoulder.  Miska went down in some discomfort as the play continued was slow to get up before a stopage in play.  Miska looked to be in some discomfort with his catching hand, stayed in the game.  With four and a half minutes remaining Mackenzie Bauer with Vernon's best opportunity of the 3rd couldnt beat Miska who sprawled out to make a blocker save catching the puck under his arm at the same time.  On the following shift Riley Brandt beat Miska on a shot that looked to handcuff the veteran goaltender.  Brandt's shot beat Miska fivehole looked to change direction before finding the back of the net at 16:47 Penticton still up 5-2.  Kenny Citron with the lone helper.  Just less then a minute later Brandt and Patrick Sexton got involved in an altercation before both players were sent to the dressing rooms each getting ten minute misconducts.  The clock would eventually wind down before the Penticton Vees would come away with the 5-2 victory grabbing a 2-0 lead in the best of seven series.  With the Vees up by four goals entering the 3rd Penticton sat back, took their foot off the gas made for a pretty non entertaing period.  The Vipers played hard, didnt quit generated very little chances got within three goals but the game was long over before then.  Vernon outshot Penticton 12-7.

Top Players: (Vernon)

Jarrod Schamerhorn (37 saves) Couldnt be blamed for the loss allowed five goals but was forced into making thirty seven saves was peppered by the Vees high powered offence all night.  Facing nineteen shots in the 1st and sixteen again in the 2nd period Schamerhorn was forced into making some big saves, keeping his team in the game. 

Game Thought's: (Vernon)

This was not the same Viper team I watched fall 4-3 in double overtime in Game 1 Saturday.  Vernon needed a split in the series before heading home for Games 3 & 4 come up with a very dissapointing 5-2 loss in Game 2.  The Vipers were not in the game off the opening puck drop were outplayed and outskilled the entire night.  Vernon needed a strong start, wanted to play with the lead and not have to play catch up like last night, gave up the opening goal just fourty two seconds into the game.  Outplayed and outshot played most of the 1st period in their own end were lucky to only be down a goal heading into the 2nd period.  The middle frame is when the wheels fell off.  First off giving up a late go ahead goal in the final minute of the opening period was a killer, but then to give up a goal (powerplay goal) in the opening minute to the 2nd period put the Vipers down 3-1 and it just snow balled from here.  Vernon like last night took several undisaplined penalties, generated very little shots on goal, pucks to the net, very little puck possession and zone time played most of the night in their own end.  The Vipers gave the Vees way too much time and space, allowing Penticton's speed, skill and quickness to take over the game.  Emotions got the better of the Vipers and it cost them.  Losing Liam Finlay and Anthony Latina dosnt help, but the Vipers need to come ready to play.  Lets hope both players are ok and able to return for Game 3.  Finlay & Latina are two very big-key players for the Vipers.  Vernon now down 2-0 in the series head home for Games 3 & 4 must win both games on home ice if they have any chance in winning this series.  Penticton is just too good, too strong, too skilled and have an 8-1 record vs the Vipers this season.  The Vipers need to find a way to beat the Vees, something they have only done once this season.  The Vipers dont seem to have an answer for Penticton, they better figure something out quick or this is going to be a quick series and an early summer.

Top Players: (Penticton)

Miles Gendron I thought played very well defensively, was solid on the Penticton backend.

Patrick Newell (2 assists) Played with alot of jump, had tons of enery all night was buzzing.  Not the biggest kid but very shifty. Quick on his feet.

Demico Hannoun (1 goal & 2 assists) Played very well tonight.  Was spotted untouched through out the game, really found open ice where he was able to create and generate chances. 

Patrick Sexton (1 assist) Played very well on the blueline, was solid all night.  Hard to beat down low, played with an edge, wasnt afraid to get involved in the after the whistle altercations.  Played strong and in your face.

Tyson Jost (2 goals) Looked good up front, gave the Vipers problems most of the night, scored twice was involved in the play alot.  Hard to contain, always in and around the net, really sees and reads the plays well.

Cam Amantea (1 goal) Made his return to the Vees lineup tonight, after being out for a while with an injury.  Made an impact in his return was one of the better Penticton Vees forwards tonight.  Had a few good chances.

Lewis Zerter-Gossage (1 assist) I also thought played well, was robbed early into the start of the game at the side of the net, was close to giving Penticton a 2-0 lead.  A bigger body adds alot to the Vees lineup.  Had a few good opportunities.

Riley Alferd I thought was good down low, very crafty with the puck, quick on his feet, was hard to contain-slow down when down low. 

Game Thought's: (Penticton)

After a hard fought 4-3 double overtime victory in Game 1 the Vees responded with a very strong, yet solid performance tonight, letting the Vipers know this series isnt going to be easy.  Penticton with a solid sixty minute effort head on the road have a 2-0 series lead.  Off the opening faceoff the Vees controlled the play, carried the play, were all over the Vipers through out Game 2.  Penticton really sent a message tonight, come back with a physical game after not playing nearly as physical in Game 1.  I thought the Vees really moved the puck well, had tons of pressure, puck possession looked like they were on the PP all night.  Had Vernon on the ropes, hemmed in their own end for most of the first two periods didnt give up alot of push back from the Vipers.  The Vees were swarming in and around the Vernon goal, getting several good chances.  After watching last night's game, I would have said this could be anyone's series for the taking.  But after watching tonight, if both teams continue this trend this series will be over in four straight.  If your a Viper fan, not nearly as exciting or entertaining as last night's overtime thriller.  A very chippy game tonight, with lots of emotions and tempers going overboard on both sides tonight.  Penticton now 8-1 vs the Vipers this season have Vernon's number.

Scratches:

Vernon:

Danny Todosychuk (Injured)
Mitchell Oliver
Blaine Caton
Michael Roberts "AP"

Penticton:

Mitch Newsome

Energy player of the game:

Cody DePourcq (1 assist)

Three Stars:

1st Star: Demico Hannoun (1 goal & 2 assists)
2nd Star: Tyson Jost (2 goals)
3rd Star: Cam Amantea (1 goal)

BCHL Boxscore,

http://www.vipers.bc.ca/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=1438643&link=bchl

Fraser Rodgers Penticton Vees Blog,

https://pentictonvees.wordpress.com/

No comments: