The Vernon Vipers scored three goals in the first 22 minutes of play and were able to hold down the fort to win their 4th straight by a score of 3-2. The Vipers had only 11 shots through 40 minutes but led from the get-go. They would then have a solid final period to frustrate the Caps and take the all important 2 points.
The first period got out to a great start for the Vipers as Michael McNicholas would score 85 seconds into the game to get the ball rolling. It all came from some great work down low and the ability of McNicholas to find space in the slot. Despite the Vipers having the puck in the offensive zone for long stretches, they didn't get any love on the shot clock. That didn't seem to phase them as the game started to get chippy. Kyle Horsman would be the only one taken from a scrum and the Vipers made them pay as Dexter Dancs scored a pretty goal from in tight to give Vernon a 2-0 lead. Danny Todosychuk made a handful of quality saves as the Caps really tried to shoot for rebounds off the pads and Danny was up to the challenge.
The second period started just like the first, with Michael McNicholas scoring his second of the game just 87 seconds into the frame. The key to that goal was Hannoun and Dancs crashing the net and McNicholas taking full advantage of that snapping it far side. The three goal lead was very short lived as the Caps would finally get some bounces going their way. Sam Curleigh would jam away at a loose puck to get the game within 2. The Caps continued to push and once again were rewarded 12 minutes later as Jordan Topping would snap a wrist shot high over the glove of Todosychuk. The Vipers would get to the intermission on their heels a little bit despite scoring 3 goals on just 11 shots.
Something changed in the Vipers as they came out for the third period as they started to push the pace, get some shots and keep the puck out of their own end. The Snakes seemed to frustrate the Caps as they just couldn't get anything going. Cowichan did get a powerplay late in regulation but the Vipers killed it and let the time expire for a 3-2 victory.
My 3 Key Thoughts
1) Great Shooting Percentage - The Vipers didn't shoot much in the first period and that seemed to make Robin Gusse very uncomfortable as he gave up 3 goals on the first 11 shots. He seemed to be fighting it, but Vernon just didn't get anything on goal. The ones they did were quality. They had the same number of shots in the third period as they did in the entire first 40 minutes so they seemed to feel the urgency to shoot the puck. Normally, you win by outshooting the opponent, tonight not the case and the Vipers will take it.
2) PK Clutch - The penalty kill was only out there three times, but they limited the Caps to almost nothing. That was crucial in the third period when Cowichan had the PP down by a goal with only a few minutes left. All year long the PK was been the key piece for the Vipers special teams. Now with the powerplay scoring in 4 straight, thing are heading in the right direction
3) Referees - Not too often will I make reference to the officiating in a game. Both teams had reason to argue at times, but in my humble opinion it was even. Were there missed calls? Definitely!, but there usually are missed calls. It's the detriment to a one referee system. The referee called what he saw, if he didn't see it he didn't call it. The only way to resolve that would be to have two refs, until that happens what can you do???
The Vipers will look to put a cap on a nice weekend with a trip to Coquitlam for Sunday afternoon. You can catch all the action once again on 107.5 KissFm starting at 1:45 with the pregame show!
No comments:
Post a Comment