The Vernon Vipers played a very good game for 50 minutes of Saturday nights matchup. They were on their heels for about 10 minutes and were able to hold off the Nanaimo Clippers to skate away with a 3-2 win. The Vipers were much better defensively in this outing a limited the Clippers to lots of shots from the perimeter. The powerplay scored, Austin Smith was great and the team really banded together when the Clippers started to chip into the lead.
There was nothing flashy about the performance tonight, but a key was to outwork the Clippers and the hardwork led to two powerplays in the first period and they would convert on one. During the broadcast I thought it was a fortunate missed pass that ended up on the stick of Josh Bryan, but on further review I believe it was intentional. In any case, the powerplay scored for the first time in two games and it had to feel good for Josh Bryan to score against his former club. Austin Smith had to make a few nice saves and the Snakes would enter the break up by a goal.
Momentum would start to sway more in the Vipers favour in the second as a nice shift from the Dancs, McNicholas and Hannoun line would get a great chance and follow it up with a goal as Dancs found himself some open space and snapped it past Tanner Kovacs. Less than three minutes later, the Vipers caught the Clippers running around in their own end and some quick passing ended with a rocket of a one timer off the stick of Michael Statchuk and the Vipers had a comfortable 3-0 lead after 2 periods.
The Clippers for their part didn't give up or pack it in as they pushed to get back in the game. They are a dangerous club while shorthanded and it showed as Brendan Taylor scored a nice goal to make the game 3-1. Nanaimo would then get a few powerplays and convert on one as Bo Brauer poked home a loose puck in the blue paint to make it 3-2 with plenty of time on the clock. That was as close as Nanaimo would get as Austin Smith and the Vipers shut the door not allowing much in the final few minutes to get their 21st win of the season.
My 3 Key Thoughts
1) - Better Effort - Its amazing how much 24 hours and a short memory can serve a team well. The Vipers came out with a better effort from start to finish, didn't get frustrated when calls didn't go their way and banded together to shut down a very tough Clipper squad. The key to tonight was to outwork the Clippers and I thought for most of the game they did that. All 4 lines and 6 defensemen were tidy in their own end and kept most of the Clipper offense to the outside.
2) - Defense Chipping In - Jared Wilson was the Vipers player of the month for December with 9 points in 8 games. The defense continued to chip in on Friday night with Josh Bryan and Michael Statchuk getting markers. For Statchuk it was especially satisfying as he has played forward and defense whenever necessary and has become a real utility player for the coaching staff. This was his second official goal in the BCHL, but his first was an empty netter. This one was a rocket and I know the family back home in Wadena Saskatchewan, despite being cold, cheered loud and proud.
3) - Home Cooking - For the second time this season Kal Tire Place has had more than 2000 fans in the building. The players really seem to respond to it and continue to play well at home. Its extremely important for this team to play well at home because they know in May they will be playing at least three games here and want it to be as difficult for the opposition as possible.
The Vipers are now off until a big game against the Vees on Friday night at Kal Tire Place. Its also BCHL 5 Hole For Food Challenge. Bring non perishables for donation for the Vernon food bank. Its an internet only broadcast and I will have the call for you starting at 6:45.
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