A consistent effort, mixed with timely goals propelled the Vernon Vipers to a 3-2 series lead thanks to a 3-2 win at the SOEC on Thursday night. The Viper top line of Coughlin, Dancs and McNicholas factored in on all 3 goals and Austin Smith made 21 saves on 23 to push the Penticton Vees to the brink of elimination.
Both teams had a good start to the game as they traded chances early. It took just under 5 minutes to get a stoppage in play as the game had some very good pace. The Vipers would get caught with too many men on the ice which resulted in a Vees powerplay. Erik Benoit would bank home a rebound at the side of the net to give the Vees the opening goal for just the second time in the series. That lead was short lived as Michael McNicholas would finish off a two on one just 23 seconds later. The Vipers didn't get many shots on goal in the frame, just 4 after 20 minutes, but were deadlocked at 1.
The Vipers had a much better second period as Demico Hannoun would be robbed in front after a Vees turnover as Hunter Miska came across and made a fantastic save on the North Delta product. That was key as the Vees would capitalize on a rebound in front as Steen Cooper scored his 4th of the playoffs to make it 2-1 Penticton. The momentum would start to shift in the Vipers favour, but not before their penalty kill was tested. With Jared Wilson and TJ Dumonceaux in the penalty box, the Vipers only allowed one shot on goal. They would kill it off and some nice board work allowed Coughlin to walk out of the circle and let a shot right along the ice find its way five hole on Miska to tie it up with just 45 seconds left in the period.
The third was a defensive battle with neither team really pushing the pace as it looked like no one wanted to make the first mistake. The Vipers were at their best at limiting the Vees offensive chances in the third as they would only allow 5 shots on goal. The Vipers were able to capitalize on one mistake by the Vees who couldn't clear and a nice give and go from Coughlin and McNicholas as Coughlin would score his second of the night with just 3 and a half minutes left. The Vees would get a too many men on the ice penalty in the final two minutes and the Vipers would skate away with a 3-2 win and a 3-2 series lead.
My 3 Key Thoughts
1) - Controlled Effort - It was the type of game where the Vipers didn't have too many highs or too many lows. They essentially played the same game for the entire 60 minutes. They responded in timely fashion following 2 Penticton leads. In important games when you get down, its important to keep and even keel. The Vipers didn't panic when behind and seemed to have the confidence in their play to know they could come back. Its that mentality that has seen them won the last two games and in a situation where with one more win they can eliminate the Vees.
2) - Turning Point - There are different points in a game where one could look back and say "thats where the game changed". For me it was the 5 on 3 penalty kill for the Vipers. Vernon was forced to kill 70 seconds of 5 on 3 time and not only did they kill it off, they only allowed one shot on goal. That was key because the Vipers would then tie the game up late in the period. This PK has been Jekyll and Hyde at times, but tonight it was the shift in momentum the Vipers would need.
3) - Top Line Magic - For most of this series, the focus has been on the Mulcahy, Sparrow and Persley line. Well tonight, it was the Coughlin, McNicholas and Dancs show as that line was dominant in the offensive zone. Not only did they factor in all 3 of the Viper goals, but they kept the puck nearly 200 feet from their own goal for the majority of their ice time. This line was getting their chances, but not converting as much as they would like. In Game 5 they were instrumental to the Vipers victory.
The Vipers will look to end the series Friday night at Kal Tire Place. The pregame show starts at 6:45 on 107.5 KissFM
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