The first period started out a little tentative as both teams started the feeling out process. Remember, these teams hadn't played each other since late January. It was pretty back and forth with both teams generating a few opportunities that were handled by the respective goaltenders. The Vipers mindset early seemed to be putting a lot of pucks at Jonah Imoo and that would be evident with 17 in the opening 20 minutes. The Vipers PP in the regular season was operating at a very high level and that would continue to start the post season as Colton McCarthy would tip in a shot from Latina to make it 1-0. That lead would only last 14 seconds as the Cents moved the puck around nicely resulting in John Schiavo ripping a hard low shot through the legs of Todosychuk. The game was tied 1-1 after 1.
Momentum is a funny thing. A team can have it for a good half of the period, only to see the other team have it for the other half. Thats the story of the second period for Merritt, who started the period with two powerplays and carried the play for the first 10 minutes and outshot the Vipers 8-1 through the first nine minutes. Danny Todosychuk was outstanding as were the penalty killers to keep the game tied. The Vipers would take the lead in the late stages of the second period as Thomas Aldworth would jam home a puck in the slot to make it 2-1 after 2 periods.
It was all Merritt in the final period as they seemed to find another gear. The Vipers to their credit did a good job weathering the storm and being very smart with the puck. In the period it appeared Danny Todosychuk had tweaked something and was moving around quite gingerly, yet remained in the game until the final few minutes when Mark Ferner opted to relieve the Vernon product and replace him with Jarrod Schamerhorn. The Cents were on a powerplay at that point and were able to convert on a net front scramble. Gavin Gould would get credit with just 2 minutes left. This game was destined for OT.
In overtime, it is often said the game will either end quick, or settle in it'll be a long one. Well luckily for the Vipers it would be a quick one as the Cents would turn the puck over behind their net and Liam Finlay would find Anthony Latina wide open in front of the net and he would make no mistake as the Vipers skate away with a 1-0 series lead and a 3-2 victory.
Here is the official box score as per the BCHL website:
| PERIOD 1 |
| 1-0 Vernon Vipers at 17:12 (PP) - Colton McCarthy from Anthony Latina and Brandon Egli |
| 1-1 Merritt Centennials at 17:26 - John Schiavo from Diego Cuglietta and Josh Teves |
| PERIOD 2 |
| 2-1 Vernon Vipers at 15:55 - Thomas Aldworth from Mitch Meek and TJ Dumonceaux |
| PERIOD 3 |
| 2-2 Merritt Centennials at 18:02 (PP) - Gavin Gould from Josh Teves and Shane Poulsen |
| OVERTIME PERIOD 1 |
| 3-2 Vernon Vipers at 3:28 - Anthony Latina from Liam Finlay |
| STARS OF THE GAME | ||
 1st STAR | 2nd STAR | 3rd STAR |
| Vernon Vipers Anthony Latina | Merritt Centennials Gavin Gould | Vernon Vipers Thomas Aldworth |
In goal Jonah Imoo was very impressive stopping a ton of quality opportunities. Danny Todosychuk was in the same boat as well for the Vipers before leaving the game due to injury. As for Jarrod Schamehorn it was a tough spot for him as he would come in and give up the tying goal on the first shot of the game. The key was battling after that which he did stopping the two shots the Cents put on him in OT.
Game 2 will go tonight at Kal Tire Place. Get your tickets at the KTP Box Office! If you can't make it two the game there are three options for you:
1) - Listen with me right here....http://1075kiss.com/
2) - Listen with David Ashbaugh...http://www.q101.ca/
3) - Watch on Fasthockey...http://www.fasthockey.com/
Thanks for checking out the blog, you can also follow me on twitter @GrahamT_Vipers
No comments:
Post a Comment