Game 7 - Vipers 4 Capitals 3 - 2OT

For the second straight day, the Vernon Vipers got off to a slow start and found themselves behind the 8 ball early.  At one point, this team was behind by 3 goals and really looked sluggish and lethargic.  It took a huge hit from Riley Brandt, followed by a fight with Patrick Geary that seemed to turn the tides as the Vipers would turn the momentum around and really start skating.  They were able to rally and tie the game before winning it in double overtime.

It was an even game in the first period, the only difference was the Caps took advantage of their opportunities on special teams.  Patrick Geary opened the scoring on a nice shot up over the shoulder of Andrew Shortridge, while the Caps were shorthanded.  On their first PP of the night, the Capitals would get a goal from Jared Domin who just jammed the puck inside the near post to give Cowichan a 2-0 lead.  The period would end a bit early after a breaker in the building blew.  They would get the lights back on and play the remaining few minutes, but the Vipers would end the period down by 2.

The Caps continued to press and Darien Craighead would increase the lead to 3-0 at the five minute mark of the second period.  That really got the Capitals moving as they controlled the flow of play for a good three minutes where the action was entirely in the Vipers zone.  A rush against the flow of momentum had Odeen Tufto snap a low hard shot past Lane Michasiw to make it 3-1.  The Vipers then picked up their physical play and it was Riley Brandt leading the charge.  He crushed Kade Kehoe into the boards, then absolutely ran over Jared Domin in the neutral zone.  The latter hit drew the ire of Patrick Geary and the two would fight it out in a nice tilt before hitting the showers.  That really seemed to spark the Vipers who were much better in the final few minutes of the second, but still remained down 3-1.

The Vipers came out flying the third and most importantly seemed to change their mindset a little in the offensive zone.  Shots started coming from everywhere and there were more quality scoring chances.  Steven Jandric would cut the deficit to one off a beautiful shot from the left circle, right up under the bar to make it 3-2.  Liam Finlay would tie it up a few minutes later after creating his own rebound in the Capitals crease to slide it home.

Nothing solved in overtime number one, but in OT number 2 it took just 23 seconds for Finlay and Tufto to work their magic with Tufto finishing off a 2 on 1 rush to complete the Viper comeback 4-3 in double OT.

Here is the official scoring summary:

SCORING SUMMARY

PERIOD 1

1-0 Cowichan Valley Capitals at 4:25 (SH) - Patrick Geary from Matthew Hudie

2-0 Cowichan Valley Capitals at 10:29 (PP) - Jared Domin from Connor Russell

PERIOD 2

3-0 Cowichan Valley Capitals at 5:01 - Darien Craighead from Jacob Switzer and Ryan Hogg

3-1 Vernon Vipers at 10:02 - Odeen Tufto from Steven Jandric and Mitchell Oliver

PERIOD 3

3-2 Vernon Vipers at 4:34 - Steven Jandric from Mitchell Oliver and Griffin James

3-3 Vernon Vipers at 12:22 - Liam Finlay from Steven Jandric and Odeen Tufto

OVERTIME PERIOD 2

4-3 Vernon Vipers at 0:23 - Odeen Tufto from Liam Finlay

STARS OF THE GAME
1st STAR	2nd STAR	3rd STAR
Vernon Vipers Steven Jandric	Cowichan Valley Capitals Matthew Hudie	Vernon Vipers Odeen Tufto

SHOTS	1	2	3	OTT	TOTAL
Cowichan Valley Capitals	12	10	13	0	35
Vernon Vipers	12	10	12	5	39

POWER PLAYS
Cowichan Valley Capitals	1 for 2 (50.0%)
Vernon Vipers	0 for 6 (00.0%)

This was a really good example of a team fighting off a poor start to come around and get a victory.  In their losses this season, the Vipers have almost been hard luck losers, playing better than the outcome would indicate.  Sunday was a different story as they hung in it long enough to turn the tables and come away with 2 points.

The Viper top line combined for 8 points and were in on all 4 Viper goals.  This line has continued to impress all year long and Sunday was no exception.  They have incredible vision, talent and finish, not to mention uncanny chemistry.

Andrew Shortridge hadn't played in over 2 weeks and looked a little rusty, but when the game was tight in the third period, he made 4 phenomenal saves to keep the comeback alive and well.  Its not always how you start, but how you finish and Shortridge, like the whole team, finished very strong.

Its easy to see why the Capitals have had success early on this season.  They are big, mean, fast and talented.  They have great goaltending and great leadership.  Its been said they take too many penalties, but their PK was very strong as well.  These two teams will play again the first weekend in November as the Vipers head out on their second Island trip of the season.  I wouldn't be surprised if its as fun as Sunday's game was.

Next up for the Vipers is a trip to Powell River as they get set to square off against a Kings team who swept their Showcase weekend and sit atop the Island Division.  You can hear all the action on 107.5KissFM starting at 7pm from the Hap Parker Arena with myself and Don Klepp.

Game 6 - Wild 3 Vipers 2

In the first ever matchup between the Vernon Vipers and Wenatchee Wild, it was the cross border expansion club that took the first W, in a hard fought game that saw speed, skill and physicality.  This matchup started with intensity and finished with a little nastiness as both teams were pushing the limits and boundaries.  In the end, it was the second period that was the Viper undoing, despite a valiant push back in the finals minutes.

The Wenatchee Wild are a puck possession team, that was evident from the drop of the puck as they moved and cycled and outchanced the Vipers in the opening period.  The only benefit to the Wild having the puck was the Vipers ability to lay on the physical game with a number of bone jarring hits.  Jarrod Schamerhorn was very strong, especially in the opening period keeping the game scoreless after 1, despite the Vipers being outshot 13-2.

It took one shift from the Viper top line to open the scoring in the second period as Steven Jandric finished off an NHL calibre passing play just 46 seconds in.  The pace picked up and so did the hitting as both teams started throwing their weight around.  The Wild would tie the game up on a well executed 3 on 2 as Troy Conzo would score to make it 1-1.  Just 47 seconds later the Wild would add another from behind the net as Hunter Alden would get credit for his first BCHL goal.  At the tail end of a 5 on 3 powerplay Tyler Rockwell's point shot would find its way through traffic late in the period to give Wenatchee a 3-1 lead.

The Vipers refused to go away and despite being shorthanded for a good portion of the period still managed to make it a one goal game as Jimmy Lambert tipped in a point shot off the stick of Mitch Oliver.  It was too little too late however and the Wild would remain undefeated by games end, 3-2 the final.

Here is the official scoring summary:

SCORING SUMMARY

PERIOD 1

No Scoring

PERIOD 2

1-0 Vernon Vipers at 0:46 - Steven Jandric from Liam Finlay and Odeen Tufto

1-1 Wenatchee Wild at 13:42 - Troy Conzo from Joseph Drabin and Alex Bates

2-1 Wenatchee Wild at 14:29 - Hunter Alden from Brandon Puricelli

3-1 Wenatchee Wild at 18:43 (PP) - Tyler Rockwell from Bryon Yoon

PERIOD 3

3-2 Vernon Vipers at 18:42 - Jimmy Lambert from Bo Pellah and Mitchell Oliver

STARS OF THE GAME
1st STAR	2nd STAR	3rd STAR
Wenatchee Wild Hunter Alden	Wenatchee Wild Austin Chavez	Vernon Vipers Jarrod Schamerhorn

POWER PLAYS
Vernon Vipers	0 for 2 (00.0%)
Wenatchee Wild	1 for 8 (12.5%)

The Vipers at times felt like their were fighting an uphill battle.  Were they guilty of as many penalties as they took, most likely yes, but only 2 powerplays hurt their ability to generate momentum of their own.

In goal Chase Perry was as advertised. Not overly busy, but made two game savers as well as getting some help from his goalpost.  Jarrod Schamerhorn impressed making a number of big saves and really managing his rebounds.

Aside from the Viper homeopener, their 3 losses have been in one goal games.  That is not a sign to panic by any means.  The team is still learning and developing.  Keeping it close and working hard will pay dividends for this team in the upcoming months.

Next up for the Vipers is a Sunday morning matchup against the Cowichan Valley Capitals.  You can hear the pregame show on 107.5 KissFM or watch on Fasthockey starting at 9:45.

Game 5 - Vipers 8 Chiefs 3

The Vernon Viper did everything but win last night against the Coquitlam Express, tonight they kept with the process from a night ago, but this team were rewarded early and often in an 8-3 route of the reigning Mainland Division Champion Chilliwack Chiefs.

It started just 8 seconds into their first powerplay as former Chief, Darren Rizzolo, would sneak in the back door and take a nice pass from Tufto to convert and make it 1-0.  One minute later Joey Cipollone would pot home a rebound to make it 2-0 Vipers.  Three minutes after, on a delayed penalty to the Chiefs, Riley Brandt would skate in from the left side and end Aidan Pelino's night with a hard shot glove side to make it 3-0.  The Vipers scored 3 goals on 4 shots in 5:10.  Matteo Esposito would replace Pelino and be tested right away, but had no chance on a centering pass from Steven Jandric that was put in by Liam Finlay to make it 4-0 Vipers after 1 period.

It was all Chilliwack in the second period in most statistical category, expect where it counted, on the scoreboard.  The Chiefs really looked like they simplified their game and it served them well testing Viper goaltender Schamerhorn 21 times in 20 minutes.  The Vipers got the first goal of the frame and again it was off the stick Riley Brandt from the nearly identical spot to his first goal.  The Chiefs would get on the board thanks to a nifty move from Jesse Lansdell to finish off a pass from Olischefski.  Less than two minutes later Vimal Sukumaran one timed a nice pass from Kawaguchi past Schamehor to make it 5-2 Vipers after 2 periods.

The Chiefs were forced to play a little more open than I'm sure they wanted to heading into the third period and an early pinched resulted in a 3 on 0 for the Vipers and Odeen Tufto would finish the play off to make it 6-2.  Colton McCarthy would add a goal 7 minutes later to make it 7-2.  The Chiefs would get a powerplay goal from Mark Esposito, before Steven Jandric iced it into an empty net giving the Vipers their first home win of the season by a score of 8-3.

Here is the official scoring summary:

SCORING SUMMARY

PERIOD 1

1-0 Vernon Vipers at 2:15 (PP) - Darren Rizzolo from Odeen Tufto

2-0 Vernon Vipers at 2:20 - Joe Cipollone from Nicholas Rasovic and Brett Stapley

3-0 Vernon Vipers at 5:10 - Riley Brandt from Odeen Tufto and Bo Pellah

4-0 Vernon Vipers at 10:08 - Liam Finlay from Steven Jandric

PERIOD 2

5-0 Vernon Vipers at 6:28 - Riley Brandt from Jimmy Lambert

5-1 Chilliwack Chiefs at 14:17 - Jesse Lansdell from Kohen Olischefski and Connor McCarthy

5-2 Chilliwack Chiefs at 15:48 (PP) - Vimal Sukumaran from Jordan Kawaguchi and Dennis Cholowski

PERIOD 3

6-2 Vernon Vipers at 4:17 - Odeen Tufto from Liam Finlay

7-2 Vernon Vipers at 11:01 - Colton McCarthy from Jimmy Lambert

8-2 Vernon Vipers at 14:09 (EN)- Steven Jandric from Mitchell Oliver

8-3 Chilliwack Chiefs at 15:10 (PP) - Mark Esposito from Jake Smith and Eric Benshadle

STARS OF THE GAME
1st STAR	2nd STAR	3rd STAR
Vernon Vipers Riley Brandt	Vernon Vipers Odeen Tufto	Vernon Vipers Bo Pellah

POWER PLAYS
Chilliwack Chiefs	2 for 4 (50.0%)
Vernon Vipers	1 for 6 (16.7%)

The Vipers were very impressive 5 on 5 tonight.  They didn't give up too many quality scoring chances, and took advantage of almost every single chance they would be presented with.  Not a bad way to finish off home games in September.  The Vipers won't be at home for almost three weeks as they head to the showcase, then the island.

Next up for the Vipers is a mid afternoon matchup against the Wenatchee Wild at the BCHL Bauer Showcase.  The pregame show starts at 3:15 on 107.5 KissFM

Game 4 - Express 4 Vipers 3 - OT

Another night, another good performance from the Vernon Vipers, albeit in a losing effort in overtime.  The Vipers outplayed the Express for a good part of the night, but had trouble finishing on some chances, while the Express did the very opposite.  In the end, there were quite a few positives for the Vipers who managed to tie the game late to ensure one point.

The Vipers started off the game quickly, throwing a lot of pressure and a lot of pucks at Express goaltender Tyger Howat.  At one point the shots were 7-1 and through that flurry, the Vipers were able to get on the board thanks to a powerplay goal from Jimmy Lambert, his first in the BCHL.  The Express would score their first powerplay goal of the season thanks to Erik Udahl who let a seeing eye wrister from the left circle through Jarrod Schamerhorn.  Late in the period, Jackson Cressey would sweep a backhand wrap around into the awning cage to give the road team a 2-1 lead after 1 period.

The Vipers continued their strong play despite being down a goal and again thanks to their powerplay were able to tie the game up as Colton McCarthy would redirect a point shot through Tyger Howatto tie the game up at 2.

The third was a dominant period for the Vipers who swarmed, but the found themselves behind early thanks to Jackson Cressey who tallied his second of the night off a rebound in front.  The Vipers would ramp up the energy and thanks to some brilliant goaltending from Howat still found themselves behind.  The effort finally paid off late as Joe Sacco would score his first goal in the BCHL off a nice feed from Hunter Zandee.  This game would need extra time to determine a winner.

In overtime, it takes one shot and for the Express it came off the stick of Austin McIlmurray as he picked the Viper defensemans pocket, then ripped a shot past Schamerhorn to give the road team the victory 4-3.

Here is the official box score:

SCORING SUMMARY

PERIOD 1

1-0 Vernon Vipers at 5:35 (PP) - Jimmy Lambert from Riley Brandt and Mitchell Oliver

1-1 Coquitlam Express at 12:29 (PP) - Erik Udahl from Jarell Pinchuk and Jackson Cressey

2-1 Coquitlam Express at 18:06 - Jackson Cressey from Colton Kerfoot

PERIOD 2

2-2 Vernon Vipers at 1:14 (PP) - Colton McCarthy from Bo Pellah and Odeen Tufto

PERIOD 3

3-2 Coquitlam Express at 3:00 - Jackson Cressey from Cameron Bertsch and Jarell Pinchuk

3-3 Vernon Vipers at 14:49 - Joe Sacco from Hunter Zandee and Jagger Williamson

OVERTIME PERIOD 1

4-3 Coquitlam Express at 2:41 - Austin McIlmurray (unassisted)

STARS OF THE GAME
1st STAR	2nd STAR	3rd STAR
Coquitlam Express Jackson Cressey	Coquitlam Express Austin McIlmurray	Vernon Vipers Riley Brandt

POWER PLAYS
Coquitlam Express	1 for 4 (25.0%)
Vernon Vipers	2 for 6 (33.3%)

The only difference between a victory and a loss tonight was Tyger Howat.  He was an honorable mention for a star, but the man who scores the game winner and Jackson Cressey wiped that chance out.  The Vipers continue to improve on a game to game basis.  From a consistency standpoint, this was their best effort.  They didn't offer up much to the Express, but Coquitlam capitalized on the few they had.

The Vipers will continue to try build in a positive direction when they host the Chilliwack Chiefs Saturday night at KTP.  You can hear all the action on FastHockey and 107.5 KissFM in Vernon.

Game 3 - Vees 3 Vipers 2

The Vernon Vipers and Penticton Vees renewed their heated rivalry Wednesday Night at the SOEC.  The Vipers started slow and really picked up steam late, while it was the opposite for the Vees who scored on their first shot of the game, only to hang on for the 3-2 victory.

No nerves for the Vees in their home opener as their top line would pressure early and Scott Conway would snap a wrist shot from the circle passed Andrew Shortridge.  The Vipers would get it back 7 minutes later as the Vipers kept the Vees in their own zone following an icing and Odeen Tufto would slip home a Steven Jandric wrist shot.  Mitchell Brooks would fool Shortridge with a tricky backhander midway through the period to give the Vees a 2-1 lead after 1 period.

The second period was mostly controlled by the Vees.  Time of possession very much in their favour, but overall scoring chances weren't as high as you'd think.  Penticton would increase their lead though, as Scott Conway tallied his second of the night pouncing on his own rebound.

It was a much different Viper team that came out of the dressing room to start the third.  They would get a powerplay and make quick work as Steven Jandric went bar down off a nice feed from Liam Finlay.  The Vipers would push the pace in efforts to get the game tied and came within an eyelash of tying it as Riley Brandt clanked the crossbar with just seconds left in the game.

Here is the official box score:

SCORING SUMMARY

PERIOD 1

1-0 Penticton Vees at 0:42 - Scott Conway from Chris Gerrie and Tyson Jost

1-1 Vernon Vipers at 7:45 - Odeen Tufto from Liam Finlay and Steven Jandric

2-1 Penticton Vees at 11:12 - Mitchell Brooks from Jason Lavallee and Gabe Bast

PERIOD 2

3-1 Penticton Vees at 4:32 - Scott Conway from Tyson Jost and David Eccles

PERIOD 3

3-2 Vernon Vipers at 6:00 (PP) - Steven Jandric from Liam Finlay and Odeen Tufto

Here are tonight's 3 Stars:

STARS OF THE GAME
1st STAR	2nd STAR	3rd STAR
Penticton Vees Scott Conway	Penticton Vees Tyson Jost	Vernon Vipers Odeen Tufto

POWER PLAYS
Vernon Vipers	1 for 2 (50.0%)
Penticton Vees	0 for 4 (00.0%)

This wasn't an instant classic in the Viper/Vee history books, but it didn't lack for entertainment.  The Vees looked sharp in terms of controlling the puck, but the Vipers also proved that their young team can hang with a very talented Penticton team.

Both goaltenders were very solid all night, each making a couple of game savers.

The Vipers return home for a matchup with Coquitlam Express Friday night.   Its an internet only game, you can catch it on FastHockey or on the Viper MixLR.

Game 2 - Vipers 5 Smokies 2

A day after a very disappointing effort on home ice, the Vipers were determined to get back to basics, back to what they worked on for the last two weeks and back to Viper hockey.  That determination was evident in the Vipers 5-2 win over the Trail Smoke Eaters.  A night after losing their home opener, the Vipers spoiled the Trail home opener in a very tidy road performance that saw contributions up and down the lineup, some nice defensive efforts and some stellar goaltending.

The Vipers would open the scoring early as Mike Roberts would pounce on a loose puck in the high slot and rifle it high over the glove of Bailey MacBurnie.  Less than 4 minutes later, Joey Cipollone would have some skating room down the left wing and snapped a hard wrist shot far post and in to double the Snake lead.  Trail veteran, Kurt Black would cut the lead in half as he would crash the crease and deposit his first goal of the season.  Moments later on a powerplay Colton McCarthy would chip home a rebound to make it 3-1.  Four goals in less than 10 minutes.  Play would settle down a little bit and both teams seemed to be skating well.  The end of 20 minutes had the score remain 3-1 Vipers.

An entertaining second period some some good structure and speed from both sides as they tried to generate answers.  A parade of penalties thwarted the games momentum for a good part of the frame, but ironically the only goal of the period was an even strength goal from Jake Kauppila as he parked himself in front for a nice pass from Kurt Black from behind the net to make it 3-2 after 2.

In the third, and only leading by a goal I thought the Vipers did a nice job of containing the Smoke Eater pressure.  At times Trail had trouble gaining the Viper zone and actually spent a good chuck of the period in their own end.  Liam Finlay would restore a two goal lead as he showed off some nice hand eye coordination to kick a puck towards the goal, then make sure to touch it with his stick before it crossed the line, making the score 4-2.  Riley Brandt would ice it into an empty net to finish the game off at 5-2.

Here is the official box score:

SCORING SUMMARY

PERIOD 1

1-0 Vernon Vipers at 3:44 - Michael Roberts from Joe Cipollone

2-0 Vernon Vipers at 6:08 - Joe Cipollone (unassisted)

2-1 Trail Smoke Eaters at 8:25 - Kurt Black from Jake Kauppila

3-1 Vernon Vipers at 9:27 (PP) - Colton McCarthy from Bo Pellah and Riley Brandt

PERIOD 2

3-2 Trail Smoke Eaters at 5:03 - Jake Kauppila from Kurt Black

PERIOD 3

4-2 Vernon Vipers at 5:43 - Liam Finlay from Peter Tufto and Steven Jandric

5-2 Vernon Vipers at 16:45 (EN)- Riley Brandt from Colton McCarthy and Jimmy Lambert

Here are tonight's 3 Stars:

STARS OF THE GAME
1st STAR	2nd STAR	3rd STAR
Vernon Vipers Liam Finlay	Trail Smoke Eaters Kurt Black	Vernon Vipers Michael Roberts

POWER PLAYS
Vernon Vipers	1 for 7 (14.3%)
Trail Smoke Eaters	0 for 5 (00.0%)

The Vipers did a nice job of shaking off the bus legs early in the game and were able to generate a lead that they would not relinquish despite Trails best efforts.

Andrew Shortridge was very good in goal for the Vipers turning aside 35 of 37 shots for his first BCHL Regular Season win.  He didn't have to be spectacular, but stopped the ones he was supposed to and his rebound control was impeccable.

Again, I thought Trail was impressive.  They refused to go away and seemed at times, like they were a bounce away from swinging the momentum back in their favour.

Next up for the Vipers is another road game and another home opener as they head to the SOEC to face Tyson Jost, and the Penticton Vees.  Pregame show starts at 6:45, puck drop at 7 in Penticton.