Video produced by Eddie Gregory.
Monday, March 26, 2018
Monday, March 12, 2018
2018 BCHL OVERTIME MAGIC FIRST ROUND
Every overtime winner of the 1st round of the 2018 BCHL playoffs.
Video produced by Eddie Gregory.
Thursday, March 8, 2018
VEES @ EXPRESS GAME 4 HIGHLIGHTS
Highlights from the Vees 2-1 win over the Express Wednesday night to complete a four game sweep of the Interior Division quarterfinal.
Highlights produced by Eddie Gregory.
Highlights produced by Eddie Gregory.
EXPRESS GO DOWN SWINGING AGAINST VEES
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| Clay Stevenson and Chris Klack Photo courtesy of Damon James. |
In a series that at times saw Penticton play at a high tempo that resulted in blow out wins in games 2 and 3, it was a tighter game for the Express with a slower pace despite the fact they were outshot 59-26.
Right off the bad the Express had a great scramble chance, but they couldn't jam the puck past Vees goaltender Adam Scheel.
Clay Stevenson got the call between the pipes in game 4. He relieved Brock Hamm in each of the previous two games. Game 4 quickly developed into a game of a lifetime for the Express goaltender. He was peppered with plenty of shots and made Penticton earn everything that they got.
Late in the first period Stevenson made a sequence of four saves while the Express were shorthanded on a Vees two on one and a breakaway by Wyatt Sloboshan.
Stevenson finished the first period with 22 saves. The Express had 11 shots on Adam Scheel.
The second period has been the difference maker for the Vees. It appeared to be more of the same for Penticton early in game 4. Owen Sillinger scored his first of the series on a power play at 1:22 to open the scoring.
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| Josh Wildauer - Photo courtesy of Damon James |
Three minutes later the Express tied the game on the power play. Jonathan Sheardown's shot was deflected by Josh Wildauer on his first of the series.
Lukas Sillinger appeared to have scored again at the 13 minute mark on a rebound chance. This time the official said no goal and the call stood again to the dismay of the Vees.
Off the ensuing face-off Jonathan Sheardown was robbed on a odd-man rush and the game remained tied going into the third period.
Early in the third Clay Stevenson had some adventures playing the puck and there were a couple of occasions where he nearly got burned.
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| Jack MacNab - Photo courtesy of Damon James |
Finally Penticton broke through on a Jonny Sheardown shot that was blocked springing a 2 on 1 the other way and Taylor Ward converted the pass from Massimo Rizzo for a 2-1 Vees lead with 12 minutes to play.
As the third period ticked down the Express kept fighting for their season, but eventually the Vees held on.
Clay Stevenson should be proud with the goaltending effort he gave his team finishing with 57 saves allowing his team to battle right to the final seconds.
Penticton will face the Trail Smoke Eaters in the second round as all four Interior division series finished in sweeps. The other series will see the Vernon Vipers take on the Wenatchee Wild.
I would like to thank everyone who took the time to read these posts and visit the blog.
Wednesday, March 7, 2018
VEES @ EXPRESS GAME 3 HIGHLIGHTS
Highlights from Penticton's 7-2 win over the Express in game 3 of the Interior Division Quarterfinal.
Play by play and highlights production by Eddie Gregory.
Play by play and highlights production by Eddie Gregory.
Tuesday, March 6, 2018
VEES 7 EXPRESS 2
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| Christian Sanda & Jonny Tychonick - Photo courtesy of Damon James |
The Express were missing 7 players due to various ailments and had 5 AP's in the lineup. The most notable absence for the Express was defenseman Troy Robillard.
Despite the shorthanded roster, the Express valiantly did battle at times with what they had. But as the game went on the Vees overall depth and skill allowed them to take over as the game went deeper.
Jack MacNab surprised everyone in the building opening the scoring with a wrist shot from outside the blueline that snuck past the blocker of Adam Scheel.
The early hole was the spark for the Vees to start moving their feet and push the pace on the Express.
In game 2, a lengthy series of puck control shifts in the Express zone in the second period eventually led to the 3-1 goal by Jackson Keane. The equalizer for the Vees in the first period developed under similar circumstances.
After 90 seconds of puck control in the Express zone. The puck again found Keane's stick who scored to tie the game at one.
On the first shift after that goal Jason Fortier sent out Christian Sanda, Josh Wildauer and Eric Linell who got the momentum back for the Express and Sanda scored on a loose puck in front of the net with his second of the series.
Brock Hamm was busy at the other end, and he was strong finishing the period with 24 first period saves to preserve the Express lead after 1 period.
Penticton has really made hay in this series to turn games in their favour in the second period. Jack Barnes scored the game winning goal in the second period in game 1. Saturday in game 2 the Vees struck four times to pull away. Game 3 was no different.
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| Ryan Stack - Photo courtesy of Damon James |
A Penticton power play led to a goal by Wyatt Sloboshan who snapped a back door feed to even the game at 2.
Midway through the period Marcus Mitchell dug the puck out of traffic as the Vees worked the puck in the Express zone. Mitchell then walked in off the boards and surprised Brock Hamm with a shot from the half boards finding the net on the short side.
The Vees top end skill started to really take over by this point. Just 10 seconds after Mitchell's goal Chris Black cut in the Express zone and some how below the goal line was able to tuck in the puck inside the post on Brock Hamm.
Then with 3 minutes left in the period Micheal Campoli made a slap pass to Jared Nash who quickly tipped the puck to Sloboshan who scored his second of the night on the prettiest goal of the evening.
Penticton has outscored the Express 9-1 in the second period in this series and 8-0 in the last two games.
In the final minute of the second period a dangerous hit by Dominic Davis from behind on Nicky Leivermann sent the defenseman crashing head first into the boards. There was a lengthy delay as the medical personnel took every necessary precaution. The Colorado Avalanche defenseman was eventually taken off the ice on a stretcher. But the Vees post-game provided good news on the defenseman.
We have received word that Nicky Leivermann has avoided a serious injury after being pushed into the boards tonight. He won’t play tomorrow but should have a speedy recovery.— Penticton Vees (@PentictonVees) March 7, 2018
Davis was given a five minute major penalty and game misconduct for the hit.
Penticton struck twice on the ensuing power play on Klack's second of the night and Jack Barnes scoring his second of the series to round out the scoring. The Vees scored three power play goals for a second straight game.
The Vees peppered Express goaltenders Brock Hamm and Clay Stevenson with 51 shots. Hamm was relived for a second straight game after 7 goals on 40 shots.
Game 4 of this series goes Tuesday night with the Express playing to keep their season alive.
Monday, March 5, 2018
EXPRESS @ VEES GAME 2 HIGHLIGHTS
Highlights from the Vees 9-2 win over the Express Saturday night in game 2 of the Interior division quarterfinal.
Highlights produced by Eddie Gregory.
Highlights produced by Eddie Gregory.
Sunday, March 4, 2018
VEES 9 EXPRESS 2
The Penticton Vees gave the Express a cruel and harsh lesson in will and desire in playoff hockey in game 2 of the Interior division quarter final. The final result saw the Vees hand the Express a 9-2 loss for a 2-0 Vees series lead. Click here for boxscore
After a game 1 that lacked your typical playoff emotion due to the Express and Vees not meeting often during the regular season, game 2 started to see some dislike emerge between the two teams.
With Will Lawerence in the box for high sticking, Penticton struck early to open the scoring. The Vees got the puck to the Express crease and Chris Klack was allowed to swat home a loose puck with minimal threat of the Vees goal scorer having to be knocked on his backside in order to score the goal.
Back to back Vees penalties resulted in powerplays for the Express, but they couldn't take advantage of the opportunity. The second Vees penalty was handed to Michael Campoli for a check from behind on Troy Robillard and the Vees defenseman was given a minor and a game misconduct.
Massimo Rizzo sped into the Express zone and roofed a backhand just under the crossbar on Brock Hamm for a 2-0 Vees lead at 14:52.
29 seconds later the Express had a response rushing the puck into the Vees zone with Eric Linell feeding Haydn Delorme who got the puck to the crease and Jack Lippis jammed it home to cut the Fees lead to 2-1.
In the final seconds of the first period Jake Toor got drilled into the boards from behind by Kenny Johnson. The Express forward did need some help to get off the ice and the Vees defenseman was not penalized for the hit. To give Toor credit he did return for the second period.
Entering this series there was a vast discrepancy in playoff experience in favour of the Vees due in large part to Penticton entering the series as defending BCHL champions. Along the way for the Vees they learned how to raise their intensity and compete level in order to have success in the playoffs.
That was on full display in the second period as the Vees took over the game. They were first on pucks more often and battled harder to get the puck back.
It was that Vees work ethic that didn't take long to start paying off. After a lengthy shift of Penticton puck control in the Express zone, eventually they got the break down they were looking for and Jackson Keane banged home a loose puck in the goal crease for a 3-1 Vees lead.
The Penticton pressure continued. After more puck control and strong play by the Vees in the Express end, the puck was played back to the point to Nicky Leivermann whose shot was stopped by Hamm, but Taylor Ward was alone in front of the net for a 4-1 Vees lead.
By this point Penticton was firing on all cylinders. Dakota Bautin on a 2 on 1 took his time before ripping a shot past the glove of Brock Hamm for a 5-1 Vees lead.
Once the second period came to a close it was 6-1 Vees on a goal by Massimo Rizzo for his second of the night. That goal was the result of more Vees puck hunting then setting up Rizzo who ripped a quick shot over Hamm's glove.
The foot wasn't taken off the throttle to open up the third period. Taylor Ward scored his second of the night rushing into the Express zone and snapping a shot past the glove of Hamm for a 7-1 Vees lead at 1:10.
Marcus Mitchell buried the Vees third power play goal of the night winning a puck battle in the Express crease for a 8-1 lead. At this point Jason Fortier gave Brock Hamm the rest of the night off after 8 goals on 27 shots. Many of the 8 goals that beat the Express co-MVP was the result of break downs in front of him and the goaltender wasn't at fault for the rough night.
Clay Stevenson wasn't expecting to see any action on his 19th birthday. Especially under the circumstances with his team trailing 8-1. He was beaten by Taylor Ward's hat-trick goal at 7:38. Ward finished with three goals and two assists.
With the lopsided score, you watch to see who is continuing to battle hard when they're on the ice. Christian Sanda, Eric Linell and Josh Wildauer kept up their effort level. Wildauer fed Linell in the slot who scored on a second effort to round out the scoring.
The teams have two days to rest up before game 3 goes Tuesday night in Coquitlam. It's a good time for the Express to evaluate how hard they're willing to battle and compete to make sure this series will at least return to Penticton for a game 5 Friday night.
After a game 1 that lacked your typical playoff emotion due to the Express and Vees not meeting often during the regular season, game 2 started to see some dislike emerge between the two teams.
With Will Lawerence in the box for high sticking, Penticton struck early to open the scoring. The Vees got the puck to the Express crease and Chris Klack was allowed to swat home a loose puck with minimal threat of the Vees goal scorer having to be knocked on his backside in order to score the goal.
Back to back Vees penalties resulted in powerplays for the Express, but they couldn't take advantage of the opportunity. The second Vees penalty was handed to Michael Campoli for a check from behind on Troy Robillard and the Vees defenseman was given a minor and a game misconduct.
Massimo Rizzo sped into the Express zone and roofed a backhand just under the crossbar on Brock Hamm for a 2-0 Vees lead at 14:52.
29 seconds later the Express had a response rushing the puck into the Vees zone with Eric Linell feeding Haydn Delorme who got the puck to the crease and Jack Lippis jammed it home to cut the Fees lead to 2-1.
In the final seconds of the first period Jake Toor got drilled into the boards from behind by Kenny Johnson. The Express forward did need some help to get off the ice and the Vees defenseman was not penalized for the hit. To give Toor credit he did return for the second period.
Entering this series there was a vast discrepancy in playoff experience in favour of the Vees due in large part to Penticton entering the series as defending BCHL champions. Along the way for the Vees they learned how to raise their intensity and compete level in order to have success in the playoffs.
That was on full display in the second period as the Vees took over the game. They were first on pucks more often and battled harder to get the puck back.
It was that Vees work ethic that didn't take long to start paying off. After a lengthy shift of Penticton puck control in the Express zone, eventually they got the break down they were looking for and Jackson Keane banged home a loose puck in the goal crease for a 3-1 Vees lead.
The Penticton pressure continued. After more puck control and strong play by the Vees in the Express end, the puck was played back to the point to Nicky Leivermann whose shot was stopped by Hamm, but Taylor Ward was alone in front of the net for a 4-1 Vees lead.
By this point Penticton was firing on all cylinders. Dakota Bautin on a 2 on 1 took his time before ripping a shot past the glove of Brock Hamm for a 5-1 Vees lead.
Once the second period came to a close it was 6-1 Vees on a goal by Massimo Rizzo for his second of the night. That goal was the result of more Vees puck hunting then setting up Rizzo who ripped a quick shot over Hamm's glove.
The foot wasn't taken off the throttle to open up the third period. Taylor Ward scored his second of the night rushing into the Express zone and snapping a shot past the glove of Hamm for a 7-1 Vees lead at 1:10.
Marcus Mitchell buried the Vees third power play goal of the night winning a puck battle in the Express crease for a 8-1 lead. At this point Jason Fortier gave Brock Hamm the rest of the night off after 8 goals on 27 shots. Many of the 8 goals that beat the Express co-MVP was the result of break downs in front of him and the goaltender wasn't at fault for the rough night.
Clay Stevenson wasn't expecting to see any action on his 19th birthday. Especially under the circumstances with his team trailing 8-1. He was beaten by Taylor Ward's hat-trick goal at 7:38. Ward finished with three goals and two assists.
With the lopsided score, you watch to see who is continuing to battle hard when they're on the ice. Christian Sanda, Eric Linell and Josh Wildauer kept up their effort level. Wildauer fed Linell in the slot who scored on a second effort to round out the scoring.
The teams have two days to rest up before game 3 goes Tuesday night in Coquitlam. It's a good time for the Express to evaluate how hard they're willing to battle and compete to make sure this series will at least return to Penticton for a game 5 Friday night.
Saturday, March 3, 2018
EXPRESS @ VEES GAME 1 HIGHLIGHTS
Highlights from the Vees 2-1 win over the Express Friday night in game 1 of the Interior division quarterfinal.
Highlights produced by Eddie Gregory.
Highlights produced by Eddie Gregory.
Friday, March 2, 2018
VEES TAKE GAME 1
The Express opened their Interior division quarter final with a tight 2-1 loss to the Penticton Vees. Despite a valiant push by the Express, they couldn't break through for the equalizer late and trail this series 1-0. Click here for boxscore
The opening 20 minutes saw the teams with chances at both ends. In the opening minute Chris Klack found himself alone behind the Express defense and was stopped by Brock Hamm as he went to the backhand. That save would be the start of a very impressive junior hockey playoff debut for Hamm. Friday was his first ever junior playoff game despite three years in the WHL Saskatoon and one year with Humboldt of the SJHL.
At the other end Eric Linell raced into the Vees zone unleashing a wrist shot that produced a juicy rebound for Jonny Sheardown, but Adam Scheel came to his right to rob the Express defender.
Penticton opened the scoring just shy of the 5 minute mark. Off a won draw in the Express zone by Taylor Ward, Johnny Tychonick did a nice job of walking the line then beating Hamm with a wrist shot that he never saw.
The early goal didn't allow Penticton to open the flood gates and really start to take over the play. The Express stayed right with the top team in the league.
Josh Wildauer came close to evening things up for the Express with a shot that clanged off the goal post on a first period power play.
In the opening minute of the second period the Express did strike. Jack MacNab got the puck into the Vees zone and Will Lawerence on the forecheck forced the turnover then set up Christian Sanda to even the game at one.
It was shortly following this goal that the game started to pick up for the Vees and Hamm started to shine.
He stopped a tip play in the goal crease on Marcus Mitchell to keep the game tied at one.
One momentary let down allowed the Vees to go ahead. A turnover along the boards quickly developed into a two on one down low and Mitchell put a pass on the tape of Jack Barnes who converted the set up for a 2-1 Vees lead.
Right off the face-off following the 2-1 goal Hamm stopped Jackson Keane with a quick glove save. Minutes later Hamm made a save on a Wyatt Sloboshan breakaway to keep the Express deficit at one heading to the third period.
The Vees lead was holding up at 8:46 of the third period when Josh Wildauer was drilled from behind by James Miller who was given a 5 minute major for a check from behind and a game misconduct. Devon Mussio didn't take too kindly to the hit delivered on Wildauer and came to his defense and was given a two minute roughing penalty. The Mussio penalty shaved off two minutes of a 5 minute power play the Express hoped to use for the equalizer. On the three minutes of power play time they did have, they had possession that led a few shots directed towards Scheel but nothing overly dangerous.
Meanwhile at the other end Hamm was still on top of his game keeping the Express one shot away from sending the game to overtime. Hamm made 14 third period saves. He finished with 37 saves and was named the game's second star.
In the dying moments as the Express made their final push they won a number of offensive zone draws that led to some of the best scoring chances of the night.
Will Lawerence was denied as he tried to stuff in the puck at the side of the net. Then off the next draw Josh Wildauer had a great chance in the slot and he let a good shot go that forced Scheel to fight with all he had to get control of the puck before the Express could get a stick on it.
Troy Robillard also had a good wrist shot chance off won face-off.
Eventually the clock ran out and the Vees held on to take the opener. Penticton outshot the Express 39-19.
Both teams were 0 for 2 on the power play.
Game two goes Saturday night 6pm in Penticton.
Game's 3 and 4 will be played Tuesday and Wednesday night in Coquitlam.
The opening 20 minutes saw the teams with chances at both ends. In the opening minute Chris Klack found himself alone behind the Express defense and was stopped by Brock Hamm as he went to the backhand. That save would be the start of a very impressive junior hockey playoff debut for Hamm. Friday was his first ever junior playoff game despite three years in the WHL Saskatoon and one year with Humboldt of the SJHL.
At the other end Eric Linell raced into the Vees zone unleashing a wrist shot that produced a juicy rebound for Jonny Sheardown, but Adam Scheel came to his right to rob the Express defender.
Penticton opened the scoring just shy of the 5 minute mark. Off a won draw in the Express zone by Taylor Ward, Johnny Tychonick did a nice job of walking the line then beating Hamm with a wrist shot that he never saw.
The early goal didn't allow Penticton to open the flood gates and really start to take over the play. The Express stayed right with the top team in the league.
Josh Wildauer came close to evening things up for the Express with a shot that clanged off the goal post on a first period power play.
In the opening minute of the second period the Express did strike. Jack MacNab got the puck into the Vees zone and Will Lawerence on the forecheck forced the turnover then set up Christian Sanda to even the game at one.
It was shortly following this goal that the game started to pick up for the Vees and Hamm started to shine.
He stopped a tip play in the goal crease on Marcus Mitchell to keep the game tied at one.
One momentary let down allowed the Vees to go ahead. A turnover along the boards quickly developed into a two on one down low and Mitchell put a pass on the tape of Jack Barnes who converted the set up for a 2-1 Vees lead.
Right off the face-off following the 2-1 goal Hamm stopped Jackson Keane with a quick glove save. Minutes later Hamm made a save on a Wyatt Sloboshan breakaway to keep the Express deficit at one heading to the third period.
The Vees lead was holding up at 8:46 of the third period when Josh Wildauer was drilled from behind by James Miller who was given a 5 minute major for a check from behind and a game misconduct. Devon Mussio didn't take too kindly to the hit delivered on Wildauer and came to his defense and was given a two minute roughing penalty. The Mussio penalty shaved off two minutes of a 5 minute power play the Express hoped to use for the equalizer. On the three minutes of power play time they did have, they had possession that led a few shots directed towards Scheel but nothing overly dangerous.
Meanwhile at the other end Hamm was still on top of his game keeping the Express one shot away from sending the game to overtime. Hamm made 14 third period saves. He finished with 37 saves and was named the game's second star.
In the dying moments as the Express made their final push they won a number of offensive zone draws that led to some of the best scoring chances of the night.
Will Lawerence was denied as he tried to stuff in the puck at the side of the net. Then off the next draw Josh Wildauer had a great chance in the slot and he let a good shot go that forced Scheel to fight with all he had to get control of the puck before the Express could get a stick on it.
Troy Robillard also had a good wrist shot chance off won face-off.
Eventually the clock ran out and the Vees held on to take the opener. Penticton outshot the Express 39-19.
Both teams were 0 for 2 on the power play.
Game two goes Saturday night 6pm in Penticton.
Game's 3 and 4 will be played Tuesday and Wednesday night in Coquitlam.
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