Vipers Blue & White Game:

I went to tonights Vipers Blue & White game as Team Blue defeated Team White 5-4 in a fairly entertaining hockey game. Team Blue had the better of the play, getting the better of the chances early on before Team White stepped up there play as both teams looked fairly even as the game went on. The physical play started to get going in the second half of the 2nd period and then tempers started to heat up a little in the 3rd as the rough stuff continued. Team Blue scored the winner with just 24 seconds remaining on the clock. This is one of the strongest camps I have seen in many years, Mark Ferner and Jason Williamson have some very tough decisions to make before the season starts.

Here are the team rosters,

Team Blue:

Rob Florentino 89
Garrett Noonan 91
Steve Weinstein 90
Mike Collins 90
Kale Hidlebaugh 90
Marley Keca 93
Darrin Robak 91
Dylan Walchuk 92
Nick Amies 92
Cory Kane 90
Cole Ikkala 90
Braden Pimm 89
Bryce Kakoske 90
Josh McKissock 92
Brendan Persley 93
Jeff Jones 91
Shaun Holliday 93
Colton Sparrow 93
Burhan Pourmokhtari 93

Goaltenders:

Graeme Gordon 89
Tyler Steel

Team White:

Kevin Kraus 89
Adam Thompson 90
Eric Soderlund 91
Frank Riddle 90
Josh McKinney 91
Terrence Limbert 93
Bennett Hambrook 92
Pat McGillis 91
Connor Jones 90
Jesse Halikas 91
David Sabey 91
Nick Kerr 92
Kellen Jones 90
Brett Mulcahy 93
Kurtis Hagen 92
Daryl DeVries 92
Jonathan Milhouse 89
Rob Short 89
Trevor Fitzgerald 92

Goaltenders:

Justin Goritz 92
Blake Voth 91

Scratches:

Dan Nycholat 89 (Injured)
Cole Ikkala 90 (I didnt see Ikkala out there tonight)


Scoring Summary:

Team Blue:

1st Period: Drew George from Garrett Noonan & Colton Sparrow
1st Period: Garrett Noonan from Braden Pimm & Josh McKissock
2nd Period: Josh McKissock from Braden Pimm & Mike Collins
3rd Period: Braden Pimm from Mike Collins & Josh McKissock
3rd Period: Drew George from Dylan Walchuk

Team White:

1st Period: Brett Mulcahy from Rob Short & Daryl DeVries
2nd Period: Nick Kerr from Pat McGillis
3rd Period: Jesse Halikas (shorthanded) from David Sabey & Adam Thompson
3rd Period: Rob Short from Brett Mulcahy

Here are the players who I thought stood out,

Rob Florentino 89 Ive been very impressed with this 20 yr old defenceman all training camp and once again tonight. Plays his position very well. The Vipers are at the league limit with six 20 yr olds (Kevin Kraus, Graeme Gordon, Braden Pimm, Jonatahan Milhouse, Dan Nycholat, & Rob Short) One of these six kids would have to be moved first if the Vipers wanted to keep Florentino. Will a 20 yr old be traded or will Florentino be cut?

Garrett Noonan 91 Noonan has been signed by the Vipers. I didnt really get a good look at him during training camp but was very impressed with his play tonight. A smooth skater, handles the puck well and likes to carry the play. Had a nice rush going up ice, getting a solid scoring chance. Solid defenceman.

Steve Weinstein 90 Weinstein has come to camp this season with some weight, Stevie has bulked up over the summer and has been playing-looking very well all camp and again tonight.

Dylan Walchuk 92 This kid is the real deal and by far the best Viper at camp. Walchuck has speed, skill and all the moves in and around the net, going to be one of Vernon's top point getters this season. Very very impressive.

Nick Amies 92 Amies has really improved on his skating and played very well tonight.

Braden Pimm 89 (1 goal & 2 assists) Pimmer looked very good in and around the net. Was skating hard, looked to be ready for the season.

Josh McKissock 92 (1 goal & 2 assists) This young kid has alot of potential, reads the ice well, seems to know where everyone is at all times. Looked very good tonight.

Jeff Jones 91 I heard many fans talking about this kid at training camp, I didnt get a good chance to watching him play. I really set my eyes on him tonight and was impressed. Has some wheels, smart with the puck and plays heads up hockey. Here's a kid who could surprise some fans and coaches.

Eric Soderlund 91 This kid is huge, one of if not the biggest kid at camp. Made a nice rush up ice early in the 1st period, has some potential. Has that long reach, plays his position well. Needs a little improvement to his game, but could be a surprise, once again I really like his size and smarts with the puck.

Frank Riddle 90 I was impressed with this kid during training camp and once again he played well tonight.

Pat McGillis 91 (1 assist) Rumors say this kid has signed with the Vipers. I was impressed with his play, shows signs of potential.

Nick Kerr 92 (1 goal) The younger brother of former Viper James Kerr. I didnt get much of a look at Nick during main camp but kept my eye on him tonight. A bigger kid who skates well, a better skater then James. Plays with an edge, isnt afraid to dig in the corners, or mix it up a little after the whistle. Could be a solid 3rd or 4th line grinder for the Vipers.

Justin Goritz 92 This kid is very quick, quick on his feet, dosnt let out many if any rebounds. Made some big saves tonight, his one weakness is his puck handling outside of the crease. Was caught two or three times in behind his net, after having troubles trying to clear the puck. With some work on his stick handling, this kid could give Blake Voth a good run for the backup position.