Monday, August 21, 2017

Day 1 Report From Vipers Training Camp:

I stopped by Kal Tire Place tonight for the first day of Vipers Training Camp.

In the first and only scrimmage-game of the day Team Blue tied Team Gold 6-6. Team Blue jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead early, before taking a 3-1 lead halfway through the opening period. Team Gold battled back with two goals by Vipers forward Niko Karamanis. It was tied 3-3 after the 1st period. Both teams scored once in the middle frame as it was tied once again 4-4 heading into the 3rd. Team Blue jumped out to a 5-4 lead before Team Gold held a 6-5 lead late before Team Blue tied the game 6-6 with 1:20 remaining. It ended 6-6. I thought both teams were fairly evenly matched, as the play was back and fourth for much of the game. Team Gold got some jump and come on strong in the final frame really showed off their speed and skill, creating several odd man rushes-scoring chances.

Here are the players that I thought stood out

Team Blue:

Ty Taylor made some good stops through out the game.

Jagger Williamson had some good looks-opportunities in and around the net through out the scrimmage.

Team Gold:

Connor Webb played the entire night between the pipes, took a big collision with one of his own d-men but stayed in the game, also made some good saves through out the scrimmage-game.

Brett Stapley Looked good up front, was strong on the puck, battled down low and in and around the net. Played well.

Keyvan Mohkatari Who was acquired over the summer from the Victoria Grizzlies scored once, didn't really stand out in the first half, but really used his speed and skill in the 3rd, created/generated several scoring chances.

Niko Karamanis (2 goals) I thought was the best player on the ice tonight.

Side Notes:

The Vipers have cut back on scrimmages-games this year. In previous camps there was at least five to six scrimmages-games per day. This year the Vipers are going with just three scrimmages-games and the annunal Blue/White Inter-Squad game.

Both teams went with just one goaltender tonight. No backup goaltenders for either team.

Newcomer Finn Evans wasn't at camp today/tonight. Reports are he will be arriving in Vernon later on this week/or maybe early next week.

I love the new Vipers logo's painted at centre ice.

Mark Ferner and the Vipers coaching staff are going to have some tough decisions to make. With thirteen players returning from last season, three new players acquired in trades over the summer and five new recruits this puts the Vipers roster at 21 players. Meaning the Snakes only need one roster spot to fill for the 22 man roster. Looking at the list of players, that means there only missing-looking for a backup goaltender. One or two of these kids on the list of returning players-new recruits may have to go, with the Vipers currently sitting with five defencemen.

With construction of the new arena being built at the far end of the existing rink, the Vipers office & souvenir stand are now closed due to construction. The Vipers Den is closed, while the Vipers office has moved over to a new spot, right next to the old office. Two new exit doors have been added to the one corner just next to the mens washrooms, while the back exit doors-stairs going outside are removed.

Team Red will face Team Blue tomorrow morning at 10:30 while Team Gold faces Team Red tomorrow night at 5:30

Here is a look at all four Training Camp teams-rosters:

Team Blue:

Ty Taylor (1999) G (Returning From Last Year)
Michael Ufberg (1997) D (Returning From Last Year)
Sol Seibel (1999) D (Returning From Last Year)
Cale Cripps (1999) D
Kyler Shmigelsky (2000) D
Jason Lin (2002) D
Adam Panacci (1999) F
Hayden Dick (1999) F (Was an "AP" with the Vipers last season)
Andrew Sorensen (2000) F
Jagger Williamson (1998) F (Returning From Last Year)
Wyatt Light (1998) F
Jesse Lansdell (1998) F (Returning From Last Year)
Josh Prokop (2000) F (Recruited-Committed)
TJ Sagissor (1999) F
Simon Sagissor (1997) F (Returning From Last Year)
Connor Marritt (1999) F (Recruited-Committed)
Carter Anderson (2001) F
Nicholas Teale (2002) F
#7 & #30 were on the lineup sheet with no names

Team Red:

James Brendeland (1999) G
Johnny Derrick (2001) G
Shane Kelly (1997) D (Returning From Last Year)
Jack Judson (2000) D (Recruited-Committed)
Mitch Andres (1998) D
Nicholas Ardanaz (2002) D
Rhys Lepine (2000) D
KT Walters (2002) D
Colby Feist (2002) F
Jake Mulder (2000) F
Jordan Sandhu (1999) F (Acquired in a trade with Alberni Valley)
Brody Dale (1999) F (Returning From Last Year)
Jimmy Lambert (1997) F (Returning From Last Year)
Coleton Bilodeau (2000) F (Recruited-Committed)
Quinton Ong (1999) F
Christian Sanda (1998) F
Dean Whitcomb (1999) F
Dominic Dumas (1999) F
Ethan Jones (2001) F
Matthew Francois (1999) F

Team Gold:

Connor Webb (1999) G
James Johnston (2001) G
Chris Jandric (1998) D (Returning From Last Year)
Michael Young (1998) D
Will Dow-Kenny (2000) D
Matthew Cadden (2001) D
Gabriel Suessnbacher Fu (2001) D
Garrett Valk (2002) D
Brett Stapley (1999) F (Returning From Last Year)
Keyvan Mohkatari (1998) F (Acquired in a trade with Victoria)
Alex Swetlikoff (2001) F (Recruited-Committed)
Niko Karamanis (1998) F (Returning From Last Year)
Ryan Brushett (1998) F (Returning From Last Year)
Kaden Meszaros (2001) F
Matthias Urbanski (1999) F
Reese Tambellini (2000) F
Nicholas Cherkowski (2000) F
Justin Scott (2001) F
Hayden Gelbard (2002) F
Justin Plett (2000) F

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