I have had season tickets for the past 28 years and been following Junior hockey in Vernon for close to thirty five years. I've missed only three home games since 1998-99 season. For anyone who could not attend or watch tonight’s Vipers game here are my thoughts and views from tonight’s game. You may agree or disagree but we all have our own view and opinion on any game we watch. This is my opinion and my thoughts on how I saw tonight’s game. I try to be unbiased and give a fare recap on both sides. Thanks for stopping by & visiting my blog.
I was at tonight's Vipers-Eagles game as Surrey defeated Vernon 5-4 in front of 1,908 fans at Kal Tire Place.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon: Ty Taylor
Surrey: Nic Tallarico
1st Period: Just two minutes into the game Keyvan Mokhtari cut hard to the front of the goal couldn't solve Nic Tallarico in close on a great opportunity to open the scoring. A minute later Mitch Andres shot from the point went off a Surrey player come straight out front where Tallarico had to be alert was forced into making a difficult save on a strange bounce. Tallarico was forced into making three quick saves, one after another on the same play as Vernon had several quality chances all within seconds. On the following shift-play the Eagles would get the games first powerplay just over three minutes into the 1st. Brett Stapley with some slick moves, cut hard to the goal couldn't beat Nic Tallarico in close shorthanded. The Vipers with a strong penalty kill. Surrey with just two shots struggled with the PP as the Snakes killed off the minor. Just as the penalty expired Sol Seibel & Tanner Wishnowski come in two on one, with some nice tic tac toe passing, Seibel setup Wishnowski at the side of the net, somehow missed the wide open cage hit the post as the Vipers with some grade a chances couldn't find the back of the net early. Just seconds later Adam Panacci turned on the jets, went in for the breakaway beat former Salmon Arm Silverbacks goaltender Nic Tallarico giving Vernon a 1-0 lead at 6:54 Panacci's first career BCHL goal was unassisted. The Snakes with all kinds of pressure were all over the Eagles at this point. Vernon outshooting Surrey 11-3 at the midway mark. Just past the halfway mark the Vipers would get their first look with the powerplay. Vernon moved the puck around but no real quality shots got through as the Eagles killed off the minor. Inside the final minute Michael Ufberg's lazer from the point beat Nic Tallarico giving Vernon a 2-0 lead at 19:14 Michael Young & Jagger Williamson collected the helpers. It was 2-0 Vernon after 20 minutes of play. It was all Vipers from start to finish as the Snakes outplayed most of the opening frame. Vernon with a ton of puck possession created/generated a ton of great chances only managed two past Nic Tallarico. The Vipers were really skating-flying, had a ton of jump-energy, especially the top line (Jimmy Lambert, Brett Stapley & Jordan Sandhu). The Snakes couldn't seem to catch a break, missed at least one maybe two open nets, didn't have much puck luck in and around the crease. The Eagles with very little zone time, didn't see much time with the puck, spent a lot of the 1st period in their own end. Nic Tallarico was very good between the pipes, keeping his team in the game. Vernon outshot Surrey 15-4.
2nd Period: The Eagles come out hard, had a strong shift off the opening faceoff, jumped on the Vipers early. Just two minutes into the period Surrey would get an early powerplay. Aaron White alone in the high slot, forced Vipers starting goaltender Ty Taylor to come out to the top of his crease, made a huge glove save, robbing White from in close, keeping this a two goal game. The Snakes able to kill off the minor. Shortly after former Vipers forward Ryan Brushett with a solid check against the end wall, stayed with the play, before going to the front of the net, beat former team mate Ty Taylor in close cutting the Vernon lead to 2-1 at 5:39 Domenic Masellis with the lone assist. A minute later the Vipers would get a powerplay but struggled, didn't register a shot on goal as Surrey killed off the minor. Just as the penalty expired Jimmy Lambert with a low quick shot from the high slot, forced Eagles starting goaltender Nic Tallarico into making a big stop on the Vipers first shot of the period. Vernon needed close to nine minutes to get their first shot of the frame. Just past the halfway mark tempers heated up after Jackson Ross took a late hit on Viper rookie Jack Judson. Viper captain Jagger Williamson stepped in went after Ross before Williamson was in the middle between Ross and Aaron White as all three players exchanged words and a few shots before the altercation was broken up. On the following shift Jimmy Lambert & Brett Stapley with some nice two way passing on a two on one before Lambert beat Nic Tallarico giving Vernon a 3-1 lead at 12:02 Stapley and Michael Ufberg drew the assists. The Snakes gained some momentum off the goal and replied with a strong push back. Vernon with a ton of pressure, had the Eagles on their heels for several minutes. Michael Young with back to back shots from the point, forced Nic Tallarico into making two big stops before Brett Stapley tried splitting the defence, was able to get in for the parcial breakaway, denied by Tallarico. Josh Prokop missed the open cage on a wrap around. The Surrey netminder making some large saves, keeping the Eagles in the contest. The Snakes with several quality chances, couldn't capitalize before the Eagles getting a late powerplay. Jackson Ross with a seeing eye shot from the blueline beat wich looked to be screened Ty Taylor high cutting the Vernon lead to 3-2 at 16:45 Owen Norton and Jeffrey Stewart picking up the helpers. Inside the final minute Shane Kelly took a big check in front of the net, knocking his helmet off. Kelly instead of going to the bench (BCHL Rule: You have to skate directly to the bench after losing your helmet) Kelly decided to give a shove and a punch at two Surrey players, was sent to the penalty box, giving the Eagles a powerplay inside the final minute. Owen Norton's shot was redirected in front by Jordan Robert beating Ty Taylor five hole, tying the game 3-3 at 19:42 Norton & Jackson Ross with the assists. It was 3-3 after 40 minutes of play. The Eagles with a quick start, jumped on the Snakes early with good pressure before former Viper Ryan Brushett got the Eagles on the board. Surrey playing much better early on, played well at times in the first half. The Eagles had more of their shots early in the first half, saw a lot more time in their own end in the second half. The Eagles with a better defensive effort, held the Vipers to no shots for most of the first half. Surrey with two huge powerplay goals in the final four minutes. Surrey scores three times on just six shots. The Eagles didn't generate/create much for offence, scored on their opportunities. Nic Tallarico made some big stops keeping his club in the game. The Vipers didn't look like the same team to start the middle frame. Vernon having a bit of trouble with the Eagles forecheck early, didn't have the same energy-jump they played with in the opening frame. The Snakes needed close to nine minutes to get their first shot of the period, seemed to get their game back and going in the second half, again had some quality chances, only managed one goal. Vernon gave up two powerplay goals late, blew two two goal leads. Shane Kelly with an undisciplined penalty, cost the Vipers the lead heading into the 3rd. Vernon outshot Surrey 8-6.
3rd Period: Just 1:59 into the final frame Sol Seibel jumped into the rush, beat Nic Tallarico for his first career BCHL goal gave Vernon the 4-3 lead at 1:59 Alex Swetlikoff and Connor Marritt with the helpers. The Snakes looked to be sitting back on a one goal lead while the Eagles or Vipers couldn't get much of anything going offensively. Both teams with just a few select shots on goal for most of the first half. Vernon was outshooting Surrey 3-2 at the midway mark. Very little going on at either ends of the rink. The Eagles would get a powerplay at the halfway mark. Vernon couldn't clear the zone and with just a second left on the powerplay, Desi Burgart's shot was redirected in front by Ryan Brushett tying the game 4-4 at 12:15 Burgart & Ty Westgard collected the assists. On the following shift-play the Eagles would head back to the powerplay on a late call. Jordan Sandhu was caught holding onto the puck in the offensive zone, on a late call the Viper bench was upset. Sandhu hiding on the bench, while the Vipers argued the call, was eventually sent to the penalty box on a short delay. Jagger Williamson with a big block and some solid forecheck on the puck and the Snakes got a big PK would kill off the minor. The game started to open up as both teams now skating hard, were looking for the winner. Both teams went back and fourth but no real quality chances at either end of the rink. With minutes remaining Jimmy Lambert on a quick low shot from the circle forced Nic Tallarico into stretching out just got his toe-pad on the puck, made a game saver late, keeping this game tied. Neither team with any real pressure to this point. Inside three minutes Alex Swetlikoff couldn't connect on a pass down low, missing on an open cage opportunity. Inside the final two minutes, Chase Danol made a slick move at the Viper blueline, got around his defender leading a two on one setup Ryan Brushett in front who beat Ty Taylor in close, giving Surrey a 5-4 lead and their first lead of the night at 18:42 Danol drew the lone helper. Keyvan Mokhtari would receive a ten minute misconduct after the goal and make his way to the dressing room. Mark Ferner and the Vipers would call a timeout on the play before getting Ty Taylor to the bench for the extra attacker. Vernon with control of the puck couldn't get the puck down low or towards the goal, with the Eagles boxing the Snakes out, held the Vipers to the outside, closing the shooting lanes. Inside the final minute Aaron White sacrificed his body, come up with a huge block. The Vipers forced to make two big plays at the blueline, to keep the puck in the zone, couldn't get off a single shot before the buzzer as the Eagles bench erupted onto the ice, in a huge celebration. Surrey would hold on for the 5-4 victory. Sol Seibel with a big goal just two minutes into the 3rd breaks the tie, giving the Vipers the 4-3 lead. Vernon with very little pressure-zone time, look to be sitting on a one goal lead, before the Eagles tie the game on the powerplay. Both teams with limited shots, had very little scoring chances in the final frame. Both teams turned up the pace in the final six-seven minutes but again struggled to create-generate opportunities. In a game that looked like was going to overtime, the Eagles-Ryan Brushett with a moster goal late, hold onto the win. I didn't think either team looked all that good in the 3rd. Surrey deserves some credit for shutting down the Viper attack-offence and limiting Vernon's shots while scoring two huge goals in the final frame for the victory. Surrey battled and worked hard in the 3rd didn't generate-create much for offence, but scored-captialized on their chances. The Vipers didn't look like the same team from the first two periods. I thought the Snakes backed off on the forecheck and weren't skating. Vernon with very little zone time, had a few looks-chances but not much. Vernon outshot Surrey 12-7.
Top Player's: (Vernon)
The top line of Jimmy Lambert (1 goal), Brett Stapley (1 assist) & Jordan Sandhu had a very strong night. These three were flying/skating hard most of the game. Created/generated a ton of quality opportunities.
Michael Ufberg (1 goal) Played very well on the blueline.
Michael Young (1 assist) was another defenceman that looked good-played very well.
Jagger Williamson (1 assist) I thought battled-competed all night. Was strong on the puck-forecheck, played hard in the loss.
Keyvan Mokhtari Was another Viper who was flying-skating hard all night. Mokhtari with a few looks-chances, was really using his speed to open up the ice.
Game Thought's: (Vernon)
It looked like the Vipers had this one in the bag after the 1st period. With a 2-0 lead and outplaying the Eagles most of the opening frame, it looked like this game was over. Vernon didn't look like the same team in the 2nd period, or at least in the first half. Surrey jumped on the Snakes early, had good pressure off the opening faceoff and the Vipers couldn't seem to recover. Vernon needed close to nine minutes to record their first shot of the middle frame, didn't get going until the second half. Jimmy Lambert put the Vipers ahead by two but the Vipers couldn't hold onto the lead. Two late powerplay goals cost the Snakes the lead and it was tied heading to the 3rd. Shane Kelly's undisciplined penalty inside the final minute was the turning point. If Kelly doesn't take this penalty, the Vipers are up 3-2 going into the 3rd with Sol Seibel's goal two minutes into the 3rd give Vernon a two goal lead, instead its tied and Surrey has life-momentum heading into the final frame. I didn't think the Snakes looked all that great in the 3rd. Vernon looked to quit skating at times and wasn't aggressive on the forecheck. No real pressure/zone time, the Vipers had troubles generating offensive chances most of the 3rd. Did the Vipers take their foot off the gas or saving some energy for tomorrow's game in Trail? Overall the Snakes were the better of the two teams. Vernon carried the better of the play five on fice and should have won tonight. The Snakes blew this game and should have never lost. I thought Vernon needed more sustained pressure-forecheck in the 3rd, weren't as strong on the puck. The Vipers with no puck luck in and around the net, didn't catch many breaks in the loss. The Snakes missed at least one if not two open nets, hit the post in the 1st, didn't get any bounces tonight. The Vipers also need more boddies-traffic in front of the net, Nic Tallarico was seeing everything. Vernon needs to make his game a little more difficult. The Vipers have to play a little more disciplined. A few penalties tonight, weren't necessary and cost them. The Snakes blow a two goal lead twice and give up two points in a game they should have won. The Vipers needed that killer instinct when up by two. Up two goals twice, the Vipers couldn't seem to get that next goal to give them a three goal lead. The Snakes were lucky they didnt start the game on the penalty kill, after a player was asecond or two late getting off the ice after warmup. A very disappointing loss. Tonight was the Vipers first loss at home. Trail who was atop the Division had tonight off, meaning first place was on the line and a chance for the Vipers to take it. The Vipers have to re-group and in a hurry have a very tough game in Trail tomorrow afternoon. Former Vipers Bryce Kakoske & David Robinson were in attendance tonight. With the loss Vernon falls to 9-4-0-2 and down to 3rd in the Interior Division. The Snakes are one point up on Wenatchee & Penticton and two points back of Division leading West Kelowna. The Vees have three games in hand over Vernon.
Top Player's: (Surrey)
Jackson Ross (1 goal & 1 assist) Was very strong on the backend. Has a quick shot, played very well at both ends of the rink.
Desi Burgart (1 assist) Was one of the Eagles more dangerous forwards. Very shifty with and without the puck, has some wheels, creates-generates chances.
Owen Norton (2 assists) Also played very well on the blueline. Gets pucks to the net, was good at both ends of the rink.
Aaron White Looked good-played well. Was robbed on a great chance on an early 2nd period powerplay.
Ryan Brushett (3 goals) Facing his former team for the second time this season, returned to Kal Tire Place for the first time after being traded to Surrey September 6th. I didn't really notice Brushett in the opening frame until his 2nd period goal. Seemed to get better as the game went on. A big game-night for him.
Nic Tallarico (31 saves) Picks up his first win as a Surrey Eagle in his first career start with the Eagles. Tallarico come in relief last night in the loss in Wenatchee. Tallarico was released by the Silverbacks on the 14th signed by Surrey on the 18th. One of if not the smallest goaltender in the league, made some big stops early-especially in that opening period. The Vipers fired fifteen shots towards Tallarico-the Eagles. Surrey was down 2-0 but could have easily been down 4/5-0 if it wasn't for Tallarico. Didn't see as much rubber in the 2nd and 3rd periods was still forced to make a few big stops in that middle frame. Last season as a member of the Salmon Arm Silverbacks, Tallarico made some big saves-had some big games vs Vernon, seems to play well-come up large against the Vipers.
Game Thought's: (Surrey)
The Eagles were lucky to be down only two goals after the 1st period. Surrey was outplayed but kept in the game after some solid goaltending from Nic Tallarico. Getting just four shots on goal in that opening frame, the Eagles looked much better in the 2nd. Surrey seemed to get better as the game went on but didn't generate many offensive chances through out the night. The Eagles limited to puck possession, didn't have a lot of zone time, capitalized on their opportunities. I didn't think you could blame Ty Taylor for the loss-any of the goals, it just seemed like whatever Surrey through towards the net, went in. The Eagles when with the puck, were going to the net and getting bodies-traffic in front of Ty Taylor. Give Surrey credit, they battled back down two goals twice, they also held the Viper offence to just two goals & twenty shots in the final two periods. The Snakes had fifteen shots and two goals after one period. I thought the Eagles limited the Vipers opportunities as the game went on, played with a little more energy. Surrey had more jump in their game in the 2nd and 3rd periods, looked to get under the skin of Vernon from time to time through out the night. The Eagles played very disciplined hockey, taking just two penalties, looked good on the powerplay, going 3-6 with the man advantage. The Eagles had some luck on their side tonight, caught some breaks through out the game. Surrey seemed to have the puck luck tonight. This is the second time this season an Eagle has scored three or more goals in a game vs Vernon. John Wesley scored four times in a 5-4 loss October 1st in Surrey. After losing 8-4 in Wenatchee last night, the Eagles respond with a comeback victory tonight with just their second win on the road. The Eagles with back to back wins in Vernon improve to 6-8-1-1 remain 4th in the Mainland Division are six points up on last place Coquitlam but only two points back of Chilliwack, three points back of Langley & four back of Division leading Prince George.
Scratches:
Vernon:
Jesse Lansdell (suspended)
Niko Karamanis (Concussion)
Surrey:
Brendan Winslow
Mackenzie Merriman
Jesse Nolan
Energy Player of the Game:
Jimmy Lambert (1 goal)
Three Star's:
1st Star: Ryan Brushett (3 goals)
2nd Star: Michael Ufberg (1 goal)
3rd Star: Owen Norton (2 assists)
Boxscore-Game Summary,
http://bchl.ca/stats/game-summary/7970
Game Report,
https://lscluster.hockeytech.com/game_reports/official-game-report.php?lang_id=1&client_code=bchl&game_id=7970
Text Boxscore,
https://lscluster.hockeytech.com/game_reports/text-game-report.php?lang_id=1&client_code=bchl&game_id=7970
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