I was born and raised in Vernon, BC and been watching/following Junior hockey in Vernon my whole life. My family watched Senior men's hockey in Vernon in the 1950's and has been watching Junior hockey in Vernon since it started in 1961. I have two family members that played Junior hockey in Vernon. I have had season tickets since 1990 missing only 40 home games. Since 2001 I have missed 10 home games. I started and created this blog in November 2008 and have over 3 million viewers. For anyone who couldn't watch or attend tonight's Vipers game, here are my thoughts and views from tonight's hockey game. You may agree or disagree, but we all have our own opinion on the hockey game and see things differently. I try to be professional and give a fare game recap from both sides. Thank you for visiting my blog.
Saturday, January 25, 2025
Game Recap - Trail Smoke Eaters 5 Vernon Vipers 4 Overtime
I was at tonight's game between the Vernon Vipers & Trail Smoke Eaters as the Smoke Eaters defeated the Vipers 5-4 in overtime in front of 2,116 fans at Kal Tire Place.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon Vipers: Jari Kykkanen
Trail Smoke Eaters: Ryan Parker
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2nd Period: The Smoke Eaters took the lead early shorthanded but otherwise it was all Snakes again for a second straight period. The Vipers were the better team, had more puck possession, zone time, more pucks to the net and way more chances. The Vipers would capitalize, finding the back of the net three times as the offence were able to capitalize on some opportunities. The Smokies didn't generate much for offence, played a lot of the period in there own end. It was 4-2 Vernon after 40 minutes of play. Shots were 16-5 Vipers.
3rd Period: The Snakes would get an early four minute power play and other then two quality chances, struggled with the man advantage. Vernon really needed a goal here instead it looked like Trail got to within a goal, scoring shorthanded with three seconds left in the minor. The play went to video review and the goal was disallowed for a distinct kicking motion. Still 4-2 Snakes the Smoke Eaters kept plugging away as the momentum turned and it was all Trail for the remainder of the period. The Smoke Eaters were all over Vernon and by far the better team. Trail would tie the game to send it to overtime. It was 4-4 after 60 minutes of play. Shots were 19-4 Smokies.
Overtime: The Smokies started the extra frame on the man advantage, a penalty that was called at the end of regulation. Trail would get a couple of real good looks almost put the game away very quick, before Judah Makway scored at 1:19 giving the Trail Smoke Eaters a come from behind 5-4 OT win. Shots were 2-0 Trail.
Vernon Vipers Top Performers:
Marko Stojkov I thought was one of Vernon's better defenceman. Blocked a couple of shots, played very well in the overtime loss
Simon Binkley I thought played with a lot of jump/energy
Koji Gibson (2 goals) I thought was the Snakes best forward. Gibson was hard to defend/contain, giving the Smokies defence trouble all evening. Gibson really used his speed and strength to make some plays happen. Gibson's second goal was pure hard work and determination
Will Schumacher (1 goal) It seems like Schumacher is one of or if not Vernon's best forward from game to game. This kid comes to play and is the Vipers most skilled forward. Schumacher looked good in both games this weekend, had several looks with the puck, was making plays and creating offence tonight
Tyson Zimmer Really impressed me this evening. This kid can skate, made several good plays tonight, was involved in the play, generated some offence, played hard/competed. I thought was one of the Vipers better players in the OT loss
Talan Blanck (1 goal & 1 assist) This kid has been one of our better players since recently joining the team. Another kid who can score, has an offensive side and can shoot the puck, was generating opportunities tonight
Kyren Gronick I thought battled and competed all game, played hard
Jari Kykkanen (32 saves) Faced a lot of rubber this weekend, played very well between the pipes for the Snakes. Wasn't tested much in the first two periods but had to be sharp and ready in the 3rd with the Smoke Eaters pouring on the pressure
Game Thought's: Vernon Vipers
- The Snakes are 0-3-0-0 vs Trail this season
- Tonight's attendance was announced at 2,116
- The Vipers basically gave Trail the two points/win in a game where they were the better team in the first two periods
- The Vipers have one win in there last five games and lost seven of there last ten games
- The Vipers next game is Saturday in Trail
- Vernon come ready to play and was by far the better team in the 1st period. The Vipers jumped on Trail early, were getting pucks to the net, generating offence, were up 9-2 in shots midway through the period. The Smokies played a little better in the second half, but the Snakes didn't stop skating, getting pucks to the net and playing hard. I really liked the Vipers 1st period, one of there better periods this year
- Vernon went 0-5 with the power play
- The Snakes are 2-6 in overtime this season
- With the Vipers trying to make a run for the playoffs, they are running out of time and have a tough stretch of games coming up vs some of the leagues better teams
- Vernon is 6-6-5-0 at Kal Tire Place this season
- The Snakes took two late penalties in the 3rd that cost them goals. Trail tied the game on a late PP and then won the game in overtime on the PP
- Give the Vipers credit for holding there own and outplaying one of the league's top teams. The Vipers were one period away from the win and should have won tonight
- Unlike last night's game, lots of whistles/stoppages in play tonight that really slowed the game down
- It seems like every home game this year we have had at least one or more video reviews. Tonight were three and two were fairly lengthy with fans getting ancy
- The Vipers outplayed the Smokies in the 2nd period, were all over Trail for the entire period. It didn't start out good as Trail scored shorthanded early into the period to take there first lead of the game, but the Vipers responded and played well, scoring three times to take a 4-2 lead into the 3rd. I really liked Vernon's 2nd period at both ends of the rink. I thought the Snakes did a good job at shutting down Trail's offensive players, played well defensively but also carried the play, moving the puck around, generating some looks/chances and then capitalizing on those chances
- Vernon's power play struggled, going 0-5 The Vipers didn't generate much with the man advantage
- It seems like the Vipers have had trouble this year shooting the puck/getting shots on goal. It seems like the Vipers want to pass or make the pretty play but not tonight. I really liked that Vernon was shooting more, getting pucks to the net and generating some chances
- For a team trying to make the playoffs, three wins in your last thirteen games isn't good enough
- The Vipers eliminated the Smoke Eaters in five games in last years playoffs
- For a team that has struggled this season and hasn't looked good or played good most of the season, the Vipers played much better this weekend and for the first time this season are starting to show signs of improvement, Its too bad this team wasn't playing like this three/four months ago
- The Snakes play three of there next four games on the road
- The Vipers basically gave the game away in the 3rd period. Vernon played so well and outplayed Trail in the first two periods, went to sleep in the 3rd blowing a two goal lead and then losing in overtime. The Snakes had an early power play (double minor) with even one goal on the PP would have made it 5-2 instead the Vipers struggled with the man advantage, stopped skating, stopped hitting, and allowed Trail to skate circles around them for the entire period. The Vipers looked tired/sluggish, were outplayed the entire period and gave away two points. For a team chasing a playoff spot, you need all the wins you can get
- Tonight was the second game of a two game home stand
- The Vipers & Smoke Eaters play twice more this season
- A very tough yet very dissapointing loss for Vernon
- With the overtime loss, Vernon falls to 11-18-6-0 sits 10th in the Interior Conference and 19th overall in league standings
Trail Smoke Eaters Top Performers:
Jack Kennedy always seems to play well vs the Vipers, had another solid game on the Smokies blueline tonight. A good skating d-man that plays well at both ends of the rink
Lucas Lemeiux (1 goal & 1 assist) I thought was one of the better forwards in a game where Trail didn't look good or play good until the 3rd period/overtime
Judah Makway (2 goals) Scored the overtime winner, played well in the victory. This kid is a good skater, very skilled, hard to defend/contain
Carter Matthews (2 assists) Was another defencemen that played well on Trails backend
Ryan Parker (37 saves) Kept the Smokies in the game in the 1st period, faced twenty one shots. Played well in goal
Game Thought's: Trail Smoke Eaters
- The Smoke Eaters are 11-5-2-1 on the road this season
- Tonight's the first game of a two game road trip
- Trail is 2-0-0-0 in Vernon this season
- Defenceman Isaac Fecteau played with the 2023-24 Vernon Vipers was traded to Trail February 10th 2024
- The Smokies didn't have a good start or a good 1st period. The hometown Vipers were by far the better team. Vernon carried the better of the play, had more puck possession, zone time, shots on goal and way more opportunities. Trail was outshot 9-2 at the halfway mark, played a little better in the second half, were lucky to be tied after the opening frame. Ryan Parker played well between the pipes.
- The Smoke Eaters have won nine straight games and nine of there last ten games
- Trail's PK was very good. The Smokies didn't give up a PP goal, kept Vernon to the outside, limited there chances, were blocking shots, closing the gaps/lanes and got some saves from there goaltender when needed
- The Smokies have the league's second best road record
- The Trail bench weren't happy with the officiating as Head Coach/GM Tim Fragle was doing a lot of complaining at the officials after calls going towards the visitors
- Trail would take an early lead shorthanded to start the 2nd period, didn't do much afterwards as it was all Snakes as the Vipers outplayed the Smoke Eaters in the 2nd period. The Smokies couldn't get much of anything going at either end of the rink. Trail struggled offensively with only four shots, gave up three goals to trail by two goals heading into the 3rd
- Trails next game is Friday in Cranbrook
- The Smokies play four of there next six games at home
- Give Trail credit. For a team that was outplayed in the first two periods, they didn't fold the tents and give the Vipers the win, instead they re-grouped and pushed hard in the 3rd, tied the game before winning the game in OT
- Trail has one loss in there last fifteen games
- For a team that was outplayed and not really in tonight's game, the Smokies got a huge PK early into the 3rd, were able to kill off a double minor, actually thinking they scored shorthanded to get to within a goal, but the goal went to video review and was later called back for a distinct kicking motion. The Smoke Eaters didn't quit and pushed back hard. Trail was by far the better team, outplayed and dominated the 3rd period, were able to score twice to tie the game before winning it in overtime. The Smokies were skating circles around Vernon the entire 3rd.
- Trail went 2-4 with the man advantage
- Smoke Eaters Scout Dallas Calvin played with the 2013-14 Vernon Vipers
- With the overtime win, Trail improves to 25-8-2-1 sit 2nd in the Interior Conference and 2nd overall in league standings
Scratches:
Vernon Vipers:
Jordan Gudridge
Dennis Lominac
Emils Skeltins
Trail Smoke Eaters:
Josh Wiebe
Jack Ziliotto
Energy Player of the Game:
Talan Blanck (1 goal & 1 assist)
Three Star's:
1st Star: Judah Makway (2 goals)
2nd Star: Koji Gibson (2 goals)
3rd Star: Carter Matthews (2 assists)
Boxscore-Game Summary,
Game Report,
Text Box Score,
Vernon Junior Hockey History website,
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17 comments:
More great coaching again cost this team a good effort. How much ice time can two forwards in particular and one line have? You wonder why players don't want to be here? The ice time for those two forwards was ridiculous. They scored two goals but gave up 2 and a third that wasn't allowed. Their pp is allowed to stay on for the full two minutes but 0 for 5 tonight. Two lines scored tonight one had about 1/4 of the ice time and didn't give up a goal. I'm pretty sure the rest of the forwards don't enjoy sitting on the bench all game, we don't have draisaitl and McDavid on this team. No wonder we cough up leads, wrong personnel on the ice and exhausted personnel on the ice. Coaching
Those boys were VERY tired by the last 10 mins.
They started with 3 lines and 2 alternates.
Worked those guys out quickly. Lost gas and died at the finish line.
The boys looked strong and happy to play in the first 40, I feel bad for the boys for the last 10 mins of that game.
The heart was there, the team management was not.
They were exhausted.
Coach?
Owner?
Treat these boys like mice on a reel and you get nowhere.
100 percent agree. Bench management has been terrible all season.
Go back to the Powell river game they lost.
Two players who were strong in the last period of that game were told they could never play on the same line again.
A very entertaining game so I suppose we should be satisfied. In the post game it was mentioned that the Vipers had a good weekend earning 3 of a possible 4 points. Good, but the reality is that they also gave up 3 points to teams above them who they are battling for playoff spots. At this point of the season the Vipers need a solid 2 points in each game to move up in the overall standings.
Discipline appears to continue to be a Vernon problem, far too many bonehead penalties. Selfish play should not be rewarded with ice time. I also think the comment about over playing some players is valid.
Just FIRE Lomicky and be done with it.
Here we sit broken hearted, seen the Velcros once again, outsmarted!!
Lomicky has been a head coach of U16/17 Czechia and 1 year Revelstoke grizzlies . The exact reason why I have not been to a single game this year . Hired McKee so his son could play . Is coaching a problem , huge problem but ultimately it’s The owners they have no hockey knowledge and have turned this prestigious hockey club into an embarrassment.
I really enjoyed the game last night and felt the vipers should have won with a much higher score but Trails goalie was outstanding stopping just about everything. We where by far the better team in the first and second period but lost momentum in the third period. When we had four minutes of a penalty to capitalize on with a win we seems to just dip zee doodle with the puck and lacked what is called killer instinct as to putting this game away. I realize we played a strong game yesterday but still we played a good game last night and maybe with our tired legs should have tried a more defensive game rather than offensive but upon review I am hoping the coaching staff fiqures out a different way when it is clear our players are tired in regards winnning a game. Vipers you should have won but I will take a point. GO,VIPERS,GO.
But it's cheap entertainment!!!!
All teams play, back to back, tired should not be used as an excuse this late in the season.
Sounds like Binkley gone, more to come im sure...
Not sure how you can think the Vipers should have won last night. Just like the night before Trail never showed up until they needed to in the 3rd period. As previously stated by others our coach has no idea how to coach a TEAM . The last 2 nights he favored the cast off 20 year olds who look absolutely disinterested in playing here while trying to save his own job at the same time. Points mean nothing cause we're not making the playoffs so get rid of the coach now and go with McAmmond the rest of the season and maybe someone on this roster will show up next season to play for this organization
I believe our new assistant coach was fired from North Oak Jr
B team.
I would leave too if it meant playing on a team who will make the playoffs. The surprise of players leaving is long gone.
Not sure McAmmond is the answer. He has no coaching under his belt at this level. Playing hockey and coaching it are two different things. Find a coach with experience and a good track record. This is ehrte to start.
Not sure he carrs about selfish players. As long as you skate fast and look busy out there and shoot, coaches think this is a good hockey player. You can tell the players that have hockey sense and those that don't. Unfortunately the coach doesn't know this.
You could be right but what experienced coach would even consider working for this Ownership? No One!
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