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 fair game recap from both sides. Thank you for visiting my blog.
I was at tonight's game between the Vernon Vipers & West Kelowna Warriors as the Warriors defeated the Vipers 7-3 in front of 962 fans at Royal Le Page Place.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon Vipers: Jari Kykkanen
West Kelowna Warriors: Edouard Gauthier
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2nd Period: Specialty teams was the difference in the middle frame as the Warriors scored a power play & shorthanded goal. I thought the Tribe was the better team to start the period and had more of the edge in play early before both teams seemed to even out to finish the remainder of the period. Both teams had opportunities in a chippy period. The Vipers would get twelve shots on goal but unable to capitalize on their opportunities. It was 5-2 West Kelowna after 40 minutes of play. Shots were 12-7 Vernon.
3rd Period: I thought the Snakes had the better of the play, had lots of chances in and around the net but didn't get the bounces or capitalize on their opportunities. Vernon's power play struggled going 0-3. The Warriors played with the lead from the opening period and defended the lead well in front of Edouard Gauthier who was solid in goal. The Warriors come away with the 7-3 victory. Shots were 14-11 Vipers.
Vernon Vipers Top Performers:
Game Thought's: Vernon Vipers
- The Vipers went 3-2-1-0 vs the Warriors this season
- Vernon's next game is Friday vs the visiting Blackfalds Bulldogs
- Tonight was the second game of a two game road trip
- The Vipers may have been down 3-0 but I thought both teams were fairly even at times with the Warriors having a bit of an edge in play at times. Even though it was 3-0 early, the shots and play were even. Jari Kykkanen who was solid in goal last night, didn't have his best game tonight. The Warriors scored twice on their first three shots and the Vipers just couldn't recover. I thought both teams had puck possession, zone time, were getting pucks to the net and getting opportunities. The Snakes didn't get a save when needed.
- I spotted some Vipers fans at tonight's game
- Vernon went 2-6 with the power play
- The Snakes are 6-13-1-0 on the road this season
- One of the issues I have noticed with this years Vipers is consistency. I don't think I have seen Vernon play anywhere close to sixty minutes
- The Vipers have lost four of there last five games and lost seven of there last ten games
- Specialty teams was the difference in the 2nd period. Down 3-1 with an early power play, the Snakes give up a shorthanded goal, were now down 4-1 instead of scoring on the PP and making it 3-2. The Warriors were the better team early but Vernon played better as the period went on. I thought both teams were even for the remainder of the period. The Vipers were getting pucks to the net, had lots of chances but couldn't capitalize on their opportunities. This was a chippy period as tempers heated up
- Vernon's power play struggled. The Vipers gave up a shorthanded goal but also didn't look good with the man advantage
- The Vipers have only won back to back games once this season
- At the end of the day this Vipers team isn't good enough. From the start of the season winning games has been a problem. The roster has changed over how many times and yet were still seeing the same results. There's a problem here
- One thing that concerns me, was watching the Vipers bench and noticed both coaches doing nothing through out the game. Both coaches just stood still during the play, during a stoppage in play and even during the radio timeouts. Even after the Warriors scored, neither coach talked to a player, said nothing or did nothing. That to me in concerning especially for a team that is trying to make the playoffs
- The Snakes have lost seven of there last nine road games
- The Vipers may have been down 2-0 last night and come from behind to win in overtime, but this team isn't good enough to come from behind on a nightly basis. Going down 3-0 early in the 1st period cost them the game
- With Monday's BCHL trade deadline, I wonder how many players will be gone or how many new players will be here?
- Down 5-2 heading into the 3rd I thought Vernon was the better team in the 3rd period and carried most of the play. The Vipers even though down three goals had lots of pressure, lots of chances, didn't get any bounces and couldn't capitalize on their opportunities. Going 0-3 with the man advantage also doesn't help
- The Vipers have lost fourteen of their last seventeen games
- The Vipers were outplayed last night in Penticton but won 3-2 in overtime, tonight they played good at times and much better then last night but lost 7-3 Go figure
- Erik Pastro hit the post on a 2nd period breakaway and then hit the post or maybe crossbar in the 3rd period
- This team has showed no improvement from the start of the season, no matter how many players come and go, it seems to be the same team game after game
- The Snakes played well in front of Jari Kykkanen last night but left him out to dry this evening
- For a team trying to make the playoffs, putting together wins is a major problem. You have fifteen games left to figure it out or the season is over
- You can't go down 3-0 in the 1st period on the road. The Vipers needed to get a save or two early from Jari Kykkanen
- With the loss, Vernon falls to 12-21-6-0 sits 10th in the Interior Conference and 19th overall in league standings
West Kelowna Warriors Top Performers:
Nathan Drapeau Played with an edge and was one of the better defenceman
Axel Lofgren I thought played with an edge, has some size, played hard, physical and played well through out the game
Elias Callgren (1 goal & 1 assist) Opened the scoring for the Warriors, fourty seconds into the hockey game, played well for the Tribe
Tyler Grahme (3 goals & 1 assist) Lead the team with four points, was hard to defend, quick on his feet, has some skill, gave the Vipers troubles all night
Jack Farrell has some size, was steady on the Warriors blueline
Edouard Gauthier (33 saves) Recorded his first victory with the Warriors, was solid between the pipes in his home debut. Gauthier was quick on his feet, had the bounces go his way and got some help from his d-men in front, played very well in goal
Game Thought's: West Kelowna Warriors
- The Warriors are 10-8-1-1 at home this season
- Tonight was the sixth and final regular season meeting between the Warriors & Vipers
- West Kelowna got off to a quick start, opened the scoring just fourty seconds into the period before jumping out to a 3-0 lead. Even with a three goal lead, I thought both teams were pretty even. Both teams had puck possession, zone time, pressure in the offensive zone and were getting chances. The Tribe just scored on their opportunities and played well defensively
- The Warriors next game is Saturday vs the visiting Blackfalds Bulldogs
- A small crowd tonight. Tonight's attendance was announced at 962
- West Kelowna went 2-3 with the man advantage
- The Warriors have lost three of there last five games and won six of there last ten games
- WK played well defensively, were blocking shots, clearing the front of the net and being aggressive
- Tonight was a chippy game
- The Warriors scored once on the power play and once shorthanded in the 2nd period, in a period where they were the better team to start. As the period continued I thought both teams were pretty even. The Warriors got some big saves from Edouard Gauthier.
- For a team that was shutout Friday vs Salmon Arm, the Warriors scored seven goals tonight on twenty eight shots
- A Warriors player was hit into the boards in the 1st period, it looked like his helmet fell off while his head hit the boards. I didn't see who it was but the Warriors player was helped off the ice with the trainer and went to the dressing room
- With the win, West Kelowna stays two points ahead of Okotoks who holds down the final playoff spot
- Specialty teams was the difference as the Warriors went 2-3 on the PP also scoring once shorthanded
- With a 5-2 lead heading into the 3rd West Kelowna played well defensively and got some timely saves from their goaltender. The Warriors blocked several shots as well as got some bounces go their way
- With the win, West Kelowna improves to 16-18-5-2 sits 7th in the Interior Conference and 15th overall in league standings
Scratches:
Vernon Vipers:
Nathaniel Harvey (Injured)
Jordan Gudridge (Injured)
Luke Bibby
Emils Skeltins (Injured)
West Kelowna Warriors:
Carter Oakenfold
Ayo Ogini
Energy Player of the Game:
Axel Lofgren
Three Star's:
1st Star: Tyler Grahme (3 goals & 1 assist)
2nd Star: Jackson Kyrkostas (2 assists)
3rd Star: Edouard Gauthier (33 saves)
Boxscore-Game Summary,
Game Report,
Text Box Score,
Vernon Junior Hockey History website,
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16 comments:
I get your frustration with the Vernon Vipers they are a bad team and badly coached , but seriously Will Schumacher a goal and assist was not a top performer ? A couple
Other players played decently , just too many passengers tonight . But Will showed with a goal and assist . Sorry disagree
Coaches: Lukas lomicky , Dean Mccammond and Eric Morrisette have no passion because they will all be gone and not here for next season. This is sad for the vipers playing for these coaches. Even though you will all be gone you should at least do your job and be supportive and show encourgement towards the players you have. The vipers this year do try but from the start of the season do not have a go to guy for scoring as do the bandits and penticton per example. As fans we know the chances based on there record this year of making the playoffs are well baring some miracle in the toilet. So again its cheap entertainment, a good social time, the coffee and pizza are great and people have a chance to get out and have fun. So lets just bury the thought of success this year and enjoy the ride and wait for next season with hopefully and new replay screen. GO,VIPERS,GO.
Good point that no matter what personnel are on the ice, and the team is comprised differently almost every week, the team looks (plays) the same. There are talented players here, and many talented players have moved on this year and have found success elsewhere. I personally don't think the problem is the players, so what needs to be done to change how the team plays?
The owners need to open up their wallet and fire the circus ringmaster. They won't though because that will cost them money!!!! This has to be one of the absolute worst run franchises. Unqualified GM, head coach, Cheaped out by having only 2 coaches to start the year. The only one worth hiring is Morisette. Gee I wonder why they are at the bottom of the standings....
Will Schumacher did have two points last night but just because a player has a couple of points doesn't mean he had a strong game or was one of the better players that game. I didn't think the Vipers played all that bad at times last night but also didn't think anyone from the Vipers stood out or had a good game in my opinion.
The Vipers have had some good players this season and do have some good players currently on the team. This season has been frustrating watching players coming and going on a weekly basis. All teams are having the same problem, some more then others but remember the days when players played for a team for two, three or sometimes four years. Now players are playing for a month or two and leaving. Some players are signed, play a handful of games and leave. It's getting ridiculous! It's hard to follow your team, other teams and it has to be frustrating for owners/coaches. How do you even recruit for next season, knowing a kid you recruited could leave two weeks into the season? It's ruined watching/following Junior hockey for myself
Maybe change your recap to players who stood out because it says top performers. Having two points a goal and assist on a team who scored three goals is a top performer for the game .
Is Luke Bibby gone ? He is not listed as injured and did not play last couple of games
Bad coaching to have a go to guy for scoring. What happens when he is injured?
The coach doesn’t coach at all. Kykkanen played his ass off in Penticton but there was no reason for him to start this game as well. Once he did and faltered early a change should have been made. Not sure they have changed goalies during a game once this year.
The lack of communication even as far as injuries and timelines is crazy with this team. Been a fan of many JR teams across the country as I travel for work and never seen anything like this. Moved from Kelowna this year to Vernon and always thought the Vipers had a good organization but have been let down this year.
Not sure why MccAmmond would be brought in this year this late if they didn’t think he would be back next year as he is local to the area. Maybe he is waiting for his chance to run the bench himself but Lomicky has to go. Night after night is the same thing and then he says the same thing on the radio in the post game show.
Bingo what kind of comment is this?? No passion? Speak for yourself , this isn’t at all correct . You are making stuff up and it couldn’t be farther from the truth.
Bibby has been traded to Brooks. A defenseman is coming back the other way.
But wait....... there's more. Marko Stojkov has been traded to Sherwood Park for Eddie Revenig a 2005 defensman, Michael Munro a 2007 forward and future considerations.
Cant speak for Dean but, from talking to Lucas and Eric, I know the passion is there 110%.
Bingo, When did the Vipers say all the coaches wont be back next season?
Dean would never give less than 100%. Anything suggested otherwise is an uninformed opinion.
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