I was born and raised in Vernon, BC and been watching/following junior hockey in Vernon my entire life. My family watched senior men's hockey in Vernon during the 1950's and has been watching/following junior hockey in Vernon since Vernon got a team in 1961. I have two family members that played junior hockey in Vernon. I have had season tickets since 1990 missing 46 home games since. I worked with the Vipers as colour commentator for a few games during the 2002-03 season. In 2011 I helped design and create the Vipers website and was in charge of running the website for five seasons. I started and created this blog in 2008 and have over 5.9 million viewers.
I was at tonight's Vernon Vipers-West Kelowna Warriors game as the Warriors won 3-0 in front of 2,104 fans at Kal Tire Place.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon Vipers: Colton Jugnauth
West Kelowna Warriors: Angelo Zol
Before tonight's game the Vernon Vipers inducted former Vernon Lakers stickboy/Vernon Vipers trainer Trevor McEachnie into the Vernon Vipers Alumni Association.
1st Period: I thought the hometown Vipers were the better team in the opening period. Vernon come to play, was skating, played with jump/energy, were physical, carried the puck more, had the puck on their stick more, had more zone time and a lot of opportunities. Sebastian Bradshaw thought he opened the scoring, but the goal went to video review and was waived off for a kicking motion. A tough break for the Snakes who had loads of chances through out the period. This goal that was called back changed the momentum of the period and the edge in play as the visiting West Kelowna Warriors seemed to re-group, gain some momentum and for the first time this period, would get some puck possession, zone time and were the better team to end of the period in the last four or so minutes. Vernon seemed to sit back, lost some of their jump and sagged a bit with the Warriors pressing late. It was 1-0 West Kelowna after 20 minutes of play. Shots were 12-7 Warriors.
2nd Period: The Vernon Vipers were the better team for a second straight period. Other then maybe the first four minutes, the Snakes just like the 1st period had more puck possession, more opportunities, more zone time and carried the play often. The Vipers had several good looks, could have had at least four or five goals easily but Warriors starting goaltender Aneglo Zol was solid between the pipes. Vernon didn't get the bounces or puck go their way on several different plays. The Tribe were forced to kill off some penalties in the first half, did manage to play better in the second half. WK did get a couple of good looks/opportunities but didn't get a ton of time in the offensive zone. Give the Warriors credit, they would capitalize to take a 2-0 lead. It was 2-0 Warriors after 40 minutes of play. Shots were 17-10 Vernon.
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