I was born and raised in Vernon, BC and been watching/following junior hockey in Vernon my entire life. I started and created this blog in November 2008 and have over 10 million viewers. I have had season tickets since 1990 and missed 46 home games since. My family watched senior men's hockey in Vernon in 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 programs and ticket stubs from every game since 1988. I worked with the Vipers as colour commentator for a few home games during the 2002-03 season and in 2011 I helped create/design the Vipers website that I was in charge of for five seasons.
I was at tonight's Vernon Vipers-West Kelowna Warriors game as the Warriors defeated the Vipers 4-3 in overtime in front of 2,015 fans at Kal Tire Place.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon Vipers: Oliver Kiraly
West Kelowna Warriors: Brady Krey
Prior to tonight's game, the Vipers introduced all the Vipers parents who were in town for parents weekend.
1st Period: The visiting Warriors jumped on the Vipers early and often as it was all West Kelowna for most of the period. The Tribe carried and controlled the play for most of the period, had more puck possession and more zone time. West Kelowna with a quick transition game, was quick on their feet, strong on the wall and forecheck and winning the battles. The Warriors had several good looks/quality chances but couldn't solve Oliver Kiraly early. The Vipers were very slow/sluggish, didn't have their legs going, didn't look sharp, couldn't keep the puck on their stick long, struggled in their own end, coming out of their own end and couldn't do anything offensively. The Vipers were lucky if they had two opportunities the entire period. The Snakes did manage to open the scoring on a lucky bounce. Oliver Kiraly making his home debut kept Vernon in the hockey game. It was 1-1 after 20 minutes of play. Shots were 11-6 West Kelowna.
2nd Period: The Warriors were once again the better of the two teams as WK carried and controlled most of the play. Just like the opening frame, the Tribe had a lot of puck possession, a lot of zone time, were once again strong on the body/forecheck, winning the races/battles and just competed the entire game. The visiting Warriors couldn't seem to buy a goal, were down 3-1 at one point. The Snakes for a second straight period, didn't look sharp, looked sluggish and slow, didn't have their legs going, were getting outskated and outplayed often. Vernon didn't get a whole lot of time in the offensive zone but did manage to capitalize on the few chances they got. The Snakes were having trouble with West K's aggressive forecheck. Oliver Kiraly was sharp in goal. It was 3-2 Vernon after 40 minutes of play. Shots were 11-6 West Kelowna.
To continue reading, please click the "read more" button below,
