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 2008 and have over 6 million viewers. I have had season tickets since 1990 missing 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 going back to 1988 and have every ticket stub and program from every game since 1989. I worked with the Vipers as colour commentator for a few home games during the 2002-03 season and in 2011 helped create and design the Vipers website that I was in charge of running for five seasons.
I was at tonight's Vernon Vipers-Okotoks Oilers game as the Oilers won 4-3 in front of 2,235 fans at Kal Tire Place.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon Vipers: Jesse Sanche
Okotoks Oilers: Eric Young
1st Period: The Vipers got into penalty trouble early but had the edge in play at different times in the first half as both teams were also even at different times. Vernon had some good looks/opportunities but couldn't find the back of the net. Eric Young was lucky on a couple of plays but was good between the pipes for the Oilers. The visiting Okotoks Oilers took over the edge in play in the second half and were the better team in the second half. The Oilers hit one post, had a lot more puck possession, zone time and opportunities. Jesse Sanche kept the Snakes in the game, was forced to make several key saves to end the period. It was 0-0 after 20 minutes of play. Shots were 11-8 Okotoks.
2nd Period: The Oilers jumped on the Snakes early and often. Vernon come out flat, stopped skating, struggled in their own end and getting out of their own end. Okotoks forced several turnovers with a strong forecheck and simply hard work to carry the early edge in play. The Oilers were by far the better team in the first half for a good seven to eight minutes, simply outskated and out worked the hometown Vipers, would score back to back goals nine seconds apart to take an early 2-0 lead. Jamie Hlkida took a hit and didn't get up off the ice, needed some attention from the team trainer, was eventually helped off the ice and didn't return for the remainder of the period. The Vernon Vipers responded with a good push back and played very well to end the period as the Snakes were the better team towards the middle of the period and in the second half of the period. Vernon had loads of zone time with a lot of puck possession, were skating, moving the puck and creating/generating lots of quality chances. The Vipers would eventually get two goals of their own, but could have easily had three or four goals with the amount of opportunities they had. Eric Young was the difference making several big stops, keeping this game tied at two. It was 2-2 after 40 minutes of play. Shots were 14-6 Vipers.
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