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 program and ticket stub since 1989. I worked with the Vipers as colour commentator for a few home games during the 2002-03 season and in 2011 I helped create and design the Vipers website, that I was in charge of running for five seasons.
I was at tonight's Vernon Vipers-Spruce Grove Saints game as the Saints won 3-2 in front of 2,612 fans at Kal Tire Place.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon Vipers: Lane Maarhuis
Spruce Grove Saints: Finn Marshall
1st Period: I thought both teams were fairly even off the start but as the period continued the visiting Spruce Grove Saints had a bit more edge in play. I liked the Saints 1st period. Spruce Grove played with pace, moved the puck up ice, kept the game simple, getting pucks to the net and strong on pucks. The Vipers turned over the puck numerous times, gave up way too many odd man rushes, were sloppy at times and tried making the big play in the offensive zone, instead of getting pucks to the net-looking for rebounds-opportunities. The Snakes somehow missed, what looked to me like an open net. Lane Maarhuis making his home debut, made a couple of big saves with the Saints pressing. It was 1-0 Spruce Grove after 20 minutes of play. Shots were 13-7 Saints.
2nd Period: The Saints jumped on Vernon early and often as it was all Spruce Grove early. A strong forecheck, kept the hometown Snakes hemmed in their own end and forced to turn over the puck. Spruce Grove was by far the better team for most of the middle frame as the Saints controlled and carried the better of the play. A strong forecheck, strong on the puck, were winning the races, winning the battles along the wall and in front of the net, gave the Vipers defence all kinds of difficulties. The Vipers looked flat, weren't skating, were hemmed in their own end early, struggled in their own end and struggled coming out of their own end. Vernon turned over the puck a ton, were sloppy, making mistakes and just not on the same page. Overall Vernon had a couple of good shifts and three or four quality chances but Finn Marshall made some large saves, keeping the Snakes off the scoreboard. Lane Maarhuis kept the Snakes within a goal, making some key saves. Vernon did get their game going and come on to end the period, played much better in the final three or four minutes. It was 1-0 Spruce Grove after 40 minutes of play. Shots were 10-10.
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