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 6.6 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 have 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 some programs and ticket stubs going back to 1988 but have every program and ticket stub from every game since 1990. I worked with the Vipers as colour commentator for a couple of home games during the 2002-03 season and in 2011 helped create/design the Vipers website that I was in charge of running for five seasons.
I was at tonight's Vernon Vipers-Brooks Bandits game as the Bandits won 7-2 in front of 1,934 fans at Kal Tire Place.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon Vipers: Jesse Sanche
Brooks Bandits: Zach Zahara
1st Period: The visiting Brooks Bandits were the better team and it showed for most of the opening period. The Bandits carried and controlled most of the play, had a ton of puck possession, loads of ice time in the offensive zone, were skating circles around the Vipers, were getting lots of pucks to the net and generated/created a ton of opportunities. The Snakes were outplayed, outworked and outskated for most of the period. Vernon went lengthy periods of time with no shots on goal, struggled defensively, struggled offensively, couldn't make a pass, gave up a ton of shots, lots of opportunities. Jesse Sanche was solid in goal, kept the Vipers in the 1st period with several saves with the Bandits pressing. If it wasn't for Vernon's goaltender, Brooks could have easily been up by five or more goals. It was 3-0 Bandits after 20 minutes of play. Shots were 17-9 Brooks.
2nd Period: The Bandits were the better team for most of the middle frame. Brooks for a second straight period, carried the better of the play, controlled the play, had the puck on their stick most of the period, didn't get as many shots on goal as in the 1st period but generated/created several quality opportunities. The Bandits have a quick transition game, move the puck up ice in a hurry, are also very good on the forecheck, were winning the raves/battles, were strong on pucks, forced the Snakes into turnovers. Vernon for a second straight period struggled for most of the period. The hometown Vipers went well over fifteen minutes without a shot on goal, struggled again defensively and offensively. The Vipers had trouble keeping the puck on their stick once getting through the neutral zone. Vernon with a late two man advantage, didn't record a single shot on goal. Jesse Sanche again kept Vernon in the hockey game with little to no help in front of him. It was 5-0 Brooks after 40 minutes of play. Shots were 11-3 Bandits.
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