Monday, February 29, 2016

Brandt Hit On Szeto:

This is posted on the Hockeytube.net website:

Riley Brandt Sinks Riverman

Posted by HockeyTube on Feb 13th, 2016

The human hitman from the Vernon Vipers #12 Riley Brandt adds another victim to a long list of players who have been blown up by the hard hitting forward. This time during a game against the BCHL Langley Rivermen February 12th, Brandt catches #8 Justin Szeto crossing over the Vipers blueline!

http://www.hockeytube.net/2016/02/13/viper-riley-brandt-sinks-riverman/

New League Rules & Regulations:

This is posted on the BCHL website:

New Rules & Regulations

February 25, 2016

The BCHL’s 2016 semiannual governors meeting was held last week in Richmond, B.C. and resulted in several rules and governance changes for the league moving forward.

A pair of changes take effect immediately:

•Any play resulting in contact with a goaltender may be submitted to the BCHL office for video review. Injury is not required for a review to be requested.

•With respect to tie-breaker criteria in the standings, the following tie-breaker has been added as the third way to determine the top team: “Team having the most WINS IN GAMES AGAINST EACH OTHER”.

The following changes will take effect starting in the 2016-17 season:

•There will be no automatic penalty shot awarded for a penalty in 3-on-3 double overtime. Instead, if a team is penalized in double overtime, a 4-on-3 power play will result. If a team is penalized at any point in overtime such that a two-man advantage is called for, a 5-on-3 power play will result. Play will revert to 4-on-4, or 3-on-3, at the first stoppage after the power play ends.

•Goaltenders will be required to change ends prior to the start of the first overtime and will remain at that end for the second overtime.

•Teams will not be permitted to start main training camp prior to August 22, 2016. There will be no team activities of any kind permitted on August 20 or 21, 2016.

•The start date for the coming season will be Friday, September 9, 2016. The season end date will be Sunday, February 26, 2017. Round 1 of the playoffs will start on Friday, March 3, 2017.

•The fifth Bauer BCHL Showcase will be held September 22 to 25, 2016 at Prospera Centre in Chilliwack.

Sunday, February 28, 2016

Vipers Fans Excited For Playoff Hockey:

This is posted on the Hockeytube.net website:

A Very Excited Hockey Fan

Posted by HockeyTube on Feb 28th, 2016

During the Vipers-Wenatchee Wild game Friday, an excited fan busts out some major dance moves! As a result…the Vernon Vipers used the dancer to promote their upcoming playoffs. The team squeaked into the post season by winning their final game 7-2 over the Trail Smoke Eaters. It appears the team and it’s fans are EXCITED to be headed to the playoffs.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJD78FPe7vw




Shortridge Nets MVP Nod:

This is in todays Morning Star Newspaper:

Shortridge nets MVP nod

by Roger Knox - Vernon Morning Star

Feb 27, 2016

He came to the Vernon Vipers looking to be the team’s No. 1 goalie.

Andrew Shortridge ended up being the club’s best player.

The 20-year-old native of Eagle River, Alaska was named the Vipers’ most valuable player as the club handed out its year-end awards on the ice following Friday’s final regular season home game at Kal Tire Place.

“The term MVP encompasses a number of elements to any team and this player embodies them all,” said Vipers’ play-by-play voice Graham Turnbull, emcee for the presentation.

“He is a great leader and teammate on and off the ice. He was, without question, the most consistent player on the ice giving his team a chance to win every night.”

Going into Friday’s game, Shortridge had a record of 18-24, a 3.08 goals against average and stopped 1,422 of 1,551 shots for a .917 save percentage.

The humble netminder, who had never won a team MVP award before, deflected praise toward his teammates.

“I can’t win it without a team, it’s a team sport first,” said Shortridge. “I can’t win games alone. I can’t tell you how many times there have been game-saving blocks from d-men, forwards, anyone on the team. I was surprised to hear my name called.”

Jagger Williamson and Odeen Tufto were double award winners.

Williamson won the Rienie Holland Community Service Award and the Wayne Buck Memorial Award, which is given to the player honouring hard work and unselfish play.

Tufto won the top scorer and rookie of the year honours. Liam Finlay was named most sportsmanlike player, Christian Cakebreak was the unsung hero, Brett Stapley took the Bill Brown Award for academic excellence and Riley Brandt was named the most popular player. The Sun Valley Source For Sports most improved player was Jimmy Lambert and Mac Ferner won the Blue Liners Academic Scholarship.

The BCHL announced its league winners with Penticton forward Tyson Jost named winner of the Vern Dye Memorial Award as MVP. Teammate Dante Fabbro was top defenceman and Vees bench boss Fred Harbinson was coach of the year.

Chilliwack’s Vimal Sukumaran beat out Tufto for rookie of the year and Coquitlam’s Colton Kerfoot was named most sportsmanlike.

Vipers’ Season On Line In Trail:

This is in todays Morning Star Newspaper:

Vipers’ season on line in Trail

by Roger Knox - Vernon Morning Star

Feb 27, 2016

Three teams, two games, one spot.

That’s what Saturday night in the B.C. Hockey League’s regular season boiled down to in the Interior Division for the Vernon Vipers, Trail Smoke Eaters and Merritt Centennials.

Each still alive for the final playoff spot with their final game to be played; the Vipers in Trail, where they were 1-2 against the Smoke Eaters at Cominco Arena this season; and the Centennials hosting the Wenatchee Wild, the U.S. expansion team who finished second  in the Mainland Division, and who went into Kal Tire Place Friday and handed the Vipers their worst home-ice loss of the season, putting up a snowman in an 8-1 victory.

Vernon could have clinched the last spot Friday.

“It was obviously disappointing,” said a dejected Vipers head coach Mark Ferner. “We knew the importance of the game and, for whatever reason, we just came out flat.

“I’m sure our guys are a little embarrassed and disappointed about tonight (vs Wild). Our fans deserved a better effort and we didn’t get it.”

If the Vipers won Saturday, they would get the final spot and a date with the league champion Penticton Vees in the opening round of the post-season starting Friday. Lose either in regulation or  overtime, and the Vipers would be done.

“We need one win to get in the playoffs,” said Ferner. “I have enough confidence in this group that we’re going to go into Trail and put forward a real good effort.”

The Centennials kept their playoff hopes alive Friday, scoring five unanswered goals in an 11-minute stretch in the third period to stun the Vees 5-3 at the Nicola Valley Memorial Arena.

The Wild, who have already clinched second place in the Mainland Division and will play the Langley Rivermen in the first round, scored twice Friday in the first five minutes. They stretched the lead to 5-0 after one, chasing Vipers starter Andrew Shortridge who was replaced by Brendan Barry, and led 8-0 after two.

“We’re treating our last two games like they’re playoff games,” said Wild forward Kyle Stephan, a Barrie, Ont. native and one of four Canadians on the Wild roster.

“It’s playoff games for the teams we’re playing against so coming in with that same mindset is good and it paid off tonight, for sure.”

Colton McCarthy finally gave the fans something to cheer about at 9:56 of the opening period when the Vipers captain found himself alone in front of goalie Garrett Nieto, took a pass from defenceman Mac Ferner and made a nifty deke to beat Nieto.

Prior to that, the biggest cheer from the 2,578 fans at the final regular season home game came in the second intermission, when not one but two frisbees were flung into the supersave.ca target at centre ice, resulting in an $800 jackpot split.

Stephan and Dakota Raabe each scored twice for the Wild while singles went to Troy Conzo, Joseph Drabin, Blake Christensen and Charlie Combs.

August Von Ungern, born in Singapore and raised in Eagle, Idaho, a Boise suburb, had three assists.

“We were motivated tonight,” said Von Ungern. “All of the guys were focused on taking the body and making key plays and it paid off.”

Nieto replaced starting goalie Chase Perry, a Detroit Red Wings draft pick, for the third period.
The Wild outshot Vernon 44-28, 40 of those shots coming after 40 minutes. Wenatchee didn’t register its first shot of the third period until the 12-minute mark.

The Vipers played without forwards Charlie Michalowski (upper body injury) and Jagger Williamson (flu), and defenceman Latrell Charleson (hand injury).

Vernon handed out its player awards on the ice after the game (see related story page A18).

There’s one playoff spot to be determined in the Island Division.

The Victoria Grizzlies and Alberni Valley Bulldogs both have 50 points. Victoria lost 6-2 Friday at home to the Powell River Kings and finish the season today in Chilliwack. The Bulldogs had a doubleheader at home with Powell River Saturday and today.

The fourth-place finisher will play the Nanaimo Clippers in the first round while Powell River will face Cowichan Valley. In the Mainland division, Chilliwack will take on Coquitlam and in the Interior, West Kelowna faces Salmon Arm in round one matchups already determined. The Warriors whipped the Silverbacks 6-1 Friday night at Royal LePage Place.

SNAKE BITES: Vernon’s worst home-ice setback prior to Friday was a 6-0 loss to Penticton Jan. 1...The Vipers called up d-man Carter Stephenson from Vancouver Major Midget...Von Ungern played Pee Wee hockey with the Idaho Jr. Steelheads, the same team that lost the final of this year’s 45th annual Coca Cola Classic tournament to the host Vernon Watkin Motors Mustangs...Wild assistant coach Chris Clark was the starting goalie for the Salmon Arm Silverbacks in the first-ever game at Kal Tire Place...A visiting couple from Surrey, outside of London, England, got engaged in Section F in the first intermission.

Saturday, February 27, 2016

Vernon 7 Trail 2

Scoring Summary:

1st Period:

1:16 TRA Bennett Morrison (3) ASST: Max Newton 
7:41 VER Jimmy Lambert (15) ASST: Bo Pellah, Liam Finlay 
9:46 VER Liam Finlay (15) ASST: Ben Butcher, Mitchell Oliver 
12:33 VER Liam Finlay (16) ASST: Christian Cakebread, Bo Pellah 
15:09 VER Odeen Tufto (25) ASST: Jimmy Lambert, Christian Cakebread 

2nd Period:

9:17 VER Colton McCarthy (21) ASST: Carter Stephenson, Bo Pellah 
17:57 VER Nicholas Rasovic (1) ASST: None 

3rd Period:

6:15 VER Liam Finlay (17) ASST: Odeen Tufto, Bo Pellah 
14:25 TRA Kale Howarth (12) ASST: Evan MacEachern, Cooper Leitch 

Trail outshot Vernon 36-28 Andrew Shortridge made 26 saves in the win, while Bailey MacBurnie made 14 saves in the loss.

BCHL Game Summary,

http://bchl.ca/game-summary?game_id=7120

Game Preview: Vernon @ Trail:


Vernon (23-31-3-0)  @ Trail (23-32-2-0) 7:30pm

Tonight is the seventh and final regular season meeting between the Vernon Vipers & Trail Smoke Eaters. The Vipers lead the season series 4-2

Last Game:

Friday, February 26th Wenatchee defeated Vernon 8-1
Tuesday, February 23rd Trail defeated Salmon Arm 3-2
Since the 2002-03 regular season Vernon is 69-18-1-3 vs. Trail

Since the 2002-03 regular season Vernon has outscored Trail 393-219

Since the 2003-04 regular season Vernon is 35-6-0-2 at home vs. Trail

Since the 2003-04 regular season Vernon is 27-10-1-1 in Trail

The Vipers are 7-3-0-0 in their last ten games In Trail

The Vipers are 8-1-0-1 in their last ten home games vs. Trail

Vernon's last win in Trail was a 3-2 double overtime victory on Saturday, January 23rd 2016

Trail's last win at home vs Vernon was a 6-3 win on Wednesday, December 16th 2015

Trails last win in Vernon was a 5-3 win on Friday, September 11th 2015

Vernon's last win at home vs Trail was a 5-2 win on Friday, October 30th 2015

The Vipers went 7-0-0-0 vs Trail last season
Lets take a look at the Vernon Vipers:

The Vernon Vipers make their fourth and final regular season visit to the Cominco Arena are coming off a 8-1 loss to the visiting Wenatchee Wild last night. The Vipers have won two of the three games in Trail this season, only loss at the Cominco Arena was a 6-3 loss December 16th. Since the 2002-03 regular season Vernon is 69-18-1-3 vs. Trail. The Vipers playing in their final regular season game, can clinch a playoff spot for a second straight season with a win tonight, a loss and the Vipers season comes to an end. Vernon has just two wins in their last nine games, have lost four straight on the road. The Vipers and Merritt are tied for 4th in the Interior Division are both a point up on Trail.

Odeen Tufto (24-39-63) leads the the team in goals with twenty four and in points with sixty three.


Riley Brandt played in 36 games with the Smokies during (2012-2014)

Colton McCarthy played in three games with Trail during the 2012-13 season

Graham Turnbull's Vernon Vipers Venom Blog

http://vipersvenom1.blogspot.ca/

Vernon Vipers 2015-16 regular season Stats:

Games Played: 57

Wins: 23
Losses: 31
Ties: 0
Overtime Losses: 3
Home Record: 13-14-0-2
Road Record: 10-16-0-2
Overtime Record: 4-4
Record vs Interior Division: 11-21-0-3
Record vs Island & Mainland Divisions: 12-9-0-1
When the Vipers score first: 10-7-0-2
When the opponents score first: 13-24-0-1
Leading after 1st Period: 10-4-0-2
Tied after 1st Period: 5-9-0-0
Trailing after 1st Period: 9-18-0-1
Leading after 2nd Period: 13-2-0-1
Tied after 2nd Period: 6-6-0-1
Trailing after 2nd Period: 4-23-0-0
Out shooting Opponents: 12-8-0-2
Out shot by Opponents: 10-23-0-1
One goal games: 7-7-0-3
Record in September: 3-3-0-1
Record in October: 6-6-0-0
Record in November: 4-6-0-1
Record in December: 3-5-0-1
Record in January: 5-4-0-0

Record in February: 2-7-0-0
Goals For: 172
Goals Against: 204
Place: 4th Place (Tied with Merritt)
Streak: One game losing streak

Longest winning streak this year: Four games
Longest losing streak this year: Six games

Vernon Vipers Returning Players:

Liam Finlay (97)
Jagger Williamson (98)
Colton McCarthy (96)
Riley Brandt (96)
Mitchell Oliver (97)
Nic Rasovic (96)


Vernon Vipers Departing & traded players from last years team:

Liam Coughlin (94)
Anthony Latina (94)
Blaine Caton (97)
Linden Hora (96)
Nicholas Rasovic (96)
TJ Dumonceaux (94)
Luke Shiplo (95)
Luke Voltin (95)
Brandon Egli (94)
Jarrod Schamerhorn (95)
Mitch Meek (96)
Johhny Coughlin (95)
Kenny Citron (95)
Riley Guenther (94)
Mackenzie Bauer (96)
Danny Todosychuk (94)

Vernon’s Home record vs. Trail this season:

2-1-0-0

Vernon’s Road record vs. Trail this season:

2-1-0-0

Vernon’s scoring leaders vs. Trail this season:

Colton McCarthy (5-4-9)
Riley Brandt (4-4-8)
Odeen Tufto (2-5-7)
Jagger Williamson (0-6-6)
Liam Finlay (4-2-6)
Jimmy Lambert (2-2-4)
Joe Sacco (2-2-4)
Bo Pellah (0-4-4)
Steven Jandric (1-2-3)
Callum Volpe (1-1-2)
Mitchell Oliver (0-2-2)
Christian Cakebread (0-2-2)
Hunter Zandee (1-0-1)
Brett Stapley (0-1-1)
Darren Rizzolo (0-1-1)
Latrell Charleson (0-1-1)

Andrew Shortridge (3-2 Record)

-Vernon has the leagues 6th best powerplay

-The Vipers have the leagues 14th best penalty kill

 

Lets take a look at the Trail Smoke Eaters:

The Trail Smoke Eaters are coming off a 3-2 win over the visiting Salmon Arm Silverbacks Tuesday keeping their playoff hopes alive. The Smoke Eaters playing in their final regular season game tonight, with a win will clinch the fourth and final playoff spot. Trail is 2-3-1-0 vs Vernon this season. Since the 2003-04 regular season Trail is 11-27-0-1 at home vs the Vipers. The Smokies have won three straight and three of their last five are 4-6-0-0 in their last ten games. The Smoke Eaters have won three of their last five home games sit 6th in the Division are a single point back of Vernon & Merritt for 4th place.

Kienan Scott (24-15-39) leads the team in goals with twenty four, while Nick Hallloran (21-24-45) leads the team in points with fourty five.

Blaine Caton played last season with the Vipers

Trail Smoke Eaters 2015-16 regular season Stats:

Games Played: 57
Wins: 23
Losses: 32
Ties: 0
Overtime Losses: 2
Home Record: 15-12-1-0
Road Record: 8-20-1-0
Goals For: 169
Goals Against: 244
Place: 5th Place
Streak: Three game winning streak

Trail Smoke Eaters Returning Players:

Connor Brown-Maloski (96)
Jake Kauppila (95)
Cooper Leitch (96)
Jeremy Lucchini (97)
Evan MacEachern (95)
Max Newton (97)
Harlan Orr (95)
Kienan Scott (96)
Ryan Swanson (95)

Trail Smoke Eaters Departing & traded players from last years team:

Charlie Zuccarini (94)
Craig Martin (95)
Bryan Basilico (95)
Conner Wynne (95)
Dexter McLeod (96)
Stephen Penner (95)
Robert Johnson (98)
Sheldon Brett (96)
Bryan Gerstenfeld (95)
Jordan Passmore (96)
Adam Todd (94)
Brett Clark (95)

Trail’s Home record vs. Vernon this season:

1-1-0-1

Trail’s Road record vs. Vernon this season:

1-2-0-0

Trail’s scoring leaders vs. Vernon this season:

Jake Kauppila (2-3-5)
Nick Halloran (3-2-5)
Kienan Scott (3-1-4)
Kale Howarth (1-3-4)
Jeremy Lucchini (0-3-3)
Max Newton (1-2-3)
Mitchell Stapley (0-2-2)
Harlan Orr (1-1-2)
Connor Brown-Malowski (1-1-2)
Kyle Star (1-1-2)
Ross Armour (0-2-2)

Evan MacEachern (0-2-2)
Cooper Sande (0-1-1)
Ryan Swanson (0-1-1)
Cooper Leitch (1-0-1)
John Laurito (0-1-1)

Bailey MacBurnie (2-4 Record)

-Trail has with the leagues 8th best powerplay

-The Smoke Eaters have the league's 11th best penalty kill

Here's a look at both teams rosters:

Vernon Vipers:

http://bchl.ca/roster?team=21


Trail Smoke Eaters:

http://bchl.ca/roster?team=22


2016 BCHL Award Winners:

This is posted on the BCHL website:

2016 BCHL Award Winners

February 26, 2016

The votes have been tallied and we now know the winners of the BCHL’s five major individual awards.

A second round of polling of the league’s head coaches was carried out this week and the winners are as follows:

Vern Dye Memorial Trophy (MVP) – Tyson Jost, Penticton Vees

Bruce Allison Memorial Trophy (Rookie of the Year) – Vimal Sukumaran, Chilliwack Chiefs

Top Defenceman Award – Dante Fabbro, Penticton Vees

Bob Fenton Trophy (Most Sportsmanlike) – Colton Kerfoot, Coquitlam Express

Joe Tennant Memorial Trophy (Coach of the Year) – Fred Harbinson, Penticton Vees

Of note, Kerfoot joins his older brother and Express alum Alex Kerfoot in making the second brother tandem to win the Bob Fenton Trophy. Paul and Steve Kariya are the other pair.

For Harbinson, this is his third Coach of the Year trophy but the first time he’s won it since the BCHL went to one winner per award, as opposed to one per conference as was the case up to 2013.

Friday, February 26, 2016

Wenatchee 8 Vernon 1

For anyone who could not attend or watch tonight’s Vipers game here are my thoughts and views from tonight’s game. You may agree or disagree but we all have our own view and opinion on any game we watch. This is my opinion and my thoughts on how I saw tonight’s game. I try to be unbiased and give a fare recap on both sides. Thanks for stopping by & visiting my blog.

I was at tonight's Vipers-Wild game as Wenatchee defeated Vernon 8-1 in front of 2,570 fans at Kal Tire Place.

Starting Goaltenders:

Vernon: Andrew Shortridge
Wenatchee: Chase Perry

1st Period: The expansion Wenatchee Wild wasted very little time opened the scoring just over two minutes into the game. Bryan Yoon's shot from the blueline was redirected on it's way to the net by Troy Conzo on the Wild's first shot on goal, giving Wenatchee a early 1-0 lead at 2:16 Bryan Yoon & Dakota Raabe collected the assists. The Wild with a very aggressive forecheck early. Less then two minutes later the Vipers responded with a good push back shift. Liam Finlay showed good hustle to stick with the play, ripped a quick back hand from in the slot forced Detroit Red Wings draft pick Chase Perry to make a quick pad save keeping this a one goal game. Back come the Wild on the following shift, Dakota Raabe cut hard to the net was stopped in close by Andrew Shortridge, before Troy Conzo was denied on the rebound before being hauled down, giving Wenatchee the games first powerplay. The Wild wasted little time, with some slick tic tac toe passing Dakota Raabe setup Joe Drabin in front, giving Wenatchee a 2-0 lead at 4:35 Dakota Raabe and August Von Ungern picked up the helpers. Mark Ferner would call a timeout after the goal. Just two minutes later Chase Perry went behind the goal to play the puck, ended up getting tangled up with one of his own defenceman and Riley Brandt, Brandt would get called for interference sending the Wild back to the powerplay. The Vipers fired the puck down the full length of the ice from their own end, may have caught Chase Perry napping, who looked to be coming out of his net to play the puck, when having to retreat back to the crease to make the save, on a close call for the Wild. Blake Christensen down low gave Wenatchee a 3-0 lead on the powerplay at 7:39 Troy Conzo and August Von Ungern with the assists. Wenatchee all over the Vipers at this point. The Wild outshooting Vernon 8-2 and dominating the opening period. Wenatchee with a very strong-aggressive forecheck, either had Vernon hemmed in their own end or shutdown the Vipers offence, giving them all kinds of trouble breaking through the neutral zone. Shortridge was forced to make a quick glove save keeping this a 3-0 game. The Vipers having all kinds of trouble getting any kind of pressure or zone time, played most of the frame in their own end. The Wild carried and dominated the play in the first half. In the second half Blake Christensen with a good quality chance couldn't beat Shortridge. Shortridge then made two big saves off Troy Conzo and Colin Burston. The Vipers who generated very little chances, would get a three on one rush late in the period, Christian Cakebread didn't look to get a good shot off, was stopped by Perry. In the final few minutes Dakota Raabe would give Wenatchee a 4-0 lead at 18:21 August Von Ungern with the lone helper. Seconds later Vernon would get their first powerplay of the night, but a poor pass by Bo Pellah and Odeen Tufton forced Charlie Combs to walk in off the turnover beat Andrew Shortridge gave Wenatchee a commanding 5-0 lead at 19:25 Combs goal was unassisted. The Vipers unable to get anything going with the man advantage would run out of time before the buzzer sounded. Wenatchee was up 5-0 after 20 minutes of play. The Wild jumped on the Vipers early, getting out to a quick 2-0 lead less then five minutes into the opening period, were all over Vernon for the entire 1st period. Wenatchee with a very strong forecheck, attacked the Vipers forcing Vernon into several turnovers through out the frame. The Wild a smooth skating very skilled team, can move the puck, have a very good transition game, schooled the Vipers for most of the period. The Vipers who had just two shots in the first fourteen minutes weren't skating, were caught standing around at times had all kinds of troubles with the Wenatchee forecheck. Vernon struggled offensively couldn't break out of their own end, had troubles getting any kind of pressure or offence going, had very little zone time. The Vipers managed just two quality chances the entire period. Wenatchee outshot Vernon 21-5.

2nd Period: Former Penticton Vees goaltender Brendan Barry started the middle frame, replacing Andrew Shortridge who allowed five goals on twenty one Wild shots. The Vipers started the 2nd period on the man advantage that was carried over from the end of the 1st period. The Wild would kill off the remainder of the penalty before scoring early. Kyle Stephan in front beat Barry down low giving Wenatchee a 6-0 lead at 3:39 Mike Coyne & Colin Burston with the helpers. Shortly after Kyle Stephan left alone in the slot, ripped a high shot that just sailed over Brendan Barry and the Viper goal. The Wild would get an early powerplay and capitalize. Kyle Stephan with a lazer shot went high on Barry giving Wenatchee a commanding 7-0 lead at 4:56 Bryan Yoon and Charlie Combs collected the assists. The Wild with three powerplays, had three PP goals. Up by seven goals the Wild took their foot off the gas, wich turned this game into a pond hockey game. Not a lot of flow or action at either ends of the rink. Even with Wenatchee taking their foot off the gas, the Vipers still had troubles getting much of anything going. Viper captain Colton McCarthy went hard to the net for a loose puck, before Wild starting goaltender Chase Perry come out of his crease before several players all went hard to the net, crashing Perry who was able to hold on to smother the puck-get a stoppage in play. The Vipers would get another opportunity a lot like this play later on during the period but again Perry was alert and able to freeze the puck for a whistle. In the second half Dakota Raabe's shot went in and off Mac Ferner giving Wenatchee a 8-0 lead at 14:04 Troy Conzo with the lone helper. As they say you have to be good to be lucky and that was a lucky bounce-break for the Wild. On the following play, Wenatchee would get their second man advantage of the evening. A very good penalty kill by the Vipers were able to hold off the Wild attack-powerplay for the first time tonight. Wenatchee moved the puck around, couldn't get setup had a few looks down low but other wise a good Vernon penalty kill. With two and a half minutes remaining Carter Stephenson's point shot beat Chase Perry but not the post as the Vipers looking to break Perry's shutout bid. Wenatchee was up 8-0 after 40 minutes of play. This was a much different period as the Wild scored two quick goals jumped out to a 7-0 lead, took their foot off the gas for most of the remainder of the 2nd period. The Vipers were able to get some zone time this frame but not a lot as the Vipers didn't get many chances. Vernon with a few good looks in and around the net but Chase Perry was their for the save. Not a lot of action or flow to this period, made for the looks of a pond hockey game. Wenatchee outshot Vernon 19-12.

3rd Period: Odeen Tufto with a great chance down low couldn't beat Chase Perry who come up with a big save in the opening minutes. The Wild with a strong forecheck, had a few good shifts early before the Vipers would get an early powerplay. Vernon moving the puck around and around, wasted a lot of time passing and not getting shots on goal. The Vipers with a few good looks-chances down low couldn't capitalize with the PP as the Wild killed off the minor. Just before the halfway mark Colton McCarthy would eventually break Chase Perry's shutout bid, spotted the wide open cage on a goal Perry didn't have a chance cutting the Wild lead to 8-1 at 9:56 Mac Ferner and Joe Sacco collected the helpers. Speaking of Joe Sacco, Sacco made a huge defensive play hustled back to make a goal line save after diving behind Brendan Barry stopping a Wenatchee scoring chance. For a second straight period it looked like the Wild took their foot off the gas as Vernon carried the majority of the play-period. The Vipers had some decent scoring chances, their best ones of the night but Perry was very good in the Wild goal. Not a lot of action or real flow to the final frame as fans started making their way to the exists once the 50-50 was announced. Wenatchee would come away with the 8-1 victory. I thought the Vipers played their best period of the night, but its pretty hard to say that when Wenatchee is up 8-1 and has taken their foot off the gas. The Vipers carried most of the play, had lots of pressure and zone time, generated-created their best opportunities of the night, in the 3rd. The Wild didn't generate much pressure or zone time, only had one maybe two good chances didn't get many shots on Brendan Barry. Vernon was the better of the two teams outshot Wenatchee 11-4.

Following the game the Vipers held their annual year end awards banquet on the ice.

Most Popular Player- Riley Brandt
Leading Scorer- Odeen Tufto
MVP- Andrew Shortridge
Rookie Of The Year- Odeen Tufto
Most Sportsmanlike- Liam Finlay
Unsung Hero- Christian Cakebread
Bill Brown Award for Academic Excellence- Brett Stapley
Most Improved- Jimmy Lambert
Blue Liners Academic Scholarship- Mac Ferner
Renee Holland Community Service Award- Jagger Williamson
Wayne Buck Memorial Award- Jagger Williamson


Top Player's: (Vernon)

I didn't think any Viper really stood out-had a decent game.

Game Thought's: (Vernon)

The Vipers come into tonight's game having a ton of confidence facing the Wild after winning in overtime in Wenatchee back in November lost a one goal game to the Wild in Chilliwack back in September at the BCHL Showcase, were blown out tonight by a Wenatchee team that totally dominated tonight's game from top to bottom. This game wasn't even close, the Vipers didn't match up against a much better, stronger, faster, more skilled Wild team that schooled Vernon in the opening 1st period. The Vipers with just two shots in the first fourteen minutes, were no match for the Wild. The Vipers with just two scoring chances in the 1st, had just a handful of opportunities in the 2nd had their best chances in the 3rd. Vernon had troubles with the Wild forecheck all night, couldn't break out of their own end, were shutdown offensively for most of the game. The Vipers were limited to chances, were held to the outside most of the night. Vernon with a win tonight would have clinched the final playoff spot, now need to win their final regular season game in Trail tomorrow night to advance to the playoffs or the season is over. Merrit is now tied with the Vipers for the fourth and final playoff spot after their 5-3 win over Penticton tonight. Trail is a single point back of both Merritt and Vernon. The Centennials host Wenatchee tomorrow night in their final game of the regular season. The Vipers don't have the size, skill or talent to matchup and compete with teams like Wenatchee. It was like the men playing the boys tonight. The Vipers have lacked scoring all season and as of late and it showed again tonight. A great crowd, one of the biggest this season come out for the final regular season home game. 

Top Player's: (Wenatchee)

Blake Christensen (1 goal) I thought played well, was going to the net, digging-working hard in front, had a strong game for the Wild.

Tyler Rockwell Played very well on the Wenatchee blueline, not one of the biggest kids but a good skater, reads-sees the ice well, was very good at both ends of the rink. Saw a lot of ice tonight.

August Von Ungern (3 assists) Was in on three of the Wild's first four goals, made some nice plays to get the goals started. A good skater and puck mover, really sees the ice well.

Dakota Raabe (2 goals & 2 assists) Picked up four points was all over the ice this evening, gave the Vipers all kinds of troubles in the offensive zone, had several good chances-looks at the net. A very smooth skating forward that can move the puck, goes to the net.

Troy Conzo (1 goal & 2 assists) Opened the scoring for Wenatchee, was another kid who gave Vernon defenders troubles. Played on a line with Dakota Raabe was very strong in the win.

Kyle Stephan (2 goals) Scored twice, was another kid who had several chances, was hard to contain and dangerous in and around the net.

Bryan Yoon (2 assists) Was solid on the backend collecting two helpers.

Chase Perry (27 saves) Wasn't tested much but when called apon was solid between the pipes. Perry a bigger goaltender, covers a lot of net, plays big, dosnt give you much room, is quick on his feet, likes to come out of the net a lot.

Game Thought's: (Wenatchee)

The Wenatchee Wild are the best team I have seen play this season. Off the opening faceoff the Wild with a very strong-aggressive foreheck, don't give you any time or space. The Wild are a quick skating team, that can move the puck in a hurry, very crisp passing, with a lot of skill that can make you pay. The Wild don't play a very physical game, stay away from the after the whistle activities, are very well coached & disciplined. This game was basically over after the 1st period, as the Wild took their foot off the gas in the 2nd and 3rd periods. Not a lot of action or much flow to the game in the final two periods. This team looked very good tonight and from top to bottom I think will be hard to beat come playoffs. Wenatchee jumped on the Vipers early and often and basically put the game away less then halfway through the 1st period. The Wild dominated the play-game for most of the night, controlled-carried the majority of the play especially in the first two periods. I watched all the Vipers-Vees games this season, but think the Wild have a little more depth-structure compared to Penticton. A very good powerplay, this team competes-works hard and it showed tonight, even in the 2nd period when they looked to take their foot off the gas, they still were the better team at times. Nice to see a few Wild fans make the trip for tonight's game. 

Scratches:

Vernon:

Latrell Charleson (Injured)
Charley Michalowski (Injured)
Jagger Williamson (Injured)

Wenatchee:

Brandon Puricelli
Austin Chavez

Energy Player of the Game:

Odeen Tufto

Three Stars:

1st Star: Dakota Raabe (2 goals & 2 assists)
2nd Star: Kyle Stephan (2 goals)
3rd Star: August Von Ungern (3 assists)

BCHL Game Summary,