Exhibition: Penticton 4 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 pre-season game as Penticton defeated Vernon 4-1 in front of a small crowd at Kal Tire Place.

Starting Goaltenders:

Vernon: Gavin Hubbard

Penticton: Mat Robson

1st Period: Both teams come out hitting early on before the Vees would take control of the game within the opening minutes. Penticton would get the games first shot of the night about a minute and a half into the period before Jonny Tychonick with a quick shot from the high slot just seconds later handcuffed Vipers starting goaltender Gavin Hubbard who was forced to make an awkward save. About a minute later Hubbard come across the crease to rob Noah Jordan cruising to the front of the net, made a big pad save off the Vees forward to keep this game scoreless. Penticton now in full control were carrying the better of the play as Vernon was back on their heels, were having trouble getting the puck out of their own end. The Vees strong forecheck kept coming
before Grant Cruikshank lead a two on one rush with Desi Burgart. Cruikshank kept and shot beat Gavin Hubbard from in close gave Penticton the early 1-0 lead at 5:49 Cruikshank's goal was unassisted. Off the following faceoff the Vees come very close to grabbing a two goal lead after Penticton couldn't burry the loose puck on a goal mouth scramble, as Hubbard was down and out somehow forced the puck into the corner out of harms way. A few minutes later Vees captain and returning forward Nicholas Jones was stoned in front after Hubbard made another big stop this period keeping this a one goal game. On the following play Jared Nash at the side of the net, gave Penticton a 2-0 lead at 8:37 Grant Cruikshank with the lone assist. Shortly after the Vees would get the games first powerplay, created-generated two good chances couldn't capitalize with the man advantage as the Vipers would kill off the minor. Vernon still without a shot on goal at the halfway mark didn't see a lot of action in the offensive zone. In the second half the Vipers finally were able to get into the Vees zone but couldn't get pucks to the net. Christian Cakebread returning for a second season with the Vipers couldn't bury the puck on a wrap around. The Vipers seemed to settle down in the second half and got their game going would eventually get their first shot of the night fifteen minutes into the opening frame. With a few minutes remaining Vernon would get their first look with the man advantage. Moving the puck around the Vipers were able to setup before a quick shot from the point was redirected in front by Brett Stapley before ringing off the crossbar as the Vipers come within inches of getting on the scoreboard. Penticton was able to kill off the minor. With less then two minutes to go, Christian Cakebread tried feeding new recruit Niko Karamanis in front on a two on one, couldn't connect on the pass on a missed opportunity in front. Nicholas Rasovic come to play laid out some hard hits late in the frame as the Vipers played well to finish the period. It was 2-0 Penticton after 20 minutes of play. The Vees who opened the pre-season last night looked good off the start. It was all Penticton early and often as the Vees jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead and were outshooting the Vipers 10-0 at one point. If it wasn't for Gavin Hubbard making three or four big saves this game could have easily been over. The Vipers seemed to settle down and held their own in the second half, getting a lot more zone time. Vernon struggled getting pucks to the net and struggled in their own end early in the period. Mat Robson wasn't tested at all, basically stood around for over half a period, seeing not a single shot. Penticton outshot Vernon 14-3.

2nd Period: Just 1:55 into the middle frame the Vipers would get on the scoreboard after Mitchell Oliver made a nice pass up ice spotted Jimmy Lambert who setup Jagger Williamson going to the net on an odd man rush cutting the Vees lead to 2-1. Lambert & Oliver collected the helpers. Vernon would get their second powerplay of the night fairly early to start the 2nd. The Vipers with two real good quality chances couldn't beat Vees starting goaltender Mat Robson as Penticton was able to kill off the penalty. Shortly after Jacob Kamps was out of the penalty box, Kamps with a hard working shift, went to the front of the net after receiving a pass from behind the goal, Kamps would get stopped by Gavin Hubbard. This was a much more evenly matched period as both teams went back and fourth but didn't generate much for chances. Both teams were really skating hard. For the longest time both hockey clubs went several minutes without getting a shot on goal. The Vees would get their second PP of the night and first of the middle frame. A good penalty kill by the Vipers would end the man advantage. At the halfway mark the Vipers would replace starting goaltender Gavin Hubbard with backup tender Ty Taylor. Hubbard allowed two goals on nineteen Penticton shots. In the second half the Vees would get their second look with the man advantage that would carry over into the final frame. It was 2-1 Penticton after 40 minutes of play. The Vipers were able to get on the board early, once again had troubles getting shots on goal-pucks to the net. Vernon responded with a much better effort and performance in the 2nd period, held their own against the Vees for most of the period. Penticton with two powerplay's couldn't convert on either man advantage. A very quick period with a lot of fast skating but not a whole lot of opportunities at either ends of the rink. Penticton outshot Vernon 9-4.

3rd Period: The Vees started the 3rd on the man advantage that was carried over from the 2nd period. Ty Taylor with two quick saves as Vernon would kill off the penalty. The Vipers had a bit of an edge to start the 3rd carried the better of the play early, but once again were having troubles getting shots on goal. About six or seven minutes into the period Grant Cruikshank laid a big hit on a Viper along the end wall, this formed a big scrum as everyone jumped into the pile as lots of pushing and shoving. Players were exchanging words as Vernon would come out of the minor scrum with a PP. The Vipers couldn't capitalize as the Vees were able to kill off the minor. Grant Cruikshank with a burst of speed, was able to blow by his defender had a parcial odd man rush couldn't beat Vipers goaltender Ty Taylor who made a nice save. Vernon carried a lot of the play but couldn't seem to generate much for chances. The Vees defence looked pretty good coming up with several blocked shots. Both teams didn't generate much for offensive chances this frame. With just under six minutes remaining the Vipers would take an undisaplined penalty before giving Penticton a two man advantage. Mitchell Oliver was given four minutes for high sticking. The Vees would capitalize scoring with just a second left on the first penalty after Joseph Leahy gave Penticton a 3-1 lead at 17:15 Jared Nash & Grant Cruikshank picked up the assists. With just three minutes left and the Vees still on the man advantage, this goal basically sealed the win for Penticton. The Vipers would get into more penalty trouble taking another minor late in the game giving the Vees another two man advantage. Penticton moving the puck around, waisted a lot of time passing the puck around or else couldn't hit the net, missing on several shots. Noah Jordan would give Penticton a 4-1 lead at 19:36 Sam Rossini with the lone helper. The Vees still on the powerplay, ended up running out the final seconds come away with the 4-1 victory. The Vipers were in this game until getting into penalty trouble. Vernon carried a lot of the play early in the 3rd couldn't get pucks to the net-generate enough chances. The Vees took advantage of the man advantage late in the frame to pick up the win. Penticton outshot Vernon 12-8.

Top Player's: (Vernon)

Michael Ufberg I thought played very well on the blueline. I thought played well during Training Camp. Made atleast two or three defensive plays to break up a scoring chance, was very active. A good skater, plays with confidence.

Shane Kelly another defenceman that looked very good on the Viper backend. Adds some size and physical play that the Vipers desperately needed last season. This kid caught my attention at Training Camp this week and played with an edge tonight. Wasn't afraid to get involved in the physical department and didn't back down from the rough stuff.  

Niko Karamanis Was one of the quicker Vipers tonight. Was really skating hard, went to the net, showed a lot of hustle. Committed to play for the Vipers shortly after the season ended last year stood out in Training Camp this week.

Christian Cakebread looks like hes added some weight over the summer, played well through out the game.

Derek Osik has committed to play for Vernon this season, showed signs of skill at times during the game tonight. I didn't really notice him until late in the 2nd period but had some strong shifts in the 2nd and 3rd periods.

Nicholas Rasovic showed a lot of hustle and played physical through out the game. Rasovic looks like hes beefed up over the off season, worked and played hard tonight.

Gavin Hubbard (19 saves) Has committed to the Vipers for this season, started tonight's hockey game before being pulled halfway through the second period. Gave up two goals on nineteen shots come up with several big saves early and often in the opening frame. Really gave his team a chance to stay in the game and keep the score at 2-0 or this game might half not been as close as it was.

Ty Taylor replaced Gavin Hubbard midway through the 2nd period allowed two goals late in the 3rd on sixteen Penticton shots played well in Training Camp and again tonight in the loss. Looks confident, quick on his feet, seems to read-see the play well.

Game Thought's: (Vernon)

The Vipers sure didn't get off to a good start. Outhit, outshot, outworked and outskilled at times in the first half of the 1st period the Vipers couldn't get out of their own end. Vernon struggled against a fairly strong Penticton forecheck who kept coming and coming. The Vipers fell behind 2-0 early were outshot 10-0 needed fifteen minutes to get their first shot on net. I thought the Vipers seemed to settle down and hold their own in the second half of the opening period and played much better for the remainder of the night. Vernon didn't get a lot of shots-pucks to the net, also didn't create-generate much for offence but held their own for most of the game. Give the Vipers credit, they didn't fold the tents after the 1st period, battled and played hard, didn't get a lot of puck luck either. At times when they had an open lane to shoot, they waited that extra few seconds to decide weather or not to shoot or pass the puck. The Vipers got into penalty trouble late in the 3rd and it cost them. Overall I liked what I saw after the teams first exhibition game. They have added some size this year, wich they lacked last season. They seem to have some kids out their that look to have some skill-put the puck in the net and have several pretty good defencemen. I also like the looks of the two goaltenders that played tonight. Both teams were fast, really skated hard, played physical and got a little feisty at times. Overall this was a pretty good-entertaining pre-season game. The Vipers will host the Centennials tomorrow before playing in Merritt Saturday. Former Vipers forward Trevor Keenan was in attendance tonight. A pretty small but decent crowd for the first pre-season game of the year.

Top Player's: (Penticton)

Nicholas Jones who is returning for another season with the Vees played very well against Vernon last year had a strong game tonight. The Vees captain had atleast two or three good opportunities couldn't beat the Viper goaltender.

Jared Nash (1 goal & 1 assist) Played very well up front for the Vees. Can skate, moves the puck well, really sees the ice.

Jacob Kamps Played with an edge, showed a lot of hustle and compete. I thought played-looked good through out the night.

Jonny Tychonick Was one of if not the Vees best player. He may have not recorded a point but logged a ton of ice time, was all over the rink. A smooth skater, dangerous with the puck, good puck handler, moves the puck, really sees-reads the ice, a solid play maker and good vision. Very impressed with this kid. Vees fans are going to like this kid this season.

Grant Cruikshank (1 goal & 2 assists) Was also one of the better Penticton players tonight. Saw a lot of ice time, dangerous with and without the puck, good skater. Goes to the net, battles and competes.

Game Thought's: (Penticton)

The Vees improve to 2-0 after shutting out the West Kelowna Warriors 2-0 Wednesday. The Vees wont play until Tuesday when they host the Vipers. Penticton got off to a good start, jumped on the Vipers early and often. Come out hitting, looked very strong on the forecheck, were giving the Vernon defenders all kinds of trouble in their own end. Jumped out to a early 1-0 and 2-0 lead were getting lots of pucks to the net, were stoned on a few real good opportunities early in the 1st didn't seem to get as many quality chances in the 2nd and 3rd periods. Like the Vipers the Vees looked quick, can move the puck and create chances. This team is big, has some good size, former Viper defenceman Mitch Meek faced his former team tonight was acquired in a three team trade over the summer from Cowichan. Both teams couldn't get much going on the powerplay, until the Vees took advantage of some undisciplined Viper penalties late in the game, scored twice with the man advantage. Mat Robson didnt see a lot of action, wasn't really tested much. These two teams will meet once more during the pre-season and six times come regular season action. The Vees have had the Vipers number the past few seasons won all six games over Vernon last year.

Three Stars:

No three stars were announced

Scratches:

Vernon:

No scratches were announced

There looked to be 17 Viper players-scratches sitting together in the stands during the game.

Penticton:

No scratches were announced

I didn't see any Vees players-scratches in the stands for the Vees

Here is a look at both teams lineups-rosters:

Vernon:

Cameron Kuhl (97) D

Owen Williams (00) D

Mitchell Oliver (97) D

Michael Ufberg (97) D

Shane Kelly (97) D

Brett Stapley (99) F

Carter Stephenson (98) D

Niko Karamanis (98) F

Ethan Scardina (00) F

Jagger Williamson (98) F

Christian Cakebread (97) F

Derek Osik (98) F

Josh Prokop (00) F

Nicholas Rasovic (96) F

Brock Sottile (99) F

Jimmy Lambert (97) F

Levi Johnson (97) F

Steven Jandric (97) F

Ty Taylor (99) G

Gavin Hubbard (97) G

Penticton:

Joseph Leahy (97) D

Sam Rossini (98) D

David Eccles (96) D

Griffin Mendel (99) D

Nicholas Jones (96) F

Desi Burgart (98) F

Mitch Meek (96) D

Taylor Ward (98) F

Ty Amonte (98) F

Jared Nash (98) F

Jacob Kamps (97) F

Ty Barnstable (98) F

Noah Jordan (97) F

Turner Ripplinger (98) F

Ben Brar (98) F

Jonny Tychonick (00) D

Grant Cruikshank (98) F

Owen Sillinger (97) F

Mat Robson (96) G

Nolan Hildebrand (98) G