I stopped by Priest Valley Arena this morning to catch the second day of Vipers Spring Camp. Each game-scrimmage consisted of two thirty minute periods with a full ice clean in between periods. A penalty was an automatic penalty shot.
I have had season tickets for the past twenty seven seasons and have been watching Junior hockey in Vernon for close to thirty five years. Here are my thought's from today's Spring Camp.
In the opening game-scrimmage Team White defeated Team Black 8-6. Team Black opened the scoring, before Team White roared back with four straight goals. It was 4-1 Team White after the first period. Team White was the better of the two teams in the first half, seemed to generate-create lots of offensive chances. In the 2nd period Team Black fought back, battled hard getting to within a goal cutting the deficit to 5-4 before Team White scored to late goals to break the 6-6 tie to come away with the 8-6 victory. Four penalty shots in this game/scrimmage.
Players I thought stood out-played well
Billy Cawthorn (G) 1998 Attended the Vipers Spring Camp & Training Camp last season played the second half of the game and was solid between the pipes. Made some good saves, giving his team a chance to get back in the contest. Looked calm and confident in goal.
Brendan Mongey (F) 1999 Scored a highlight reel goal for Team Black. I didn't really notice him until about halfway through the scrimmage, when he slowly got his game going and looked good down the stretch.
Josh Mead (F) 1998 I thought played well for most of the game.
Ryan Cooper (F) 1998 (2 goals) Was by far the best player on the ice this morning. Had at least two-maybe three good chances in close to record the hat trick, was very dangerous with the puck in the offensive zone. Battled hard down low, was going to the net all morning. Has a quick release, can skate and hold his own along the boards. Very impressive.
In the second game-scrimmage Team Gold defeated Team Green 5-3. Team Green jumped out to a 2-0 lead held the two goal lead heading into the 2nd period-second half of the game. Team Gold scored two quick back to back goals just seconds apart to tie the game before taking their first lead of the morning shortly after. Team Gold would eventually jump out to a two goal lead before Team Green scored to get within a goal but couldn't make the comeback falling 5-3.
Players I thought stood out-played well
James Brendeland (G) 1999 started the game for Team Green was solid between the pipes, didn't surrender a single goal before being replaced by James Johnston in the 2nd period-second half. Brendeland plays his position very well, dosnt give up many if any rebounds. Plays large in goal.
James Johnston (G) 2001 May have gave up five goals but early on to start the 2nd period he was very sharp. Was forced to make several big stops with Team Gold pressing. Quick on his feet, was hard to beat down low. Was very impressed with Team Green's goaltenders.
Jake Gudjonson (F) 1999 (2 goals) Was Team Gold's best player this morning. This kid was all over the rink in the offensive zone. Had several quality chances in and around the net, battled-played hard all scrimmage.
Lucas Gaudet (D) 2000 I thought looked fairly good at times through out the game-scrimmage.
Evan Hughes (F) 1999 Was another forward who caught my eye and stood out at times during today's game.
In the third and final game of the morning-early afternoon Team Blue defeated Team Red 5-4. It was 2-1 Team Blue after the 1st period/first half before jumping out to an early 3-1 lead in the 2nd period.
Players I thought stood out-played well
Corey Cunningham (F) 2001 Was by far the best player on either side of the ice. Was denied on two breakaways, was a force with and without the puck. A very slick skater, who can move up ice in a hurry, has a hard-quick release, sees-reads the ice very well. Was skating circles around several members of Team Red. Created-generated a ton of good opportunities.
Johnny Derrick (G) 2001 Played the entire game, allowed five goals but easily kept Team Red in the contest. Was very sharp-good in the first half, forced into making several key saves. Got lucky on a few plays, got some help from his defence after the puck was lying in the crease on several goal mouth scrambles. Not the biggest goaltender but quick on his feet, likes to come out and challenge. Reads the play very well.
Owen Reith (F) 1999 Looked pretty good at times, has some speed-quickness.
Dean Whitcomb (F) 1999 (2 goals) Has some wheels, scored twice, was one of the more offensive forwards for Team Red. Stood out-played well in the loss.
Side Notes:
Riley Brandt & Jagger Williamson were in attendance for one of the morning games.
Former Vernon Vipers forward Bryce Kakoske was one of the referee's for all three games today.
The arena was pretty much full for all three games-scrimmages. I saw a lot of Junior B coaches-scouts in attendance.
Spring Camp will continue later this afternoon with three games, with the first game-scrimmage starting at 4pm.
4pm Black vs Gold
6pm Blue vs White
8pm Green vs Red
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