Exhibition: Vernon 4 Prince George 2

I have had season tickets for the past 28 years and been following Junior hockey in Vernon for well over thirty years. Ive missed only three home games since 1998-99 season. 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 exhibition Vipers-Spruce Kings exhibition game as Vernon defeated Prince George 4-2 in front of a small crowd at Kal Tire Place. (No attendance announced).

Starting Goaltenders:

Vernon: Ty Taylor
Prince George: Brad Cooper

1st Period: Fourty seconds into the opening period new recruit Josh Prokop with some nice hands, got in behind the PG defence before cutting hard towards the goal, was in alone couldn't beat Brad Cooper in close. On the following play Prokop setup Quinton Ong on a Vipers odd man rush, but Cooper with another solid stop. Cooper with two big saves inside the opening minute. The Snakes would get the games first powerplay, less then two minutes into the period. Vernon with just two shots struggled with the man advantage, looked disorganised as the Spruce Kings were able to kill off the minor. Just over three minutes later the Vipers would head back to the powerplay. Adam Panacci with a quality chance couldn't capitalize, before Jimmy Lambert in alone for the breakaway was denied by Brad Cooper who reached out for the big save on the penalty kill. The Snakes with a little more energy, created some good chances, couldn't capitalise were 0-2 with the man advantage. Just as the penalty expired, on the following play, Vernon would get their third straight powerplay. After a few looks-opportunities, the Spruce Kings with another big penalty kill, killed off the minor. It was all Vipers at this point were outshooting PG 9-0. The Spruce Kings needed just over ten minutes to record their first shot on goal, before Patrick Cozzi would get a quality chance out front, be stopped by Ty Taylor. On the following play Ryan Brushett lead the attack on a two on one rush, setup Connor Marritt in front was robbed by Brad Cooper who come across the blue paint, to make a game saver, keeping this game scoreless. In the second half, former Surrey Eagle-Penticton Vees forward Ben Brar got tangled up with Niko Karamanis between the two benches as the two exchanged a few punches at each other, trying to get off the ice. Vernon come very close to opening the scoring after Adam Panacci was stopped in close before a Viper tried banging home the rebound, Panacci raised his arms in the air, thought the Snakes scored but the goal was waived off after a quick whistle stopped the play. With about five minutes remaining a small delay after Brad Cooper needed some help with his equipment, stopped play for a few minutes. Late in the frame Nolan Welsh opened the scoring on a scramble in front, beat Ty Taylor low along the ice, on just the Spruce Kings fifth shot of the 1st giving Prince George a 1-0 lead at 18:24 Nick Sutter & Kyle Johnson picked up the helpers. The Spruce Kings with very little zone time, capitalized on some hard work in front of the Vernon goal. It was 1-0 Prince George after 20 minutes of play. The Vipers jumped on the Spruce Kings early and often, had a ton of zone time had three powerplays in the first half. The Snakes couldn't capitalize with the man advantage, went 0-4 on the PP. The Vipers with some nice passing that period, had nobody in front of the net on the powerplay. Vernon with several quality chances, couldn't solve Brad Cooper who was solid between the pipes for PG. If it wasn't for Cooper, this would be a totally different outcome after the first twenty minutes. The Snakes looked good, were by far the better team, outplayed the Spruce Kings for the entire period but were down a goal. Prince George took way too many penalties, but got lucky after getting some big stops from their goaltender. The Spruce Kings played most of the opening period in their own end, had troubles getting out of their own end and through the neutral zone. PG struggled offensively, needed just over ten minutes to get their first shot on goal, had just a handful of shifts deep in the Vernon end, managed to get the lone goal of the period. Vernon outshot Prince George 17-5.

2nd Period: The Spruce Kings come out hard, jumped on the Snakes off the opening faceoff. Prince George with good pressure early, before Josh Prokop with a parcial breakaway was denied by Spruce Kings starting goaltender Brad Cooper. Cooper then had to be alert, to make a big stop off Connor Marritt on the second opportunity. Two big saves a minute ten into the middle frame. Prince George come right back and again had good pressure in the attacking zone, but no real scoring chances. The Spruce Kings looked to turn things around, had Vernon back on their heels at times early to start the 2nd period. PG would get their first look with the man advantage just before the midway mark, but shorthanded Jimmy Lambert and Brett Stapley broke free were stoned in close by Brad Cooper who made another big stop. On the following play the Spruce Kings would take a penalty sending the teams to four on four. Even strength Ryan Brushett off the faceoff tied the game 1-1 at 9:59 Brushett's goal was unassisted. Two and a half minutes later Nick Sutter's point shot was stopped by Vipers starting goaltender Ty Taylor who made a quick pad save before having to through out the glove, to make a quick glove save off the rebound. Two big saves for Taylor. The Spruce Kings were the better of the two teams in the first half but it was Vernon who had the better scoring opportunities. Brett Stapley setup Alex Swetlikoff on another odd man rush, Swetlikoff couldn't beat Cooper in close. Shortly after Ryan Brushett would get his second of the night, giving Vernon their first lead of the evening, 2-1 at 15:49 Finn Evans and Connor Marritt with the assists. Prince George would get a late powerplay minutes later but unable to capitalize. Finn Evans making his Vipers debut after being acquired in a trade with St. Michaels broke in for the parcial breakaway with about twenty six seconds remaining couldn't solve Brad Cooper in tight. Vernon was up 2-1 after 40 minutes of play. The Spruce Kings turned things around, playing a much stronger and more competitive game, carried the better of the play, but had troubles creating/generating any offence. PG stayed out of the penalty box, only taking one minor that period, gave up too many odd man rushes. The Vipers didn't look as sharp-organized, didn't get a lot of zone time-good pressure. The Snakes did have the better of the scoring plays, had several odd man rushes-parcial breakaways, had troubles solving Brad Cooper down low-in close. I thought the Spruce Kings were the better of the two teams. Prince George outshot Vernon 15-13.

3rd Period: For a second straight period the Spruce Kings had the early jump to start the period. With the Snakes back on their heels early, couldn't clear the zone, were caught chasing players, ran into some trouble defensively in the opening few minutes. Prince George with strong pressure, had the Vipers running in circles before Nolan Welsh down low tied the game 2-2 at 5:11 Liam Watson Brown and Jarod Hovde collected the assists. Fifty seven seconds later Josh Prokop's shot missed the net before Niko Karamanis buried the rebound, giving Vernon a 3-2 lead at 6:08 Prokop with the lone helper. The Snakes with several odd man rushes couldn't convert. Coleton Bilodeau, Finn Evans and Jimmy Lambert all denied on odd man rushes. For a second straight period the Prince George Spruce Kings carried the better of the play, had several shifts with lots of pressure but again didn't really generate much for offence. PG with a few goal mouth scrambles couldn't seem to get much puck luck in and around the net. Ty Taylor was forced into making a few big stops down low. With three and a half minutes left, the Snakes would get some breathing room after Chris Jandric setup Adam Panacci giving Vernon a 4-2 lead at 16:44 Jandric with the assist. Prince George would get Brad Cooper to the bench with two minutes remaining for the extra attacker. Cooper had troubles getting to the bench, slipped-fell twice before stumbling his way to the bench. Jimmy Lambert looked to give Vernon a 5-2 lead somehow missed the open cage from the top of the circles with about 1:37 left, shortly after Alex Swetlikoff missed the open net. The Spruce Kings had troubles getting the puck in deep, to generate any kind of late push, would run out of time as Vernon defeated Prince George 4-2. For a second straight period I thought PG was the better of the two teams. The Spruce Kings carried the better of the play, had a ton of zone time but not a lot of quality chances through out the period-the entire game, nor generate enough pucks to the net. Prince George had the Vipers running around at times-back on their heels but also gave up way too many odd man rushes. Vernon saw a lot of time in their own end, did generate some good quality opportunities but never had more then a few seconds of one shift inside the Spruce Kings zone. The Snakes had the better of the scoring chances, looked disorganised at times in the final two periods. Vernon outshot Prince George 11-7.

Top Player's: (Vernon)

Brett Stapley played with a lot of jump, was creating-generating opportunities, had troubles finding the back of the net.

Ryan Brushett (2 goals) Had a strong 2nd period, with back to back goals.

Connor Marritt (1 assist) I thought played well for most of the night, made some good plays.

Josh Prokop (1 assist) I really like the looks of this young kid. Had a great chance just fourty seconds into the game, created/generated a few real quality chances in the victory.

Adam Panacci (1 goal) Was another youngster who played hard, made some good plays, worked hard through out the game.

Jimmy Lambert Couldn't buy a goal tonight, was stopped on the breakaway, had several good looks-opportunities, also made some real nice plays to generate some offense. Missed a wide open net late in the 3rd, didn't have any puck luck tonight.

Finn Evans (1 assist) Made his Vipers debut picked up one assist, generated-created plays, was denied on a late breakaway inside the final minute of the 1st and then lost the handle in close on a good chance in the 3rd. Has some decent size, can skate-make plays.

Quinton Ong Had a few good looks-chances vs Prince George. This kid is quick, makes things happen in a hurry. Not the biggest kid, but really sees the ice well.

Ty Taylor (25 saves) Only faced five shots in the opening frame, had to be sharp at times in the 2nd and 3rd periods with the Spruce Kings having good pressure and the better of the play at times. Taylor got lucky on a few plays-chances, caught some breaks but also made some big stops.

Game Thought's: (Vernon)

The Vipers jumped on the Spruce Kings early, couldn't capitalize on the powerplay. The Snakes moved the puck around, had several good looks-quality chances couldn't solve Brad Cooper in that 1st period. For the second straight home game, the Snakes run into a hot goaltender who played very well. Vernon went 0-4 with the man advantage in the 1st really needed a goal or two to break the ice, gain some confidence and try and build off it. Nothing worse then outplaying a team, on home ice yet your down a goal heading into the second period. I thought Vernon played well in the first, outplayed Prince George but were down a goal. The Vipers speed and quick breakout was giving the Spruce Kings problems most of the night. I didn't think the Vipers played as well in the 2nd and 3rd periods, sure they had several great opportunities but very little pressure/zone time. Vernon played a lot of the final two periods in their own end, were back on their heels at times, caught running around. I thought the Snakes were disorganised at times, weren't all on the same page in the 2nd and 3rd periods. I didn't think the Vipers were skating as well as they did in the first twenty minutes. This game sure didn't have the intensity-emotion Friday-Saturday's games vs Salmon Arm had. Very little if any hitting tonight, very little emotion-intensity through out the game. Not much of an atmosphere inside Kal Tire Place on a Thursday smokey-summer evening. Vernon wearing their road jersey's for tonight's game. I counted eleven players-scratches in the stands, meaning it looks like the Vipers still have thirty one players on their roster. The Vipers acquired veteran 20 yr old goaltender Anthony Yamnitsky & veteran 20 yr old forward Tanner Wishnowski today. Both player's weren't in the lineup, but expected to play Saturday. A very small crowd on hand for a mid week game, my guess would be 500-600 people. Im surprised at the number of Vipers season ticket holders not showing up. Noticed several long time season ticket holders not showing up for the pre-season games. I wish the Vipers would print out both teams entire rosters, including the players sitting in the stands. Before game time announce your scratches, this way fans know whos still in camp and whos been cut etc. The Vipers improve to 2-0-0-1 in the pre-season have one exhibition game remaining Saturday vs Trail.

Top Player's: (Prince George)

Patrick Cozzi Isnt the biggest kid but plays big. Very quick on his feet, shifty in and around the goal, worked-earned his spots in front, creates-generates plays.

Ben Brar Played hard, used his size to lay the body, got tangled up with Niko Karamanis between the two benches, was one of the Spruce Kings who stood out-played well.

Brad Cooper (37 saves) Played very well in the loss. Facing seventeen shots in the 1st period, made several big stops through out the period, keeping his team in the contest. Cooper was very good down low and in tight, covers a lot of net, covers his angles and plays his position well. Doesn't give up many if any rebounds, was solid between the pipes for PG.

Game Thought's: (Prince George)

Playing in just their second pre-season game of the season, the Spruce Kings looked a little rusty-had some bus legs early. PG played their first and last game Tuesday night in Grande Prairie vs the Alberta Junior Hockey League Storm, took way too many penalties in the opening frame, were outplayed-outchanced the entire 1st but very lucky to be up 1-0 after twenty. PG got some solid goaltending, if it wasn't for Brad Cooper, this could have easily been a much higher score-outcome. Prince George played most if not the entire 1st in their own end with just a handful of shifts in the Vipers end. Give the Spruce Kings credit, they re grouped and battled back-played hard in the 2nd and 3rd periods. PG carried a lot of the play at times in the final two periods, didn't have a lot of great chances. The Spruce Kings did have trouble giving up odd man rushes-breakaways. The Snakes had a good dozen odd man rushes-parcial breakaways through out the evening. The Spruce Kings wearing their third jerseys, need to find more offence. Didn't generate-create much for offence. It seemed like most of the Spruce Kings shots were just that, shots. Other then a select few real good looks-opportunities, the Spruce Kings lacked offence. If PG had a few players that could put the puck in the net-create some offence, this may have been a different outcome. I didn't like the Spruce Kings third jerseys. I saw just one player-scratch in the stands for PG. Prince George falls to 1-1 return home to host the Grande Prairie Storm in their final exhibition game Saturday.

Scratches:

No scratches were listed

Three Star's: (No three stars were given-announced)

1st Star:
2nd Star:
3rd Star:

Game Summary-Boxscore

The league website doesn't give any stats/info during pre-season games.

Here are both teams rosters-lineup

Vernon:

Mitch Andres D (98)
Michael Young D (98)
Cale Cripps D (99)
Kyler Shmigelsky D (00)
Brett Stapley F (99)
Ryan Brushett F (98)
Coleton Bilodeau F (00)
Connor Marritt F (99)
Nicholas Cherkowski F (00)
Josh Prokop F (00)
Alex Swetlikoff F (01)
Niko Karamanis F (98)
Adam Panacci F (99)
Jimmy Lambert F (97)
Chris Jandric D (98)
Jack Judson D (00)
Finn Evans F (99)
Quinton Ong F (99)
Ty Taylor G (99)
Connor Webb G (99)

Prince George:

Nick Bochen D (01)
Chays Ruddy D (97)
Dylan Anhorn D (99)
James Orr F (99)
Ethan De Jong F (99)
Patrick Cozzi F (98)
Jacob Slipec F (01)
Jarod Hovde F (97)
Kyle Johnson F (98)
Corey Cunningham F (01)
Nolan Welsh F (99)
Ben Brar F (98)
Shawn Kennedy F (99)
Reid Irwin F (99)
Liam Watson Brown D (99)
Dustin Manz F (99)
Kent Johnson F (02)
Nick Sutter D (97)
Evan DeBrouwer G (97)
Brad Cooper G (99)