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 Vipers-Smoke Eaters exhibition game as Vernon defeated Trail 4-3 in front of a small crowd at Kal Tire Place. (No announced attendance)
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon: Anthony Yamnitsky
Trail: Brandon Wells
1st Period: Just 1:32 into the opening frame the visiting Smoke Eaters would jump on the games first powerplay. But shorthanded second year Viper Simon Sagissor tried breaking loose for the breakaway before being tied up after a strong defensive play from Seth Barton. Sagissor looked to be in the clear, before Barton come out of no where hustled back into the play, to stop Sagissor from getting a shot. The Vipers with a good penalty kill, only gave up one shot would kill off the minor. On the following play newly acquired and former Wenatchee Wild goaltender Anthony Yamnitsky making his Vipers debut was forced into making two quick saves off back to back quality chances from Trail before the Snakes come back the other way, Jesse Lansdell's shot was stopped before Nicholas Cherkowski banged home the rebound, giving Vernon a 1-0 lead at 4:09 Lansdell & Josh Prokop picked up the assists. A few minutes later, on a delayed penalty former Victoria Grizzlies speedster Keyvan Mokhtari down the left wing, ripped a quick shot from the circle, forced Brandon Wells into flashing the leather, making a nice glove save. Vernon would jump on the man advantage but struggle getting pucks to the net, as the Smokies would kill off the minor. Just twenty two seconds later Quinton Ong' shot missed the net, before Michael Young buried the rebound, giving Vernon a 2-0 lead at 10:32 Ong with the lone helper. Seventeen seconds later veteran Kale Howarth on a highlight reel goal, beat Anthony Yamnitsky cutting the Vernon lead to 2-1 at 10:49 Levi Glassman collected the assist. Minutes later Trail would get their second powerplay, had some looks but couldn't capitalize with the man advantage. The Snakes would get a powerplay just seconds before killing off the minor, couldn't capitalize. Trail would get a late powerplay, before Jesse Lansdell and Korbyn Chabot got tangled up inside the final minute, as the two exchanged words. In the dying seconds Ross Armour looked to beat Anthony Yamnitsky along the ice, but hit the bottom base of the post, as the Smokies come close to tying the game. Vernon was up 2-1 after 20 minutes of play. I thought both teams looked fairly even for most of the 1st. I thought the Vipers had a slight edge in scoring chances, had some good looks-opportunities in close, either couldn't connect on the pass or were stopped by the goaltender. It was the Smoke Eaters who were the more physical team. Trail come out hitting and laid the body for most of the period. Lots of emotion and intensity in a very feisty 1st period. Krbyn Chabot was a marked man, after getting under the skin of several Vernon players. Vernon outshot Trail 13-8.
2nd Period: The Smoke Eaters started the middle frame on the man advantage that was carried over from the opening period. The Snakes would kill off the penalty, before Josh Prokop broke in for the breakaway just over a minute into the 2nd but was denied by Smoke Eaters starting goaltender Brandon Wells. Minutes later Wells was once again forced into making a big stop, this time his biggest of the night. Ryan Brushett with a hard working shift down low, cut towards the front of the net, come across the top of the crease before looking to have Wells beat, somehow the Trail goaltender stayed with Brushett and the play, robbing the second year Viper on the goal line with a huge pad-skate save. Tempers heated up in a hurry, right after. Korbyn Chabot with a big hit on a Viper, was being assessed a minor before Shane Kelly jumped in, going after the Trail forward. Kelly dropped the gloves, landing several punches before the fight was broken up. Kelly would get five minutes for fighting and tossed from the hockey game. The Smoke Eaters would come out of this with a shortened two man advantage. Carter Jones leaned into one from the high slot, looked to catch Vipers starting goaltender Anthony Yamnitsky going the other way, missed the upper top half of an open cage. Trail would eventually tie the game 2-2 after veteran Ross Armour's shot beat Yamnitsky at 7:11 Ryan Murphy & Carter Jones with the helpers. The Smokies still on the powerplay, had a ton of pressure, couldn't capitalize as the Snakes killed off the remainder of the penalty. Trail with lots of pressure on the PP only managed one goal. Just as the penalty expired former Chilliwack Chiefs forward and second year Viper Jesse Lansdell laid out a huge crosscheck deep in the offensive zone, a huge scrum informed as everyone got involved. Lots of pushing and shoving, guys getting the gloves up, before the linesmen stepped in, breaking up the melay. Lansdell and Olson Werenka were exchanging words in the penalty box, the entire penalty. Lansdell was really chirping Werenka. On the following play the Vipers would switch goaltenders at the halfway mark. Backup Ty Taylor returning for a second season, replaced newly acquired Anthony Yamnitsky who allowed two goals on fourteen Trail shots. Just over a minute later, another scrum evolved as these two teams don't like each other, in the first meeting of the pre-season. After everything was broken up Vernon would come out with the powerplay. The Vipers unable to capitalize once again, really struggled with the PP. Minutes after killing off the minor the Smokies would grab their first lead of the night. Kale Howarth with a sweet pass setup Levi Glassman who beat Ty Taylor giving Trail a 3-2 lead at 15:34 Howarth with the assist. It was 3-2 Trail after 40 minutes of play. Another very feisty period with lots of big hits, late hits, chippy play and several scrums, as both teams-players boiled over through out the middle frame. Trail carried a lot of the play, due to the lengthy powerplays but also were the better of the two teams. I thought the Smoke Eaters played physical, had more puck possession and a lot more time with the puck. The Snakes didn't get a lot of pressure-zone time, had troubles making plays at times, didn't really generate much for offensive chances. Jesse Lansdell played with an edge, was running around, levelling guys the entire period. Was chirping with several Smokies, getting under the skin of several Trail players. I was very surprised to see the Vipers switch goaltenders in the 2nd period. You think they would allow Anthony Yamnitsky to play a full game-get use to his new team and new rink before the start of the regular season. Trail outshot Vernon 9-8.
3rd Period: Neither team could get much of anything going but it was the Smokies who carried a slight edge in play. Trail would get an early powerplay but unable to grab a two goal lead. The Smoke Eaters with some looks, as Vernon killed off the penalty. This penalty kill seemed to wake the Snakes up, as a strong shift-play from former Alberni Valley Bulldogs captain Jordan Sandhu before setting up Chris Jandric at the point, who wired a lazer shot that found the back of the goal, tying the game 3-3 at 10:59 Sol Seibel & Jordan Sandhu collected the assists. On the following play the Smokies would head back to the powerplay, but again couldn't find the back of the net as the Vipers with a big penalty kill, killed off the minor. The play-pace really picked up late in the second half, both teams seemed to find another gear, as overtime was getting close. Chris Jandric with another rocket from the blueline beat wich looked like a screened Brandon Wells, giving Vernon a 4-3 lead at 16:21 Nicholas Cherkowski and Simon Sagissor with the helpers. Just over a minute later the Snakes would get a late powerplay, this giving the Smoke Eaters troubles getting Brandon Wells to the bench for the extra attacker. Vernon basically played keep away, sat behind their own net, didn't move, killed off a good twenty seconds before a Trail defender would make a rush for the puck. The Smokies having all kinds of troubles, getting control of the puck. The Vipers ragging several key seconds off the clock. Trail would eventually get control of the puck, deep in the Vernon end but Brandon Wells dropped the ball, didn't notice the Smokies coaching staff waiving him over to the bench. The Snakes would get control of the puck again before the Smoke Eaters would eventually get control and able to get Brandon Wells to the bench with about fourty seconds remaining for the extra attacker. Jordan Sandhu was able to get full control of the puck and hit the open cage, giving Vernon a 5-3 lead at 19:59 Sandhu's empty netter was unassisted. The score keepers would wind down the last second remaining on the score clock, bringing this game to a close as the Smoke Eaters were already making their way to the dressing room. Vernon would come away with a 5-3 victory. The Smoke Eaters carried the better of the play in the first half, had troubles generating-creating chances. The Vipers had troubles getting control of the puck-play as neither team could really manage any real sustained pressure. Both teams had troubles with the man advantage this period. It wasn't until the second half where both teams picked up the pace, as the game started to open up with a little more energy and pace. I thought both teams played well on the penalty kill in the third. Basically it was the Vipers who scored-capitalized on their opportunities. Both teams didn't generate much for offence in the final twenty minutes, but Vernon worked hard to earn their final three goals. Vernon outshot Trail 9-6.
Top Player's: (Vernon)
Shane Kelly I thought wasn't going to put up with any antics from the Trail Smoke Eaters and didn't back down from the after the whistle activities until being tossed from the game after his scrap with Korbyn Chabot. I thought Kelly played physical, was in the face of several Smokies, played with a bit of a mean streak.
Ryan Brushett I thought created/generated several opportunities through out the game. Was really skating-playing hard, made several nice plays trying to generate some offence.
Quinton Ong Showed a lot of speed, was really flying most of the night. Didn't really do much offensively but really opened up the lanes-ice on several plays. This kid is quick.
Niko Karamanis I thought was another forward that played very well. Didn't get on the score sheet nor generated much of anything for chances but I thought he worked-played hard.
Jesse Lansdell (1 assist) Played with an edge, was laying the body, very aggressive with and without the puck, was in the face of several Trail players, was chirping all night. Showed a lot of hustle, worked-played hard. Was one of the first guys in the middle of the scrums.
Finn Evans I thought played very well in the first twenty minutes but as the game went on, wasn't very noticeable. I don't recall seeing him on the ice in the 3rd.
Chris Jandric (2 goals) Was being pushed around a bit during some of the scrums-after the whistle activities but held his own. Scored two big goals in the 3rd to tie the game, before giving his team the lead.
Game Thought's: (Vernon)
I thought the Snakes looked good-played well in the 1st but as the game went on, didn't look as sharp. I thought Vernon didn't generate-create nearly as many opportunities in the 2nd and 3rd periods as they did in the opening frame. After jumping out to a 2-0 lead it looked like the boys may walk away with things but the Vipers surrendered a quick goal off a goal just seventeen seconds later, allowing Trail back in the contest. I thought the Snakes didn't have a lot of pressure in the 2nd and 3rd periods but scored-capitalized on their chances. I thought Vernon worked hard in all three periods, had to dig deep to tie the game-before scoring the winner. The Vipers didn't quit, I just think they really had to work hard to earn the win tonight. I liked the Vipers penalty kill, only gave up one goal on Kelly's five minute major. I thought the Snakes struggled with the powerplay and have all pre-season. I really liked how the boys didn't back down from the altercations after the whitsle, stood up for each other and battled hard. With the win Vernon finishes the pre-season with a 3-0-0-1 record with their only loss in their first exhibition game vs Salmon Arm. The Vipers will open the 2017-18 regular season next weekend with a home & home series with Salmon Arm. No attendance was announced but another small crowd on a hot summer night in Vernon. I would guess 550-600 people were at tonight's game. I counted eight players-scratches sitting in the stands, meaning the Vipers still have twenty eight players on their current roster. It will be very interesting to see the final cuts-the opening day roster. Mark Ferner and the coaching staff have some tough decisions.
Top Player's: (Trail)
Olson Werenka I thought played very well on the blueline. The son of former NHLer Brad Werenka.
Carter Jones (1 assist) Played well, not the biggest kid but generated/created some opportunities.
Kale Howarth (1 goal & 1 assist) Collected two points in the loss, was very strong up front. Hard to defend against, played well.
Korbyn Chabot was in the face of most Vipers, was under the skin of the Vipers all night. Was involved in the play-after the whistle activities in the first two periods.
Ross Armour (1 goal) Was another veteran returning who I thought played well.
Troy Ring was very steady on the backend.
Brandon Wells (26 saves) Was very good in goal for Trail. Doesn't give up many if any rebounds-second opportunities, made some key stops in the opening frame, played very well.
Game Thought's: (Trail)
The Trail Smoke Eaters come out hitting and played a physical game for an exhibition game. These kids seemed to be up for tonight's matchup as the Smokies had a very lively bench. It seemed everytime the Smoke Eaters blocked a shot or made a big play, the entire bench erupted with a big cheer, banging the sticks along the boards. Trail fell behind 2-0 but didn't quit. Battled back, played hard, played with an edge, were in the face of the Vipers most of the night. The Smokies played well-look to have a good team for the upcoming season. If Trail could have capitalized on some of their powerplays, or jumped on Vernon early in the 3rd, this could have been a different outcome. The Smoke Eaters dressed a veteran lineup, have some size, toughness and can put the puck in the net. They also have a good d-core and a very good goaltender. The Smokies only managed one goal with the man advantage, had some good pressure-looks just couldn't capitalize on the powerplay. Both teams were good on the penalty kill. For an exhibition game this was a very intense-emotional game, a very feisty first two periods, with lots of scrums, late hits, hits away from the play, lots of hitting-physical play and lots of chirping-guys getting in each others faces. Remember these two teams played each other in the second round of last year's playoffs with Vernon winning in five games. I didn't see any scratches in the stands for the Smokies. With the loss Trail finishes the pre-season with a 0-3-0-0 record open the regular season with a home and home series vs West Kelowna. Nice to see a few Trail fans in attendance tonight.
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)
Shane Kelly D (97)
Sol Seibel D (99)
Josh Prokop F (00)
Nicholas Cherkowski F (00)
Ryan Brushett F (98)
Adam Panacci F (99)
Connor Marritt F (99)
Quinton Ong F (99)
Simon Sagissor F (97)
Niko Karamanis F (98)
Jesse Lansdell F (98)
Finn Evans F (99)
Keyvan Mokhtari F (98)
Jordan Sandhu F (99)
Will Dow Kenny D (00)
Chris Jandric D (98)
Ty Taylor G (99)
Anthony Yamnitsky (97)
Trail:
Olson Werenka D (99)
Jake Yuris D (98)
Jake Lucchini D (97)
Karsten Jang D (98)
Daine Dubois F (99)
Braeden Tuck F (98)
Bryce Anderson F (01)
Carter Jones F (99)
Ryan Murphy F (97)
Kale Howarth F (97)
Tyler Ghiradosi F (99)
Korbyn Chabot F (99)
Ross Armour F (98)
Blaine Caton F (97)
Levi Glassman F (99)
Troy Ring D (97)
Spencer McLean F (98)
Seth Barton F (99)
Tanner Marshall G (99)
Brandon Wells G (97)
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