I have had season tickets for the past 28 years and been following Junior hockey in Vernon for close to thirty five years. I've 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-Wild game as the Vipers defeated the Wild 4-1 on parents weekend in front of 1,940 fans at Kal Tire Place.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon: Anthony Yamnitsky
Wenatchee: Seth Eisele
A bit of a delay before tonight's game as the Vipers welcomed out all the players parents-billet families onto the ice before the National Anthems.
1st Period: A strong forecheck from former Chilliwack Chief Jesse Lansdell, stole the puck before breaking in on a parcial breakaway was denied at the top of the blue paint by Seth Eisele who stayed with the play, made a big stop just a minute into the contest. Four minutes in Josh Prokop with a quick shot was stopped by Seth Eisele on a quality chance in close. On the play the Vipers were rewarded with the games first powerplay. Shorthanded Jasper Weatherby lead the attack on a two on one rush, Weatherby who scored the overtime winner in Penticton Wednesday decided to keep and shoot, was stopped by former teammate Anthony Yamnitsky who stood tall, making a big stop shorthanded. Vernon struggled on the man advantage, the Wild with more shots shorthanded then the Viper powerplay, as Wenatchee killed off the minor. Just as the minor expired Brett Stapley beat Seth Eisele in close, giving Vernon a 1-0 lead at 5:35 Michael Ufberg & Jimmy Lambert collected the helpers. The Wild with a strong forecheck, were quick on the boards/puck, had lots of pressure early and often but no real quality chances. The Snakes having troubles getting out of their own end, were losing a lot of the battles down low as Wenatchee was pressing. With just over eight minutes left, Shane Kelly's point shot got through traffic, was stopped by Seth Eisele who somehow fought the puck through a maze of bodies in front, made a big stop keeping this a one goal game. Minutes later Jimmy Lambert with a burst of speed, was denied by Seth Eisele. Again the Wild with a ton of puck possession couldn't muster much for offensive opportunities. In the dying seconds the Snakes setup Jordan Sandhu alone in the high slot ripped a heavy shot but missed the net on a good chance in front just before the buzzer. It was 1-0 Vernon after 20 minutes of play. I thought the Wild were the better team, had a ton of puck possession, loads of pressure in the Vernon zone, had the Viper defence struggling to clear the zone, but didn't really generate any real great opportunities. I thought Wenatchee's lone quality chance come shorthanded off the stick of Jasper Weatherby on the two on one rush. Most of the Wild's shots were from well out, with no bodies in front, hitting Anthony Yamnitsky in the chest. The Wild won a lot of the races-battles for the pucks. On the other side I thought the Snakes had the better of the scoring chances. Vernon with several good looks, scored once but couldn't seem to generate any real sustained pressure. The Vipers saw a lot of that opening period in their own end, had troubles with Wenatchee's forecheck and clearing the zone-getting through the neutral zone. I didn't think the Vipers were skating all that well, had very limited zone time. A physical period with both teams laying the body. Wenatchee outshot Vernon 12-9.
2nd Period: The Wild jumped on the Vipers early, Wenatchee with a strong forecheck had good pressure off the opening faceoff. The Wild with a good start, were all over the Snakes for the first three minutes before Vernon turned the game around. Back come the Vipers slowly got their legs moving, were buzzing early and often in the offensive zone. Jimmy Lambert, Jordan Sandhu, Josh Prokop and Brett Stapley all with quality chances on back to back hard working shifts by Vernon. Jesse Lansdell sprung captain Jagger Williamson in for the breakaway, beat Wild starting goaltender Seth Eisele fivehole giving Vernon a 2-0 lead at 5:13 Lansdell drew the lone assist. Off the following draw, the Vipers tried springing Alex Swetlikoff for the breakaway who couldn't connect on the pass. A few minutes later a long shot from outside the circle caught Vipers starting goaltender Anthony Yamnitsky high went up and behind the netminder looked to be rolling into the open cage, before a Viper defender was quick to get back and clear the crease. As the puck was within inches of going in the play continued up ice, where Brett Stapley with a great individual effort broke in for the parcial breakaway, beat Seth Eisele giving Vernon a 3-0 lead at 8:10 Stapley's goal was unassisted. A scoring chance at one end, comes back up ice for a goal at the other end. The Wild cant catch a break. Just before the halfway mark Wenatchee would get their first powerplay of the evening. The Wild struggled as the Snakes with a strong penalty kill would kill off the minor. Vernon would get a late powerplay (double minor) but it was the Wild's aggressive forecheck that was the story. A strong penalty kill by the Wild, forced the Snakes into having all kinds of troubles setting up the man advantage. Wenatchee would kill off the first two minutes before Cooper Zech with a strong forecheck-puck battle come out with the puck, before creating an opportunity shorthanded. Sam Hesler with a strong forecheck, forced the Viper defence back into their own end to regroup as Wenatchee would kill off the double minor. Inside the final minute captain AJ Vanderbeck took a big hit inside the neutral zone, was quick to get up before taking several runs at three different Vipers just before the buzzer. It was 3-0 Vernon after 40 minutes of play. The Vipers struggled early, before getting their legs going, opened up the middle frame. Vernon with a much stronger game come the 2nd period, were flying-buzzing in and around the Wild goal early and often. The Snakes created/generated a ton of good looks-quality chances, had a ton of puck possession, would score back to back goals minutes apart played very well this period. I thought the Vipers really used their speed and skill to make things happen in a hurry, created/generated several good opportunities. Vernon looked to have more jump-energy this period. The Wild jumped on Vernon early, had good pressure early, before playing a lot of that frame in their own end. Wenatchee didn't have the puck nearly as often as the opening frame, were chasing the puck-Vernon often. The Wild gave up lots of opportunities, looked good on the penalty kill late in the frame. Wenatchee with very little offensive zone time, didn't generate much for offence. A very fast paced period with very little whistles. Vernon outshot Wenatchee 12-9.
3rd Period: Brett Stapley got in behind the Wenatchee defence, couldn't solve Seth Eisele in close on a great chance thirty seconds into the final frame. Two and a half minutes in Lucas Sowder with a slick move at the top of the crease, looked to have Anthony Yamnitsky beat was robbed by the former Wild goaltender who stretched out the right pad to make a huge pad save before Sowder somehow missed the open cage on the rebound. Two good chances in close as Wenatchee cant seem to catch a break. The Wild with an early powerplay, get some good looks but cant capitalize on the man advantage as the Snakes kill off the minor. Just over a minute later Jordan Sandhu with some nice work behind the Wild goal, setup Jimmy Lambert in the slot, beat Seth Eisele giving Vernon a 4-0 lead at 7:25 Sandhu and Sol Seibel picked up the assists. On the following play, back come the Wild as Anthony Yamnitsky had to be sharp made two or three saves in close on a goal mouth scramble before stopping Lucas Sowder in the blue paint as Wenatchee pressing. The Wild pushing hard, looking to get on the score board, once again were strong on the attack-forecheck, down four goals still battling. Wenatchee with several good looks-chances in close couldn't solve Anthony Yamnitsky. At the other end of the rink Alex Swetlikoff missed an open cage at the side of the goal, come close to giving Vernon a 5-0 lead. Just past the midway mark the Snakes would get a powerplay, moving the puck around the Vipers with a few looks couldn't capitalize. Just as the penalty expired, the Wild would jump on the PP on a questionable call-penalty. AJ Vanderbeck with a lazer of a shot from the circle beat Anthony Yamnitsky glove side, cutting the Vernon lead to 4-1 breaking Yamnitsky's shutout bid at 16:11 Jasper Weatherby & Murphy Stratton drew the helpers. A minute later the Vipers would get a late powerplay, moving the puck around, looked to be winding down the clock. Seth Eisele was forced into making a tough save off a deflection in front. The Vipers with a few looks as Wenatchee killed off the minor. Just as the penalty expired Jordan Sandhu with a great effort in front was robbed by Seth Eisele who made a huge right pad save off the former Alberni Valley Bulldogs captain. For the first time all night, some pushing and shoving at the final buzzer, before the officials quickly broke things up as Vernon come away with the 4-1 victory. I thought the Wild responded with a back bounce period, down three goals heading to the 3rd pushed hard, created/generated some looks-opportunities, some of their better opportunities of the night, only managed one to find the back of the net. I thought Wenatchee once again was strong on the puck, had a slight edge in play, more puck possession and played with an aggressive forecheck. The Wild couldn't seem to get any bounces in and around the goal. The Snakes up three goals in the final twenty minutes, didn't have to fight as hard, created/generated their fare share of opportunities, played well when needed. The Vipers had their own pressure-zone time as well. I thought the Viper defence played well, keeping the Wild to the outside and allowing Anthony Yamnitsky to do the rest of the work. Another quick period with very few stoppages in play. Wenatchee outshot Vernon 12-9.
Top Player's: (Vernon)
The Vipers #1 line of Jimmy Lambert (1 goal & 1 assist) Brett Stapley (2 goals) & Jordan Sandhu (1 assist) was by far Vernon's best unit. This line has played very well all season, had another strong game this evening. Lambert & Stapley gave the Wild all kinds of troubles while Sandhu was hard to defend against down low-in and around the net. Sandhu had at least three maybe four solid opportunities, couldn't find the back of the net. Played-battled hard all night.
Jesse Lansdell (1 assist) I thought played hard, was physical and finished his checks. Wore down the visitors on the forecheck and battles along the wall. Was very good in the win.
Jack Judson I thought played a very solid game on the Snakes blueline. Seeing time on the PP was comfortable, getting pucks to the net and good defensively. All round good effort-game.
Anthony Yamnitsky (32 saves) Made his first regular season start at home. Ty Taylor has played in all the Vipers previous home games prior to tonight. Coming off a 20 save performance in a 9-0 win in Trail Sunday afternoon, Yamnitsky was just minutes away from recording his second straight shutout. The former Wenatchee Wild goaltender was solid between the pipes. Improving to 2-1 vs his former team this season played with a ton of confidence. Was out at the top of the crease, covering a lot of net, didn't give up many if any second opportunities, had help from his defence, clearing the front of the net.
Game Thought's: (Vernon)
Up 1-0 after 20 minutes of play, I didn't think the Vipers looked all that hot! I thought Vernon played ok, had the better of the scoring chances but didn't generate much for zone time-pressure. Saw a lot of time in their own end, were being outskated at times and not coming out of the boards with the puck. Give the Snakes credit for responding with a much better effort-performance come the middle frame. The Vipers with back to back goals just minutes apart, started skating, were really using their speed-skill that really opened up the ice, giving Vernon a ton of room to create/generate opportunities. The Vipers were really buzzing in and around the goal that 2nd period, played very well. Give credit to the Vipers who had the better of the play at times, limited the Wild's chances-opportunities. Up three goals heading into the 3rd Vernon may have been sitting back a bit but didn't quit either. Both teams went back and fourth at times as the Vipers got some strong goaltending in the final twenty minutes. Overall the Snakes played well, had some quality chances through out the night, made some exciting plays, played-battled hard. I really like how the Vipers went to the grey area often, had traffic in and around the net, had several deflections in front, made a life a little difficult at times for Seth Eisele. I thought Vernon played very well staying out of the box tonight. The Snakes one of the more penalized teams in the league, played very disciplined. I liked how the Vipers adjusted after the 1st period, found a way to get by-around the Wild forecheck and get out of their own end. Give credit to Vernon's defence who played very well in front of Anthony Yamnitsky. Cleared the front of the net, giving Yamnitsky all kinds of time to see pucks. I thought the Vipers young kids played very well holding their own vs Wenatchee. After blowing a 2-0 lead and then losing 3-2 in Wenatchee October 11th you can bet the Vipers had tonight's game marked on the calendar. Since the Wild joined the league in 2015 tonight was the first time the Vipers defeated Wenatchee in Vernon. The Vipers will be in tough tomorrow when they host the 2nd place West Kelowna Warriors. With the win the Vipers improve to 11-4-0-2 moving into 1st place in the Interior Division two points ahead of Penticton & West Kelowna. Former Vipers Aaron Volpatti (2003-2006), David Robinson (2006/07 & 2009-2011)& Bryce Kakoske (2008-2011) were in attendance tonight.
Top Player's: (Wenatchee)
Chad Saski I thought played well on the backend. Not the biggest kid but quick on his feet, moves the puck up ice, likes to carry the play often. Had a strong night in the loss.
Noah Kim Was another Wild defenceman that played well. Another kid that isn't all that big but can skate-move the puck.
Cooper Zech Impressed me. Quick on his feet, likes to get involved in the play, was solid on the PK, sees-reads the ice well. Very shifty.
Lucas Sowder Had his fare share of chances in and around the net. Was robbed by Anthony Yamnitsky early into the 3rd before somehow missing an open cage on the second opportunity. Had at least three-four quality chances tonight.
Jasper Weatherby (1 assist) This kid can skate-move the puck. Very fast, plays hard up and down the wing. Was stopped on a 1st period shorthanded two on one rush.
AJ Vanderbeck (1 goal) The captain with a strong game in the loss. Played physical, played with a bit of an edge at times, battled-competed hard all night.
Sam Hesler caught my attention, played a strong game. Was good on the PK.
Seth Eisele (26 saves) Made some big saves at times, gave his team a chance to win. Had lots of bodies in and around the net, had to fight his way through traffic to see several Viper shots tonight.
Game Thought's: (Wenatchee)
I thought the Wild played a very strong opening frame. Wenatchee playing their second game in three nights showed no signs of rust early. The Wild with a strong forecheck, were hard on pucks, winning a lot of the battles-races in that 1st period. Wenatchee had a ton of pressure-puck possession didn't generate much for offence. The Wild's shots were from well out with no traffic in front. Don't know what happened between periods but the Wild jumped on Vernon off the opening 2nd period faceoff let their game get away from them. The Wild were now the ones spending time in their own end, chasing pucks-the Vipers, gave up way too many opportunities in the middle frame. Wenatchee lucky to only be down 3-0 heading into the 3rd as the Snakes were pushing-pressing with a ton of looks-chances. The Wild struggled offensively again for the second straight period. It was the 3rd and final frame where Wenatchee pushed hard, finally started creating-generating chances, had some solid looks-opportunities but couldn't solve former teammate Anthony Yamnitsky. Give the Wild credit, down 4-0 they didn't quit, kept battling and playing hard down the stretch. The Wild didn't get any breaks tonight, had no puck luck in and around the goal. Wenatchee needed more net presence in front of the Vernon net, saw a lot of their shots fired right at the chest-Vipers logo of Anthony Yamnitsky. The Wild needed to drive to the net more, most of their shots were from outside. Overall a very entertaining hockey game, with a lot of back and fourth action, very few whistles made for a quick game. Both teams played hard-physical in a game where there was no activities after the whistle. The referee's let both teams play and called a fairly even game. Wenatchee wearing their third set jerseys, all in black with dark blue numbers and name bars. The Wild fall to 1-2 vs Vernon this year. With the loss the Wild's three game winning streak comes to an end as Wenatchee falls to 10-6-0-1 into 5th place tied in points with Trail.
Scratches:
Vernon:
Tanner Wishnowski
Mitch Andres
Wenatchee:
Jackson Wozniak
Jack Lippis
Bryce DeFazio
Energy Player of the Game:
Sol Seibel (1 assist)
Three Star's:
1st Star: Anthony Yamnitsky (32 saves)
2nd Star: Brett Stapley (2 goals)
3rd Star: Jimmy Lambert (1 goal & 1 assist)
Boxscore-Game Summary,
http://bchl.ca/stats/game-summary/7986
Game Report,
https://lscluster.hockeytech.com/game_reports/official-game-report.php?lang_id=1&client_code=bchl&game_id=7986
Text Boxscore,
https://lscluster.hockeytech.com/game_reports/text-game-report.php?lang_id=1&client_code=bchl&game_id=7986
