Vernon 4 Nanaimo 1

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-Clippers game as Vernon defeated Nanaimo 4-1 in front of 2,032 fans at Kal Tire Place.

Starting Goaltenders:

Vernon: Ty Taylor
Nanaimo: Austin Roden

1st Period: Just 1:20 into the opening frame Jimmy Lambert on an odd man rush, ripped a quick high shot from the circle that beat Austin Roden went off the crossbar, as the Vipers come within inches of opening the scoring. The Snakes with a ton of pressure early, were the moving the puck around before Michael Young's point shot was redirected in front by Connor Marritt giving Vernon an early 1-0 lead on their first shot of the night at 3:08 Marritt with his first career BCHL goal. Young drew the lone assist. The Vipers carried a lot of the play early and often, but weren't getting pucks to the net. Very few shots at either ends of the rink early. About six minutes in Vernon product Coleton Bilodeau driving hard to the front of the net, couldn't solve Austin Roden in front, making his first big save of the evening. About a minute later Lucas Vanroboys would get the Clippers first good look-opportunity, would go hard to the net, be stopped by Ty Taylor who made a tough save from in close before Vanroboys crashed the goal, running over the Viper netminder. A scrum took place in the blue paint as Taylor went after Vanroboys. Both teams would come out of the scrum with a minor. On the following play, former Alberni Valley Bulldogs captain Jordan Sandhu lead the rush on a two on one, setup alternate captain Jimmy Lambert who fired high and over the goal after Austin Roden come across the blue paint, looked big, covered a lot of the net, forcing Lambert to shoot high. A good look-quality chance for the Snakes. The Vipers would get the games first powerplay late and capitalize. Struggling early with the man advantage, Vernon couldn't seem to muster much with the extra attacker before Chris Jandric's point shot beat Austin Roden giving Vernon a 2-0 lead at 17:16 Jagger Williamson & Jack Judson collected the helpers. On the following play Nanaimo would get their first look with the powerplay. Ty Taylor had to be alert and strong between the pipes, as the Shipmen with two goal mouth scrambles couldn't find the back of the net. The Vipers would get into penalty trouble and take another minor late, giving Nanaimo a fairly lengthy two man advantage. The Vipers with a strong penalty kill, got some big blocks on the backend, killed off the first minor before the period come to an end. The Clippers with still time remaining on the PP heading into the 2nd. It was 2-0 Vernon after 20 minutes of play. The Snakes got off to a strong start, Jimmy Lambert hit the crossbar less then two minutes in as Vernon carried the better of the play, for most of the period was the better of the two teams. The Vipers with a ton of puck possession, had some good looks-chances put two past Austin Roden didn't generate a lot for grade a chances, but had some good looks-missed opportunities in close. The Clippers didn't see a lot of time in the offensive zone, played a lot of hockey in their own end, chasing the puck-Vipers. The Shipmen with not a lot of grade a chances, were down two heading into the second. Vernon outshot Nanaimo 7-6.

2nd Period: The Clippers started the middle frame on the powerplay, that was carried over from the opening frame. The Vipers held Nanaimo to the outside and able to kill off the remainder of the penalty. Just as the minor expired Jimmy Lambert wearing Les Reaney's old #23 with two good looks-opportunities in front of the Clipper crease couldn't beat Nanaimo starting goaltender Austin Roden who come with with two big stops early. On the following play the Clippers would jump on an early powerplay. Vernon with a strong PK killed off the minor. Just over a minute later the Snakes would get a look with the man advantage. But shorthanded Lucas Vanroboys and Jamie Collins with some slick moves, weaved their ways in and out of the Viper defenders before Collins cut hard to the front of the crease, couldn't get the puck past Vipers starting goaltender Ty Taylor who made a big stop shorthanded, keeping this a two goal game. The Shipmen with a strong PK killed off the penalty. Shortly after Niko Karamanis took a high heavy hit along the side wall, wanted a penalty but the play continued. Karamanis with no helmet went straight to the Viper dressing room with the trainer, before returning minutes later. A few plays later the Clippers would get on the board. A goal mouth scramble had Ty Taylor down and out wich looked like a Nanaimo player on top of the Viper goaltender, before Vincent Millette buried the loose puck at the top of the crease into the open cage, cutting the Vernon lead to 2-1 at 8:27 Brad Belliisle with the lone assist. Taylor and the Vipers were furious with the goal, as Taylor took off his mask was really giving it to the officials. The officials gathered in front of the penalty box, talked things over rewarded Nanaimo with the goal. This was a huge goal for the Clippers who were back in the game and changed the momentum from here on in. Just minutes later Tanner Wishnowski with a big hit just inside the neutral zone was called for charging, as fans erupted getting after the officials for missing the big high hit on Karamanis just minutes prior. The Shipmen would jump on the powerplay. Ty Taylor had to be sharp was forced into making several tough saves in close, as the Clippers were crashing the crease on almost every play, as Taylor and the Snakes were frustrated. Several after the whistle activities took place for most of the remainder of the period. The Clippers had the Viper defenders back on their heels at one point, before Shawn Guison somehow missed a wide open cage, Nanaimo going to the net hard, had some looks in close but couldn't capitalize. A minute after the powerplay expired the Clippers crashed the crease forcing Ty Taylor to take matters into his own hands, grabbed a hold of a Nanaimo player, putting the kid in a headlock. Taylor would take a penalty, giving the Shipmen back to back powerplay's. The Clippers having trouble with the PP as Vernon would kill off the minor. Troubles with the score clock as the clock didn't start when the play started, causing fans yelling at the score keepers. The Snakes with a late powerplay couldn't convert before getting a second powerplay in the dying seconds. It was 2-1 Vernon after 40 minutes of play. The Vipers killed off back to back powerplays to start the period, then had a few good looks-chances early, slowly started to carry the play again before the ice tilted and so did the momentum. It seemed like after Vincent Millette's goal at 8:27 the tides turned. This goal seemed to give Nanaimo life and get them back into the game. The Clippers had some of their better looks-opportunities on the powerplay, looked to get under the skin of Vernon. The Shipmen driving hard to the net, were getting under the skin of Ty Taylor and the rest of the Vipers. Tempers were heating up this period, with lots of after the whistle activities from both sides. Ty Taylor had to be alert and good between the pipes, made some big stops in the period. The Vipers looked good in the opening few minutes before the Shipmen took over the edge in play and carried the better of the play for most of the period. A pretty feisty period with several scrums as tempers heated up. Nanaimo outshot Vernon 14-11.

3rd Period: The Snakes started the final frame on the man advantage that was carried over from the end of the 2nd period. Vernon had a few shots towards the net, but no real quality chances as the Clippers killed off the minor. A minute later second year defenceman Shane Kelly's shot from just above the circle somehow found its way to the back of the goal, giving Vernon a 3-1 lead at 3:15 Brett Stapley and Jimmy Lambert drew the helpers. This was a weird play. I never seen the puck-shot until the goal light come on. Austin Roden even looked confused to how that puck beat him. Kelly with a big goal, gives the Snakes a two goal lead early into the 3rd. Both teams went back and fourth but it was the Vipers who seemed to have just a little more jump in their game, were winning most of the battles-races for the puck. Both teams were limited to chances before Brad Belliisle with a nice individual effort at the Viper blueline was able to get around his defender before going in alone, put a nice move around Ty Taylor before just missing the far corner. Minutes later former Victoria Grizzlies forward Keyvan Mokhtari with a great individual effort went in and around two-three Nanaimo defenders before being stopped in close at the side of the goal. Mokhtari didn't look to get a good shot off, but still had a quality opportunity in close. A few players later Connor Marritt would get stoned at the side of the goal after Austin Roden come across the blue paint to make a huge pad save. Minutes past the halfway mark Jordan Sandhu with a solid individual effort squeezed one in and off Austin Roden wich looked to handcuff the Clippers goaltender, giving Vernon a 4-1 lead at 14:27 Jimmy Lambert & Brett Stapley with the assists. On the following play Lucas Vanroboys hauled down Tanner Wishnowski in front of the benches, Vanroboys was tossed from the game after picking up a ten minute misconduct. The Shipmen would get a late powerplay before Nanaimo would take a penalty washing out the man advantage. A big scrum in front of Ty Taylor and the Vernon net with just over a minute remaining as both teams got involved with more pushing and shoving. The Vipers would get a late powerplay inside the final minute and again for a second time tonight, the score keepers having troubles with the score clock. The clock didn't start once the play started for a good twenty five seconds if not longer, as fans yelling at the officials-score keepers. The play kept going with the clock not running. On the next stoppage the referee ended the game, even though the score clock was still showing fourty eight seconds left in the game. Vernon would come away with the 4-1 victory. Both teams went back and fourth at times early but it was the Snakes who looked like the quicker-team with more energy, were winning a lot of the battles-races. The Vipers strong on the puck-forecheck, played hard along the wall-in front of the net. The Clippers with very little opportunities, had troubles getting any kind of offence going in the 3rd. Vernon with a few solid plays-quality chances, played more of a shut down role. Shane Kelly's goal just over three minutes into the period was a killer for Nanaimo. Vernon outshot Nanaimo 9-8.

Top Player's: (Vernon)

The line of Brett Stapley (2 assists), Jimmy Lambert (2 assists) & Jordan Sandhu (1 goal) Was very strong for the Vipers. The line created/generated lots of offensive chances for Vernon. This line was really skating-flying, opened up a lot of ice. Lambert was really flying off the opening puck drop. Rang a shot off the crossbar just 1:20 into the 1st period, had a ton of jump, was winning battles-races, was strong on the puck-forecheck, created/generated some good looks-chances. I really liked Sandhu's game. Was another Viper forward that was strong on the forecheck-puck, played hard, battled/competed, played with a ton of jump-energy.

Tanner Wishnowski The veteran western hockey leaguer was getting under the skin of several Clippers tonight. Wishnowski had several Nanaimo players chirping him all night, he was target #1 for the Clippers. Played hard, played smart, was strong down low and in and around the net. Really adds that veteran experience-grit to the Vipers roster this year.

Connor Marritt (1 goal) Opened the scoring with his first career BCHL goal, I thought played very well. Had some looks-opportunities, was going to the net, played hard.

Chris Jandric (1 goal) Was solid on the blueline. Jumped into the play, was good at both ends of the rink.

Ty Taylor (27 saves) Has yet to lose this season improves to 5-0-2. Taylor didn't see much rubber in the opening frame, had to be sharp-alert in the 2nd period with Nanaimo pressing. Taylor who has played very well this season, had a strong game between the pipes. Made some big stops on the PK and five on five. Looked to get a little rattled with all the traffic crashing the crease in the 2nd period but settled down as the game went on and held his own.

Game Thought's: (Vernon)

After a tough-disappointing 3-2 loss in Wenatchee Wednesday, the Snakes come back with a pretty impressive 4-1 victory on home ice tonight. This was the Vipers second game in three nights, have won six straight over Nanaimo & win the season series 2-0. The Vipers with a strong start, played with a ton of jump/energy, were really flying/skating hard all night. Vernon with a quick transition, had a lot of time with the puck, carried a lot of the play, had the Shipmen chasing them at times. Other then the 2nd period I thought the Vipers were the better of the two teams, won a lot of battles-races, were strong on the puck-forecheck, didn't back down from the after the whistle activities and held their own against Nanaimo. After going winless in their previous three games this was a good character win. I thought the Vipers penalty kill was strong, give credit to Ty Taylor. I also thought Vernon limited the Clippers opportunities most of the night. Overall this was an entertaining game with lots going on in between plays-after whistles. The Vipers need to now prepare for a very strong Powell River Kings team that will be in town tomorrow. The Kings come into Vernon with a 8-1-1-0 record after a 5-1 win in Chilliwack this evening. A fairly big crowd on hand for just the third home game of the season. Former Viper defenceman Brad Farynuk (2000-2002) was in attendance tonight. With the win the Vipers move to 8-3-0-2 sit 1st in the Interior Division are a point up on 2nd place Trail.

Top Player's: (Nanaimo)

Lucas Vanroboys I thought was Nanaimo's best player. Played hard, was skating hard, going to the net, created/generated some looks-opportunities, was in the face of the Vipers all night.

Vincent Millette (1 goal) I thought played well through out the loss. Has some wheels, can move the puck in a hurry, goes to the net, looks for opportunities. Was one of the more offensive minded forwards.

Game Thought's: (Nanaimo)

The Clippers couldn't seem to get much going offensively in the 1st had troubles with Vernon's speed and skill. Nanaimo saw a lot of action inside their own blueline, were caught chasing the Vipers for a lot of the game. The Clippers have been off since a 3-2 loss to Victoria Saturday, should be the more rested of the two teams. Vernon played in Wenatchee Wednesday. Both teams didn't get a lot of rubber towards the net but it was the Vipers who saw more time with the puck, were at least creating-generating plays. The Shipmen seemed to change momentum shortly after getting on the board. The Clippers driving hard to the net, were getting under the skin of Viper netminder Ty Taylor and the rest of the Vipers, were now more involved in scrums after every whistle. I thought Nanaimo had their better opportunities in the middle frame, were really limited to quality chances through out the night. The Clippers went 0-6 with the man advantage, could have used a powerplay goal or two. The Shipmen lost a lot of battles-races, were beat to the puck often and along the boards. I thought Austin Roden gave up a lot of big rebounds-second opportunities tonight, while not many stand outs from the Clipper roster, really made an impact on the ice. The Clippers have just one win in their last eleven visits to Vernon. Nanaimo's last regular season win in Vernon was a 4-3 double overtime victory on January 16th 2009. With the loss Nanaimo falls to 5-5-0-1 sit 3rd in the Island Division are a point up on Alberni Valley.

Scratches:

Vernon:

Jesse Lansdell (Suspended)
Finn Evans
Adam Panacci

Nanaimo:

Sam MacBean
Cal Babych
Ben Pirko

Energy Player of the Game:

Jordan Sandhu (1 goal)

Three Star's:

1st Star: Ty Taylor (27 saves)
2nd Star: Chris Jandric (1 goal)
3rd Star: Jimmy Lambert (2 assists)

Boxscore-Game Summary,

http://bchl.ca/stats/game-summary/7941

Game Report,

https://lscluster.hockeytech.com/game_reports/official-game-report.php?lang_id=1&client_code=bchl&game_id=7941

Text Boxscore,

https://lscluster.hockeytech.com/game_reports/text-game-report.php?lang_id=1&client_code=bchl&game_id=7941