Vernon 5 West Kelowna 2

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-Warriors game as Vernon defeated West Kelowna 5-2 on parents weekend in front of 1,906 fans at Kal Tire Place.

Starting Goaltenders:

Vernon: Ty Taylor
West Kelowna: Nik Amundrud

1st Period: Both teams went back and fourth early with a lot of battling hard for pucks, both teams looked to be figuring one another out early as neither team had a shot on goal for over two minutes. Five and a half minutes in Jimmy Lambert down the right wing ripped a low shot from the circle that Nik Amundrud was able to get a piece of but not all of the puck as the puck come out the other end, just rolled by the far corner on a close call early and a good chance for the Vipers. A few plays later Keyvan Mokhtari would be denied in front on a good look in close. On the following shift Jimmy Lambert on a turnover setup Brett Stapley at the side of the net, beat Nik Amundrud high giving Vernon the 1-0 lead at 6:23 Lambert and Michael Young drew the assists. A minute later the Snakes would get the games first powerplay, but didn't really generate much as the Warriors killed off the minor. Just past the halfway mark West Kelowna would get their first look with the man advantage. Bennett Norlin alone in front had Ty Taylor down and out would be robbed by Taylor who somehow made the large save keeping this a one goal game. The Vipers would kill off the remainder of the penalty. Vernon would get a late powerplay to finish the opening frame had some looks but unable to capitalize. It was 1-0 Vernon after 20 minutes of play. I thought the Snakes were the better of the two teams, carried the better of the play, had more puck possession, and had the better opportunities. The Warriors didn't see a lot of time in the offensive zone, had one quality chance but didn't generate much for offence. Vernon outshot West Kelowna 13-8.

2nd Period: The Vipers started the middle frame on the powerplay, that was carried over from the 1st period. The Snakes struggled to get out of their own end, before former Viper forward Chase Stephenson setup Cavin Tilsley shorthanded was stoned by Vipers starting goaltender Ty Taylor who come across the blue paint to make a huge save in the final seconds of the powerplay. Less then four minutes in Vernon would get a two man advantage and capitalize. Chris Jandric setup Jimmy Lambert at the side of the net, who beat a down and out Nik Amundrud giving Vernon a 2-0 lead at 5:18 Jandric & Michael Ufberg collected the helpers. Amundrud was up immediately after the goal, talking to the referee about goaltender interference. After a short discussion from the officials the goal stood and it was 2-0 Vernon. Still on the powerplay, Michael Ufberg with a lazer shot from the point, forced Warriors starting goaltender Nik Amundrud into flashing the leather, making a quick glove save. WK was able to kill off the remainder of the minor. Less then two minutes later West Kelowna would head to the powerplay. Willie Reim was allowed to walk right into the high slot and rip one past Ty Taylor cutting the Vernon lead to 2-1 at 8:34 Michael Ryan with the lone assist. The Snakes PK sitting back, weren't out to challenge, allowed Reim to walk in from the point and score. A minute and a half later WK sprung Chase Stephenson for the breakaway, who was denied by Ty Taylor who made the huge pad save, keeping this a one goal game. On the play Shane Kelly would get tossed from the conest after hitting a Warriors forward from behind into the end boards. Kelly was given two minutes for checking from behind and a game misconduct. The Warriors back to the powerplay. On the man advantage, the Snakes would take another minor, giving West Kelowna a two man advantage. WK moved the puck around before a goal mouth scramble at the side of the Vernon goal. Ty Taylor down and out was forced into making two-three big saves while on his stomach before Chase Stephenson come around the net, before setting up Willie Reim in front, hit the open cage scoring his second of the night past Ty Taylor tying the game 2-2 at 11:19 Chase Stephenson and Jared Marino picked up the helpers. Vernon was able to kill off the remainder of the second penalty. A minute later the Vipers would head to the powerplay in a period filled with penalties. Brett Stapley banging away at the puck in front beat Nik Amundrud giving Vernon the 3-2 lead at 13:48 Jordan Sandhu and Michael Young with the assists. Shortly after Jagger Williamson on a two on one rush, decided to keep and shoot looked to beat Nik Amundrud as the puck looked to go fivehole but come out the other end and go off the end boards as the Snakes close to grabbing a two goal lead. With three and a half minutes remaining Jimmy Lambert hustling down the right wing, took a hard shot from the circle forced Nik Amundrud into making the save. On the same shift the Vipers top line with some nice three way passing setup Brett Stapley in front put some slick moves on the Warriors defender before being robbed by Nik Amundrud who somehow made the save, catching the puck between his arm and blocker. The Warriors would get a late powerplay that would continue into the 3rd period. It was 3-2 Vernon after 40 minutes of play. A penalty filled 2nd period slowed the game down at times, as specialty teams were kept busy. After a two man advantage I thought the Vipers looked sharp and moving the puck well, had some good looks, had a slight edge in play for most of the first half. It was the Warriors who also had a two man advantage and some puck possession of their own, created/generated some opportunities. Both goaltenders made some good stops. Vernon was outshooting West Kelowna 22-9 at one point before the Warriors rallied back, as the Snakes went a good six-seven minutes having just a few shots of their own. The Warriors looked good just before the halfway mark and into the second half before the Vipers come on strong late with some good looks-chances. West Kelowna outshot Vernon 18-12.

3rd Period: The Vipers with a big kill to start the final frame would kill off the remainder of the minor that was carried over from the 2nd period. Jesse Lansdell with a nice pass setup captain Jagger Williamson in the slot who ripped a shot shortside past Nik Amundrud giving Vernon a 4-2 lead at 4:44 Lansdell and Michael Ufberg drew the helpers. Just over two minutes later Jimmy Lambert took a late hit while falling to the ice. Lambert got up giving a push before everyone jumped in. Lots of pushing and shoving in front of the Warriors bench. Just past the midway mark Jagger Williamson setup Connor Marritt on a two on one attack, Marritt beat Nik Amundrud shortside giving Vernon a 5-2 lead at 12:58 Williamson and Coleton Bilodeau picked up the assists. On the following shift West Kelowna would get a PP. Nathan Reilly with a quick hard shot forced Ty Taylor into stretching out to make a big pad save on the Warriors lone opportunity with the man advantage. A lot of back and fourth play with no real scoring chances at either end of the rink. Vernon would come away with the 5-2 victory. The Snakes with two big 3rd period goals, didn't sit back on that lead, jumped on their chances-opportunities, but also played well defensively. I thought Vernon did a good job at keeping WK to the outside, limiting their shots & opportunities, slowing the pace down. The Warriors down just a goal heading into the final frame, didn't create/generate much for offence. Both teams with very limited chances. West Kelowna gives up two goals that basically put the game away. Not a lot of action in the 3rd. West Kelowna outshot Vernon 11-8.

Top Player's: (Vernon)

Michael Ufberg (2 assists) I thought played very well on the Viper blueline. Took a heavy-high hit in the 2nd period but was ok and stayed in the game. Was good at both ends of the rink, made at least two big shot blocks.

The top line of Jimmy Lambert (1 goal & 1 assist), Brett Stapley (2 goals) & Jordan Sandhu (1 assist) was very good for a second straight night. This line has a ton of chemistry, created/generated several looks-opportunities in the win. Stapley had several chances to get the hat trick while Lambert also with some looks-opportunities took three penalties wich is rare.

Jagger Williamson (1 goal & 1 assist) I thought played well through out the night. Made some nice plays through out the game.

Keyvan Mokhtari Had a heck of a game. Went pointless but played with a ton of jump/energy, was all of the rink. Gave the Warriors all kinds of troubles with his speed and quickness. Really opens up the ice once he gets going. A huge spark plug for Vernon tonight.

Ty Taylor (29 saves) Was good. Made some big stops at key times in the contest. Played very well between the pipes.

Game Thought's: (Vernon)

The Snakes with back to back wins over two good teams over the weekend. I thought Vernon played well for a lot of the night in a game where specialty teams was a factor. Penalties, especially in the 2nd period really slowed the game down. I thought the Snakes were the better of the two teams, had more opportunities, were more dangerous with and without the puck. I thought the Vipers had more puck possession and more time in the offensive zone. The Vipers jumped out to a 2-0 lead before the Warriors bounce back with two quick back to back powerplay goals, tie the game. Vernon didn't seem to panic, pushed back strong with a powerplay goal of their own just minutes later. I thought the Snakes speed and skill took over and gave West Kelowna troubles defensively at times. I thought the Vipers fought through adversity at times and re grouped at key times through out the night. Former Viper Trevor Keenan (2002-03)was in attendance. Vernon has won three straight and five of their last six games. With the win the Vipers improve to 12-4-0-2 and remain atop the Interior Division. These two teams will meet again next Saturday, face each other three times in nineteen days.

Top Player's: (West Kelowna)

Chase Stephenson (1 assist) The former Viper forward was one of the more offensive minded Warriors in the loss. Stephenson seemed to fight his way through traffic, to try and generate-create opportunities. Had several good looks, couldn't find the back of the net. Seemed to get frustrated in the 3rd was getting involved in some pushing and shoving in and after the whistles.

Cavin Tilsley was doing his best at getting under the skin of several Vernon players. Tilsley was involved in several after the whistle activities, trying to sucker the Vipers into penalties. Played with an edge, was mixing it up at times through out the night.

Stephen Kleysen I thought played well on the WK backend.

Willie Reim (2 goals) Scored twice on the powerplay, scored the only goals of the game for West Kelowna. Played well on the backend. Has a quick shot, likes to get pucks to the net.

Game Thought's: (West Kelowna)

For a team that has spent a lot of their time near the top of the Division early on this season, the Warriors didn't overly impress me tonight. West Kelowna has a big team, lots of big kids but I didn't think looked/played all that well for most of the night. The Vipers were the better of the two teams in the opening period, with WK getting just one real quality chance. The Warriors fell down 2-0 were back on their heels a bit before specialty teams took over and WK scored back to back powerplay goals, to get them back in the contest. I thought West Kelowna had their better opportunities in the middle frame, generated most of their offensive chances in that 2nd period. Down a goal heading into the 3rd the Warriors didn't press that hard. A lot of back and fourth play with very limited chances at both ends of the rink. West Kelowna gives up the next two goals and basically ends any kind of comeback. I didn't think WK generated enough zone time through out the game. West Kelowna doesn't have the speed/skill that Vernon has. The Vipers were the better of the two teams. The Warriors have lost back to back games, are in Merritt tomorrow afternoon. With the loss the Warriors fall to 11-6-0-0 and fifth place in the standings.

Scratches:

Vernon:

Tanner Wishnowski
Adam Panacci

West Kelowna:

Matt Kowalski
Chase Dubois
Peter Tomaras

Energy Player of the Game:

Keyvan Mokhtari

Three Star's:

1st Star: Brett Stapley (2 goals)
Willie Reim (2 goals)
Jimmy Lambert (1 goal & 1 assist)

Boxscore-Game Summary,

http://bchl.ca/stats/game-summary/7991

Trevor Miller's West Kelowna Warriors Blog,

https://westkwarriors.wordpress.com/

Game Report,

https://lscluster.hockeytech.com/game_reports/official-game-report.php?lang_id=1&client_code=bchl&game_id=7991

Text Boxscore,

https://lscluster.hockeytech.com/game_reports/text-game-report.php?lang_id=1&client_code=bchl&game_id=7991