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-Express game as Coquitlam defeated Vernon 3-2 in overtime in front of 1,550 fans at Kal Tire Place.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon: Anthony Yamnitsky
Coquitlam: Brock Hamm
1st Period: The Vipers needed a few minutes before getting some good early pressure in on the attack. The Snakes didn't crate or generate any real opportunities but had good possession of the play-puck for a solid few minutes. The Express would eventually even out the play before getting the games first powerplay just about eight minutes in. Halfway through the man advantage, the BCHL's player of the week, Eric Linell with a quick shot from the slot, forced Anthony Yamnitsky into making a good stop on the penalty kill. Coquitlam with loads of pressure were moving the puck around, had some looks but Vernon would kill off the minor. The Express kept coming and even though it was five on five, Coquitlam looked like they were still on the PP. The Snakes with a ton of turnovers inside their own end, were having all kinds of defensive let downs. The Express were outshooting the Vipers 7-3 at one point as it was all Coquitlam. Minutes past the midway mark Riley Johnson's shot would be redirected on it's way to the goal by Sam Kozlowski, giving Coquitlam a 1-0 lead at 13:27 Johnson & Joshua Wildauer drew the assists. Less then a minute later the Snakes would get their first powerplay. The Vipers with several good looks, would get four shots on goal with the PP but couldn't capitalize. Just as the penalty expired, Michael Young's point shot would get redirected on it's way to the net, but somehow Brock Hamm was able to make the stop with traffic in front. Fourty four seconds later the Express jumped on their second PP of the opening frame. Alex Ambrosio looked to have his side of the net open, beat Anthony Yamnitsky hitting the bottom of the post, as Coquitlam come within inches of grabbing a two goal lead on the road. Another solid powerplay from the Express, but couldn't capitalize. It was 1-0 Coquitlam after 20 minutes of play. The Express dominated the opening period, were hungry, strong on the puck, on the forecheck, battled-competed, won most of the races, were by far the better of the two teams. Coquitlam come ready to play and outworked and outskated the Vipers for most of the 1st period. The Snakes had a couple of good shifts in the opening few minutes and had some looks on their one and only powerplay, but overall weren't ready for tonight's matchup. Vernon wasn't skating, were losing battles, races for the puck, were turning over the puck in their own end constantly, giving away the puck shift after shift, were being outhit, outworked and outplayed. Vernon outshot Coquitlam 11-9.
2nd Period: The Express jumped on Vernon early and often. About a minute ten into the middle frame, Riley Johnson tried beating Vipers starting goaltender Anthony Yamnitsky on a wrap around but the former Wenatchee Wild goaltender made a big stop early. Fout minutes into the period former Salmon Arm Silverback Landon Fuller's shot from the point would beat Anthony Yamnitsky before going off the post. This was Coquitlam's second post of the evening. It was all Coquitlam early. On the following play-shift the Snakes would get an early powerplay. The Vipers couldn't get much of anything going as the Express killed off the minor. Coquitlam playing with a ton of speed and jump, were taking it too Vernon. Just past the halfway mark the Express would jump on the powerplay. Nineteen seconds later Coquitlam would take a penalty of their own, as both teams played a little four on four. Michael Young's shot from the blueline was tipped on it's way to the goal by Niko Karamanis who forced Express starting goaltender Brock Hamm into making a difficult save, as the Coquitlam netminder had to look behind him. Off the following rush, Eric Linell looked to have a goal but would be robbed at the top of the crease, after Anthony Yamnitsky come up with his biggest save of the night, flashing the leather, making a huge glove save off Linell. Shortly after Anthony Yamnitsky was forced to make a big pad save off Sam Kozlowski. The puck went off Yamnitsky's pad-toe and somehow into the back of the goal, giving Coquitlam a 2-0 lead at 14:09 Kozlowski would be credited with the unassisted goal. Three minutes later the Express would get a late powerplay, but it was assistant captain Jimmy Lambert who would be denied on a parcial odd man rush shorthanded, on a missed opportunity. The Snakes would kill off the penalty. It was 2-0 Coquitlam after 40 minutes of play. For a second straight period it was all Coquitlam as the Express didn't take their foot off the gas. Coquitlam jumped on Vernon early and often, once again were by far the better of the two teams. The Express outworked, outhustled and outskated the Snakes for most of the period. Coquitlam was again winning the battles, races for the puck and hungrier. The Vipers for a second period weren't skating, showed very little to none intensity, had no jump/energy were simply outplayed. Coquitlam outshot Vernon 10-7.
3rd Period: For a third straight period the Express get off to a better start then the Snakes. Jesse Lansdell would leave the ice in a lot of discomfort, making his way to the Viper bench, before almost falling over. Lansdell would hobble straight to the dressing room, before returning later. Vernon would get an early powerplay. The Vipers moved the puck around, setting up Michael Ufberg's one-timer that beat Brock Hamm but not the crossbar/post as the puck looked to being going top corner before ringing its way off the crossbar/post and out. The Vipers come very close to getting on the scoreboard. Before the penalty expired, the Snakes would take a penalty, evening up the play. The Express would get a shortened powerplay but it was the Vernon penalty kill, that went to work. Niko Karamanis and Keyvan Mokhtari with a solid PK were able to kill off the remainder of the penalty, with some hard work. This seemed to give the Snakes some life, as Vernon slowly started coming on just before the halfway mark. The Vipers finally showing some urgency and intensity, looked to have a little life in them. With Coquitlam on the man advantage, Jesse Lansdell tried going in for the breakaway before being hooked-slashed on the way to the net. Lansdell would get a shot off as the puck was slowly going through the blue paint, an Express defender cleared the puck from going across the goal line. Lansdell was awarded a penalty shot on the play. Lansdell would score on the penalty shot cutting Coquitlam's lead to 2-1 at 13:00 This goal got the crowd back into the game and got the Viper bench back into the game. Still on the penalty kill, the Vipers really forcing the play before Jesse Lansdell turned on the jets went racing in for a losse puck-the breakaway, Brock Hamm come way out of his crease to play the puck, before Lansdell had to really stretch and reach his way around the Coquitlam goaltender, before firing the puck into the wide open cage, tying the game 2-2 at 14:21 Lansdell's goal was unassisted, sending Kal Tire Place into a frenzy. The Viper bench erupted as the Express blow a two goal lead, giving up back to back shorthanded goals 1:21 apart. The Snakes with all the momentum now, would kill off the remainder of the penalty. Late in the period Sam Kozlowski went to the Express dressing room for some attention, before returning to the bench. The Vipers riding high, put the pressure on in the five minutes, getting several good looks in front. Coquitlam come back with a few good looks-chances of their own. Both teams and everyone in the building a little nervous with time winding down. The Vipers would get a late powerplay with fifteen seconds remaining after Joshua Bruce was tossed from the contest for a check to the head. Bruce would get two minutes for checking to the head and an automatic ten minute misconduct. With Vernon unable to score in the dying seconds, it was tied 2-2 after 60 minutes of play. The Express had some of the early play-pressure, before the Vipers seemed to rally and gain some life-momentum after a huge penalty kill just before the halfway mark. Jesse Lansdell with two huge back to back shorthanded goals 1:21 apart to tie the game, gave the Snakes a ton of momentum down the stretch. The Vipers seemed to wake up, carried a lot of the play in the second half. Had more puck possession, created/generated some chances, their most of the night in the second half. Coquitlam was seven minutes away from the victory were heading to overtime. Vernon outshot Coquitlam 12-4.
Overtime: The Snakes started the extra frame on the man advantage that was carried over from the 3rd. Vernon moving the puck around and around, were real slow moving the puck, allowed Coquitlam a ton of time to close the shooting lanes. Josh Prokop couldn't connect on a shot that was directed towards the front of the goal, as the Vipers come close to putting the game away. The Express would kill off the minor with a massive penalty kill in overtime. Back come Coquitlam, getting some zone time, the Express were able to setup in the offensive zone, before Eric Linell's shot from the circle went in and off a Viper defender in front, giving Coquitlam the 3-2 overtime victory at 2:48 as the Express bench erupted onto the ice. Jordan Schulting drew the only helper. The Vipers blew an opportunity on the powerplay, with a chance to win the game. The Express with just a lucky bounce-break in OT come away with the win. Coquitlam outshot Vernon 2-1.
Top Player's: (Vernon)
Jesse Lansdell (2 goals) Lansdell didn't show much through out the night, until scoring two back to back shorthanded markers 1:21 apart tied the game.
Niko Karamanis Was one of if not the only Viper that was skating tonight. Karamanis showed a lot of hustle through out the game, worked hard in a losing effort.
Game Thought's: (Vernon)
Until the a few minutes before the halfway mark of the 3rd period the Vipers never showed up for tonight's game. The Snakes were outplayed, outworked, outskated for two and a half periods. Vernon wasn't skating, had no intensity, jump or energy in their game, looked almost disinterested in the game at times. The Vipers turned over the puck a ton of times in the first two periods, were having all kinds of troubles defensively. The Vipers struggled offensively, were having all kinds of troubles getting in across the Express blueline. If Vernon did get into the attacking zone, they either kept the puck or passed it off instead of shooting. The Snakes lost most of the battles along the boards/down low, races to the puck, were being outhit and looked scared to hit. The Vipers didn't make Brock Hamm work tonight, until the midway mark of the 3rd Hamm wasn't tested much through out the game, was seeing everything. It wasn't until just minutes before the halfway mark of the 3rd when the Vipers decided to start playing. The Viper penalty kill seemed to give the team a spark, showed a lot of hustle, killing off a penalty just before the midway mark, seemed to give Vernon some life/momentum. This then later resulted in Jesse Lansdell's two shorthanded markers. The Snakes had some good looks-opportunities late in the 3rd were close, before having a great opportunity to put the game away on the powerplay in overtime. This is where the Vipers needed to put this game away. Instead they give the opportunity away with a terrible powerplay. Vernon was very lucky to get a single point didn't deserve the win. This was the worst I have seen the Vipers play this season. This was by far their worst effort-performance of the season. Maybe this is a wakeup call to the Vipers, who now have the hottest team in the league (Penticton) breathing down their necks, are just two points back. Vernon needs to come ready to play, no matter what team their facing. You cant look at the standings and decide to take the night off. This is why they play the games. With the loss the Vipers fall to 21-7-1-4 still remain atop the Interior Division-overall league standings are just two points up on Penticton who were 5-1 winners over Salmon Arm tonight. The Vees with their eleventh straight victory, have four games in hand, are in town Saturday. A pretty small crowd on hand for tonight's game. The lit up advertising rink boards that are hanging from the rafters were shut off tonight, making it pretty dark in areas around the rink. One row of lights above the penalty box were also out, making it dark on the ice on that side of the rink. Former Vipers assistant coach/head coach Joe Oliver was in attendance tonight.
Top Player's: (Coquitlam)
Jonathan Sheardown I thought played with a lot of jump. Not the biggest kid but quick on his feet.
Riley Johnson (1 assist) Played very well, created/generated some looks-chances.
Landon Fuller Had a strong night on the Express backend. A big body, gets pucks to the net, played well at both ends of the rink.
Eric Linell (Overtime winner) The BCHL player of the week, I thought was Coquitlam's best player. This kid was up and down the rink, played with a ton of jump/energy, really used his speed and quickness to win the races. Was first to the puck on almost every play. Worked hard-competed.
Game Thought's: (Coquitlam)
For a team with just four wins on the season, you would have never guessed watching tonight's game. The Express come into tonight picking up their first win in sixteen games Sunday with a win over visiting Victoria. With a new head coach and maybe some new life in the dressing room, Coquitlam didn't come into Vernon wanting to get blown out, instead they were ready to play and showed Vernon you need to come ready to play, no matter what the other teams record is. The Express jumped on Vernon and outplayed, outhit, outworked & outskated the Vipers for two and a half periods. The Express with an aggressive forecheck, were hard on the puck, won most of the races, won the battles, were forcing the Snakes into a ton of turnovers, especially in the first two periods. Coquitlam looked hungry and were up for tonight's contest. The Express with several big bodies, move the puck, have a relentless work ethic and make plays happen. The Express were about seven minutes away from a win vs the league's top team, but the wheels fall off. Coquitlam gives up two back to back shorthanded goals, allowing Vernon to tie the game. The Express were tied for last in the league with Cowichan, didn't quit. A huge penalty kill late in the 3rd and then into overtime, gives the team momentum, before putting the game away. Give credit to the Express were had six regulars out of the lineup. This was Coquitlam's first win on the road this year are now 1-15-0-1 away from home. Tonight was also Coquitlam's second win in Vernon since the 2003-04 regular season. Coquitlam's last regular season win in Vernon was a 4-3 overtime victory on September 18th 2015. This was the Express first win in Vernon since before the 2003-04 regular season. (Due to stats only going as far back as the 2003-04 regular season). Jason Fortier has now helped the Express win back to back games. With the victory the Express improve to 5-22-1-2 sit last in the Mainland Division. These teams will meet again January 21st in Coquitlam. Christian Sanda faced his former team for the first time. Sanda attended the Vipers training camp, played in one exhibition game before being cut-released, before joining the Express.
Scratches:
Vernon:
Brett Stapley (At the World Junior A Challenge)
Tanner Wishnowski (Injured)
Jordan Sandhu (Injured)
Jack Judson (Injured)
Coquitlam:
Nic Holowko
Oliver Lester
Jake Toor
William Lawrence
Jack Graham
Aiden Wagner
Energy Player of the Game:
Jimmy Lambert
Three Star's:
1st Star: Sam Kozlowski (2 goals)
2nd Star: Jesse Lansdell (2 goals)
3rd Star: Eric Linell (Overtime winner)
Boxscore-Game Summary,
http://bchl.ca/stats/game-summary/8111
Eddie Gregory's Coquitlam Express Blog,
http://expressvoice.blogspot.ca/
Game Report,
https://lscluster.hockeytech.com/game_reports/official-game-report.php?lang_id=1&client_code=bchl&game_id=8111
Text Boxscore,
https://lscluster.hockeytech.com/game_reports/text-game-report.php?lang_id=1&client_code=bchl&game_id=8111
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