Vernon 4 Penticton 0

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-Vees game as Vernon defeated Penticton 4-0 in front of 2,180 fans at Kal Tire Place.

Starting Goaltenders:

Vernon: Ty Taylor
Penticton: Adam Scheel

1st Period: Both teams looked a little tentative off the opening faceoff. The Vees would get into penalty trouble early, as the Vipers would get a full two man advantage just over four minutes into the hockey game. The Snakes would struggle with the two man advantage, only managed two shots while being held to the outside as Penticton would get a huge penalty kill and kill off both minors. Vernon playing with a lot of jump early and often carried the better of the play early and through out the period. The Vipers had a ton of pressure in the offensive zone but didn't generate much for offence. Just before the midway mark the Snakes would get their third powerplay of the evening. It would be the Vees who had more puck possession and zone time. The Vees would get two shots shorthanded as the Vipers saw very little zone time, didn't record a shot with the man advantage as Penticton killed off the minor. The Vipers were outshooting Penticton 6-1 at the halfway mark. Minutes after killing off the penalty, the Vees would get their first quality chance of the night. Massimo Rizzo looked to have a wide open cage, somehow missed the goal, firing wide on a missed opportunity. Kenny Johnson laid out the biggest hit of the night, leveling Keyvan Mokhtari to the ice, Mokhtari looked to be alright, bounced back up but went to the Viper dressing room before returning shortly after. With just ten seconds left in the frame, the Vipers would get their fourth powerplay of the game. Chris Jandric's point shot was redirected in front beating wich looked like a screened Adam Scheel giving Vernon a 1-0 lead at 19:58 as the teddy bears hit the ice, on the Vipers annual Christmas teddy bear toss. Alex Swetlikoff & Chris Jandric collected the helpers. Instead of waiting to clear all the stuffed animals off the ice, the officials called the 1st period, added the final 2.3 seconds onto the 2nd period, as both teams made their way to the dressing rooms. After a fairly lengthy delay collecting all the teddy bears, the Zamboni was able to clear the ice. It was 1-0 Vernon after 20 minutes of play. It was all Vipers from basically start to finish, as the Snakes were by far the better of the two teams. Vernon with a ton of pressure, had a ton of puck possession, played most of the 1st in the offensive zone. The Vipers skating well, were moving the puck around, had troubles offensively creating/generating chances. Vernon with very few opportunities in that period. The Snakes struggled with the man advantage went 0-4. The Vees got into penalty trouble early and just couldn't get their game going. Penticton saw most of the frame in their own end, struggled offensively getting the puck into the offensive zone, weren't clicking on their passes. Adam Scheel come within inches on two plays, where the goaltender come way out of his crease to play the puck, fired the puck up ice, banking it off the glass, was very close on both plays not shooting the puck up and over the glass. Vernon outshot Penticton 15-6.

2nd Period: The teams started the middle frame with 2.3 seconds on the clock, the same 2.3 seconds that were carried over from the opening period. After a quick faceoff, the buzzer sounded before both teams lined up at centre for another faceoff, this time with a full twenty minutes on the clock. The Vipers jumped on the Vees early and often, once again were the better of the two teams early. Michael Young spotted a wide open Jagger Williamson in the slot, that beat Vees starting goaltender Adam Scheel giving Vernon a 2-0 lead at 6:47 Young drew the lone assist. Penticton needed seven minutes to record their first shot of the period. Just before the halfway mark Jimmy Lambert with some slick moves cut in and out from the boards before ripping a quick shot from the high slot, forced Adam Scheel into making a large save, keeping this a two goal game. Minutes later Brandon Whistle did all the work, behind the net setup Sam Anzai in front, beat Adam Scheel giving Vernon a 3-0 lead at 12:27 Whistle picked up the assist. Sixteen seconds later Jimmy Lambert was hauled down on a parcial breakaway, with a penalty coming to the Vees, Lambert somehow managed to chip the puck forward, got the puck on goal that somehow got through the legs of Adam Scheel, giving Vernon a 4-0 lead at 12:43 Lambert's goal was unassisted. Adam Scheel would like to have this goal back. This was the end of the night for Scheel who was pulled in favor of Nolan Hildebrand. Scheel allowed four goals on twenty eight Vernon shots. Off the following faceoff the Vees would get their first powerplay of the night. Penticton with a ton of pressure, forced the play. Captain Owen Sillinger with a quality chance in close couldn't solve Vipers starting goaltender Ty Taylor who come up large. Still on the man advantage Taylor had to be sharp, made a big save off a shot from the slot, somehow kept the puck out with traffic in front. Penticton with several good looks, had two solid opportunities. The Vipers excape and kill off the minor. This powerplay seemed to wake Penticton up and give the Vees a bit of life. The Vees seemed to feed off the powerplay, picked up the pace and their game, slowly started coming on. Penticton would slowly take over the play-game for the next few minutes. The Snakes would keep their cool and eventually get their game going late to finish the period. It was 4-0 Vernon after 40 minutes of play. It was all Vipers early and often as Vernon would open the game wide open with three second period goals, chasing Adam Scheel from the goal. The Snakes were once again the better of the two teams for the first half at least. The Vees seemed to regroup and after a strong powerplay, didn't get on the board, the Vees built off that and carried a lot of the momentum into the second half of the frame. I thought the Vees played much better and would get a slight edge in play in the second half. Vernon outshot Penticton 15-6.

3rd Period: The Penticton Vees jumped on the Snakes early, before taking a penalty just over a minute into the final frame. The Vipers with an early man advantage, again struggled with the powerplay. The Vees would kill off the minor. Seconds after coming out of the box, Taylor Ward would break in for the breakaway, couldn't solve Ty Taylor who come across the blue paint, making a huge stop off the veteran forward. It looked like Vernon took their foot off the gas as the Vees carried the better of the play at times early in the 3rd. Penticton had more puck possession and lots of zone time, had some good looks, but no real grade a chances. The Vipers played a smart, yet defensive 3rd limiting Penticton's opportunities. When the Vees had their chances, Ty Taylor was solid between the pipes. Just before the midway mark Jimmy Lambert caught Nolan Hildebrand napping, Lambert fired a shot from the corner, as the puck come close to hitting Hildebrand, but went through the crease and out the other side. The Vees had at least two or three quality chances in the second half but couldn't beat Ty Taylor. Late in the contest Dakota Boutin would get tossed from the game, got involved with a fan on his way to the dressing room. Boutin looked to take a swing at the fan leaning over the tunnel, heading to the dressing room, before returning to exchange words with the fan. The two exchanged words while Boutin challenged the fan, before a member of the Vees staff confronted Boutin, sending him to the dressing room. In the final two and a half minutes Joseph Leahy and Jesse Lansdell got tangled up in the corner, before the two exchanged words. Lansdell took a good run at Leahy the same shift before Leahy gave Lansdell a slash before the two starting exchanging words again. The officials jumped in and tossed the two from the game. Fred Harbinson not too pleased with his team was exchanging words with one of the officials. Inside the final two minutes Kenny Johnson was chirping back and fourth with several Vipers, as the long time rivalry was heating up with just over a minute remaining. The Snakes would hold Penticton inside their own end, for the final minute before the final buzzer as Vernon would defeat Penticton 4-0. Up four goals, it looked like the Snakes took their foot off the gas, saw a lot of the 3rd in their own end, played well defensively, limiting the Vees opportunities. Ty Taylor was also sharp, making a few key saves. Vernon with very little zone time, played a lot of dump and chase, anytime they hit centre. The Vees pressing hard for at least a goal, to try and get on the scoreboard, carried most of the play, didn't generate too much but had some good looks and a few chances. Both teams with very limited opportunities. Penticton outshot Vernon 8-6.

Top Player's: (Vernon)

Michael Ufberg I thought had another strong night on the Viper backend. Played very well in Salmon Arm Friday, continued his strong play in the victory tonight.

Jagger Williamson (1 goal) The Viper captain was another forward who played well on back to back nights. I thought Williamson played strong last night, had another good effort-game this evening. Played hard, made some smart plays at both ends of the rink, was physical and in the face of the Vees through out the game.

The line of Connor Marritt, Brandon Whistle (1 assist) & Alex Swetlikoff (1 assist) were very good. This line played very well, played with a ton of confidence against a strong Penticton team. Made things happen through out the game, opened the ice, & created/generated some offence. I thought Connor Marritt was very strong, played hard, worked hard, had one of his better games of the season. I thought Brandon Whistle played his best game as a Viper since being acquired from the AJHL Bonnyville Pontiacs. Whistle in my mind has done nothing so far, played very well tonight. Was skating, going hard for the puck, made things happen. It was Whistle who did all the work behind the goal, to setup Sam Anzai on Vernon's third goal. Lets hope Whistle can build off tonight, get some confidence and contribute more.

Keyvan Mokhtari Really used his speed and skill to generate/create plays. Really opens the ice and makes plays happen. Played very well.

Niko Karamanis (1 goal) Opened the scoring, also scored the first goal for the Snakes on last years teddy bear toss night. Played very hard at both ends of the rink. Really battles hard game in and game out. Was another strong forward for the Vipers.

Sam Anzai (1 goal) Played with some energy-jump, showed some hustle, played well. Another kid who hasn't impressed me much since being acquired from the AJHL Drayton Valley Thunder.

Mitch Andres Made a few mistakes but overall I thought did very well against a strong Vees team. Played well through out the night.

Chris Jandric (1 assist) Had a heck of a game on the point. Was skating hard, really saw the ice well, made things happen. Was good at both ends of the rink. Showed a lot of hustle, getting back in the play, jumped up into the play on several occasions.

Ty Taylor (20 saves-Shutout) Picking up his third shutout of the season, was tested much in the 1st but was key in goal in the 2nd and 3rd periods. The second year Viper made two big stops on the penalty kill in the 2nd period, had to be alert and sharp with Penticton pressing. Then in the 3rd with the Vipers up four, Taylor was strong in the final twenty minutes. Playing with a ton of confidence this year, has been very good for Vernon.

Game Thought's: (Vernon)

This is one of the more complete games I have seen the Snakes play in the last two months and one of if not one of their more complete games of the year. I thought the Vipers were the better of the two teams for most of the night. Vernon struggled with the man advantage going 0-4 in the 1st didn't generate much for offence, carried the bulk of the play. Opening the scoring was huge but getting that 2nd and then 3rd goal in the middle frame, was the difference. The Vipers playing with a ton of jump/energy were skating and skating circles around the Vees at times. The Snakes had a bit of a lull in the second half of the 2nd period, after killing off a penalty, the Vees built off the powerplay and gained some momentum, took over the edge in play, but give Vernon credit, for bending but not breaking. The Vipers looked to take their foot off the gas in the 3rd but played very well defensively. Gave up some looks-chances but overall, did a great job at limiting Penticton's opportunities. Adam Scheel who was undefeated against the Snakes this season, had played very well against Vernon. I thought the Vipers did a good job at getting bodies to the net, making Scheel have to work and fight to see the puck, chased the Penticton netminder after their fourth goal. With the Vees pressing, the Snakes held Penticton to just eight shots in the final frame. The Vipers could have blown this game wide open if it wasn't for a struggling powerplay. The Vipers went 1-6 with the man advantage. Give Vernon credit for playing disciplined, gave up just one powerplay. Tonight was a huge game-two points for both clubs. Tonight was the Vipers first win over Penticton this season, in a statement game. These kind of games-wins can really build the confidence of a team, and can also be a huge character victory. A game like tonight, can go a long way for the Vipers. Vernon was 0-2-0-2 vs Penticton this season and only two points ahead in the standings. The winner of tonight's contest would take over top spot in the Division and overall standings. A great crowd on hand saw a great game. Since the 2011-12 regular season the Vipers are 10-28-4-3 vs Penticton. The Vipers get just their second win in the last twelve games vs the Vees. With the win Vernon improves to 22-7-1-4 sit atop the Interior Division-overall standings are now six points ahead of Wenatchee and four points up on Penticton.

Top Player's: (Penticton)

Jordan Henderson I thought played well on the Vees backend. Was moving the puck, tried jumping into the play at times.

Massimo Rizzo I thought had a few strong shifts, didn't stand out a lot but had some good shifts through out the game.

Owen Sillinger I thought played well, had some looks-opportunities, was one of the more dangerous Penticton forwards.

Game Thought's: (Penticton)

The Penticton Vees were the hottest team in the league, come into town riding a twelve game winning streak and thirteen game unbeaten streak, sure didn't show it. I didn't think the Vees played very well. The Vipers jumped on Penticton early and often and after getting into penalty trouble early, the Vees just couldn't recover. I thought the Vees passing was off, missing often. I didn't think Penticton was skating at all, was outskated for a lot of tonight's contest. The Vees struggled offensively, didn't generate-create many grade a opportunities. I thought Penticton took too many penalties, more then they usually take, just couldn't get much of anything going. I thought the Vees finally got some momentum and got going in the second half of the middle frame, but again didn't really generate any real quality chances. The Vees were held to the outside often, as the Snakes limited Penticton's shots & chances through out the game. Dont forget Penticton was missing several key veterans. A small handfull of Vees fans in attendance. Penticton leads the season series 2-1-0-2 with the final regular season meeting going February 10th in Penticton.  Since the 2011-12 regular season the Vees are 15-5-0-1 in Vernon. Prior to tonight, Penticton's last loss was November 4th 4-2 to the visiting Powell River Kings. With the loss Penticton drops to 22-6-1-2 sit 2nd in the Division are two points up on Wenatchee and four points back of Vernon, with four games in hand. A turning point in the season, may come after the Christmas break. The Vipers have a home & home series with Slmon Arm, while Penticton plays back to back games in Wenatchee.

Scratches:

Vernon:

Brett Stapley (Playing at the World Junior A Challenge)
Tanner Wishnowski (Injured)
Jordan Sandhu (Injured)
Jack Judson (Injured)

Penticton:

Jonny Tychonick
Grant Cruikshank
Ryan O'Connell
Chris Klack

Energy Player of the Game:

Sam Anzai (1 goal)

Three Star's:

1st Star: Niko Karamanis (1 goal)
2nd Star: Ty Taylor (20 saves-Shutout)
3rd Star: Jagger Williamson (1 goal)

Boxscore-Game Sumary,

http://bchl.ca/stats/game-summary/8121

Game Report,

https://lscluster.hockeytech.com/game_reports/official-game-report.php?lang_id=1&client_code=bchl&game_id=8121

Text-Boxscore,

https://lscluster.hockeytech.com/game_reports/text-game-report.php?lang_id=1&client_code=bchl&game_id=8121