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-Smoke Eaters game as Vernon defeated Trail 5-2 in front of 1,885 fans at Kal Tire Place.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon: Anthony Yamnitsky
Trail: Adam Marcoux
1st Period: The Vipers come out hitting, laying out two or three big checks off the opening faceoff. Two minutes in the Vipers with speed, forced Adam Marcoux into making a quick pad save from the slot before Connor Marritt missed a great opportunity at the side of the net on the rebound as Vernon come close to opening the scoring. The Snakes would get the games first powerplay almost three minutes in. Captain Jagger Williamson would be denied by Adam Marcoux before Josh Prokop on the rebound couldn't bury his chance. Prokop would get a second opportunity on the man advantage, this time missing the open cage, firing high and over the goal. The Vipers with two quality chances couldn't convert on the PP. Just less then two minutes later the Smokies would get their first powerplay. Trail didn't generate much, had troubles getting anything going as Vernon killed off the minor. Just after the penalty expired, Jagger Williamson missed an open cage from the top of the circle, as the Vipers getting some chances. Shortly after Vernon would jump back on the powerplay, but a strong aggressive forcheck from the Smoke Eaters caused some havoc for the Viper powerplay. Trail would kill off the minor. Just as the penalty expired, Jagger Williamson setup Josh Prokop who beat Adam Marcoux giving Vernon the 1-0 lead at 11:27 Williamson and Michael Ufberg collected the helpers. Just over two minutes later Josh Prokop with a great solo individual effort, beat his man inside out, before beating Adam Marcoux looked to have rang his shot off the crossbar. The Vipers would kill off the minor. The Smoke Eaters would get a late penalty, wich the Vipers would kill off. Inside the final minute with Trail pressing, ex Viper forward Blaine Caton tied the game 1-1 at 19:38 Carter Jones and Jeremy Lucchini drew the assists. The officials gathered in front of the time keepers, had a quick chat about the goal, before lining up for the faceoff. The goal stood and the game was tied. It was 1-1 after 20 minutes of play. Tonight's opening frame reminded me a lot like last night's 1st period vs Merritt. I thought Vernon was the better of the two teams, but the scoreboard showed other wise. I thought the Vipers carried the better of the play, had more puck possession and more opportunities only managed one goal. The Snakes had several good looks-chances couldn't bury their opportunities. Josh Prokop had at least three good opportunities, while the Vipers missed at least two open nets. The Smoke Eaters didn't see a lot of zone time, were limited to their shots and chances. I thought the Vipers had more shots then they actually did. Vernon outshot Trail 8-6.
2nd Period: Both teams looked fairly even in the opening few minutes before Trail got their legs going and carried the better of the play early. The Smokies didn't get many pucks to the net, nor had many if any opportunities, did manage more puck possession. Just over five minutes in Trail would jump on the man advantage, but couldn't capitalize. Shortly after Jagger Williamson drove hard to the goal, looked to have an open cage, somehow couldn't find the back of the net, on a large goal mouth scamble. Smoke Eaters starting goaltender Adam Marcoux was way out of the blue paint, relied on his defencemen who smothered the crease, somehow keeping that puck out. On the following play, Spencer McLean lead a two on one attack, decided to keep and fire, missed the goal on a missed opportunity. It was all Smoke Eaters for most of the first half, but Vernon was somehow outshooting Trail 7-1 about eight minutes into the middle frame. The Snakes would turn the tide in the second half, started coming on in the second half. The Vipers working hard, had all kinds of trouble getting through the neutral zone and getting pucks to the net. The Smokies doing a great job at clogging up the neutral zone-blocking a ton of shots. Vernon not getting any puck luck at this stage in the period. Inside the final minute on a delayed penalty, the Vipers kept the play alive, Sam Anzai setup Josh Prokop for his second of the night, giving Vernon a 2-1 lead at 19:57 Anzai & Sol Seibel picked up the assists. A huge goal heading into the 3rd. It was 2-1 Vernon after 40 minutes of play. The Smoke Eaters turned it up a notch, played much better in the first half. I thought Trail was by far the better of the two teams at least in the first eight to ten minutes, only problem was the Smokies struggled offensively getting pucks to the net. Trail couldn't muster much for offence. The Snakes with all kinds of troubles early, would change the momentum in the second half, struggled generating much for offence and getting pucks to the net, but give Vernon credit, they kept battling-pressing and got a huge goal in the dying seconds on a delayed penalty. Vernon was by far the better team in the second half. Vernon outshot Trail 12-5.
3rd Period: Jordan Sandhu with a quick shot from the slot, forced Smoke Eaters goaltender Adam Marcoux into making a quick pad save just a minute and a half into the middle frame. On the following play a battle for the puck deep in the Snakes end, was won by Trail who come out of the scum with the puck. Ryan Murphy from in close, fired a low shot along the ice, that beat Vipers starting goaltender Anthony Yamnitsky fivehole tying the game 2-2 at 2:32 Mack Byers and Ethan Martini with the assists. Minutes later the Smoke Eaters would get an early powerplay before taking a penalty of their own shortly after, sending the play to four on four. Shortly after the Snakes would get a powerplay and capitalize. Josh Prokop setup Jagger Williamson who spotted a wide open Jesse Lansdell in front who redirected the puck into the open cage, giving Vernon a 3-2 lead at 8:32 Williamson and Prokop picked up the helpers. Just 1:20 later Niko Karamanis pulled Adam Marcoux out of position, looked to be going around the goal for the wrap around, ended up banking the puck in and off Marcoux and into the net, giving Vernon a 4-2 lead at 9:52 Connor Marritt with the lone assist. This goal was a killer for the Smokies, who were now down two just about midway through the final frame. Trail responded with a good push back shift. With about eight minutes remaining Mack Byers with a quick shot from the slot forced Anthony Yamnitsky into making a large stop from in close. This was a shot that Byers needed to go in. The Smokies kept pressing, looked to have Vernon on their heels for the following few minutes. Carter Jones come close to making this a one goal game, but once again Anthony Yamnitsky made another big stop with about three minutes to go. Trail would eventually get Adam Marcoux to the bench for the extra attacker with about 1:54 left. Niko Karamanis looking for his second goal of the evening, was interfered with in the neutral zone, would have had an open look at the goal. With no call on the play, the Vipers would eventually hem the Smoke Eaters in their own end, before Josh Prokop sealed the victory with the empty netter for his third goal of the game, giving Vernon a 5-2 lead at 19:21 as a few hats hit the ice. Prokop's goal was unassisted. This put the game away as Vernon would come away with the 5-2 victory. The Smokies made a game of it early in the third, tying the game before the Vipers with two huge back to back goals 1:20 apart sealed the win. I thought Trail played hard even though down two goals, had some good looks-opportunities. Anthony Yamnitsky had to be sharp, making several stops, keeping this a two goal game. Both teams went back and fourth with the Smoke Eaters having a slight edge in zone time. Vernon outshot Trail 10-8.
Top Player's: (Vernon)
For a second straight night, the line of Josh Prokop (3 goals & 1 assist), Jagger Williamson (2 assists) & Jesse Lansdell (1 goal) Carried the Vipers tonight. This line come to play over the weekend, were Vernon's top line in wins over Merritt & Trail. This line plays hard, physical and works hard to earn their points. Lansdell was hitting-playing with an edge, worked hard all night. Williamson played hard, setup two goals while Josh Prokop could have had five or six goals, with the amount of quality chances he had tonight.
Keyvan Mokhtari Really used his speed and quickness, worked-played hard. Really opens up the ice when he gets going.
Chris Jandric I thought played well on the backend. Was moving the puck, jumped into the play, was good at both ends of the rink.
Anthony Yamnitsky (15 saves) Didn't see a ton of rubber tonight, but was forced into making a few key saves at times through out the contest. Made two large saves in the 3rd, keeping it a two goal.
Game Thought's: (Vernon)
From start to finish I thought the Snakes were ready to go, played-battled hard all night. I thought Vernon deserved a goal or two more in that 1st period. It was tied 1-1 after twenty minutes but the Vipers really worked hard-generated several good chances, deserved more then just one goal. This was a period where I thought the Vipers were by far the better of the two teams, but it was tied after one. The first half of the 2nd is where Vernon struggled a bit, were having a tough go at getting through the neutral zone-creating/generating opportunities. The Vipers couldn't seem to catch a break or get a bounce, lucked out, scoring their second goal in the dying seconds on a delayed penalty. The Snakes really had to work hard for the win, especially in the 3rd after Trail tied the game just minutes in. Vernon was forced into taking the lead on the powerplay, before getting a huge goal 1:20 later that almost sealed the win. The Viper defence had to play hard down the stretch with the Smokies pressing. The final score may have been 5-2 but this was a not a 5-2 score. The Vipers didn't quit-kept battling and earned the victory. I have really been impressed with the play of Sam Anzai who has picked up his game the past few games. Playing much better, looking more confident, has some speed and a wicked shot. I thought Brandon Whistle has also slowly come on, playing a little better as of late. But I have really noticed Anzai the last few games. This weekend was going to be hard on the Vipers, yet alone any team with the boys excited about going home for the holidays. Give Kevin Kraus and the Viper coaching staff, for keeping the boys focused and dialed in. Another small crowd but give credit to the Aussies who had three buses come down from Silver Star mountain, added a ton of noise and energy in the rink, through out the game. It seemed like anytime something happened, in their end they made a ton of noise on basically nothing. The Vipers wearing their special ugly Christmas jerseys for tonight's game, while the Smoke Eaters went with their home white jerseys. The Vipers gave the Aussies a salute at the end of the night. Former Viper captain-forward Riley Brandt (2014-2017) was in attendance. With the win Vernon improves to 25-7-1-4 sit atop the Interior Division-overall standings are now seven points up on Penticton and eight points up on Wenatchee. The Vipers are now off for the holidays and will return to action December 29th in Salmon Arm.
Top Player's: (Trail)
Trevor Zins I thought stood out-played very well on the Trail blueline. A smooth skating d-man that moves the puck, was good through out the night.
Andre Ghantous looked good at times, made things happen now and again.
Tyler Ghirandosi was another Smokies forward that looked good at different times through out the hockey game. A bigger body, created/generated chances.
Blake Sidoni I thought played hard, looked good at times.
Ryan Moon Is another kid that has some size, can skate, move the puck, was dangerous at times through out the game. Was one of the more stronger wingers.
Adam Marcoux (24 saves) Recently acquired from the Cowichan Capitals, played well between the pipes. Looked confident, didn't give up many second opportunities, was good. Gave his team a chance to win.
Game Thought's: (Trail)
After a tough 7-3 loss Friday to the visiting Nanaimo Clippers, the Smokies looked to have some bus legs to start the game. The Smoke Eaters were outplayed most of the opening frame, were actually very lucky, not to be down a few goals, instead were tied heading into the 2nd after a late goal to end the 1st. Trail looked like a much better team to start the middle frame, although carrying the better of the play, had troubles mustering any kind of offence. The Smokies may have carried the play early, didn't generate any kind of chances, nor get many pucks to the net. Trail couldn't keep the momentum going, allowed Vernon back into the game, before giving up a tough goal late in the dying seconds. Give the Smoke Eaters credit, they didn't fold their tents, they re-grouped during the intermission, tied the game in the opening minutes of the third, before playing hard-pressing. Unfortunately the Smokies couldn't hold the Vipers off the score sheet. Trail gives up back to back goals just 1:20 apart was a huge blow. Give Trail credit, they kept pushing back, couldn't solve Anthony Yamnitsky before giving up an empty netter. I thought the Smoke Eaters played hard, played well defensively, also won more of the battles along the wall. What has happened to Trail? The Smokies who once were atop the Interior Division and overall standings have dropped eleven in a row. Trails last win was a 6-4 victory over the visiting Alberni Valley Bulldogs November 17th. With the loss Trail falls to 20-13-2-0 sit 4th in the Interior Division are five points up on West Kelowna but five points back of Wenatchee. Trail falls to 0-5 vs Vernon this season (exhibition & regular season) have been outscored 28-8 in the five games.
Scratches:
Vernon:
Brett Stapley (Playing at the World Junior A Challenge)
Tanner Wishnowski (Injured)
Jack Judson (Injured)
Trail:
Jacob Yuris
Kale Howarth
Ross Armour (Playing at the World Junior A Challenge)
Seth Barton (Playing at the World Junior A Challenge)
Energy Player of the Game:
Keyvan Mokhtari
Three Star's:
1st Star: Josh Prokop (3 goals & 1 assist)
2nd Star: Jagger Williamson (2 assists)
3rd Star: Jesse Lansdell (1 goal)
Boxscore-Game Summary,
http://bchl.ca/stats/game-summary/8142
Game Report,
https://lscluster.hockeytech.com/game_reports/official-game-report.php?lang_id=1&client_code=bchl&game_id=8142
Text-Boxscore,
https://lscluster.hockeytech.com/game_reports/text-game-report.php?lang_id=1&client_code=bchl&game_id=8142
I would like to wish all of my viewers-followers a very Merry Christmas and thank everyone who has visited my blog through out the year. I hope you continue to visit my blog over the holidays, as I will have a lot of Vipers alumni news posted over the holidays.
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