Prince George 3 Vernon 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-Spruce Kings game as Prince George defeated Vernon 3-2 in front of 2,380 fans at the Civic Arena.

Starting Goaltenders:

Vernon: Ty Taylor
Prince George: Evan DeBrouwer

Before tonight's game their was a small opening ceremony with about a six minute delay at centre ice with several former Vernon Junior hockey players, Vernon Minor Hockey players and Vernon Vipers owner Duncan Wray brought out to centre ice on the red carpet for a special ceremony puck drop. Some former Vernon Junior Hockey legends included, Troy Mick, Owdie Lowe, Terry Lowe, Duane Dennis, Dennis Holland, Sandy Moger, Eddie Johnstone and Aaron Volpatti.

1st Period: About four minutes into the contest, Brett Stapley setup Jimmy Lambert in the slot, who was denied by Evan DeBrouwer who made a big save before kicking out the rebound to Brett Stapley who was stopped on the second opportunity. Two big stops from the former Nanaimo Clippers netminder. About a minute and a half later, Cameron Trott's blast from the point, forced Evan DeBrouwer to flash the leather, making a quick glove save. About a minute ad a half later, former Salmon Arm Silverbacks forward Josh Latta would be denied from the slot. Vernon with several quality chances early. Just over six minutes into the game, the Snakes would get the games first powerplay. Michael Young's shot from the blueline got through traffic forced Evan DeBrouwer into making a difficult save with bodies in front. The Vipers had some good looks, couldn't capitalize with the man advantage. Just as the penalty expired, the Snakes with a goal mouth scramble, couldnt solve Evan DeBrouwer in tight. Just past the midway mark Vernon went back to the powerplay, but off the opening draw PG would get control of the puck/play, the Spruce Kings would cut across the Viper blueline on the rush. Dustin Manz quick shot would be stopped by Ty Taylor, let out a big rebound to Ethan De Jong who buried the second opportunity shorthanded, giving Prince George a 1-0 lead at 11:27 Manz drew the lone assist. The Snakes had some looks on the remainder of the powerplay, but again couldn't capitalize with the man advantage. Two minutes after missing to capitalize with the PP, Vernon product and Viper captain buried a scramble in front tying the game 1-1 at 14:56 Josh Prokop and Chris Jandric with the helpers. Inside the final minute former Victoria Grizzly Kyvan Mokhtari with a burst of speed, cut towards the front of the net, looked like his shot went in and off a Spruce Kings defender in front, giving Vernon a late 2-1 lead at 19:44 The goal would be credited to Niko Karamanis with Mokhtari & Michael Young picking up the assists. It was 2-1 Vernon after 20 minutes of play. The Vipers were the better of the two teams, held the majority of the play and puck possession, seemed to be firing a ton of pucks towards the goal. Vernon had a ton of solid looks-opportunities, only managed two goals. The Spruce Kings didn't see a whole lot of time in the offensive zone, played most of the opening frame in their own end. PG with very few to little chances, basically scored shorthanded on their only real quality chance of the period. Evan DeBrouwer knocked the net off its mournings at least five or six times, through out the period. DeBrouwer's leg kept hitting the post, knocking the net off after trying to make a save. DeBrouwer was the difference, making 24 saves. Vernon outshot Prince George 26-9.

2nd Period: The Spruce Kings looking like a different team come the second, jumped on Vernon early and often. The Vipers looking a little flat, didn't have much jump early. About five minutes in Kyle Johnson alone in the slot, was denied by Vipers starting goaltender Ty Taylor. On the following play-shift Prince George would get their first look with the powerplay. Former Penticton Vee Ben Brar tied the game 2-2 at 6:15 Ben Poisson's shot would be redirected in front by Brar. Poisson with the helper. The Snakes would get a look with the man advantage around the halfway mark and then again with about four minutes remaining. Vernon struggled with the powerplay, couldn't convert. Shortly after killing off the minor, a quick shot from the circle looked to graze off Ty Taylor's glove then off the post/crossbar before coming down on the goal line. A Viper defender was quick enough to clear the puck from the line. On the play the goal light come on but the one official in the corner on the goal line, waived his arms, saying the puck didn't go in. The play continued with the PG bench up in arms, the play went on for a good minute and a half to two minutes before a stoppage in play. The time clock was well inside the final minute of the play, with just a handful of seconds left on the clock. Once the play was stopped, the officials gathered in front of the penalty box, after a quick chat the officials turned the call, calling the play a goal, giving Prince George a 3-2 lead at 18:45 Jarod Hovde was credited with the unassisted goal. The score clock was moved ahead showing 1:25 left on the clock. Mark Ferner and the Vernon bench was upset over the call, called over one official. Ferner was very upset, giving it to the one official before picking up an unsportsmanlike penalty, sending PG to the powerplay with 1:25 left in the frame. The Spruce Kings couldn't capitalize with the man advantage before the buzzer. At the buzzer Jesse Lansdell and Ben Brar got into a heated exchange, bothing giving each other several cross checks before both being given minors. It was 3-2 Prince George after 40 minutes of play. The Spruce Kings dominated the play from basically start to finish. Prince George looked like a different team compared to the team we saw in the 1st period. The Spruce Kings carried most of the play, were winning the battles, races for the puck, played with a ton of jump/energy, were just the better team. The Spruce Kings didn't seem to generate a ton of opportunities, scored on their chances. The Vipers looked flat to start the period, didn't have much jump/energy. Vernon looked a little slow-sluggish at times, were losing the puck races, a step behind PG most of the period. Vipers with several turnovers, coughed up the puck too much. Vernon didn't create/generate any quality chances. On PG's 3rd goal. It looked like the puck hit the crossbar/or post before coming straight down on or towards the goal line. With my view and where I was sitting, it was almost impossible to say if the puck had crossed the goal line. Mark Ferner said on the post game show Kevin Crowell was the one official in the corner/on the goal line waived off the goal on the play. It was the other official-two linesmen that said they saw the puck hit the back bar and go in, turning the call-counting the goal. Prince George outshot Vernon 12-10.

3rd Period: Just over a minute into the third, Ty Taylor come out of his crease to play the puck, come close to getting caught out of position after the dump in play/puck took an awkward bounce off the end wall, forcing Taylor to scramble back into the blue paint. About a minute or so later Jordan Sandhu showed some hustle, getting back on the back check, to break up a Spruce Kings odd man rush. Prince George would get a powerplay just minutes before the halfway mark. On the man advantage, Ben Brar wired a shot from the side wall, beat Ty Taylor rang his shot off the crossbar as the Spruce Kings come within inches of grabbing a two goal lead. PG with several good looks, unable to capitalize. Two minutes later the Spruce Kings would go back to the powerplay, but again unable to capitalize. The Vipers with two back to back big penalty kills. This seemed to give the Snakes some life and momentum. With Vernon pressing, the Vipers had some good looks, had troubles getting pucks to the net. PG come up with a few big shot blocks. The Vipers setup Jimmy Lambert on a parcial odd man rush, was robbed by Spruce Kings starting goaltender Evan DeBrouwer who made a big stop with about five and a half minutes left. Inside the final four minutes, the Vipers had two shots redirected in front, just miss the goal. Inside the final two minutes, The Spruce Kings with some nice three way passing setup Patrick Cozzi, looking to give Prince George a 4-2 lead looked to beat Ty Taylor fivehole before a quick whistle stopped play. With time winding down, the Vipers would clear the zone, getting Ty Taylor to the bench with 1:08 remaining. On the following stoppage in play, Mark Ferner and the Snakes called a timeout. With the Vipers pressing, had several looks-chances in and around the goal, couldn't catch a bounce/break before the buzzer sounded. Prince George come away with the 3-2 victory. After the game as the Vipers saluted the crowd and then looked to be heading off the ice, the Spruce Kings slowly started skating towards centre ice. Mark Ferner then called over his team, while both teams posed for a team photo at centre ice after the game. After the photo several players from both sides were exchanging hugs and a few conversations before making their way off the ice. I thought Vernon held an edge in play-puck possession, didn't get a lot of pucks to the net, had several good looks. Jimmy Lambert with the best opportunity of the period, couldn't get the puck up and over Evan DeBrouwer. The Vipers had good pressure at times in the first half, really poured it on for the final six minutes or so. The Snakes couldn't catch a break. The Spruce Kings had some looks-opportunities, rang a shot off the crossbar, had some big shot blocks late, got some timely saves from Evan DeBrouwer. Prince George outshot Vernon 10-8.

Top Player's: (Vernon)

Shane Kelly I thought had a physical game. Kelly looked like a giant in the Civic Arena. Played hard, laid the body, was in the face of several Spruce Kings.

Jagger Williamson (1 goal) Played his minor hockey in the Civic Arena, I thought was one of the more energetic forwards. Showed a lot of hustle, battled hard.

Josh Latta Playing in just his second game with his new team, looked very good. Was strong at both ends of the rink. Was physical, driving to the net, was getting pucks to the net, hard on the puck, played very well.

Game Thought's: (Vernon)

I thought the Vipers were by far the better of the two teams in the 1st took a step back come the 2nd period. Vernon wasn't the same team in the middle frame, gave up two goals, including the game winner on a contriversal call. Giving up the games opening goal shorthanded was key. Yes the Vipers scored the following two goals, but were only up a goal after twenty minutes. I thought Vernon deserved better then just two goals in that opening frame. The Vipers needed to capitalize on a few more opportunities. I don't know what happened between periods but the Vipers struggled at both ends of the rink. I thought Vernon looked flat, sluggish and caused way too many turnovers. The Vipers responded with a better 3rd really poured on the pressure in the final six minutes, needed to play the entire 3rd period like that. The Snakes had some good looks late in the 3rd but overall had troubles generating/creating opportunities on the smaller rink surface. Playing on a smaller ice surface vs a fairly big PG team, the Vipers speed and skill wasn't there, like it is playing in Kal Tire Place. The Vipers didn't catch a break/bounce all night, were fighting the puck at times, looked a little off sink at times. The Snakes couldn't seem to get any traction through out the night. Overall I just didn't think Vernon generated/created enough opportunities as they would when playing at Kal Tire Place. With the loss the Vipers fall to 27-9-1-4 sit atop the Interior Division and overall standings are seven points up on Trail & Penticton and six points up on Wenatchee. The Vipers paid tribute to the senior Vancouver Lions, who played the Spokane Clippers in the first hockey game at Civic, almost 80 years to the day the facility opened. Their uniforms tonight were cream coloured with maroon – same as the Lions – with a big V on the front with “Vipers” spelled out on the letter. The uniform will have a Civic Arena patch on one shoulder and the Vipers’ patch will be on the other shoulder. Former Vernon Lakers Sandy Moger, Duane Dennis, Dennis Holland, Spencer Ward along with former Vernon Vipers Trevor Keenan, David Robinson, Aaron Volpatti, Bryce Kakoske, John Bradley and Lennie Rampone were all in attendance. The 50/50 was just over $2,700 the biggest 50/50 I have ever heard of at a Junior hockey game in Vernon, since I have been going to games.

Game/arena Thought's:

The Civic Arena was the previous home to the Vipers who played in the arena from 1995-2001 before moving into the brand new Vernon Multi-Plex, now known as Kal Tire Place. Junior hockey was played in the Civic Arena starting in 1961 with the team having several different names, Vernon Jr. Canadians 1961-62, Vernon Blades 1962-67, Vernon Essos 1967-73, Vernon Vikings 1973-1979, Vernon Lakers 1980-83, Vernon Rockets 1983-84, Vernon Lakers 1984-1995, & Vernon Vipers 1995-present. Tonight's game will mark the 80th anniversary of the Civic Arena, where the first hockey game took place 80 years ago today. An exhibition game between the Vancouver Lions and Spokane Clippers on January 6th 1938. The Civic Arena is set to be knocked down sometime this year. This isn't the first time the Vipers have had to play in the again Civic Arena, since moving into Kal Tire Place in 2001. The Vipers were forced to play the BCHL League Finals in the Civic Arena vs the Surrey Eagles in 2005 and again in 2009 vs the AJHL Grande Prairie Storm during the Doyle Cup. Both series were forced into the Civic Arena due to the loggers convention in town-inside Kal Tire Place. The Civic Arena is listed at a seating capacity of 2,252 with 500 standing room and an ice surface listed at 180'x80'

Tonight's game brings back a lot of great and sad memories for myself. From a very early-young age my dad started taking me to Junior hockey games in Vernon. My family has been watching Senior mens hockey and Junior hockey in Vernon since the 1950's. I was told I started going to Junior hockey games with my dad when I was about five years old. I become an instant fan as I grew up and loved every minute of it. I purchased my first set of season tickets in 1990 and have had them ever since. I have missed only three Viper home games since the 1998-99 season. My most memorable Junior hockey game in Vernon-at the Civic Arena has to be the 1990 Centennial Cup Final with the Vernon Lakers & New West Royals. I attended the entire Centennial Cup that year and still have the championship game on vhs.

Fans started lining up outside to get in around 3pm. I myself arrived at the rink just before 3pm to get a spot in line. Season ticket holders were allowed in at 4pm while non season ticket holders being allowed in at 5pm with the game starting at 6pm. Shortly after 3pm their was well over 100 fans waiting in line to get inside.

It was very hard to hear/understand the PA announcer with a very old-poor sound system. It was also hard for fans to see the scoreboard with the second scoreboard removed from the arena. The only scoreboard is located in the far corner of the Viper dressing room. For most fans at the other side of the rink, I'm sure had troubles seeing the score-time. Its amazing at how small the Civic Arena actually is. The concourse can barely fit one person, not to mention adding in the standing room. Fans were jammed inside, some people two deep along the railing on the concourse. With only one small washroom for men and women, lineups were long between periods. Intermissions were longer then normal with figure skating taking place between each period. With no food-concessions nor a beer gardens, fans were forced to go outside, where several food trucks were setup and fans allowed to bring food back into the rink. With everyone jammed inside so tightly the rink made for a great atmosphere, with the low glass-boards and smaller ice surface, their wasn't much room for both teams.

Top Player's: (Prince George)

The line of Ethan De Jong (1 goal), Kyle Johnson & Blake Hayward had a strong night for the Spruce Kings. I thought these three played well together, looked good through out the evening.

Dustin Manz (1 assist) I thought looked very strong-played well. Not the biggest kid, but has some quickness.

Ben Brar (1 goal) Also played very well on the smaller rink. Had some looks-opportunities.

Evan DeBrouwer (42 saves) Was the difference tonight. The difference was his 24 saves in the opening frame. Sure Vernon was leading 2-1 after twenty but if not for the PG netminder, the Vipers could have easily been up three or four goals after one period. DeBrouwer wasn't tested at all in the 2nd period, didn't see much action until the final six minutes or so of the 3rd. Didn't have to stand on his head, but plays big. Covers a lot of the net, got some help from his defenders in the 3rd.

Game Thought's: (Prince George)

After a tough 2-1 double overtime loss in Penticton Friday, the Spruce Kings excape the opening period tonight, only down a goal, regroup before scoring twice in the middle frame and then hold off the Viper attack in the 3rd for a huge win on the road in a rink they have never played in. The pruce Kings play in a similar style of smaller-older rink in Prince George, I'm guessing the ice surface and older rink must have felt like playing at home. Give Prince George full credit for shutting down Vernon's speed and skill, I think the smaller ice surface also was a big factor but the Spruce Kings regrouped after the 1st and after giving up twenty six shots in the first twenty minutes, hold Vernon to eighteen in the final two periods. Evan DeBrouwer was a huge factor tonight but PG played the Snakes tough, kept the Vipers to the outside often, limited their chances and took away any open ice. With the win Prince George improves to 21-12-3-4 jump ahead of the Langley Rivermen for the Mainland Division lead are now one point up on Langley for top spot. This was the Spruce Kings second trip to Vernon, lost 4-2 August 31st during pre-season. These two teams will meet again on the 19th in Prince George.

Scratches:

Vernon:

Sol Seibel
Tanner Wishnowski (Injured)
Sam Anzai

Prince George:

Spencer Chapman
Ryan Stack
Brady Bjork

Energy Player of the Game:

Jesse Lansdell

Three Star's:

1st Star: Evan DeBrouwer (42 saves)
2nd Star: Jagger Williamson (1 goal)
3rd Star: Jarod Hovde (1 goal)

Boxscore-Game Summary,

http://bchl.ca/stats/game-summary/8181

Game Report,

https://lscluster.hockeytech.com/game_reports/official-game-report.php?lang_id=1&client_code=bchl&game_id=8181

https://lscluster.hockeytech.com/game_reports/text-game-report.php?lang_id=1&client_code=bchl&game_id=8181