Vernon 4 Alberni Valley 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-Bulldogs game as Vernon defeated Alberni Valley 4-2 in front of 2009 fans at Kal Tire Place.

Starting Goaltenders:

Vernon: Ty Taylor
Alberni Valley: Brock Lefebvre

1st Period: The Bulldogs jump on the Snakes early and often. Getting pucks to the net early, Alberni Valley jumps out in shots early off the opening faceoff. About two minutes in Julian Benner with a quick shot from inside the circle forces Ty Taylor into making a quick pad save on a quality chance from in close. Minutes later former Vipers defenceman & current Bulldogs captain Mitchell Oliver was able to get a shot off from the point, that somehow managed to find it's way through traffic, forced Ty Taylor into making a difficult save with bodies in front. The Vipers needed four minutes to record their first shot of the evening. About a minute later Alex Swetlikoff tried setting up Jack Judson coming up the middle, couldn't connect on the pass, on a missed opportunity on a Vernon odd man rush. The Vipers managed to keep the play alive and in the offensive zone, were able to generate some solid pressure. Brett Stapley couldn't convert on a wrap around, before Mitch Andres shot from the blueline found it's way through traffic forced Brock Lefebvre into making a difficult save with bodies in front. Vernon with a solid shift, created/generated several quality chances, unable to open the scoring. The Bulldogs outshooting the Vipers 6-2 about six minutes in. Just before the halfway mark the Dogs would get the games first powerplay. In the dying seconds of the man advantage Julian Benner was denied by Ty Taylor, making a big pad save, couldn't control the rebound before Cole Polizaini buried the rebound, giving Alberni Valley a 1-0 lead on the PP at 10:09 Benner drew the lone assist. The Vipers with a good push back shift responded well. About two minutes later former Salmon Arm Silverbacks forward Josh Latta alone at the side of the AV net, fired high and over the goal. Brock Lefebvre come out to challenge forcing Latta to go high. Back come the Bulldogs, Isaac Tonkin-Palmer on the following play/shift, was stopped by Ty Taylor going up the middle on a great look/chance. On the following play/shift, Ty Taylor made a huge save off Jackson Doucet on an Alberni Valley odd man rush. The Bulldogs with back to back quality chances. Shortly after the Snakes would respond. Alex Swetlikoff setup Connor Marritt at the side of the net, managed to beat Brock Lefebvre in close, tying the game 1-1 at 14:01 Swetlikoff and Coleton Bilodeau with the helpers. Four minutes later the Bulldogs would get their second powerplay of the night. The Snakes with a good kill, managed to kill off the powerplay and get out of the period. The Dogs actually still with one second remaining with the man advantage, before the final buzzer. At the buzzer Alberni Valley would get their third powerplay, going into the 2nd period. Vipers head coach/gm Mark Ferner very upset with the call at the end of the period. Ferner standing on the end of the bench, was really letting both officials know he wasn't pleased with the call. As both teams were making their way to the dressing rooms, Ferner was unleashing towards both officials. It was 1-1 after 20 minutes of play. The Bulldogs jumped on the Vipers early and often, were firing pucks to the net, had a lot more jump/energy to start the contest. I thought the Dogs were the better of the two teams for most of the first half, before the Vipers seemed to pick up their game and rally with a good push in the second half. Vernon looked a little slow-sluggish off the opening faceoff, were outplayed-outshot for at least the first six-seven minutes. I thought it was a lot more evenly played in the second half. Alberni Valley outshot Vernon 19-10.

2nd Period: AV started the middle frame on the powerplay, that was rewarded at the buzzer of the opening frame. The Bulldogs went to work early, generated some good pressure, before Julian Benner beat Vipers starting goaltender Ty Taylor on a wrap around, giving Alberni Valley a 2-1 lead at 1:21 Jackson Doucet and Mitchell Oliver collected the assists. Minutes later the Vipers setup Mitch Andres who's quick shot from the point, beat Bulldogs starting goaltender Brock Lefebvre but not the post, as Andres come within inches of tying the game. The Snakes managed to keep the play alive, before Brett Stapley tried going for the wrap around, lost control of the puck, the puck managed to come back to Mitch Andres who once again wired a shot from the blueline beating wich looked like a screened Brock Lefebvre tying the game 2-2 at 5:05 Brett Stapley with the lone assist. Just fourty four seconds later with the Vipers on a delayed powerplay, Brock Lefebvre made a save off the wing before the puck hit a Viper in front, before Josh Latta drove to the net, buried the loose puck giving Vernon a 3-2 lead at 5:49 while the Vipers were celebrating, both officials quickly gathered before the officials gathered in front of the penalty box. All four officials talked things over, before waiving off the goal. The goal was waived off due to a Bulldogs player touching the puck, before the puck went into the net. Mark Ferner and the Vipers were very upset with the call, as so was most of the fans inside Kal Tire Place. Ferner tried getting an explination on the call, didn't was even more upset for the official not coming over to the Vernon bench. The game was still tied 2-2 with Vernon going on their first powerplay of the game. The Snakes couldn't convert with the man advantage, but just five seconds after the penalty expired, Jimmy Lambert who walked the blueline, barley kept the puck onside, skated into the slot before ripping a wicked shot from the high slot, looked to beat a screened Brock Lefebvre high glove, giving Vernon a 3-2 lead at 7:54 Chris Jandric picked up the helper. Fifty seven seconds later Derek Brown beat Brock Lefebvre in close, giving Vernon a 4-2 lead at 8:51 Jordan Sandhu & Jack Judson collected the assists. This was the end of the night for Bulldogs starting goaltender Brock Lefebvre. Lefebvre gave up four goals on eighteen Vernon shots, was replaced by John Hawthorne. Hawthorne coming in cold, had to be sharp, as the Vipers poured on the offence, had several quality looks/chances, couldn't solve the Bulldogs backup goaltender. With about seven minutes left Michael Young's point shot found it's way through traffic, couldn't beat John Hawthorne who made a big save with traffic in front. Late in the period the Dogs couldn't hit the net on a two on one rush. It was 4-2 Vernon after 40 minutes of play. After giving up an early powerplay goal, to fall behind 2-1 the Vipers responded quickly, with three straight goals in less then four minutes. It was all Vernon in the 2nd period. The Snakes dominated the play, played most of the frame in the offensive zone, had a ton of good looks/opportunities. If it wasn't for John Hawthorne who replaced starting goaltender Brock Lefebvre the score could have been much higher. I have to question why Josh Latta's goal at 5:49 was called off. With the Snakes going on a delayed powerplay, no Bulldogs player looked to touch the puck. Latta driving to the crease, puts the puck in. The back official was the referee who was calling the penalty, while the second official at the side of the net, pointed towards the goal, called it a goal. If a Alberni Valley player, did touch the puck, why wasn't the play blown dead, before Latta scores? The Vipers get hosed on that call. The Dogs looked to be in good shape, score an early powerplay goal, grabbing a 2-1 lead then give up three straight goals, in less then four minutes. AV couldn't recover, played most of the 2nd in their own end, chasing Vernon. The Bulldogs with very little offence, had troubles containing the Vipers speed/skill. Vernon outshot Alberni Valley 21-6.

3rd Period: The Snakes would gain early control, had a ton of pressure in the Bulldogs zone, were basically playing keep away with the puck early. Five minutes in on a goal mouth scramble, Alberni Valley comes very close to getting within a goal. Ty Taylor made a big stop in close, before a ton of bodies crash the goal, with the puck just sitting at the side of the goal, in the blue paint, no Bulldogs player was able to get to the loose puck, before a Vernon defender was able to clear the puck from harms way, as the Vipers dodge a bullet. About four minutes later Josh Latta with a good look/opportunity couldn't solve John Hawthorne in close. Shortly after the Dogs would get a powerplay. Shorthanded Niko Karamanis with a good look/chance, forced John Hawthorne into making a quick pad save, as the rebound laid in the crease, Karamanis couldn't get to the loose puck on a quality chance shorthanded. Alberni Valley struggled with the extra attacker, didn't register a single shot on the PP as Vernon killed off the minor. The Snakes carrying the play for most of the final frame, continued to dominate the play, taking it too the Bulldogs. Vernon with a ton of quality chances, couldn't beat John Hawthorne. Hawthorne was doing his best at just keeping AV in the hockey game at this point. With about four minutes remaining, the Dogs setup Keaton Mastrodonato on a three on two rush. Mastrodontao beat Ty Taylor, looked to just graize the far post as the Bulldogs come within inches of making this a one goal game. Mastrodonato stayed with the play, managed to get the puck back, ripped a quick shot from in close, forced Ty Taylor into making a quick reaction save with his glove. The Vpers netminder just got a piece of Mastrodonato's shot, before the puck dropped to the crease. On a goal mouth scramble, Taylor and the Vipers were able to recover and clear the zone. Alberni Valley with two quality chances late. The Snakes got a scare with about 2:40 left in the contest. Tyler Vanuden hit Vipers captain Jagger Williamson from behind in front of the two benches, while Williamson was making a line change. The Vernon product went head first into the boards/benches before Jesse Lansdell jumped in immediately, as a full on scrum took place in front of the two benches. With the Viper trainer attending to Williamson on the ice, everyone was throwing punches, while trying to grab onto somebody. The scrum was eventually broken up, with Williamson going straight to the Viper dressing room, holding a towel over his forehead. Vanuden was given five minutes for checking from behind and a game misconduct, sending the Snakes to the powerplay. The Dogs would get control of the puck/play, would get John Hawthorne to the bench for the extra attacker with about 1:40 left. On the first stoppage in play, another scrum broke loose in front of the Viper goal. Everyone got involved including Vipers goaltender Ty Taylor. Taylor was given a penalty on the play, as the game got chippy inside the final few minutes. Jimmy Lambert looking to hit the open cage, couldn't get his shot through after Mitchell Oliver come up with a big shot block. Alberni Valley with some good pressure late, managed to get a few shots off from the point, with bodies in front, but Ty Taylor stood tall, was forced into making a few difficult saves late. A late push from the Bulldogs, wasn't enough as the Vipers would eventually hold on to the 4-2 victory. For a second straight period it was all Vernon. The Snakes basically carried the better of the play for most of the final twenty minutes. The Vipers with a handful of great looks/quality chances couldn't solve John Hawthorne. Vernon was strong on the puck and dominated the puck along the boards, basically played keep away most of the period. Alberni Valley didn't see much time in the offensive zone, but when they did, they gave the Vipers a bit of a scare coming close on a few plays/opportunities. AV with the goaltender pulled, had some good looks-pressure late, couldn't find the back of the goal to make things interesting. Vernon outshot Alberni Valley 12-7.

Top Player's: (Vernon)

The line of Brett Stapley (1 assist), Alex Swetlikoff (1 assist) & Jimmy Lambert (1 goal) Was very good. This line created/generated some quality chances, through out the night. Had the Bulldogs back on their feet, gave Alberni Valley troubles all night.

Jagger Williamson I thought played with a bit of an edge. Went after former team mate Mitchell Oliver in the opening frame, took a swing or two at the Bulldogs captain. Then blocked at least two or three shots, was involved in the game, other then the score sheet, before taking a brutal hit from behind late in the contest. The Viper captain didn't play in the Vipers 7-4 victory Friday in West Kelowna.

Jesse Lansdell Played hard, battled/competed hard all night. Stuck up for his team mates, was the first one in on a play after a late hit or shove after a whistle. Didn't back down from the rough going, was going hard to the net all night.

Mitch Andres (1 goal) I thought had a strong night on the Viper backend. Hit the post in the 2nd period, before scoring shortly after. Played with a lot of confidence, was good at both ends of the rink.

Josh Latta Played a heck of a game in West Kelowna last night, continued his strong play again tonight. Looked like the former Salmon Arm Silverback scored in the middle frame, had his goal waived off, had several good looks/quality chances tonight. Really works/plays hard. 

Chris Jandric (1 assist) Was very strong on the blueline. Blocked at least two shots, jumped into the play, was strong at both ends of the rink. Really playing well this season.

Ty Taylor (30 saves) Saw most of his action in the 1st period, where the Dogs attacked the Vipers early and often. Alberni Valley was getting pucks to the net early, forced Ty Taylor to be sharpe-making some saves early. I thought made some key saves in the 3rd when the Dogs could have easily made it a one goal game. 

Game Thought's: (Vernon)

After a bit of a slow/sluggish start, I thought the Vipers responded well and basically took over the hockey game. Vernon was by far the better of the two teams in the 2nd and 3rd periods, played most of the final two periods in the attacking zone. The Snakes moving the puck well, created/generated a ton of good looks/great opportunities. If it wasn't for John Hawthorne who replaced Brock Lefebvre after Vernon's fourth goal, this could have easily been a blowout. The Vipers speed and skill took over and gave the Bulldogs defenders all kinds of troubles. Vernon surrenders nineteen shots in the opening frame. When's the last time the Vipers gave up nineteen shots in a period? The Snakes have won six of their last eight home games, have now won back to back games and playing with a little more confidence. The Vipers will have a quick turn around, will board the bus for Trail tomorrow. The Vipers play in Trail with the Smokies having tonight off. The Vipers with a tough test up against a Smoke Eaters team that's been playing well as of late. You have to wonder why the Vipers are playing in Trail tomorrow afternoon, after already playing back to back games this weekend? The Vipers don't play next weekend, why nothave this game then? Three games in three days with two road games doesn't make sense. Vernon playing three games in three days this weekend. With the win Vernon improves to 31-12-1-4 are three points up on Wenatchee and stay tied in points with Penticton. The Vees with a 4-3 overtime win in Cowichan tonight, claim top spot due to playing fewer games and having fewer losses. The Vees with three games in hand.

Top Player's: (Alberni Valley)

Mitchell Oliver (1 assist) The former Viper d-man I thought played very well vs his former team. Oliver was getting pucks to the net, was involved in at least one if not two scrums with his former team mates. 

Jackson Doucet (1 assist) Not the biggest kid but quick. I thought played well for the Dogs through out the night.

Carter Harris Another AV forward who isn't the biggest kid but has some wheels. Really opened up the ice. Played well through out the loss.

Julian Benner (1 goal & 1 assist) Wasn't listed on the lineup sheet, created/generated some chances. Was going hard to the net, was one of if not the more offensive minded forwards for the Bulldogs.

John Hawthorne (25 saves) Replaced Alberni Valley starting goaltender Brock Lefebvre after giving up four goals on eighteen Vernon shots. Hawthorne come in cold, stopped all twenty five Vernon shots the remainder of the night. Was very solid between the pipes, made some big stops, keeping his team in the contest. If it wasn't for Hawthorne this game/final score could have easily gotten away from Alberni Valley. Very quick on his feet, moves around a lot, dosnt give up many if any second opportunities.

Game Thought's: (Alberni Valley)

After a tough 7-6 overtime loss in Salmon Arm Friday, the Bulldogs jumped on the Snakes early. AV was getting pucks to the net early, jumped way out in shots early, had early control of the hockey game. Cole Polizaini opened the scoring on the powerplay, but the Bulldogs couldn't get that all important second goal. AV allows Vernon to tie the game and get back into the game, in a 1st period where Alberni Valley had full control early. The Bulldogs need to try and get that second goal in that 1st period, in a period where they get nineteen shots on Ty Taylor. If the Dogs jump out to a quick 2-0 lead, maybe this changes the rest of the game-outcome. AV gets an early 2nd period powerplay goal, to re-take the lead before giving up three straight goals in less then four minutes. This killed the Dogs and changed the momentum of the game. Alberni Valley was a different team after the 1st period. AV was a step behind the Snakes in the 2nd and 3rd periods. The Vipers didn't look back and AV couldn't recover. The Bulldogs couldn't keep up the pace, lost a lot of puck battles along the wall and in front of the net. The Bulldogs were back on their heels and outplayed for the remainder of the contest. AV had troubles containing Vernon's speed and skill, had troubles generating much for offence in the 2nd and 3rd periods. The Dogs will continue their six game road trip, tomorrow in West Kelowna. Alberni Valley with just one win in their last seven road games. These two teams tied 1-1 September 21st in Chilliwack at the BCHL Showcase, will meet for a final time this season, February 18th in Alberni Valley. The Bulldogs last regular season victory in Vernon was a 4-3 victory on December 8th 2012. With the loss Alberni Valley falls to 14-25-4-4 sit 4th in the Island Division are eleven points up on Cowichan and sixteen points back of Nanaimo.

Scratches:

Vernon:

Shane Kelly (Suspended)
Keyvan Mokhtari (Injured)

Alberni Valley:

Sami Pharaon
Ezra Paddock   
Liam Lytton
Grayson Valente

Energy Player of the Game:

Mitch Andres (1 goal)

Three Star's:

1st Star: Jimmy Lambert (1 goal)
2nd Star: Julian Benner (1 goal & 1 assist)
3rd Star: Chris Jandric (1 assist)

Boxscore-Game Summary,

http://bchl.ca/stats/game-summary/8245

Evan Hammond Alberni Valley Bulldogs Blog,

http://hammersdogs.blogspot.ca/

Game Report,

https://lscluster.hockeytech.com/game_reports/official-game-report.php?lang_id=1&client_code=bchl&game_id=8245

Text Boxscore,

https://lscluster.hockeytech.com/game_reports/text-game-report.php?