I was at tonight's Vipers-Warriors game as Vernon defeated West Kelowna 5-0 in front of 797 fans at Royal Le Page Place.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon: Ty Taylor
West Kelowna: Nik Amundrud
Before tonight's game the Warriors honoured Vipers owner Duncan Wray with a moment of silence.
1st Period: Just twenty nine seconds into the contest Cavin Tilsley went after Viper captain Jagger Williamson in front of the Snakes bench. Tilsley started throwing punches at Williamson, with the Viper forward putting his gloves over his face before the officials broke up the play. Williamson would get a two minute minor, while Tilsley would get five minutes and a game misconduct, giving Vernon an early five minute powerplay. Seconds into the man advantage, Derek Brown spotted Brett Stapley in the high slot who was robbed by Nik Amundrud who made a quick pad save, keeping this a scoreless hockey game. With a goal mouth scramble, the Vipers somehow missed an open net in close, before Keyvan Mokhtari buried the rebound into the open cage, giving Vernon a 1-0 lead at 2:47 Jesse Lansdell & Josh Prokop drew the assists. The Vipers unable to really create/generate much on this five minute major. Cameron Trott walked in from the blueline, before shooting right into the Warriors logo on Nik Amundrud's jersey on a last opportunity with the man advantage. The Vipers managed just one goal on four shots on the powerplay. Give credit to the Warriors who were aggressive on the penalty kill, played Vernon strong. Four minutes after the five minute major, Jimmy Lambert setup Brett Stapley in front who was denied by Nik Amundrud. The Snakes stayed with the play, on another scramble in front of the West Kelowna net, Brett Stapley would eventually find the back of the goal, giving Vernon a 2-0 lead at 9:17 Jimmy Lambert & Jordan Sandhu picked up the helpers. On the following shift, Jagger Williamson couldn't get the pass across on a two on one rush. The Snakes outshooting the Tribe 10-1 at the halfway mark. Just minutes later, Chase Dubois with some wheels, hustled his way into the Vernon zone, before wiring a low shot from the circle that forced Ty Taylor into make a big stop, on just the Warriors second shot of the night. Back come the Vipers on the following shift, Connor Marritt collected the puck in the slot, facing the other direction was able to turn around, before ripping a quick shot from the slot that beat Nik Amundrud giving Vernon a 3-0 lead at 11:43 Coleton Bilodeau with the lone assist. WK allowed Marritt all kinds of time and space to make this goal happen. With just less then three minutes remaining the Warriors would get a late powerplay, but it would be Jimmy Lambert leading the attack shorthanded. Lambert tried feeding Brett Stapley going to the goal, but Michael Ryan with a solid defensive play, broke up the play. Just minutes before the final minute, The Warriors would get a late five on three powerplay. West Kelowna with good pressure late, eventually forced Ty Taylor into making two big stops in the dying seconds. Taylor made a big stop off a shot from the point with about fifteen seconds left, before making a final save at the buzzer. It was 3-0 Vernon after 20 minutes of play. It was all Vipers for most of the entire period. The Snakes were ready to go off the puck drop, played with a ton of jump/energy, were flying through out the opening twenty minutes. Vernon was outshooting West Kelowna 10-1 halfway through the game. The Snakes created/generated several quality chances. The Vipers were easily the better of the two teams. Cavin Tilsley took an undisciplined penalty twenty nine seconds into the game, putting his team shorthanded very early. The Warriors played most of that 1st period in their own end, gave up way too many opportunities. West Kelowna had all kinds of troubles containing the Viper attack, struggled offensively. It wasn't until the final few minutes on the two man advantage where WK had some late pressure. Vernon outshot West Kelowna 15-8.
2nd Period: Josh Propkop didn't come out for the start of the 2nd period, didn't return to the Viper bench. The Warriors started the middle frame on the man advantage, that was carried over from the 1st. The Vipers would basically kill off the remainder of the penalty, but with just a second left on the penalty kill, West Kelowna would be called for too many men, sending Vernon to an early powerplay. The Snakes moved the puck around and around, killed off most of the penalty themselves only managed one shot was the Tribe killed off the minor. Five minutes in, Alex Swetlikoff on a wrap around was denied by West Kelowna Warriors goaltender Nik Amundrud. Minutes later the Vipers sprung Jordan Sandhu who lead the odd man rush. Sandhu decided to keep and fire, was stopped by Nik Amundrud. Just before the midway mark, Willie Reim with a great chance from the high slot, would be stopped by Vipers starting goaltender Ty Taylor. The Snakes would get just their second powerplay of the evening around the halfway mark. Cameron Trott setup Jagger Williamson who beat Nik Amundrud giving Vernon a 4-0 lead at 11:48 Trott and Jesse Lansdell collected the assists. Minutes later the Warriors would jump on the man advantage. WK unable to capitalize as Vernon killed off the minor. With about three and a half minutes left a big scrum in the corner heated up with lots of pushing and shoving. Jimmy Lambert & Tyler Jutting both given minors on the play. Lambert was very upset with the call, let the official know on his way to the penalty box. Things got a little chippy from here on in until the final buzzer, with several small altercations after a stoppage in play. It was 4-0 Vernon after 40 minutes of play. A little more balanced play in this period with the teams, going back and fourth at times. West Kelowna did look/play much better, were finally able to get some pressure in the offensive zone. The Warriors top line had the Viper fourth line hemmed in their own end for a good two minutes, but unable to capitalize. I thought the Vipers had the better opportunities this frame. Vernon outshot West Kelowna 14-7.
3rd Period: Vernon needed a few minutes before opening up the gates. The Vipers slowly started to take over the edge in play and basically carried the play for most of the final frame. Seven minutes in Jimmy Lambert setup Brett Stapley in front, who couldn't get the puck up and over a sprawled out Nik Amundrud who somehow managed to make the difficult save. On the following few shifts, Jesse Lansdell and Josh Latta both with quality chances. Nik Amundrud had to be sharp was forced into making at least three glove saves. The Snakes were again flying, really creating/generating a ton of chances in and around the net. With just over nine minutes left, the Vipers setup Vernon product Coleton Bilodeau at the top of the crease, somehow missed the open cage, raised his arms on the play, thought he had scored. The Snakes kept pressing, eventually sprung Alex Swetlikoff in for the breakaway, beat Nik Amundrud giving Vernon a commanding 5-0 lead at 12:14 Jagger Williamson with the lone helper. After the goal, the Vipers all went hard into the end boards in celebration. When lining up for the faceoff, both teams went to their benches, while the referee's looked to be talking things over. The scoreboard was showing 5-0 but no announcement over the pa system. After several minutes the officials finally skated over towards the Zamboni entrance where they were talking to someone. One fellow in a black shirt or jacket standing behind the Warriors goal was pointing up towards the glass. Several more minutes passed by with nothing happening. Minutes later an arena staff brought out a ladder had to reinforce the dividers that hold the glass together at the top of the glass. After a few minutes, and both officials checking it over, the game resumed after easily ten minutes. On the faceoff, the Vipers goal was eventually announced over the pa system. During the lengthy delay a good chunk of fans left the game, with the game/score out of hand. The rink was well over half empty with just over seven minutes left. Vernon still moving the puck, carrying the play, had several more attempts, with some good looks. With just over two minutes left, a big hit on a Viper in front of the Vernon bench. A Viper was crosschecked from behind. Jesse Lansdell skated down the ice, before going after a Warriors player, giving him at least two crosschecks in return before taking an undisciplined penalty very late in the game. The Snakes tried springing Jimmy Lambert twice for the breakaway, were unsuccessful. West Kelowna with a few good looks, couldn't solve Ty Taylor as Taylor and the Vipers would come away with the 5-0 victory. I thought the Vipers were the better of the two teams in the 3rd, carried most of the play, had several good looks-opportunities. The Snakes looked to have the puck on a string at times. Vernon would catch several breaks, had all the bounces go their way in the 3rd and through out the contest. The Tribe didn't create or generate much for offensive chances in the 3rd, gave up a ton of opportunities. WK had troubles containing the Viper speed/skill. Nik Amundrud was sharp in the 3rd made some solid saves. Vernon outshot West Kelowna 13-11.
Top Player's: (Vernon)
Brett Stapley (1 goal) Was in and around the goal all night. Was going to the net, had several good looks/chances.
Jesse Lansdell (2 assists) Had a strong night. Was hitting everything in his way, was physical through out the game, played with an edge, played with a ton of jump/energy, was in the face of the Warriors all night.
The Snakes fourth line of Alex Swetlikoff (1 goal), Coleton Bilodeau (1 assist) & Connor Marritt (1 goal) Were very good. Saw some good minutes, played hard, went to the net, were skating hard. Really competed.
Jimmy Lambert (1 assist) Was all over the rink tonight. Was really flying, was dangerous with the puck, had several good looks, made things happen in a hurry. Created/generated chances through out the game.
Chris Jandric I thought played very well on the Viper backend. Played with a ton of jump, was getting involved in the play, made things happen.
Ty Taylor (26 saves-Shutout) Wasn't forced into any real difficult saves, but made the big stops when called apon. Ty Taylor also got some help from his d-men & forwards. The Vipers blocked several shots, played very well in front of Taylor. Taylor is getting huge props and a pat on the back for his seventh shutout of the season. Taylor has back to back shutouts and shutouts in four of his last five games/starts.
Game Thought's: (Vernon)
The Vipers come ready to play and played pretty close to a complete game from start to finish. Jumping on the five minute powerplay just twenty nine seconds into the game I think helped. It gave Vernon some early pressure, gave them a chance to get into the game early and open the scoring early. The Snakes dominated the play for most of the period in the 1st and 3rd periods. I thought the Vipers were the better of the two teams in that 1st and 3rd periods. Jumping out to a fairly quick 2-0 lead on the road was big, but also not taking their foot off the gas. Vernon didn't quit forcing the play, kept pressing and pressing hard. All four lines come ready to play and worked hard. Vernon could have easily scored five or more goals tonight. Coleton Bilodeau somehow missed an open cage. Specialty teams was good. The Snakes go 2-3 with the man advantage and kill off all four minors. Newcomer Derek Brown still without his name on his jersey. Viper assistant coach Kevin Pederson wasn't on the Viper bench tonight. Very few to no Viper fans at tonight's game. With all the freezing rain/snow this morning and into the afternoon, I was questioning making the trip down for tonight's game. The Vipers have the Warriors number this year, have won all five games vs the Tribe, will be back in West Kelowna on the 26th to wrap up their four game road trip. With the win Vernon improves to 29-10-1-4 sit atop the Interior Division and overall league standings are six points up on Penticton and five points up on Wenatchee. The Vees with four games in hand. Speaking of the Vees, Fred Harbinson was in attendance tonight.
Top Player's: (West Kelowna)
Tyler Jutting I thought played very well on the West Kelowna blueline. A veteran defenceman, sees a lot of ice, is very strong at both ends of the rink.
Chase Dubois I thought was the lone Warrior forward to shine up front. Not the biggest kid, but is quick on his feet, has some skill/hands. Dangerous with and without the puck, made some nice plays tonight to try and create/generate some offence.
Michael Ryan Was another Warriors d-man that played well on the backend. Made a heads up defensive play late in the opening period to break up a Viper odd man rush shorthanded.
Nik Amundrud (37 saves) Played well between the pipes. Was forced into making several stops through out the evening, keeping his team in the hockey game. If it wasn't for Amundrud at times, the Vipers could have easily blown this game wide open. A bigger goaltender, covers a lot of the net.
Game Thought's: (West Kelowna)
Cavin Tilsley put his team down shorthanded just twenty nine seconds into the hockey game. I don't know what or if Jagger Williamson did something to Tilsley, but this penalty was uncalled for. It put West Kelowna back on their heels early, were forced into killing off a five minute major off the drop of the puck. The Tribe managed to only give up one goal on the penalty kill, just couldn't find their game tonight. Fell behind 2-0 in the first half before down three goals heading into the 2nd period. West Kelowna saw/played a ton of the 1st and 3rd periods in their own end, had troubles containing and defending against Vernon's speed/skill. The Tribe had all kinds of troubles creating/generating any kind of offence in the 1st and 3rd periods. WK didn't get a whole lot of offensive zone time, were chasing the Snakes most of the night. West Kelowna had troubles getting any traction, couldn't catch a break-bounce all night. The Warriors with a small crowd on hand for tonight, have been shutout in back to backs games. The Tribe has just one win in their last five home games. The Warriors were wearing their third set jersey's tonight. With the loss the Warriors fall to 21-20-1-1 sit 5th in the Division are seven points up on Merritt and twelve points back of Trail. West Kelowna is nineteen points back of Vernon. Vernon, Wenatchee, Penticton & Trail have all clinched a playoff spot.
Scratches:
Vernon:
Shane Kelly (Suspended)
Jack Judson (Injured)
West Kelowna:
Cody Paivarinta
Matt Kowalski
Chase Stevenson
Energy Player of the Game:
Michael Lombardi
Three Star's:
1st Star: Jimmy Lambert (1 assist)
2nd Star: Ty Taylor (26 saves)
3rd Star: Jesse Lansdell (2 assists)
Boxscore-Game Summary,
http://bchl.ca/stats/game-summary/8211
Trevor Miller's West Kelowna Warriors Blog,
https://westkwarriors.wordpress.com/
Game Report,
https://lscluster.hockeytech.com/game_reports/official-game-report.php?lang_id=1&client_code=bchl&game_id=8211
Text Boxscore,
https://lscluster.hockeytech.com/game_reports/text-game-report.php?lang_id=1&client_code=bchl&game_id=8211
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