I have had season tickets for the past 28 years and been following Junior hockey in Vernon for close to thirty five years. I have missed only three home games since the 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.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon: Ty Taylor
Wenatchee: Seth Eisele
I was at tonight's Vipers-Wild game as Vernon defeated Wenatchee 4-3 in front of 2,222 fans at Kal Tire Place.
1st Period: The Wild jumped on the Vipers early and often. Ty Taylor had to be sharp early, making a big stop on a wrap around just fourty seconds into the opening frame. Off the following faceoff the Wild with a goal mouth scramble in front of Ty Taylor and the Viper net, Wenatchee digging for the loose puck, couldn't get it through a maze of players in the Vernon crease. The Snakes needed two and a half minutes to record their first shot of the game before Wenatchee would get the games first powerplay just minutes in. The Wild with a few early looks-chances before AJ Vanderbeck beat Ty Taylor high giving Wenatchee a 1-0 lead at 4:06 Vanderbeck's goal was unassisted. The Vipers would respond off the following faceoff. Jimmy Lambert got the play into the offensive zone before chipping the puck up to Keyvan Mokhtari who was denied in closed. Wenatchee with the early jump, were outshooting the Snakes 7-2 five minutes in. Minutes later on another goal mouth scramble the Wild looked to bump Ty Taylor, who lose control of the puck, as the play continued Vernon couldn't clear the front of the net, before August Von Ungren spotted Zak Galambos at the side of the net, hit the open cage, giving Wenatchee a 2-0 lead at 7:59 Von Ungren drew the lone helper. But just 1:09 later the Vipers with a bit of a goal mouth scramble of their own, were able to find Niko Karamanis open at the side of the goal, getting Vernon on the board, cutting Wenatchee's lead to 2-1 at 9:08 Jack Judson & Jagger Williamson picked up the assists. In the second half Vernon would get their first powerplay of the evening, after Jasper Weatherby took Jimmy Lambert hard from behind into the boards. The Vipers would struggle with the man advantage. The Snakes struggled to keep the play/puck in the offensive zone, didn't record a single shot with the man advantage as the Wild killed off the minor. Wenatchee getting at least two or three big shot blocks on the penalty kill. Late in the 1st Michael Young with a long stretch pass spotted Jimmy Lambert who got behind the Wenatchee defence, Lambert went in for the breakaway, deked out Seth Eisele tying the game 2-2 at 17:10 sending Kal Tire Place into a frenzy. Young with the lone helper. It was 2-2 after 20 minutes of play. It was all Wenatchee for most of the opening period. The Wild jumped on Vernon off the opening faceoff, were a step ahead of the Snakes most of the 1st. The Wild are very quick, can move the puck up ice in a hurry, fore checked the heck out of the Vipers most of the frame. Wenatchee with an aggressive fore check, were limiting the Viper time and space, forcing Vernon into turning over the puck or being caught running around in their own end. The Wild didn't get any real quality chances, had more goal mouth scrambles. The Vipers didn't seem to have their legs going early, fell behind two goals early but managed to battle back to tie the game, in a period I thought the Wild were by far the better team. The Vipers just couldn't seem to generate/create any kind of offensive opportunities, had troubles getting sustained pressure in the attacking zone. It seemed like once the Vipers got into the offensive zone, they couldn't get any zone time, were quickly going back the other way. The Snakes lucky to be in the game at this point, were lucky to be tied after one period. The Vipers went long periods at a time with no shots on goal. Wenatchee outshot Vernon 13-7.
2nd Period: The Wild would get an early powerplay to start the middle frame. But it would be the Vipers who would come close to capitalizing shorthanded. Jimmy Lambert setup Brett Stapley on a Viper odd man rush shorthanded. Stapley missed the net managed to get the puck back out front, Jimmy Lambert with a quick release missed the top corner as the Snakes with back to back shorthanded chances, couldn't grab their first lead of the contest. The Vipers killed off the minor. Just as the penalty expired, Jimmy Lambert couldn't clear the zone, allowing Matt Dorsey to wheel in from the high slot, missed the goal from the slot, showed some hustle, managed to get the puck back before ripping a quick shot from just inside the circle forced Vipers starting goaltender Ty Taylor to just get a piece of it with his glove, making a big stop. It didn't take long before Vernon went back to the penalty kill. The Wild with their second PP of the period. Wenatchee with good pressure, had some looks/chances couldn't capitalize as the Vipers killed off the penalty. Just before the midway mark former Victoria Grizzlie Keyvan Mokhtari with a great look/opportunity in front, couldn't solve Wild starting goaltender Seth Eisele. Back come the Wild about a minute and a half later, Jasper Weatherby lead the attack decided to shoot on a two on one, missed the net. In the second half the Snakes would get their first man advantage of the 2nd but again the Vipers struggled. For a second straight powerplay, Vernon didn't record a single shot as Wenatchee killed off the penalty. Late in the 2nd Jagger Williamson sprung Niko Karamanis down the left wing, Karamanis beat his defender before going hard to the goal, looked to make contact with Seth Eisele somehow managed to beat Eisele on his way to the goal, giving Vernon a 3-2 lead at 16:03 their first lead of the night. Williamson collected the assist. Karamanis's goal got the Viper bench and the crowd up on their feet. Shortly after the Vipers would get a second PP but again unable to register a shot on goal. Wenatchee with a very aggressive fore check, took away Vernon's time and space. Slava Demin with a huge defensive play, broke up a Viper odd man rush down low. The Wild with another penalty kill. It was 3-2 Vernon after 40 minutes of play. For a second straight period I thought the Wenatchee Wild were the better team. The Wild with a very aggressive fore check had the Vipers hemmed in their own end on several occasions. Vernon back on their heels, had all kinds of trouble with the Wenatchee fore check. The Wild were winning the races/battles had more puck possession and zone time. But for a second straight period I didnt think Wenatchee had any real quality chances. Yes the Wild had some good looks but no real scoring threat, other then a few goal mouth scrambles and broken plays in and around the Vernon goal. The Snakes again had troubles generating/creating chances. Vernon's powerplay struggled for a second straight period. The Viper passing was off, due to the Wild's strong fore check. Again I thought the Vipers were lucky to be ahead. The Snakes went long periods at a time with no shots on goal. Wenatchee outshot Vernon 12-7.
3rd Period: The Vipers would grab an early two goal lead after Michael Ufberg's shot looked to be redirected on it's way to the goal, found it's way through a maze of players giving Vernon a 4-2 lead at 5:34 Ufberg would be credited with the goal. Brett Stapley drew the lone helper. Minutes later the Snakes would jump on the powerplay. Vernon again struggled and couldn't capitalize as Wenatchee killed off the minor. Both teams battled hard, not giving up an inch in a very tight checking 3rd period. Viper captain Jagger Williamson was hit awkwardly along the boards was slow getting to his feet, managed to get to the bench, needed to catch a breather, seemed to be ok, stayed in the game. Just past the halfway mark, Cameron Trott went for the big hit in front of the Viper bench opened up the ice for Lucas Sowder who come down the left wing, ripped a lazer of a shot a shot from the circle, beating Ty Taylor far corner, cutting the Vernon lead to 4-3 at 12:29 August Von Ungren picked up the assist. I think Ty Taylor would like this goal back. Taylor was a little too deep in his crease, gave up just a little too much room on the other side of the net. Never less a wicked shot from Sowder. With about six minutes left, Jimmy Lambert setup Brett Stapley who couldn't solve Seth Eisele in close on a large save from the Wild netminder. On the following shift the Vipers/Jesse Lansdell playing physical, laid out several big checks. Lansdell levelled Cooper Zech along the end wall, Zech was down and didn't get up until Zak Galambos went after Lansdell. Galambos would take an undisciplined penalty with just under five minutes remaining. Zech was very slow getting off the ice, went to the Wild bench. Some pushing and shoving between whistles as both teams getting involved in some altercations after the whistle. Vernon unable to capitalize with the man advantage as Wenatchee gets a huge kill late in the contest, still down a goal. The Wild would get Seth Eisele to the bench for the extra attacker with about 1:30 remaining. A shot from the point somehow got through traffic, forced Ty Taylor into reaching out to make a large pad save, before the net was pushed off its pegs to stop play. Vernon catches a bit of a break, as I don't think Taylor fully had the puck covered before the net come loose. The Vipers with two attempts at the empty net, failed but would end up fore checking the Wild back into their own end, to eventuallty run out the clock and hang on for the 4-3 victory, as the Viper bench poured onto the ice to celebrate with Ty Taylor. I thought the third was very evenly matched in a very tight checking period. Both teams didn't give up much. I thought for the first time in the game Vernon was finally able to get some sustained pressure in the offensive zone, were winning battles/races to the puck. The Vipers seemed to step up their play in the 3rd had a bit more jump/energy, really battled hard along the wall. The Vipers played a very smart period, made very little mistakes. Wenatchee had to play more in their own end in the third, were now the team having to win the battles/fight for the puck along the wall. The Snakes were the more physical team in the final frame. Both teams didn't give up many scoring chances. Shots were 6-6.
Top Player's: (Vernon)
Michael Young (1 assist) I thought had a strong night on the blueline. The Vipers d-man played very well through out the contest.
The line of Brett Stapley, Jimmy Lambert (1 goal) & Jordan Sandhu were very strong up front. Stapley & Lambert had a lot of chemistry going tonight. The two were setting one another up, as both had some quality chances.
Jagger Williamson (2 assists) The Viper captain and Lumby product played/battled hard up and down the ice.
Jesse Lansdell Was physical, in the face of the Wild all night. Lead the charge with several big hits.
Keyvan Mokhtari Had a few good opportunities, I thought was skating hard, getting involved in the play, was making things happen.
Mitch Andres Seemed to settle in come the 3rd found some open ice and looked confident moving the puck up ice. Played a heck of a 3rd period.
Josh Latta I thought battled hard, was physical at times, really worked hard. Was in the battle zone, wasn't afraid to muck it up in the trenches.
Chris Jandric Was another Vernon defenceman who played well on the backend.
Game Thought's: (Vernon)
I thought the Vipers were outplayed for the first two periods, had all kinds of trouble with the Wenatchee fore check. It seemed like when Vernon had the puck, they quickly panicked under attack, forcing turnovers or poor judgement passes. I thought the Snakes were a step behind the Wild off the opening faceoff and at least the first half of the opening frame. Down 2-0 early it looked like Wenatchee may walk away with the game but give Vernon credit, they battled back even though being outplayed, managed to tie the game. I thought the Vipers were lucky to be tied after the 1st and ahead heading into the 3rd. The Vipers were losing the battles, races to the puck, had troubles creating/generating opportunities. Vernon had troubles getting pucks to the net, the Vipers have been managing 30-40 shots a game couldn't get over seven shots in a period. The Vipers had troubles getting any kind of pressure in the attacking zone in the first two periods. Vernon really struggled with the powerplay. The Vipers didn't record a single shot in their first three powerplay's. Vipers went 0-5 with the man advantage. I thought the Vipers really stepped up their game in the 3rd and played much better. Vernon seemed to get their legs going and were really skating hard, I really liked the Snakes game in the third. The Vipers used a strong fore check, were winning the battles./races were finally able to get some sustained pressure in the offensive zone and kill time off the clock. Vernon picked up their intensity, starting laying the body a bit more, were physical and getting under the Wild's skin at times in that 3rd period. The Snakes played a very tight checking style of play in the final frame, limiting the Wild's scoring chances. Overall I thought the Vipers had more quality chances compared to Wenatchee. Give the Vipers full credit for not folding the tent early. Vernon could have easily folded the tent after giving up the first two goals, battled back with four straight of their own. A Wild victory tonight and Vernon would have finished the regular season in 3rd place. A win tonight and the Vipers clinch 2nd place and look to host the 7th place Salmon Arm Silverbacks in the 1st round of the playoffs, but still have a shot at 1st place depending on what happens with the Penticton Vees. The Vees would have to lose Saturday and Sunday, combined with a Viper win tomorrow night and both teams would be tied atop the division, with the Vipers clinching 1st. With the win Vernon improves to 38-14-1-4 move two points ahead of Wenatchee into 2nd place are now just two points back of Division/League leading Penticton. The Vees need just a single point in one of their final two games to clinch 1st place and a seventh straight Interior Division Pennant.
Top Player's: (Wenatchee)
Nicholas Kent I thought had a strong game on the Wild blueline. Not the biggest kid but plays big. Took a few big checks, but stayed on his feet. Was one of the better Wenatchee players.
Jasper Weatherby Had some looks/chances was dangerous with and without the puck.
AJ Vanderbeck (1 goal) Was another Wild forward that was dangerous. Gave the Viper defence troubles all night.
Sam Hesler Played physical, was in battling for the puck. Played hard all night.
Game Thought's: (Wenatchee)
With a shot to clinch 2nd place the Wild looked like a team on a mission off the opening puck drop. Wenatchee got the early jump on Vernon, were just a step ahead of the Snakes most of the opening frame. The Wild jump out to an early 2-0 lead look to be in full control before allowing the Vipers back in the game. Wenatchee would give up four straight goals before getting to within a goal to make things interesting in the final minutes. Overall I thought the Wild were the better of the two teams, at least for the first two periods. I thought Wenatchee had more jump/energy, were skating, moving the puck, getting pucks to the net early, creating/generating chances, had Vernon back on their heels on several occasions in the first two periods, but yet unable to find the back of the net. The Wild with a strong aggressive fore check, forced the Snakes into several turnovers-poor passes didn't generate a lot of grade a chances, had more goal mouth scrambles/broken plays. The Wild get pucks to the net, create alot of action in and around the goal, had several goal mouth scrambles tonight. Wenatchee penalty kill was very strong, again a very aggressive fore check, forced the Vipers into turnovers-having troubles keeping the puck in the offensive zone. The Wild outplayed the Vipers in the first two periods really needed to capitalize on some of their chances. Wenatchee couldn't put the Vipers away up two goals. This game/loss will sting after blowing a two goal lead and having a great opportunity to clinch 2nd place. With the loss, the Wild's three game winning streak comes to an end. Wenatchee's final regular season game is tomorrow night in Penticton. With the loss the Wild fall to 37-15-4-1 sit 3rd in the Interior Division are two points back of Vernon and four points back of Penticton. The Wild twitter account is reporting the Wild will finish 3rd and face the 6th place Merritt Centennials in the 1st round of the playoffs. Great to see a fan bus up for the trip from Wenatchee, made a ton of noise through out the game, cheering on their Wild. Former longtime BCJHL referee and Vernon product Darren Zupp was in attendance tonight. Wild Assistant Coach Chris Clark was a goaltender with the 2001-02 Salmon Arm Silverbacks.
Scratches:
Vernon:
Shane Kelly (Injured)
Josh Prokop (Injured-Out for the season)
Wenatchee:
Noah Kim
Jackson Wozniak
Drake Usher
Energy Player of the Game:
Jimmy Lambert (1 goal)
Three Star's:
1st Star: Niko Karamanis (2 goals)
2nd Star: Jagger Williamson (2 assists)
3rd Star: AJ Vanderbeck (1 goal)
The league website looked to have trouble with the boxscore/game summary from tonight's game. The league website had the boxscore showing suspended after the 1st and the game showing 2-2 after the 1st period. It looks like the BCHL has updated the boxscore/game summary.
Boxscore-Game Summary,
http://bchl.ca/stats/game-summary/8327
Game Report,
https://lscluster.hockeytech.com/game_reports/official-game-report.php?lang_id=1&client_code=bchl&game_id=8327
Text Boxscore,
https://lscluster.hockeytech.com/game_reports/text-game-report.php?lang_id=1&client_code=bchl&game_id=8327
