Saturday, February 24, 2018

Vernon 8 Trail 3

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.

I was at tonight's Vipers-Smoke Eaters game as Vernon defeated Trail 8-3 in front of 2,158 fans at Kal Tire Place.

Starting Goaltenders:

Vernon: Anthony Yamnitsky
Trail: Tanner Marshall

Before tonight's game the Vipers honoured fourth year forward/captain Jagger Williamson with a special plaque for playing in his 200th career BCHL February 18th in Alberni Valley. Williamson becomes just the seventh Vernon Junior hockey player to play in 200 or more career games.

1st Period: Two minutes in Daine Dubois setup Braeden Tuck going to the net, tried beating Anthony Yamnitsky in close before the net come off its pipes. A quality chance early for Trail. Jagger Williamson come back the other way on the following shift/play, the Viper captain come down the left wing, leaned into a shot from just inside the circle beat Tanner Marshall but not the post as Vernon comes within inches of opening the scoring. The Vipers carrying the play early, would get the games first powerplay about seven minutes in, but shorthanded Braeden Tuck alone in the slot wired high and over the goal, on a missed opportunity. The Snakes with a ton of pressure moved the puck around, had some looks. Michael Young with two shots that just went up and over the goal, before Jagger Williamson setup Jesse Lansdell who put Vernon up 1-0 at 8:31 Williamson drew the lone helper. It was all Vipers in the first half as Vernon was outshooting Trail 9-1 at the midway mark. Just past the halfway mark, Vernon sprung Derek Brown in for the parcial breakaway, would be denied by Tanner Marshall in close. The Snakes would get their second powerplay of the night just minutes later. Trevor Zins blocked a shot and felt it, was limping around on the penalty kill was basically useless in front of the Trail goal, couldn't get off before finally making his way to the bench. Jagger Williamson spotted Niko Karamanis in front giving Vernon a 2-0 lead at 14:35 Williamson and Michael Ufberg collected the assists. With three and a half minutes remaining Derek Brown would get in behind the Smokies defence, go in for the parcial breakaway would be denied for a second time this evening. The Vipers would get a late powerplay with just over a minute to go. The Snakes unable to capitalize would run out of time before the final buzzer. It was 2-0 Vernon after 20 minutes of play. It was all Vipers as the Snakes outplayed the Smoke Eaters. Vernon using their speed and skill, totally dominated the edge in play, played most of the entire 1st period in the offensive zone. The Vipers with several quality chances, had a ton of looks. The Smokies played most of the period in their own end, were chasing the Vipers most of the period. Trail couldn't muster any real kind of offence, struggled to get into the offensive zone. The Smoke Eaters didn't have much time with the puck, were defending most of the period. Vernon outshot Trail 19-4.

2nd Period: The Snakes started the middle frame on the man advantage, that was carried over from the 1st period. Former Salmon Arm Silverbacks d-man Cameron Trott stepped into one beat Smoke Eaters starting goaltender Tanner Marshall rang his shot off the crossbar, as the Vipers were within inches of grabbing a 3-0 lead. Trail with a quick turn around, quickly fired the puck up ice sprung Andre Ghantous for the breakaway just as the penalty expired. Ghantous snapped home a quick wrist shot beating Vipers starting goaltender Anthony Yamnitsky who barely even flinched on the goal cutting Vernon's lead to 2-1 at 1:12 Ghantous's goal was unassisted. Six minutes later Jimmy Lambert setup Brett Stapley on a two on one rush, giving Vernon a 3-1 lead and their two goal lead back at 7:36 Lambert with the lone helper. Just minutes later the Smoke Eaters would get their first PP of the contest. But shorthanded Jagger Williamson lead the two on one attack setup Jesse Lansdell who was robbed by the pad save off Tanner Marshall. A huge game saver, keeping this a two goal game. The Vipers weren't done there. Jimmy Lambert and Brett Stapley broke out on an oddman rush shorthanded, Lambert setup Stapley for his second of the night, giving Vernon a 4-1 lead at 10:16 Lambert with the assist. On the same penalty kill and less then a minute later Niko Karamanis sprung Keyvan Mokhtari for the breakaway, put a nice deke in on Tanner Marshall giving Vernon a commanding 5-1 lead at 11:11 Karamanis with the lone assist. The Snakes with back to back shorthanded goals. Whats up with the Trail powerplay? The Vipers would eventually kill off the remainder of the minor. Vernon would jump on a late powerplay with about five minutes left. The Snakes with a ton of looks/opportunities couldn't capitalize as the Smoke Eaters killed off the minor. Just as the penalty expired, Josh Latta alone at the side of the net, looked to have a sure goal was flat out robbed by Tanner Marshall who come diving across the blue paint to make an unbelievable save off the former Salmon Arm Silverback. On the following shift/play, Vernon sprung former Kelowna Rockets draft pick Jordan Sandhu in for the breakaway, couldn't solve Tanner Marshall. Marshall with back to back large saves, keeping his team from getting blown out. Shortly after on a goal mouth scramble the Vipers couldn't clear the front of the goal, allowing Daine Dubois to beat Anthony Yamnitsky in front, cutting Vernon's lead to 5-2 at 18:08 Ryan Moon & Braeden Tuck picked up the assists. Inside the final minute Andre Ghantous was able to get behind the Viper defence, in for the parcial breakaway couldn't solve former Wenatchee Wild goaltender Anthony Yamnitsky. It was 5-2 Vernon after 40 minutes of play. For a second straight period the Vipers were the better team and outplayed Trail for most of the second frame. Viper fans may have got a little worried once Andre Ghantous got the Smokies on the board. It was all Vipers but yet it was only 2-1 early to start the 2nd. It didn't take long before the Snakes blew the doors open and pulled away with back to back shorthanded markers to really take control of the game. The Vipers with a ton of quality chances, were buzzing in and around the Smoke Eaters goal. The Smoke Eaters again saw most of the period in their own end, didn't generate/create much of anything offensively until getting a few late shifts in the attacking zone inside the final three minutes. The TSN turning point was giving up the two shorthanded goals. This was a killer for the Smokies. Vernon outshot Trail 16-12.

3rd Period: The Vipers with several good looks-opportunities early to start the final frame before Jimmy Lambert gave Vernon a 6-2 lead at 4:36 Michael Young & Michael Ufberg collected the assists. On the following shift/play Vernon would go to the PP and capitalize. Mitch Andres wired a shot top shelf on a lazer shot from the circle gave Vernon a commanding 7-2 lead at 5:57 Andres goal was unassisted. Just over three minutes later Spencer McLean took a high stick from Josh Latta and was down on the ice before rushing to the bench for repairs. Latta was given four minutes for high sticking, sending Trail to just their second man advantage of the evening. The Snakes would kill off the first two minutes before Connor Welsh's shot from the point would be redirected in by Levi Glassman cutting Vernon's lead to 7-3 at 12:19 Welsh and Seth Barton picked up the assists. Just under three minutes later Jimmy Lambert spotted Brett Stapley for the open cage and his third goal of the contest, put Vernon up 8-3 at 14:54 Lambert & Chris Jndric drew the helpers. Tanner Marshall had no chance was still between the pipes after giving up all eight Vernon goals. With just over two and a half minutes left Tyler Ghirandosi stepped over the blueline beat Anthony Yamnitsky with a long shot but not the post as Trail come very close to getting within four goals. This was the third post/crossbar of the game. The Snakes took their foot off the gas and basically coasted the rest of the way before coming away with the 8-3 victory. A bit of a scrum would take place at the buzzer but was quickly broken up. Ethan Martini would take a slashing penalty at the buzzer. The Smokies come off the bench to console Tanner Marshall who stayed between the pipes the entire game, even after giving up eight goals. The Vipers carried the better of the play, didn't dominate as much as the first two periods, looked to take their foot off the gas once the score got out of hand. Because of this the Smoke Eaters were able to get some play in the offensive zone from time to time. With the score out of hand and the game basically over didn't make for much of a 3rd period. Vernon outshot Trail 11-6.

I thought the Vipers were suppose to have their year end awards banquet tonight on ice after the game, but didn't. This has been a special presentation for the fans on the final regular season home game the past few seasons.

Top Player's: (Vernon)

Michael Ufberg (2 assists) I thought showed a lot of hustle getting back defensively on a few occasions. Made some smart plays on the point while on the powerplay, really played hard/well.

The line of Brett Stapley (3 goals), Jordan Sandhu & Jimmy Lambert (1 goal & 3 assists) were very dangerous in the win. This line was very strong last night in the victory over Wenatchee but just as dangerous tonight vs Trail. Brett Stapley & Jimmy Lambert both had a ton of looks/quality chances through out the contest. The Smokies had troubles all night defending against this line.

Jagger Williamson (2 assists) Had another strong night. Four assists over the weekend. Great to see the Vipers honour their captain and fourth year forward before the game with a plaque for playing his 200th career game last weekend. Look at the amount of games hes been out of the lineup due to injury, he may have broken the franchise record for most games played in a Vernon jersey.

The Vipers 4th line of Connor Marritt, Coleton Bilodeau and Alex Swetlikoff saw a ton of ice tonight and were out after almost every goal, really played well. This line has played very well this season. They don't put up the big numbers but play hard, get their fare share of opportunities, work hard and play hard against their opponents.

Jesse Lansdell (1 goal) Had another impact game physically, is another kid who played hard/well this weekend. Laid out some big checks last night and again tonight. Levelled Kyle Chernenkoff hard into the boards in the 2nd period.

Keyvan Mokhtari (1 goal) Played with a ton of jump/energy, had some looks/opportunities was skating hard, going hard for the puck, was hard to defend against.

Niko Karamanis (1 goal & 1 assist) Scored twice in the win over Wenatchee Friday, I didn't think really stood out other then scoring two goals. Tonight was a different story. Karamanis really used his wheels and was driving hard to the net, played hard, was another forward giving Trail defenders a difficult time.

Game Thought's: (Vernon)

Tonight was a totally different game compared to last night's hard fought come from behind win over the Wenatchee Wild. Playing their final regular season game the Vipers gave the fans their money worth scoring eight goals. Vernon was by far the better of the two teams, dominated most of the game. The Vipers gave the Smokies all kinds of trouble with their speed and skill. The Snakes getting a ton of looks/opportunities, were buzzing in the offensive zone most of the night. In a game where the Vipers were in full control, the score was only 2-1 early into the 2nd before Vernon jumped ahead 3-1 and then scored two quick back to back shorthanded markers to change the momentum of the game and blow the doors open. This was the TSN turning point. I think even if the Snakes don't get those two shorthanded goals, up 3-1 at that point and how well they were playing I don't think the Smoke Eaters were getting back in this hockey game. The Vipers looked poised, confident and in control of the game from the start. I really liked the Viper powerplay, going 3-6 with the man advantage I thought Vernon's PP looked much better after struggling with the man advantage in the win over Wenatchee Friday. The Snakes win their seventh straight on home ice, have won eleven of their last thirteen home games. Vernon has now won four straight and nine of their last eleven games overall. The Vipers won six out of the seven games vs Trail this season (exhibition & regular season) outscoring the Smoke Eaters 38-12 in seven games. The Vipers pick up win #39 of the season, one short of 40. This is the 37th time a Vernon Junior hockey team has picked up thirty or more wins during the regular season. With the victory the Vipers finish the 2017-18 regular season 2nd in the Interior Division with a record of 39-14-1-4 four points ahead of Wenatchee and two points back of Division/League leading Penticton who still has one game remaining in the season. With the victory and Penticton's win over Wenatchee the Vipers will host the 7th place Salmon Arm Silverbacks in the opening round of the BCHL playoffs. Former Vernon Lakers forward and current West Kelowna Warriors head coach/gm Rylan Ferster was in attendance tonight. Ferster and the Warriors will face Trail in the 1st round of the playoffs. A small handful of Viper parents were also in attendance tonight.

Top Player's: (Trail)

Braeden Tuck (1 assist) I thought created a few looks/opportunities, was going to the net, played well in the loss.

Andre Ghantous (1 goal) Was by far Trail's best forward/player. Played with a lot of jump/energy, really used his speed to blow by a few Vernon defenders, had some quality chances, scored on a 2nd period breakaway.

Tanner Marshall (38 saves) I know the kid gave up eight goals but give the kid credit for battling-staying between the pipes for the entire game. Most kids would want the heck out of their. Marshall may have given up eight goals but didn't get a lot of help from his defenders. The Smokies netminder made several big stops through out the night, or this could have easily been a bigger outcome.

Game Thought's: (Trail)

The Smoke Eaters weren't in this game much at all right off the opening puck drop. Trail was outplayed, outhustled and outscored most of the night. The Smokies with very little puck posession, offensive zone time, created/generated very few quality opportunities, had troubles getting pucks to the goal, played most of the night in their own end. Trail was chasing Vernon most of the night, had troubles defending against the Vipers speed and skill. The Smoke Eaters give up several chances shorthanded, resulting in two shorthanded goals, didn't look very good in the loss. The Smoke Eaters were missing some key/veteran players. Trail has lost seven straight on the road and winless in their last nine road games (8 losses-1 tie). The Smoke Eaters have now lost five of their last six games going into the playoffs. The Smoke Eaters playing in their final regular season game had nothing to play for other then team pride/stats. The Smokies coming off an 8-5 victory over the visiting Salmon Arm Silverbacks Friday will open the 1st round of the BCHL playoffs vs the West Kelowna Warriors. Trail won four of the six regular season meetings with the Warriors. With the loss the Smoke Eaters finish with a record of 32-21-4-1 will finish 4th in the Interior Division. Great to see a small handful of Trail fans in attendance.

Scratches:

Vernon:

Shane Kelly (Injured)
Josh Prokop (Injured-Out for the season)

Trail:

Kale Howarth
Ross Armour
Troy Ring

Energy Player of the Game:

Michael Ufberg (2 assists)

Three Star's:

1st Star: Brett Stapley (3 goals)
2nd Star: Jimmy Lambert (1 goal & 3 assists)
3rd Star: Niko Karamanis (1 goal & 1 assist)

Boxscore-Game Summary,

http://bchl.ca/stats/game-summary/8334

Game Report,

https://lscluster.hockeytech.com/game_reports/official-game-report.php?lang_id=1&client_code=bchl&game_id=8334

Text Boxscore,

https://lscluster.hockeytech.com/game_reports/text-game-report.php?lang_id=1&client_code=bchl&game_id=8334

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