I have had season tickets for 29 years and been following junior hockey in Vernon for over thirty five years. I haven't missed a Vipers home game in nine years and only missed three home games since the 1998-99 season. For anyone who couldn't attend or watch tonight's Vipers game, here are my thought's and view's from tonight's game. You may agree or disagree but we all have our own view and opinion on the game. This is my opinion and thought's on how I saw tonight's game. I try to be unbiased and give a fare recap from both sides. Thank you for stopping by and visiting my blog.
I was at tonight's Vipers-Wild game as Vernon defeated Wenatchee 2-0 in front of 2,089 fans at Kal Tire Place.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon: Aidan Porter
Wenatchee: Austin Park
Before tonight's game the Vipers unveiled a special banner, in tribute of the Humboldt Broncos. The green and gold banner hangs from the press box above centre ice. On September 1st 2018 the CJHL announced all 133 CJHL teams would unveil this same banner in tribute of the Humboldt Broncos. The banner is in honour and remembrance of all of those involved in the tragic events of April 6th 2018.
1st Period: Just thirty six seconds into tonight's game the Vipers tried setting up a wide open Teddy Wooding in the slot who couldn't connect on the pass, on a missed opportunity inside the opening minute. Twenty seconds later Elan Bar-Lev-Wise on an odd man rush couldn't beat Austin Park as the Snakes with back to back opportunities off the opening faceoff. A minute later Wenatchee Wild captain Lucas Sowder on an odd man rush, decided to keep and shoot was denied by Aidan Porter. Just over three minutes in, the Wild would get the games first powerplay. Murphy Stratton with a quick release from the slot couldn't solve Aidan Porter who come up with a large save on the penalty kill. This was Wenatchee's only shot on the man advantage as Vernon with a strong PK, killed off the minor. Eight minutes in Vernon product Coleton Bilodeau alone at the top of the crease forced Austin Park into making a quick pad save on a shot I don't think the Wild goaltender saw until the last second. About a minute later newly acquired Landon Fuller with the biggest hit of the night in the neutral zone, opened the ice for Wenatchee as Matt Gosiewski on a two on one decided to keep and shoot, was stopped by Aidan Porter. Two big saves at both ends of the rink in a scoreless hockey game. Minutes past the halfway mark, Wenatchee would jump on their second PP of the 1st. The Snakes with another big kill. With just over three minutes remaining AJ Hodges on a two on one attack, kept and fired forcing Aidan Porter into making a big stop late. Back come Vernon less then a minute later. Former Salmon Arm Silverbacks forward Josh Latta on an odd man rush ripped a shot from the circle that forced Austin Park to just get a piece of it with his body before Jacob Modry with a strong defensive play, cleared the puck from the blue paint on a close call. Inside the final minute Teddy Wooding setup Ben Helgeson at the side of the goal, looked to have an open cage somehow couldn't beat Austin Park who made a large save towards the end of the opening frame. It was 0-0 after 20 minutes of play. The Vipers got off to a quick start, jumped on Wenatchee off the opening faceoff, had some chances/looks before the Wild took over the period/game. It was all Wolves for most of the 1st period as Wenatchee carried the better of the play, had a ton of pressure inside the Vernon zone, forced the Snakes defence back on their heels, forcing the Vipers into several turnovers with a very strong yet relentless forecheck. Aidan Porter was busy between the pipes, played very well keeping Vernon in the contest. The Viper defence had all kinds of troubles with Wenatchee's forecheck and speed. The Wild were by far the better of the two teams. The Vipers had a few quality opportunities towards the end of the period, didn't have much puck possession. Wenatchee outshot Vernon 16-5.
2nd Period: For a second straight period Vernon got off to a quick start, jumping on the Wild early. A minute into the middle frame, Josh Latta with a nice play, opened up some ice up the middle, went hard to the goal before redirecting a shot in close forcing Wenatchee Wild starting goaltender Austin Park into making a tough save with bodies going to the goal. Thirty two seconds later the Snakes would open the scoring. Connor Marritt looked to bank the puck in and off the back of Austin Park who may have lost sight of the puck before it went into the back of the net, giving Vernon an early 1-0 lead at 1:32 Jack Judson & Landon Fuller drew the helpers. Shortly after Lucas Sowder went down inside the Wenatchee blueline, looked to be in some discomfort grabbing his ribs, was a little slow getting up before going to the Wild dressing room and then returning to the bench. About six minutes in tempers heated up a bit after a scrum along the side wall. Coleton Bilodeau and Drake Usher were mixing it up, as both were sent to the sin bin. Two minutes later Lucas Sowder and Murphy Stratton on a two on one, Sowder kept and shot wide on a missed opportunity. Shortly after Teddy Wooding couldn't bang home a loose puck at the midway mark on a goal mouth scramble. A shot from the point hit someone in front, before Wooding tried pouncing on the rebound before a pile of players come crashing in. Austin Park was down and out but somehow managed to smother the puck for a whistle. On the following play Matt Gosiewski took a hooking minor, was very slow going to the penalty box. On the play Wild captain Lucas Sowder was given a ten minute misconduct, missed the remainder of the second half of the 2nd period. Vernon would get their first look with the powerplay and capitalize. Jack Judson's shot from the point found its way to the back of the goal, giving Vernon a 2-0 lead at 10:58 Josh Latta & Elan Bar-Lev-Wise collected the assists. Wenatchee would get a powerplay a minute later and come very close to getting on the board. Connor Marritt near the crease, was quick with his stick, managed to clear the puck from the blue paint and out of harms way as the Viper penalty kill would kill off the minor. It was 2-0 Vernon after 40 minutes of play. The Snakes responded with a much better performance and looked like a different team come the second period. The Vipers playing with a ton more jump/energy, were really skating, moving the puck, creating/generating chances. Vernon played much better in their own end, were chipping pucks out, quickly moving the puck up ice, not giving the Wild forecheck a chance to force a turnover. The Wild on the other hand weren't as dominate as the opening frame. Wenatchee didn't have as much puck possession or zone time. I thought the Snakes had a slight edge in play and more time with the puck. Vernon outshot Wenatchee 14-8.
3rd Period: Just eighteen seconds into the final frame Wenatchee would jump on an early PP. Aidan Porter with at least two big stops as the Snakes killed off the minor. Five minutes in Josh Latta got in behind the Wild defence, was in for the parcial breakaway before being hooked forcing a Vernon powerplay. The Vipers couldn't capitalize with the man advantage. Just as the penalty expired Ben Helgeson would use some wheels and get in behind the Wild defenders couldn't beat Austin Park who made a big stop down by two goals. The tables slowly turned as the 3rd continued either the Vipers were sitting on a two goal lead or Wenatchee turned up their game. Either way, the Wild with a ton of pressure just before the halfway mark and into the second half of the frame. The Snakes defence was caught running around on a few occasions but overall Vernon's defence did a good job at keeping the defending champs to the outside, limiting their shots and opportunities. Vipers starting goaltender Aidan Porter was solid down the stretch. Just past the halfway mark Wenatchee would get the final powerplay of the evening, had some looks but couldn't find the back of the net. The Vipers tried slowing down the game, icing the puck on three straight plays. The Vipers would call a late timeout and with 1:42 the Wild would get Austin Park to the bench for the extra attacker. Off the following faceoff, Mitch Andres playing forward tonight, took a shot at the open cage from the neutral zone but just missed the empty netter. Vernon's defence tightened up and were chipping pucks out, before eventually winding down the clock, hung on for the 2-0 victory. At the buzzer as the Wild were heading off the ice, one player quickly grabbed the game puck and fired it down the hallway to the Wenatchee dressing room. The Vipers were looking for the game puck once the celebration ended but the puck was long gone. The Wild had a very early powerplay to start the 3rd could have used a goal then to get back in the contest and get within a goal. I thought the Vipers managed to create/and generate some good quality chances in the first half couldn't put the game away. As the period continued Wenatchee come on strong. The Wild had a ton of pressure in the offensive zone but didn't get a lot of opportunities. The Viper defence played well down the stretch, kept the Wild to the outside, along the wall and limited their opportunities. The Snakes defence with a few mistakes late but settled down and got the job done. How good was Aidan Porter tonight-In the 3rd? Didn't see a ton of chances but made the saves when called apon. The Wild carried a lot of the play and had more puck possession. Wenatchee outshot Vernon 10-5.
Top Player's: (Vernon)
Landon Fuller (1 assist) Making his Vipers debut played very well. Has some size, plays physical and very good defensively. Has a quick release, gets pucks to the net, very hard to play against. Fuller was acquired Wednesday in a trade with Coquitlam. The Vipers sent forward Nicholas Wildgoose and future considerations to the Express for Fuller.
Austin Chorney I thought played very well defensively. Didn't jump up into the rush as often as he did in his first few home games, played well tonight.
Ben Helgeson I thought played very well. Had some good looks/quality chances, was skating, going to the goal, created/generated several good opportunities.
The line of Josh Latta (1 assist), Elan Bar-Lev-Wise (1 assist) & Connor Marritt (1 goal) Was the Snakes top unit. This line had a heck of a game. Latta wearing an "A" this season has been one of the more consistent forwards this year. Looked very strong tonight, played with a lot of jump/energy, was making things happen, created/generated several good looks-opportunities. Marritt played very well at both ends of the rink. I thought showed a lot of hustle and determination getting back on the back check. Bar-Lev-Wise also played very well, had a few good looks-opportunities, played hard, was finishing his checks, battling/competing for pucks.
Teddy Wooding Was another forward who had a strong game. Had some looks/chances didn't get much puck luck this evening.
Jack Judson (1 goal & 1 assist) Played very solid on the Viper blueline.
Trey Taylor The younger brother of former Vipers goaltender Ty Taylor played well on the backend. With Mitch Andres moving up to the forward position tonight, Taylor saw more ice time and I thought held his own.
Aidan Porter (34 saves-First career BCHL shutout) After brining in 18 yr old goaltender Max Palaga from the Western Hockey League Kamloops Blazers, Porter stepped up with his best performance of the season with a solid night in goal for the Snakes. The first year Viper goaltender made some big stops but also come up with some saves when the team really needed him the most. Porter looked big, square and confident.
Game Thought's: (Vernon)
The Vipers were outshot and outplayed for a lot of the opening period. Vernon had some good looks-quality chances off the opening faceoff but couldn't keep the pace going. Only five shots on goal the Viper defence were turning over pucks and had all kinds of trouble with Wenatchee's forecheck. Aidan Porter kept his team in the contest. The Snakes with a much better performance in the 2nd and 3rd periods were a different hockey club. I thought the Vipers played with a lot more jump/energy, were skating, moving the puck, had more puck possession and played much better defensively and in their own end. The Snakes didn't turn over the puck as often and were a lot quicker chipping pucks out of their own end, avoiding the Wild forecheck. I liked Vernon's passing and overall team game. The Vipers didn't panic, stuck with the process and held their own in a hard fought finish. Give the Viper defence credit for limiting the Wolves time and space. Vernon's defence did a good job at shutting down the Wild's more dynamic/skilled players. Wenatchee had a ton of pressure in the final period were limited to their opportunities. I thought the Snakes penalty kill was very good, killing off all six penalties. The crowd really jumped behind the boys in the 3rd, chanting "Go Vipers Go" rallying behind their Vipers for most of the final frame. A good atmosphere inside Kal Tire Place tonight with a pretty good crowd on hand. With the win, the Vipers snap their three game losing streak. Tonight was a character win and could be a turning point in the young season. Tonight's win was also done without the likes of Jagger Williamson, Jesse Lansdell and Alex Swetlikoff. Three key veterans out of the lineup. Mitch Andres and Brendan Kim were playing up front in their absence. Andres I thought struggled as a forward. Newly acquired goaltender Max Palaga was on the bench tonight. The Kamloops Blazers assigned Palaga to the Vipers on Wednesday. One fan told me tonight, he heard backup goaltender Aidan Hosein is no longer with the Vipers. Let's hope tonight's game/victory will build some confidence and team bonding. With the win the Vipers move to 3-2-2-0 jump from 6th to now 3rd place in a very tight Interior Division.
Top Player's: (Wenatchee)
Murphy Stratton A big body, likes going to the front of the net, used his size to open some ice, was involved in the play, causing trouble for the Viper defence, was very good in the loss.
Cristophe Teller I thought really used his wheels and skill, opened the ice, made things happen in a hurry. Was creating havoc for the Viper defenders.
Lucas Sowder The Wild captain played hard, had a good game, was involved in the play, had several looks-opportunities.
AJ Hodges Was another forward, who has some wheels, is quick, can move the play-puck, finds his holes, created/generated some chances.
Jacob Modry playing in his 100th game with the Wild, played well defensively.
Austin Park (22 saves) Only saw five shots in the opening frame, was forced into making a few big saves in the 1st was tested more in the 2nd period. I thought played well, made the saves when called apon, gave his team a chance to win.
Game Thought's: (Wenatchee)
Coming off back to back losses you knew the Wild would be hungry for a win. Wenatchee gave up a few looks-opportunities off the opening faceoff, seemed to settle down and slowly take over the game. The Wolves using their speed and skill, caused havoc most of the opening frame with their relentless forecheck. The Wild carried the better of the play and were by far the better of the two teams after one period but it was scoreless. I think Wenatchee really needed at least one goal in the 1st maybe would have changed the outcome of the game? The Wild still managed their chances in the middle frame couldn't capitalize on their opportunities. The Snakes had a slight edge in play scored the only two goals of the game in the middle frame. Wenatchee with a ton of pressure in the 3rd didn't generate a lot of offensive chances, were kept to the outside, had some shots blocked, didn't get the bounces or puck luck through out most of the night. Specialty teams didn't help the Wild, going 0-6 with the man advantage. Wenatchee has now lost three straight and been shutout in two of those losses. The Wild have yet to play at home this season, continue their eleven game road trip to start the regular season. The Wild's home opener isn't until October 12th vs Nanaimo. With the loss the Wild drop to 500 at 4-4-0-0 fall from 2nd in the Division to 5th in the standings. The Wild will board the bus and play in Trail tomorrow.
Scratches:
Vernon:
Jagger Williamson (Injured)
Jesse Lansdell (Suspended)
Alex Swetlikoff (Injured)
Wenatchee:
Trevor Griebel
Dylan Herzog
Jake Vaughn
Jacques Bouquot
Energy Player of the game:
Josh Latta (1 assist)
Three Stars:
1st Star: Jack Judson (1 goal & 1 assist)
2nd Star: Aidan Porter (34 saves-First career BCHL Shutout)
3rd Star: Connor Marritt (1 goal)
Game Summary-Boxscore,
https://bchl.ca/stats/game-summary/8557
Game Report,
https://lscluster.hockeytech.com/game_reports/official-game-report.php?lang_id=1&client_code=bchl&game_id=8557
Text Boxscore,
https://lscluster.hockeytech.com/game_reports/text-game-report.php?lang_id=1&client_code=bchl&game_id=8557
The Morning Star newspaper reported Friday the Vipers are taking a look at 17-year-old left winger Kjell Kjemhus of Grande Prairie.
