I was at tonight's Vipers-Warriors game as Vernon defeated West Kelowna 4-3 in front of 1,962 fans at Kal Tire Place.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon: Aidan Hosein
West Kelowna: Connor Hopkins
1st Period: The Vipers sprung second year forward Josh Prokop in for the breakaway just a minute into the opening frame. Prokop tried to deke out Connor Hopkins who stayed with the play, sprawled out to make a huge pad save keeping this game scoreless. The Snakes with a ton of speed were buzzing off the opening faceoff. West Kelowna needed three minutes to get their first shot on goal. The Warriors with their first good look-opportunity after setting up returning forward Chase Dubois alone in front couldn't beat Aidan Hosein on the redirect in front four and a half minutes into the 1st. Hosein with a very nice reaction save. Off the following draw Josh Prokop with a great individual effort, got in behind the West Kelowna defence, went hard to the goal was denied in front after Connor Hopkins made a big stop in close at the top of the crease. Prokop and the Vipers kept pressing. Vernon spotted Prokop alone in the high slot, had all day to shoot, fired wide of the goal on a missed opportunity. Back to back chances by Josh Prokop and the game's still scoreless. Veteran forward Willie Reim took a big hit near the neutral zone after two Vipers both went in for the hit at the same time. The original Warriors forward somehow missed the collision before Reim caught the end of the play. Reim went down hard and was a little slow getting up, went straight to the WK dressing room but managed to stay in the contest. Just before the halfway mark the Tribe couldn't convert on a goal mouth scramble after several Warriors missed what looked to be an open cage twice. Aidan Hosein down and out caught a break with a ton of bodies in and around the blue paint. Somehow WK couldn't capitalize. Minutes later the Warriors on another goal mouth scramble couldn't catch a break after the puck wouldn't fall into the open cage. Several West Kelowna players banging away at the loose puck and still no goal as Vernon catches another break. With just under five minutes remaining West Kelowna gets the games first powerplay. The Tribe with their third goal mouth scramble couldn't find the back of the net as the Snakes managed to kill off the minor. Shortly after the penalty expired Alex Swetlikoff on a two on one rush couldn't solve Connor Hopkins. With a minute remaining Coleton Bilodeau's point shot somehow found it's way through traffic but went off the post as the Snakes come within inches of opening the scoring. Inside the final minute Vernon would get their first look with the powerplay but couldn't capitalize before the final buzzer. It was 0-0 after 20 minutes of play. Both teams went back and fourth with some very good scoring opportunities, but neither team couldn't find the back of the net. West Kelowna didn't have any puck luck after three goal mouth scrambles. Josh Prokop had a heck of a 1st period had at least four very good quality chances, couldn't beat Connor Hopkins. Both teams went back and fourth for most of the period. I thought the Warriors had a slight edge in play, had more puck possession. The Tribe had a little more zone time compared to the Snakes. A very entertaining opening period. Vernon outshot West Kelowna 13-11.
2nd Period: The Vipers started the middle frame on the PP that was carried over from the 1st period. The Snakes unable to capitalize with the man advantage. Just as the penalty expired Alex Swetlikoff with a great solo effort would be denied by West Kelowna Warriors starting goaltender Connor Hopkins. About a minute later former Salmon Arm Silverbacks forward Josh Latta ripped a seeing eye shot that beat Connor Hopkins giving Vernon an early 1-0 lead at 2:57 Michael Young & Brendan Kim collected the assists. Brandon Dent with a huge open ice hit on Coleton Bilodeau. Three minutes later on almost the exact same spot with the exact same shot, Josh Latta scored his second of the night, giving Vernon a 2-0 lead at 6:08 Elan Bar-Lev-Wise drew the helper. The Tribe needed seven minutes to record their first shot of the period. On the following play WK come very close to getting on the board after a scramble in front of Aidan Hosein. Hosein looked to have the puck covered before it snuck through the legs of the Viper goaltender, rolling through the crease before Jagger Williamson cleared the puck from harms way. West Kelowna kept pressing, giving Vernon troubles with the forecheck. The Snakes cant clear the zone, were able to finally get the puck out but couldn't change lines. West Kelowna quickly moved the puck back into the offensive zone and on the attack Sam Anderson's shot was stopped before Declan Douthart buried the rebound, cutting the Vernon lead to 2-1 at 8:15 Anderson and Parm Dhaliwal picked up the assists. On the following shift the Vipers would go on the powerplay and capitalize. Josh Prokop with a nice pass setup Michael Young, giving Vernon a 3-1 lead at 10:11 Prokop & Jesse Lansdell collected the helpers. A few shifts later Tyler Pang one on one couldn't beat his man setup Warriors captain Cavin Tilsley who walked in from the point looked to beat Vernon Vipers starting goaltender Aidan Hosein looked to ring his shot off the crossbar on a close call. Some fans around me thought the puck went in but no argument from Tilsley or the Warriors bench. Minutes later Jesse Lansdell took an undisciplined penalty sending the Warriors to the PP. Lansdell's penalty cost them. Lucas Bahn setup a wide open Willie Reim in front cutting the Vernon lead to 3-2 at 15:13 Bahn and Max Bulawka with the helpers. Just before the final minute Vernon product Coleton Bilodeau with a solid individual effort went one on one, beat his man would be stopped in close by Connor Hopkins before Nicholas Wildgoose buried the rebound, giving Vernon a 4-2 lead at 19:07 Bilodeau and Mitch Andres with the helpers. It was 4-2 Vernon after 40 minutes of play. The Snakes jumped on the Warriors early and often as it was all Vipers early. I thought Vernon was the better of the two teams, carried the better of the play, had a ton of puck possession, were creating/generating opportunities through out the 2nd period. The Vipers speed and skill took over the middle frame. Vernon dominated most of the frame other then a few shifts now and again. The Warriors saw a lot of action in their own end, didn't have much control of the puck, were limited in the offensive zone. The Tribe struggled offensively, didn't create or generate much offense, had troubles getting pucks to the net. I was impressed with WK's forecheck, a strong forecheck that was giving Vernon's defence all kinds of trouble. Vernon outshot West Kelowna 16-7.
3rd Period: The Vipers come at the Warriors hard off the opening draw. Former Chilliwack Chiefs defenceman Craver Watson wired a shot from the point just fifteen seconds into the final frame, beat Connor Hopkins but not the post. The Snakes kept the play going setup former Salmon Arm Silverbacks d-man Austin Chorney who's quick shot from the blueline forced Connor Hopkins into making a quick pad save. On the same play/shift Jagger Williamson in close couldn't solve Connor Hopkins. West Kelowna's netminder with three big saves all within the opening minute. The Snakes kept coming, were on the attack. Minutes later Viper captain Jagger Williamson with a solo effort in front, went hard to the net couldn't capitalize on a big stop off Connor Hopkins. It was all Vernon early and often. The Tribe finally seemed to turn their game around, slowly started battling back. With a few back to back hard working shifts, WK was slowly starting to press but unable to really create any kind of scoring chances. The play really opened up in a hurry just before the midway mark, as both teams went back and fourth but with no real quality chances. Just past the halfway mark Jagger Williamson with another good effort and opportunity couldn't find the back of the net. Connor Hopkins was forced into making a few big stops, keeping the Tribe in the contest. Josh Latta looking for the hattrick ripped a heavy shot from just inside the circle beat Connor Hopkins but not the crossbar. Minutes later Jesse Lansdell from his knees looked to give the Snakes a three goal game but missed the open cage from in close. Both teams would call late timeouts before Jagger Williamson would get tossed from the game. As the play was moving up ice, Williamson along with several other Vipers were yelling at the referee. It sounded like the Viper bench was upset about something. The referee stopped play giving Williamson a minor and ten minute misconduct. This all with about two and a half minutes remaining. The Tribe would get Connor Hopkins to the bench for the extra attacker. A quick shot from the circle found its way to the goal just went wide through the crease. West Kelowna with a ton of pressure had the Snakes hemmed in their own end but the Warriors were unable to generate/create any quality opportunities. Vernon keeping WK to the outside didn't really get a shot at the open cage at the other end of the rink, were able to muck and grind, winding the clock down. As time was winding down and not on the Warriors side, the Vipers couldn't clear the zone in the dying seconds before Willie Reim's shot found it's way through a maze of bodies in front and past Aidan Hosein cutting Vernon's lead to 4-3 at 19:50 Chase Dubois and Lucas Bahn drew the assists. Connor Hopkins went back in goal for the following faceoff. The Snakes would win the draw and skate back into their own end winding down the last few seconds, holding on to the 4-3 victory. A pretty dominate period from Vernon as the Vipers carried a lot of the play, had a ton of opportunities. Connor Hopkins kept his team in the game, giving them a chance to tie the game. The Tribe went several minutes without a shot on goal and were caught watching Vernon's speed and skill. The Warriors with very little puck possession had troubles offensively. WK had a few shifts now and again but couldn't generate/create anything out of it. The Snakes with a strong final twenty minutes. Vernon outshot West Kelowna 13-4.
Top Player's: (Vernon)
Austin Chorney Returning to the lineup after serving his two game suspension was one of the Vipers top defencemen this evening. Playing a much similar game to former Viper d-man Michael Ufberg, Chorney playing in just his second game with the Snakes was involved in the play, carried the puck up ice often. A smooth skating d-man, joined the rush, really sees/reads the play well. Has a quick release, was also physical at times, didn't back down from the rough stuff.
Josh Prokop (1 assist) Was a man playing against boys tonight. The second year Viper forward had at least six or seven quality chances, could have easily scored four or five goals tonight was snake bitten. Was a force up front, used his speed and skill to open up the ice, created/generated a ton of opportunities.
Alex Swetlikoff I thought had a strong game up front for Vernon. Was skating hard, used his size and skill to generate and create some offensive chances through out the game.
Josh Latta (2 goals) Had a big game. Scored twice, hit the crossbar in the 3rd, Played very well in the win.
Jack Judson I thought had a strong game on the Viper backend. The second year defenceman made some big plays at both ends of the rink.
Aidan Hosein (19 saves) Making his BCHL regular season debut didn't see a lot of rubber at times but was forced into making some big stops at times. As the old saying goes, you have to be lucky to be good and good to be lucky. Tonight was the case. Hosein somehow managed to keep the puck out of the back of the net on three goal mouth scrambles, also got some bounces go his way and had a little help from his defence.
Game Thought's: (Vernon)
I thought the Vipers played very well for most of tonight's game. After a scoreless 1st period in a period where both teams went back and fourth with the Warriors holding a slight edge in play and puck possession I thought the Snakes picked up their game as the game went on and were the better team in the final two periods. I thought Vernon had some very good looks/opportunities in the opening frame may have caught a few breaks go their way on a few goal mouth scrambles. The puck takes a bounce the other way and goes into the net, we may have a different game-outcome. I thought the Snakes dominated the play at times in the 2nd and 3rd periods, carried the better of the play for most of the final two periods, had more puck possession and a ton of quality chances. The Vipers were flying all night, had a ton of opportunities ran into a good goaltender. Vernon with some slick passing at times, really opened the ice with their team speed and skill. The Warriors having all kinds of trouble limiting the Vipers time and space. I thought all four lines played hard and contributed. Listening to the Viper radio broadcast on the way home, Don Klepp mentioned the Vipers won 50 of the 65 faceoffs tonight. I thought the Vipers struggled in their own end often. The Snakes had troubles against the Tribe's forecheck. Vernon had trouble breaking out of their own end, turned over the puck often inside their own blueline, resulting in West Kelowna's opening goal. With the win Vernon improves to 2-1 on the season host the Trail Smoke Eaters tomorrow night. I thought tonight's referee's did a great job at calling the game. They let both teams play hockey and only called the penalties that deserved to be called. Im really liking the new hybrid icing. Really speeds up the game.
Top Player's: (West Kelowna)
Cody Paivarinta I thought was one of West Kelowna's more steady defencemen this evening. Played well through out the night.
Chase Dubois (1 assist) I thought had a strong game on the losing end. The second year forward isn't the biggest kid but has some speed and goes to the net. Had some looks/opportunities, played well in the loss.
Willie Reim (2 goals) Took a big hit in the 1st period was slow getting up, went to the Warriors dressing room but stayed in the contest. This kid battles and plays hard, goes to the net, looks-waits for opportunities. Had a strong game.
Connor Hopkins (38 saves) Kept his team in the game and gave his hockey club a chance to win. A bigger goaltender that likes to be active outside his crease, plays the puck often. Made some big stops through out the game or this game would have easily been a blowout. The Vipers could have easily scored ten goals on the amount of grade a chances they had that were stopped by the Warriors netminder. I thought Hopkins deserved one of the three star's.
Game Thought's: (West Kelowna)
The Warriors gave up several quality opportunities in the 1st period also had some quality chances of their own. West Kelowna had several goal mouth scrambles in the first twenty minutes didn't get a bounce go their way. If the Tribe score on any one of these scrambles, this may have been a different game-outcome. Lets say WK manages to score at least once in the opening frame, maybe scores in the 2nd to grab a two goal lead and now the Vipers are back on their heels. With the strong goaltending from Connor Hopkins you never know what could have happened? The Warriors didn't get any puck luck tonight, nor did they manage to capitalize on some of their opportunities. The Tribe played hard and with pace in the first period, weren't the same hockey club in the 2nd and 3rd periods. West Kelowna struggled offensively in the 2nd and 3rd periods, didn't generate or create enough chances or get enough pucks to the net. WK with just 11 shots in the final fourty minutes. The Warriors put together a few good shifts at times in the 2nd and 3rd periods but in spurts. West Kelowna didn't play a full sixty minutes and it cost them. The Tribe gave up way too many offensive chances, saw a lot of the 2nd and 3rd periods in their own end. I thought the Warriors had troubles containing Vernon's speed and skill and limiting there time and space. I did like the Tribe's strong forecheck. The Warriors were winning a lot of the one on one battles along the end wall and winning the races to the puck. Give WK credit they were outplayed at times in the 2nd and 3rd periods but managed to stay within two goals, scored one in the dying seconds come up short. A few Warrior fans made the trip up the highway to catch tonight's game. With the loss West Kelowna falls to 1-2 will host the Wenatchee Wild Saturday. The Vipers have won seven straight over the Warriors and ten out of the last eleven games. The Warriors have just five wins in Vernon since the 2010-11 season.
Scratches:
Vernon:
Nicolas Ardanaz
Nick Cherkowski
Trey Taylor
West Kelowna:
Matt Kowalski
Energy Player of the Game:
Josh Prokop (1 assist)
Three Star's:
1st Star: Josh Latta (2 goals)
2nd Star: Willie Reim (2 goals)
3rd Star: Michael Young (1 goal)
Boxscore-Game Summary,
Game Report,
Text Boxscore,
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