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 could not attend or watch tonight's Vipers game here are my thought's and views 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 season/home opener as Wenatchee defeated Vernon 5-3 in front of 2,322 fans at Kal Tire Place.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon: Aidan Porter
Wenatchee: Austin Park
Libby Wray presented Vipers new owner John Glen a Vipers away jersey with his name on the back as the two dropped the puck in the opening pre-game ceremony.
1st Period: A bit of a slow start for both teams before a goal mouth scramble in front of Austin Park. Elan Bar-Lev-Wise was denied in front then looked to get a second opportunity that looked to hit the post before returning forward Connor Marritt buried the rebound, giving Vernon an early 1-0 lead at 1:45 Bar-Lev-Wise & Josh Latta collected the assists. Just nine seconds later the Wild would get the games first powerplay, but it was Josh Prokop on an odd man rush shorthanded. The second year forward decided to keep and shoot couldn't beat Austin Park on a good opportunity down a man. Murphy Stratton with a shot from the point couldn't solve Austin Porter. Halfway through the man advantage AJ Hodges beat Aidan Porter but not the crossbar as Wenatchee was within inches of tying the game. The Vipers would hold on and kill off the minor. Just before the halfway mark Josh Prokop with a quality chance couldn't find the back of the net. The Wild were outshooting Vernon 6-2 at the midway mark. Minutes later the Snakes would get their first powerplay of the night. Just fourty eight seconds into the PP the Wild would go down two men, giving Vernon a lengthy five on three. The Vipers struggled with the man advantage only managed one shot as the Wolves with a solid PK killed off both minors. About a minute and a half later Josh Prokop with a burst of speed, come down the right wing before ripping a low shot that beat veteran goaltender Austin Park giving Vernon a 2-0 lead at 15:21 Prokop's goal was unassisted. Sixteen seconds later Wenatchee would get their second powerplay of the game. It didn't take the Wild long to capitalize. Murphy Stratton setup a wide open Jacob Modry at the circle, cutting the Vernon lead to 2-1 at 16:09 Stratton and Lucas Sowder picked up the helpers. Inside the final minute Ben Helgeson on a two on one sprung Connor Marritt in for the parcial breakaway was denied by Austin Park before Park somehow looked to stone Marritt on the second chance with twenty five seconds remaining. Two big chances for the Snakes late in the period. It was 2-1 Vernon after 20 minutes of play. I thought the Wild carried the edge in play and were the better of the two teams. The Wolves had at least three or four goal mouth scrambles that didn't bounce their way or it could have easily been a different score after one period. Wenatchee with a strong forecheck were giving Vernon's defence all kinds of troubles. The Vipers had trouble coming out of their own end, were turning over the puck, had trouble passing. The Snakes didn't look sharp, waisted a good opportunity not converting on their two man powerplay. Both teams had some good chances. Shots were 9-9.
2nd Period: Minutes in Ben Helgeson tried feeding Teddy Wooding going to the net, couldn't connect on the pass. Vernon would get an early powerplay. The Vipers come very close to finding the back of the net on the man advantage, beat Austin Park fivehole as the puck was very close to crossing the goal line before being cleared. No goal light and no challenge from the Viper bench and the play continued. Wenatchee would kill off the penalty. The Snakes with good pressure early into the middle frame didn't generate or create much for offence. Just before the halfway mark Wild Captain Lucas Sowder walked in from the point ripped a shot from the high slot, couldn't beat Vipers starting goaltender Aidan Porter. Just past the halfway mark the Wild would jump on the powerplay and capitalize. A scramble in front of the Vernon goal before the puck got loose landed on the stick of Christophe Fillion who found the back of the net tying the game 2-2 at 15:55 Jacques Bouquot & Chad Saski drew the assists. It was 2-2 after 40 minutes of play. I thought the Snakes jumped on Wenatchee early, had some good pressure and zone time didn't generate/create much for offence in the second period. The Wild eventually took over the edge in play and carried the better of the play. The Vipers had some shifts now and again that looked good but a lot of the play was in the Vernon end. The Vipers went at least five minutes or longer without a shot on goal. I thought the Wild were the better team for a second straight period. The Vipers struggled again in their own end and clearing the zone. Vernon again struggled with their passing. Wenatchee outshot Vernon 13-9.
3rd Period: Just fifteen seconds into the final frame Viper captain Jagger Williamson alone in the high slot, wired a shot high and over the goal, missing on a great opportunity. Vernon with good pressure early, were moving the puck, were forcing the play before Alex Swetlikoff started the next play before getting his own rebound and beating Wild goaltender Austin Park in close, giving Vernon a 3-2 lead at 0:45 Jack Judson collected the helper. Three minutes in former Viper tryout Nathan Iannone with speed ripped a shot from the circle beat Aidan Porter but not the crossbar. This was the second time Wenatchee hit the crossbar tonight. The Wolves come very close to tying the game. A minute later Jagger Williamson on a play in front couldn't beat Austin Park on a quality chance. Murphy Stratton took a huge hit along the side wall went down hard was very slow getting up and in some discomfort. Stratton appeared to be favoring his shoulder was very gingerly going to the Wenatchee bench before going to the dressing room with the trainer. Stratton would be ok and returned to the game. Austin Park and the Wenatchee Wild would catch a break on a few plays/shifts early into the third. The Wild netminder would get lucky was close to coughing up the puck twice while outside of his crease, was then forced into making at least three or four saves on a few goal mouth scrambles. The Vipers not catching a break. The Wild would eventually tie the game at three. Cristophe Teller looked like he was going in for the parcial breakaway didn't look to get much wood on his shot as the puck looked to be on edge somehow trickled through the legs of Aidan Porter tying the game 3-3 at 7:09 Teller's goal was unassisted. Wenatchee would head to the man advantage about a minute later. On some nice three way passing Murphy Stratton couldn't hit the open cage at the side of the net, didn't look to get all of the puck on his shot before Aidan Porter through out the glove, making a nice glove save. With just seven seconds left on the penalty Ryan Wilson's shot beat Aidan Porter giving Wenatchee their first lead of the night as the Wild were up 4-3 at 10:00 Brandon Koch and Cristophe Teller picked up the assists. The Wild kept pressing, forcing the Vipers into turning over the puck in their own end before Cristophe Fillion found the back of the net, giving Wenatchee a 5-3 lead at 12:01 Nathan Iannone & Cristophe Teller drew the helpers. The Wolves with back to back goals two minutes apart took the life out of Kal Tire Place and the Vipers. Wenatchee down 3-2 were now leading 5-3 in a wild 3rd period. Vernon with only four shots on goal at this point, went at least four or five minutes without a shot on goal. Down two goals the Snakes having all kinds of trouble getting into the offensive zone. Wenatchee seemed to shutdown the Vernon offence as the Vipers struggled offensively to create/generate much of anything. The Vipers with just two shots in the final six-seven minutes. The Snakes would leave Aidan Porter between the pipes. Lucas Sowder alone in the slot couldn't beat Aidan Porter in the final ten seconds as Wenatchee would ruin the Vipers home opener coming away with the 5-3 victory. I thought the Snakes got off to a quick start, jumped on the Wild off the opening faceoff. Alex Swetlikoff with a big goal puts the Vipers up a goal before the wheels fall off and the Wild rally with three straight goals to come away with the win and two points. I thought Vernon looked very good early, had lots of pressure before allowing Wenatchee back in the game. Wenatchee with three goals in five minutes cost the Vipers the game. The Snakes couldn't recover. The Wild again carried the better of the play, were the better team. After taking the 5-3 lead give credit to the Wild's defensive game, shutdown Vernon for most of the remainder of the game. The Vipers needed more desperation and more urgency. The Snakes had troubles getting pucks to the net and creating/generating offence late in the game. Wenatchee outshot Vernon 14-6.
Top Player's: (Vernon)
Michael Young I thought played well at both ends of the rink. Named assistant captain this year played well through out most of the game.
Josh Prokop (1 goal) I thought was one of the Vipers more aggressive-offensive forwards going tonight. Was skating hard, going to the net, played with speed and urgency, worked/played hard.
Ben Helgeson Recently signing with the Vipers looked very good. Created/generated some opportunities, really sees the ice, was making plays happen. Had a very good game.
Connor Marritt (1 goal) I thought was another veteran forward who played hard, was going to the net, battled in front, had some looks-chances.
Josh Latta (1 assist) Was named assistant captain this year, had a strong game for the Snakes. The former Salmon Arm Silverbacks forward played hard, was strong on pucks, aggressive on the forecheck and going to the net. Created/generated some chances, was physical at times.
Jack Judson (1 assist) I thought played a heck of a game on the Vernon blueline. Made at least two defensive plays, played very well.
Aidan Porter (31 saves) I don't think you can fault him on any of the five goals was lucky at times but also made some key saves at times with the Wild pressing. I thought played well, held his own at times when Wenatchee was carrying the play.
Game Thought's: (Vernon)
Tonight was the end of an era with the official sale of the Vernon Vipers. Libby Wray/the Wray family sold the team as of yesterday to Tom & John Glen. Tonight marks a new era in Vipers hockey with new ownership. The Vipers played with the lead through two periods and took an early lead into the 3rd period before giving up three goals in five minutes in a very disappointing loss in the teams season/home opener. I didn't think Vernon was very sharp. The Vipers were either nervous playing in front of a big crowd or for several players, playing in their BCHL regular season debut. The Snakes just didn't look very good at times. I thought even though the Vipers played with a lead until the 3rd period were a step behind the Wenatchee Wild. Vernon saw a lot of action in their own end, had troubles against the forecheck, were turning pucks over inside their own blueline, struggled defensively at times, had troubles making a pass, didn't generate or create a ton of offensive opportunities. Last year the Vipers averaged 40 shots or more a game. Tonight the Snakes struggled to hit 25 by the 3rd period. Vernon wasn't getting enough pucks to the net, didn't play with a lot of urgency, looked too soft at times. The Vipers didn't sustain a ton of pressure in the offensive zone, it was in and out within minutes. Vernon went at least six or seven minutes without a shot at least twice if not three times in tonight's game. The Snakes didn't catch any breaks, didn't get any bounces go their way. I saw some good things at times through out the game but not enough. The Vipers were a little slow at reacting to the puck, moving the puck and breaking out of their own end. The powerplay and penalty kill struggled. Tonight's turning point was in the opening frame with the Snakes leading 2-0 on a lengthy two man advantage and only managed a single shot. This could have easily changed the momentum of the game. The Wild fall down 3-0 or even 4-0 on the road and this is a different hockey game. The Vipers play a ton of home games in September and October and need to take advantage of home ice early in the season. Will see how this team can re-group and play on the small ice surface tomorrow night in Merritt. I was surprised to see Jagger Williamson, Mitch Andres and Carver Watson in the lineup tonight. All three were suppose to be out for a while. A great turnout for the home opener with just over 2,300 showing up. Former Vipers David Robinson (2009-2011) and Aaron Volpatti (2003-2006) in attendance tonight.
Thought's on the new ownership:
I really like the sounds of the new owners. I listened to their interview this morning and liked what John had to say and his hockey background. I think change is good and some new blood/life injected into the Vipers organization will be a very good thing. Things were getting very stale on and off the ice over the past twenty years and it seemed other then changing the name of the team, changing jerseys every couple of years, nothing else changed. The Vipers website and marketing is very stale and left leaving Viper fans in the dark for most of the season. How many fans are tired of receiving timbits every game? It will be very interesting to see the changes if any the new owners will make and if so when?
Top Player's: (Wenatchee)
Murphy Stratton (1 assist) Took a huge hard hit early in the 3rd was in some discomfort, went to the Wild dressing room but returned. I thought had a solid game on the backend. A bigger body played well at both ends of the rink.
Cristophe Teller (1 goal & 2 assists) Tied the game in the 3rd on a bit of a strange play/goal collected three points was involved in the contest all night. Has some wheels, can skate and move the puck. Played well in the win.
Jacques Bouquot (1 assist) Was another forward that played well. Not the biggest kid but found open ice and made things happen. Played very well.
Christophe Fillion (2 goals) Has some skill. Soft hands, can move the puck, create/generate chances, was involved in the play. Had a strong game.
Jacob Modry (1 goal) Was one of the Wild's top d-men. Was hard to play against, had a strong game on the Wenatchee blueline.
Austin Park (21 saves) The old saying goes, sometimes you have to be good to be lucky. Well that was the case tonight in goal for the Wenatchee Wild. Veteran goaltender Austin Park was lucky at times making some big stops. Park was caught way out of his crease at least twice, just about coughed up the puck. Park somehow managed to make a few saves on plays I don't think he even saw the puck, more just reacting to the shooter.
Game Thought's: (Wenatchee)
I really liked Wenatchee's road game tonight. The Wild looked and played a lot like the Wild Viper fans saw last season. A very strong aggressive forecheck, forcing the Vernon defence into turnovers. The Wolves were hard on pucks, bodies and played with a strong work ethic. The Wild sporting their new logo/jerseys for this season have some big bodies in their lineup. A quick puck moving team take away a lot of time and space. This team is fast, has some skill and hard to contain. Wenatchee had a ton of zone time, were hard to knock off the puck, had lots of sustained pressure were very good on the powerplay. Speciality teams were the difference. The Wild went 3-4 with the man advantage while Vernon went 0-3 on the PP. I thought the Wolves had a slight edge in play for most of the night, carried a lot of the play. The Wild were the better of the two teams, were clicking on their passes, played well defensively. Give Wenatchee full credit for shutting down Vernon's offence, limiting shots and taking away the Snakes time and space. The Wild open the 2018-19 regular season on the road, are on an eleven game road trip wont play their home opener until October 12th vs Nanaimo. Wenatchee plays twelve of their first thirteen games on the road. The Wild are in Surrey tomorrow night. I spotted five or six Wild fans in attendance. These two teams will meet again in just three weeks. The Wild are back in Vernon September 28th.
Scratches:
Vernon:
Austin Chorney (Suspended)
Nicolas Ardanaz
Logan Cash
Wenatchee:
Brian Adams
Dylan Herzog
Nikolai Lyssogor
Drake Usher
Energy Player of the Game:
Josh Latta (1 assist)
Three Star's:
1st Star: Cristophe Teller (1 goal & 2 assists)
2nd Star: Jacob Modry (1 goal)
3rd Star: Connor Marritt (1 goal)
Game Summary/Boxscore:
https://bchl.ca/stats/game-summary/8511
Vernon Junior Hockey History website:
http://vernonjrahockey.ca/
Game Report:
https://lscluster.hockeytech.com/game_reports/official-game-report.php?lang_id=1&client_code=bchl&game_id=8511
Text Boxscore:
https://lscluster.hockeytech.com/game_reports/text-game-report.php?lang_id=1&client_code=bchl&game_id=8511
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