West Kelowna 2 Vernon 1

I have had season tickets for 29 years and been following junior hockey in Vernon for over thirty five years. I have missed four Vipers home games since 2009 and five Vipers home games since the 2002-03 season. For anyone who couldn't watch or attend tonight's game, here are my thought's and view's from tonight's game. You may agree or disagree but we all have our own opinion on the game. I try to be unbiased and give a fare game recap from both sides. Thank you for stopping by and visiting my blog.

I was at tonight's Vipers-Warriors game as West Kelowna defeated Vernon 2-1 in front of 1,874 fans at Kal Tire Place.

Starting Goaltenders:

Vernon: Bradley Cooper
West Kelowna: Connor Hopkins

1st Period: Three and a half minutes into the contest Lucas Cullen with a solo effort tried to split and get around the Vernon defence in for the breakaway but couldn't get through. About a minute later former West Kelowna Warriors forward Matt Kowalski on a two on one decided to keep and shoot, forcing Connor Hopkins into flashing the leather, making the quick glove save. About three minutes later Mike Hardman with a quick shot from the corner forced Bradley Cooper into having to be alert to make a difficult save hugging the post. Just before the halfway mark Elan Bar-Lev-Wise with a quick low shot forced Connor Hopkins into making the save. The Warriors slowly started to take over the edge in play just before the midway mark and carried the play for at least five or six minutes. In the second half a long dump in shot from well before centre ice went off the end boards, while Connor Hopkins come out to play the puck, the puck took a awkward bounce rolling out front of the Tribes goal and through the blue paint. As the second half continued both teams had a few looks but no real quality chances. Bradley Cooper had to be alert after having to make two stops in close on a goal mouth scramble. Inside the final minute the Warriors with at least two or three shots from well out looked to give Bradley Cooper some troubles controlling the puck. In the dying seconds Wyatt Head's point shot was redirected in front beating Bradley Cooper just seconds before the buzzer and the green light come on. It was 0-0 after 20 minutes of play. Not a whole lot to talk about in a very slow paced and non entertaining 1st period. The Vipers looked flat, weren't skating and had no jump/or energy. The Tribe was moving the puck and getting zone time but not a lot of quality chances. For about five or six minutes I thought WK had the better of the play in a period with very to little no hitting, both teams were fairly evenly matched. West Kelowna outshot Vernon 9-8.

2nd Period: The Warriors jumped on the Snakes early and often looked like they were on a lengthy powerplay to start the middle frame. Just minutes in Mike Hardman with a shot from the side wall looked to handcuff Bradley Cooper who had to be alert and make the difficult save on a tough angle. Sangha Rajvir turned over the puck in front of Bradley Cooper wich allowed Lucas Cullen to pounce on the loose puck and beat Bradley Cooper in close, giving West Kelowna a 1-0 lead at 4:21 Cullen's goal was unassisted. Vernon having all kinds of trouble getting control of the puck and getting out of their own zone as it was all Warriors early and often. The Tribe were outshooting the Vipers 8-1 just seven minutes in. Just before the halfway mark newly acquired Bishop Anthony on a solo effort in front beat Vipers starting goaltender Bradley Cooper in close but not the crossbar as WK come very close to taking a two goal lead. Shortly after Lucas Cullen in tight couldn't solve Bradley Cooper. Once again the Snakes looking flat footed, were standing still, watching the West Kelowna Warriors skate circles around them. In the second half Vernon gained a bit of confidence and seemed to get their legs going a bit and finally get some action in the offensive zone. The Warriors couldn't get a shot on goal after two players jumped up into the rush for the breakaway, while back the other way Tedding Wooding on an odd man rush couldn't solve Warriors starting goaltender Connor Hopkins. Towards the end of the frame the Tribe would get the games first powerplay but shorthanded Matt Kowalski on an odd man rush would be denied by Connor Hopkins before hitting the outside of the netting on a second look, while Teddy Wooding corralled the rebound and beat Connor Hopkins on the wrap around, tying the game 1-1 at 17:26 Kowalski drew the lone assist. It was 1-1 after 40 minutes of play. West Kelowna dominated the 2nd period early and often outplayed Vernon for most of the first half. The Vipers standing around, were basically watching the Tribe pass the puck around. WK with a ton of zone time, were getting lots of pucks to the net early. Bradley Cooper had to be sharp. The Snakes seemed to turn around the period in the second half, coming back in shots and a bit of edge in play at times. West Kelowna outshot Vernon 11-9.

3rd Period: Just thirty five seconds in Chase Dubois on a great opportunity in close couldn't beat Bradley Cooper. Just minutes in Josh Latta levelled Lucas Cullen from behind in the Warriors zone. Cullen was down for a short time, got up on his own and stayed in the game. Latta was sent to the sin bin giving WK an early powerplay. The Snakes with a strong PK killed off the minor. A much quicker pace to the final frame as both teams went back and fourth early. No real quality chances at either ends of the rink. The Vipers finally getting their legs going, were skating and moving the puck much quicker compared to the first two periods. As the period continued Vernon had a few goal mouth scrambles and quick shots from the circle that were quickly gobbled up from Connor Hopkins. With time winding down and the teams looking for overtime Chase Dubois with a nice pass sprung Lucas Cullen down the left wing, ripped a shot that beat Bradley Cooper far side, post and in gave West Kelowna a 2-1 lead at 14:49 Cullen with his second of the evening. Dubois collected the helper. From here on in it was all Vernon as the Vipers pressed down the stretch. The Warriors were chipping the puck out or being called for icing before the Snakes called a timeout. Vernon would get Bradley Cooper to the bench with 1:17 remaining and get several quality opportunities. Connor Hopkins was large down the final two minutes making some big stops in close. Teddy Wooding, Connor Marritt and Ben Helgeson all had quality chances. The Warriors would pin the Vipers and the puck along the side wall to wind down the final few seconds and hold onto the 2-1 victory. The Vipers played probably their best period of the hockey game and slowly took over the 3rd as the period went along. Vernon with several quality chances inside the final two minutes couldn't solve Connor Hopkins. Vernon outshot West Kelowna 17-9.

Top Player's: (Vernon)

Matt Kowalski (1 assist) I thought created/generated some offensive chances, played with some speed and jump vs his former team.

Ben Helgeson looked good at different times during the game. Didn't stand out the entire night but played hard, made some things happen.

Teddy Wooding (1 goal) I would say was probably one of if not the Vipers top forward in the loss. Was skating, moving the puck, driving to the goal, had some looks-opportunities.

Bradley Cooper (32 saves) Made his home debut tonight, has started back to back games for the Snakes. Played and looked very solid in the loss in Prince George Wednesday, was just as good in the loss tonight.

Game Thought's: (Vernon)

I didn't like Vernon's game in the first two periods. I didn't think the Vipers looked/or played all that great in either of the first two periods. The Snakes looked flat, weren't skating, moving the puck or played with any real jump-energy. The 3rd period is when Vernon got their game going and played-looked like the regular Vipers. The Vipers had some quality chances but not enough. Overall I didn't think they generated/or created enough opportunities to score-win. I don't recall seeing one Viper lay out a hit other then Josh Latta's boarding penalty. The Vipers playing without eight regulars have lost three straight and fall to 11-12-6-3 had a great chance to move within four points of the Warriors. Once again the Vipers lack of scoring showed again tonight. I heard several fans talking during the game, Jesse Lansdell has been suspended for seventeen games. Mark Ferner said in his post game show several Vipers have the flu.

Top Player's: (West Kelowna)

Wyatt Head I thought played a solid game on the Tribes blueline. Jumped into the play, was good at both ends of the rink.

Mike Hardman Is another Warrior who caught my eye at times. I didn't think stood out the entire game, but had some good shifts at times through out the night.

Willie Reim Played with a lot of speed and quickness, was hard to defend against.

Lucas Cullen (2 goals) Did all the scoring for WK with two goals was the teams best and most effective forward. Very dynamic, quick on his feet, sees the ice well, creates/generates chances often.

Connor Hopkins (28 saves) Didn't see a ton of action in the first two periods but played large down the stretch for the Warriors in the 3rd period. Looked confident, covered a lot of the net, didn't give up any second or third opportunities.

Game Thought's: (West Kelowna)

After a tough 5-4 loss to the visiting Merritt Centennials last night, the Tribe rebounded with a big 2-1 victory on the road vs a Vernon team that had last night off. I thought WK played well for most of the night. They can skate, can move the puck, get the defence involved rushing the puck up ice and got some solid goaltending in the 3rd period. The Warriors pick up their first win over the Vipers this season and get their first win in Vernon since a 6-4 victory February 1st 2017. With the win the Warriors move to 19-14-0-1 sit 4th in the division. Overall this wasn't a very exciting or entertaining hockey game, until the 3rd period. Very little to no hitting or emotion through out the game. There was no energy or atmosphere inside Kal Tire Place.

Scratches:

Vernon:

Ben Sanderson (Injured)
Jagger Williamson (Injured)
Jesse Lansdell (Suspended)
Alex Swetlikoff
Logan Cash (Injured)
Jack Judson
Carver Watson (Injured)

West Kelowna:

Andrew Viggars
Garrett Ewert

Energy Player of the Game:

Matt Kowalski (1 assist)

Three Star's:

1st Star: Lucas Cullen (2 goals)
2nd Star: Teddy Wooding (1 goal)
3rd Star: Connor Hopkins (28 saves)

Boxscore-Game Summary,

https://bchl.ca/stats/game-summary/8765  

Game Report,

https://lscluster.hockeytech.com/game_reports/official-game-report.php?lang_id=1&client_code=bchl&game_id=8765

Text Boxscore,

https://lscluster.hockeytech.com/game_reports/text-game-report.php?lang_id=1&client_code=bchl&game_id=8765