Vernon 4 Coquitlam 1

I have had season tickets for 29 years and been following junior hockey in Vernon for over thirty ive years. I have missed four Vipers home games since 2009 and five Vipers home games since the 1999-2000 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 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-Express game as Vernon defeated Coquitlam 4-1 in front of 1,643 fans at Kal Tire Place.

Starting Goaltenders:

Vernon: Aidan Porter
Coquitlam: Clay Stevenson

1st Period: Just fourty seconds Clay Stevenson come up with a large save inside the opening minute to keep this a scoreless hockey game. Minutes later Jesse Lansdell in close would be denied by Clay Stevenson. The Vipers all over the visiting Express, who were hemmed in their own end early and often. Minutes later Nick Cherkowski with a quick shot from the slot couldn't beat Clay Stevenson as Vernon outshooting Coquitlam 5-0 early. Clay Stevenson would get caught outside of his goal, the puck come out front but Jordan Schulting made a strong defensive play, to take away a scoring chance. Jared Power would stoned in front after Aidan Porter come across the blue paint in a hurry to make a big pad save in close on the Express first shot of the game at the halfway mark. A minute later Cooper Connell looked to beat Aidan Porter but rang his shot off the post as Coquitlam come within inches of opening the scoring. Just past the halfway mark the Snakes would get the games first powerplay. Teddy Wooding would be denied in close on a quality chance as Coquitlam killed off the minor. Minutes later Coleton Bilodeau on a scramble in front beat Clay Stevenson low giving Vernon a 1-0 lead at 17:14 Bilodeau's goal was unassisted. Just over two minutes later Teddy Wooding on a turnover at the Express blueline, went in for the breakaway, gave Vernon a 2-0 lead at 19:46 Wooding's goal was unassisted. It was 2-0 Vernon after 20 minutes of play. The Vipers jumped on the Express early and often, had several good looks-quality chances through out the first half, were by far the better of the two teams in the first half. The Snakes carried the play, saw a lot of the first ten minutes or so in the offensive zone. Vernon had a ton of puck possession, had the Express hemmed in their own end for a lot of the first half. Coquitlam battled back after getting their legs going in the second half as the Express with a good push back, had some pressure and zone time of their own evened the play up in the second half. Both goaltenders were wandering outside of their crease and both goaltenders almost come very close to coughing up the puck, leading to a goal. The Vipers had the better scoring chances outshot Coquitlam 13-5.

2nd Period: Brendan Kim turned over the puck inside the defensive zone, wich lead to all kinds of trouble as the Express took advantage, had the Vipers back on their heels, hemmed in their own end but couldn't create/or generate any offence. The Snakes would escape and clear the zone allowing some nice three way passing before Coleton Bilodeau setup Logan Cash, giving Vernon a 3-0 lead at 2:23 Bilodeau and Tyler Ho collected the helpers. Minutes later Jesse Lansdell with a quality chance couldn't solve Express starting goaltender Clay Stevenson. Just before the halfway mark Clay Stevenson come close to getting caught out of his crease as the puck come out front in a hurry before Stevenson was forced to scramble back into the crease. The puck would come back to the point before Trey Taylor's shot from the blueline somehow had eyes, finding the back of the twine, giving Vernon a commanding 4-0 lead on Taylor's first career BCHL goal at 8:43 Matt Kowalski drew the assist. This was the end of the night for Clay Stevenson who was replaced by Kolby Matthews. Stevenson gave up four goals on twenty Vernon shots. Three minutes later Pito Walton crosschecked Ben Sanderson into Kolby Matthews drawing a penalty on the play. Sanderson was slow getting up as Matthews stayed down and wasn't moving. Matthews was attended too by the Express trainer and was down for several minutes. Eventually Matthews would get back to his feet and slowly make his way to the Express dressing room, looking a little woozy and in some discomfort. Matthews was seen being attended on by the arena medical staff in the hallway for the remainder of the period. Matthews didn't return to the Coquitlam bench. Clay Stevenson was forced back into goal for the Express with no backup on the bench. The Snakes with their second powerplay of the evening couldn't capitalize. On the following shift the Express would get their first PP of the contest. Coquitlam tried setting up Connor Gregga at the side of the net, but Vipers starting netminder Aidan Porter was alert making the stop, cutting off the pass through the blue paint. The Express with several good looks-opportunities, couldn't solve Aidan Porter who was solid on the PK as Vernon killed off the minor. On the following shift/play Coquitlam went back to the powerplay. Another strong PP for the visiting Express but once again Aidan Porter was very sharp for the Snakes, making some big stops on the PK as the Vipers kill off the man advantage. The Vipers would draw a penalty late and get a powerplay inside the final minute. Unable to capitalize before the buzzer. It was 4-0 Vernon after 40 minutes of play. The Express force Brendan Kim into turning over the puck inside the opening minute, witch sends Vernon back on their heels and hemmed in their own end, with good pressure Coquitlam had troubles creating/generating chances before the Vipers come back the other way and find the back of the net, jumping out to a 3-0 lead. The Snakes with two big goals in the first half, jump out to a commanding four goal lead but the Express get back to back powerplays, get several good looks-opportunities couldn't convert with the man advantage as the Snakes get some solid goaltending from Aidan Porter. I thought the Vipers had the better of play at times but then the Express had the better of play at times. Coquitlam outshot Vernon 12-11.

3rd Period: Just a few minutes in Tyler Ho and Coleton Bilodeau on an odd man rush, Ho tried setting up Bilodeau driving to the net but a strong defensive play as a Express player just got a stick on the play to redirect the puck out of position as Bilodeau couldn't hit the open cage. Minutes later Cooper Connell on a clear open lane would be denied by Aidan Porter. Shortly after Drew Cooprt's shot from outside the circle somehow beat Aidan Porter low along the ice, cutting the Vernon lead to 4-1 at 7:03 Alex DiPaolo drew the assist. On the following play/shift Viper captain Jagger Williamson with a nice move in close, would be stopped by Clay Stevenson. Less then two minutes later Elan Bar-Lev-Wise with a nice inside out move, got in behind the Coquitlam defenders before driving to the goal, tried to outreach Clay Stevenson sprawling out robbed Bar-Lev-Wise in close on a massive save. A minute before the midway mark Vernon would get the only powerplay of the 3rd but couldn't capitalize on the man advantage. The play really opened up in the second half with both teams going back and fourth with some looks/chances at both ends. Coquitlam would get Clay Stevenson to the bench for the extra attacker with about 2:20 remaining. With pressure the Express had trouble's generating/or creating chances. The Vipers had one good look at the open cage but missed and called for icing. The final two minutes seemed to drag on forever. Mark Ferner and the Snakes called a late timeout with about fifty three seconds to go. The Vipers would hang on for the 4-1 victory. Up by four goals in the final frame it looked like Vernon took their foot off the gas as Coquitlam had a bit more puck possession early. Both teams had some good looks and a few quality chances. The play opened up in the second half going back and fourth. Not a whole lot of pucks getting to the nets from either team. Coquitlam outshot Vernon 9-8.

Top Player's: (Vernon)

The line of Coleton Bilodeau (1 goal & 1 assist), Tyler Ho (1 assist) & Logan Cash (1 goal) Was the Snakes best unit tonight. These three were flying all night. This line forced a ton of offensive zone time, had several good looks-quality chances, were skating through the neutral zone with speed, really opened up the ice, caused havoc for the Express defenders. With the Vipers down three forwards, Cash saw a ton of ice.

Jesse Lansdell I thought played very well in the victory. Had several good looks-chances, was playing hard all night.

Nick Cherkowski Played well for most of the contest, had some looks/chances.

Aidan Porter (25 saves) I thought played very well between the pipes. Yes he gave up a few big rebounds/second opportunities and was caught out of the blue paint on a few occasions but overall I thought looked confident, made some big stops at times with the Express pressing and was solid on the penalty kill. My guess is the Vipers will go with Porter to start the playoffs. When the Vipers acquired Bradley Cooper, I thought Cooper was the better of the two goaltenders and would take over the #1 job. At first it looked like Cooper had taken over the number one position before the two seemed to go back and fourth, but now I think Porter has been the better of the two goaltenders as of late.

Game Thought's: (Vernon)

I liked Vernon's game tonight. The Snakes playing their fourth game in six days jumped on the Express early and often. I thought the Vipers played very well for most of the night. Vernon with several chances through out the night, played disciplined, really used their speed and skill tonight. I thought the Snakes had more zone time, puck possession and the better of the chances through out the night. Coquitlam had troubles defending against Vernon's speed and skill. The Vipers finish the 2018-19 regular season with a 12-11-5-2 home record, will finish the 2018-19 regular season Saturday in Merritt. With the win Vernon improves to 26-21-7-3 remain in 4th place are seven points up on 6th place West Kelowna, & three points up on 5th place Salmon Arm. A Penticton win in Salmon Arm Friday night and the Vipers will clinch 4th place.

After the game the Vipers held their annual year end awards banquet on ice for the fans to stay behind and watch. Here are the award winners,

Fan Favorite: Jagger Williamson

Renee Holland Community Service award: Connor Marritt & Brendan Kim

Unsung Hero: Jack Judson and Connor Marritt

Most Sportsmanlike Award: Brendan Kim

Rookie of the Year Award: Teddy Wooding

Bill Brown Award for Academic Excellence: Ben Helgeson

Most Improved Player Award: Trey Taylor

Top Defenceman: Michael Young

Wayne Buck Memorial Award: Teddy Wooding

Blue Liners Academic Scholarship Award: Josh Latta

Duncan Wray Memorial Award: Jagger Williamson

MVP: Jagger Williamson

Top Player's: (Coquitlam)

Jordan Schulting Played a strong game on the Express blueline. Made at least two strong defensive plays, taking away a scoring opportunity.

Connor Gregga I thought played very well. Had several looks-chances through out the night, was always in and around the Snakes goal.

Regan Kimens Played with an edge, tried getting under the skin of the Vipers through out the night.

Pito Walton Was another d-man that played well for Coquitlam.

Jared Power Was involved in the play, going to the net, showed some offensive upsize, played well.

Game Thought's: (Coquitlam)

The Express didn't get off to a great start, couldn't get their legs moving, were caught on their heels early, had troubles defending against Vernon's speed and skill. It took Coquitlam the first half of the opening frame to get their legs going and get their game going, showed a good push back, but giving up two back to back late 1st period goals, was a killer. Giving up a quick goal less then three minutes into the middle frame, seemed to take a bit of wind out of the sails and the Express could never climb back down 4-0 midway through the second period. Give the Express credit, down four goals they didn't quit, they battled back for most of the remainder of the game, had a ton of pressure on two late powerplays in the 2nd period, couldn't solve Aidan Porter. Coquitlam managed to create/& generate some offensive chances but couldn't capitalize on their opportunities. Coquitlam has just two wins in Vernon since the 2003-04 regular season. Stats on the league website only go as far back as 2003. The Express have just three wins in their last thirteen road games. The Snakes snapped the Express two game winning streak and evened the regular season series 1-1. The Express have just three wins in their last fourteen games. With the loss Coquitlam falls to 27-24-3-3 remain 3rd in the Mainland division are five points up on 4th place Langley.

Scratches:

Vernon:

Ben Helgeson (Injured)
Josh Latta
Lane Zablocki

Coquitlam:

Troy Robillard
Dallas Farrell
Dante Ballarin

Energy Player of the Game:

Logan Cash (1 goal)

Three Star's:

1st Star: Coleton Bilodeau (1 goal & 1 assist)
2nd Star: Teddy Wooding (1 goal)
3rd Star: Trey Taylor (1 goal)

Boxscore-Game Summary,

https://bchl.ca/stats/game-summary/8964

Game Report,

https://lscluster.hockeytech.com/game_reports/official-game-report.php?lang_id=1&client_code=bchl&game_id=8964

Text Boxscore,

https://lscluster.hockeytech.com/game_reports/text-game-report.php?lang_id=1&client_code=bchl&game_id=8964