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 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-Clippers game as Vernon defeated Nanaimo 5-4 in front of 2,081 fans at Kal Tire Place.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon: Aidan Porter
Nanaimo: Jordan Naylor
During warmup the glass behind the Vipers net chattered and the rink crew needed some extra time to clean up the broken glass and replace the glass. Tonight's game was delayed by about five minutes.
1st Period: Off the opening faceoff the Clippers would jump on an early powerplay just seconds into the hockey game. With some pressure the Shipmen were held to the outside with no clear open lanes, unable to get pucks to the net. With only three seconds remaining on the powerplay, Joshua Bourne setup former Vernon Vipers defenceman Carter Stephenson who beat Aidan Porter on the Clippers first shot on the evening, giving Nanaimo a 1-0 lead at 2:46 Bourne and Tyler Williams collected the helpers. Just eighteen seconds later on a scramble in front of the Clippers net, Nick Cherkowski buried the rebound in front, tying the game 1-1 at 3:04 Elan Bar-Lev-Wise picked up the assist. The Vipers kept coming and poured on the pressure. Just over two minutes later former Salmon Arm Silverbacks forward Josh Latta with a rocket of a shot from the circle beat Jordan Naylor but not the crossbar as the Snakes come within inches of grabbing their first lead of the night. Shortly after the Vipers would get their first PP of the night, with good pressure, had some looks but couldn't capitalize with the man advantage. Just as the penalty expired, Matt Kowalski spotted Connor Marritt in front, giving Vernon a 2-1 lead at 7:55 Kowalski & Josh Latta drew the assists. The Snakes had the better of the play at this point, were outshooting the visiting Nanaimo Clippers 8-1. Just past the midway mark, Aidan Porter had to be sharp, made a quick pad save off a shot from the point, before Vernon quickly moved the puck back up ice setting up captain Jagger Williamson who would be denied in close on a nice save by Jordan Naylor. Shortly after the Shipmen tried sending Aiden Hansen Bukata in for the breakaway, but Brendan Kim hustled back making a nice defensive play, breaking up the breakaway. Shortly after Sammy Steele down the left wing with a lazer of a shot beat Aidan Porter top shelf, tying the game 2-2 at 14:06 Thomas Samuelsen & Ethan Scardina picked up the helpers. With three minutes remaining Vernon would get caught with too many men, sending Nanaimo to a late powerplay. On the man advantage, Tyler Williamson had Aidan Porter beat rang his shot off the post as the Clippers couldn't capitalize with the man advantage as the Snakes killed off the minor. Teddy Wooding with a nice individual effort went inside out on a Clippers defender, just fired wide of the goal, on a missed opportunity. In the dying seconds with the Vipers pressing, Logan Cashjust missed the far corner. It was 2-2 after 20 minutes of play. The Shipmen scored early on the games first powerplay but I thought the Vipers were the better of the two hockey clubs. Vernon carried the better of the play for most of the opening frame. The Snakes had a lot more puck possession and more scoring chances. Trey Taylor took a spill behind his own end was a little shaken and slow getting up, looked to be in some discomfort, remained in the game. Coleton Bilodeau was spotted leaving the Viper bench with the trainer, would return later and stay in the contest. The Clippers had troubles creating/generating offence, didn't have much time with the puck, were limited on their chances. Vernon outshot Nanaimo 10-7.
2nd Period: Off the opening puck drop, the Snakes tried sending captain Jagger Williamson in for the breakaway were called offside. On the following shift, they went right back to Williamson who couldn't get through the Nanaimo defence. Just minutes in Williamson would be alone in front would be stopped in close by Clippers starting goaltender Jordan Naylor who come up with a large save on the Vernon product. The Vipers would jump on an early powerplay, had some looks-chances but couldn't score on the PP. Just as the penalty expired Jesse Lansdell spotted Jagger Williamson, giving Vernon a 3-2 lead at 6:47 Lansdell & Michael Young with the assists. Williamson passes former Vernon junior hockey greats, Dusty McLellan, Andrew Coburn, Darcy George & Bob Wensley who were all tied with 51 career goals. Williamson with his 52nd goal of his junior hockey career now moves into 40th place with 52 career goals on Vernon junior hockey's all-time goals list. With the goal Williamson also passes former Vernon Lakers forward Jason Elders who were tied in career points with 169 pts each. Williamson with his 170th career point of his junior career now moves into 16th place on Vernon junior hockey's all-time points list. About two minutes later the Clippers would get a man advantage but couldn't capitalize. Jesse Lansdell with a burst of speed beat his man one on one, got on behind the Clipper defence couldn't beat Jordan Naylor down low who made a large pad save in tight, keeping this a one goal game. Minutes past the halfway mark Vernon would head back to the PP but again unable to capitalize with the man advantage. With just over four minutes left in the middle frame, Logan Cash couldn't clear the zone witch resulted in a goal. The Snakes no reeling in their own end, had at least two if not three opportunities to clear the zone, couldn't allowing Thomas Samuelsen to tie the game 3-3 at 16:18 Sammy Steele and Ethan Scardina with the assists. This goal was huge, not only did the Shipmen tie the game but the 3rd goal gave Nanaimo all kinds of life and momentum as the Clippers come on strong to finish the 2nd period. The Clippers with a ton of pressure late, had Vernon back on their heels, had some looks. The Vipers would take a late penalty inside the final minute, sending the Clippers to the powerplay. With just twelve seconds left in the period Robby Drazner found the open cage at the side of the net, giving Nanaimo the 4-3 lead, their first of the evening at 19:48 Tyler Williams and Joshua Bourne drew the assists. It was 4-3 Nanaimo after 40 minutes of play. For a second straight period it was all Vernon as the Snakes carried the better of the play, had a ton of looks-opportunities only managed one goal. Playing with a one goal lead the wheels come off in the final four or so minutes, allowing the Shipmen to score back to back late goals, getting their first lead of the game. For a second straight period the Clippers didn't get a lot of pucks to the net, had troubles gaining full puck possession and offensive zone time. The Vipers played most of this period with the puck on their stick, had several quality chances only found the back of the net once. Vernon outshot Nanaimo 16-8.
3rd Period: The Vipers gained the offensive zone early, had some early pressure. Former Nanaimo Clippers forward Matt Kowalski with two solid chances in close about three minutes in, couldn't solve Jordan Naylor in close. Two big stops for the Clippers netminder. The Snakes kept pressing before Teddy Wooding redirected a point shot in and past Jordan Naylor, tying the game 4-4 at 3:49 Wooding's goal was unassisted. How could this goal be unassisted? Clippers head coach Darren Naylor lost it at the bench, right away started yelling at the one official, calling for a high stick. The goal stood and the game continued. Instead of giving the Vipers a big boost, this goal seemed to deflate the team as Vernon looked very lackluster after tying the game. The Clippers jumped on the Snakes and carried the better of the play often. Aidan Porter wasn't tested much but was forced to making a few saves. Around the halfway mark Nanaimo would jump on the powerplay but unable to capitalize. Seconds after the PP ended the Vipers would get a shot with the man advantage. The Shipmen would kill off the minor. Inside the final five minutes the Snakes gained some life and a bit of a charge down the stretch. Teddy Wooding, Josh Latta and Ben Sanderson all with quality chances late couldn't find the back of the net. With time winding down, on a broken down play on a bit of a goal mouth scramble, Matt Kowalski found the back of the net, giving Vernon a late 5-4 lead at 18:25 Kowalski's goal was unassisted. Nanaimo would call a late timeout and eventually get Jordan Naylor to the bench with fifty seconds remaining. Clippers captain Marcus Mitchell with two quality chances at the top of the crease, couldn't sneak one past Aidan Porter. With the Clippers pressing, Porter was forced to make a few saves in close. Jagger Williamson come up with a huge shot block before having a shot at the open cage, waited before dumping the puck in deep, taking off the final seconds of the game as Vernon hangs on for the 5-4 victory. After some early pressure and an early game tying goal, Nanaimo took it to the Vipers for a lot of that period. The Clippers forecheck was giving the Snakes all kinds of trouble. Nanaimo was winning most of the battles-races for the puck, but didn't really generate a ton of offensive chances through out the final frame. With the game tied, the Vipers looked very lackluster at times, were slow, not skating, looked disinterested in the hockey game at times until picking up their game late in the final minutes. The visiting Clippers were the better of the two teams in the 3rd blow a third period lead. Vernon outshot Nanaimo 10-9.
Top Player's: (Vernon)
Michael Young (1 assist) I thought was one of if not Vernon's best d-man this evening. Getting pucks to the net, has one of if not the hardest shot on the team, was unloading several cannons from the point tonight.
The line of Matt Kowalski (1 goal & 1 assist), Josh Latta (1 assist) & Connor Marritt (1 assist) Was the Snakes best unit. This line played very well, were hard on pucks, driving to the net, working-skating hard, created/generated several chances through out the contest.
Jagger Williamson (1 goal) Played a heck of a game at both ends of the rink. The Vipers captain and local product was really hustling tonight, blocking shots, hard on pucks, was going to the net, had all kinds of chances tonight. Battled/competed hard all night.
Teddy Wooding (1 goal) Scored the game tying goal early into the 3rd period, showed off some of his soft hands-skill, was creating/generating chances, was hard to defend against.
Game Thought's: (Vernon)
Overall I thought the Snakes were the better of the two teams, carried most of the play, had a ton more puck possession, had way more chances and opportunities through out the hockey game, had troubles pulling away with the lead. Vernon struggled getting that two goal lead, could never really pull away from the Clippers, instead had to battle back down a goal going into the 3rd, were forced to score twice in the final frame to come away with the victory and the two points. I thought Vernon had their problems in their own end, struggled defensively at times. I don't know what happened in the 3rd? The Vipers tie the game just minutes into the 3rd period but then seem to sit back and look lackluster for most of the final period. It wasn't until late when the Snakes picked up their game and looked better in the final four or five minutes, resulting in Matt Kowalski's game winner. The Vipers win the season series 2-0 are 4-0 in their last four games vs the Clippers. This was a very entertaining hockey game. The Vipers snap a three game home losing streak, have lost four of their last seven home games. Former Vernon Lakers goaltender and Vernon Vipers goaltending coach Sean Matile was in attendance tonight. Vipers captain Jagger Williamson played career game #229 tonight tying former Vernon Vipers forward Rob Short for second on Vernon Junior hockey's all-time games played list. Short also from Vernon had his jersey #20 retired in 2010 played in 229 games with the Vipers from 2005-2010. With the win Vernon improves to 24-20-7-3 remain in 5th place are four points up on last place Trail, three points up on 6th place West Kelowna, one point back of 4th place Salmon Arm & six points back of 3rd place Wenatchee. The Vipers have four games left in the regular season, with two at home and two on the road.
Top Player's: (Nanaimo)
Tyler Williams (2 assists) I thought was one of the more dangerous forwards for the visiting Nanaimo Clippers tonight. Williams not the biggest kid, has some wheels, plays with speed, was all over the rink, played a hard fast paced game.
Ethan Scardina (2 assists) Was a "AP" affiliated player with the 2016-17 Vernon Vipers was one of the more physical Clippers. Scardina showed a lot of hustle and energy vs his former team, was banging and crashing all night, showed a lot of jump, was in on the offence, played hard.
Thomas Samuelsen (1 goal & 1 assist) I thought played hard, had a strong game for Nanaimo.
Sammy Steele (1 goal & 1 assist) This kid is quick, has a wicked shot, played hard at both ends of the rink. One of the more dangerous Clippers.
Marcus Mitchell The Clippers captain and former Salmon Arm Silverback was another kid-forward who had a strong game in the loss. Was physical, in your face, played hard, drove to the net, battled/competed, created/generated some chances, was involved in the play often.
Jordan Naylor (31 saves) Was tested often through out the game. Not the biggest goaltender, had troubles with his rebounds and second opportunities, did make some large saves at times through out the hockey game. Was by far the busier of the two netminders, kept his team in the game at times.
Game Thought's: (Nanaimo)
The Clippers are one of the more physical teams that have come into Vernon and played that physical against the Vipers. Nanaimo likes to hit, finish their checks and play a in your face style of game at times. The Shipmen did struggle offensively most of the night, were outplayed at times through out the game, somehow managed to hang in and not allow Vernon to pull away. I liked Nanaimo's powerplay (2-5 with the man advantage) I thought looked good at times but liked their penalty kill (Vernon went 0-5) I thought the Clippers PK did a great job at keeping the Snakes to the outside, closed the shooting lanes and didn't give up a lot of shots. Nanaimo is one of these teams that is outplayed or not really in the game, only down a goal, somehow changes the momentum, comes back the other way and scores to tie the game. In a game where the Clippers were outshot by a wide margin at times, were still in this hockey game. Give the Clippers credit even though were outplayed for a lot of the game, still managed to hang around and keep this a one goal game. Tonight is the first game of a four game road trip where Nanaimo will play four of their final five regular season games away from home. The Shipmen have just one win in their last seven road games, have just three wins in their last fourteen games overall. Clippers head coach/gm Darren Naylor played with the 1989-90 Centennial Cup Champion Vernon Lakers. Naylor's son Jordan is the Clippers goaltender. The Clippers have just one win in Vernon in the last ten years and one win in Vernon in the last fifteen years. Nanaimo's last win in Vernon was a 4-3 double overtime victory January 16th 2009. With the loss Nanaimo falls to 25-28-1-0 remain 3rd in the Island division are ten points up on 4th place Alberni Valley but fourteen points back of 2nd place Powell River.
Scratches:
Vernon:
Ben Helgeson (Injured)
Laine Zablocki
Nanaimo:
Daniel Gatenby
Jordan Dawson
Kyler Kovich
Energy Player of the Game:
Matt Kowalski (1 goal & 1 assist)
Three Star's:
1st Star: Matt Kowalski (1 goal & 1 assist)
2nd Star: Sammy Steele (1 goal & 1 assist)
3rd Star: Connor Marritt (1 goal)
Boxscore-Game Summary,
https://bchl.ca/stats/game-summary/8945
Game Report,
https://lscluster.hockeytech.com/game_reports/official-game-report.php?lang_id=1&client_code=bchl&game_id=8945
Text Boxscore,
https://lscluster.hockeytech.com/game_reports/text-game-report.php?lang_id=1&client_code=bchl&game_id=8945
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