Regular Season Opener: Vernon 4 West Kelowna 2

I was born and raised in Vernon, BC and been watching/following Junior hockey in Vernon my entire life. I have had season tickets since 1990 and only missed four Vipers home games since 2004. In the past thirty years I have only missed 45 home games. For anyone who couldn't 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 opinion on the game. I try to be professional and 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 regular season opener as Vernon defeated West Kelowna 4-2 in front of 912 fans at Royal Le Page Place.

Starting Goaltenders:

Vernon: Max Palaga
West Kelowna: Brock Baier

1st Period: The Vipers jumped on the Warriors off the opening puck drop. Twenty four seconds in, the Vipers moved the puck around were able to setup Elan Bar-Lev-Wise in the slot would be denied by Brock Baier. The Snakes had control early and often couldn't bang home the puck on a goal mouth scramble two minutes into the Warriors home opener. Vernon was up in shots 2-0 in the opening two minutes. Just over six minutes in, the Vipers would get the games first power play, but shorthanded Max Palaga had some troubles handling the puck with Lucas Cullen at the top of the blue paint, looking for the loose puck. The Vipers had a few shots but no real quality chances West Kelowna would kill off the minor. Not long after the penalty expired, committed forward/new recruit Cameron MacDonald with some slick moves in the neutral zone, before going in for the parcial breakaway, went top shelf past Brock Baier, giving Vernon a 1-0 lead at 8:31 MacDonald's goal was unassisted. Off the following faceoff, Landon Fuller through the puck towards the goal, that would be redirected on it's way to the goal, forced Brock Baier to make a bit of a difficult save. A quick push back shift for the Snakes after opening the scoring. Just past the halfway mark, the Tribe would get their first PP of the evening. Shorthanded the Snakes tried sending Connor Sleeth in for the breakaway, but the puck was just a little too ahead of the Viper forward, couldn't beat Brock Baier to the puck. The Vipers would kill off the minor, but just as the penalty expired, Vernon couldn't clear the zone, before former Vernon Vipers defenceman Austin Chorney setup Levi Stauber down low, who ripped a quick shot high past former Everett Silvertips goaltender Max Palaga, tying the game 1-1 at 13:17 Chorney & Jacob Brockman drew the assists. The Warriors responded quickly off the following faceoff. The six time National Champions turned over the puck at the blueline, allowed Ryan Upson to rip a quick high shot past Max Palaga giving West Kelowna the 2-1 lead at 13:42 Upson's goal was unassisted. A bad turnover from the Snakes, cost them a goal. Less then a minute later, the Vipers responded with a quick push back shift. JoJo Tanaka-Campbell spotted Ben Helgeson down low, who beat Brock Baier, tying the game 2-2 at 14:24 Tanaka-Campbell and Brendan Kim collected the helpers. Three quick goals in about a minute and a half. The Warriors responded with a quick push back shift of their own. On an odd man rush, Drew Vieten couldn't solve Max Palaga. Inside the final minute, on an odd man rush, Brandon Dent would be stopped by Max Palaga with twenty one seconds remaining in the opening frame. A big stop from Vernon's goaltender late, keeping this a tie hockey game. It was 2-2 after 20 minutes of play. The Vipers got off to a quick start, jumped on the Tribe off the opening faceoff. Vernon with good pressure, were buzzing in and around the Warriors goal early. West Kelowna responded with a good push back, had some good pressure and zone time in the attacking zone for a few minutes. I thought the Snakes were the better of the two teams. Vernon carried a lot of the play, had more puck possession and zone time. At one point the Vipers were outshooting WK 9-4. Max Palaga looked a little shaky handling the puck in and around the goal. The Warriors had a few good shifts but overall didn't carry a lot of the play, saw a lot of the play in there own end. The Warriors were slow moving the puck/getting out of there own end. The Tribe did generate/create a few odd man rushes. Vernon outshot West Kelowna 13-9.

2nd Period: The Snakes with a good start to the middle frame. A minute in former West Kelowna Warriors forward Matt Kowalski did all the work himself. Fighting off two defenders, was able to get a quick shot off from the high slot, that looked to handcuff Warriors starting goaltender Brock Baier who made the initial save, as the puck looked to either roll off Baier's back, the Warriors netminder was forced to quickly spin around, knocking the puck out of mid air with his goal stick and out of harms way, or it looked like Kowalski's shot was going in. The game was still tied 2-2. Two minutes later Jacob Brockman down the right wing, ripped a shot from the circle that forced Vipers starting goaltender Max Palaga into making a big stop early into the 2nd period. The Tribe carried the play early and often but didn't get a lot of offensive chances. Just before the midway mark, the Warriors would get the only power play of the period. Ben Sanderson with an undisciplined minor on a play in front of the goal, sent West Kelowna to the man advantage. The Vipers would kill off the penalty. A few minutes after killing off the minor, Sanderson would try and get some revenge for his undisciplined penalty. Sanderson looked to have Brock Baier down and out at the side of the goal, but would be robbed by the Tribe's netminder, making a large save while down and out. With about four and a half minutes left, Keigo Hachisuka's shot from the blueline beat Brock Baier but not the crossbar as Vernon come within inches of grabbing a one goal lead. About two minutes later, the Snakes spotted Connor Sleeth down low, who tried beating Brock Baier high but put his shot up and over the goal and into the black netting behind the end glass. On the following play, West Kelowna would get the play in deep and on at least two maybe three occasions come very close to taking the lead. All two/or three shots were low, along the ice, all looked to beat Max Palaga but just went wide of the goal. On a bit of a goal mouth scramble, the Warriors scored with two minutes remaining and looked to grab a 3-2 lead but the goal was waived off immediately. The Warriors still thought they had scored and skated by the bench, high fiving the bench, while the officials huttled in front of the time keepers box. After a short discussion, the goal didn't count and was waived off. No official announcement from the official/PA announcer as the play continued. It looked like Max Palaga may have been bumped or interfered with at the top of the crease, but this is just a guess. I think this was the right call. While the officials were discussing the goal, Logan Cash went to the dressing room with the trainer and didn't return. It was 2-2 after 40 minutes of play. The Warriors with a much better effort played/and looked very good in the 2nd period. West Kelowna carried the better of the play, were the better of the two hockey clubs. The Tribe doesn't like to pass the puck a lot, had a lot of puck possession and more zone time this period compared to the opening frame. WK with a tight checking game, didn't give Vernon much time or space, limiting there chances. The Warriors played a pretty solid defensive 2nd period. The Warriors may have had the better of the play, but didn't generate/or create a lot of opportunities. The Vipers looked like a different team, made some sloppy passes, were turning over the puck often, had troubles in their own end, weren't skating, didn't have much control of the play, were losing a lot of races/battles down low. Vernon wasn't nearly as aggressive on the forecheck like in the 1st period. The Snakes looked disorganised. At times the play was very scrambled at both ends of the rink. West Kelowna outshot Vernon 13-11.

3rd Period: Logan Cash returned to the Vipers bench to start the 3rd period. Just thirty four seconds into the final frame, Vernon would get an early man advantage. Matt Kowalski with several good looks from the point, didn't get enough bodies in front of Brock Baier as West Kelowna killed off the minor penalty. Just as the penalty expired, David Vieten grabbed the loose puck with his hand, quickly placing the puck at the side of the goal, before trying to put the puck into the open cage, before Max Palaga with a quick reaction save. This was a play, where if Vieten scores, I think this goal would be waived off. The Tribe would get an early power play just over three minutes in and come close to taking the lead. WK spots Jacob Brockman going to the net, would be stoned by Max Palaga. This was a big stop on the PK as Vernon kills off the minor. Shortly after the Vipers cough up the puck inside their own blueline, allowing the Warriors an odd man rush. Lucas Cullen left alone at the side of the net, would be robbed by Max Palaga who flashed the leather, making a highlight reel glove save, keeping this a tie game. Minutes later second year Vipers forward Logan Cash with a huge check on Jake Harrison deep inside the Warriors zone. Lucas Cullen comes rushing in, grabs a hold of Cash before throwing a few punches. With the referee standing right there, he allows the play to continue while Cullen is going after Cash before the two drop the gloves in the lone scrap of the contest. Cullen and Cash would get tossed from the hockey game. Why wasn't there an extra penalty on Lucas Cullen for being the aggressor? Cullen should have been give two minutes for instigating the fight. The Warriors catch a break. On the following play/shift Vernon would get a PP. Again, getting some pucks to the net, couldn't capitalize with the man advantage. Shortly after the minor expired, Elan Bar-Lev-Wise connects on a great pass through the slot, looked to have Brock Baier beat before the Tribe's goaltender comes across the blue paint, to make a huge blocker save, keeping this game tied. With just over four minutes remaining Jason McKee and the Vipers call a late timeout. Now the official signaled the Warriors called the timeout but on the Vipers post game radio show, Graham Turnbull said it was the Vipers who called the timeout. Shortly after the timeout, Landon Fuller dangled through the neutral zone, stepped across the blueline before ripping a laser high past Brock Baier, giving Vernon a 3-2 lead at 16:24 Fuller's goal was unassisted as the Snakes bench erupted. The Vipers would hem the Warriors in their own end for at least a minute, winding down the clock and not allowing WK a chance to get the goaltender to the bench. With 1:02 left in the season opener, the Warriors would get Brock Baier to the bench for the extra attacker. The Tribe with a few low shots couldn't hit the net, before the Vipers were able to clear the zone. Captain and Kelowna product Connor Marrit would eventually hit the open cage, giving Vernon a 4-2 lead at 19:58 as the Viper bench got to there feet. Vernon would come away with the 4-2 victory on opening night. The Tribe had only four shots on goal the entire period, but at least two if not three of those were very good looks/grade A chances, couldn't bury their opportunities. Other then those few opportunities, Vernon carried most of the play and were the better team, I thought dominated the play and period. The Vipers had full control and puck possession through out the final twenty minutes. The Snakes didn't get a lot of chances but had some good looks/opportunities now and again. Vernon kept chipping away and just when it looked like the game may go to overtime, Landon Fuller plays hero with the game winner. West Kelowna went at least five minutes if not longer without recording a single shot on goal. Vernon outshot West Kelowna 15-4.

Top Player's: (Vernon)

Landon Fuller (1 goal) I'm not just picking Fuller because he scored the game winner. I thought Fuller had a heck of a game on the Vipers backend. Was skating hard, physical, finishing his checks, jumping up into the rush, played well at both ends of the rink. Kept his emotions in check and played the right way.

Matt Kowalski Played the point on the power play, I thought was another young fellow who played very well in the win. The former Warrior and Nanaimo Clipper now playing for his hometown Vipers, was very strong with and without the puck. I really liked his game. Played with a lot of determination, battled and competed as well as created/generated some looks-opportunities.

Ben Sanderson Had a strong night up front for the Vernon Vipers. Was hard in on the forecheck, skating hard, creating plays, was making things happen.

Connor Sleeth May have not recorded a point but did a lot of the little things in tonight's contest that a lot of fans don't see. Made several extra efforts/strong plays with his stick defensively to break up the pass late in the game. Really sees/and reads the ice well.

JoJo Tanaka-Campbell (1 assist) Was very good on the draw.  

Cam MacDonald (1 goal) I really like the looks of this kid. Caught my attention in the pre-season. Scored the overtime winning goal Sunday afternoon vs the Brooks Bandits, opened the scoring in tonight's contest. Plays hard, a good skater, can handle the puck, played well at both ends of the rink.

Doug Scott Was recently acquired this week in a trade with the Alberta Junior Hockey League Grande Prairie Storm. I really liked his game during the pre-season when playing for the Storm. I thought he had a very strong game on Vernon's blueline tonight. Reads the ice well, a good puck moving d-man, looked good in his Vipers debut.

Max Palaga (24 saves) Played in five games last season before leaving the team for the Western Hockey League, returned to the Vipers over the summer. Looked a little shaky at the start, seemed to settle down as the game went on. Looked to have some difficulties handling the puck in and around the goal. Was forced to make two large saves in the 3rd period, to keep this a tie hockey game.

Game Thought's: (Vernon)

I really liked Vernon's game. I thought for playing there first regular season game together after all the final cuts from training camp/and the pre-season, I thought the team looked pretty good. I thought the Vipers looked and played very well in the 1st and 3rd periods. It was the 2nd period where they didn't look so hot. I thought the Snakes gave up way too many odd man rushes, made some poor decisions coming out of there own end with the puck, look to be quick this year and play with an aggressive forecheck. The Snakes created/& generated some good looks and opportunities had a slight edge in play tonight. I thought Vernon was the better team in the 1st and 3rd periods. After the Warriors scored two quick back to back goals in the opening frame, give credit to the Vipers for a quick push back and then Ben Helgeson tying the game shortly there after. I thought Vernon did a lot of little things right and had some timely plays at key situations in the game, that were big contributors to lead to the win. Give Logan Cash a pat on the back for not backing down from Lucas Cullen in the 3rd period. Great to see a lot of Viper fans in attendance tonight. The Snakes start the season on a three game road trip and play nineteen of their first twenty six games on the road. New Head Coach/GM Jason McKee picks up his first regular season win with the Vipers. The Vipers have won five straight in West Kelowna going back to the 2016-17 season. I have missed only one Vipers game in West Kelowna, since the Warriors moved to West Kelowna in 2006. I noticed nobody wore Jagger Williamson's #11 during the pre-season and nobody was wearing #11 tonight. Does this mean the Vipers will retire Williamson's #11? Former Vipers defenceman Jack Judson's parents were in attendance tonight. Jack is playing his first season at Arizona State University.

Top Player's: (West Kelowna)

Declan Douthart I thought was one of the better Warriors d-men. Played well, was getting pucks to the net and played well at both ends of the rink.

David Vieten Not the biggest player, but quick and slippery. Hard to defend against, goes to the net, digs in the corner and along the wall. Never quits working.

Brandon Dent Not the biggest kid but works/competes very hard. Fairly skilled, is quick on his feet, involved in the play, hard to defend against. Played with a lot of jump and energy.

Jacob Brockman (1 assist) Caught my eye. I thought played very well in the loss. Was going to the net, looking for opportunities all evening. Was involved in the play.

Lucas Cullen A veteran forward for the Tribe, Played hard, was involved in the play, created/generated some looks and opportunities. Stood up for one of his team mates, who was levelled in the 3rd period by Logan Cash. Went after Cash right after the check, before the two dropped the gloves. Cullen is a tough customer and plays hard.

Levi Stauber (1 goal) Opened the scoring for WK, Was another kid who played hard, drives the goal, looking for opportunities.

Brock Baier (35 saves) Played fairly well between the pipes. Very good positionally, doesn't give up a lot of second opportunities. Was forced to make a few tough stops tonight.

Game Thought's: (West Kelowna)

The Warriors held there own at times but looked to have trouble with Vernon's speed and forecheck. The Tribe had some good looks/opportunities, couldn't bury there chances. Other then the middle frame, the Warriors didn't get a lot of zone time & puck possession. West Kelowna plays a tight checking game, limited the Snakes chances at times, especially in the 2nd period. The Tribe boxed the Vipers out on the PK, kept Vernon to the outside for most of there power play's. The Warriors had several odd man rushes, couldn't convert. West Kelowna was the better team in the 2nd period. A key turning point in the hockey game, was the Warriors disallowed goal with two minutes remaining in the second frame. Overall this was a very entertaining and exciting hockey game, that could have easily gone either way tonight. Both teams caught a break at times. The Warriors finished the pre-season with a 2-4 record will host the Wenatchee Wild tomorrow night. After all the controversy around the Warriors owner over the summer, I wasn't sure what kind of crowd to show up tonight. But give the city of West Kelowna a pat on the back and coming out to support, maybe not the owner but the kids on the ice. A fairly good crowd for opening night. The Warriors have never drawn very well since moving to West Kelowna in 2006. The Warriors were sporting a new look tonight. The team was wearing new jerseys for the home opener. All beige with a red stripe with black trim going across and around the jersey through the Warriors logo. Because these jerseys aren't white, I'm guessing they are the teams new third set jerseys?

Here is a look at the Warriors new jerseys they were wearing tonight,

Scratches:

Vernon:

Jack Glen
Brett Fudger
Nicholas Kent

West Kelowna:

Ryan Novecosky
Garrett Ewert
Parm Dhaliwal

Energy Player of the Game:

Brandon Dent

Three Star's:

1st Star: Landon Fuller (1 goal)
2nd Star: Levi Stauber (1 goal)
3rd Star: Brock Baier (35 saves)

Boxscore/Game summary,

https://bchl.ca/stats/game-summary/9200

Game Report,

https://lscluster.hockeytech.com/game_reports/official-game-report.php?lang_id=1&client_code=bchl&game_id=9200

Text Boxscore,

https://lscluster.hockeytech.com/game_reports/text-game-report.php?lang_id=1&client_code=bchl&game_id=9200  

Here are both teams rosters/lineup's,

Vernon:

Goaltenders:

Max Palaga 00
Dawson Pelletier 01

Defence:

Landon Fuller 99
Christian Felton 00
Trey Taylor 02
Keigo Hachisuka 01
Brendan Kim 00
Nicholas Kent 01
Doug Scott 00

Forwards:

Matt Kowalski 99
Ben Sanderson 00
Ben Helgeson 00
Colby Feist 02
Connor Marritt 99
Jack Glen 01
Connor Sleeth 99
Nick Cherkowski 00
Jojo Tanaka-Campbell 01
Brett Fudger 01
Logan Cash 00
Cam MacDonald 02
Ryan Shostak 01
Elan Bar-Lev-Wise 01

West Kelowna:

Goaltenders:

Brock Baier 99
Johnny Derrick 01

Defence:

Ryan Novecosky 00
Jake Harrison 99
Skyler Cameron 02
Spencer Hora 99
Declan Douthart 00
Nick Ardanaz 02
Austin Chorney 00
Garrett Ewert 99

Forwards:

Ryan Upson 01
Brendan Pigeon 01
Max Bulawka 01
David Vieten 01
Mason Richey 00
Rob Christy 01
John Evans 02
Brandon Dent 01
Parm Dhaliwal 99
Drew Vieten 01
Jacob Brockman 01
Lucas Cullen 99
Levi Stauber 00

Please feel free to leave a suggestion or comment below, in the comment box at the bottom of this post. I always enjoy and post all comments. Thank you for the comments and visiting my blog.

Here are some photo's I took from tonight's Vipers-Warriors regular season opener,