Vernon 3 Trail 2 Overtime

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 2009. In the past thirty years I have only missed 45 home games. For anyone who couldn't attend or watch 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 professional and unbiased and give a fare game recap from both sides. Thank you for visiting my blog.

I was at tonight's Vipers-Smoke Eaters game as Vernon defeated Trail 3-2 in overtime in front of 1,934 fans at Kal Tire Place.

Starting Goaltenders:

Vernon: Reilly Herbst
Trail: Logan Terness

1st Period: The Smoke Eaters would jump on an early power play just close to four minutes into the hockey game. Trail struggled with the man advantage, as the Vipers aggressive penalty kill, created some chances with the puck. Trey Taylor jumped up into the play shorthanded, beat Logan Terness from the slot, giving Vernon a 1-0 lead at 4:41 Connor Sleeth drew the lone helper. I think this was a goal the Smokies netminder would like to have back. The Snakes PK was very solid, killed off the minor as the Smoke Eaters didn't register a single shot on goal. Minutes later Michael Colella setup Corey Clifton on an odd man rush, Clifton would be stoned by Reilly Herbst who come across the blue paint to make a large save, keeping this a one goal game on a grade a chance from the Trail Smoke Eaters. Shortly after in the offensive zone, Jo Jo Tanaka-Campbell took a stick to the face, went down and was down on the ice as the play continued. Tanaka-Campbell tried getting up to his feet, lost an edge fell back down to the ice, before getting up and making his way to the Vipers dressing room, holding his glove over his face. Tanaka-Campbell didn't return. There was no penalty/call on the play, on a missed call. The Smokies needed almost nine minutes to record there first shot of the game, just before tying the contest. On a Viper turnover, Tyler Ghirardosi beat Reilly Herbst tying the game 1-1 at 9:13 Ghirardosi's goal was unassisted. This was the third time Vernon coughed up the puck in there own end. A costly mistake evened the score. About two and a half minutes later, the Snakes would get there first look with the man advantage but couldn't capitalize. Shortly after newly acquired Dawson Holt lead a three on two attack. Holt waited before setting up Viper captain Connor Marritt going to the goal, couldn't solve Logan Terness. On the following play Vernon would get into penalty trouble, sending Trail to the poer play. The Smokies couldn't convert, only managed one shot as Vernon killed off the minor. But seventeen seconds later Trail would get a lengthy two man advantage. The Viper penalty kill was solid, kept the Smokies to the outside, held Trail to just two shots before the final buzzer. It was 1-1 after 20 minutes of play. I thought the Snakes played very well and carried the better of the play. The Vipers only managed a few quality chances but carried the better of the play. Vernon struggled in there own end, turned over the puck a handful of times, struggled to get the puck out of there own end. One of these turnovers lead to Trail's game tying goal. The Smoke Eaters didn't have a lot of puck possession or get a lot of opportunities. The Smoke Eaters with four power play's looked to have a set play, looked to always try and setup Michael Colella at the side of the net. The Vipers were the better of the two teams but the game was tied. Vernon outshot Trail 9-6.

2nd Period: The Smokies started the period on the man advantage that was carried over from the 1st period. Trail was on a late two man advantage. Vernon was able to kill off the first penalty, still had fifty one seconds left to kill off to start the middle frame. The Vipers would kill off the remainder of the penalty, quickly turned the play around on some hard work from Dawson Holt, who spotted Vernon product Matt Kowalski in the high slot, ripped a shot high and past Trail Smoke Eaters starting goaltender Logan Terness, giving Vernon a 2-1 lead at 1:03 Holt with the lone assist. The Snakes then took over the play for the next four to five minutes, had some good looks but no real quality opportunities before jumping on an early PP. Matt Kowalski with at least two opportunities with the man advantage, couldn't bury his chances as Trail killed off the minor. Less then ten seconds later the Smokies would get a look on the power play. A strong PK by the hometown Vipers didn't give up much on the penalty kill, killed off the minor. The penalties kept coming, less then fifteen seconds later, the Snakes would go back to the power play. The Vipers struggled, allowed Kieran O'Hearn a rush up ice, ripped a heavy shot from the circle, beat Reilly Herbst but not the far post as Trail come within inches of tying the game. The Smoke Eaters with a good penalty kill, killed off the penalty. A minute later Trail went to there second PP of the 2nd period. The Smokies struggled with the man advantage, only recorded a single shot. In the dying seconds on a goal mouth scramble, Liam Freeborn buried the loose puck at the top of the crease, tied the game 2-2 at 15:47 Chase Dafoe & Jaden Senkoe collected the helpers. I thought this goal could have been waived off for goaltender interference as it looked to me as if a Smokies stick was pushing one of Reilly Herbst's pads, holding the Vipers netminder from making the save. There was no argument from Herbst or the Vernon bench. Inside the final minute the Vipers would get a late power play on Max Kryski's boarding call. This was a dangerous hit and luckily no Viper was injured on the play/hit. Vernon couldn't muster much offence before the buzzer. It was 2-2 after 40 minutes of play. I thought the Vipers were by far the better of the two teams, carried most of the play, saw a lot of time in the offensive zone. Vernon had way more puck possession, had lots of good looks/chances only managed one goal. The Smoke Eaters saw a lot of time in there own end, didn't have a lot of puck possession, had only two shots in the first ten minutes of play. The Smokies struggled offensively. The referee's were calling a tight game, in a penalty filled 2nd period. Neither team could get much going as there wasn't a lot of five on five play. The penalties took away from the game. The Vipers gave up a late power play goal, needed to capitalize on one of there PP's. Vernon outshot Trail 13-4.

3rd Period. Vernon started the final frame on the man advantage that was carried over from the 2nd period. The Vipers struggled as Trail killed off the remainder of the minor. About four minutes in, the Vipers top unit broke out on an odd man rush. Matt Kowalski with a saucer pass, setup captain Connor Marritt who would be robbed by the goal stick of Logan Terness. It looked like Marritt had scored, but somehow the Smoke Eaters goaltender got his stick across just in time to make the save of the night, keeping this a tie game. Three minutes later Logan Terness would be forced to make another large save as the Vipers were pressing early. Both teams struggled at times in the first half, making several poor passes/mistakes. Just past the halfway mark, Connor Sleeth with a quality opportunity, couldn't bury his chance in close as Vernon had some very good chances in the first half of the period. Shortly after Max Kryski would get four minutes for slew footing Keigo Hachisuka. Vernon struggled with the man advantage, were bunching up, turning the puck over, making poor decisions with and without the puck, couldn't get anything going on the power play. On another turnover, Tyler Ghirardosi stole the loose puck, went in for the breakaway would be hauled down by Nicholas Kent. Ghirardosi would be rewarded a penalty shot. Ghirardosi with a nice move in close, looked to have Vernon Vipers starting goaltender Reilly Herbst beat, but Herbst swatted the puck down with his glove on a large save, keeping this game knotted up at two. Shortly after Trey Taylor jumped into the play, would take an undisciplined penalty, sending both teams to four on four and basically eliminating the four minute PP. With about six minutes remaining Brendan Kim with some soft hands, weaved his way in and out of traffic before being stopped in close on a nice save from Logan Terness. About a minute later the Vipers looked to be running out of gas, were caught running around in there own end. This almost cost the Snakes after Tyler Ghirardosi and Michael Colella with quality chances for Trail. The Smokies seemed to catch a bit of life late in the 3rd, poured on some good pressure to end the hockey game. It was 2-2 after 60 minutes of play. Both teams looked a little scrambled in the first seven or eight minutes. I thought the Vipers carried most of the play but looked very disorganized at times. Coughed up the puck, made poor decisions with and without the puck, looked out of sorts. Vernon also looked tired as the period went on, were playing there third game in four days. The Snakes had some grade a chances, at least three or four, but couldn't solve Logan Terness who made some large saves keeping his team in the contest. Give Trail credit as they finally seemed to get some kind of offensive attack going late and were the better of the two teams in the final five minutes. The Smokies had the Vipers back on there heels, come close to grabbing there first lead of the game on some shots from in and around the goal. The Vipers were up and down this period. One shift looked good, the next one not so good. Vernon carried most of the play until the Smokies finished out the final five minutes with there most pressure all night. Shots were 8-8.

Overtime: For the second straight night, Vernon was going to overtime (Three on three). Off the opening faceoff, Matt Kowalski setup Connor Marritt on the two on one, Marritt would be stopped in close after Logan Terness come up with a big pad save at the side of the net. The Snakes carried a lot of the play early but no opportunities. With about two minutes remaining, Logan Cash on the wrap around, looked to have Logan Terness beat but the Trail goaltender stretched out his left pad to make a large toe save, keeping this game tied. The Smokies pushed back on the same shift. Tyler Ghirardosi would get the Smoke Eaters best opportunity of overtime but would be stopped in close on a big save from Reilly Herbst. With just over a minute to go, Nicholas Kent setup Connor Sleeth who spotted a wide open Matt Kowalski. The local kid come down the right wing, one on one unloaded a rocket from the circle that beat Logan Terness shortside, giving Vernon the 3-2 overtime win at 3:54 as the Viper bench erupted onto the ice. Kent & Sleeth drew the assists as Kal Tire Place went into a frenzy. I thought Vernon carried the balance of play in the extra frame, had three good chances before giving scoring the overtime winner. Vernon outshot Trail 3-1.

Top Player's: (Vernon)

For the second straight night, I thought the top unit of Connor Marrit, Matt Kowalski (2 goals) and Dawson Holt (1 assist) carried the Viper attack. These three are playing with a lot of confidence and chemistry. This line was a threat through out the evening, created/generated some grade a chances.

The line of Elan Bar-Lev-Wise, Connor Sleeth (1 assist) and Ben Helgeson also looked/played very well for a second straight game. I might sound like a broken record, but I thought Ben Helgeson has really ramped up his game the past few weeks and had another dandy of a game tonight. Didn't record a point but made things happen. Creates/generates offense with his speed, skill and drive. Really opens the ice up, forced the d-men to collapse along the wall, which intends to open up the middle of the ice. I also think Connor Sleeth has picked up his game the past week. Sleeth was acquired over the summer in a trade with the Kanata Lasers, has struggled offensively since arriving in BC. One of the top three point getters in the OJHL last season, has struggled to produce goals in Vernon. I wonder if Sleeth was out of shape/or poorly conditioned and now just getting into game shape, because he looks much quicker now then three weeks ago. He seems to be more involved in the play and is slowly starting to make some plays. Here's a kid that needs to get going and produce some goals/points for the Vipers.

Trey Taylor (1 goal) Opened the scoring shorthanded, I thought played well at both ends of the rink. Was jumping up into the play, good on the PK, blocked at least two shots tonight. I didn't like his penalty in the 3rd but otherwise played a good game.

Cameron MacDonald I thought used his speed and hard work to make some plays, played with a lot of jump/energy tonight.

Reilly Herbst (17 saves) Wasn't tested often but was forced to make a few big stops tonight. Improves to 5-0 on the season. Do the Vipers have a goaltending issue now? What will happen with Max Palaga when he returns from his injury? I think Herbst deserves the #1 job and has earned it after playing in only five games. Will Palaga want to be the backup?

Game Thought's: (Vernon)

The Vipers were the better of the two teams. I thought Vernon carried most of the play most of the game. The Snakes had some very good quality opportunities, could have put this game away, long before having to go to overtime. The Vipers had the better of the scoring opportunities. The 2nd period was Vernon's best period. They were all over Trail most of the period, but only managed one goal. I thought the Vipers looked tired/out of gas at times in the 3rd and even though carried a lot of the play in the 3rd, looked very disorganised. Made several poor decisions with and without the puck. Got caught in there own end, the last five or so minutes of the final period, were lucky to escape and head to overtime. I thought the Snakes struggled in there own end, coughed up pucks often. Several poor passes up the middle or soft plays off the board, that never got out and resulted in Trail getting the puck back. The Vipers defence needs to communicate more with one another, including the goaltender. Vipers need to use the boards/glass more often when trying to clear the zone, not firing a soft pass up the middle. I also thought Vernon struggled with the man advantage. 0-6 couldn't seem to muster any kind of threat on the PP. Give credit to Trail's penalty kill, kept Vernon to the outside, took away a lot of there time and space and any pucks that were towards the goal, Logan Terness had no problem gobbling them up. I did like the Viper penalty kill, I thought was very good. They gave up one PP goal in the dying seconds on a tough save for Reilly Herbst to make, other wise were perfect on the PK. Kept the Smokies to the outside, took away the shooting lanes and played a similar penalty kill to Trail. Playing there third game in four days looked to take a toll on the Vipers, especially in the 3rd period. After playing in Merritt and Penticton, getting home late on both nights and then an early 6pm puck drop tonight, this is a lot of hockey for these kids. When the game started there was a lot of empty seats, but as the 1st period continued a lot of fans showed up late, turning out to be a pretty good crowd. The Vipers have now won five straight and playing there best hockey of the season. Tonight was a big test for the boys, facing another top team in the division. The Snakes had two very tough games this weekend and won both in overtime. The Snakes needed the win tonight in a game where they were the better team. You hate to see the boys lose in a game where they were the better of the two teams. Winning not only in overtime but heading out on an eleven game road trip on a five game winning streak, will do wonders for this team. Imagine if they hit the road on a long losing skid or were struggling like they were after the BCHL Showcase. This is the second longest road trip I can remember Vernon ever playing. The Vipers opened the 2001 season on a ten game road trip, due to the fact the Vernon Multi-Plex wasn't finished being built. The Vipers returned home with a 2-8 record and fans wanted Mike Vandekamp's head. This lengthy road trip will be a good test for the Snakes. Not only will it build team chemistry it will see what this team is made of. With the win Vernon improves to 8-6-0-0 sit 4th in the Interior division tied in points with Wenatchee, four points ahead of West Kelowna and now only three points back of 3rd place Trail.

Top Player's: (Trail)

Michael Colella not the biggest kid but very shifty. The Smokies looked to try and feed him at the side of the goal on almost every power play. This kid is crafty and creates his own space, always in and around the goal. The Viper defence had to keep there eyes on this kid.

Tyler Ghirardosi (1 goal) One of if not the most dangerous Trail player tonight. A big kid generated a lot of opportunities. Was hard to defend against and always making things happen. Was stopped on a 3rd period penalty shot. Very skilled.

Logan Terness (30 saves) Kept his team in the hockey game, was tested often, making some game savers through out the evening. Was fighting the puck a bit at times and looked a little shaky at times on handling the puck/controlling the puck but overall played very well between the pipes. If it wasn't for Terness the Vipers would have easily won tonight's game, long before the 3rd period.

Game Thought's: (Trail)

The Trail Smoke Eaters come into Vernon riding a nine game winning streak and the hottest team in the league. Trail started the season 0-6 had won a franchise record ninth straight win Friday over the visiting Nanaimo Clippers. The Smokies sure didn't look like a team that had won nine straight prior to tonight. I didn't think Trail looked all that impressive. They have a big team and play well defensively but didn't generate or muster much offense. Vernon was the better of the two teams and carried most of the play. The Smoke Eaters saw a lot of ice time in there own end, had troubles gaining the offensive zone. The Smoke Eaters had trouble gaining traction and were lucky to be in the hockey game. Trail was lucky to come out of Vernon with a point. Trail like the Vipers, also struggled with the man advantage but like Vernon, was very good on the PK. Other then a few player's, I didn't really see much threat from the rest of the lineup. The Smokies looked like an average team with good goaltending. But give Trail credit, in a game where they were outplayed and out chanced most of the night, the Smokies found ways to hang around and make things interesting. This was the kind of team/game where one team is much better but the other team only needs one shot to win the game and this was the case tonight. I was waiting for the Smokies to catch a break or get a bounce late in the 3rd to come away with the win in a game where the Snakes fully deserved credit to win. Maybe Trail had an off night, but these two teams will meet twice in Trail on back to back nights, November 8th and 9th. This was Trail's first loss since a 3-1 loss in Wenatchee September 20th. With the loss Trail falls to 9-5-2-0 sit 3rd in the division are only three points back of Salmon Arm & Penticton who are tied in points.

Scratches:

Vernon:

Ben Sanderson (Injured)
Colby Feist (Injured)
Jack Glen
Max Palaga (Injured)

Trail:

Jameson Murray
Trevor Isaksson
Colby Elmer
Phillippe Lapointe
Walker Erickson

Energy Player of the Game:

Ben Helgeson

Three Star's:

1st Star: Matt Kowalski (2 goals)
2nd Star: Trey Taylor (1 goal)
3rd Star: Tyler Ghirardosi (1 goal)

Boxscore-Game Summary,

https://bchl.ca/stats/game-summary/9306

Game Report,

https://lscluster.hockeytech.com/game_reports/official-game-report.php?lang_id=1&client_code=bchl&game_id=9306

Text Boxscore,

https://lscluster.hockeytech.com/game_reports/text-game-report.php?lang_id=1&client_code=bchl&game_id=9306

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 your comments and visiting my blog.

Here are some photo's I took before and during tonight's Vipers-Smoke Eaters game,