Vernon 4 Chilliwack 1

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 visiting my blog.

I was at tonight's Vipers/Chiefs game as Vernon defeated Chilliwack 4-1 in front of 1,686 fans at Kal Tire Place.

Starting Goaltenders:

Vernon: Reilly Herbst
Chilliwack: Kolby Thornton

1st Period: About four and a half minutes into the opening frame, the Vipers couldn't sneak one past Kolby Thornton on a goal mouth scramble at the top of the crease. Minutes later Connor Sleeth setup Vernon product Matt Kowalski who got in behind the Chilliwack defence only to be denied in close by Kolby Thornton on a large save early into tonight's contest. Minutes later the Vipers would get the games first power play but no real great looks or chances as the Chiefs killed off the minor. Shortly after Connor Sleeth turned over the puck inside his own blueline, allowing Carter Wilkie to scoop up the puck and have a ton of room on the right side, wired a heavy shot from outside the circle that just missed the far corner. I thought Wilkie had lots of time to take at least another stride or two before winding up with the big shot as Sleeth and the Vipers catch a break on a quality chance from off the stick of Wilkie. The Snakes with a quick turn around, come back the other way. Keigo Hachisuka with a solid individual effort, wins the race to the puck, sets up Elan Bar-Lev-Wise who spots Ben Helgeson who gets in behind the Chilliwack defence, with some soft hands, dekes out Kolby Thornton, giving Vernon a 1-0 lead at 9:48 Bar-Le-Wise drew the only assist on the goal. This goal all started because of Hachisuka's hard work and effort to get the puck, to start the play. Just over two minutes later the Snakes would get there man advantage of the evening. Vernon had some looks but no real quality chances as Chilliwack kills off the penalty. About two and a half minutes later the Chiefs get there first look with the man advantage and capitalize. Joey Larson with a quick pass through the crease, setup Peter Reynolds who wired a shot crossbar and in beating Reilly Herbst making his first career start with the Vipers. The game was noted at 1-1 at 17:13 Larson collected the lone helper. This was just the third power play goal, the Snakes have given up this season. This goal seemed to give the Chiefs some life and momentum as Chilliwack with a solid push back to finish the period. Inside the final minute, Cameron MacDonald with a burst of speed, ripped a quick shot from the circle forcing Kolby Thornton to come way out to challenge, making the stop with 9.1 seconds left. It was 1-1 after 20 minutes of play. For a second straight game I thought the Snakes got off to a good start and played very well for most of the 1st period. I thought Vernon carried a lot of the play for at least the first ten minutes or so. The Vipers with some good looks/chances were the better team in the first half. Chilliwack responded and picked up there game in the second half, but it wasn't until the Chiefs tied the game on the PP late seemed to take over the final few minutes of the opening period, giving the Vipers some trouble to end the period. Vernon was outshooting Chilliwack 5-4 about five or six minutes into the hockey game, before the Vipers went ahead 10-5 at one point. Vernon outshot Chilliwack 14-10.

2nd Period: Just over two minutes into the middle frame, Brett Rylance tried getting around the Vernon defence before going hard to the goal, ended up crashing into Vernon Vipers starting goaltender Reilly Herbst. Both Viper defenders went after Rylance giving him a few shoves. Rylance was sent to the box for goaltender interference sending the Snakes to an early power play. The Vipers didn't get a lot or any real quality opportunities as the visiting Chilliwack Chiefs killed off the minor. About two minutes later the Vipers setup Logan Cash who bailed down the left wing, had a quality chance couldn't solve Chilliwack Chiefs starting goaltender Kolby Thornton. The Vipers with a ton of pressure were slowly taking over the 2nd period. Vernon with a lot of offensive zone time, had the Chiefs back on there heels. Just before the halfway mark, Brendan Kim jumped into the rush, with some slick moves would be denied by Kolby Thornton. Shortly after on an odd man rush the Vipers spotted Trey Taylor who joined the rush couldn't solve Thornton. Three big stops by the Chilliwack netminder who had to be sharp with the Snakes pouring it on. With about five minutes remaining Peter Reynolds with a nice move at the Vernon blueline, ripped a heavy shot that forced Reilly Herbst into making a big pad stop off the rush. Towards the end of the period Joey Larson on a backhand just missed the far corner as the Chiefs come very close to taking there first lead of the evening. The Vipers quickly turned the puck back up ice, setting up Matt Kowalski who beat Kolby Thornton, giving Vernon a 2-1 lead at 17:51 Ryan Shostak & Logan Cash collected the assists. A great look/opportunity at one end and a goal at the other end. A large goal for the Snakes, gives them a one goal lead late in the period. In the dying seconds Landon Fuller with a big check on Brett Willits in front of the Chiefs bench. Willits wasn't happy with the hit, slashed Fuller in the back of the leg and was given two minutes for slashing, sending the Snakes to a late PP with just two seconds remaining. A dumb penalty to take at the end of the period, giving the opposition a power play to start the 3rd period. Brian Maloney and the Chiefs staff wont be pleased with the penalty. The Chilliwack bench was upset with the Fuller hit, while Carter Wilkie went after Fuller as the two exchanged words while skating around the rink. It was 2-1 Vernon after 40 minutes of play. It was all Vipers as Vernon carried most of the play. The Snakes played most of the period in the offensive zone, had the Chiefs on there heels most of the middle frame. The Chiefs went at least six or seven minutes without a shot on goal. The Vipers looked very strong, were moving the puck, skating hard, playing with a lot of jump/energy, were dangerous with the puck and hard to contain. This was a carbon copy period of the Vipers 2nd period vs the Merritt Centennials last night. Chilliwack played most of the period in there own end, struggled offensively to get the puck out of there own end and create/generate chances. Vernon outshot Chilliwack 10-4.

3rd Period: The Vipers started the third period on the man advantage, that was carried over from the end of the 2nd period. The Snakes with several looks early but none better then Ben Helgeson's shot from in close at the top of the blue paint forced Kolby Thornton to make a large save in the dying seconds of the PP. Thornton and the Chiefs killed off the penalty. About a minute later Viper captain Connor Marritt skated hard down the left wing, drove hard to the goal ripped a shot from the circle beat Kolby Thornton but looked to go off the crossbar on a great opportunity to give Vernon some insurance. Three minutes later, Jake Veri ripped a shot from the high slot that managed to get through traffic, just missed the far corner as Vernon catches a break on a shot that looked to be labelled. Shortly after the Chiefs with another undisciplined penalty, sending the Snakes back to the power play, there second of the period. Chilliwack with a very aggressive forecheck, took away Vernon's time and space, were in the face of the Vipers limiting there open ice. The Snakes struggled to get anything going on the PP as Chilliwack with a solid penalty kill, kills off the minor. About a minute and a half later, the Vipers take an unnecessary penalty of there own, giving the Chiefs just there second power play of the evening. The Chiefs couldn't capitalize with the man advantage as Vernon kills off the penalty. About a minute later Matt Kowalski would be hauled down near the side of the goal, giving the Vipers another PP. Kowalski and the Snakes make the Chiefs pay. Kowalski scores his second of the night, giving Vernon a 3-1 lead at 14:47 giving the Vipers a little insurance. Jackson Caller & Logan Cash collected the helpers. With around three minutes left, Brian Maloney and the Chiefs call a timeout, get Kolby Thornton to the bench for the extra attacker. Chilliwack un able to really get control of the puck and setup, before Viper captain Connor Marritt hit's the open net on the breakaway, giving Vernon a 4-1 lead at 17:12 Connor Sleeth and Jackson Caller drew the assists. This basically put the game away as the Chiefs couldn't really muster much offence in the final minutes as Vernon knocks off Chilliwack 4-1. Another strong period from the Snakes in a game if the power play would have been clicking, Vernon could have put this game away earlier in the period. Even though the Vipers carried a lot of the play, it was only a one goal game and the Chiefs were only one shot away from tying the game. A big goal from Matt Kowalski gave Vernon some insurance. The Chiefs for a second straight period, went a good chunk of this period without a shot on goal. Chilliwack just couldn't get any kind of offence going tonight, had troubles creating/& or generating chances. Your not going to win many hockey games if you don't shoot the puck and for whatever reason, the visiting Chiefs didn't seem to want to shoot the puck enough. I thought the Snakes defence was good in the final twenty minutes and give credit to the Vipers for playing with a high tempo forecheck. The Vipers were the better of the two teams, had more of the play and more control of the period. Vernon outshot Chilliwack 9-3.

Top Player's: (Vernon)

Matt Kowalski (2 goals) Has been one of the more consistent Vipers this season. The local kid has had several good opportunities this year, just couldn't find the back of the net. To see him score two tonight, maybe he's your goal scorer. Played a heck of a game tonight, was very good at both ends, didn't quit skating and was hard to defend against.

Ben Helgeson (1 goal) For a second straight night, this kid has caught my attention and played very well. He didn't get a lot of offensive chances but does a lot of the little things, most people don't see or notice. Here's a kid who has the size and skill is inconsistent at times.

The line of Connor Marritt (1 goal), Logan Cash (2 assists) & Connor Sleeth (1 assist) Was very good in the win this evening. The captain played a large role in the win, was strong at both ends of the rink. Was getting pucks to the net, creating opportunities, good on the draw. Cash was skating, competed, had his looks/opportunities, was creating open ice and making things happen. Sleeth who has yet to shine as a Viper, turned the puck over in the 1st period, made a few nice plays tonight. This line has some chemistry and played very well together.

Keigo Hachisuka Was buzzing all night. Was hard in on pucks, winning battles/races, never quit skating, played with a ton of energy. Really impressed me tonight. Showed a lot of confidence tonight.

Brendan Kim with another solid game on the Vernon blueline. Was very good in the win over Merritt Friday.

Reilly Herbst (16 saves) Got his first start in goal as a Viper tonight after being acquired Thursday from the USHL. Come on in relief last night after the 1st period, stopped all fourteen shots in the final two periods, earned his first career BCHL win. Herbst wasn't tested much tonight, but was good when tested. Improves to 2-0 in his first two games.

Game Thought's: (Vernon)

For a third straight game the Vipers have played very well and playing with a lot more confidence. This team looks like a completely different hockey club then the one I watched last weekend at the BCHL Showcase in Penticton. Tonight was a very tough test in facing the Chiefs, a team that recently shutout the Vipers 2-0 in Chilliwack on Wednesday. One of the top teams in the league, 2nd in the Mainland Division the Chiefs have a high powered offence. Give the Snakes full credit for not only getting the win and the two points but how they held there own against Chilliwack, outplayed them most of the game and held the Chiefs to just seventeen shots and one goal. The Chiefs had just seven shots in the final two periods. I really liked Vernon's game tonight, I thought they played with an aggressive attack, were strong in on pucks, skated hard, were moving the puck up ice in a hurry, had the Chiefs on there heels most of the night. The Vipers with just two minor penalties all night, were very well disciplined. The team played not only with a lot of confidence but played with chemistry. The Viper bench was up and cheering and at the end of the game, most of the players on the bench were slamming there sticks along the boards in the dying seconds of the hockey game, up patting one another on the heads. The Vipers were hard to contain and hard to defend against all night. Vipers go 1-6 with the man advantage. A smaller crowd on hand tonight, after a pretty big crowd last night. It's hard to draw people out on back to back games and for whatever reason, teams from the Mainland or Island Division never draw well. For a second straight game, Assistant Coach Larry Draper was not on the Vipers bench. I forgot to mention this last night, but I have to give the officials from last night's game and again tonight for calling a great game. Rumors going around the arena before the game was the Vipers traded Doug Scott just a few hours prior to tonight's game to Merritt for future considerations. Rumors also saying goaltender Max Palaga is injured and out for a month. With the win Vernon improves to 5-6-0-0 move into 5th place in the Interior Division are tied in points with West Kelowna. The Vipers are ten points up on 7th place Merritt and four points back of Wenatchee. The Vipers next game is Wednesday in Merritt.

Top Player's: (Chilliwack)

Jack Agnew I thought played well on the Chiefs backend.

Peter Reynolds (1 goal) Was one of if not the most dangerous forward for Chilliwack. Very shifty, was hard to contain and defend against, had a few looks in the loss.

Kolby Thornton (29 saves) Had to be sharp, faced 33 shots in the loss. A big kid who covers a lot of the net, was forced to make some large saves at times through out the contest. I thought was very good and kept the Chiefs in the hockey game at times.

Game Thought's: (Chilliwack)

I wasn't overly impressed with the Chiefs. I watched the Vipers-Chiefs game online Wednesday and thought the Vipers were the better team that night. The Snakes were the better team tonight and outplayed Chilliwack most of the night. The Chiefs saw a lot of action in there own end, had troubles with Vernon's speed and aggressive attack. The Chiefs looked good on the PK but struggled offensively. Chilliwack had troubles gaining traction, didn't get a lot of rubber towards the goal, seemed to try and make a move instead of shooting. The Chiefs had troubles creating/generating opportunities and didn't have a lot of time in the offensive zone. The Chiefs took some undisciplined penalties and were lucky Vernon's power play wasn't clicking, or the final score could have been different. For a team that sits 2nd in the Mainland and a point out of top spot in the division, the Chiefs sure didn't look/or play like one of the top teams in the league. Chilliwack has lost seven of there nine road games this season. The Chiefs have lost three of there last four games.The Chiefs won both games over the Vipers last year, have struggled in Vernon. Since the 2003-04 season Chilliwack has only two wins in Vernon. Last years 3-2 win in Vernon, was the first win in Vernon since 2010. With the loss Chilliwack drops to 8-5-1-1 sit 2nd in the Mainland Division are six points up on Langley and two points back of division leading Coquitlam.

Scratches:

Vernon:

Ben Sanderson
Colby Feist
Max Palaga (Injured)

I have heard all three scratches are injured

Chilliwack:

Hudson Thornton

Energy Player of the Game:

Ryan Shostak (1 assist)

Three Star's:

1st Star: Matt Kowalski (2 goals)
2nd Star: Logan Cash (2 assists)
3rd Star: Jackson Caller (2 assists)

Boxscore/Game Summary,

https://bchl.ca/stats/game-summary/9284 

Game Report,

https://lscluster.hockeytech.com/game_reports/official-game-report.php?lang_id=1&client_code=bchl&game_id=9284

Text Boxscore,

https://lscluster.hockeytech.com/game_reports/text-game-report.php?lang_id=1&client_code=bchl&game_id=9284

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Here are some pictures I took before and during tonight's Vipers/Chiefs game,