Penticton 4 Vernon 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. I have only missed 45 home games in the past thirty years. I'm not a sports journalist, writer, reporter or work for the Vernon Vipers. I do not get paid for this blog and do this blog on my own personal time. I started and created this blog in November 2008 and have over 1.7 million viewers. 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 give a fare game recap from both sides. Thank you for visiting my blog.

I was at tonight's Vipers-Vees game as Penticton defeated Vernon 4-1 in front of 2,979 fans at the South Okanagan Events Centre.

Starting Goaltenders:

Vernon: Reilly Herbst
Penticton: Yaniv Perets

1st Period: The Vipers would get off to a good start, controlled the play early before going on an early power play 1:52 into the hockey game. Vernon didn't do much with the man advantage but with about thirty eight seconds left on the PP, Hunter Donohoe's point shot beat Yaniv Perets but not the post as the Snakes come within inches of opening the scoring. Vernon with only one shot on goal with the man advantage as Penticton kills off the minor. Just over five minutes in, Connor Sleeth with some wheels, tried beating his defender one on one before taking a shot from the circle, that forced Yaniv Perets into making a big stop on a good chance for the Snakes. Sleeth stayed with the play, ended up getting the puck back shortly after and tried beating Yaniv Perets on the wrap around as Sleeth with back to back opportunities. Minutes before the halfway mark Darwin Lakoduk with a shot from the high slot looked to fool Reilly Herbst, just missing the far corner. The Vipers were outshooting the Vees 6-1 at the midway mark. The hometown Vees seemed to find some energy and slowly get going before Conner Hutchison's shot from well out went in and off the post on a shot that looked to screen Reilly Herbst, giving Penticton a 1-0 lead at 11:56 Ethan Martini and Tristan Amonte picked up the assists. Minutes later with the Vees pressing, the son of former NHLer Scott Niedermayer, Jackson Niedermayer with a good look/chance in front would be denied by Reilly Herbst. With about three and a half minutes remaining, Jackson Niedermayer with another quality chance in front of the net, couldn't solve Reilly Herbst. With less then two minutes remaining, the Vees would get there first look with the man advantage. Reilly Herbst with a big stop early, but inside the final minute the Vees worked the puck around, spotting a wide open David Silye who was able to walk in and rip it past Reilly Herbst, giving Penticton a 2-0 lead at 19:34 Evan McIntyre & Jackson Niedermayer collected the helpers. This was a tough goal to give up inside the final minute. It was 2-0 Penticton after 20 minutes of play. I really liked Vernon's game early and thought the Snakes were the better team in the first ten minutes. The Vipers had lots of jump/energy, carried a lot of the play and had more puck possession. The Vipers had a few looks/opportunities, hit the post on an early power play were outshooting Penticton 6-1 at the halfway mark. Right around the midway mark, the Vees started to get there legs going, and found there game. Penticton was the better team in the second half and carried a lot of the play. The Vees had a lot of zone time and created a few chances from in and around the slot. As the period continued you could see Penticton get better as the game went on. A late power play goal was huge for the Vees and a killer for Vernon late inside the final minute of play. You never like to give up a goal early in a period or late in a period. Instead of being down a goal, the Vipers were now down two heading into the second period. Penticton outshot Vernon 9-8.

2nd Period: The Vees with a strong start, jumped on Vernon early. With pressure in the offensive zone, Penticton worked the puck around spotting Lukas Sillinger alone in the slot, gave Penticton an early 3-0 lead at 1:37 David Silye and Ethan Martini drew the helpers. Shortly after Reilly Herbst had to be alert to make a big pad stop off the son of former NHLer Tony Amonte, Tristan Amonte on a good read by the Vees forward. Lukas Sillinger took a big hit along the side wall, didn't like the hit, was slow getting up before yelling towards the referee and then slamming his stick against the glass as he skated down the ice. I thought Sillinger was very lucky he didn't pick up a misconduct penalty on the play. The veteran Vees forward skated hard down ice, before taking out his frustration, finishing two checks to finish his shift. Just before the halfway mark, David Silye and Jackson Niedermayer with opportunities, couldn't solve Vernon Vipers starting goaltender Reilly Herbst. Vernon needed ten minutes to record there first shot of the period in a period where it was all Penticton early. The Vipers would get not only there first shot of the middle frame, but three shots all in a row, but none better then Jackson Caller's point shot that found it's way through traffic but not the glove of Penticton Vees starting goaltender Yaniv Perets who flashed the leather. The Vees had some good looks late in the second half, come very close to ramping up the score but either couldn't connect on a pass or just missed the net. With about 2:10 left in the period, the Vees sprung former Vernon Vipers forward Tyler Ho in for the breakaway who would be stopped by Reilly Herbst. Ho had some fire in his belly, facing his former team for the second time this season. It was 3-0 Penticton after 40 minutes of play. The Vees were by far the better team and controlled most of the 2nd period. Penticton outplayed Vernon for most of the first half, as the Snakes saw a lot of action in there own end this period. The Vees with some good looks/opportunities basically put the game away with there third goal early into the period. Giving up the early goal, seemed to take some life out of the Snakes and Vernon looked flat after and for most of the period. The Vipers struggled offensively, had troubles getting across the red line and getting pucks towards the goal. Vernon needed ten minutes to record there first shot of the period. Penticton's defence was standing the Snakes up at the blueline most of the period. Penticton outshot Vernon 11-3.

3rd Period: The Vipers with a strong start, got some pressure and opportunities early. About a minute and a half into the final frame, Dawson Holt down the right wing ripped a low shot that looked to handcuff Yaniv Perets who had troubles finding the puck, while Viper forward/captain Connor Marritt come in pouncing on the rebound couldn't beat the Vees netminder on the second opportunity. Shortly after Brett Fudger on a turnover setup Ben Helgeson who spotted a wide open Logan Cash on an odd man rush. Cash got Vernon on the scoreboard, cutting Penticton's lead to 3-1 at 3:05 Helgeson & Fudger picked up the assists. Forty seconds later at the other end of the rink, tempers heated up at the side of Reilly Herbst after some pushing and shoving. A minor scrum broke loose with several players involved. Hunter Donohoe would come out of the pile with a roughing minor, sending the Vees to just there second power play of the evening. This was a BS call! How do the Vipers get a penalty on a play/scrum where almost everyone is involved. You can't tell me a Penticton player also didn't deserve a roughing minor? I didn't like this call. Tristan Amonte with a heavy shot forced Reilly Herbst into making a large save, as Herbst and the Vipers managed to kill off the minor. Just before the midway point, Reilly Herbst was forced into having to make another big stop with the hometown Vees pressing. Carson Kosobud with a heavy shot from the blueline, beat a screened Reilly Herbst, giving Penticton a 4-1 lead at 7:45 Lukas Sillinger & David Silye picked up the assists. At first it looked like the Penticton player standing in front of Reilly Herbst, may have got his stick on the puck. But that wasn't the case as Kosobud was credited with the goal. With about nine minutes remaining, Tyler Ho with some slick moves went in and around at least three Viper defenders before getting behind Vernon's defence couldn't solve Reilly Herbst, who stood tall, making the save. With about six minutes left in the contest, Connor Marritt and Carson Kosobud took a few jabs at one another as the play went on. Tyler Ho then skated over after the whistle and was having words with Logan Cash and Connor Marritt, as tempers were heating up a bit late in the hockey game. Vernon would get a late PP with about four minutes remaining. The Snakes struggled with the man advantage as the Vees killed off the minor. Penticton would come away with the 4-1 victory. I thought the Vipers had a good start but couldn't continue playing with the pace/and momentum, before giving up a fourth goal, that put the game away at that point. The Snakes were able to get more rubber to the net and create/generate a few chances but not enough being down three goals heading into the period. Matt Kowalski didn't see a shift in the final six minutes or so, while the three affiliated players, saw some ice time to finish the game. The Vees carried a lot of the play, played well defensively and did a lot of the little things when leading by three goals. Penticton kept the game pretty simple, didn't give Vernon much time or space to try and climb back into the hockey game. The Vees were the better team. Penticton outshot Vernon 15-10.

Top Player's: (Vernon)

Reilly Herbst (31 saves) Didn't get a lot of help from his group, was forced to make some big stops with the Vees pressing, or this could have been a much different outcome.

Game Thought's: (Vernon)

The Vipers played better after being outplayed and dominated in a 2-0 win at home Friday night. The Snakes played better but not by much. I really liked Vernon's start. I thought the Vipers got off to a quick start, hit the post on an early power play, had some looks/opportunities, were the better team in the first half of the opening frame, but couldn't open the scoring. Vernon outshot Penticton 6-1 in the first half. That's where the game changed. The Vees slowly found there game, started pressing and never really looked back. After outshooting the Vees 6-1 Vernon was outshot 8-2 to finish that 1st period. The Snakes were outplayed for most of the 2nd period, didn't look good. Vernon with a good start to the 3rd, had some jump, got on the board early to get within two goals but that didn't last very long. The Vipers struggled offensively most of the hockey game. The Snakes had troubles getting across Penticton's blueline, were stood up more times then none. The Vipers had troubles creating/generating chances, getting pucks to the net and getting through the Vees defence. The Snakes just didn't have it tonight and like last night, were chasing Penticton a lot of the night. The Vipers were trailing all night and couldn't gain much traction in or for a comeback. The Vipers had troubles defending against the Vees top unit. David Silye's power play goal late in the 1st period was a killer. Giving up a late goal is always tough but in a period where the Vipers had a good first half, If they could have got to the intermission only down a goal, maybe we see a bit of a different 2nd period? Lukas Sillinger's goal at 1:37 into the middle frame basically put the game away. Down 3-0 on the road in a tough rink vs a team that usually is hard to beat on home ice, your chances are slim. This wasn't a good weekend for the Vipers. Yes they got the win and two points Friday but the team was outplayed, out chanced and not in either of both games. Vernon did get back Connor Marritt & Logan Cash who didn't play in the win Friday. Was Matt Kowalski injured? He was on the bench but I didn't see him take a shift in the final six minutes at least. Missing six regulars hurt the Vipers this weekend. Vernon is missing some key players due to illness/injury. I was very surprised to see a very small amount of Viper fans in attendance. I spotted maybe seven to eight Viper fans at the game. The Snakes have one game remaining before the Christmas break. Trail is in Vernon Wednesday. The Vipers with a missed opportunity tonight, had a chance to move two points ahead of Wenatchee and Salmon Arm and get to within four points of Trail. Vernon plays eleven of there next fifteen games at home. The Vipers need to take advantage of some home cooking. The Vees snapped the Vipers five game winning streak. With the loss, Vernon falls to 19-13-1-1 sit 3rd in the Interior division are tied in points with Salmon Arm & Wenatchee. The Vipers are six points back of Trail and thirteen points back of division leading Penticton.

Top Player's: (Penticton)

Nico Sommerville I thought played very well in the loss in Vernon, had another solid night on the Vees backend. I really like this kid, what a great addition for Penticton.

David Silye (1 goal & 2 assists) The Vees captain lead by example in a three point night. Was hard to contain and defend against in both games over the weekend. A very smooth skating forward who reads the ice well, is always buzzing with and without the puck. Very skilled and dangerous.

Tyler Ho Started the season with the Western Hockey League Saskatoon Blades before signing with the Vees October 23rd. The former Vipers forward was ready to go tonight, played with a lot of jump/energy. Was stopped on a 2nd period breakaway and then got behind Vernon's defence in the 3rd before being stopped. Was in the face of the Snakes through out the game. Was involved in the after the whistle activities, exchanging words with several Vipers. Played with a lot of determination tonight. I really liked his game.

Ethan Martini (2 assists) The former Trail Smoke Eaters defenceman looked strong on Penticton's blueline. Played very well in the 4-1 victory.

Jackson Niedermayer (1 assist) I thought was one of the more dangerous forwards. Had some good looks/opportunities, was in and around the front of Vernon's net all evening. Was another kid who gave the Viper defence troubles. Was hard to contain and defend against.

Lukas Sillinger (1 goal & 1 assist) Looked good/Played very well in the win. This kid seems to be very consistent and brings the same type of effort and game to his game night in and night out. Isn't the biggest kid but is physical at times, finishes his checks and isn't afraid to take a hit to make a play. Was in the face of the Vipers on a few shifts tonight.

Carson Kosobud (1 goal) Had a strong game on the Vees backend. Was solid in the loss Friday as well. A big body that's physical, plays with some sand paper and gets pucks to the net.

Tristan Amonte (1 assist) Had some looks/chances, played well.

Yaniv Perets (20 saves) Stopped all fifteen Vernon shots in a 1-0 Vees victory at the BCHL Showcase October 4th in Penticton, wasn't tested often but was forced to make a few big stops in the victory tonight. On at least two Vernon shots, Perets looked to have a little trouble controlling the rebound/puck but recovered quickly to make the stop on the second opportunity.

Game Thought's: (Penticton)

After losing 2-0 in Vernon Friday in a game where they outshot the hometown Vipers 42-18 responded with a hard earned 4-1 win on home ice Saturday. The Vees fully deserved the win in Vernon but couldn't solve James Porter Jr. Tonight, Penticton opened the scoring and forced the Vipers to chase. Penticton played well with the lead and didn't give the Vipers much. The Vees with two big goals changed the outlook on the hockey game. The 2nd goal on the power play, inside the final minute of the 1st period and the Vees 3rd goal inside the first two minutes of the 2nd period. If Penticton doesn't score these goals, its only 1-0 with two periods to go. Instead the Vees jump out to a 3-0 lead at home vs a team with six regulars out of the lineup and a Viper team that up until last weekend has had troubles scoring this season. Lukas Sillinger's goal early into the middle frame, basically put the game away. I didn't think Penticton dominated the game tonight, like they did in the loss Friday, but the Vees were the better of the two teams. Penticton's top unit was hard to contain and defend against. The Vees are quick, have a good transition game and dangerous with there speed and skill but also shut you down with there defence. The Vees carried a lot of the play, had more puck possession and limited Vernon's time and space. Give a ton of credit to the Vees defence. Fred Harbinson only going with five d-men tonight, got a strong outing in the loss in Vernon and again tonight. It seemed like the Vees defenders were standing the Snakes up at the blueline on almost every rush. Vernon had troubles getting across the red line and into the offensive zone, thanks to a strong d-core tonight. I thought the Vees found holes in Vernon's game tonight and made them pay capitalizing on there chances tonight. The Vees looked like a focused group tonight and played a hard fought game. The season series is tied 2-2 with Penticton playing in Vernon New Years Day. A large crowd on hand for tonight, in a building that has a great atmosphere. I always enjoy coming to Penticton and watching the Vipers play at the SOEC. By far the best rink in the league. The Vees have two games remaining before the Christmas break. The Vees have won three of there last five and are 5-5 in there last ten games. With the win Penticton improves to 26-10-1-0 sit atop the Interior division are seven points back of league leading Coquitlam.

Scratches:

Vernon:

Landon Fuller (Suspended)
Christian Felton (Injured)
Ben Sanderson (Injured)
Cameron MacDonald (Injured)
Ryan Shostak (Injured)
Elan Bar-Lev-Wise (Sick)
Max Palaga (Injured-Out for the season)

Penticton:

Cade Webber
Jay O'Brien
Steve Holtz

Energy Player of the Game:

Tyler Ho

Three Star's:

1st Star: David Silye (1 goal & 2 assists)
2nd Star: Lukas Sillinger (1 goal & 1 assist)
3rd Star: Ethan Martini (2 assists)

Boxscore-Game Summary,

https://bchl.ca/stats/game-summary/9473

Game Report,

https://lscluster.hockeytech.com/game_reports/official-game-report.php?lang_id=1&client_code=bchl&game_id=9473

Text Boxscore,

https://lscluster.hockeytech.com/game_reports/text-game-report.php?lang_id=1&client_code=bchl&game_id=9473

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Here are some photo's I took before and during tonight's Vipers-Vees game.