Trail 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. In the past thirty years I have only missed 45 home games. 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-Smoke Eaters game as Trail defeated Vernon 4-1 in front of 1,683 fams at Kal Tire Place.

Starting Goaltenders:

Vernon: James Porter Jr
Trail: Logan Terness

1st Period: The visiting Trail Smoke Eaters got the early jump on the hometown Vernon Vipers and carried the play early. The Vipers were back on there heels and saw a lot of action in there own end early. The Smoke Eaters had the early puck possession, were getting pucks to the net, had two real good looks with James Porter Jr having to be sharp in the first half. The Snakes needed seven minutes to record there first shot of the hockey game. Trail was outshooting Vernon 7-1 at this point in the contest. On the following play, Trail would get the games first power play. The Smokies with some looks, but none better then a shot from the point that found it's way through traffic, went off the mask of James Port Jr and stayed out. The Vipers would kill off the minor. Minutes past the halfway mark, the Vipers would spot second year forward Ben Helgeson at the side of the goal, couldn't capitalize on what looked to be a wide open net in front, on a missed opportunity. The Smokies with a good push back shift, turned the play quickly up ice setting up leading scorer Kent Johnson who would be stopped in front before getting a second chance on the rebound would robbed at the side of the goal, after James Porter Jr come sliding across the blue paint to make an unbelievable pad save off Johnson. On the following play, the Snakes would get there first look with the man advantage. Jackson Caller setup Cameron MacDonald in the slot, beat Logan Terness from the high slot, giving Vernon a 1-0 lead at 13:09 Jackson Caller and Nicholas Kent picked up the assists. About a minute and a half later the Vipers would head back to the PP. Vernon struggled as Trail killed off the penalty. A minute later the Smoke Eaters would get a late power play to finish the 1st period. Trail with a few looks but no real chances as the buzzer would sound before the minor ended. It was 1-0 Vernon after 20 minutes of play. The Smoke Eaters got the early jump and were the better team in the first half. Trail carried a lot of the play, had a lot of puck possession and zone time. The Smokies had some looks and some chances couldn't solve James Porter Jr who was very good between the pipes for Vernon. The Vipers got off to a slow start, were outworked and outplayed for a lot of the first ten minutes. The Snakes finally got there legs going and got some looks/opportunities in the second half, would score the lone goal of the period. The Vipers looked a lot better in the second half. Trail outshot Vernon 12-6.

2nd Period: The Smoke Eaters started the middle frame on the man advantage that was carried over from the opening frame. With only nine seconds left in the PP the Vipers would kill it off. The Snakes with a quick start to the 2nd period. Cameron MacDonald with a quick shot from the circle forced Trail Smoke Eaters starting goaltender Logan Terness to make an early save, before having to make a difficult save off Landon Fuller's shot from the blueline. Two back to back looks/opportunities early for Vernon. Shortly after off a draw in the offensive zone, Jaden Senkoe's quick release/shot beat Vernon Vipers starting netminder James Porter Jr five hole, tying the game 1-1 at 0:57 Max Kryski drew the lone assist. Shortly after Trail would get an early power play and capitalize. The league's leading scorer, Kent Johnson went in and around at least two, maybe three Viper defenders before beating James Porter Jr, giving Trail a 2-1 lead at 1:37 there first lead of the evening on a highlight reel goal. Cody Schiavon and Chase Dafoe collected the helpers. Shortly after the Vipers sprung Matt Kowalski down the right wing, who just fired wide of the far corner on a shot that didn't miss by much. On the following play, Owen Ozar with some slick moves, would be denied by James Porter Jr. Minutes later Walker Erickson with some soft hands, made his way into the offensive zone, forced James Porter Jr into making a big pad save, keeping this a one goal game. Shortly after the Snakes would jump on the PP but couldn't capitalize with the man advantage, as the Smokies killed off the penalty. Minutes later Walker Erickson would be stopped by James Porter Jr but Braden Costello, buried the rebound giving Trail a 3-1 lead at 13:27 Erickson with the lone assist. Just over a minute later the Smoke Eaters would head to the power play, but not for long after having too many men on the ice, sending both teams to four on four and then Vernon to a shortened PP. The Snakes couldn't capitalize as Trail killed off the minor. Shortly after Colby Feist was in for the partial breakaway, looked to have Logan Terness beat, but looked to lose control of the puck towards the end, on a missed opportunity. The Snakes then fired the puck from the corner, went through the crease and out the other side, as the Smokies got lucky that puck didn't hit someone in front and end up in the back on there goal. Towards the end of the period, Dawson Holt was either frustrated or the Smokies were chirping the first year Viper forward as Holt was exchanging words with a handful of players on his way off the ice. It was 3-1 Trail after 40 minutes of play. I thought the Vipers had a good opening shift, had two good looks/opportunities before Trail scored two quick back to back goals to open the period, took the wind out of the sails from the Vipers. The visiting Smoke Eaters were the better of the two teams. The Smokies carried a lot of the play, had more puck possession and more zone time. Trail had several looks/opportunities were also very solid defensively, kept Vernon to the outside and closed the shooting lanes. Trail looked hungry and were hard on pucks, winning the battles, fighting for every inch of ice and did a good job with there sticks. The Smokies were either getting a stick or a body part in the way of Vernon's shots. The Snakes struggled for most of the middle frame and couldn't gain any kind of traction. Vernon looked sluggish and very slow, were a step behind the Smoke Eaters for most of the period. The Snakes struggled offensively, had troubles not only generating some kind of offence but also getting pucks to the net. The Vipers were passing the puck instead of shooting the puck. On several occasions the Snakes were in the right spot, dished the puck off, instead of getting the puck to the goal and looking for a rebound. The Vipers were losing a lot of one on one battles. This wasn't a good period for the hometown Vipers. Trail outshot Vernon 11-7.

3rd Period: The Vipers come out hard and got the early jump on Trail. The Snakes with several looks early couldn't solve Logan Terness. The Smoke Eaters come very close to almost putting this hockey game away just over three minutes in. On some nice passing, Jaden Senkoe would be denied in close off James Porter Jr who had to be sharp was forced to recover and make the second save off Max Kryski. Two big stops by the former Kelowna Rockets netminder, keeping Vernon in the game. Shortly after the Vipers spotted Matt Kowalski alone at the side of the goal, Kowalski fumbled the puck at first before being stopped in close by Logan Terness. Shortly after the Smokies sprung Kent Johnson in for the breakaway, looked to beat James Porter Jr five hole but somehow the puck stayed out. A large save from Porter Jr. Just before the midway mark Vernon would jump on the man advantage but struggle as Matt Kowalski come very close to turning the puck over in front of his own goal, where #7 Max Kryski was ready to pounce on the loose puck. Luckily for Kowalski and the Snakes, James Porter Jr was alert on the play. The Smoke Eaters with a big PK killed off the minor. The Vipers really needed a goal here, to try and climb within a goal. Just as the penalty expired, Viper forward/captain Connor Marritt got the pass from the behind the goal, looked to have Logan Terness looking the other direction, somehow missed what look to be an open cage. I'm not 100% sure but a Trail defender may have got a stick on the play and kept the puck out. With about five and a half minutes remaining the Snakes with a late power play, would call a timeout and once again struggled with the man advantage. Vernon with only one shot on the PP as the Smoke Eaters kill off the penalty. Another massive PK from Trail, keeping this a two goal game. The Vipers can't get James Porter Jr to the bench, due to some strong forechecking from the Smokies. Vernon would finally get Porter Jr to the bench with about 1:45 remaining but had troubles getting in and across the blueline. It wasn't long after, Philippe Lapointe from well out, hit the open cage, giving Trail a 4-1 lead at 19:26 sending fans to the exits. Kent Johnson with the helper. Trail would come away with the 4-1 victory. The Vipers showed up and played a hard fought period were the better team. Vernon carried most of the play, had a lot of puck possession and a lot of zone time. The Snakes who previously had troubles generating offense, had some very good quality chances in the 3rd period but unable to capitalize. Logan Terness may have been lucky at times but you have to be good to be lucky. The Vipers were skating hard, buzzing in and around the goal, had several good looks/opportunities didn't get the bounces or have any puck luck. Trail on the other hand, still managed to generate some opportunities may have saw a lot of the play in there own end, were strong defensively. The Smokies kept Vernon's shooters to the outside and relied on Logan Terness to make the stops when called apon. Shots were 12-12.

Top Player's: (Vernon)

Connor Sleeth Didn't record a point or have any chances but I thought played hard. Was skating hard at both ends of the rink, fighting for pucks, chasing down his man, played with a lot of energy. I know most fans don't like Sleeth but I think he's improved from the start of the season. Sure he's not the goal scorer the Vipers thought they were getting when they made the trade over the summer, but as the season has gone on, he's chipping in with an assist here and there but his overall game has improved. His skating his much better and his overall speed has improved. His little details are what I notice.

Cameron MacDonald (1 goal) Played a strong two way game. Had some looks/chances played hard up front for the Snakes. I have said it several times before, I really like this kid.

Nicholas Kent (1 assist) Was very good at both ends of the rink, was skating, moving the puck up ice, was involved in the play, looked very calm and comfortable on the ice tonight. I thought played very well in the loss.

James Porter Jr (31 saves) It seems like when ever Porter Jr is in goal the Snakes can't produce much offence for this kid. I thought was one of the difference's in tonight's game or this game could have been over well before the 3rd period. The more I see/watch Porter Jr play, the more I like of this kid. He's very calm, never seems to get rattled or taken off his game. Looks calm and confident between the pipes. I thought played very well in the loss this evening.

Game Thought's: (Vernon)

The Vipers played maybe thirty minutes tonight and it cost them a huge game/two points. Coming into tonight the Snakes were only two points back of 3rd place Salmon Arm and six points back of 2nd place Trail with four games in hand. Both teams knew how big tonight's game was but yet the Vipers didn't show up on time. From a fan's point of view, I was very disappointed not only with the game/loss but knowing how big tonight's game was. I can take a loss but not a loss like tonight. The Vipers got off to a slow start, needed seven minutes to record there first shot on goal. I thought Vernon played much better in the second half of the 1st period. The Vipers open the scoring and play well to finish off the opening frame and then don't show up in the 2nd period. The Smokies two quick back to back goals to start the middle frame, took the life out of the Vernon Vipers and the Snakes couldn't recover. The 2nd period cost Vernon the hockey game. The Vipers responded with a much better 3rd period and there best period of the night. Vernon with several looks/opportunities couldn't catch a bounce, didn't have any puck luck, getting numerous opportunities to get within a goal. The Snakes could have easily tied the game and maybe even won the game with the quality chances they had in the 3rd period. I didn't like the Vipers PP not only in the game but especially in the 3rd. Vernon with two power plays in the final frame, have chances to get within a goal, struggled on the man advantage. Leading up to the 3rd period, Vernon had troubles offensively, creating/generating opportunities. The Snakes needed to get more pucks to the goal and generate more offensive chances in the first two periods. The Vipers were losing a lot of the one on one battles, races for the puck and battles in front of the goal. I saw a lot of passengers tonight. The Vipers weren't skating most of the night, were a step behind Trail. I'm sure it's hard for these kids knowing they get to go home for the holidays tomorrow, but you still have a game to play and a big one at that. This was a very disappointing loss for the Vipers. Landon Fuller returned to the lineup after his three game suspension and Christian Felton returned to the lineup after being out with an injury. The Vipers play ten of there next fourteen games at home and need to start taking advantage of home ice. I think Jason McKee & the Vipers waited too long to pull the trigger and make some moves. I said it before, I think the Vipers needed to shake things up and make a big trade at some point along the way during the eleven game road trip back in mid October/mid November. If not then, then sometime before the December 1st card deadline. I think this team/group has got too comfortable and some changes need to be made. Things started to go sideways two weekends ago in Merritt and the team hasn't played well since almost blowing a 7-2 lead in Merritt. The Vipers are lucky they hung on for the win in Merritt and shutout Penticton at home Friday or they would be in a four game losing streak heading into the holidays. Jason McKee didn't sound very pleased with his team and there effort on the post game show. The Vipers have lost back to back games, have won three of there last five and won six of there last ten games. With the loss Vernon falls to 19-14-1-1 remain 4th in the Interior division are tied in points with Wenatchee, two points back of Salmon Arm and now eight points back of 2nd place Trail. The Vipers are off for the holidays and return home to host the visiting Salmon Arm Silverbacks December 28th.

Top Player's: (Trail)

Max Kryski (1 assist) Looked very good, had a strong game in the win over the hometown Vipers. Not the biggest kid but was involved in the play, has some wheels, gave the Vipers defenders troubles. Was always in and around the goal. Created/generated some looks/chances through out the hockey game.

Braden Costello (1 goal) Was another Smokies forward who played well.

Michael Colella Not the biggest kid but wasn't afraid to get involved in the play and hunt for the puck. This kid never quit skating, always had his feet moving, played hard, competed and played with a ton of energy. Had a few looks/opportunities.

Kent Johnson (1 goal & 1 assist) Leads the league in scoring with sixty seven points. This kid is hard to contain and defend against. Had two very good looks/opportunities in the 1st period, was stopped on a 3rd period breakaway, gave the Smoke Eaters there first lead of the night on a highlight reel 2nd period power play goal, added an assist on the empty net goal. A very good skater with skill.

Powell Connor The Vernon, BC native playing in his hometown was solid on Trail's blueline. Finished his checks, was physical at times, was hard to beat one on one.

Logan Terness (24 saves) Wasn't tested often in the first two periods, had to be sharp in the final twenty minutes. With the hometown Snakes pressing, Terness may have got lucky but was forced to make some large saves in a 3-1 hockey game. The Smokies netminder made some big stops in the 3rd to preserve the victory.

Game Thought's: (Trail)

Heading into tonight, Trail had lost four straight on the road and had one win in there last seven road games. With only three wins in there last ten games and a tough and disappointing 7-4 loss in Salmon Arm Sunday afternoon, you knew the Smoke Eaters wanted to finish the road trip on a winning note. Trail was ready to go off the opening faceoff and carried the play early and often. The Smokies were the better team for most of the first two periods and may have been outplayed and out chanced in the 3rd but were solid defensively in the final twenty minutes. The Smoke Eaters fell behind 1-0 but didn't show any panic. Trail with a very good 2nd period, scored two quick back to back goals took there first lead of the night, would add one more to take a 3-1 lead into the 3rd. The Smokies gave up several quality chances in the 3rd but relied on Logan Terness to bail them out. The Smoke Eaters have a fairly big team, are very solid defensively and have the size and skill up front. Trail capitalized on there opportunities and did a great job at limiting the Vipers time and space. The Smokies boxed Vernon out, kept the Snakes to the outside most of the night, closed the shooting lanes, didn't give up a lot if any second opportunities. The Smokies were winning a lot of the battles, one on one races, forced the Vipers into making mistakes and turning over pucks, were hard in on the forecheck and relentless along the boards. Trail blocked a lot of shots with sticks, got sticks in the way to either block the puck or make a strong defensive play. Trail looked hungry and looked to want the win/two points more. The Smoke Eaters were ready and come to play and played a very well road game. The Vipers won the first meeting of the season, 3-2 in overtime October 19th with Trail winning the next three games. These two teams will meet again January 17th in Trail. How big was tonight's game? The Smokies move six points ahead of Salmon Arm and eight points ahead of Vernon are only five points back of Penticton. Former NHLers Daniel Briere and Martin Lapointe's sons play for the Smokies. A lot of Trail fans in the building tonight. Penticton Vees play by play man Trevor Miller was in attendance tonight. Miller called games for the Smoke Eaters last season, before joining the Vees in the off season. With the win Trail improves to 22-13-2-1-1 sit 2nd in the Interior division are eight points ahead of Vernon, six points ahead of Salmon Arm and five points back of division leading Penticton.

Scratches:

Vernon:

Ben Sanderson (Injured)
Keigo Hachisuka
Ryan Shostak (Injured)
Max Palaga (Injured-Out for the season)

Trail:

Corey McCann
Tyler Ghirardosi
Jackson Murphy-Johnson

Energy Player of the Game:

Nicholas Kent (1 assist)

Three Star's:

1st Star: Kent Johnson (1 goal & 1 assist)
2nd Star: Cameron MacDonald (1 goal)
3rd Star: Jaden Senkoe (1 goal)

Boxscore-Game Summary,

https://bchl.ca/stats/game-summary/9486

Game Report,

https://lscluster.hockeytech.com/game_reports/official-game-report.php?lang_id=1&client_code=bchl&game_id=9486

Text Boxscore,

https://lscluster.hockeytech.com/game_reports/text-game-report.php?lang_id=1&client_code=bchl&game_id=9486

Please feel free to leave a suggestion or comment in the comment box below. I always enjoy and will 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.