I was at tonight's Vipers-Wild game as Vernon defeated Wenatchee 6-4 in front of 2,128 fans at Kal Tire Place.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon: James Porter Jr
Wenatchee: Daniel Chenard
1st Period: The visiting Wenatchee Wild got the early jump on the hometown Vernon Vipers. The Wild with pressure carried the play early off the opening faceoff. About a minute and a half in, the Snakes allowed Matt Dorsey to skate circles around everyone, before walking into the high slot untouched and ripping a high shot that either hit a body in front or missed the net as Vernon got lucky, Dorsey's shot didn't get through and end up in the back of the net. About a minute later Jerrett Overland walked in and with a quick high shot, forced former Kelowna Rockets goaltender, James Porter Jr into making a big stop early. The Wild would get the gamers first power play, just over five minutes into the hockey game. Wenatchee's best look/opportunity come halfway through the man advantage. Matt Dorsey was free to move in from the slot, couldn't solve James Porter Jr who was dialed in early into the hockey game. The Snakes gave up a few shots and one real good look but were able to kill off the minor. Just before the midway mark, James Porter Jr had to be sharp, was forced to make at least one if not two big stops while on his stomach on a goal mouth scramble. After some pressure and continued zone time, the Wild ramped up the physical game, laid out two big checks behind Vernon's net, would eventually open the scoring. Viper forward/captain Connor Marritt couldn't keep up with a pass through the neutral zone. Noah Lugli corralled the loose puck, quickly spotted a wide open Brett Chorske who had all kinds of open ice, skated in and ripped a high shot past James Porter Jr, giving Wenatchee a 1-0 lead at 9:55 Lugli drew the lone assist. I don't know what happened to all the other Snakes on this play, as Chorske was able to walk in untouched. The Wild were outshooting the Vipers 7-3 at this point. Vernon responded with a quick turn around off the following faceoff. The Vipers spotted Connor Sleeth, who got behind the Wenatchee defence couldn't beat former Chilliwack Chiefs goaltender Daniel Chenard. Matt Kowalski on the rebound couldn't get his shot through bodies in front, on a quality chance for the Vipers. Minutes later, Jo Jo Tanka-Campbell setup Matt Kowalski who's backhand beat Daniel Chenard tying the game 1-1 at 12:38 as the stuffed animals come pouring onto the ice, on the Vernon Vipers annual teddy bear toss. Tanaka-Campbell collected the assist. Shortly after the Vipers would get there first look with the man advantage. Connor Sleeth with a hard working shift, had a glorious opportunity in front, couldn't slide home the pass on an open net, would get his own rebound, get a second opportunity before being denied by Daniel Chenard. Two quality chances for the Snakes and Sleeth. Vernon had some looks but couldn't capitalize on the power play. The Vipers sprung Ben Helgeson on the breakaway with about two and a half minutes left in the 1st period. Helgeson unloaded a rocket of a shot from the circle, beat Daniel Chenard looked to go under the crossbar but the referee who was on the goal line waived off the goal as play continued. The goal light didn't go but Helgeson raised his hands in the air, thought he gave Vernon there first lead of the evening. It was 1-1 after 20 minutes of play. Well the Wenatchee Wild were the better team. The Wild carried the better of the play, had a lot more zone time, more puck possession and overall looked more sharp and on there game. Wenatchee jumped on the hometown Snakes off the opening draw and Vernon could never really seem to recover. The Vipers managed some quality looks/opportunities but didn't have a lot of puck possession or zone time. The Snakes saw a lot of action in there own end. I thought Vernon played a little better in the second half and seemed to generate a little more offensive zone time in the final nine or so minutes. Was Ben Helgeson's shot a goal? I didn't hear any sound if it did clank off the crossbar. I wish Helgeson would shoot more, the kid has a rocket of a shot. Wenatchee was ahead in shots 9-4 at one point, outshot Vernon 12-10.
2nd Period: For a second straight period the Wild got the early jump on the Snakes. Two minutes into the middle frame, Ethan Wolthers setup Nicholas Chmelevski on a two on one attack. Vernon Vipers starting goaltender James Porter Jr come across the crease to make one heck of a pad save, keeping this game tied at two. About a minute or so later, the Vipers come back the other way, setup former Wenatchee Wild defenceman Nicholas Kent who's shot from the circle beat Wenatchee Wild goaltender Daniel Chenard but not the crossbar. Two great opportunities at both ends of the rink, early in the 2nd period. Matt Kowalski left the Viper bench a few minutes in, returned to the bench and stayed in the hockey game. About five minutes into the frame, a bit of a strange play. The teams were looking for the faceoff in the Vernon zone, when one of the officials was talking with Wild Head Coach Chris Clark. After a short delay, Tyler Young was sent to the penalty box, was given a ten minute misconduct for illegal equipment for not wearing a mouth guard. On the following shift Wenatchee would get there second PP of the game. The Wild had some looks, before Tanner Main's point shot was stopped by James Porter Jr couldn't stop Brian Adams at the side of the net on the rebound, giving Wenatchee a 2-1 lead at 6:50 Tanner Main drew the helper. A quick release on a nice goal from Adams. For a second time tonight, the Vipers responded with a good push back shift after a goal. Off the following faceoff, the Snakes would get a power play. Cameron MacDonald buried his own rebound, tying the game 2-2 at 7:11 twenty one seconds after Wenatchee took the lead. MacDonald's goal was unassisted. MacDonald's goal got the crowd back into the game and got some life back in the building. Just over five minutes later Landon Fuller levelled Matt Dorsey in front of the Wild bench. Dorsey stayed on the ice as Fuller was ejected from the game, five minutes for a blow to the head and a game misconduct. Dorsey was real slow getting to his feet, needed some help from the trainer, before making his way to the dressing room and didn't return. This was a big loss for the Wild. Early into the power play, a Wenatchee defender broke his stick before taking an interference penalty. With the Vipers on a delayed power play, had control of the puck/play. Connor Marritt used the open ice to spot Dawson Holt who ripped a shot over the glove of Daniel Chenard, giving Vernon a 3-2 lead shorthanded at 12:55 sending Kal Tire Place into a frenzy. Marritt with the only assist. The Wild had troubles gaining any kind of traction on the five minute major. Wenatchee's only real look/opportunity come off the stick of Drew Bavaro who's shot from the blueline beat which looked like a screened James Porter Jr went off the crossbar and stayed out as Vernon was able to score shorthanded and kill off the major, got a huge round of applause from the crowd. With a minute remaining the Snakes would get a late PP and capitalize. Jackson Caller's point shot had eyes, found the back of the net, giving Vernon a 4-2 lead at 19:47 Cameron MacDonald and Connor Marritt picked up the helpers. A tough goal to give up if your the Wild and a massive goal to get if your Vernon. It was 4-2 Vernon after 40 minutes of play. For a second straight period the Wenatchee Wild were the better team. Well I don't know about better but the Wild did outplay most of the period. Wenatchee had more zone time, more puck possession and carried most of the play, but only scored once. The Vipers for a second straight period saw a lot of action in there own end, had troubles getting any real sustained pressure in the offensive zone. It seemed like anytime Vernon did have the puck, and got into the offensive zone, one quick shot and the play was back out. Give the Snakes full credit on a major penalty kill. Took there first lead of the night with a shorthanded marker, then capitalized on a very late power play. The Vipers may have not had a lot of zone time or puck possession but scored some timely goals this period. Wenatchee outshot Vernon 16-7.
3rd Period: Off the opening puck drop, Dawson Holt with some speed and hard work generated/created two quality chances in and around the net, couldn't solve Daniel Chenard who come up with two back to back game savers while the Snakes couldn't reach the rebounds on both opportunities as the puck rolled through the crease on one chance. Shortly after Vernon allowed Brett Chorske to walk in untouched almost snuck one behind James Porter Jr at the side of the net, as Porter Jr was on his belly, wrapping his legs around the post, trying to keep the puck out of the back of the net. Chorske stayed with the play, somehow regained control of the puck before setting up Drew Bavaro who wired a heavy shot along the ice, that beat James Porter Jr five hole, cutting Vernon's lead to 4-3 at 2:31 Bavaro was pumped after scoring, fist pumped the crowed and hammered his fists into the glass. Chorske drew the lone helper. Minutes later it looked like the Vipers were going to get an early power play. Tanner Main would get called for hooking, while Matt Kowalski would get called for unsportsmanlike embellishment. Minutes later Wenatchee would jump to the man advantage but James Porter Jr and the Snakes were good. The Wild with a few good looks couldn't solve Porter Jr as Vernon killed off the minor. Shortly after Elan Bar-Lev-Wise with a slick pass setup Dawson Holt on an odd man rush, for his second of the evening, giving Vernon a 5-3 lead at 12:59 Bar-Lev-Wise & Connor Marritt collected the assists. Just over a minute later, the Snakes would jump on the PP and capitalize. Cameron MacDonald's second goal of the night, gave Vernon a 6-3 lead at 14:40 Dawson Holt and Connor Marritt drew the assists. The Wild didn't back down and with a strong push back shift after MacDonald's goal, Wenatchee responded. The Vipers couldn't clear the zone, allowed Hunter Hastings who wired a shot low past James Porter Jr, cut Vernon's lead to 6-4 at 15:08 Harrison Scott & Tyler Young with the helpers. Logan Cash took a big hit along the side wall with about eight minutes left, was in some discomfort, couldn't put weight on his left leg, went straight to the Viper dressing room but did return and stayed in the game. Jason McKee and the Vipers would call a late timeout, while the Wild would get Daniel Chenard to the bench for the extra attacker with 1:59 left in the contest. Wenatchee had Vernon back on there heels, pressed hard to try and get within a goal but the Vipers kept the Wild to the outside. The Wild pushed hard but didn't get a lot of looks/chances as Vernon hung on for the 6-4 victory. Tyler Young was chirping after the final buzzer, while several Vipers were pointing up towards the scoreboard. For a third straight period, the Wild were the better team. Wenatchee carried a lot of the play, had more puck possession and zone time. Wenatchee tried clawing back but couldn't hold the Vipers off the scoreboard. It seemed like every time the Wild got to within a goal or two, Vernon responded with a goal of there own. The Vipers again had trouble gaining traction and it seemed like every time they hit the Wild blueline it was one shot/or one play and back out. The Snakes got caught icing the puck on several occasions, but got lucky and didn't allow a goal on the following faceoff. Vernon managed to hold there own at times, also got some key saves from James Porter Jr to hang on for the win. Wenatchee outshot Vernon 10-5.
Top Player's: (Vernon)
Jackson Caller (1 goal) I thought had a very strong night on the Viper blueline. Played very well in the victory.
Matt Kowalski (1 goal) Didn't get a lot of chances, did get a few looks, really used his speed to win the races and get in behind the Wenatchee defence to try and create/generate some plays.
Connor Marritt (3 assists) The Viper forward/captain may have chipped in with three assists, wasn't very noticeable tonight. I myself and a few other Viper fans have noticed Marritt's play hasn't been the same the past few games.
Dawson Holt (2 goals & 1 assist) Was Vernon's best player. Holt who played well and had a good game in the win over Merritt Friday, was very good tonight. Really used his speed, made things happen and capitalized on his opportunities. Really sees and reads the game/ice.
Cameron MacDonald (2 goals & 1 assist) Played very well in the win over Merritt last night, was another key player in the win over Wenatchee this evening. I really like this kid and have since training camp. Not the biggest kid, but plays hard, has some wheels and some skill. Always involved in the play and always creating/generating chances through out the games.
Nicholas Kent (1 assist) I thought played very well facing his former team.
James Porter Jr (34 saves) Picked up his first career BCHL win and first win with the Vipers. In his previous four games with the Snakes played well, could have easily won all four games but didn't get any help offensively. Nice to see the kid get some help tonight offensively and earn his first victory. I didn't think he was tested a lot but was forced to make some big saves at key moments in the hockey game.
Game Thought's: (Vernon)
In a game where the Wild carried the majority of the game, had more zone time and more puck possession, the Vipers scored on there opportunities and scored some timely goals tonight. I didn't think Vernon was that bad, they just seemed to have troubles defending against a very big, quick and skilled Wenatchee hockey club. The Snakes saw a lot of time in there own end, got some timely and key saves from James Porter Jr. Vernon couldn't seem to get any kind of traction going. I said it earlier, it seemed if the Vipers did get across the Wild blueline, it was one shot or one shift and back out. The Snakes couldn't seem to get any real sustained pressure in the attacking zone. I thought the Vipers had some very good looks/quality chances at times. How big were specialty teams? The Vipers power play that has struggled all season, went 3-4 tonight. No bigger goals then Cameron MacDonald's power play goal seconds after Wenatchee took a 2-1 lead and then Jackson Caller's power play goal late in the 2nd period. The Viper penalty kill was also very good, but how big was killing off the five minute major? Not only did Vernon score shorthanded but really limited the Wild's scoring chances on the PP. Dawson Holt's shorthanded marker brought the crowd to its feet and got some life back in the building. Since Jason McKee juggled his lines, the Vipers have scored fourteen goals in two games. These new lines are really clicking and the boys are playing with a lot of chemistry together. If this team can keep scoring goals like this, watch out! All season Vernon's one major problem has been scoring goals. Sure at times the Snakes may have struggled defensively/in there own end but give this team some credit for not backing down, not folding the tents, they stuck with the game plan and even though they may not have had a lot of zone time or a lot of puck possession they continued to work, grind and battle and fought hard for tonight's win. How big was not only tonight's game but the win? With the win Vernon moves past Wenatchee into 4th place. A great crowd on hand for the Vipers annual teddy bear toss. I know a lot of people/fans get up for the teddy bear game. I thought the fans was in tonight's game and the rink had a great atmosphere through out the night. This was an entertaining hockey game. With the Snakes having played a majority of there games away from home in the first half of the season, these home games in the second half of the season are huge! The Vipers need to start stringing some wins together on home ice and make Kal Tire Place a tough rink for visitors to play in. The Snakes need to feed off the crowd and use all these home games to finish the regular season to there advantage. The Vipers have won three straight and three of there last five are 5-5 in there last ten games. With the win, Vernon improves to 17-12-1-1 sit 4th in the Interior division are tied in points with Wenatchee but would claim 4th place today if the season ended today, due to more wins. After Trail and Salmon Arm lost tonight, the Vipers are only four points back of 3rd place Salmon Arm and six points back of 2nd place Trail. The Vipers with a quick turn around, travel to Merritt tomorrow for an afternoon game vs the Centennials. The Cents had tonight off, while the Vipers will be playing three games in three days. Why did they have to play Sunday? Why couldn't tomorrow's game be played Tuesday or Wednesday during the week? This years schedule is crazy.
Top Player's: (Wenatchee)
Ethan Wolthers Impressed me, played a very strong game for the Wild. Not the biggest kid but was always involved in the play, has some skill, created/generated some good opportunities. Was hard to contain and defend against.
Brian Adams (1 goal) Leads the team in goals with sixteen, has a quick release, has some wheels and was hard to contain. Another kid who doesn't have a lot of size, but very quick on his feet. Very shifty, always involved in the play.
Matt Dorsey Left the game just past the halfway mark of the 2nd period after taking a big hit from Viper defenceman Landon Fuller. Up until this point of the hockey game, Dorsey stood out and was giving the Snakes all kinds of troubles with and without the puck in the offensive zone. A big kid, can skate, move the puck and has a wicked shot. Was giving Vernon's defence all kinds of troubles.
Brett Chorske (1 goal & 1 assist) Opened the scoring for the Wild, was another forward who played very well in the loss. Seemed to be in and around the net, involved in the play. A bigger kid who can skate and move the puck. I really liked his play and game this evening.
Tyler Young (1 assist) I thought played well through out the game.
Daniel Chenard (16 saves) Wasn't tested often, nor did he see a lot of rubber his way, but was forced into making a few big stops, especially in the opening frame. I don't think you could fault the veteran goaltender on any of Vernon's six goals but when you only stop sixteen shots in a game when your team has carried most of the play and was the better team, I think you need a save or two at key times in the game.
Game Thought's: (Wenatchee)
From start to finish the visiting Wild were the better team for most of the night, but fell on the wrong side of the scoreboard. Wenatchee carried most of the play, spent a lot of the night in the offensive zone, had a ton more puck possession, are very skilled and dangerous with and without the puck. The Wild have some big bodies but didn't play an overall physical game. Sure they finished there checks and laid out the odd big hit. The 2nd period was a killer period for Wenatchee. The Wild carried the majority of the play/period but couldn't capitalize on a five minute major (power play) gave up a shorthanded goal on that PP gave up three goals on just seven shots. Wenatchee is very skilled and dangerous with and without the puck, had the Vipers reeling and chasing at times through out the game. The Wild had to fight from behind from the second period on and couldn't claw there way back to force overtime or the win. It seemed like every time Wenatchee got to within a goal or two, Vernon responded with a goal of there own. The Wild didn't catch many breaks and didn't seem to get the bounces go there way. I was fairly impressed as the Wild made there first visit of the season. Vernon split back to back games in Wenatchee in early September. The Vipers lead the season series 2-1. I spotted a few Wild fans in attendance tonight. Assistant coach Chris Clark made his coaching debut tonight. After a 4-3 victory over the visiting Penticton Vees Wednesday, the team announced Thursday head coach/gm Bliss Littler has stepped down as head coach due to health problems/concerns. Littler will stay on as GM while Clark was named interim head coach. Clark was a goaltender with the Salmon Arm Silverbacks and Surrey Eagles from 2001-2003. Tonight's the first game of a three game road trip. The Wild have won three of there last five fall to 16-13-3-1 to 5th place in the Interior division are tied in points with Vernon.
Scratches:
Vernon:
Christian Felton
Ben Sanderson (Injured)
Ryan Shostak (Injured)
Max Palaga (Injured-Out for the season)
Wenatchee:
Luke Gallagher
Luke Ormsby
Drake Usher
Jack Bayless
Energy Player of the Game:
Jackson Caller (1 goal)
Three Star's:
1st Star: Dawson Holt (2 goals & 1 assist)
2nd Star: Cameron MacDonald (2 goals)
3rd Star: Connor Marritt (3 assists)
I have picked a victory song for the Vernon Vipers this season. After every win this year, I will play Tarzan Boy by Baltimora,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_r0n9Dv6XnY
Boxscore-Game Summary,
https://bchl.ca/stats/game-summary/9452
Game Report,
https://lscluster.hockeytech.com/game_reports/official-game-report.php?lang_id=1&client_code=bchl&game_id=9452
Text Boxscore,
https://lscluster.hockeytech.com/game_reports/text-game-report.php?lang_id=1&client_code=bchl&game_id=9452
Please feel free to leave a suggestion or comment in the comment box below. 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-Wild game.
2 comments:
This is posted on the Vipers website:
After the Buzzer – Vipers Topple Wild in Teddy Bear Toss Game
December 7, 2019
Vernon, BC: Dawson Holt had 2 goals and 2 assists including a big shorthanded marker in the 2nd period as the Vipers defeated the Wenatchee Wild on Teddy Bear Toss Night at Kal Tire Place.
In the first period the Wild had the early momentum thanks to a powerplay. The Viper penalty kill was able to kill it off, but the Wild had pressure for a good chunk of the next few minutes. Wenatchee opened the scoring as Brett Chorske ripped home a shot from the right circle to make it 1-0. The Vipers had a nice pushback after the media timeout and started to make plays to escape the zone with speed. A prime example of this was on the Vipers opening goal as JoJo Tanaka-Campbell set up Matt Kowalski for the Teddy Bear Toss goal on a breakaway to make it 1-1. Its the second straight year a local product scored the big goal. Shots finished 12-10 in Wenatchees favour.
The Wild had a few chances early in the second period, but James Porter Jr. was stellar making a number of crucial saves including a big save on Nicholas Chmelevski. A Wenatchee powerplay saw the visitors regain their lead as Brian Adams banged home a rebound at the side of the net to make it 2-1. The Vipers would get a powerplay of their own on the next shift and Cam MacDonald would equalize on a snap shot from the circle through the five hole of Daniel Chenard making it 2-2. The Vipers then faced a big hole shortly after as Landon Fuller would be assessed a five minute major. The Vipers though were clutch and it started with the turning point in the hockey game as Connor Marritt set up Dawson Holt for the shorthanded marker early in the PK to make it 3-2. It was Holt’s 3rd shorthanded goal of the season. The Vipers then would need goaltending, shot blocking and tenacity as they killed off the remaining 4 and a half minutes. In the final minute of the period, the powerplay struck again as MacDonald spotted Caller in the left circle and the defenceman made no mistake to give the Vipers a 4-2 lead after 2 periods.
The Wild pushed early in the third and cut the deficit to one goal as Drew Bavaro’s point shot made its way through a maze of bodies making it 4-3 pretty early in the third. From there as the Wild pushed, the Vipers played a pretty strategic style of hockey. They didn’t play with any sense of panic with the pressure from the visitors picking up. At one point there were a handful of stoppages slowing the flow of play. That went to the benefit of the home team as the Vipers got their two lead restored as Elan Bar-lev-Wise set up Dawson Holt for his 2nd of the night to make it 5-3. Vernon would earn another powerplay and again it would capitalize as Cam MacDonald finished off a nice passing play to make it 6-3. The Wild refused to go away and would make it 6-4 on a Hunter Hastings goal, but thats as close as they would get as the horn sounded to give the Vipers the 6-4 win and their 3rd straight victory.
The Vipers will have a quick turnaround as they will make tracks to Merritt for a matinee with the Centennials.
This is posted on the Wild website:
WILD FALL 6-4 IN VERNON
December 7, 2019
Kicking off a three-game road swing on Saturday night in Vernon, the Wild special teams were victimized as the Vipers went 3 for 4 on the power play, and scored a shorthanded goal during a five-minute major Wild power play on the way to a 6-4 win on Saturday night at Kal Tire Place in Vernon, BC.
Brett Chorske opened the scoring for Wenatchee midway through the first period with a blistering shot up high. Vernon tied it on a Matt Kowalski five-hole dribbler that launched Vernon’s Teddy Bear Toss event. Brian Adams hammered a power play goal from the bottom of the right circle at 6:50 of the second period for a 2-1 lead. Fourteen seconds later, Vernon went on the power play themselves and seven seconds into that power play they scored as Cameron MacDonald converted. At 12:36, Vernon defenseman Landon Fuller was issued a five-minute major and game misconduct for a hit on Matt Dorsey that took him out the game. On the ensuing power play, a snapped stick on a Wild point shot became an odd-man rush the other way, and a Viper shorthanded goal by Dawson Holt gave them a 3-2 lead. In the final minute of the period, another Vernon power play goal made it 4-2 at the second intermission.
Wenatchee got a positive jolt early in the third as Drew Bavaro wired a shot through the pads of the Viper goalie from the blue line at 2:31 and had closed the gap to 4-3. At 12:59, Vernon regained their two-goal cushion when Holt finished off a crisp pass from Elan Bar-Lev-Wise on a rush for a 5-3 lead, then converted another power play chance, this one by MacDonald for his second of the game for a 6-3 edge. Wenatchee responded quickly, with Tyler Young setting up Hunter Hastings for a one-timer to make it 6-4. Wenatchee pulled the goalie for the extra attacker and kept consistent pressure but couldn’t close the gap. Daniel Chenard took the loss, stopping 16 of 22 shots on the night.
Wenatchee (16-13-4) continues their road trip Sunday at Coquitlam (7:15 pm). The game will be broadcast and streamed online with SportsRadio 1340 The Hawk, with the Pregame Show airing at 7:00 pm. All games are video streamed live on HockeyTV. Watch Party is at Bob’s Burgers and Brew in East Wenatchee.
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