Vernon 4 Wenatchee 3

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 missed 45 games in the past thirty years. I'm not a journalist, writer, reporter or work for the Vernon Vipers. I don't get paid for doing this blog and do this blog on my own personal time. I started and created this blog in November 2008 and have over 1.8 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 with me, 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-Wild game as Vernon defeated Wenatchee 4-3 in front of 1,951 fans at Kal Tire Place.

Starting Goaltenders:

Vernon: Reilly Herbst
Wenatchee: Daniel Chenard

1st Period: The visiting Wenatchee Wild jumped out in shots 3-1 early but it was the hometown Vipers who opened the scoring. Just over four minutes into the hockey game, Hunter Donohoe's shot from the point would be stopped before Jo Jo Tanaka-Campbell buried a rebound in front on a goal mouth scramble at the top of the blue paint, giving Vernon an early 1-0 lead at 4:04 Donohoe with the only assist on the play. About a minute later, the Snakes setup Vernon product Matt Kowalski who would be denied by Daniel Chenard. The Wild responded with a good push back shift, Luke Ormsby skated through the slot on an odd man rush, just fired wide of the goal, on a missed opportunity to tie the game on a quality chance for Wenatchee. Shortly after Tyler Young from the right wing, beat Reilly Herbst what looked to be five hole, tied the game 1-1 at 6:55 Matt Dorsey & Sam Morton collected the helpers. This goal gave the Wild some momentum as Wenatchee seemed to take over the edge in play for the next several minutes. With the Vipers having troubles clearing the zone, the Wild capitalized. Noah Lugli would be stopped by Reilly Herbst, while Quinn Ermerson buried the rebound, giving Wenatchee a 2-1 lead at 9:58 there first lead of the evening. Lugli and Tanner Main drew the assists. Off the following faceoff, Luke Ormsby's shot from well out got through traffic, beat Reilly Herbst but not the post as the Wild come within inches of taking a 3-1 lead. The Vipers with a good pushback shift, setup Ben Helgeson who wheeled into the offensive zone, would be stopped by former Chilliwack Chiefs netminder Daniel Chenard on a good look/chance for Vernon. Shortly after the Vipers would get the games first power play, as the Snakes had a few looks but no real quality chances as the Wild killed off the minor. On the following play/shift the Wild would get there first PP of the night. Wenatchee had a few looks but no real chances as Vernon killed off the penalty. Inside the final two minutes, the Vipers setup Ben Helgeson who ripped a shot from the circle that forced Daniel Chenard into stretching out, making a large blocker save, on a quality chance. The Vipers managed to keep the puck in the zone and for the final two minutes, poured all kinds of pressure on the Wild as Wenatchee was caught running around in there own end. The Snakes had at least four or five real solid opportunities either missed the net or couldn't solve the Wild goaltender. A very strong finish to the period for Vernon. It was 2-1 Wenatchee after 20 minutes of play. Even though the Vipers opened the scoring just over four minutes into the hockey game, I thought Wenatchee was the better team early and for most of the 1st period. The Wild had the edge in play, carried the better of the play, had more zone time and more puck possession. After giving up the games first goal, the Wild responded tying the game three minutes later, before grabbing the lead three minutes later. The Vipers had a few good shifts and two or three quality chances, played and looked there best towards the end of the period. The Snakes with good pressure late, had the Wild hemmed in there own end inside the final two minutes, created/generated some good chances, were unable to capitalize on there opportunities. Give the Vipers credit for limiting the Wild to only six shots as the Vipers struggled in there own end early. Vernon outshot Wenatchee 10-6.

2nd Period: The Snakes started the middle frame with several turnovers coming out of there own end. Vernon struggled to make a pass breaking out of the defensive zone, were coughing up the puck left and centre before Noah Lugli spotted Nick Cafarelli with a crisp tape to tape pass before roofing his shot under the bar, giving Wenatchee and early 3-1 lead at 2:49 Lugli picked up the lone assist. This was the end of the night for Vernon Vipers starting goaltender Reilly Herbst. Herbst allowed three Wild goals on just seven Wenatchee shots. Recently acquired Keegan Karki replaced Herbst, playing his first game at home since being acquired at the trade deadline. Less then six minutes later, Brett Fudger with a big hit on Jack Bayless along the side wall, got the crowd into the game. Noah Lugli wasn't pleased with the check, skated across the ice straight towards Fudger, started landing punches as the two dropped the gloves in a spirited fight. Fudger had his jersey up and over his head, still managed to get some punches in as the two were tossed from the contest. The Vipers come out of the fight with the man advantage, as Lugli was given the instigator. The Snakes had a couple of looks but couldn't capitalize with the PP. Minutes after the power play, the Wenatchee Wild starting goaltender Daniel Chenard made a tough save at the top of the crease as Vernon couldn't capitalize on a goal mouth scramble. The Wild come back the other way, lead by Matt Dorsey. Dorsey on an odd man rush couldn't solve Keegan Karki on a quality chance for Wenatchee. With about four minutes left in the 2nd period, the Wild would jump on just there second power play of the game. Wenatchee unable to capitalize as Vernon killed off the minor. Inside the final minutes, the Snakes would get a late man advantage. The Vipers unable to capitalize before the buzzer. It was 3-1 Wenatchee after 40 minutes of play. I thought the Wild were the better team early. Wenatchee scores a big goal less then three minutes in, takes a 3-1 lead, chases Reilly Herbst from the goal looked good and were the better of the two teams for most of the first half. The Snakes struggled at the start, were having all kinds of troubles breaking out of there own end. The Vipers were turning over the puck on almost every breakout. Give credit to Vernon who seemed to rally and gain some life/momentum after Brett Fudger's scrap. I thought the Vipers looked much better and played better in the second half, had several good looks and chances in and around the net, couldn't bury there opportunities. Give the Viper defence some credit for limiting the Wild to only seven shots. Vernon outshot Wenatchee 9-7.

3rd Period: The Vipers started the final frame on the man advantage that was carried over from the end of the 2nd period. On a goal mouth scramble, Ben Helgeson beat Daniel Chenard who had no chance, cutting Wenatchee's lead to 3-2 at 0:45 Connor Sleeth and Nicholas Kent drew the helpers. This goal was huge, not only did the Vipers score early but got the crowd back into the hockey game and brought some life into the building. Off the following faceoff, Matt Dorsey carried the play into the offensive zone, couldn't get a shot off after a solid defensive play from a Vernon defender. 2:06 after the Snakes got to within a goal, Matt Kowalski & Ryan Shostak with some nice passing, spotted Logan Cash in front who beat Daniel Chenard, tied the game 3-3 at 2:51 Kowalski & Ryan Shostak picked up the assists. Just over a minute later, Keegan Karki with a routine save, had two Wild players poke at his glove after the whistle. Hunter Donohoe didn't like what he saw, levelled a Wenatchee player to the ice, as some pushing and shoving occurred in a minor scrum behind Vernon's goal. Donohoe come out of the scrum with the only penalty, sending the Wenatchee Wild to an early PP. Wenatchee managed just one shot as Vernon come up with a strong PK killed off the minor. Minutes later on a dump in from well out, the puck took an awkward bounce off the end boards as Daniel Chenard come out to play the puck as the puck changed direction, come out towards the front of the goal. No Vernon player was near the net or the puck as the Wild caught a break. Around the midway mark, Cameron MacDonald took a shot from the corner somehow managed to find the back of the net, beating Daniel Chenard up and under the bar, giving Vernon a 4-3 lead at 9:58 Jo Jo Tanaka-Campbell & Logan Cash with the helpers. What a shot from MacDonald, somehow managed to find an opening between the Wild goaltender and the post. About two minutes later, the Snakes (I think Connor Marritt) with a clear shot from the slot just missed the far corner on a missed opportunity. The Wild would get control of the play and carried the puck up ice. Matt Dorsey who saw a ton of minutes in the final period, would be denied by Keegan Karki on a partial breakaway on a shot that almost snuck in. Karki looked to have trouble with Dorsey's shot. The Wild would get a power play with about five minutes remaining but couldn't capitalize with the man advantage. The Vipers carried the play down the stretch, as the Wild couldn't get Daniel Chenard out for the extra attacker. Chris Clark and the Wenatchee Wild called a late timeout with 1:11 left in the 3rd period. The Wild would get Daniel Chenard to the bench for the extra attacker. Wenatchee would get control and pour on the pressure inside the final minute. The Wild had at least three or four real good looks, were denied on two missed the net on the other two shots. Luke Ormsby's shot from well out, managed to get through traffic would be stopped by Keegan Karki on a shot I don't know if he saw. With the Snakes hemmed in there own end, I think it was Matt Kowalski who fired a shot the length of the ice, missed the open cage, iced the puck with twenty one seconds to go. Jason McKee and the Vipers would call a late timeout. With a late scrambe, the Vipers were able to hang on for the 4-3 victory with Wenatchee pressing in the dying seconds. At the buzzer tempers heated up as Hunter Hastings got tangled up with two Vipers along the side wall. Several players rushed in as a scrum occurred, with almost everyone involved before the officials had to quickly break everyone apart. A very happy Viper bench stormed onto the ice to celebrate the victory. This was a very entertaining and enjoyable period with both teams playing hard. Obviously the Snakes were the better team early, tied the game less then three minutes in as Vernon looked good early. Both teams were fairly even at times for a lot of the period, while both teams had some pressure and carried the play at times. I thought both teams had some looks and chances. Give the Vipers credit again for limiting Wenatchee's shots. The Wild went several minutes at a time without a shot on goal. The Vipers were hemmed in there own end inside the final minute, as the Wild were pressing hard. Vernon gave up some looks/chances inside the final minute, got some puck luck and had to hang on for the win. Vernon outshot Wenatchee 10-8.

Top Player's: (Vernon)

Here are some player's I thought stood out or played well for Vernon.

Matt Kowalski (1 assist) I thought had a lot of jump/energy was skating hard all night, had a couple of looks/chances.

Ben Helgeson (1 goal) I thought played hard, had some looks/opportunities, was one of the better Vipers this evening.

Game Thought's: (Vernon)

All season this team has been inconsistent and it showed again tonight. I thought Vernon played well for about thirty five minutes. The Vipers may have opened the scoring four minutes into the hockey game, struggled for a lot of the 1st period. I didn't think Vernon got there game going until the final two minutes, had several good looks/opportunities, couldn't capitalize on there chances. The Vipers struggled early and often to start the 2nd period, were turning over pucks coming out of there own end, ended up giving up an early goal, didn't look or play that well for almost the first half. Give Vernon credit I thought they looked and played much better in the second half of that middle frame, didn't get on the scoreboard, but had some looks/chances. Give the Snakes credit, they haven't been a very good come from behind team this season, were down two goals heading into the 3rd. Vernon with two goals less then three minutes in, tied the game before Cameron MacDonald's game winner halfway through the final twenty minutes. I thought the Snakes played a solid 3rd period and one of there better periods in some time. Why can't the Vipers play the 3rd period for three periods? Vernon played much better defensively in the 3rd, caused less turnovers. At times tonight the Vipers struggled and looked bad. But at other times in the game, the Snakes looked good and played fairly well at times. Give this team credit for not quiting, battling back down two goals heading into the 3rd and for limiting the Wild to less then ten shots a period and twenty three in total. I was impressed with the turnout tonight. Close to 2000 showed up on a Wednesday night, when the Vipers have been struggling and not winning many home games lately. I really like this Wacky Wednesday deal and know several friends who took advantage of it the past two Wednesday games. If I were the Vipers, I would use this promotion for all mid week and Sunday afternoon games, to try and not only boost up your attendance but maybe bring in a few new fans. Tonight was a huge game for both teams and a big win for the Vipers. Maybe a win like tonight, will go a long way for this team? The Vipers are in need of wins right now and need to string together several wins in a row. At this time of the year, you have to beat the teams below you in the standings, there's no excuses. The Snakes play a lot of hockey the next few days with a quick turnaround. The Vipers play four games in the next seven days. The Vipers have been struggling lately, it's nice to see them come from behind tonight to get the win. The Vipers have lost three of there last five games, have lost nine of there last fifteen games. Vernon has thirteen wins in there last twenty eight games. The Vipers have ten games remaining in the regular season, with six being played at home. With the win Vernon improves to 25-20-2-1 move into 3rd place in the Interior division are three points ahead of 5th place Wenatchee, one point up on 4th place Salmon Arm and fourteen points back of 2nd place Trail.

Top Player's: (Wenatchee)

Here are some player's I thought stood out or played well for Wenatchee.

Matt Dorsey (1 assist) Was the Wild's best and most dangerous forward in the loss. Dorsey saw a lot of ice time, was out almost every second shift towards the end of the game, created/generated several opportunities, was hard to contain and defend against.

Luke Ormsby I thought played very well for the Wenatchee Wild. Had some looks/chances, rang a shot off the post in the 1st period, could have put the Wild ahead 3-1 at that point.

Noah Lugli (2 assists) Played very well before being ejected from the game after dropping the gloves with Viper rookie/forward Brett Fudger in a 2nd period fight. I thought this kid looked very good before being tossed from the game. Was involved in the play, can skate and move the puck.

Jack Bayless Was another Wild forward I thought played very well in the 4-3 loss.

Game Thought's: (Wenatchee)

I thought the Wild carried the better of the play and were the better of the two teams in the 1st period. Wenatchee may have given up the games first goal, but responded well with two quick back to back 1st period goals, three minutes apart. I liked Wenatchee's game in the opening frame and about the first half of the 2nd period. The Wild jumped out to a 3-1 lead on an early 2nd period goal from Nick Cafarelli were in full control of this game at this point. The Wild couldn't put the hometown Vipers away, allowed the Snakes to stay in the game even though it was still 3-1. An early 3rd period power play goal, got Vernon to within a goal, gave the Vipers some life, got the crowd into the game. The Wild couldn't recover and 2:06 later allowed the Snakes to tie the game before giving up the game winner midway through the final period. Wenatchee didn't get a lot of pucks to the net, had some looks/chances but couldn't capitalize on those opportunities. After controlling a lot of the opening period, the Wild couldn't keep there foot on the gas and allowed Vernon to creep back into the hockey game. Wenatchee went 0-4 with the man advantage, while the Vipers went 1-3. I didn't think either of the three goaltenders played or looked that great. All three looked average at best. All three looked to be fighting the puck at times. Chris Clark and the Wild coaching staff wont be happy, blowing a 3-1 third period lead on the road vs a team they are chasing in the standings and could possibly meet in the playoffs. The Vipers have won four straight vs Wenatchee lead the season series 4-1 as these two teams will meet for a final time this season, February 14th in Wenatchee. Head Coach Chris Clark played goal for the Victoria Salsa, Salmon Arm Silverbacks and Surrey Eagles from 2000-2003. Penticton Vees Head Coach/GM and President Fred Harbinson was in attendance tonight. The Vipers travel to Penticton Saturday. A spotted a few Wild fans in attendance tonight. The Wild have ten games left in the 2019-20 regular season with seven of those ten games played on the road. Wenatchee has lost seven of there last nine road games. The Wild have lost three of there last five games are 5-5 in there last ten. With the loss Wenatchee falls to 23-21-3-1 remain 5th in the Interior division are sixteen points up on 6th place West Kelowna, two points back of 4th place Salmon Arm and three points back of 3rd place Vernon.

Scratches:

Vernon:

Christian Felton (Sick)
Ben Sanderson (Injured)
Jack Glen (injured)
Dawson Holt (Injured)
Trey Taylor (Injured)
Max Palaga (Injured-Out for the season)

Wenatchee:

Trevor Griebel
Brian Adams
Blake Emerson
Drew Bavaro

Energy Player of the Game:

Cameron MacDonald (1 goal)

Three Star's:

1st Star: Jo Jo Tnaka-Campbell (1 goal & 1 assist)
2nd Star: Logan Cash (1 goal & 1 assist)
3rd Star: Quinn Emerson (1 goal)

I have picked a victory song for the Vipers this season and after every win, I will play Tarzan Boy by Baltimora

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_r0n9Dv6XnY

Boxscore-Game Summary,

https://bchl.ca/stats/game-summary/9590

Game Report,

https://lscluster.hockeytech.com/game_reports/official-game-report.php?lang_id=1&client_code=bchl&game_id=9590

Text Boxscore,

https://lscluster.hockeytech.com/game_reports/text-game-report.php?lang_id=1&client_code=bchl&game_id=9590

Please feel free to leave a suggestion or comment in the comment box below. I always enjoy and post all comments, as long as there tasteful. Thank you for your comments and visiting my blog.

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