Vernon 7 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 home games since 2004. In the past thirty years I have 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 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 today's Vipers game, here are my thought's and views from today'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 recap from both sides. Thank you for visiting my blog.

I was at today's Vipers-Wild game as Vernon defeated Wenatchee 7-3 in front of 1,701 fans at Kal Tire Place.

Starting Goaltenders:

Vernon: Reilly Herbst
Wenatchee: Daniel Chenard

1st Period: The Wild jumped on the Vipers off the opening faceoff. Reilly Herbst had to be ready and sharp, was forced to make several key saves early in the hockey game. I noticed the shots were 3-2 for Wenatchee about two minutes in, and thought was a little strange as Vernon had yet to get across the Wild blueline. Somehow the Vipers were credited with two shots on goal, without getting a shot on goal. The Wild were all over the Snakes and outshooting Vernon 8-2 five minutes into the opening frame. Just over five minutes in, Brett Fudger lead a two on one rush, Fudger decided to keep and shoot, went high glove on former Chilliwack Chiefs goaltender Daniel Chenard, giving Vernon a 1-0 lead at 5:23 Ryan Shostak and Landon Fuller drew the assists. The Vipers scored on just there third shot of the afternoon, but if you take away the first two shots that were actually not shots on goal, Fudger's goal was the Vipers first shot of the game. The Vipers had no business being in this hockey game, were outplayed the first five minutes, but had the early lead. Minutes later the visiting Wenatchee Wild would get the games first power play, would get a few good looks but didn't really generate any real quality chances as the Snakes killed off the minor. Wenatchee was outshooting Vernon 10-3 at the midway mark. With about 4:55 left in the 1st period, Nick Cafarelli would get two quick back to back shots low along the ice, would be denied twice by Reilly Herbst, who made two quick saves, keeping this a one goal game. The Wild would a late PP, there first of the afternoon. Halfway through the man advantage, Sam Morton was stopped on a nice save off Reilly Herbst before Brett Chorske buried the rebound, tying the game 1-1 at 18:25 Morton & Drew Bavaro collected the helpers. Inside the final minute, Dawson Holt tried setting up Matt Kowalski on an odd man rush, but Dylan Herzog with a good stick/defensive play, broke up the Snakes odd man rush. On the same shift, Herzog blocked a shot and was forced to make another strong defensive play towards the end of the period with the Vipers pressing in the final thirty seconds. It was 1-1 after 20 minutes of play. It was all Wild for most of the first twenty minutes. Wenatchee outplayed the hometown Vipers from almost start to finish. The Wild carried the better of the play, saw a lot of action in the offensive zone, had more puck possession and zone time, were by far the better of the two teams. Wenatchee who last played Friday night at home in an 8-0 win over the visiting Victoria Grizzlies, looked fresh, had there legs moving and played with a lot of pace and energy. The Wild were throwing pucks to the net, didn't generate a lot of quality shots but had some good looks and shots from in and around the crease, couldn't solve Reilly Herbst. The Vipers who battled hard in a disappointing 5-4 loss Saturday to the league leading Coquitlam Express, had the quick turnaround this afternoon and it showed. Vernon didn't have there legs going, looked a little sluggish and worn down at times. The Snakes saw a lot of the period in there own end, were chasing the Wild, relied on there goaltender to bail them out at times. The Vipers were basically just hanging on at times, had no business being in today's game. Wenatchee outshot Vernon 18-6.

2nd Period: The Wild got off to a quick start, jumped on Vernon for a second straight period. Noah Lugli jumped into the play, was stopped in close inside the opening minute on a big save off Vernon Vipers starting goaltender Reilly Herbst. On the same play/shift, the Wild moved the puck back to the point and at exactly one minute into the middle frame beat Reilly Herbst but not the goal post. The Wild thought they had scored as the goal light even went on as play continued. You could hear the ring off the far post from my seats while no call from any of the two officials while the game continued. On the first stoppage in play, head coach Chris Clark was having a chat with one of the officials but a quick one at that, as no real protest from the Wenatchee Wild as the game continued. This was a bit of a turning point as 1:35 later on some nice three way passing, Trey Taylor setup "AP" Isaac Suppin at the side of the net, scored his first career BCHL goal, giving Vernon a 2-1 lead at 2:35 Taylor & Brett Fudger picked up the assists. On the following play the Snakes would jump on an early man advantage, but unable to capitalize as Wenatchee killed off the minor. Just over three minutes later, Colby Feist got in behind the Wenatchee defenders, beat Wenatchee Wild starting goaltender Daniel Chenard on the breakaway, giving Vernon a 3-1 lead at 8:22 Feist's goal was unassisted. Thirty seven seconds later, Noah Lugli went back to the sin bin for his second straight penalty, sending the Vipers back to the PP. The Snakes couldn't capitalize with the man advantage as the Wild killed off the minor. Two big PK's from Wenatchee. Less then two minutes later on a goal mouth scramble, Dawson Holt somehow managed to get the puck through the pile of bodies in and around the blue paint, giving Vernon a 4-1 lead at 12:52 Helgeson and Landon Fuller picked up the helpers. Daniel Chenard was in some discomfort with his left arm. The Wild netminder needed some attention from the trainer, on a bit of a delay. Backup goaltender Noah Altman put on his gear and was stretching on the bench, but didn't have to come into action as Chenard seemed to be ok and stayed in the hockey game. Landon Fuller took a puck to the throat after blocking a shot, raced to the dressing room, was ok and returned to the game. With just over a minute left in the 2nd period, the Vipers with some nice three way passing, eventually setup Vernon product Matt Kowalski who spotted the open cage, giving Vernon a commanding 5-1 lead at 19:00 Logan Cash and Jo Jo Tanaka-Campbell collected the assists. Forty two seconds later, Jackson Caller with a heavy hit on Hunter Hastings in the corner deep in Vernon's zone. Brett Chorske jumped in, crosschecked Caller twice in the back of the neck area as several players got involved in the minor scrum inside the final minute of play. Caller would ejected from today's game, was given five minutes for boarding and a game misconduct. Chorske somehow didn't get called for the crosscheck as the Wild catch a huge break. With only eighteen seconds remaining in the middle frame, the Wild unable to do anything with the PP before the buzzer. It was 5-1 Vernon after 40 minutes of play. The Wild jumped on the Vipers off the opening faceoff, had a real good opportunity inside the opening minute, couldn't beat Reilly Herbst before ringing a shot off the post shortly after. Two real good chances for Wenatchee but the games still tied. Vernon responds and comes back a minute and a half later to grab the 2-1 lead. This goal was huge, gave the Snakes some life, momentum and confidence as Vernon got better as the period continued. The Vipers didn't get many opportunities but capitalized on there chances. Wenatchee carried the play at times, but didn't get many chances, seemed to give up a goal on the next shift. I thought the Wild were the better team in the first three to five minutes and the last three to five minutes but it was the Snakes that were the better team in between those minutes. Vernon had players from the bottom six step up and play big this period. The Vipers found there legs and played with a lot more jump/energy this period. Vernon outshot Wenatchee 15-9.

3rd Period: Wenatchee started the final frame on the man advantage that was carried over from the 2nd period. With almost a full five minutes on the power play, the Wild would find the back of the net early. Reilly Herbst got a piece of Harrison Scott's shot from the high slot, but not enough as the puck went over Herbst and into the back of the net, cutting Vernon's lead to 5-2 at 1:45 Tyler Young & Trevor Griebel with the assists. With almost three minutes remaining on the five minute major, the Vipers PK shutdown Wenatchee's PP the remainder of the power play. The Snakes blocked several shots and kept the Wild to the outside, limited Wenatchee to only three shots with the PP as Vernon killed off the remainder of the major, getting a large cheer from the crowd. Shortly after the Vipers sprung Connor Sleeth in for the breakaway, who would be stopped by Daniel Chenard. Shortly after on a hard working shift from the Snakes, Jack Glen (owners son) spotted a rebound in front, for his first career BCHL goal, giving Vernon a commanding 6-2 lead at 6:48 Trey Taylor and Hunter Donohoe with the assists. Four minutes later the Vipers would get called for too many men on the ice, on a play where the one player jumped over the boards but quickly back onto the bench, the Snakes didn't touch the puck or go near the puck but the far linesmen blew the play dead, calling Vernon for too many men. Wenatchee with there fourth PP of the afternoon. Just over a minute into the man advantage, the Snakes would go down two men after being called for a trip behind the goal. Viper fans didn't like the call, let the officials hear about it. With a two man advantage, seconds later Brett Chorske from a sharp angle beat Reilly Herbst at the side of the goal, cutting Vernon's lead to 6-3 Luke Ormsby collected the assist. The Viper faithful let the officials hear about what they thought of the penalties, were giving it to the officials after the goal. The Vipers were forced to kill off the remainder of the second minor. Less then two minutes later Tyler Young didn't like a hit a Viper dished out, went directly after Trey Taylor, dropping his gloves. Taylor skated away, while Young would be sent to the dressing room with a ten minute misconduct. Less then four minutes later Ryan Shostak spotted Cameron MacDonald down low, beat Dainel Chenard giving Vernon a 7-3 lead at 17:53 Shostak with the lone helper. With the game out of reach and fans already making there way to the exists, Ethan Wolthers found some open ice, got behind the Vernon defence in the dying seconds would be stopped by Reilly Herbst on a large save towards the end of the game. Vernon would defeat Wenatchee 7-3. The Wild could have easily climbed back into this hockey game or got to within a couple of goals, only scored once on the five minute major. The Vipers PK was very good. After that the remainder of the game didn't see a lot of action. The Wild carried a lot of the play, but didn't really get any quality chances, had troubles getting pucks to the net. Both teams didn't show much life in the 3rd period in a bit of a snoozer. I will give the Snakes credit for playing well defensively. This was a pretty dull-boring period after the five minute major. The Vipers sat back with a huge lead and the Wild just couldn't gain any traction down by three or four goals. Wenatchee outshot Vernon 7-4.

Top Player's: (Vernon)

Reilly Herbst (31 saves) The Vipers netminder had to be ready and was sharp early and often in the opening frame. The Wild jumped on Vernon off the opening faceoff and if it wasn't for Herbst making some quick/key saves in the opening minutes, this could have been a different hockey game. Herbst didn't have to make any real stand out saves this afternoon, but definitely had to be alert and sharp when the Vipers were outplayed in that 1st period. Wenatchee outshot Vernon 18-6 in that first period and could have easily popped a few goals if it wasn't for Herbst.

Game Thought's: (Vernon)

After battling hard and playing in there best game of the season, in a disappointing 5-4 loss to Coquitlam last night, the Snakes had a quick turnaround with an afternoon game today. The problem was the visitors didn't play last night, last played Friday at home in an 8-0 win over Victoria. I didn't know what Viper team was going to show up today, but it didn't look good early. The Vipers were outplayed, outshot and very lucky to be tied going into the 2nd period. Vernon escaped and got out of the opening frame, tied could have easily been down two or three goals. I thought a key turning point in today's game was a big stop Reilly Herbst made inside the opening minute of the middle frame, before the Wild come within inches of taking the lead, hit the post. 1:35 later the Vipers took the lead on Isaac Suppin's first career BCHL goal and the Vipers never looked back. Vernon seemed to find there legs in the second period, didn't take there foot off the gas, scored four 2nd period goals to take a 5-1 lead into the dressing room. The middle frame was the difference in the hockey game, as the Vipers have had troubles all season, putting teams away early or at any point in a hockey game. The Vipers didn't create/generate a lot of chances, but scored on there opportunities, got some timely goals from kids playing on the bottom six. Vernon gave up three PP goals but I was very impressed with the PK on the five minute major. I thought the Snakes didn't give up a lot of chances in the 2nd and 3rd periods, kept Wenatchee to the outside, limited there opportunities and only gave up sixteen shots in the final two periods. The Vipers saw a lot of time in there own end in the final twenty minutes but didn't give up a lot either. I thought all four lines stepped up, especially the 3rd and 4th lines and everyone contributed in the win. In a game where maybe the Vipers didn't deserve to win at times, they worked hard, continued to plug away and kept grinding. What's up with Matt Kowalski? Is he playing hurt or sick? He hasn't been the same player since before Christmas. For a second straight game, assistant coach Larry Draper wasn't behind the bench. Today was a huge game vs a team the Vipers are chasing. The Vipers are 3-1 vs Wenatchee this season. Vernon was two points back of Wenatchee and Salmon Arm prior to today's game. With the BCHL trade deadline coming Friday, will the Snakes make any moves? I have heard several rumors going around the rink this weekend. On a day full of World Juniors and NFL playoffs, a small crowd on hand for this afternoon's game. You have to wonder why teams put games on Sunday's during the NFL playoffs? The Vipers play every Sunday during the NFL playoffs. The Vipers snapped a two game losing streak as well as a four game losing skid at home. Prior to today Vernon had lost six of there last nine home games. The Snakes have lost five of there last seven games and nine of there last seventeen. With the win Vernon improves to 21-17-1-1 move into 3rd place in the Interior division are tied in points with Salmon Arm and Wenatchee, are ten points back of 2nd place Trail.

Top Player's: (Wenatchee)

Brett Chorske (2 goals) Was one of if not Wenatchee's most dangerous forward this afternoon.

Hunter Hastings I thought played well for most of the game.

Game Thought's: (Wenatchee)

The visiting Wild jumped on the hometown Vipers off the opening faceoff but found themselves down a goal early. The Wild fired eighteen shots towards Reilly Herbst and outplayed Vernon the 1st period but were heading to the dressing room tied in a game they deserved a better fate. The Wild let things get away in the 2nd period and couldn't climb back. After an early quality chance inside the opening minute of the 2nd period, Wenatchee looked to take the lead on an early shot a minute into the middle frame, hit the post before giving up the next goal shortly after. The Wild could have easily took the lead inside the opening minute, instead were down a goal just over two minutes into the second frame. Wenatchee couldn't recover and would give up the next three goals, to fall behind 5-1. The game was basically over as the Wild looked like a different team in the 2nd and 3rd periods. Wenatchee had troubles getting pucks to the net in the final two periods. The Wild with eighteen shots on goal after one, only recorded sixteen shots in the next two periods. The Wild didn't create/or generate much for offence in the final two periods, struggled offensively. I don't think you could blame Daniel Chenard on any of Vernon's seven goals, but at some point in the hockey game, you need a save or two with your team trailing. Chenard didn't see a lot of rubber early, needed a save or two for some confidence. I was surprised Chenard stayed in the entire game, I would have changed goaltenders after Vernon's third goal, it wasn't Chenard's fault but maybe inject some life into the Wild with a change of netminders. Wenatchee was by far the better of the two teams in the first period, had there legs going, looked full of energy, wasn't the same team in the 2nd and 3rd periods. Didn't have the same jump/energy, couldn't gain any kind of traction after falling behind. The Wild were missing some key players from there roster, you put those kids in the lineup and maybe this is a different game? A big loss for the Wild who are tied in points with Salmon Arm and Vernon. The Wild have won three of there last five are 5-5 in there last ten games. With the loss Wenatchee falls to 20-17-3-1 drop to 5th in the Interior division are twenty points ahead of 6th place Merritt.

Scratches:

Vernon:

Ben Sanderson
Connor Marritt
Nicholas Kent (Injured)
Elan Bar-Lev-Wise

Wenatchee:

Luke Gallagher
Jerrett Overland
Brian Adams
Matt Dorsey

Energy Player of the Game:

Jack Glen (1 goal)

Three Star's:

1st Star: Brett Fudger (1 goal & 1 assist)
2nd Star: Brett Chorske (2 goals)
3rd Star: Colby Feist (1 goal)

I have picked a victory song for the Vernon Vipers this season. After every Vipers 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/9523

Game Report,

https://lscluster.hockeytech.com/game_reports/official-game-report.php?lang_id=1&client_code=bchl&game_id=9523

Text Boxscore,

https://lscluster.hockeytech.com/game_reports/text-game-report.php?lang_id=1&client_code=bchl&game_id=9523

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 today's Vipers-Wild game.