The West Kelowna Warriors sweep the Okanagan Cup home & home series vs the Vernon Vipers after a 2-1 pre-season victory tonight at Kal Tire Place in Vernon. The Warriors improve to 2-0, while the Vipers fall to 0-2. The Warriors next game is October 2nd in Penticton, while the Vipers next game will be October 7th in Penticton.
Boxscore-Game Summary,
https://bchl.ca/stats/game-center/9821
Game Report,
https://lscluster.hockeytech.com/game_reports/official-game-report.php?lang_id=1&client_code=bchl&game_id=9821
Text Box Score,
https://lscluster.hockeytech.com/game_reports/text-game-report.php?lang_id=1&client_code=bchl&game_id=9821
https://bchl.ca/stats/game-center/9821 
I watched the Vipers game on my computer tonight. How weird did it feel with the game being played here and not being able to attend. Watching the game online and seeing an empty Kal Tire Place had a bit of an eerie feeling.
ReplyDeleteI thought this was a pretty good and entertaining game for being the second exhibition game of the season. I thought the Vipers looked and played much better tonight and played well. Two mistakes cost them two late 2nd period goals, which ended up being the game tying and game winning goals. I didn't think any players from either team really stood out, but thought both goaltenders played very well. 17 yr old Rian Clarke made his BCHL/Vipers debut and impressed me. Clarke made an unbelievable diving save with his mask robbing a Warrior from an open net. Former Nanaimo Clippers goaltender Zach Bennett was solid between the pipes for the Warriors. Made a diving/high light reel save with about nine seconds left to preserve the win.
After two games I have noticed the Snakes have troubles scoring and don't look like they have a proven goal scorer. The Vipers had some glorious chances this weekend but only managed two goals. If your Jason McKee are you concerned this early into the pre-season? This was one of my biggest concerns over the off season. After losing Matt Kowalski, Connor Marritt and Dawson Holt I was wondering who was going to replace these scorers? I don't think the Vipers went out and addressed this situation. Vernon struggled scoring goals last season and may have the same trouble this year. The Vipers didn't recruit or bring in a proven goal scorer or some high end talent, like a lot of the other teams across the league did this off season. Once again it looks like Fred Harbinson and the Penticton Vees loaded up for a long run. The Vees scored fifteen goals over the weekend in wins over Salmon Arm. The Vees are hosting the Centennial Cup this Spring.
I have to wonder why the Vipers went with a young team this year?
Jason McKee addressed his roster/injured players. Ryley Appelt, Liam Cavan & Logan Lorenz are out of the lineup for a while with injuries.
Due to COVID-19 your only allowed no more then 50 people in one gathering. I have to wonder if more people weren't at these hockey games this weekend? Counting the two teams/players alone is 40 people, don't forget the coaching staff, officials, off ice crew, broadcasters, pa announcer, time keepers and so on. How can they allow people to walk around a mall or cram into an airplane and fly anywhere, but fans aren't allowed to social distance and watch a hockey game? Let the fans inside hockey arenas!
The Vipers fall to 0-2 at the Okanagan Cup exhibition Tournament and now get ten days off before travelling to Penticton to facing the 2-0 Vees.
I have a feeling Vipers are going to be going 0-4 after they are finished playing Penticton. I'll be sure to tune in here to see the Vernon fans calling for the coach's head and blaming the owners. It begins! Hahaha! Welcome to my nightmare for the past couple of years.
ReplyDeleteP.S- Hockey Teams and staffing a hockey game in an arena isn't considered a gathering. Watching a hockey game with that many people is considered a gathering. Going to the mall isn't considered a gathering either. If pro sports teams aren't able to have fans in the stands, do you really think they'll ok it for the BCJHL? C'mon.
Go Warriors Go!
The Manitoba Junior Hockey League has fans for there pre-season games. The NFL, College football and Nascar all have fans as well. They aren't selling out stadiums/arenas but those leagues are allowed a percentage of fans per game.
ReplyDeleteSure......but remind me how the pandemic is going in the states again? It's a gong show to say the least. I'd rather have the health and well being of individuals before watching sports. We're on the cusp of a second wave and you're worried about not being able to watch junior hockey? smh
ReplyDeleteYou mean the plandemic? More people die from the common flu. Don't tell me you still believe in Santa Claus? Its the flu, Wash your hands and let's move on and get over this bs! Quit allowing the government to control our lives with this crap! Bring back the fans and lets enjoy watching live hockey again.
ReplyDeleteA second wave for what? Because of the flu? Give me a break! Turn off your tv and quit living in fear of the flu. Not one hospital here is over run! We were to flatten the Curve. We did. We have a less than 1% of a death rate. Wake up! No where near a pandemic. Let us businesses try and survive. This bullsh%t has gone on long enough. The rules are stupid and make zero sense. Glory holes? Masking to kiss your own husband? Viruses getting worse in bars at exactly 10pm? Kids 1 meter apart but tables 2? Enough with the BS! I feel for all business owners, including junior hockey owners who aren't allowed to have fans. This is a scam and the biggest joke! Go follow the rest of the sheep Uncle Bens rice
ReplyDelete@ Uncle Sam and @ Kelly
ReplyDeleteTriggered much? Lol!
I don't make the rules...........not sure why you need to rant about it on a vipers blog....but hey....at least you're getting it off your chests....good for you!
In the meantime....I'll continue watching my 2-0 Warriors continue to challenge for the okanagan cup, while your soon to be 0-4 Vipers will be doing bag skates at practice trying to find ways to score. I'd suggest making Glenn your captain and start from there. Lol!
Go Warriors Go!
Uncle Ben
Uncle Ben the Warriors will be the doormat just like last year, Penticton will play them just to have fun. I can see why you are not worried about the covid if you cheer for the Warriors. It doesnt matter that only 50 fans can attend, that is a big crowd for the Warriors! The only reason the beat Vernon is they are even worse than Westside. They both will be at the bottom!
ReplyDelete@anonymous
ReplyDeleteHaha......I agree one hundred percent! I especially enjoyed the attendance zinger....well played sir!
I'm just having some fun....it amuses me to watch the Viper fans squirm as their expectations for their club are so high! It won't be so lonely at the bottom this year.Lol.
Cheers!
Uncle Ben
Why didn't the Vipers keep any of their 20 year old goalies? It seems with such a young team they would want to keep 1 or 2 of those to rely on?
ReplyDeleteUncle Ben you are a good sport! And as you say it is all in fun! I have no high expectations for the Vipers given the Coach and Owners! I see them at the bottom. The Warriors are a better club as they have great goaltending!
ReplyDelete