The visiting Vernon Vipers opened the 2020 pre-season Okanagan Cup tournament with a 4-1 loss in West Kelowna. These two teams will meet again Saturday in Vernon.
How great was it to see Junior hockey back? It was sure weird not being able to drive to West Kelowna to watch the game live. With pro sports back and on tv with no fans for a few months, watching the Vipers game tonight wasn't all that odd as I was use to seeing no fans during the NHL games on tv.
I watched the Vipers/Warriors game on my computer tonight. The Warriors jumped on the Vipers early. Former Viper Elan Bar-Lev-Wise opened the scoring ten seconds into the hockey game. I thought once Vernon settled down, the Snakes calmed down and played better in that 1st period. I thought the Warriors were the better team in the middle frame. The Vipers had alot of zone time in the 3rd but no finish in and around the net. Overall I thought both teams played well at times and both teams struggled at times. I thought both teams had some very good chances and grade A opportunities. I think the Tribe had a few more looks/chances overall. I thought both goaltenders played very well. Good to see former Vipers goaltender Johnny Derrick find a home in West Kelowna. I didn't think the Vipers should have ever let him go. West Kelowna's two goals in the 2nd period, was obviously the difference. Vernon had a few good looks/opportunities in the 3rd couldn't find the back of the net. The Vipers gave up too many odd man rushes/breakaways. Both teams struggled with the man advantage. West Kelowna was 0-5 on the PP, while the Snakes went 1-6.
Without being able to attend and watch training camp this season, it's very difficult to get a good feel or read on the team/players without watching training camp. Watching the games on a computer monitor isn't the greatest way to scout/or get a good look at your team or players. With tonight being the first game of the pre-season and not knowing many names, numbers or lines it was hard to really know who was who, especially watching the game online. For the Vipers I have to say I really liked the looks of newcomer, Luke Pakulak. I thought he stood out and didn't look out of place. I heard Trey Taylor's name often and thought Kobe Grant was very good in goal. Grant was an "AP" with the Vipers last year. I didn't really notice any of the returning players much. On the Warriors side, I thought Charles-Alexis Legault was dangerous and heard his name lots through out the broadcast. Skyler Cameron was another defenceman who's name was mentioned often, I thought played well. John Evans, Felix Trudeau and Deegan Mofford also played well from what I saw. I heard Elan Bar-Lev-Wise now and again. Johnny Derrick was solid between the pipes, beating his former team stopping 29 out of 30 shots.
The Warriors wore there away jerseys tonight, and it looked like only the players returning from last season had there names on there jerseys. The Vipers were wearing there home white jerseys and had names on all the jerseys.
Cameron MacDonald took a big check from behind and didn't return. Let's hope he's ok
Going by the Vipers roster on the league website, it looks like Ethan Mercer, Jack Glen, Ryley Appelt & Griffen Barr didn't play.
Nicholas Remissong wore #11 tonight and the first player to wear #11 since former forward/captain Jagger Williamson last wore #11 two seasons ago.
These two teams will finish the home & home series tomorrow in Vernon.
WooHoo!
ReplyDeleteGo Warriors Go!!
How great was it to see Junior hockey back? It was sure weird not being able to drive to West Kelowna to watch the game live. With pro sports back and on tv with no fans for a few months, watching the Vipers game tonight wasn't all that odd as I was use to seeing no fans during the NHL games on tv.
ReplyDeleteI watched the Vipers/Warriors game on my computer tonight. The Warriors jumped on the Vipers early. Former Viper Elan Bar-Lev-Wise opened the scoring ten seconds into the hockey game. I thought once Vernon settled down, the Snakes calmed down and played better in that 1st period. I thought the Warriors were the better team in the middle frame. The Vipers had alot of zone time in the 3rd but no finish in and around the net. Overall I thought both teams played well at times and both teams struggled at times. I thought both teams had some very good chances and grade A opportunities. I think the Tribe had a few more looks/chances overall. I thought both goaltenders played very well. Good to see former Vipers goaltender Johnny Derrick find a home in West Kelowna. I didn't think the Vipers should have ever let him go. West Kelowna's two goals in the 2nd period, was obviously the difference. Vernon had a few good looks/opportunities in the 3rd couldn't find the back of the net. The Vipers gave up too many odd man rushes/breakaways. Both teams struggled with the man advantage. West Kelowna was 0-5 on the PP, while the Snakes went 1-6.
Without being able to attend and watch training camp this season, it's very difficult to get a good feel or read on the team/players without watching training camp. Watching the games on a computer monitor isn't the greatest way to scout/or get a good look at your team or players. With tonight being the first game of the pre-season and not knowing many names, numbers or lines it was hard to really know who was who, especially watching the game online. For the Vipers I have to say I really liked the looks of newcomer, Luke Pakulak. I thought he stood out and didn't look out of place. I heard Trey Taylor's name often and thought Kobe Grant was very good in goal. Grant was an "AP" with the Vipers last year. I didn't really notice any of the returning players much. On the Warriors side, I thought Charles-Alexis Legault was dangerous and heard his name lots through out the broadcast. Skyler Cameron was another defenceman who's name was mentioned often, I thought played well. John Evans, Felix Trudeau and Deegan Mofford also played well from what I saw. I heard Elan Bar-Lev-Wise now and again. Johnny Derrick was solid between the pipes, beating his former team stopping 29 out of 30 shots.
The Warriors wore there away jerseys tonight, and it looked like only the players returning from last season had there names on there jerseys. The Vipers were wearing there home white jerseys and had names on all the jerseys.
Cameron MacDonald took a big check from behind and didn't return. Let's hope he's ok
Going by the Vipers roster on the league website, it looks like Ethan Mercer, Jack Glen, Ryley Appelt & Griffen Barr didn't play.
Nicholas Remissong wore #11 tonight and the first player to wear #11 since former forward/captain Jagger Williamson last wore #11 two seasons ago.
These two teams will finish the home & home series tomorrow in Vernon.