The Vernon Vipers pick up there second win of the Okanagan Cup Tournament after a 4-3 overtime victory in Salmon Arm. The Snakes played with the lead in every period before Jo Jo Tanaka-Campbell's overtime winner at 2:28 of overtime. Vernon outshot Salmon Arm 41-25 Kobe Grant made 22 saves in the win, while Liam Vanderkooi made 37 saves in the loss. Vernon improves to 2-4 while Salmon Arm drops to 1-5.
Boxscore-Game Summary,
https://bchl.ca/stats/game-center/9857
Game Report,
https://lscluster.hockeytech.com/game_reports/official-game-report.php?lang_id=1&client_code=bchl&game_id=985
Text Box Score,
https://lscluster.hockeytech.com/game_reports/text-game-report.php?lang_id=1&client_code=bchl&game_id=9857
Game Report, 
I watched the Vipers-Silverbacks game on Hockey tv tonight. It's still very strange and weird not being able to go to the Vipers games.
ReplyDeleteThis was a very entertaining hockey game. For a third straight game I thought the Vipers played hard, competed and were the better team. I thought the Snakes played very well this evening, played with the lead three different times never trailed at any point in the hockey game. I thought Vernon was the better team tonight. I liked getting 41 shots on goal, created/generated lots of good opportunities. The Snakes had lots of chances to maybe try and jump a head by a goal or two but couldn't get grab a two goal lead. I thought the Vipers speed was one of the differences in the home & home series this weekend. The Vipers don't have a lot of flashy high end players, but this young Vipers team gets a lot of quality chances, just hasn't been able to capitalize on there opportunities this season until this weekend. I always like a veteran 19 or 20 yr old goaltender. This year the Vipers went with two very young inexperienced goaltenders. I was very surprised and didn't like the idea, but I have to admit goaltending has been very solid so far. I really like both young kids and can't blame goaltending after starting the Okanagan Cup Tournament 0-4.
Will Arquiett playing in only his second game of the season and second game with the Snakes, looked very good. Scored his first goal of the season tonight, is by far Vernon's best player. This kid brings so much to the Vipers roster/offence, something that was definitely missing. Hunter Donohoe, Griffen Barr, Cameron MacDonald, Ryan Shostak, Jeremy Rainville, Nicholas Kent and Kobe Grant I thought all played well and stood out at times.
The Silverbacks looked like a much different hockey club, played much better after last night's 5-2 loss in Vernon. Give credit to Salmon Arm for not allowing the Vipers to run away with the game, managed to battle hard and always find a way to tie the game. The Apes had trouble containing Vernon's speed and heavily relied on Liam Vanderkooi who made 37 saves in his second start of the season. The Backs had some good looks/chances to take the lead for the first time on a few occasions couldn't get the big goal when needed.
This young Viper team seems to have gained some confidence, playing with a lot more consistency, and starting to find the back of the net. Does Will Arquiett have anything to do with this? Were Brett Fudger and Colby Feist the problem? I hope this team can build off this weekend sweep of the Silverbacks and I'm looking forward to see how they do/play against West Kelowna next weekend.
I can't get over the Vipers have eight players out with injuries. Once players start returning to the lineup, it will be interesting to see what Jason McKee does with his roster.
Go Vipers Go!
Well Mr.DieHard....I too am looking forward to watching my Warriors play your Vipers next weekend!
ReplyDeleteDo you make predictions? Are you a betting man? Do you have the guts to make a bold prediction on here for all to see?
Your Vipers had a successful weekend, while my Warriors got their ass handed to them by the best team in the league. What's your prediction?
Here we go.....
I predict West Kelowna Warriors will sweep both games next weekend against the Vipers. The second game will be an OT win.
Sweeten the Pot: If the Warriors somehow LOSE both games to the Vipers....I will concede defeat and refrain from commenting on here anymore with derogatory remarks about the Vipers. Deal??
Oh to be fair...you need to post your own prediction here also. If you have the guts! Bwahaha!
Cheers,
Uncle Ben
You guys here that........?
ReplyDeleteCrickets!
Come on DieHard........let's have a friendly wager.....make your prediction!
Go Warriors Go!
Uncle Ben
Haha! Uncle Ben.....you are relentless. Good on ya!
ReplyDeleteBut Vipers are finding their groove and are going to take both games this weekend.
I don't have much to bet.....but bragging rights are fun!
I hope the DieHardFan places a prediction as well.....all in good fun!
As much as I find Uncle Ben to be a troll, I'm disappointed VDHF hasn't even acknowledged the comment.
ReplyDeleteWell well well.... Just because I didn't reply right away, it doesn't mean I didn't acknowledge Uncle Bens comments. I saw and read his predictions and offer. I also heard the crickets, especially after the Vipers two victories over the Salmon Arm Silverbacks this past weekend. All the negative Viper fans didn't have too much to say.
ReplyDeleteI think both teams have added and deleted some players from there rosters as well as the Vipers making a big trade last week. I think both teams are different since opening night of the Okanagan Cup and both teams have gone in different directions since opening weekend.
The West Kelowna Warriors swept the home & home series with the Vipers opening weekend in late September starting 2-0 but since those two victories have only one win in there last six games. That one win was a 3-2 victory over Salmon Arm October 10th. Over the weekend the Tribe was outscored 13-3 in a home & home series with the Penticton Vees. During the 2nd period of Fridays vs Penticton the Warriors lost goaltender Johnny Derrick and defenceman Charles Alexis Legault due to injuries. The Warriors have three former Vipers, Elan Bar-Lev-Wise, Johnny Derrick & Nick Ardanaz.
The Vernon Vipers were sloppy, inconsistent, and no where near sixty minutes in a 4-1 loss opening night September 25th in West Kelowna. The following night in Vernon, the Snakes replied with a much better and more consistent effort, fell short 2-1 in a very tight checking game. If my memory serves me correctly it was the hometown Vipers who opened the scoring and were minutes away from taking a 1-0 lead into the 3rd period but gave up two late West Kelowna goals three minutes apart were now trailing by a goal going into the final frame. 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 West Kelowna victory. Since those back to back losses to the Tribe, Vernon has gone 2-2 and could have easily won one of the games vs Penticton back on October 10th. The Vipers lost 4-1 (two empty net goals) had several grade A opportunities couldn't solve Vees netminder Yaniv Perets who was solid in goal that night for Penticton. The Snakes started the 2020 exhibition season 0-4 were outscored 14-3 only scored three goals in four games. Since then are 2-0 and have outscored the opponents 9-5. The Vipers have Kelowna native and former West Kelowna Warriors forward Max Bulawka on there roster. The Snakes also have eight players out with injuries, will any return to the lineup this weekend?
Since the Warriors last played my hometown Vipers, I haven't watched any of there games other then checking out the scoreboard/game summary on the league website. I do expect a much better effort and overall game from the Vipers this weekend and hopefully continue there winning ways they left off from last weekend's sweep of the Salmon Arm Silverbacks. On the Tribe's side of things, I expect Simon Ferguson will have his hockey club re-charged and re-grouped ready to battle one of there Okanagan rivals.
As for predictions or guessing who will win or lose? That's up for anybody's imagination. I will leave that for the players/teams to battle it out on the ice and let them decide the final outcome.
And one final comment before I sign off. I would like to welcome Uncle Ben to the blog as I don't ever recall seeing him/or her post comments before the exhibition season started in September. Your witty banter and humor brings something different to the blog that adds a bit of spark and sometimes gets the best out of others who leave comments. I also wanted to thank you for watching your language and being fairly polite when making your comments towards my Vipers and other Viper fans, as it's all in good fun. Thanks for being a sport and leaving comments.
Go Vipers Go!
Haha! You're the best DieHard! Great insight into the past couple of games....I really enjoy reading your thoughts on the games-its why I come and visit!
ReplyDeleteI didn't expect you to make a prediction, but thanks for providing some insight! I fully expect one of us to be bragging it up after the upcoming weekend is over Haha! I'm pretty sure it will be me......but even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in a while! :P
Thanks for the warm welcome! I try to never take or make things personal....I just enjoy a little hockey banter back and forth in good fun. I wish we had a blog as good as yours for the Warriors.....and if fans are ever allowed to watch games any time soon.....it would be awesome to meet you in person and buy you a beer and talk hockey!
Go Warriors Go!
Uncle Ben