Day 2 Report From Vipers Spring Identification Camp:

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 five home games since 2004 and 46 home games since 1990. Here are my thought's and views from todays camp.

I stopped by Kal Tire Place North this morning to check out Day two from the Vernon Vipers Identification Camp.

-Camp consists of 2 thirty minute run time periods

-Ice is cleaned after each period

-A penalty is an automatic penalty shot

-No lineups/rosters were available

The first game/scrimmage of the day saw Team Black defeat Team White 4-1 in front of about forty-fifty fans in attendance. #14 forward for Team Black was the best player on the ice this morning. No lineups/rosters were available but this kid was very good. Has a nose to the net and carried the puck often, was getting lots of opportunities and shots on goal. Was always involved in the play and stood out.

In the second morning game/scrimmage saw Team Gold defeat Team Green 5-2 in front of about seventy or so people in attendance. 

In the third and final game/scrimmage of the morning saw Team Red defeat Team Blue 3-1 in front of close to seventy/or eighty people in the stands. Team Blue has a big team as this was the most even matched game/scrimmage I saw to date. These two teams went back and fourth. It was tied 1-1 heading into the final frame before Team Red scored twice in the second period. The game winning goal was scored on a penalty shot. #1 goaltender for Team Red played the 1st period and was solid between the pipes. This kid wasn't very big but very quick on his feet, covered the net well and didn't give up many if any second or third opportunities. Team Blue had some very good quality chances in the first thirty minutes, only managed to get one past the netminder. #11 forward for Team Blue was also very good and stood out in my mind. Was involved in the play, carried the puck often, tall and lanky had some looks this morning. 

I was told due to COVID-19 only 200 people were allowed inside Kal Tire Place North.

These kinds of camps are really difficult to get any kind of a read on these younger kids, especially if they wont be back for the Vipers main training camp in September. 

With no rosters/or lineups its also difficult to know players/or names and are the kids wearing the same jersey as they wore the day before. It's hard to follow when you don't know who the players are and how old they are.

Camp resumed later this afternoon and this evening with three games/scrimmages that I didn't attend.

Day 3 of Spring Identification Camp continues tomorrow morning at 9am. Tomorrow is the final day for camp.

Here are some photo's I took during todays Spring Identification Camp,