I was born and raised in Vernon, BC and been watching/following Junior hockey in Vernon my entire life. My family has been watching/following Junior hockey in Vernon since 1961. I have had season tickets since 1990 and only missed 5 home games since 2004 and 46 home games since 1990. I'm not a journalist, writer, reporter or work for the Vernon Vipers. I don't get paid to do this blog and do this blog in my own personal time. I started and created this blog in November 2008 and have over 2 million viewers. For anyone who couldn't watch or attend tonight's Vipers game, here are my thought's and views from tonight's game. You may agree or disagree but we all have our own opinion on the hockey game. I try to be professional and give a fare game recap from both sides. Thank you for visiting my blog.
I was at tonight's Vipers-Vees game as Penticton defeated Vernon 3-2 in overtime in front of a very small crowd at Kal Tire Place. No attendance was announced.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon: Ethan David
Penticton: Colin Purcell
1st Period: The Vees got the early jump off the opening faceoff, had some early pressure. Just over two minutes in, Thomas Pichette with a good look & opportunity would be denied in close by Ethan David. David has committed to the Vipers for the 2021-22 season. Shortly after the Vees tried beating Ethan David on a wrap around as the puck come through the crease before Thomas Pichette buried the loose puck at the top of the blue paint, giving Penticton an early 1-0 lead at 2:36 Pichette's goal was unassisted. Shortly after the goal Beanie Richter with a quick shot from the circle forced Ethan David to flash the leather with a glove save. On the following play the Vipers would get the games first powerplay that only lasted a minute before Vernon took a penalty of their own, sending both teams to four on four. The Vees would come out with a shortened powerplay but unable to capitalize. Just before the halfway mark, the Viper defence got caught giving up an odd man rush. Trevor O'Brien setup Beanie Richter on the two on one but Ethan David stretched across the blue paint to make a large save, keeping this a one goal game. Minutes later Penticton would get their second PP of the evening. The Vees with several shots unable to score on the man advantage as the Snakes killed off the minor. With about five minutes remaining in the opening frame, the Vipers would get their second PP of the night. In the dying seconds of the man advantage, Colin Purcell made a big pad save off a shot from the point before robbing Luke Pakulak on the door step on the rebound as the Vees kill off the minor. Purcell with two big saves to end the powerplay. Inside the final minute Jo Jo Tanaka-Campbell spotted Ayden Third who's shot beat Colin Purcell tying the game 1-1 at 19:12 Tanaka-Campbell and Cameron MacDonald with the helpers. It was 1-1 after 20 minutes of play. I liked the Vees start and thought they were the better team off the opening faceoff. I thought Penticton carried more of the play within the first half and had the better of the scoring chances between the two hockey teams. I think the Snakes responded and slowly started to come on as the period continued and got a little better in the second half. Vernon didn't get as many quality chances as Penticton but were getting pucks to the net, something they didn't do or had troubles doing in the loss Friday in Penticton. I thought the Vipers held their own at times but also got some big saves from rookie goaltender Ethan David. Vernon outshot Penticton 9-7.
2nd Period: For a second straight period the visiting Penticton Vees got the early jump on the hometown Vipers. Vernon's defence struggled early, making several poor decisions, turning over pucks inside their own end. Less then two minutes into the middle frame, the Vees sprung Stefano Bottini in for the breakaway. It looked like Bottini slowed down waiting for a second Vees player to join the rush but ended up over skating the puck and taking away a breakaway opportunity as Vernon catches a break. On the following play Ryan Hopkins jumps into the play, gets a quick shot off from the faceoff dot but Vernon Vipers starting goaltender Ethan David comes up with a nice save, keeping this a tied hockey game. Maybe two minutes later, Jo Jo Tanaka-Campbell and Regan Milburn somehow get behind the Penticton defence and both go in for the breakaway. With some back and fourth passing, Milburn sets up Tanaka-Campbell who dekes out Penticton Vees starting goaltender Colin Purcell, giving Vernon a 2-1 lead at 4:00 Milburn with the lone assist. 1:19 later the Vees get an early PP and basically had the Viper penalty kill hemmed in their own end. The Viper PK stood tall, blocked several shots but also got some timely saves from Ethan David as Vernon killed off the minor. Adam Bourgeois made a big defensive play blocking a shot, was slow getting up and slow getting off the ice but stayed in the game. Around the midway mark Luke Pakulak with a great look from the high slot would be denied by Colin Purcell. With about seven and a half minutes left, and the Vees pressing, Ethan Mann sprawled out to try and redirect a shot/pass in front of the crease just missed the far corner on a very good chance to tie the game. Less then two minutes later Penticton would get a PP towards the end of the period. The Vipers penalty kill with another big kill shutdown the Vees PP and killed off the minor. Inside the final minute the Vees with two very solid chances couldn't beat Ethan David with about twenty six seconds remaining and then again at the buzzer. It was 2-1 for Vernon after 40 minutes. The Vipers took the lead but were outplayed for a lot of the 2nd period. The Vees were the better team, carried more of the play, had more shots on goal and more quality chances. The Snakes held their own at times but struggled clearing the zone and breaking out of their own end. Vernon's defence was turning over pucks inside their own end, didn't look good. Ethan David stopped all fifteen Penticton shots, had to be sharp. Penticton outshot Vernon 15-8.
3rd Period: The Vees carried the play early getting lots of pressure in the offensive zone early and often. Jackson Nieuwendyk with a quality look/opportunity early couldn't beat Ethan David. The Vipers were back on their heels with the Vees pressing. Seven minutes in Vernon gets caught with too many men after the Vees bench was heard screaming at the officials to call it. Penticton didn't get many shots or good looks as a very good PK from the Vipers that killed off the penalty. Desmond Johnson with a big defensive play, blocked a shot that hurt as the second year Viper struggled to get up off the ice and then struggled to get back to the bench. Johnson went to the Viper dressing room and was gone for several minutes but did return to the bench. Vernon struggled offensively only had two shots in the first half of the period were getting outshot 7-2 at this point. With three minutes to go after some nice passing Daniel North looked to have an open cage but somehow missed the open goal on a chance to take a two goal lead. Penticton would get Colin Purcell to the bench for the extra attacker with 1:54 left in the preseason contest. With pressure in the attacking zone Jackson Nieuwendyk setup Bradley Nadeau at the side of the goal, tying the game 2-2 at 18:32 Nieuwendyk collected the assist as the Vees bench erupted. Inside the final minute the Vees come close to ending the game after a shot from the point beat Ethan David but grazed the post. It was 2-2 after 60 minutes of play. The Vees were by far the better team and dominated the 3rd period. Penticton carried the play the entire period as the Vipers played most of the 3rd in their own end. The Vees didn't get a lot of grade A chances but did manage some good looks and a few good scoring chances. Penticton had several shots blocked as Vernon's defence played well limiting the Vees opportunities. The Snakes struggled offensively getting through the neutral zone as Vernon couldn't generate any kind of pressure in the attacking zone. The Vipers were 1:28 away from their first preseason victory were now going to overtime. Penticton outshot Vernon 8-3.
Overtime: On the first shift of overtime the Vipers with a harmless looking shot turned into a goal mouth scramble as Colin Purcell had to be alert to make a big stop on the first shift of OT. Inside the opening minute Casey McDonald with a great look/opportunity couldn't play hero. The Vipers got sloppy in overtime and looked like their heads weren't in the game. The players slowed the pace down to a crawl, looked very disorganised. A long stretch pass landed in the skates of a Vernon forward making a line change ended up turning over the puck in the neutral zone. Bradley Nadeau with a quick heads up pass setup Ethan Mann who beat Ethan David blocker side, giving the Penticton Vees a 3-2 overtime victory at 2:07 as the Vees bench erupted onto the ice. Nadeau with the lone helper on the OT winning goal. The Vipers had early puck possession but looked disorganised in overtime. A few players slowed the pace down to a crawl, before turning over the puck that lead to the game winner. A very poor performance from the Snakes in the 3rd and overtime to give up the lead and the game in the final two periods. Penticton outshot Vernon 2-1.
Top Player's: Vernon Vipers
Desmond Johnson played very well on the Snakes blueline. I was really impressed with his game at both ends of the rink. I sure hope he's ok after blocking that shot in the 3rd.
Daniel North has committed to the Vipers for the 2021-22 season is a big kid that played well and looked good at different times tonight.
Luke Pakulak returning for a second season in Vernon, I thought was the Vipers best player. Was engaged, involved in the play, created & generated chances, was going to the net, played well at both ends of the rink. A bigger body that played hard and competed all night.
Ethan David (29 saves) Has committed to the Vipers for the 2021-22 season drops to 0-2 this preseason. I thought Vernon's goaltending was very good this weekend even though they lost both games. David was seeing pucks, looked calm, was making the first save and was forced to make some timely saves through out the game.
Game Thought's: Vernon Vipers
Well after being dominated and badly outplayed in Friday's 3-1 loss in Penticton, I saw a much different and much better Viper hockey team Saturday. The Vipers dressed more of a veteran lineup tonight and it showed. Overall I thought Penticton was the better team but Vernon held their own at times and gave the Vees a good fight. This was obviously anybody's game. The Snakes took a 2-1 lead into the 3rd really needed the next goal, instead gave up the game tying goal with 1:28 remaining before falling in overtime. I thought Vernon's defence struggled in their own end clearing the zone or breaking out of their own zone. Way too many turnovers or coughing up the puck, allowing the Vees to gain puck control and keep the play alive in the attacking zone. I did like the Viper defence on the PK and also thought they stepped up by blocking several shots through out tonight's game and especially in the 3rd, keeping Penticton's forwards to the outside. If the Vipers get that all important third goal either in the 2nd or 3rd period, this is a much different hockey game and maybe even outcome. I like Vernon's goaltending so far. Both young goaltenders have played very well so far. I think Vernon needs to shoot more, get more pucks to the net and look for second or third opportunities. Let's hope the Vipers can take away the positives tonight and build and learn from tonight's game. With the lineup changing from game to game, it shows as this team has yet to play together as one team. If you look at the Vees, they have their roster picked and it shows. It looks like Penticton has played together for a month. The chemistry, the passing, the transition game etc. They are already structured and have systems in place, where as the Snakes are still rotating kids in and out of the lineup from game to game. If you look at the players returning from last season and the newly committed players, that number is 26 kids. So why did the Vipers bring in all these extra kids to training camp and for the preseason, when it looks like they already have their team picked? Why not start the preseason with those 26 kids (returning players & newly committed players) and start working on lines, systems, powerplays etc. A very small crowd showed up for tonight's game. No attendance was announced but I would guess no more then 300 fans at the most? Two home games this season and where are all the Viper fans? The Vees had almost 2,400 people show up last night. Someone needs to tell the person in charge of the music, it isn't 2003 anymore, it's 2021. I can't believe they are still playing the same music and same songs they were playing at games four and five years ago. Come on, change it up! Vipers Head Coach/GM Jason McKee was behind the bench for the first time this season. Vernon falls to 0-3 in the preseason plays in Salmon Arm on Tuesday. The Vipers have three exhibition games remaining.
Top Player's: Penticton Vees
Ryan Hopkins Played very well last night looked good again tonight.
Thomas Pichette (1 goal) I thought played well, made some nice plays, created some offence and looked good for the Vees.
Jackson Nieuwendyk (1 assist) The son of former Stanley Cup champion and former NHLer Joe Nieuwendyk. This kid was buzzing, had some good looks/opportunities, played very well for Penticton. Was hard to defend against.
Ethan Mann (Overtime winning goal) Played very well in the home & home series this weekend. I really liked this kid in Friday's win and again tonight in the overtime victory. Was engaged, involved in the play, can skate, move the puck and makes plays happen.
Bradley Nadeau (1 goal & 1 assist) Stood out tonight picking up two points in the Vees win.
Game Thought's: Penticton Vees
Overall I thought Penticton was the better of the two teams. The Vees carried the better of the play, had more puck possession, zone time, more quality chances, more shots on goal. Let's not take anything away from Vernon, they improved from last night's loss in the Peach City and held their own at times tonight. The Snakes also had a 2-1 lead up until the final 1:28 of the 3rd period, but the Vees still had the better of the play and made fewer mistakes. I said this earlier, the Vees looked like they have been playing together for a month. This team has chemistry, has systems in place, plays with structure, moves the puck well, gets lots of time in the offensive zone, they make plays happen at times out of nothing. This is a very good Vees team in only it's second preseason game. You could see the ice tilting in the 3rd and it was almost a matter of when was Penticton going to tie the game. I think after a game like last night where you dominate the entire game, good teams like the Vees need a game like tonight where they need to come from behind to tie the game and then win in OT, especially this early in the preseason. These kinds of games build character and team chemistry. Penticton improves to 2-0 in the preseason hosts Prince George Wednesday. The Vees have three exhibition games remaining.
Scratches:
Vernon Vipers:
None
Penticton Vees:
Owen Forfellow
Anthony Allepot
Adam Eisele
Three Star's:
No three stars were announced
Here is a look at both teams rosters,
Vernon Vipers:
Ayden Third 02 D
Holdin Getzlaf 04 D
Luke Ashton 05 D
Desmond Johnson 02 D
Griffen Barr 02 D
Adam Bourgeois 04 D
Reagan Milburn 03 F
Jo Jo Tanaka-Campbell 01 F
Jason Siedem 02 F
Tyler Chan 05 F
Nick Remissong 02 F
Cameron MacDonald 02 F
Seiya Tanaka-Campbell 03 F
Logan Lorenz 02 F
Zack Tonelli 02 F
Kjell Kjemhus 03 F
Daniel North 03 F
Luke Pakulak 03 F
Roan Clarke 03 G
Ethan David 03 G
Penticton Vees:
Ryan Hopkins 04 D
Thomas Pichette 03 F
Mason Poolman 02 D
Beanie Richter 04 F
Trevor O'Brien 02 F
Josh Nadeau 03 F
Finlay Williams 03 F
Luc Wilson 01 F
Frank Djurasevic 02 D
Jackson Nieuwendyk 02 F
Joshua Niedermayer 04 D
Brett Moravec 03 F
Stefano Bottini 02 F
Grayson Arnott 01 D
Spencer Smith 02 F
Casey McDonald 01 F
Ethan Mann 03 F
Luke Vardy 03 D
Bradley Nadeau 05 F
Colin Purcell 02 G
Kaeden Lane 01 G
Boxscore-Game Summary,
Game Report,
Text Box Score,
Official statistics powered by LeagueStat.com (hockeytech.com)
Please feel free to leave comments or suggestions in the comment box below. I always enjoy and post all comments as long as there tasteful. Thank you for the comments and visiting my blog.
Here are some photo's I took before and during tonight's Vipers-Vees game,
No comments:
Post a Comment