Exhibition Vernon 4 West Kelowna 1

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 Senior mens hockey in Vernon since the 1950s and 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 on on 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-Warriors game as Vernon defeated West Kelowna 4-1 in front of a small crowd at Kal Tire Place. No attendance was announced.

Starting Goaltenders:

Vernon: Roan Clarke
West Kelowna: Johnny Derrick

1st Period: The Vipers would jump on an early powerplay 1:53 into the hockey game. The Snakes would manage only one shot before taking a penalty of their own, sending both teams to four on four. A brief four on four before West Kelowna would get their first look with the man advantage. Griffen Barr with a solid defensive play broke up an odd man rush as Vernon with a good PK killed off the minor. Seconds after the penalty expired, the Vipers went back to the PP. It took Reagan Milburn six seconds to capitalize with the man advantage after a quick release from the slot, beat former Vernon Vipers goaltender Johnny Derrick. It was 1-0 Vernon at 5:30 Nicholas Kent & Jo Jo Tanaka-Campbell with the helpers. About a minute or so after the goal, Roan Clarke was forced to sprawl across the crease to make a large pad save, keeping this a one goal hockey game. About a minute later, Zach Tonelli beat Johnny Derrick, giving Vernon a 2-0 lead at 7:42 Tonelli's goal was unassisted. Thirty nine seconds later, the Warriors would get their second powerplay of the night. Tyson Jugnauth's point shot got through traffic, beating what looked like a screened Roan Clarke, cutting Vernon's lead to 2-1 at 8:45 Marcus Joughin and Chase Dafoe collected the assists. On the following shift, the Tribe with a good push back shift after a goal. Tyler Rubin looked to have an open cage but somehow missed the open net, on a missed opportunity as WK come close to tying the game. Around the midway mark, Vernon with a goal mouth scramble couldn't find the back of the net. On the following play, the Vipers went to the PP. Nicholas Kent with a quick shot from the point, forced Johnny Derrick to flash the leather with a quick glove save. The Vipers with some pressure, had some looks but couldn't capitalize with the man advantage. The Snakes would get a late powerplay, get good pressure and lots of flurries in and around the goal. Inside the final minute, Cameron MacDonald on a wrap around looked to have Johnny Derrick beat but just couldn't get the puck to curl around the post as the Vipers looked to grab a two goal lead. WK killed off the minor. It was 2-1 Vernon after 20 minutes of play. This was a very entertaining opening frame with chances at both ends of the rink. I thought the play was evenly matched in the first half but the hometown Vipers had a slight edge and more of the play in the second half. Vernon really seemed to ramp it up towards the end of the 1st period, had lots of pressure in the attacking zone, had the Tribe on their heels a bit. Shots were 9-9.

2nd Period: The visiting West Kelowna Warriors jumped on Vernon early and often as the Warriors had the early edge in play. The Vipers were a step behind and struggled in their own end, were getting beat to the puck and had troubles clearing the zone. WK with a ton of jump and energy, were forechecking Vernon's defence and forcing the play. Vernon Vipers starting goaltender Roan Clarke had to be sharp was forced to make some big stops early. Just about five minutes in, on a delayed penalty with the goaltender on the bench for the extra attacker, Ayden Third passed the puck back to his defence partner, as Third come oh so close to putting the puck into his own net as Vernon gets lucky. On the PP a shot from the point grazed the post before going into the netting above the glass. The Tribe would kill off the penalty. Just over five minutes later, four on four, Ryan Shostak spotted Luke Buss who beat West Kelowna Warriors starting goaltender Johnny Derrick, as the puck just crossed the goal line, giving Vernon a 3-1 lead at 12:36 Shostak with the helper. Derrick and the Warriors argued the call with the referee, while Head Coach/GM Simon Ferguson called over an official to get an explanation on the goal/call. The goal stood and the Snakes have a two goal lead. Shortly after former Vipers forward Elan Bar-Lev-Wise on a very good look/attempt couldn't solve Roan Clarke on a big stop with the Tribe pressing. Towards the end of the period, Vernon would get a late PP and capitalize. Twenty three seconds into the man advantage, Reagan Milburn with his second goal of the evening, gave Vernon a 4-1 lead at 16:55 Nicholas Kent and Logan Lorenz with the assists. It was 4-1 Vernon after 40 minutes of play. The Warriors jumped on the Vipers early and often and outplayed Vernon for a lot of the period. WK had lots of jump/energy and were a step ahead of the Snakes who looked sluggish for most of the middle frame. Vernon was having all kinds of troubles in their own end, from clearing the zone, to losing battles, turning over the puck, losing the races to the puck and overall being outplayed. Warriors Head Coach/GM Simon Ferguson wasn't pleased with the officiating was always calling over a referee or talking to the officials through out the period. West Kelowna had a ton of pressure, especially in the first half. Vipers netminder Roan Clarke was busy and very solid making several key stops, keeping the Snakes in the contest. If it wasn't for Clarke this may have been a different score going into the 3rd. West Kelowna outshot Vernon 12-10.

3rd Period: About three minutes into the final frame, Tyler Cristall with a partial breakaway couldn't beat Roan Clarke on a big stop early into the third period. Shortly after the Snakes with some nift three way passing setup Cameron MacDonald at the top of the crease with a quality chance was denied by Johnny Derrick. Minutes later the Vipers on an odd man rush, Zack Tonelli and Ryan Shostak couldn't find the back of the net after Johnny Derrick come up with a big stop. Just before the midway both teams either took some undisciplined penalties or as in the Warriors case, were showing signs of frustration as a parade to the penalty box from here on in until the final buzzer. Both Vernon & West Kelowna took five minors each in the second half of the 3rd period. Kjell Kjemhus was slow getting off the ice, looked to be in some discomfort, made his way to the Vipers dressing room before returning to the bench minutes later. I didn't see what happened but Kjemhus seemed to be ok and stayed in the hockey game. With about five minutes left in the period, Felix Trudeau took a penalty before slamming his stick into the boards. Trudeau was given a ten minute misconduct and ejected from the game. Chase Dafoe was also given a misconduct and ejected for the night as the Tribe's frustration was mounting. Trudeau was really giving it to the referee on his way off the ice. The final six or seven minutes seemed to take forever after several whistles, penalties and stoppages. The Vipers would come away with their first win of the preseason after a 4-1 victory. Both teams had some very good looks/opportunities early in the period as the play went back and fourth. It was just before the halfway mark, when the penalties started to mount and the game got a little out of hand. West Kelowna showing signs of frustration were taking some undisciplined penalties as tempers heated up a bit as the period continued. With the game almost out of reach, the Warriors physical play and edge gave them several trips to the penalty box. Shots were 8-8.

Top Player's: Vernon Vipers

Nicholas Kent (2 assists) Has played very well through out the preseason, has been Vernon's best d-man. Kent had another solid game on the blueline in the win tonight.

Reagan Milburn (2 goals) Scored twice on the powerplay, made an impact and was dangerous on the ice. Was involved with the play, created/generated chances, stood out and played very well.

Zack Tonelli (1 goal) I thought played his best game this preseason. Was all over the rink, making plays, opening up the ice, had several looks/chances through out the game, was a force and gave the Warriors defenders trouble.

Ryan Shostak (1 assist) Played well and had a strong game.

Luke Buss (1 goal) Has looked good and played very well during these exhibition games. Buss looks like he could contribute offensively this season, looks to be very skilled.

Roan Clarke (28 saves) Kept the Vipers in the hockey game, especially in that 2nd period with the Warriors pressing. Clarke was called apon to make several big stops/key saves in the middle frame. Clarke has looked very good this preseason and carries himself very well for a 18 yr old goaltender.

Game Thought's: Vernon Vipers

I was very critical after the Vipers first two exhibition games and wasn't pleased with what I saw. Since then the Snakes have gotten much better, improved and look like a much different hockey club. Tonight was by far Vernon's best game of the preseason. Other then the 2nd period, I really liked the Vipers game. I saw a big improvement in their passing tonight compared to the previous two games. The boys looked fired up and played that 1st period with a lot of jump/energy. The Vipers were making plays, creating/generating opportunities and played together as a team. The team looks to be coming together and at the right time. This team has some size, some wheels and some skill as well as veteran presence. The Vipers have seventeen players returning from last season, the most amount of players returning I can ever remember. I thought Vernon's powerplay that has struggled during these exhibition games, looked much better tonight. After starting the preseason at 0-5 it was sure nice to see these kids get rewarded and finally get a win in their final exhibition game, even if it's only the preseason. Tonight's game and victory will only help build confidence and come together heading into the regular season. Has anyone else noticed the new lighting inside Kal Tire Place? Another small crowd on hand for the final exhibition game. Where are all the hockey-Viper fans been hiding? I would guess maybe 300 people in attendance tonight. I know it's exhibition but with no live hockey for the past eighteen months, I thought fans would be rushing back in to catch some live local hockey. With the win, Vernon finished the preseason with a 1-3-2-0 record. The Vipers open the 2021-22 regular season October 8th in Penticton. That night the Penticton Vees will honour the 1986 Centennial Cup Champion Penticton Knights before the game. When will the Vipers name a captain? & who will be the Vipers captain this year?

Top Player's: West Kelowna Warriors

Tyler Rubin I thought played a strong game on the Tribes blueline. Jumped into the play from time to time, was good defensively. A very good skater.

Tyson Jugnauth (1 goal) Was one of if not the Warriors best forward in the loss.

Riley Sharun played very well, was involved in the play often.

Johnny Derrick (23 saves) Wasn't as tested as much as Roan Clarke but played well between the pipes. 

Game Thought's: West Kelowna Warriors

For a second straight night the Warriors fell behind 2-0 and had to battle back. Last night Vernon jumped out to a 2-0 1st period lead, before West Kelowna scored five unanswered goals and then hung on for the 5-4 win. Tonight I thought WK played very well in the first two periods ran into a hot goaltender. Roan Clarke was the difference, especially in that middle frame when the Tribe were all over Vernon. Clarke was forced to make several big stops, keeping his hockey club in the contest. West Kelowna outplayed the Snakes for most of that 2nd period, did give up two goals that put them down 4-1 heading into the 3rd and the Warriors could never recover. WK didn't get any puck luck or bounces go there way. Frustration showed in the final frame as the Tribe took several undisciplined penalties. It was a parade to the penalty box for both teams in a period where the game was almost over. The Warriors had their chances and lots of them. If they capitalize and burry some and don't give up two goals in a period where they controlled and carried the play, this could have easily been a different hockey game and final score. The Tribe played a physical game and with an edge. The officials called a very tight series this weekend as loads of penalties in the game last night in West Kelowna and again tonight here in Vernon. Take away all the penalties in the 3rd period and this was still an entertaining hockey game to watch. WK skates well, moves the puck well and has some very skilled forwards. Tonight I didn't see much from those skilled forwards. With the loss, the Warriors finish the preseason with a 3-2-0-0 record, open the 2021-22 regular season at home October 9th vs Prince George.

Scratches:

Vernon:

Tyler Chan
Ethan Mercer
Seiya Tanaka-Campbell
Luke Ashton
Adam Bourgeois
Liam Cavan
Desmond Johnson

West Kelowna:

Dylan Brooks
Nick Ardanaz
John Evans
Cameron Hicklin 

Three Star's:

1st Star: Reagan Milburn (2 goals)
2nd Star: Roan Clarke (28 saves)
3rd Star: Nicholas Kent (2 assists)

Here is a look at both teams rosters,

Vernon Vipers:

Braden Smith 03 D
Nicholas Kent 01 D
Ayden Third 02 D
Holdin Getzlaf 04 D
Griffen Barr 02 D
Adam Leitch 04 D
Reagan Milburn 03 F
Jo Jo Tanaka-Campbell 01 F
Cameron MacDonald 02 F
Greye Rampton 04 F
Logan Lorenz 02 F
Zack Tonelli 02 F
Jack Glen 01 F
Ryan Shostak 01 F
Luke Buss 03 F
Kjell Kjemhus 01 F
Nick Remissong 02 F
Luke Pakulak 03 F
Roan Clarke 03 G
Ethan David 03 G

West Kelowna Warriors:

Tyler Rubin 03 D
Charles Alexis-Legault 03 D
Pat Lawn 01 D
Felix Trudeau 02 F
Carter Schmidt 04 F
Zach Reim 03 D
Brennan Nelson 03 F
Marcus Joughin 01 F
Isaiah Norlin 03 D
Alexi Van Houtte Cachero 03 F
Nick Roukounakis 03 F
Chase Dafoe 02 F
Tyler Cristall 02 F
Tyson Jugnauth 04 F
Damon Jugnauth 03 F
Riley Sharun 03 F
Remy Spooner 04 F
Elan Bar-Lev-Wise 01 F
Johnny Derrick 01 G
Justin Katz 04 G

Boxscore-Game Summary,

| BCHL League Site

Game Report,

Game Report (hockeytech.com)

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-Warriors game.