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 it started in 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 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-Vees game as Penticton defeated Vernon 4-2 in front of 2,500 fans at the South Okanagan Events Centre.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon Vipers: Roan Clarke
Penticton Vees: Kaeden Lane
Before the regular season opener, the Penticton Vees raised the 2019-2 Interior division champion banner, 2020 Okanagan Cup Champion banner & the 2021 Pod Season 1st Place banner to the rafters before honouring the 1986 Centennial Cup Champion Penticton Knights with a pre-game ceremony and tribute video. Some highlight's from the 1986 Centennial Cup were played on the jumbo tron with several members of the 1986 Centennial Cup Champion Penticton Knights on hand who come out to centre ice for the opening ceremony puck drop. The Vees wore replica 1986 Penticton Knights jerseys tonight in honour of the 86 Knights.
1st Period: A minute into the hockey game, Vees captain Finlay Williams with a glorious opportunity was left alone in the slot, couldn't beat Roan Clarke who made a blocker save from in close on a very good quality chance for the hometown Penticton Vees. Two and a half minutes later Casey McDonald with a good look/opportunity was denied by Roan Clarke. The Vipers needed just over four minutes to record their first shot of the evening. Just over six minutes into the opening frame, Vernon would get the games first powerplay. The Snakes struggled with the man advantage, didn't get a single shot on goal. Griffen Barr turned over the puck allowing Brett Moravec in for the shorthanded breakaway but Roan Clarke made a large save, keeping the Vees off the scoreboard. Penticton would kill off the minor. The following shift after killing off the penalty, Stefano Bottini with a quality chance at the side of the goal, couldn't solve Roan Clarke. With about six minutes remaining in the 1st period, Ayden Third with a low heavy shot from the top of the circle, forced Kaeden Lane into making a big stop on Vernon's best quality chance of the 1st period. With about four and a half minutes remaining and the teams playing four on four, Reagan Milburn got a step ahead of his defender but couldn't find the back of the net after Kaeden Lane with a big stop late, kept this a scoreless hockey game. Shortly after Luc Wilson spotted Finlay Williams who beat Roan Clarke, giving Penticton a late 1-0 lead at 17:28 Wilson & Frank Djurasevic drew the helpers. Less then a minute later the teams would go back to four on four and inside the final minute, the Vipers left Joshua Niedermayer alone at the side of the goal, giving Penticton a 2-0 lead at 19:04 Casey McDonald and Frank Djurasevic collected the assists. It was 2-0 Penticton after 20 minutes of play. I thought the Vees got off to a quick start, had a few looks/quality chances minutes into the teams home opener before Vernon slowly got their game going as the period continued. I thought the 1st period was fairly even and both teams held their own against each other. Ok maybe Penticton had a few more quality chances but overall the play was back and fourth, not one team outplayed the other and play was close. This was an entertaining opening frame. Penticton outshot Vernon 8-7. I counted three Vernon shots that weren't counted on the shot clock during that period.
2nd Period: Both teams started the middle frame four on four that was carried over from the 1st period. Off the opening faceoff, Ethan Mann powered his way through the Snakes defenders before getting a good look/opportunity but couldn't solve Vernon Vipers starting netminder Roan Clarke. Off the following faceoff the Vees quickly moved the puck around looked to catch Roan Clarke out of position before having to sprawl across the blue paint to make a big stop off Luc Wilson. Off the following faceoff Roan Clarke was forced to make a difficult save on a goal mouth scramble. The Vees looked hungry inside the opening minute with several quality chances. Shortly after Casey McDonald was able to walk in untouched and rip a shot past Roan Clarke giving Penticton a 3-0 lead at 1:38 Anthony Allepot with the lone assist. Shortly after Luke Pakulak on an odd man rush, tried setting up Nicholas Remissong who couldn't connect on the pass on a missed opportunity. Shortly after the Vees would get an early powerplay five minutes into the period. Penticton with lots of pressure, moved the puck around had several good looks/chances but couldn't capitalize with the man advantage, but just as the penalty expired, the Vees still in control of the play, keep the play going setting up Joshua Niedermayer with his second of the night, giving Penticton a commanding 4-0 lead at 9:08 Casey McDonald & Stefano Bottini with the assists. Just over three minutes later the Vees forward laid out a massive check behind the Penticton goal. A Viper skated in taking a run at the Vees forward, before everybody jumped in. A huge scrum behind the Vees goal with players being taken down to the ice, players in head locks and some pushing and shoving before the officials were forced to break up the mini line brawl. After all was said and done the hometown Vees come out with the powerplay. Penticton with another strong PP moved the puck around, getting several good looks but just not connecting. Vernon hangs on and kills off the penalty. With two and a half minutes remaining on a mad scramble in front of the Vipers goal, a melay of players toppled onto Vipers goaltender Roan Clarke who was knocked back into hos net, while his mask come off, the play kept on before some punches were thrown. Kjell Kjemhus and Finlay Williams get tangled up in the crease, started to throw some punches at each other as both players were sent off for roughing as tempers heated between the two veteran forwards. Roan Clarke looked shaken up on the play but stayed in the game. While four on four and on a delayed powerplay, the Vees moved the puck around for at least a good minute before Vernon was able to touch the puck and get a whistle, sending the Vipers to the sin bin and Penticton on a late PP inside the final minute. The Vees worked the puck around, setting up Mason Poolman at the side of the net, looked to have an open cage but rang his shot off the post as Penticton come within inches of taking a 5-0 lead into the 3rd period. The Snakes escape and get out of the period. Penticton with a 4-0 lead after 40 minutes of play. This period was all Vees as Penticton jumped on Vernon early and often, dominated the entire middle frame. Penticton was by far the better of the two hockey clubs, outskated, outworked, outscored and outplayed the Snakes for almost twenty minutes. The Vees looked very good and very dangerous with the puck this frame. Penticton looked to have the puck on a string at times, as Vernon was back on their heels, played most of the 2nd period in their own end. The Vees passing and puck movement is incredible and looked very strong in just the teams first game of the regular season. The Vipers were having all kinds of trouble with the Vees offensive pressure, were almost chasing the Vees all period. The Snakes with very little puck possession and offensive zone time were outplayed. It was all Vees who looked very strong. Penticton outshot Vernon 16-3.
3rd Period: The Vees started the final period on the PP that was carried over from the 2nd period. Vernon managed to kill off the remainder of the powerplay. Just over five minutes into the 3rd period the Snakes would get an early powerplay that eventually lead to a two man advantage as the Vees got into early penalty trouble. Vernon struggled with the powerplay, was getting too cute and instead of getting pucks on goal, were passing instead. Nicholas Remissong tried spotting Cameron MacDonald in front, couldn't connect on the pass as the Vees with an aggresive forecheck, were able to kill off both minors. A blown opportunity for the Snakes. Just past the halfway mark, Logan Lorenz setup Reagan Milburn who ripped a shot shortside past Penticton Vees starting goaltender Kaeden Lane, cutting Penticton's lead to 4-1 at 11:10 Lorenz & Cameron MacDonald picked up the assists. Shortly after the Snakes went back to the PP but couldn't capitalize as the Vees with an odd man rush shorthanded lost control of the puck but managed to kill off the penalty. Bradley Nadeau went to the Vees dressing room but I didn't see if he returned to the bench at a later time. Close to four minutes remaining Finlay Williams with a high stick on Cameron MacDonald, gave the Vees captain a double minor. Vees Head Coach/GM/President Fred Harbinson was very upset with the call, giving it to the officials. Harbinson looked to be upset with a lot of the calls tonight, as his voice was heard through out the crowd. Vernon would capitalize on the man advantage, after Ryan Shostak cut Penticton's lead to 4-2 at 16:51 Griffen Barr with the lone helper. The Snakes would lose the second powerplay after Cameron MacDonald taking a shot at a Penticton player on his way to the bench after the Vipers last goal. MacDonald would get two minutes for roughing, sending both teams to four on four. This was a very undiciplined penalty coming from a three year veteran. Just over a minute later, Kjell Kjemhus with an undisciplined penalty, gave Penticton a late powerplay to finish the hockey game. Kjell Kjemhus looked frustrated on his way to the penalty box. The Vees had a few looks but couldn't capitalize before the final buzzer come away with the 4-2 victory. In a game that looked to be over before the period even started, tilted the other way slightly as the Snakes would get powerplay after powerplay and several opportunities to try and get back in the hockey game. Due to all the penalties, Vernon carried a lot of the play having five powerplay's. The Vipers not only struggled with the man advantage, only managed one PP goal had several good looks from in close, instead got too cute and decided to pass instead of shoot. Vernon waisted time and couldn't make a pass in the 3rd period had a very good chance to get back into the game but blew it with a very poor and mishandled powerplay. The Vipers got to within two goals and still three minutes remaining before Cameron MacDonald takes a very undisciplined penalty and costs Vernon of any kind of a comeback. Playing with a 4-0 lead and the game in your hands, I'm not sure why the Vees ended up getting into penalty trouble in the final twenty minutes. This is very uncharacteristic of a Fred Harbinson team. Both teams with very little chances as shots were even 4-4.
Top Player's: Vernon Vipers
Luke Buss I thought was Vernon's most energized and effective player this evening. Buss committed to the Vipers for the 2021-22 season looked good through out the preseason games, stood out and played a hard fought game tonight. Buss played with loads of jump/energy and was aggresive on the forecheck. I like this kids compete level. Never took a shift off.
Roan Clarke (24 saves) I didn't think could be blamed for any of the Vees four goals, played very well even after giving up four goals. Clarke was tested through out the contest and forced to make some big stops with the Vees pressing. Clarke didn't get a lot of help from his defence tonight. Penticton's first two goals, the Viper defence left the goal scorer open and untouched.
Game Thought's: Vernon Vipers
Even though they fell behind 2-0 I thought the Snakes played well and held their own against a very strong Penticton Vees hockey club. Sure the Vees come out strong, had the early few shifts, some looks/opportunities but Vernon seemed to settle down and get their game going as the 1st period continued. The Vipers give up two late goals, on missed coverage in front of the net, other wise this could have been a scoreless game heading into period two. It was the middle frame where the wheels fell off as the Vipers were badly outplayed, outworked, outskated, outskilled and outscored. The Snakes saw a lot of the 2nd period in their own end, had troubles getting through the neutral zone, getting zone time and pucks to the net. The Snakes struggled to get any kind of sustained pressure in the offensive zone and had difficulties creating/generating chances. Vernon was hanging on as the Vees were skating circles around them for most of the middle frame. It was like Penticton had the puck on a string. The Vipers fall behind 4-0 and against a team like the Vees, this game is basically over. In the 3rd period Penticton gets into penalty trouble and the Vipers get powerplay after powerplay but struggle with the man advantage. Vernon goes 1-5 with the PP in the 3rd and blows a good chance to try and get back into the hockey game. The Vipers had troubles passing most of the night and struggled getting pucks to the net. It took the Snakes at least four minutes in every period to get their first shot of the period. Vernon needed more pucks to the net, go to the grey area and make the game a little more difficult for Kaeden Lane. The Snakes held their own and played well in the 1st period but need to show more consistancy in periods 2 and 3 vs a team like Penticton. Vernon struggles with the powerplay, going 1-8. Griffen Barr really struggled in the loss and was on the ice for at least three of Vees four goals. I only spotted three Viper fans in the crowd wearing Viper jerseys. Including the preseason Vernon has only one win in six games this season. The Vipers start the season on the road, will play eight of their first nine games away from home. The Vipers fall to 0-1-0-0 on the new BCHL regular season, travel to Salmon Arm next Friday.
Top Player's: Penticton Vees
Finlay Williams (1 goal & 1 assist) The Vees captain and former Prince George Spruce Kings forward played very well in the Vees home opener. Williams isn't the biggest kid but plays big, creates and generates chances, goes to the net and has some skill. Williams played very well in the Vees 3-1 exhibition win over Vernon September 24th.
Luc Wilson (1 assist) Was another Vees forward that caught my attention and played well in the win.
Frank Djurasevic (2 assists) Played well on Penticton's blueline.
Jackson Nieuwendyk The son of former Stanley Cup Champion Joe Nieuwendyk didn't stand out the entire game but had some good shifts from time to time.
Joshua Niedermayer (2 goals) Was dangerous with the puck, gave the Viper defenders all kinds of trouble. A smooth skater and good puck handler lead the Vees attack with two goals.
Casey McDonald (1 goal & 1 assist) Played with an edge, was in the face of the Snakes all night. A bigger body, was involved in the play, in and around the goal, looked very good at both ends of the rink. I really liked this kids game.
Ethan Mann Looked good and played well through out the season opener.
Luke Vardy played well on the backend. A good skater and solid d-man.
Game Thought's: Penticton Vees
I really liked the looks of the Penticton Vees during the first exhibition meeting vs the Vipers back on September 24th and I liked the looks of the Vees again tonight. I thought both teams held their own in the 1st period in a very entertaining opening frame. Penticton pulled away in the 2nd period and basically put the game away after jumping out to a 4-0 lead. The Vees with a very dominant 2nd period could have easily scored more then two goals. It looked like the Vees had the puck on a string at times in the middle frame. It seems like year after year Penticton always has very good passers and can move the puck well. The Vees looked very dangerous in the 2nd period had the Vipers hanging on at times. Penticton got into penalty trouble in the final frame and played most of the 3rd period shorthanded. The Vees only give up a single PP goal limiting Vernon's time and space and holding the Vipers to only seven shots in the final two periods. The Vees blocked a lot of shots tonight, were in the shooting lanes, and kept Vernon to the outside. Kaeden Lane wasn't overly tested tonight, stopped twelve of Vernon's fourteen shots. The Vees play an aggreisve forecheck were also very good on the penalty kill, managed to create/generate some shorthanded opportunities. Penticton went 0-6 with the PP I thought had several good looks and opportunities on the man advantage just couldn't capitalize. The Vees have some very skilled players that are exciting to watch. Due to COVID-19 and the new health and saftey regulations, BCHL teams are only allowed 50% capacity. Due to these regulations the Vees drew 2,500 which would be a small crowd prior to COVID-19. A great turnout otherwise. Fred Harbinson wasn't pleased with the officials was always arguing calls/penalties as his voice could be heard through out the rink. Including the preseason, the Vees improve to 6-0 this season and host the Wenatchee Wild Saturday night. The Vees are very lax with the new COVID-19 rules and restrictions inside the South Okanagan Events Centre. Unlike Kal Tire Place, Vees fans are allowed to stand and walk around the concourse and gather with friends inbetween periods.
Scratches:
Vernon Vipers:
Desmond Johnson
Seiya Tanaka-Campbell
Matthew Culling
Luke Ashton
Liam Cavan
Penticton Vees:
Ryan Hopkins
Thomas Pichette
Grayson Arnott
Three Star's:
1st Star: Joshua Niedermayer (2 goals)
2nd Star: Casey McDonald (1 goal & 1 assist)
3rd Star: Finlay Williams (1 goal & 1 assist)
Energy Player of the Game:
Anthony Allepot (1 assist)
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 their tasteful. Thank you for your comments and visiting my blog.
Here are some photo's I took before and during tonight's Vipers-Vees game,
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