Wenatchee 4 Vernon 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 it started in 1961. I have had season tickets since 1990 and 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 2.1 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-Wild game as Wenatchee defeated Vernon 4-1 in front of 1,370 fans at Kal Tire Place.

Starting Goaltenders:

Vernon Vipers: Ethan David
Wenatchee Wild: Andy Vlaha

Before tonight's Vipers/Wild game, Vernon Vipers long time volunteer (40 years) Loui Salvino fired up the goal siren to get the crowd going before the two teams hit the ice.

1st Period: For a second straight night the Vipers got off to a quick start. Vernon had good energy and early pressure on the Wild in the opening minute or two. Wild captain Quinn Emerson with a big defensive play, blocked Desmond Johnson's point shot just minutes into the contest. The Vipers were quickly outshooting Wenatchee 4-0 as the Wild needed almost five minutes to get a shot on goal. The Snakes had some looks early. The Vipers would open the scoring after former Wenatchee Wild defenceman Nicholas Kent's point shot looked to be redirected on it's way to the goal but wasn't, beat Andy Vlaha giving Vernon a 1-0 lead at 6:49 Kent would get credited with the goal, while Reagan Milburn and Ryan Shotstak picked up the assists. The Snakes were outshooting Wenatchee 7-1 at this point. Just over a minute later, the visiting Wenatchee Wild would get the games first power play. In the opening seconds of the PP a shot from the top of the crease, forced Ethan David to make a big stop with bodies in front, shortly after Landon Parker in front beat Ethan David, tying the game 1-1 at 8:49 Ean Somoza & Mario Gasparini drew the assists. This goal seemed to give the Wild some jump and momentum as Wenatchee slowly started to turn the tables and take control of the hockey game. The Wild responded with several hard shifts, creating some chances in and around the Viper net. With five and a half minutes remaining Wenatchee would get it's second PP of the evening. The Wild had some looks but couldn't take the lead as Vernon killed off the minor. With about two and a half minutes remaining, the Snakes setup Logan Lorenz for the breakaway who was stopped by Andy Vlaha. Inside the final minute Nicholas Kent with a shot from the blueline, found it's way through traffic, forcing Andy Vlaha into making the glove save. Two big stops late for Vlaha to keep this game tied. It was 1-1 after 20 minutes of play. I thought the Vipers looked good early and were the better team early. Vernon jumped on the Wild off the opening faceoff, getting some looks and pressure within the opening two minutes. The Snakes would open the scoring and played very well the first seven minutes, were outshooting Wenatchee 7-1. The Wild tied the game two minutes after Vernon opened the scoring and the Wild quickly turned the tables and took over the edge in play. I thought Wenatchee was the better team in the second half of the period, had a step up on the Snakes, had more puck possession, zone time and were getting more shots on goal. Both teams had some good looks but I didn't think either team really generate a lot of opportunities. Vernon outshot Wenatchee 11-9.

2nd Period: The Wild jumped on Vernon off the opening faceoff. Close to two minutes into the middle frame, Quinn Emerson with a good stick, redirected a shot from the wall that forced Vernon Vipers rookie goaltender Ethan David into making a difficult save with the Wild captain at the top of the blue paint. About a minute or so later, Hunter Hastings shot from in close would be stopped by Ethan David as the puck somehow got through and looked to be rolling into the open cage before Griffen Barr rushed back to clear the puck from the blue paint as Hastings just about gave Wenatchee an early 2-1 lead. About a minute or so later, Seiya Tanaka-Campbell looked to have Andy Vlaha beat but shot up and over the goal, missing a wide open cage as the Wild catch a big breat on a good opportunity for Vernon. A few minutes later the Vipers setup Zach Tonelli going to the goal, couldn't beat Wenatchee Wild netminder Andy Vlaha who come across the crease to rob the Viper forward on what looked like a sure goal on Vlaha's biggest save of the night. Nicholas Kent went down was either hit with a high stick or the puck but was slow getting up went to the dressing room, but did return to the Viper bench. Just past the midway mark, Wenatchee would get their third man advantage of the contest. The Wild caught the Viper defence napping, springing Garrett Szydlowski in for the breakaway but Ayden Third hustled back into the play to lift Szydlowski's stick and take away a Wild scoring chance. Shortly after Quinn Emerson setup Owen Bohn at the side of the goal, giving Wenatchee a 2-1 lead at 14:09 Quinn Emerson & Ean Somoza collected the assists. The Wild with two power play goals. Shortly after Quin Emerson on an odd man rush, look to keep and shoot had his stick explode in half, as Vernon catches a break. Shortly after Reagan Milburn alone in the slot, shot and missed the goal on a good look/chance but couldn't hit the net. Inside the final minute, the Wild would get a late PP and capitalize. Quin Emerson setup Owen Bohn at the side of the goal, giving Wenatchee a late 3-1 lead at 19:57 Quinn Emerson and Ean Somoza drew the helpers. This goal was almost identical to Wenatchee's second goal. It was 3-1 Wenatchee after 40 minutes of play. The Wild jumped on Vernon off the opening faceoff and never really looked back. Wenatchee was the better of the two teams and carried most of the play. The Wild had more puck possession, zone time, scoring chances and played with much more jump/energy. The Vipers didn't show much jump or play with a lot of energy, seemed to be a step behind the play. Vernon struggled offensively to generate offence and couldn't get much of anything going. The Snakes had troubles coming out of their own end, getting pucks to the net and creating scoring chances. The Vipers took two penalties and the Wild scored on both power plays. How big was the Wilds third goal? Giving up a goal with just seconds left in a period are game changers. Wenatchee outshot Vernon 12-5.

3rd Period: Off the opening faceoff the Vipers with some early pressure couldn't bang home a loose puck on a goal mouth scramble on a missed opportunity inside the opening minute. About two minutes later, a shot from the point would be redirected in front by Jack Glen but Andy Vlaha made a big stop with Glen at the top of the blue paint. A few minutes later the Vipers would get another goal mouth scramble but once again the Snakes couldn't bury their chances as Vernon was lacking finish in and around the net. A few good looks/opportunities early but no goals. A few minutes later Ryan Shostak on a partial breakaway, drove hard to the goal, but couldn't solve Andy Vlaha. Just past the halfway mark, the Wild spring Ean Somoza in for the breakaway, beat Ethan David high giving Wenatchee a commanding 4-1 lead at 11:27 as Viper fans started making their way to the exits. From here on in until the buzzer the Vipers had troubles making a pass, getting sustained pressure and pucks on goal as the Wild defence played very well defensively, were blocking shots and keeping Vernon to the outside. The Wenatchee Wild win back to back games for the first time this season after a 4-1 victory. Down two goals heading into the 3rd the Vipers had three or four good opportunities early but couldn't bury their chances. Vernon carried some of the play as the Wild looked to be holding a two goal lead but the Vipers struggled offensively generating quality chances and didn't get any kind of sustained pressure. The Vipers weren't going to the grey area, driving the net or making life difficult for Andy Vlaha. The Vipers are lacking scoring and need more then Cameron MacDonald to score goals. Vernon struggled passing and moving the puck up ice while the Wild played well defensively. The Vipers for a second straight period didn't have much jump or played with a ton of energy, looked either tired or frsutrated just didn't have their A game tonight. Vernon outshot Wenatchee 13-8.

Top Player's: Vernon Vipers

Ayden Third I thought played very well on the Snakes blueline. Made a strong defensive play in the 2nd period to breakup a Wild breakaway. 

Game Thought's: Vernon Vipers

A very disapointing effort and loss this evening. I know some fans weren't happy with last night's game and didn't think the Vipers played very well, but I did. I thought the Snakes played well last night and were the better team but didn't get the win in a game I thought they should have won. Tonight the Vipers didn't deserve to win. I really liked Vernon's start and thought they looked good, were the better team and outplaying the Wild the first seven minutes. After Wenatchee's game tying goal, the Wild turned the tables and were the better team for most of the remainder of the hockey game. The Vipers lacked energy and showed very little jump after the first seven minutes. Vernon looked to be a step behind, had troubles making a pass, making a play, creating/generating chances and getting pucks on net. The Snakes didn't generate much for offence, struggled offensively. When the team needed a goal or had a good oipportunity, they couldn't bury their chances. Specialty teams was a big difference as the Wild go 3-4 with the man advantage. Giving up the 3rd goal (power play goal) with just seconds remaining in the 2nd period was costly. The Vipers needed players to step up tonight and I didn't see that. The Vipers started the season having to play eight of it's first nine games on the road. Vernon returned home this weekend after winning only twice on it's six game road trip. Looking at the standings and records, Wenatchee had yet to win a game this season heading into this weekends games. These were two wins the Vipers desprately needed and couldn't win any of them. When your fighting for room in the standings and trying to climb the standings you need to beat teams below you and especially teams that had yet win a game. Two very disapointing games this weekend. Vernon has now lost six in a row and it doesn't get any easier. The Vipers have a home & home series with the 8-4 Prince George Spruce Kings next week and play the 8-2 West Kelowna Warriors next weekend. The Snakes have only three wins in 11 games. When's the last time the Vipers have lost six in a row? I want to say when they went winless in 11 straight games during the 2012-13 season when Jason Williamson was Head Coach/GM and the Vipers missed the playoffs back to back years. With the loss Vernon falls to 3-4-3-1 and sit 7th in the Interior Conference. 

Top Player's: Wenatchee Wild

Ean Somoza (1 goal & 3 assists) Had a solid game with four points. 

Landon Parker (1 goal) Opened the scoring for the Wild, is dangerous in and around the net, hard to defend against. Played well in the win tonight.

Owen Bohn (2 goals) Scored back to back power play goals, played with lots of energy.

Hunter Hastings played well, had some looks and was making plays.

Quinn Emerson (1 assist) Played very well. Makes plays, can skate and move the puck up ice. Is hard to contain and defend against. A very skilled hockey player.

Andy Vlaha (28 saves) I didn't think was tested much but when he was, played well between the pipes. His biggest save was off Zach Tonelli in the 2nd period. Not the biggest goaltender but played well.

Game Thought's: Wenatchee Wild

Give the Wenatchee Wild full credit. A team that had yet to win a hockey game heading into this weekend, gets outplayed Friday but hangs around and able to get a lucky bounce in overtime to record their first win of the season, come back to Vernon for a second straight night and this time play much better and come away with another win and another two points. I didn't think the Wild played all that well last night, caught my breaks, had some puck luck and hung around in a scoreless game until pulling out the OT win. Tonight they were outplayed early, fell behind 1-0 but would tie the game two minutes later before re-grouping and played a very well remainder of the game. Wenatchee was the better team tonight and deserved the win. I was very impressed with the Wild's defensive play. They collapse around the front of the crease, keep Vernon's shooters to the outside and don't allow many pucks to get through. Wenatchee blocks a lot of shots or gets bodies/sticks in the way as the Vipers had troubles in both games getting pucks through to the net. The Wild capitalized on the Snakes penalties, going 3-4 with the PP. Wenatchee played a very disciplned game, didn't take a single penalty. The Wild have a very lively & vocal bench that you could hear through out the game. As the game continued a lot of hooting and hollaring after a big hit, save or play. The Wild don't have a great record but after watching both games this weekend, I think have a better team then their record shows. The Wild unveiled new jerseys this year for fans who didn't notice. During the 2019-20 season the Wild had blue sweaters with white stripes and the same logo. This year the Wild have added in grey stripes and taken away the bigger white stripes. Due to COVID-19 and the border restrictions the Wild were forced to start the 2021-22 season on the road, playing it's first eight games away from home. Tonight was the final game while the Wild can return home and will play it's home opener November 11th vs West Kelowna. With the win Wenatchee improves to 2-3-2-1 sit 8th in the Interior Conference.

Scratches:

Vernon Vipers:

Adam Bourgeois 
Kjell Kjemhus (Injured)
Luke Ashton (Injured)
Cameron MacDonald (Injured)

Wenatchee Wild:

Brodrick Williams
Brett Oberle
Cade Littler
Wes Turner

Three Star's:

1st Star: Ean Somoza (1 goal & 3 assists)
2nd Star: Owen Bohn (2 goals)
3rd Star: Ayden Third 

Energy Player of the Game:

Zach Tonelli

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. 

Here are some photo's from before and during tonight's Vipers-Wild game.