West Kelowna 5 Vernon 1

I was born and raised in Vernon, BC and been watching/following Junior hockey in Vernon my entire life. My family watched Senior mens hockey in Vernon in the 1950's and have been watching/following 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 in 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-Warriors game as West Kelowna defeated Vernon 5-1 in front of 750 fans at Royal Lepage Place.

Starting Goaltenders:

Vernon Vipers: Ethan David
West Kelowna Warriors: Johnny Derrick

1st Period: Off the opening faceoff the Warriors moved the puck quickly up ice, springing Felix Trudeau in for the partial breakaway. Trudeau beat his man along the boards before cutting hard towards the net would get a very good quality chance in close but be denied by Ethan David as the puck got inbehind the goaltender before the net come off it's pegs on a close call inside the opening minutes. The Snakes catch a break early. Off the following faceoff and thirteen seconds later, John Evans setup Tyler Cristall, giving West Kelowna an early 1-0 lead at 0:42 John Evans and Marcus Joughin collected the assists. The Warriors had the early jump and the early edge in play were all over the visiting Vernon Vipers in the opening few minutes. The Tribe were outshooting Vernon 4-0 early. The Snakes needed almost four minutes to record their first shot on goal. John Glen beat his defender around the faceoff circle before driving hard towards the goal, would be stopped in close by former Vernon Vipers goaltender Johnny Derrick, who made a big stop in close three and a half minutes into the hockey game on the Vipers first shot of the evening. A minute later Matthew Culling with a shot from the circle would be denied twice by Johnny Derrick, as the Warriors netminder with two big stops early as only one of Culling's shot's would be registered on the shot clock. Shortly after the Snakes spotted Logan Lorenz in for the partial breakaway would be stopped before being hit hard into the boards, which resulted in a roughing call, giving Vernon the games first power play just over six minutes into the game. The Vipers with some good looks had three or four quality chances on the man advantage couldn't find the back of the net as the Warriors killed off the minor. Just as the penalty expired, Reagan Milburn beat his defender drove to the net hard, but couldn't solve Johnny Derrick as the Snakes pressing, couldn't bury their chances. Just past the halfway mark, Riley Sharun gave West Kelowna a 2-0 lead at 10:59 Elan Bar-Lev-Wise & Isaiah Norlin drew the helpers. Fifty seconds later the Vipers would get their second PP of the 1st period. It didn't take the Snakes long, before Reagan Milburn rifled home a clapper, cutting West Kelowna's lead to 2-1 at 12:28 Griffen Barr and Tyler Chan with the assists on the power play goal. With about five and a half minutes remaining, the Tribe sprung Felix Trudeau in for the breakaway, would miss the net on a missed opportunity. With about three and a half minutes remaining, Seiya Tanaka-Campbell was in the clear, missed the net from in close on a missed opportunity. With 2:04 left in the opening frame the Vipers couldn't bang home a loose puck at the top of the crease with bodies in and around the goal. It was 2-1 West Kelowna after 20 minutes of play. The Tribe got the early jump on Vernon and were the better team the first four minutes. No coach will be happy giving up the games first goal inside the opening minute. WK had lots of early jump and energy, were all over the Vipers off the opening faceoff. The Snakes seemed to settle down and slowly come on and eventually get some good pressure and several quality chances but unable to capitalize. The play was even at times but I thought Vernon had a bit of edge in the play, had more zone time, opportunities and puck possession. Former Viper goaltender Johnny Derrick was very good between the pipes for West Kelowna. Vernon outshot West Kelowna 14-12.

2nd Period: Off the opening faceoff Felix Trudeau would be denied in close by Ethan David before Damon Jugnauth buried the rebound on a goal I think Ethan David would like to have back. Jugnauth's shot barely trickled across the goal line, giving West Kelowna an early 3-1 lead at 0:39 Felix Trudeau & Elan Bar-Lev-Wise with the helpers. Just over three minutes into the middle frame, Luke Buss with a good look/very good chance ripped his shot over top corner missing a quality chance from in close. Shortly after Zach Tonelli would be stopped in close on another good look/opportunity for the Snakes. Minutes later Felix Trudeau went in for his second breakaway of the game, would be stopped before the play contiued. Tyson Jugnauth setup Damon Jugnauth for his second goal of the period, giving West Kelowna a 4-1 lead at 6:44 Felix Trudeau and Tyson Jugnauth collected the assists. I was surprised this goal stood as a Warriors player was in the crease, involved with Vernon Vipers starting netminder Ethan David, which looked like interference to me, but the goal stood and the game continued. Less then two minutes later, the Vipers would get the only power play of the 2nd period. Vernon recorded three shots but no real quality chances as WK killed off the penalty. With about seven and a half minutes left, the Tribe setup Carter Schmidt in for the breakaway, but Ethan David come up large with a big stop. About three minutes later, John Evans broke in for the breakaway and once again Ethan David made a big stop, keeping his team in the contest as the Warriors were coming on in the second half of the frame. On a goal mouth scramble with about two minutes remaining, West Kelowna couldn't bury the loose puck. Inside the final minute the Vipers with their first opporunity in a lengthy period, couldn't beat Johnny Derrick inside the blue paint. It was 4-1 West Kelowna after 40 minutes of play. The Vipers give up the early goal inside the opening minute for a second straight period. These goals are killers. Other then giving up the early goal, I thought Vernon played well for the first six or seven minutes before the Tribe slowly took over the edge in play. The Warriors jumped out to a 4-1 lead and then carried a lot of the play in the second half. WK with three breakaways, had several good looks and opportunities were the better team in the second half. The Vipers saw a lot of the play in their own end in the second half. Ethan David may have given up a few soft goals tonight, was forced to make several saves including three breakaways. The Tribe could have easily been up 8-1 heading into the final frame. West Kelowna outshot Vernon 11-10.

3rd Period: Matthew Culling would get a good look from the circle two minutes into the final frame but couldn't beat Johnny Derrick who come up with the pad save on a big stop early. A few minutes later Warriors d-man Pat Lawn come close to putting the puck into his own net, as Johnny Derrick was alert and cleared the puck. Shortly after Ryan Shostak on a wrap around would be stopped by Johnny Derrick. Shortly after John Evans would beat his defender before being stopped at the top of the crease by Ethan David. A few minutes past the midway mark, the Tribe would get their first power play of the game. Just two seconds into the man advantage, Felix Trudeau gave West Kelowna a comanding 5-1 lead at 13:34 Chase Dafoe and Carter Schmidt drew the helpers. With about three minutes remaining Isaiah Norlin took a swing, throwing a punch at Ayden Third, while Johnny Derrick was forced to make a difficult save in front. Frustration started showing as tempers heated up a bit at times with the clock winding down. Inside the final minute the Snakes would get a late PP but unable to capitalize before the final buzzer as West Kelowna wins their seventh straight after a 5-1 victory over the visiting Vernon Vipers. With Vernon down three goals heading into the period, the Vipers showed a little fight early off the opening faceoff, getting a few good looks/quality chances. The Snakes had some of the play in the first half but had troubles generating any quality chances as the period continued. Vernon having trouble connecting on passes and hitting the net. As the period continued and the score still in tack, neither team had much of anything going. Felix Trudeau put the game away with the Tribe's fifth goal. The Warriors didn't take their foot off the gas but also more playing a defensive style of game up by three or four goals in the final frame. After the first five or so minutes, not a lot of action took place. Vernon outshot West Kelowna 15-9.

Top Player's: Vernon Vipers

Matthew Culling I thought had some looks and opportunities, played well.

Ethan David (24 saves) I think would like to have back two if not maybe three goals. David allowed a few soft goals but also played very well, especially in the 2nd period with the Warriors pressing. Stopping three breakaways as well as several other big stops, kept Vernon in the 2nd period or West Kelowna could have easily had four or five more goals in the middle frame.

Game Thought's: Vernon Vipers

After giving up the games first goal inside the opening minute and being outplayed the first four minutes of the hockey game, Vernon seemed to settle down and slowly get their game going. The Vipers looked good for the remainder of the 1st period. The Vipers had the edge in play and several good looks/quality chances but only found the back of the net once, that 1st period. Vernon couldn't keep style of play going as the game went on. Consistancy has been a big problem this year for the Snakes and it showed again this evening. The Vipers didn't play anywhere near sixty minutes and when you play a West Kelowna team that had won six in a row coming into tonight and were near the top of the standings with a 10-2 record, you better play close to sixty minutes and be ready to go or your probably not going to win. The Vipers had their chances but don't have a goal scorer. Cameron MacDonald is the closest for being your goal scorer and he's out of the lineup with an undisclosed injury. Vernon have a few kids with some talent but can't score on a game to game basis. The Vipers need a goal scorer. The Vipers also need to work on the power play. Vernon went 1-4 with the man advantage tonight as the PP has struggled all season. Give credit to the Vipers for playing a disciplined game and only taking one minor. The Snakes gave up way too many breakaways and giving up two goals inside the opening minute to start a period doesn't help. Giving up the early goal inside the opening minute of the middle frame was a killer, instead of being down 2-1 now your down 3-1 to start the 2nd period. The Vipers fell behind fourty two seconds into the game and trailed the entire game. The Snakes played well at times but then poorly at times. I saw several Viper fans at tonight's game. A good showing of Viper fans made the quick trip up the highway. Vernon has sixteen players returning from the pod season last year and isn't playing up to their full potential. Now one win in their last nine games, only have four wins on the season after playing fourteen games. I know it's still early but with only four wins on the season, something has to be done and changes need to be made. The Vipers need to start putting together a winning streak and getting back in the standings and win column or it's going to be a long season. The schedule doesn't get any easier. The 9-1-1-0 Salmon Arm Silverbacks are in Vernon Wednesday. In their next seven games the Vipers play some of the league's top teams in Salmon Arm (twice) Langley, Penticton & West Kelowna. With the loss Vernon falls to 4-5-3-2 sit 7th in the Interior Conference.

Top Player's: West Kelowna Warriors

Felix Trudeau (1 goal & 2 assists) Was very dangerous, had two breakaways and several opportunities, was hard to defend and contain. Gave the Viper defenders all kinds of trouble. This kid is quick and can move the puck up ice in a hurry, has some soft hands and very skilled. 

Carter Schmidt (1 assist) I didn't really notice him early but as the game went on, got better and got his game going. I thought played very well in the second half of tonight's game and made some big plays.

Isaiah Norlin (1 assist) Played with an edge and was very good on the Tribes blueline. A big body that is physical, plays in your face and very reliable and gets lots of minutes. 

Tyson Jugnauth (1 assist) Always plays hard and is solid on the Warriors backend in the games I have seen him play vs Vernon. A solid/physical dman that can move the puck and make plays happen.

Damon Jugnauth (2 goals) Score two 2nd period goals, played well through out the game.

Johnny Derrick (38 saves) Attended the Vipers Spring camp & Training campin 2017 & 2018 was an affiliated player with the 2018-19 Vernon Vipers. Derrick was very good between the pipes tonight, stopping 38 of 39 saves. 

Game Thought's: West Kelowna Warriors

The Warriors jumped out to a 2-0 lead and never really looked back. I think if the Vipers score/capitalize on some of their 1st period opportunities this may have been a different game but instead the Tribe get some good goaltending from Ex Viper Johnny Derrick while scoring twice inside the opening minute of the 1st and 2nd periods. The Tribe was the better team in the 2nd and 3rd periods. West Kelowna has some speed, skill and good goaltending. The Warriors jumped on Vernon's defence, opening up the ice, had three breakaways and scored some timely goals. The Warriors PK was very good. Since new ownership took over the team and brought in former Kelowna Rocket Simon Ferguson as Head Coach/GM the Warriors went from a league joke to a top contender. Ferguson has done a great job in his short time behind the bench. A great crowd on hand tonight at Royal LePage Place. Tonight's attendance was announced at 750 but it sure looked like much more and one of the bigger crowds I have ever seen when the Vipers were in town. A big shout out to the Warriors organization for taking time to make a brief announcement over the PA during a stopage in play, to reconise Graham Turnbull's 600th game as broadcaster of the Vipers. Turnbull got a round of applause from the Warrior faithful. The Warriors have won seven straight and improve to 11-2-0-0 sit 2nd in the Interior Conference.

Scratches:

Vernon Vipers:

Kjell Kjemhus (Injured)
Luke Ashton (Injured)
Cameron MacDonald (Injured)
Nicholas Kent

West Kelowna Warriors:

Charles-Alexis Legault (Injured)
Jayden Price (Injured)
Nick Roukounakis (Injured)
Cameron Hicklin

Three Star's:

1st Star: Damon Jugnauth (2 goals)
2nd Star: Johnny Derrick (38 saves)
3rd Star: Felix Trudeau (1 goal & 2 assists)

Energy Player of the Game:

Riley Sharun (1 goal)

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 I took before and during tonight's Vipers-Warriors game.