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 two family members that played Junior hockey in Vernon. I have had season tickets since 1990 and missed only 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 hockey 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 6-0 in front of 3,163 fans at the South Okanagan Events Centre.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon Vipers: Roan Clarke
Penticton Vees: Mason Dunsford
Before tonight's game, the Vees honoured the late Neil Jamieson. Jamieson was added to the Vees "Ring of Honour"
1st Period: The Vipers had the early jump and early edge in play. The Snakes would get the games first scoring chance after spotting Reagan Milburn alone in the high slot. Milburn shot high and over the net, missing on a quality chance from in close. The Vees needed about four and a half minutes to record their first shot on goal. About a minute later, the Vees setup Bradley Nadeau who was alone at the top of the crease. From where I was sitting, it looked like Roan Clarke may have got a peice of Nadeau's shot that just missed the far corner. About a minute or so later with Penticton pressing, Josh Niedermayer would be denied on an odd man rush. Shortly after the Vees couldn't capitalize on a goal mouth scrambe with Roan Clarke down and out as Penticton come close to opening the scoring. The Vipers were outshooting the Vees 2-0 early but Penticton rallied with the next seven shots were now outshooting Vernon 7-2 at this point. At the midway mark, tempers heated up with a bit of a scrum along the side wall as some players started pushing and shoving before the officials were forced to break things up. Just past the halfway mark, Vernon would get the games first power play but the Snakes struggled with the man advantage. The Vipers didn't get a shot on goal as the Vees with a fairly easy penalty kill, killed off the minor. With about five minutes left in the opening period, Bradley Nadeau with his second opportunity of the evening, would be stopped by Roan Clarke. Towards the end of the 1st period, after the Snakes were called for too many men, sending the Vees to a late power play. It took only seven seconds and one shot on goal for the Vees to find the back of the net. Luc Wilson ripped a shot from the faceoff dot, beating Roan Clarke glove side, giving Penticton a late 1-0 lead at 18:20 Bradley Nadeua & Grayson Arnott drew the helpers. One minute later (inside the final minute of play) Luke Lavery with an undisciplined penalty, sent Penticton back to the PP. The Vees couldn't capitalize before the buzzer. It was 1-0 Penticton after 20 minutes of play. The Vipers had some early jump and had the early edge in play off the opening faceoff. It took the Vees close to four and a half minutes to get their first shot on goal as the play started to shift and Penticton was the better team for the remainder of the 1st period. The Vees had the better of the scoring chances, more shots on goal, more puck possession and more zone time. After the first five minutes, Vernon didn't have much puck possession or generate or create any real scoring chances. Penticton outshot Vernon 14-3.
2nd Period: The hometown Vees started the period on the PP that was carried over from the 1st period. It didn't take Penticton long to capitalize with the man advantage. Vees forward/captain Finlay Williams with a snap shot from the circle, beat Vernon Vipers starting netminder Roan Clarke glove side, giving Penticton a 2-0 lead at 0:54 Luc Wilson with the lone assist. Judging by Clarke's reaction after the goal, I think this is a goal Clarke would like to have back. Less then two minutes later, Thomas Pichette walked in and ripped a shot top corner over Roan Clarke, giving Penticton an early 3-0 lead at 2:51 Frank Djurasevic and Beanie Ritcher picked up the assists. About two minutes later, Max Borovinskiy looked to have an open cage after Mason Dunsord was caught way out of his crease. The Vees goaltender managed to get back and somehow make a stellar save, robbing the former Prince George Spruce Kings forward. A few minutes later, Stefano Bottini with a point shot, found it's way through traffic forced Roan Clarke to flash the leather, making a glove save. Shortly after, Kjell Kjemhus took acception to a late hit on a team mate. Kjemhus went after the Vees forward that dished out the hit as tempers heated up with some pushing and shoving in front of the penalty box. Just before the midway mark, Reagan Milburn with a partial breakaway couldn't solve Penticton Vees starting goaltender Mason Dunsford. The former Western Hockey League goaltender made a big stop, keeping Milburn and the Snakes off the score sheet. On the following play the Vipers would get their second PP of the hockey game. Shorthanded the Vees sprung Finlay Williams in for the breakaway. Williams looked to have Roan Clarke beat but hit the base of the post, as the puck come back towards Clarke who covered the puck with his glove before Stefano Bottini pushed Clarke's glove, knocking the puck free and into the open cage, giving Penticton a commanding 4-0 lead at 9:43 Clarke and the Vipers bench were furious as the officials gathered for a short conversation. The goal stood as Vipers Head Coach/GM Jason McKee was giving it to the officials. Finaly Williams collected the lone assist on the shorthanded goal. The Vipers struggled with the remainder of the PP as Penticton killed off the penalty. Shortly after a Vees player would check Talon Zakall into the side wall. Zakall would stay down and was in some disomfort as the Viper defenceman struggled to get to his feet, was rolling around in serious pain. Zakall was helped off the ice, had troubles putting any weight on his right leg, didn't return. Shortly after the Vees would get a late power play towards the end of the period. Josh Nadeau gave Penticton a 5-0 lead at 16:09 Finlay Williams and Luc Wilson collected the helpers. This was the end of the night for starting goaltender Roan Clarke. Clarke gave up five goals on twenty eight Penticton shots. Ethan David would replace Clarke. Inside the final minute, the Vees went back to another man advantage. The Snakes setup Ryan Shostak in for a partial shorthanded breakaway would be denied by Mason Dunsford in the dying seconds. It was 5-0 Penticton after 40 minutes of play. The Vees basically put the game away a few minutes into the middle frame. Penticton was the better of the two teams. The Vees carried a lot of the play, had lots of puck possession, zone time, didn't have a ton of scoring chances but capitalize on their opportunities. The Snakes with only one real good chance in the opening frame, managed to create/generate some looks and opportunities this period but couldn't bury their chances. The Vipers didn't have any real pressure or zone time, gave up four goals. Penticton outshot Vernon 18-9.
3rd Period: The Vees started the final frame on the man advantage that was carried over from the 2nd period. One minute into the 3rd the Vees would get called for interference, taking away their power play and sending both teams to four on four. Thirty four seconds later, the Vees setup Thomas Pichette who got behind Vernon's defence and in for what looked like a partial breakaway before being hauled down by Nicholas Kent, sending Penticton back to the PP. The Vees moved the puck around and had several good looks but couldn't solve Ethan David as Vernon killed off the minor. Shortly after Owen Simpson's point shot would be redirected in front by Finaly Williams, giving Penticton a commanding 6-0 lead at 4:24 Owen Simpson & Luc Wilson collected the assists. From here on in until the final buzzer it was all Vees. Penticton looked like they were on a power play for most of the period, getting a ton of looks and chances in and around the goal. Casey McDonald with a very good look/opportunity would be stopped by Ethan David who made his biggest stop of the contest just before the midway mark. Kjell Kjemhus was playing with an edge all night, getting under the skin of several Vees. At the halfway mark, Kjemhus was involved with a Penticton player as the two engaged words before Kjemhus gave him a shot. The officials had seen enough at this point, as Kjemhus was given a ten minute misconduct and tossed from the hockey game. As the period continued the play become chippy as both teams were getting under the skin of one another. Frustration was also boiling over for the visiting Vipers who were down 6-0 with about seven minutes to go. Penticton would come away with the easy 6-0 victory. With the game already over the Vees completely dominated the 3rd period from start to finish. The Snakes spent most of the final twenty minutes in their own end or chasing the puck. Vernon with just one shot on goal couldn't get anything going. Penticton looked like they were on the power play for the entire period as it was men against boys. The Vees with a ton of good looks/opportunities totally outplayed, outworked and dominated the Vipers. Ethan David with several stops, keeping this from getting to double digits. A very dismal 3rd period from the Vipers. Penticton outshot Vernon 14-1.
Top Player's: Vernon Vipers
Ethan David (17 saves) Replaced Roan Clarke late in the 2nd period after Penticton jumped out to a 5-0 lead. David in his first season with the Snakes, had to be sharp was put to the test with the Vees pressing. David stopped seventeen of eighteen Penticton shots was the lone brightspot for Vernon.
Game Thought's: Vernon Vipers
I liked Vernon's start to the hockey game. I thought the Vipers had some early jump, had the edge in play for at least the first few minutes and then it was basically all Penticton from there on in to the final buzzer. The Vipers don't have the skill to keep pace with the high octaine Vees or have the team to try and defend against a very skilled and powerfull Penticton lineup. Vernon was no match tonight in a game they were completely outworked, outplayed, outshot and outscored. The Snakes struggled offensively, struggled with the power play, had troubles not only scoring but getting pucks to the net. Vernon with only three shots on goal in the 1st period and one shot on goal in the 3rd period. Your not going to win many if any hockey games with three shots or one shot in a single period. As the Vees ran up the score, you could see the frsutration from the Vipers. It was like watching men against boys. This game was not even close. The Vipers remind me a lot like the 2000-01 Viper team that was run by Joe Oliver that missed the playoffs and the 2011-12 & 2012-13 Viper teams run by Jason Williamson that missed the playoffs back to back years. Those teams have a lot of similarities with this years Vipers. I have been watching Junior hockey in Vernon my entire life and had season tickets since 1990 and this is by far the worst Vernon team I have seen. Going to the games this year isn't much fun when the team keeps losing. With only six wins on the season, only Merritt has fewer wins then Vernon as Wenatchee passed the Vipers into 7th place in the Interior Conference. The Vipers have lost nine straight games on the road. Vernon's last win away from home was a 3-0 win in Chilliwack October 24th. The Vipers are struggling have lost four straight and have only three wins in their last nineteen games. I'm very very disapointed with this years team. This team has struggled all year and up until a few weeks ago, only two trades have been made to try and improve the team. Why did it take this long to make changes and why haven't more trades been made? Not only did the Vipers do a poor job recruiting this year but put together a very poor and dismal team that is near the bottom of the league standings. With only a few weeks until the trade deadline, will the Vipers be sellers or buyers? With only three wins in their last nineteen games, how much longer can the Vipers keep Jason McKee as coach? McKee is obviously not getting the job done or improving the team on the ice and changes need to be made! With the loss Vernon falls to 6-12-3-3 and sit 8th in the Interior Conference.
Top Player's: Penticton Vees
Finlay Williams (2 goals & 2 assists) The Vees captain lead the way with four points, was Penticton's best player. The Vipers couldn't contain or defend Williams who was all over the ice this evening.
Luc Wilson (1 goal & 3 assists) Has played very well against the Snakes and had another strong night with a goal and three helpers. Good in the faceoff, was hard to contain and defend.
Stefano Bottini (1 goal) I thought played a strong game on the Vees backend. Scored shorthanded was involved in the play also solid on the blueline.
Bradley Nadeau (1 assist) I thought played a real strong game. Had several looks/chances was involved in the play, in and around the goal, making things happen.
Mason Dunsford (13 saves/shutout) Made his Penticton Vees debut tonight after signing with the Vees December 6th. Dunsford played the past three seasons in the Western Hockey League with Seattle and Tri-Cities. Dunsford wasn't tested much but did make a few big stops in the 2nd period to preserve the win/shutout.
Game Thought's: Penticton Vees
Once again it looks like the Penticton Vees are one of the league's top teams. Penticton has been atop the Interior Division standings or league standings the past ten years. After a come from behind win in Vernon November 27th the Vees put the Vipers away early tonight. It was all Penticton as the Vees dominated most of the hockey game. This game wasn't close. The Vees have a ton of skill, solid defence and a good goaltending duo and one of if not the leagues best coaches/general managers. It amazes me how year after year Fred Harbinson recruits some of the leagues top talent. The Vees passing is always tape to tape and very good transition game, gave the Snakes troubles tonight. Specialty teams was a difference as Vernon goes 0-3 with the PP and Penticton goes 3-5 with the man advantage and scored once shorthanded. The Vees were clicking on all cylinders. It doesn't seem to matter what line is on the ice, this team is hard to contain, defend against and play against. Penticton shutdown the Vipers offence, limiting the Snakes to only thirteen shots on goal with very few to little scoring chances. The Vees were wearing special "retro" jerseys of the 1950's Penticton Vees with navy blue and soft yellow stripes with a capital letter P on the front with three little V's above it. The Vees are 12-0-0-1 at home this season have won twelve of their last thirteen games and fifteen of their last seventeen games. With the win Penticton improves to 20-2-0-1 sit atop the league standings with the best record.
Scratches:
Vernon Vipers:
Adam Bourgeois
Liam Cavan
Seiya Tanaka-Campbell (Injured)
JoJo Tanaka-Campbell (Injured)
Penticton Vees:
Colin Purcell
Mason Poolman
Trevor O'Brien
Three Star's:
1st Star: Finlay Williams (2 goals & 2 assists)
2nd Star: Luc Wilson (1 goal & 3 assists)
3rd Star: Mason Dunsford (13 saves/shutout)
Energy Player of the Game:
Bradley Nadeau (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 there tastefull.
Here are some pictures I took before and during tonight's Vipers-Vees game.
6 comments:
The only comment can make is this team, coach and owner are disgrace to Vernon and their fans!
OMG... 6 - 0 loss to the Vees, out shot 46 - 13, 3 wins in the last 19 games. What positive spin can anyone possible put on this season? It is an absolute mess. This is a team built by General Manager John Glen's incompetence and directed by his buddy, the equally incompetent Coach McKee. How long will the real owner, Tom Glen, allow this debacle to continue before he steps in? The fans have been speaking for a long time but no one is listening. It is time, over due actually, to remove the incompetents for their positions. It is not pleasant considering this but it is a necessary business move. It needs to be done for the sake of the players, the fans and the reputation of this "once proud franchise".
VDHF mentioned trades. There is a reason that there haven't been more trades. Nearly half of the team just isn't capable of playing Junior A so which team would be willing to trade their players to Vernon? The issue isn't coaching as much as it is recruiting. As Mark Ferner's players have graduated from the team, the team has become less and less.
Good comments. I believe it is just as much a coaching problem as a recruiting problem. There are still some very talented and capable players on this team. Just look at Vancouver Canucks and how a "new voice" has changed the fortunes of that team. Yes, I have used this as an example on previous posts. Sometimes players need another approach. That is true in any sport, coaches have a "shelf life".
We are all extremely disappointed as fans and are hoping things turn around soon. Here is another perspective... look at it from the players and parents point of view. The parents have allowed their young sons to come to Vernon. Promises were made that they were coming to a storied franchise and will get very good coaching. The BCHL is a developmental league preparing players for the next level, usually university hockey. Good coaching and a positive environment is imperative for the players, especially the younger ones. Are they getting that in Vernon with the current coach?
After "ANONYMOUS" ripped me for being negative on this blog a few games back I'm happy to see that everyone else is finally confirming what I said before. This team is a complete Disaster thanks to John and Jason
Once again I will say it. STOP going to the games!!! You are not helping the boys AT ALL. They all know this team is a joke now and would probably appreciate your non support in getting rid of the snake in the grass running this team!! Bums in the seats = NO CHANGE
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