Vernon 5 Trail 3

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 has been watching Junior hockey in Vernon since it started in 1961. I have two family members who played Junior hockey in Vernon. 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 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-Smoke Eaters game as Vernon defeated Trail 5-3 in front of 1,314 fans at Kal Tire Place.

Starting Goaltenders:

Vernon Vipers: Ethan David
Trail Smoke Eaters: Evan Fradette

1st Period: The Smoke Eaters with a good start to the hockey game, had the early push off the opening faceoff. Inside the opening minute, Quinn Disher with a quality chance in close forced Ethan David into making a difficult save before smothering the loose puck. On the following shift, Ethan David had to be sharp before making two quick back to back saves with Trail pressing, getting three good looks/opportunities inside the first minute of play. The Vipers responded with a good push back shift two minutes later. JoJo Tanaka-Campbell with the work spotted Cameron MacDonald, giving Vernon an early lead at 3:06 JoJo Tanaka-Campbell and Griffen Barr picked up the assists. About four minutes later, Garrett Valk with a shot from inside the blueline, beat Ethan David but graised the post as the Smokies come very close to tying the hockey game. Valk attended the Vernon Vipers training camp in 2017. Just before the halfway mark Trail would get the games first power play. The Smoke Eaters would get one real good opportunity about haflway through the man advantage, but couldn't beat Ethan David who made a large pad save. Cameron MacDonald setup Ryan Shostak shorthanded on an odd man rush, but Shostak couldn't beat Evan Fradette as Vernon killed off the minor. Just as the penalty expired, the Snakes would get their first look with the man advantage. It took Vernon about a minute to click after Reagan Milburn gave Vernon a 2-0 lead at 12:09 Luke Buss & Talon Zakall collected the helpers. Just over two minutes later, the Vipers went back to the PP. Vernon with pressure, had several good looks but none better then Luke Buss and Reagan Milburn as Evan Fradette with two big stops as Trail kills off the penalty. Just over a minute later, the Snakes went to their third PP of the frame. Ethan David come out behind his goal, trying to play the puck almost lost the puck to a Trail fore checker who come very close to stealing the loose puck, would have had a wide open cage as the Vipers catch a break. The Smokies kill off the minor. It was 2-0 Vernon after 20 minutes of play. The Vipers played a very solid 1st period, were the better team, had the better of the chances and more puck possession/zone time. One thing I have noticed about this Vernon team, is they like to score early to start a hockey game, which they did again tonight. The Snakes had several opportunities could have easily made this a 4 or 5-0 score. The Smoke Eaters jumped on the Vipers off the opening faceoff, had three real quality chances inside the opening minute, couldn't solve Ethan David. Trail didn't have a whole lot of looks or chances. Evan Fradette made a few big stops but was giving out huge rebounds and had troubles fighting the puck at times. Vernon outshot Trail 16-9.

2nd Period: The Vipers couldn't bury the loose puck on a goal mouth scramble inside the opening minute. Trail pushed back and come on strong to start the period. Ridge Dawson with a quality chance two minutes in, couldn't solve Vernon Vipers starting netminder Ethan David. About five minutes later Charlie Strobel on a three on one, decided to keep and shoot but couldn't beat Ethan David blocker side. David was very sharp with the Smokies pressing. Chris Kobelka blocked a Cameron MacDonald shot, went down in discomfort, went straight to the Trail bench, but seemed ok and returned to the game. Just past the halfway mark, the Vipers had troubles clearing the zone. Brady Hunter broke Ethan David's shutout bid, cutting Vernon's lead to 2-1 at 11:05 Joel Barton & Cameron Moger picked up the helpers. Thirty six seconds later, the Smoke Eaters would go offside but the play was undetected and the play continued. Zach Michaelis's shot missed the net, come off the back wall before Brady Hunter put home the loose puck out front, tying the game 2-2 at 11:41 Zach Michaelis with the lone assist as you could hear a pin drop inside Kal Tire Place. This goal should have never counted as Trail was offside but the linesmen obviously missed the call. The Smokies catch a break and we have a tie hockey game. With five minutes remaining Jackson Krill with a very good look/opportunity would be denied by Ethan David. It was 2-2 after 40 minutes of play. Down 2-0 to start the period, you knew Trail was going to come out hungry and they did. It was all Smoke Eaters for most of the 2nd period. I thought Trail was the better of the two teams, had more puck possession, more zone time and had all of the scoring chances. The Snakes saw a lot of action in their own end, weren't the same team as the 1st period. I didn't think Vernon played with the same energy and seemed to be a step behind the Smokies this period. Vernon went several minutes at a time with no shots on goal, didn't get any real good looks or opportunities other then a goalmouth scramble to start the 2nd period. Trail outshot Vernon 15-14.

3rd Period: Just over five minutes in, the Snakes would get an early PP. Vernon with a few looks then had trouble defending the puck in the neutral zone. Luke Buss almost coughed up the puck in front of the penalty box before Reagan Milburn turned over the puck inside the Viper blueline, allowing Quinn Disher in alone, beating Ethan David giving Trail a 3-2 lead at 7:10 their first lead of the night. Brady Hunter collected the assist. Viper fans were getting restless, calling out the team with still time left on the power play. Trail would kill off the remainder of the minor but now had the lead. Fourty three seconds after killing off the penalty, the Smoke Eaters got just their second power play of the evening. A puck come up over the boards, hitting Vipers Head Coach/GM Jason McKee in the head as the coach fell to the ground. Players quickly scrambled out of the way, while both teams trainers attended. McKee walked off on his own, holding a towel somehow returned to the bench a few minutes later. Vernon didn't give up much offensively killed off the remainder of the penalty. Less then a minute later, Cameron MacDonald took a heavy hit along the side wall, looked dazed, heading straight to the Viper bench. MacDonald almost colapsed getting off the ice, went straight to the dressing room but would be ok and return to the game. Just as MacDonald was going off the ice, Nicholas Kent returning to the lineup tonight after an undisclosed injury wired a point shot go that had eyes, found it's way through traffic and into the back of the net on a shot I don't think Trail Smoke Eaters starting goaltender Evan Fradette saw, tying the game 3-3 at 10:43 Matthew Culling drew the lone assist. Shortly after Reagan Milburn beat Evan Fradette but not the far post. With four minutes remaining, Luke Pakulak, gave Vernon a 4-3 lead at 16:00 Nicholas Kent & Ayden Third collected the assists. Off the following faceoff, Ethan David come out of his crease to play the puck and for a second time this evening, come very close to coughing up the puck and costing Vernon a goal. The Snakes then turned up the heat in the final minutes, pressing hard with an aggresive forecheck, not giving Trail a chance to come out of their own end. With the Smokies trying to get Evan Fradette to the bench for the extra attacker, Cameron MacDonald broke in across the blueline as Evan Fradette was making his way to the bench. MacDonald used his speed and skill to score a highlight reel goal, giving Vernon a 5-3 lead at 19:38 sending fans to their feet. MacDonald's goal was unassisted. With a faceoff inside the Vernon zone with 0.7 seconds remaining, Trail won the draw and took a shot at the goal after the final buzzer. This drew an imediate reaction from the Vipers as a melay started with everyone on the ice jumping in. Ethan David quickly got out of the way and made his way to the Viper bench. The officials raced in to break up the mini line brawl. The Smoke Eaters took their time leaving the ice, chirping the Vernon bench on their way off the ice. Vernon would win their second straight after a 5-3 victory. There wasn't a lot of chances at either end of the rink as both teams played and defended very well. Opportunities were hard to come by and it looked like Quinn Disher's shorthanded goal may end up to be the game winner. The Snakes stepped up their play in the second half, scoring three times and then defended very well down the stretch. The Vipers were the better team in the second half, didn't give up much and defended well. I was impressed with Vernon's forecheck, not allowing Trail to get the goaltender out for the extra attacker. Viper fans haven't had much to cheer about, but it was great to see and hear the Viper faithfull give the boys a loud round ovation in the dying seconds of the hockey game. 

Top Player's: Vernon Vipers

Griffen Barr (1 assist) I thought played well on the Viper blueline.

Luke Buss (1 assist) Just his speed opens the ice for his line mates, which creates/generates chances. Played well. Had a few looks/opportunities.

Seiya Tanaka-Campbell I thought played with a ton of jump & energy. Was flying up and down the wing. Didn't get anywhere near the front of the net but was full of energy.

Reagan Milburn (1 goal) Had some looks/opportunities I thought played well other then turning over the puck on Trail's 3rd shorthanded goal. 

Luke Lavery made his Vipers debut tonight, after coming over in a trade with the Merritt Centennials on Tuesday. I thought he played very well for his first game with his new team. This kid has some size and plays hard, forechecks and doesn't take a shift off. I liked his game tonight. 

Cameron MacDonald (2 goals) Was hard to contain, defend against and gave the Smokies defenders trouble all night. MacDonald opened the scoring and finished the scoring with a highlight reel goal. Two big goals was dangerous with the puck. 

Nicholas Kent (1 goal & 1 assist) Returned to the Snakes lineup after being out with an undisclosed injury. What a return for the third year Viper defenceman. Scored the game tying goal and assisted on the game winning goal. Kent seems to always bring his "A" game every night and one of the Vipers most consistent players.

Luke Pakulak (1 goal) I thought played physical, was driving to the net and going to the grey areas. Played hard and competed. Here is a kid I think has great potential and hasn't been playing up to potential this season. Let's get a fire going under him and get him going as Pakualk can be a very good asset/player for the Vipers.

Ethan David (28 saves) Made some big stops, especially in the 2nd period but also got lucky after wandering outside of his crease, come very close to turning over the puck twice. David isn't a strong puck handler and should stay in his crease. 

Game Thought's: Vernon Vipers

The Trail Smoke Eaters and Vernon Vipers met for the first time since the 2019-20 season. These two teams will meet again December 11th in Trail. The Langley Rivermen were suppose to play in Vernon tonight, but due to the roads closed the game was postponed and schedule was changed. For the second straight game the Vipers don't play a full sixty minutes but for a second straight game they play more consistent and played some of their better hockey of the season. Vernon played one heck of a 1st period and were the better team. The Vipers stumbled in the middle frame and were outplayed and outchanced but rebounded in the 3rd, with a strong second half. The Snakes with three goals and a shutdown period in that second half. Other then the 2nd period I was very impressed with what I saw tonight. Vernon has struggled all season with their passing and breaking out of their own end, tonight the passing and break out was much much better. Vernon has also struggled scoring goals this season but has now scored ten goals in back to back games. The Vipers played with a ton of jump & energy and the bench was full of energy as well. For whatever reason the Vipers looked and played like a different team for a second night in a row. The Vipers played more as a team and looked more engaged in the game. Is it the recent trades? New vibe in the dressing room? New attitude? Did the players traded out of town, maybe were the problem? Whatever it is, for the first time this season I can actually say I seen some improvement. It may not have been much but it's a start. You have to think the kids confidence was at a super low up until these two back to back wins. Before Wednesday's win over West Kelowna, the Vipers had one win in thirteen games. That's not good or healthy for the kids confidence. I know it's only two wins but it's a start and you have to start somewhere. Viper fans haven't had much to cheer about this year, so it was great to hear the crowd roar in the final minute and dying seconds saluting the Vipers on their hard work and victory. For the first time since October 24th the Snakes have won back to back games. Who ever is in charge of the music, please stop playing the same songs you have been playing for the past ten years. It's 2021 there is no excuse why the Vipers are playing the same crappy music every game and year after year. Change it up! The Vipers five game home stand continues tomorrow when the Cranbrook Bucks make their first ever visit to Kal Tire Place. With the win Vernon improves to 6-9-3-2 Vernon sits 7th in the Interior Conference.

Top Player's: Trail Smoke Eaters

Brady Hunter (2 goals & 1 assist) Was one of the more consistent forwards and dangerous Smokies. Two goals in thirty six seconds tied the game for Trail in the 2nd period. 

Quinn Disher (1 goal) I thought played well, had a few looks/opportunities.

Evan Fradette (35 saves) Made some big stops in the 1st period, with the Vipers pressing but had troubles fighting the puck, giving out huge rebounds all night.

Game Thought's: Trail Smoke Eaters

The Smoke Eaters had the early jump off the opening faceoff, getting three very good looks/chances. Trail couldn't capitalize before giving up the games first goal minutes later. Trail played their best hockey in the 2nd period. Down 2-0 stormed back with two quick back to back goals thirty six seconds apart to tie the game. The Smoke Eaters took their first lead of the contest in the 3rd after scoring shorthanded. At the time, I thought this could be the game winner. Instead the Smoke Eaters allow Vernon back in the game as the Snakes score three in the final period to come away with the win. I didn't think Trail generated or created enough chances in the 1st and 3rd periods. The Smokies had the better of their opportunities in the 2nd period. It didn't look like to me anyways that Trail had a whole lot of skilled players, instead a hard working team that had to play hard, compete and earn their goals the hard way. Unless your goaltender stands on his head, your not going to win many games giving up fourty shots and expect to win. After coming back from down 2-0 to take a 3-2 lead in the 3rd, this was Trail's game to hang onto and win but instead they blew it. The Smoke Eaters have lost three of their last five games but won eight of their last twelve games. With the win Trail falls to 10-7-1-0 sit 5th in the Interior Conference. 

Scratches:

Vernon Vipers:

Liam Cavan
Tyler Chan 
Zach Tonelli (Injured)

Trail Smoke Eaters:

Ethan Warrener
Ethan Willloughby
Christian Lowe
Adam Parsons
Cayden Hamming (Injured)

Three Star's:

1st Star: Cameron MacDonald (2 goals)
2nd Star: Brady Hunter (2 goals & 1 assist)
3rd Star: Nicholas Kent (1 goal & 1 assist)

Energy Player of the Game:

Luke Pakulak (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 tastefull.

Here are some pictures I took before and during tonight's Vipers-Smoke Eaters game,