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 Junior hockey in Vernon since it started in 1961. I have two family memebers 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 hockey game. You may agree or disagree with me 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 Vernon defeated West Kelowna 5-1 in front of 1,079 fans at Kal Tire Place.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon Vipers: Roan Clarke
West Kelowna Warriors: Johnny Derrick
1st Period: Just fifty three seconds into the hockey game, newly acquired defenceman Talon Zakall with a long lead pass setup a nice passing play leading to the Vipers opening the scoring. Ryan Shostak setup Luke Buss, giving Vernon an early 1-0 lead at 0:53 Ryan Shotak with the lone assist. I thought Talon Zakall deserved an assist on the goal but didn't. Just over six minutes in, the Snakes with some pressure in the offensive zone, moved the puck around before Liam Cavan jumped into the play, somehow missed a wide open net as the puck went through the crease and just past the far goal post on a missed opportunity. About a minute later Kjell Kjemhus returned to the Viper lineup after being out for a lengthy period of time with an undisclosed injury would be denied on a very good chance in close. On the following play, West Kelowna would get the games first power play. Roan Clarke had to be sharp, was forced to make a glove save and then stop "AP" Jackson Hardy in close as the Warriors with two quality chances on the PP but unable to capitalize as Vernon kills off the minor. With about eight minutes left, the Snakes sent Kjell Kjemhus in for the breakaway but be denied by Johnny Derrick. With about six minutes remaining, the Vipers would get a late PP. Charles Alexis-Legault blocked a shot and struggled to get up was suppose to be the player taking the penalty but clearly couldn't play, went straight to the Warriors dressing room and didn't return. Vernon struggled as the Warriors killed off the penalty. It was 1-0 Vernon after 20 minutes of play. I thought this was a very good-entertaining opening frame. Both teams went back and fourth. The Tribe had a bit more edge in play at times, while the Snakes had a bit more edge in play at times. I thought the Vipers had the better of the scoring chances. West Kelowna outshot Vernon 12-8.
2nd Period: The Warriors had the early edge in play and pressure in the Vernon zone. Two and a half minutes into the 2nd period, Tyson Jugnauth with a shot from inside the blueline forced Vernon Vipers starting netminder Roan Clarke into making a tough save with traffic in front. West Kelowna was all over Vernon for most of the first half. Just before the halfway point, Seiya Tanaka-Campbell would be denied on an odd man rush after some nice three way passing from the Snakes. This was Vernon's first shot of the period. On the following play, Reagan Milburn got behind the defence would be stopped in close on a partial breakaway. On the next play, Jack Glen got behind the Tribe's defence and beat former Vernon Vipers goaltender Johnny Derrick fivehole, giving Vernon a 2-0 lead at 11:15 Griffen Barr & Liam Cavan drew the helpers. Thirty one seconds later, Luke Pakulak setup Matthew Culling, giving Vernon a 3-0 lead at 11:46 Luke Pakulak and Griffen Barr collected the assists. On the next shift, the Warriors would get a power play. The Snakes with a very good PK would kill off the minor. Just over a minute later, Vernon would get a man advantage, get a few looks but WK killed off the penalty. Just over a minute later, Johnny Derrick made the save off Luke Buss as the rebound come out front to Reagan Milburn, giving Vernon a 4-0 lead at 18:21 Luke Buss & Ryan Shostak picked up the helpers. Inside the final minute, Carter Schmidt with a quick shot from the circle, forced Roan Clarke into flashing the leather with a quick glove save. It was 4-0 Vernon after 40 minutes of play. It was all Warriors to start the middle frame, as West Kelowna outplayed and outworked Vernon most of the first half. Give the Vipers a little credit as they didn't give up a lot of shots or quality chances in the first half, limiting the Tribe's opportunities. Instead the Vipers need nine minutes to get their first shot on goal, scoring three goals in the final nine minutes of the period. Vernon was the better team in the second half, capitalizing on their opportunities. I think if the Warriors get a goal or two in the first half, this may have been a different game, instead the Snakes hold off WK before blowing the game open in the second half. For a team that has struggled scoring this season, this was a big period. Vernon outshot West Kelowna 12-7.
3rd Period: Fourty seven seconds into the final frame, West Kelowna jumps on an early PP. Tyson Jugnauth with a shot through traffic, gets the Warriors on the scoreboard, cutting Vernon's lead to 4-1 at 1:21 Marcus Joughin and Elan Bar-Lev-Wise pick up the assists. Fourty seven seconds later, Reagan Milburn setup Ryan Shostak, giving Vernon a commanding 5-1 lead at 2:08 Reagan Milburn with the lone assist. The Tribe stormed right back with a good push back shift, had a ton of pressure, couldn't solve Roan Clarke. Shortly after with a one sided score the play slowed down as both teams were just skating with no real flow or action going on. With about eight minutes left, Alexi Van Houtte Cachero with a good look at the top of the crease, couldn't beat Roan Clarke. Minutes later, Alexi Van Houtte Cachero with another quality chance in close was stopped again. Roan Clarke was solid between the pipes for the Snakes. With about three and a half minutes remaining, the Vipers fired a puck towards the goal, before storming the crease as Johnny Derrick was pushed way back into the net but managed to keep the puck out wityh bodies driving hard to the front of the goal. Roan Clarke made a few stops towards the end of the period, as Vernon picked up their first victory since November 10th and only their second win in their last fourteen games with a 5-1 win over West Kelowna. After watching the Penticton Vees score four goals in the 3rd period on Saturday, once WK scored an early PP goal to start the 3rd I thought oh no, here we go again. But Ryan Shostak was quick to end any kind of a comeback with a fifth Vernon goal fourty seven seconds later, to basically put the game away. With the score one sided, this wasn't much of a period. The Warriors pressed early to start the period but shortly after the Snakes fifth goal, there wasn't a lot of action on both sides. Give West Kelowna credit, they didn't fold the tents and still managed to create/generate some very good chances. The Vipers basically hung on to a four goal lead and got some big saves from Roan Clarke or West Kelowna could have easily made a game of it, if some of these shots go in. West Kelowna outshot Vernon 13-8.
Top Player's: Vernon Vipers
Talon Zakall Made his Vipers debut after being traded from Merritt on Tuesday. This veteran d-man made an impact and is by far Vernon's best defenceman along with Nicholas Kent. Zakall makes that first pass from his own end and plays the game the right way. Zakall reads and sees the ice very well, played very well at both ends of the rink. Talon's father David played one game with the 1988-89 Vernon Lakers also played for the Kelowna Spartans and Merritt Centennials.
Luke Buss (1 goal & 1 assist) This kid comes to play every night and plays hard. You never see Luke take a shift off. By far the Vipers most skilled player. Is quick on his feet, has some soft hands and dangerous with the puck. Played very well in the win this evening.
Kjell Kjemhus Returned to the Snakes lineup after being out since November 1st with an undisclosed injury. Kjemhus was injured in a game October 31st in Cowichan. I thought played very well and was involved in the play early. Kjemhus with a breakaway had two very good opportunities in the 1st period, played with a ton of jump/energy.
Reagan Milburn (1 goal & 1 assist) Another forward who comes to play every night, works hard, gets loads of chances, played well tonight, collecting two points.
Ryan Shostak (1 goal & 2 assists) Played a heck of a game picking up three points. Really used his speed and skill to create/generate opportunities.
Roan Clarke (31 saves) Was solid between the pipes. West Kelowna had several looks/chances in the 2nd period with the Vipers ahead 1-0 but couldn't solve Clarke. Was very good positionally and didn't give up any second or third opportunities.
Game Thought's: Vernon Vipers
I really liked Vernon's 1st period. I thought the Snakes held their own vs West Kelowna and had the better of the chances. The Vipers missed a wide open net could have easily been up by two or three goals after one period. The 2nd period the Snakes were outplayed and outworked early and often and saw a lot of action in their own end for the first half of the 2nd period. Roan Clarke had to be good to keep Vernon in the game. The Vipers need nine minutes to get their first shot of the middle frame, end up scoring the next three goals to blow the score open and get some breathing room, play a much better second half and were the better team in the second half. How big were those three goals? The Vipers have had troubles scoring all season and if they don't get those three goals, the Tribe score early in the 3rd on the PP would have tied the game at 1-1 and who knows how the game would have finished. Even though the Vipers were outplayed for the first half of the 2nd period, Vernon did manage to limit the Warriors shots and opportunities. Instead the Vipers gain some confidence and a little momeuntum heading into the 3rd. The Vipers gave up some opportunities in the 3rd but Roan Clarke was very good in goal. Even though the Snakes had a 5-1 lead in the 3rd, with the way they have been playing this season, if West Kelowna gets another early goal or two in the first half, were now in for a wild finish and the Vipers didn't want that. This was a huge win for a fraigile and struggling team that has gotten off to a very bad start to the season. Remember the Vipers went 1-5 during the preseason and before tonight only had four wins to start the regular season, their worst start in the past thirty five years. I'm sure the teams confidence has been very low this season and fans are unhappy with not only the performance but the product on the ice. So tonight's win hopefully will go a long way. Let's be honest, even though the Vipers won 5-1 they by no means played a solid sixty minutes. This team still can't pass, has a very poor power play and penalty kill. Players shifts are way too long and you have a 20 yr old forward who has three points still on the team. Vernon played well at times but also still needs to improve. Max Borovinskiy made his Vipers debut after coming over in a trade with Prince George on Monday. The former Spruce King was limited with ice time, wasn't very noticable. The Vipers have struggled scoring this season, so to get five goals tonight is a huge plus and confidence builder. A pretty small crowd on hand for tonight. Lot's of upset Viper fans with the team, the owners and coach. The Vipers snapped a six game losing streak, have two wins in their last fourteen games. Only Wenatchee, Cowichan and Merritt have fewer wins then the Vipers. With the win Vernon improves to 5-9-3-2 are 7th in the Interior Conference.
Top Player's: West Kelowna Warriors
Tyson Jugnauth (1 goal) Scored the lone Warriors goal on a 3rd period power play. I thought was one of the more effective players for West Kelowna this evening.
Damon Jugnauth Played with a ton of speed and jump, was buzzing up and down the wing, played and looked very good for the visiting West Kelowna Warriors.
Game Thought's: West Kelowna Warriors
I thought the Warriors played well for most of the night but it was the second half of the 2nd period that cost WK the hockey game. Down 1-0 but clearly outplaying Vernon for most of the 2nd period, give up three 2nd period goals all in the second half, falling behind 4-0 and a tough hill to climb heading into the 3rd period. I thought something was lacking from the Tribe. The Warriors looked and played well but just didn't get a lot of quality chances. West Kelowna had some looks and opportunities but not an alarming grade a chances. The Warriors didn't capitalize on their opportunities. I didn't think the Tribe's offensive/skilled players stood out tonight. West Kelowna was dealing with some injuries and suspensions. Did the Warriors look at the standings and think they had the game won before the game started? The Tribe outplayed and outworked Vernon for the first half of the middle frame. If the Warriors score a goal or two, this may change the game and maybe the outcome. Instead West Kelowna doesn't score and gives up three 2nd period goals and the game is now one sided heading into the 3rd. Roan Clarke was solid between the pipes as the Warriors didn't have an answer. You can bet Simon Ferguson (Warriors Head Coach/GM) won't be happy or pleased with his team/loss. When you look at the schedule/standings it's not hard to think, were playing a Vernon team that has four wins all season and one win in thirteen games, easy two points right? Wrong! The Warriors beat Vernon 5-1 in West Kelowna November 13th as the season series is tied 1-1. The Warriors return to Vernon December 11th. The Warriors have lost two straight and three of their last five & four of their last six games. With the loss West Kelowna falls to 13-6-0-0 sit 3rd in the Interior Conference.
Scratches:
Vernon Vipers:
Luke Lavery
Nicholas Kent (Injured)
Zach Tonelli (Injured)
West Kelowna Warriors:
Brennan Nelson
Nick Roukounakis
Chase Dafoe (Suspended)
Tyler Cristall (Suspended)
Three Star's:
1st Star: Ryan Shostak (1 goal & 2 assists)
2nd Star: Roan Clarke (31 saves)
3rd Star: Luke Buss (1 goal & 1 assist)
Energy Player of the Game:
Kjell Kjemhus
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 photo's I took before and during tonight's Vipers-Warriors game.
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