West Kelowna 4 Vernon 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 have 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 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 follow 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 professinal 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 4-3 in front of 1,505 fans at Kal Tire Place.

Starting Goaltenders:

Vernon Vipers: Roan Clarke
West Kelowna Warriors: Justin Katz

1st Period: The Warriors jumped on the hometown Vipers early. West Kelowna had the early jump and pressure on the Snakes. Vernon needed four and a half minutes to record their first shot on goal. On the following shift, Luke Ashton's point shot would be stopped by Justin Katz who couldn't control the rebound with traffic going to the front of the crease on a missed opportunity for the Vipers. On the next play, Roan Clarke would be forced to make a pad stop from a shot from the blueline before Damon Jugnauth with a quality chance at the side of the goal, would be denied by Roan Clarke. Two big back to back stops from the Snakes netminder. Chances at both ends of the rink. On the following play Reagan Milburn delivered a check from behind in front of the Warriors bench. On a delayed penalty, the Tribe kept the play alive, allowing Felix Trudeau to be stopped before Alexi Van Houtte Cachero buried the rebound in front, giving West Kelowna an early 1-0 lead ay 6:40 Felix Trudeau & Nick Ardanaz collected the assists. Reagan Milburn was lucky he was only going to get two minutes and not get tossed from the hockey game. WK was outshooting Vernon 8-1 at this point and in full control of the hockey game. With about six and a half minutes left in the opening frame, former Viper forward Elan Bar-Lev-Wise with a shot from the goal line, come very close to banking his shot in and off Roan Clarke. Clarke had to be alert to make a quick reaction save. On the following play, on a delayed Warriors penalty, a shot from well out would be redircted on it's way to the goal by Reagan Milburn who would be robbed by the quick glove of Justin Katz who flashed the leather, keeping the Vipers off the scoreboard. Vernon would get the games first power play, but fourteen seconds into the man advantage, Liam Cavan would check Brennan Nelson into the side wall. Cavan would get two minutes for boarding and a game misconduct, eliminating the PP and sending both teams to four on four. Nelson was down for a few minutes, needed help from the trainer seemed to be ok, staying in the hockey game. The Tribe would end up with a very short PP with only seconds remaining as Vernon would kill off the final few seconds. It was 1-0 West Kelowna after 20 minutes of play. The Warriors were by far the better team. WK carried a lot of the play, had more puck possession, zone time and outskated and outworked Vernon. The Warrior's didn't get a lot of quality chances, did get a few good looks also played well defensively, blocked several shots. The Snakes looked flat, were outplayed and outworked for at least the first half, were outshot 8-1 seven minutes into the hockey game. The Vipers couldn't make a pass, couldn't gain any pressure or get any traction going, getting very few to little opportunities. The Snakes couldn't get their legs going, were a few steps behind the Tribe. West Kelowna outshot Vernon 14-9.

2nd Period: On what looked to be offside, the play continued allowing Marcus Joughin to setup Tyler Cristal who beat Roan Clarke, giving West Kelowna an early 2-0 lead at 1:17 Marcus Joughin and John Evans drew the helpers. Two minutes later, the Snakes would get an early power play but struggled. Shorthanded the Warriors broke in on an odd man rush, as Charles Alexis-Legault drove hard towards the front of the goal, redirected a pass forcing Roan Clarke to make a big stop, keeping this a two goal game. Vernon had all kinds of trouble gaining tranction and momentum on the PP as WK kept the Vipers to the outside as Vernon with just one shot late in the dying seconds of the man advantage, as the Warriors killed off the penalty. Just before the midway mark, the Vipers would get their first scoring chance of the middle frame. A shot coming across the blueline,  would be redirected through the high slot just missing the far corner. Warriors forward/captain Elan Bar-Lev-Wise come back the other way, beat Vernon Vipers starting goaltender Roan Clarke but not the post as West Kelowna come very close to taking a three goal lead. Just past the halfway mark, Reagan Milburn rang a shot off the bar from in close, before Ryan Shostak buried the rebound, cutting West Kelowna's lead to 2-1 at 12:49 Reagan Milburn with the lone assist. Two minutes later, the Tribe would jump on their first (full) power play. Elan Bar-Lev-Wise with a high shot from the circle, clipped Roan Clarke in the mask, as the Viper netminder had to shake it off and gather his thought's to smother the rebound. Former Viper defenceman Nick Ardanaz went to pass the puck back towards his goaltender, but Justin Katz wasn't expecting the pass, had to be alert come very close to letting that one slip through his legs. WK had a few looks as Vernon killed off the minor. With about three minutes minutes remaining, the Vipers turned over the puck deep behind their net, allowing Tyler Cristall to spot John Evans, giving West Kelowna a late 3-1 lead at 18:22 Tyler Cristall with the lone helper. This was a costly turnover and tough goal to give up towards the end of a period when you were already down a goal. Instead of heading to the dressing room down 2-1 now your down 3-1 with twenty minutes left. The Snakes would get a late PP to end the period. With only ten seconds remaining, the buzzer sounded. It was 3-1 West Kelowna after 40 minutes of play. West Kelowna was the better team and for a second straight period outworked and outplayed the Vipers for a lot of the period. The Warriors didn't get a lot of scoring chances, but capitalized on some mistakes and their opportunities. WK didn't give up much, were solid defensively for a second straight period. Vernon was a few steps behind the play, didn't have much jump/energy, couldn't gain any traction or momentum, had very litttle pressure in the offensive zone, had troubles generating opportunities. The Vipers didn't look or play very well this period. Instead of heading to the 3rd down a goal, the Vipers with a costly turnover, give up a late goal, to put themselfs down two goals after fourty minutes. West Kelowna outshot Vernon 10-9.

3rd Period: Vernon started the period on the man advantage, that was carried over from the 2nd period. The Snakes PP that has struggled all season, clicked early into the period. Luke Pakulak setup a wide open Cameron MacDonald who hit the open cage, cutting West Kelowna's lead to 3-2 at 1:13 Luke Pakulak & Luke Lavery drew the helpers. A big goal early, got the Vipers bench back into the game, also got the crowd back into the game and brought some life back into the building. The Vipers slowly ramped up the physical game, got their legs back and going and took it to the Warriors early. With Vernon pouring on the pressure, Luke Ashton's point shot would be stopped before Luke Pakulak buried the rebound, high over West Kelowna Warriors starting netminder Justin Katz, tying the game 3-3 at 3:06 sending the Viper faithful into a frenzy. Luke Ashton and Tyler Chan picked up the assists. The Warriors with a push back shift off the following faceoff, almost re-took the lead after Roan Clarke was caught way out of his crease, somehow the Tribe missed an open cage on a close call as Vernon catches a huge break. Just before the halfway mark, Elan Bar-Lev-Wise with a good look/opportunity would be denied in close on a big stop by Roan Clarke. Just past the midway mark, the Warriors would get the lone power play of the 3rd period. Marcus Joughin with the best look/opportunity beat Roan Clarke but not the post in the dying seconds of the PP as Vernon kills off the minor. Shortly after with the Tribe pressing, John Evans would be stopped in close, before Marcus Joughin buried the rebound, giving West Kelowna a 4-3 lead at 12:56 as the West Kelowna bench was up and making some noise. John Evans and Pat Lawn collected the assists. With about four minutes remaining, Warriors bench boss Simon Ferguson called his timeout, while Vipers Head Coach/GM Jason McKee used his timeout shortly after. The Snakes would get Roan Clarke to the bench for the extra attacker with about two minutes remaining. Vernon would get good zone time and pressure but the Tribe had the Vipers, pinned against the wall, taking valuable time off the clock. The Vipers had trouble generating opportunities as the Warriors with a solid defensive effort late in the hockey game. West Kelowna would eventually clear the zone and get the puck deep in the dying seconds, had one look at the open cage but couldn't get the puck past Luke Ashton as the Warriors hung on for the 4-3 victory. The Snakes were the better team and played their best period of the evening. Vernon capitalized on an early power play to get within a goal, seemed to get their legs going and played a physical period, had lots of jump/energy. The Vipers only problem was they were very limited to chances in the second half, and didn't get any real grade "A" chances after tying the hockey game. The Warriors gave up two early goals, allowed Vernon back in the hockey game, but played very well defensively. WK blocked several key shots late in the game, kept the Vipers forwards to the outside, closing the shooting lanes. This was a very exciting and entertaining 3rd period. Vernon outshot West Kelowna 15-8.

Top Player's: Vernon Vipers

Reagan Milburn (1 assist) I thought had some speed, had a few looks played ok for most of the contest.

Luke Pakulak (1 goal & 1 assist) Was the Snakes best player. Played a physical game, was hard in on pucks, battled/competed every shift. Luke has really come on as of late and starting to play with some confidence. Had a strong game in the loss in Trail on Friday night.

Roan Clarke (28 saves) Played well for three periods, made some key stops in the first two periods with the Warriors pressing. 

Game Thought's: Vernon Vipers

The Vipers were outplayed, outworked and outscored in the first two periods, looked flat, didn't have their legs, had no jump/or energy were a step or two behind West Kelowna in the first two periods. The Snakes had troubles gaining any kind of traction, didn't get any zone time or pressure, had troubles generating offence, didn't look or play very well in the 1st and 2nd periods. Vernon played a very hard fought game in Trail last night, didn't get home until the wee hours of the morning and I think it showed at the start of the game. West Kelowna played the last place Merritt Centennials at home, didn't show the affects of bus legs. The Vipers got their legs going and played with a ton of jump/energy in the 3rd, managed to score two quick goals in the first three minutes, were the better team in the final frame. The Vipers just couldn't generate much offence after tying the hockey game early in the 3rd. The Warriors blocked several shots and limited Vernon's opportunities. A costly turnover resulting in a goal late in the 2nd period was a killer. Instead of going into the 3rd down a goal, now your down two. For a team that has had troubles scoring all season, this is not a good situation. The Vipers often have fallen behind two or three goals and have had to try and fight back just don't have the team to make a big comeback especially vs the top teams. The Vipers continue to struggle to make a pass, the power play continue's to struggle and consistancy has also been a major problem with this years team. I have to question why a 20 yr old with one goal on the season, is not only on the power play but getting ice time late in a game when your down a goal? when guys like Luke Buss or Cameron MacDonald are on the bench. I'm very disapointed with the Vipers this year. After playing well and doing well in the pod season last year and 17 players returning for this season, I had much higher expectations. A very very dismal and disapointing season. Were a week away from the Christmas break and the Vipers have only six wins on the season and only three wins in their last eighteen games. At this rate the Vipers will be lucky to win fifteen games this year. Is this not a Vancouver Canucks situation going on here with the coach? At some point you need to start putting together wins and this team is clearly not getting the job done. Looking at the overall standings, the Vipers are 14th out of 18 teams, How long do you continue to go with this coaching staff? Is it time for a coaching change? Viper fans are starting to get restless with this team. With the loss Vernon falls to 6-11-3-3 and remain 7th in the Interior Conference. Only Merritt and Wenatchee have fewer wins then Vernon. I can't ever recall a Vernon team with only six wins at this time of the season.

Overall League Standings:

1 Penticton
2 Salmon Arm
3 Langley
4 West Kelowna
5 Nanaimo
6 Prince George
7 Alberni Valley 
8 Trail
9 Surrey
10 Victoria
11 Cranbrook
12 Chilliwack
13 Powell River
14 Vernon
15 Coquitlam
16 Cowichan
17 Wenatchee
18 Merritt 

Top Player's: West Kelowna Warriors

Charles Alexis- Legault Played very well on WK's blueline. 

Nick Ardanaz (1 assist) The former Vipers defenceman played a solid game on the Warriors backend. 

Marcus Joughin (1 goal & 1 assist) Was involved in the play, had some looks/chances, competes hard.

John Evans (1 goal & 2 assists) This kid always seems to play well against the Snakes. With a three point night, looked very good in the win. Has some wheels, is shifty and always involved in the play. Has some skill and a nice shot. Hard to defend and play against.

Chase Dafoe Didn't do much offensively but rather played with an edge, was in the face of several Vernon players tonight. Got under the skin of some of the opponents.

Tyler Cristall (1 goal & 1 assist) Is another Warriors forward who seems to play well against the Vipers. Played well and looked good tonight.

Elan Bar-Lev-Wise Didn't get a point against his former team but not for the lack of trying. I thought Bar-Lev-Wise looked very good. Was one of the more dangerous forwards this evening. Had several good looks/quality chances. 

Game Thought's: West Kelowna Warriors

The Warriors jumped on Vernon early and often and were by far the better team in the 1st and 2nd periods. West Kelowna carried a lot of the play in the first two periods, had more puck possession, zone time, shots on goal and played with a lot more jump/energy. The Tribe had a step or two up on a Vernon team that travelled from Trail Friday night. The Warriors didn't get a ton of opportunities in the first two periods, but did have more control of the hockey game. West Kelowna scored on their chances and took advantage of some mistakes/turnovers from the Snakes. WK blew an early 3-1 3rd period lead, managed to re-gain their composure and score the game winner with about seven minutes left. The old saying goes, They bent but didn't break. Give WK some credit for playing very well defensively, blocked a lot of shots in the 1st and 3rd periods. Kept the Vipers to the outside and limited their chances through out the game. Vernon didn't generate a lot of opportunities as Justin Katz wasn't tested often. This team is quick, has a good transition game and can move the puck. Have some skilled forwards along with some size and grit. This is a very well rounded team. The Warriors are 3-2 vs Vernon this year (preseason & regular season) are 2-1 vs Vernon during the regular season. These two teams will meet again March 9th in Vernon. West Kelowna has won back to back games, has lost three of their last five and lost six of their last ten games. With the win West Kelowna improves to 15-8-0-0 and sit 3rd in the Interior Conference. 

Scratches:

Vernon Vipers:

Seiya Tanaka-Campbell
JoJo Tanaka-Campbell (Injured)
Zach Tonelli (Injured)

West Kelowna Warriors:

Tyler Rubin
Carter Schmidt
Nick Roukounakis
Tyson Jugnauth
Riley Sharun

Three Star's:

1st Star: John Evans (1 goal & 2 assists)
2nd Star: Luke Pakulak (1 goal & 1 assist)
3rd Star: Tyler Cristall (1 goal & 1 assist)

Energy Player of the Game:

Luke Buss

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