vipersdiehardfan blog: Cranbrook 3 Vernon 2

I was born and raised in Vernon, BC and been watching/following Junior hockey in Vernon my whole 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 that 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 do this blog as a hobby and 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. 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-Bucks game as Cranbrook defeated Vernon 3-2 in front of 1,500 fans at Kal Tire Place. Due to COVID-19 and restrictions, only 50% capacity allowed.

Starting Goaltenders:

Vernon Vipers: Roan Clarke
Cranbrook Bucks: Nathan Airey

1st Period: Three minutes into the contest, Copeland Fricker with a good low shot from the slot, forced Nathan Airey into making a quick right pad save on a quality chance early into the hockey game. About a minute later, a shot from the point, got through traffic and again forcing Nathan Airey into making a quick reaction save with the pad. Two good looks/chances for Vernon early. Just over three minutes later, Talon Zakall turned over the puck at the blueline, allowing Kellan Hjartarson in for the breakaway, beating Roan Clarke five home, giving Cranbrook a 1-0 lead at 7:24 Hjartarson's goal was unassisted. Just over nine minutes later, the Bucks went on the first power play of the evening. Cranbrook with some pressure didn't really generate much until towards the end of the man advantage. With about twenty nine seconds left in the PP, Tyson Dyck missed an open cage as the Vipers killed off the minor. Just past the halfway mark, Luke Lavery with a quick shot along the ice, couldn't solve Nathan Airey. With about 1:13 remaining, Johnny Johnson with a shot from inside the faceoff dot, would be denied by Roan Clarke on a late opportunity by the Bucks. It was 1-0 Cranbrook after 20 minutes of play. I thought both teams played well, the Bucks carried the better of the play at times, had more pressure in the offensive zone and more puck possession. The Vipers gave up the games first goal, on a turnover but had the better chances. Nathan Airey was forced to make some key stops. Shots were 10-10.

2nd Period: The Vipers with a strong start to the middle frame, were attacking from all angles early and often. Vernon had several good looks but couldn't hit the net. The Snakes had four or five real good looks early but missed the goal. About seven minutes into the period, a Viper player was either crosschecked or hit from behind in the corner. With no call on the ice, several Vipers stood up for their team mates as several players started pushing and shoving before a scrum evolved. Almost everyone on the ice except the goaltenders were involved before the officials were forced to break up the melay. After a lengthy delay, the Vipers come out with the power play, their first of the evening. Vernon struggled with the man advantage, didn't record a shot on goal as the visiting Cranbrook Bucks killed off the minor. The Vipers actually needed ten and a half minutes to record their first shot of the 2nd period. On the following play, Luke Lavery with a good shift, looked to have Cranbrook Bucks starting goaltender Nathan Airey beat but hit the crossbar as the Snakes come very close to tying the hockey game. Shortly after the Bucks would get their second PP of the game. Towards the end of the power play, Andrew King with two real good looks/chances couldn't beat Vernon Vipers starting netminder Roan Clarke. The Snakes with a good PK got some big saves from Roan Clarke, killing off the penalty. About a minute and a half later, Griffen Barr's shot would be stopped by Nathan Airey as the rebound went in and off a Cranbrook defender at the top of the crease, tying the game 1-1 at 16:26 Nicholas Kent drew the lone helper. About a minute or so later, JoJo Tanaka-Campbell lead a three on two rush, couldn't solve Nathan Airey. The Bucks quickly turned the puck back up ice, almost sending one forward in for the breakaway. The Cranbrook forward waited for a second player to join the rush but Talon Zakall with a strong defensive play, broke up the Bucks odd man rush. It was 1-1 after 40 minutes of play. I thought the Snakes were the better team. Vernon come out start and played with a ton of jump, were all over the Bucks early. The Vipers with a handful of good looks in the opening minutes, couldn't hit the goal. The Snakes needed ten and a half minutes to record their first shot of the period but carried the play and had a lot of the play in the offensive zone. Vernon's problem was having troubles getting pucks to the net as the Vipers were trying for the pretty plays, instead of getting pucks on goal. Cranbrook outshot Vernon 10-6.

3rd Period: The Vipers had some early looks but once again couldn't hit the net. Both teams didn't really generate a lot of offensive opportunities until Talon Zakall turned over the puck, that allowed Andrew King to spot Tyson Dyck in front, giving Cranbrook a 2-1 lead at 9:55 with a pile of bodies in and around the front of Roan Clarke. Andrew King & Noah Quinn picked up the assists. This was Talon Zakall's second turnover of the night, both ending up in the back of the net. 1:19 later just after the nedia timeout, the Vipers lose a puck battle along the wall, Jaden Fodchuk's shot is stopped by Roan Clarke before Kellan Hjartarson buries the rebound in front, giving Cranbrook a 3-1 lead at 11:14 Jaden Fodchcuk collected the assist. Two quick back to back goals by the Bucks, gives them a two goal lead. Shortly after the Snakes spot forward/captain JoJo Tanaka-Campbell in front, Tanaka-Campbell gets two cracks at the top of the crease but can't beat Nathan Airey who makes two large saves. Shortly after Reagan Milburn who wasn't having a great night, hit's Declan Ride from behind into the end boards, sending the Bucks to a late PP. Declan Ride would be in discomfort, made his way to the dressing room and didn't return. Cranbrook with some looks, couldn't solve Roan Clarke as Vernon kills off the minor but only has two minutes to play with and down two goals. The Vipers, quickly get Roan Clarke to the bench for the extra attacker with 1:50 remaining. Nathan Airey makes big stops with a minute left, keeping this a two goal game. The Snakes press hard in the final minute have trouble getting bodies open before JoJo Tanaka-Campbell hits the open cage at 19:53 cutting Cranbrook's lead to 3-2. Nicholas Kent with the lone assist. The Bucks win the draw and take a shot from centre ice at the open cage but just miss the open cage with seconds remaining as Cranbrook holds on to the 3-2 victory. The first half the Vipers had a bit of an edge in play, but were having troubles hitting the net. Two quick back to back goals by the Bucks seemed to take the wind out of the sail of the Snakes and Cranbrook really stepped up the defensive play and had a bit of an edge in play in the second half, playing with a two goal lead. Cranbrook outshot Vernon 11-8.

Top Player's: Vernon Vipers

Seiya Tanaka-Campbell I thought played with a lot of jump & energy, had some looks, was ingaged in the play. Was hard to contain and defend against.

Luke Lavery I thought played well at times, had a strong game Friday in the win over the Bucks.

Nicholas Kent (2 assists) Is always consistent and seems to have a good game on most night's. Picked up two helpers and played well in the loss tonight.

Copeland Fricker I really like this kid. What a great addition at the BCHL trade deadline. Doesn't pick up many points or gets a ton of opportunities but plays hard, always has his feet moving, makes plays happen, gets the puck up ice and creates lots of open ice with his speed. Played with a ton of jump/energy.

Anthony Cliche I thought played well at times, another good pickup just days before the BCHL trade deadline.

Roan Clarke (28 saves) Has played a ton of hockey as of late and seeing a ton of rubber. Played very well.

Game Thought's: Vernon Vipers

I thought the Vipers played very well for a team playing their third game in four days and fifth game in nine days, not including missing Cameron MacDonald, Ryan Shostak, Luke Pakulak and Luke Buss. The Snakes played and battled hard, never quit. Talon Zakall with two turnovers, that both ended up in the back of the net was the difference. Reagan Milburn and Talon Zakall both struggled and looked out of sorts tonight. The Vipers had troubles hitting the net tonight, missing on several missed opportunities. In the first two periods, Vernon seemed to try and make the perfect pass or play, instead of getting pucks to the net, looking for rebounds. I thought the Vipers needed to fire more pucks on goal, look for rebounds, drive hard to the net, make life a little more difficult for Nathan Airey. I really liked the Vipers game in the 1st and 2nd periods. The Snakes played with a lot more discipline tonight and had another strong penalty kill. Listening to the post game show on the drive home, Graham Turnbull said the Vipers lost a defenceman after the 1st period. Was it Luke Ashton? I don't remember seeing him out there much tonight. Two big crowds this weekend with several Bucks fans in attendance. The Vipers with a quick turn around, host the Wesnatchee Wild on Tuesday in the first of three straight games vs the Wild. This has been a very weird schedule this season. Cranbrook just finished playing Vernon four straight games, while the Vipers have played Cranbrook in four out of their last five games, now play Wenatchee for three straight. The Snakes will play three games vs Wenatchee in four days. The Vipers have won eleven of their last fifteen games, are playing their best hockey of the season. With the loss, Vernon falls to 17-15-4-3 fall to 6th place in the Interior Conference are six points up on Trail and three points back of Cranbrook.

Top Player's: Cranbrook Bucks

Tyson Dyck (1 goal) Played and looked good up front for the Bucks.

Kellan Hjartarson (2 goals) I don't recall seeing him much through out the game, but with two goals on the night, he has to get some kind of mention.

Declan Ride has some size and plays with an edge, was getting under the skin of several Vernon Vipers this evening. Declan was hit from behind late in the 3rd and didn't return.

Andrew King (1 assist) Not the biggest kid but has some wheels, made things happen. Had a few good looks/opportunities, played very well in the Bucks victory.

Brendan Rogers looked good at different times through out the hockey game.

Nathan Airey (22 saves) Made some key saves at different times through out the contest. Stood tall in the 3rd with the Vipers pressing.

Game Thought's: Cranbrook Bucks

After a tough 3-2 loss in Vernon Friday night, the Bucks wanted some revenge. Both teams played very well in a game that come down to the 3rd period, where the Bucks broke a 1-1 tie, scoring two quick back to back goals midway through the final frame, to take a 3-1 lead. Cranbrook has some size, a good transition game and play a very strong aggresive forecheck. The Bucks are always man on man, blocking shots, keeping the Vipers to the outside, getting bodies or sticks in the shooting lanes, limiting Vernon's opportunities. This team forced the Snakes to miss the net often after getting lots of good looks. You have to earn your space and shot when facing the Bucks. After two five minute majors and a mini line brawl in the game on Friday, I wasn't sure what to expect tonight. Tonight was a much more less angered game with both teams concentrating on the game itself. The officials seemed to let both teams play, letting lots go through out the game. The Bucks snapped a four game losing streak. Prior to tonight, Cranbrook only had one win in their last six road games. Tonight was the second game of a five game road trip. The Bucks have lost seven of their last ten games. With the win Cranbrook improves to 20-16-2-2 move into 5th place, three points ahead of Vernon and seven points back of West Kelowna.

Scratches:

Vernon Vipers:

Liam Cavan (Injured)
Luke Buss (Suspended)
Jack Glen (Injured)
Cameron MacDonald (Injured)
Ryan Shostak (Injured)
Luke Pakulak (Suspended)

Cranbrook Bucks:

Bauer Morrissey (Injured)
Carter Schmidt
Cameron Kungle
Luke Pfoh
Cole Assailly

Three Star's:

1st Star: Kellan Hjartarson (2 goals)
2nd Star: Tyson Dyck (1 goal)
3rd Star: Nicholas Kent (2 assists)

Energy Player of the Game:

Seiya Tanaka-Campbell

Boxscore-Game Summary,

| BCHL League Site

Game Report,

Game Report (hockeytech.com)

Text Box Score,