The Vernon Vipers improve to 15-14-3-3 after a 3-2 shootout victory over the 19-15-2-1 Cranbrook Bucks in front of 2,048 fans at the Western Financial Place. The Vipers have won a season high eight straight games. Cranbrook outshot Vernon 37-34
I watched the Bucks/Vipers game on Hockey TV tonight.
The Bucks were the better team in the 1st period and carried the edge in play. Cranbrook controlled the 2nd period and outplayed the Vipers in the middle frame. Shots were 32-18 after two periods. For a second straight night, Roan Clarke was busy-keeping the Snakes in the contest. Vernon stepped up their play in the 3rd and were the better of the two teams, carried a lot of the play, had several quality chances to win in regulation. Griffen Barr's shot in the 3rd went in and off a Cranbrook defenceman to tie the game. The Vipers were the better team in overtime but scored twice in the shootout while Roan Clarke was perfect.
The Vipers have been taking a lot of penalties lately but a very strong penalty kill has saved their bacon and kept them in hockey games. Specialty teams has been a difference lately.
This was an entertaining and exciting hockey game. The Bucks will be kicking themselves for not putting the game away early. Six of Vernon's last seven games have gone to either overtime or a shootout. With the win, the Vipers win a season high, eight straight games and won nine of their last eleven games. The last time a Viper team was this hot, Vernon went undefeated in eight straight games during the 2017-18 season.
After winning only four games in the months of November & December, I don't think anyone could have predicted this? I know I sure didn't! The Vipers and Merritt were the two worst teams in the league in December. I'm in shock and at a loss for words right now, how well this team is playing and playing with a ton of confidence. With five players out of the lineup due to injuries and suspensions, this team still continues to find ways to win. I'm still in shock and at lost for words. I never saw this coming!
Jason McKee deserves a ton of credit for making the trades/moves he made days before or at the BCHL trade deadline. The Snakes haven't lost since the trade deadline and playing their best hockey of the season. Most Viper fans wanted McKee run out of town, including myself. Now I'm eating crow.
How long can the Vipers keep riding this wave on the coattails of Roan Clarke? From all your postgame comments Clarke has been the difference night after night. Will he play every game the rest of the season?
Bobby C. Who peed in your cornflakes. Sounded like a really negative comment when the team has done so well. I have been watching all these games and the boys have played with an increasing amount of grit, heart and confidence. Yes Roan Clarke has played amazing, but the team has worked hard too. They are currently playing with several top players out of the lineup and the remaining team is stepping up best they can. There is as good improvement over the fall and we should be highlighting that. Yes the streak will end. They always do maybe tonight, maybe next week. In the meantime let's enjoy the ride. Go vipers go
Bobby C... I agree with you, the Viper goalies have been the difference in every game. It may seem negative to some but most will agree. Let's look at the stats: the Vipers have won every game since the blowout 9 - 1 victory over Merritt on January 14th. In those 7 games there was only ONE win in regulation time, 3-2 over Trail on February 2nd. The other 6 games - 4 have been wins in Shoot Outs & 2 wins in Overtime. It is nice to gain the victory but we all know anything can happen in 3 on 3 or in Shoot Outs. Those 6 W's could just have easily gone the other way. So, yes, the Viper goal tending has been a huge factor. VDHF writes a very good post game recap and is very fair with his analysis however in just about all of those games he has said "the opposition was better/controlled" a lot of the game, the Vipers "were outplayed for lengthy periods", Vipers were "out played & out worked", "been out shot", etc, etc. So... lets not organize the parade or order the championship rings yet. This team has been very fortunate lately, being out played and out worked but still getting the W's. I for one am not convinced that they have turned a corner and I still have major concerns regarding their coaching/GM and ownership. Again, time will tell.
Hey Negative Boooooby C….Vipers have won 9 of 11….8 strait…and that’s your comment ??? Your earlier post that “Goaltending will be the difference “, is kinda have you eating Crow with VDHF !!
Nothing at all negative. Just asking you a question. I don't think the Vipers would be on this Winning Run if it wasn't for the play of Roan Clarke. Do You?
6 comments:
I watched the Bucks/Vipers game on Hockey TV tonight.
The Bucks were the better team in the 1st period and carried the edge in play. Cranbrook controlled the 2nd period and outplayed the Vipers in the middle frame. Shots were 32-18 after two periods. For a second straight night, Roan Clarke was busy-keeping the Snakes in the contest. Vernon stepped up their play in the 3rd and were the better of the two teams, carried a lot of the play, had several quality chances to win in regulation. Griffen Barr's shot in the 3rd went in and off a Cranbrook defenceman to tie the game. The Vipers were the better team in overtime but scored twice in the shootout while Roan Clarke was perfect.
The Vipers have been taking a lot of penalties lately but a very strong penalty kill has saved their bacon and kept them in hockey games. Specialty teams has been a difference lately.
This was an entertaining and exciting hockey game. The Bucks will be kicking themselves for not putting the game away early. Six of Vernon's last seven games have gone to either overtime or a shootout. With the win, the Vipers win a season high, eight straight games and won nine of their last eleven games. The last time a Viper team was this hot, Vernon went undefeated in eight straight games during the 2017-18 season.
After winning only four games in the months of November & December, I don't think anyone could have predicted this? I know I sure didn't! The Vipers and Merritt were the two worst teams in the league in December. I'm in shock and at a loss for words right now, how well this team is playing and playing with a ton of confidence. With five players out of the lineup due to injuries and suspensions, this team still continues to find ways to win. I'm still in shock and at lost for words. I never saw this coming!
Jason McKee deserves a ton of credit for making the trades/moves he made days before or at the BCHL trade deadline. The Snakes haven't lost since the trade deadline and playing their best hockey of the season. Most Viper fans wanted McKee run out of town, including myself. Now I'm eating crow.
Go Vipers Go!
How long can the Vipers keep riding this wave on the coattails of Roan Clarke? From all your postgame comments Clarke has been the difference night after night. Will he play every game the rest of the season?
Bobby C. Who peed in your cornflakes. Sounded like a really negative comment when the team has done so well. I have been watching all these games and the boys have played with an increasing amount of grit, heart and confidence.
Yes Roan Clarke has played amazing, but the team has worked hard too. They are currently playing with several top players out of the lineup and the remaining team is stepping up best they can. There is as good improvement over the fall and we should be highlighting that.
Yes the streak will end. They always do maybe tonight, maybe next week. In the meantime let's enjoy the ride.
Go vipers go
Bobby C... I agree with you, the Viper goalies have been the difference in every game. It may seem negative to some but most will agree. Let's look at the stats: the Vipers have won every game since the blowout 9 - 1 victory over Merritt on January 14th. In those 7 games there was only ONE win in regulation time, 3-2 over Trail on February 2nd. The other 6 games - 4 have been wins in Shoot Outs & 2 wins in Overtime. It is nice to gain the victory but we all know anything can happen in 3 on 3 or in Shoot Outs. Those 6 W's could just have easily gone the other way. So, yes, the Viper goal tending has been a huge factor. VDHF writes a very good post game recap and is very fair with his analysis however in just about all of those games he has said "the opposition was better/controlled" a lot of the game, the Vipers "were outplayed for lengthy periods", Vipers were "out played & out worked", "been out shot", etc, etc. So... lets not organize the parade or order the championship rings yet. This team has been very fortunate lately, being out played and out worked but still getting the W's. I for one am not convinced that they have turned a corner and I still have major concerns regarding their coaching/GM and ownership. Again, time will tell.
Hey Negative Boooooby C….Vipers have won 9 of 11….8 strait…and that’s your comment ???
Your earlier post that “Goaltending will be the difference “, is kinda have you eating Crow with VDHF !!
Nothing at all negative. Just asking you a question. I don't think the Vipers would be on this Winning Run if it wasn't for the play of Roan Clarke. Do You?
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