Vernon 10 Trail 3

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 during 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 game. You may agree or disagree 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-Smoke Eaters game as Vernon defeated Trail 10-3 in front of 1,790 fans at Kal Tire Place.

Starting Goaltenders:

Vernon Vipers: Ethan David
Trail Smoke Eaters: Owen Albers

1st Period: Just over a minute into the hockey game, Cameron MacDonald's shot would be stopped by Owen Albers before Reagan Milburn buried the rebound, giving Vernon an early 1-0 lead at 1:05 Tyler Chan & Cameron MacDonald with the assists. About five minutes later, the Smoke Eaters would get the games first power play. Early into the man advantage, the Snakes sprung Cameron MacDoanld in for the breakaway was hauled down, would be rewarded a penalty shot. Cameron MacDonald scored on the shorthanded penalty shot, giving Vernon a 2-0 lead at 6:22 Seventeen seconds later, Matthew Culling beat Owen Albers on a shot that somehow fluttered up and over the Smokies netminder, giving Vernon a 3-0 lead at 6:39 with their second shorthanded goal on the same penalty kill. Culling's goal was unassisted. Trail managed only one shot on the PP surrerendered two shorthanded goals were down 3-0 early as the Vipers killed off the minor. Seven seconds after coming out of the penalty box, Cameron MacDonald setup Cade McNelly who walked in and wired a lazer of a shot past Owen Albers, giving Vernon a commanding 4-0 lead at 8:04 Cameron MacDonald with the lone assist. This was the end of the night for Owen Albers who was replaced by Ethan Shebansky after giving up four goals on six Vernon shots. The Vipers were outshooting the Smoke Eaters 6-3 at this point. Trail would push back before taking a 7-6 lead in shots as the period continued. With about six minutes remaining in the opening frame, Trail would get their second PP of the period. The Smoke Eaters struggled with the man advantage as Vernon killed off the minor. Josh Schenk went awkwardly into the Smokies bench gate, was in some discomfort, made his way to the bench, before being looked at by the teams trainer. Schenk seemed to be ok and stayed in the hockey game. Just before the final minute of play, the Vipers setup Nicholas Kent joining the rush, Kent would be denied going to the front of the goal after Ethan Shebansky was forced to make his biggest save since coming in for relief, making a left pad save off Nicholas Kent. Kent stuck with the play, gathered his own rebound would be denied on the wrap around. Ethan Shebansky with back to back saves towards the end of the period. Inside the final minute of play, Corey Cunningham would be denied from the slot, on Ethan David's first big test of the contest with twenty five seconds left in the 1st period. It was 4-0 Vernon after 20 minutes of play. The Vipers may have been up 4-0 but didn't dominate the 1st period like the score may dictate. The Snakes scored on their opportunities, while the Smoke Eaters left their goaltender out to dry. Trail gives up two shorthanded goals on the same PP didn't look very good. The Smokies didn't have a lot of puck possession or create much for opportunities. The Vipers were the better team. Vernon outshot Trail 11-9.

2nd Period: Inside the opening minute of play, Zack Tonelli setup Luke Lavery on a two on one rush, but instead of shooting, Lavery tried going back to Tonelli who's pass would be intercepted by the Trail defender, breaking up the Snakes odd man rush early into the middle frame. Just before the halfway mark, the Vipers would get their first power play of the hockey game. It didn't take Luke Pakulak long to capitalize. From where I was sitting, it looked like Pakulak went between the legs, giving Vernon a 5-0 lead at 8:43 Zack Tonelli & Nicholas Kent collected the helpers. Less then a minute later, Cade McNelly come very close to levelling a Trail forward with a huge elbow to the head, but the Smoke Eaters forward was able to get out of the way at the last second. The officials arms went up instantly and on a delayed penalty, Charlie Strobel setup Zach Michaelis who beat Ethan David with a clean shot shortside, cutting Vernon's lead to 5-1 at 9:36 Charlie Strobel with the lone assist. After the goal, the officials gathered and chatted in front of the penalty boxes before giving Cade McNelly a ten minute misconduct. Just over three minutes later, Matthew Culling setup Luke Lavery in front, giving Vernon a 6-1 lead at 12:52 Matthew Culling and Talon Zakall collected the assists. A few plays later, Ryden Evers with a chance for his first career BCHL goal, couldn't beat Ethan Shebansky at the side of the goal. A few minutes later, Luke Lavery with all the work and moves cutting towards the front of the goal, spotted Talon Zakall who beat Ethan Shebansky, giving Vernon a 7-1 lead at 17:03 Zack Tonelli and Luke Lavery picked up the helpers. Less then a minute later, the Vipers would get caught on a bad pinch, allowing the Smoke Eaters in for a three on one. Former Vernon Vipers forward Nick Remissong setup a pinching Joshua Orrico, cutting Vernon's lead to 7-2 at 18:00 Nick Remissong & Charlie Strobel with the helpers. It was 7-2 Vernon after 40 minutes of play. The Snakes carried the better of the play, generated some chances, capitalized on their chances. The Smoke Eaters didn't generate much for offence for a second straight period. Trail's defensive coverage wasn't very good. 

3rd Period: Inside the opening minute, the Vipers spotted Cameron MacDonald alone at the circle, couldn't solve Ethan Shebansky. The Smokies would get an early power play, 1:02 into the final frame. Fourty three seconds into the man advantage, Coalson Wolford ripped a shot up and over Ethan David, cutting Vernon's lead to 7-3 at 1:45 Josh Schenk and Zach Michaelis collected the assists. The Vipers responded with a good push back shift, had two or three flurries in front of the Smokies goal that wouldn't go in. Trail was able to clear the zone, spotted Connor Michaud in for the partial breakaway, but Cade McNelly hustled back with a solid defensive play, to break up the breakaway. Shortly after Vernon would get just their second PP of the hockey game. Jack Glen setup Luke Pakulak for his second goal of the contest, giving Vernon a 8-3 lead at 6:12 Jack Glen and Nicholas Kent drew the helpers. 1:18 later Cameron MacDonald with a lazer of a shot, gave Vernon a 9-3 lead at 7:30 JoJo Tanaka-Campbell collected the assist. This was the end of the night for Ethan Shebansky. Shebansky gave up five goals on twenty Vernon shots. Owen Albers who started this hockey game, was forced back into goal to finish the onesided game. Twenty two seconds later, Jack Glen gave Vernon a 10-3 lead at 7:52 Luke Buss drew the assist. Owen Albers allows a goal on the first shot he faces. Three and a half minutes later, Ethan Warrener hit Copeland Fricker knee on knee. Fricker was down in pain, was able to get up on his own power and slowly get to the Viper bench to get attended by the teams trainer. Fricker stayed in the game, but didn't see another shift, would stay on the bench for the remainder of the game. Ethan Warrerner would get a kneeing minor, giving Vernon a power play just past the halfway mark. The Snakes would get a ton of pressure/flurries and towards the end of the penalty, Trail would take a second minor, sending the Snakes to a shortended two man advantage. The hometown Vipers with a flurry of looks/chances poured on the pressure. The Smokies managed to kill off the remainder of the first minor and then kill off the second penalty and get back to even strength. Minutes later, Trail would get a late power play but unable to capitalize. Vernon would end the 2021-22 regular season with a 10-3 blowout. With the score/game out of reach, Trail didn't fold the tents and had some opportunities early into the 3rd, capitalized on an early PP. The Smoke Eaters ramped up the physical play late in the period and played with a bit of an edge in a mean nothing game for both teams and in a lopsided score. The Vipers scored three goals in less then two minutes. Vernon had a ton of flurries in and around the goal, could have easily had another three or four goals. The Snakes were the better team in a period where the game was already over before the period started. Shots were 12-12.

Top Player's: Vernon Vipers

Ryden Evers Making his Vernon Vipers debut as an affiliated player, didn't look out of place and played very well in his BCHL debut. I really liked the looks of this young kid. 

Talon Zakall (1 goal & 2 assists) With a three point night, played and looked very well at both ends of the rink. 

Matthew Culling (1 goal & 1 assist) Played hard, competed and looked good for the Snakes.

Luke Lavery I thought had a heck of a hockey game and may have played his best game as a Viper this season. Was involved in the play, played with a ton of jump/energy, was creating/generating chances. 

Cameron MacDonald (2 goals & 2 assists) Also looked very good and played very well. MacDonald is by far the Vipers best/skilled forward. It's too bad he missed several months this season, out with two long term injuries. MacDonald played with a lot of jump/energy.

Nicholas Kent (2 assists) Has been one of the Vipers most consistent defencemen this season. Had some looks/opportunities, played very well at both ends of the rink. This kid never seems to make a mistake and makes the game look so easy.

Luke Pakulak (2 goals) Had a strong game. I'll have to watch the highlight's as I'm pretty sure Pakulak scored a between the legs goal in the 2nd period on the PP. Pakulak is a big part of Vernon's roster and will be called apon come the playoffs to use his size, physicality and edge.

Game Thought's: Vernon Vipers

Well I didn't see or expect a blowout coming prior to tonight's game. The Vipers basically put the game away in the opening frame, jumping out to a quick 4-0 lead. Vernon opened the scoring 1:05 into the hockey game, before scoring back to back shorthanded goals on the same penalty kill. The Snakes were the better team and made Trail's defenders look silly at times. Vernon scored on almost every third shot on goal and buried their chances. Overall I thought the Vipers played very well, making very little mistakes but also remember playing a Trail team that is near the bottom of the standings, that is struggling, have several players out with injuries and were playing with two affiliated goaltenders. Why is Cade McNelly still in the lineup? Here is a veteran 20 yr old defenceman that takes nothing but stupid, selfish and undisciplined penalties and is a liability almost every shift. He almost took a player's head off with a deliberate elbow/check to the head in the 2nd period, but luckily the Trail player got out of the way at the last second and missed the contact. Here's a player that almost every game delivers a big elbow or blow to the head of an opponent and continues to skate around foolishly taking undisciplined penalties. McNelly should be in the stands and will cost the Vipers a playoff game or series if he's in the lineup. I don't care for games like these, not only do you not want someone to get hurt in a mean nothing game but in the final game of the regular season. I also find when you win in a blowout like tonight, goals seem to come hard by the next game. Vernon beat Merritt 9-0 March 4th and then lost 5-2 March 9th to West Kelowna. Winning big and playing loose, may be fun for these kids but you have to remember your next game is the playoffs and you won't be playing Trail. I think I would have rather seen the Vipers play a more tougher opponent and have to play hard down to the final buzzer and prepare yourselfs for the playoffs. The schedule is what it is and you can't help that. I just hope the Vipers don't get a little over confident and remember who your playing in the playoffs. A win's a win and it's nice to see the Vipers bounce back after a 6-1 loss Sunday in West Kelowna. Vernon goes 5-1 vs Trail this season. The Vipers will now get the next eight days off before opening the playoffs. Let's hope Vernon can get some of their injured players back for the playoffs. The Snakes have won four of their last five games and won seven of their last ten games. Vernon finishes the regular season in 6th place in the Interior Conference with a record of 27-20-4-3 a home record of 16-10-1-0 and a road record of 11-10-3-3 The Vipers will open the BCHL playoffs April 1st in West Kelowna vs the 35-16-1-0 Warriors. West Kelowna went 4-1 vs Vernon during the regular season.

On a side note... I would like to thank whoever installed the new hand rails on each isle inside Kal Tire Place. Long overdue! Hand rails were only on the isles directly behind both team benches. Now they are on each isle around the entire arena. This was a huge safty concern and these should have been installed when the arena was being built. Over the years I have seen many seniors, elderly or people with walking issues/disibilities struggle to not only get up but down the stairs. 

Top Player's: Trail Smoke Eaters

Ethan Warrener I thought played well on the Smokies blueline.

Zach Michaelis (1 goal & 1 assist) Lead the Trail attack with two points.

Game Thought's: Trail Smoke Eaters

The Trail Smoke Eaters didn't look or play very well for most of tonight's hockey game. The Smoke Eaters left both of their goaltenders to hang out to dry, didn't play very well defensively. Trail didn't defend well enough vs the Vipers and were giving Vernon all the time in world to create/generate offensive chances. The Smokies managed to stay close in shots but didn't generate a whole lot of quality chances through out tonight's game. Trail had a few shifts now and again where they held their own but overall were no match for theb hometown Vernon Vipers. The Smoke Eaters didn't have much pressure, struggled offensively. You had to feel for Trail's two affiliated goaltenders. Owen Albers who started tonight's game, had five previous starts before tonight, with a 0-5 record. Ethan Shebansky played in seven games prior to tonight, was 1-1 on the season. If my memory is correct, I think Trail started the 2021-22 regular season with a 8-1 record or something like that. At one point in the season, the Vipers were chasing Trail who was in 4th place at the time. The Smoke Eaters go 0-3 in Vernon this season. The Smoke Eaters have lost four straight games and have two wins in their last ten games and three wins in their last twenty games. Trail sits 8th in the Interior Conference have two regular season games remaining, before playing Penticton in the opening round of the BCHL playoffs.

Scratches:

Vernon Vipers:

Griffen Barr (Injured)
Liam Cavan (Injured)
Max Borovinskiy 
Seiya Tanaka-Campbell (Injured)
Ryan Shostak (Injured)

Trail Smoke Eaters:

Jordan Hendry
Cameron Moger
Brady Hunter
Evan Fradette
Mason Dunsford
Cole Tisdale

Three Star's:

1st Star: Cameron MacDonald (2 goals & 2 assists)
2nd Star: Luke Pakulak (2 goals)
3rd Star: Talon Zakall (1 goal & 2 assists)

Energy Player of the Game:

Matthew Culling (1 goal & 1 assist)

Boxscore-Game Summary,

| BCHL League Site

Game Report,

Game Report (hockeytech.com)

Text Box Score,

Official statistics powered by LeagueStat.com (hockeytech.com)

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