I was born and raised in Vernon, BC and been watching/following Junior hockey in Vernon my whole life. My family watched Senior men's hockey in Vernon in the 1950's and 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. 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-Spruce Kings game as Vernon defeated Prince George 2-0 in front of 1,311 fans at Kal Tire Place.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon Vipers: Ethan David
Prince George Spruce Kings: Aaron Trotter
1st Period: The Vipers with some physical play early, laid out three or four big checks about three or four minutes into the hockey game, getting the crowd into the game early. Both teams had troubles getting the offence going as the Spruce Kings needed six minutes to record their first shot of the night. Prince George would get the games first power play about seven minutes in, but it was the Snakes who had the opprtunity shorthanded. JoJo Tanaka-Campbell lead a two on one rush, setup Ryan Shostak who didn't get a quality shot off due to a strong defensive play by the PG defenceman who looked to get a peice of the puck with his stick. Shostak still managed to get a shot on goal but Aaron Trotter was able to get across and make the save. A good chance shorthanded by Vernon on a play they didn't count Ryan Shostak's shot. The Spruce Kings couldn't generate much with the PP didn't get a single shot as the Vipers killed off the penalty. Shortly after Ethan David come out of his crease to play the puck and almost gave the puck away, as the Vipers catch a break. Vernon needed ten minutes to record their first shot of the game. Just past the halfway mark, the Spruce Kings went back to the man advantage. PG mustered only one shot as the Vipers killed off the minor. Luke Ashton's point shot hit one or two players on it's way to the goal, forced Aaron Trotter into making a difficult pad save as the puck changed direction twice. A big stop by the Prince George netminder. Towards the end of the period, Luke Buss setup Luke Lavery on an odd man rush, but Lavery fired wide of the net on a clear shot from the slot with about two anf a half minutes remaining. Prince George would get their third PP of the hockey game, late with under two minutes remaining in the 1st period. The Spruce Kings couldn't capitalize with the man advantage before the buzzer. It was 0-0 after 20 minutes of play. This was a bit of a strange period as both teams had trouble gaining any kind of traction offensively. The Spruce Kings needed six minutes to get their first shot of the game, carried the puck often and had more zone time but didn't generate or create any quality chances. I thought PG had the edge in play, had more puck posession and time in the offensive zone. The Snakes needed ten minutes to get their first shot on goal, were forced to kill off three penalties as Vernon's PK was very good. The Vipers had troubles getting going, saw a lot of time in their own end, did manage the only scoring chances but couldn't capitalize. Prince George outshot Vernon 6-3.
2nd Period: The visiting Prince George Spruce Kings started the middle frame on the power play that was carried over from the 1st period. Inside the opening minute, Luc Laylin ripped a shot from the circle, beat Vernon Vipers starting goaltender Ethan David but not the crossbar as Vernon catches a break and manages to kill off the remainder of the penalty. Josh Wright's shot from the blueline three minutes into the period, got through traffic in front couldn't solve Ethan David who made a tough save on a shot I'm not sure he fully saw all the way. Shortly after Talon Zakall's point shot would be redirected in front by Zack Tonelli, giving Vernon an early 1-0 lead at 5:19 Talon Zakall drew the lone assist. A minute later Austin Fraser hit Copeland Fricker high and along the wall, sending Fricker to the ice. The play continued before being stopped as Fricker was still lying on the ice. Fricker needed help off the ice and went straight to the Viper dressing room. Fricker looked woozy and wasn't putting any pressure or moving his right leg as he was heading off the ice and didn't return to the game. Austin Fraser was given five minutes for a blow to the head and a game misconduct. Vernon went with four fowards and one defenceman on the PP and struggled. Seiya Tanaka-Campbell was playing the point and twice on the same shift, almost turned over the puck at the blueline, sending a PG player in for the breakaway. The Snakes had troubles gaining control of the puck and settling in in the offensive zone. Towards the end of the power play, Luke Buss's shot was stopped before Zack Tonelli put home his second goal of the game, giving Vernon a 2-0 lead at 10:36 Buss with the assist. The Spruce Kings would kill off the remainder of the major only allowed the one goal. About a minute and a half later, the Snakes went back to the PP. Vernon struggled once again with the man advantage, this time allowing Nick Rheaume in for an odd man rush, but Ethan David made a big stop, keeping this a two goal game. The Vipers would even things up taking a penalty of their own before the Spruce Kings would get a shortended PP but couldn't capitalize. With about two and a half minutes remaining, Nick Rheaume with a good look, couldn't solve Ethan David. Off the next shift David was forced to make a difficult save off a goal mouth scramble. It was 2-0 Vernon after 40 minutes of play. At the end of the period as both teams made their way to the dressing rooms, Luke Pakulak and Seiya Tanaka-Campbell were still on the Vipers bench. Seiya Tanaka-Campbell was being attended too by the Vipers trainer and a medical staff for a lengthy period of time before wheeling Seiya Tanaka-Campbell off the bench and down the tunnel in a wheel chair. The Spruce Kings had a ton of pressure off the opening faceoff and for several minutes to start the period, but couldn't score before giving up a goal shortly after. Prince George had a few good looks/opportunities couldn't find the back of the net. PG ate up a lot of minutes killing off a five minute major, only giving up one goal. The Vipers may have scored the only goals of the period but I didn't think looked or played well at all. Vernon struggled on the PP and through out the period, looking like the Vipers from back in November/December. The Snakes couldn't make a pass, were coughing up pucks, looked disorganized and out of sink. The Vipers didn't get any opportunities other then on the two goals they scored. Vernon outshot Prince George 9-6.
3rd Period: A minute into the period, Kilian McGregor-Bennett couldn't beat Ethan David on a wrap around. Nick Marciano's point shot eluded Ethan David who was forced to make a difficult save about eight and a half minutes into the period. As the play was continuing up ice, Nick Rheaume delivered what looked like an elbow to JoJo Tanaka-Campbell. The Viper captain went down as the play continued and the Viper bench and crowd giving it to the officials. As the play continued several Vipers jumped Nick Rheaume. Everyone got involved before the officials broke up the scrimmage. Prince George come out of the scrimmage with a power play. No call was given to Nick Rheaume for his elbow on JoJo Tanaka-Campbell. The Viper captain seemed to be ok and stayed in the game. The Spruce Kings couldn't muster much offence as Vernon with a solid penalty kill, killed off the penalty. The Spruce Kings would get Aaron Trotter to the bench with about two minutes remaining in the hockey game. PG with some pressure but didn't really get any good looks or chances and the Snakes didn't get a sniff at the open cage but managed to hang on for the 2-0 victory. The Spruce Kings dominated the play and carried the play for most of the whole period. Prince George had the puck on their sticks most of the 3rd and played most of the 3rd in the offensive zone. The Spruce Kings only had two quality opportunities, didn't really get many good looks/or chances. The Spruce Kings went several minutes in the offensive zone but didn't get a shot on goal. The Vipers played most of the period in their own end, did play very well defensively, shutting down PG's offence, limiting the Spruce Kings shots on goal and keeping Prince George to the outside. Ethan David was forced to made a few key stops in the period wasn't overly tested. The Snakes played very well defensively. Prince George outshot Vernon 10-3.
Top Player's: Vernon Vipers
Ayden Third I thought played a very well rounded game this evening and has played very well his last few games.
Griffen Barr was another Viper d-man that played very well defensively.
Max Borovinskiy facing his former team, played an aggresive in your face, physical game up front for the Snakes.
JoJo Tanaka-Campbell I thought played very well tonight. Has really improved and played better in the second half of the season.
Ryan Shostak Was in on a few opportunities, showed some hustle and skill up front.
Zack Tonelli (2 goals) Scored two big goals both in the 2nd period. Played with some jump/energy.
Ethan David (22 saves-shutout) Wasn't tested a lot this evening but when he was, was sharp. Recorded his third shutout of the season.
Game Thought's: Vernon Vipers
I didn't think the Vipers played very well tonight. Tonight's game reminded me of the play/Vipers we saw back in November/December. Vernon looked scrambled and disorganized a lot of the night. The Vipers had troubles offensively all game, struggled to gain any kind of traction or momentum. The Vipers had troubles passing, making plays, getting pressure in the offensive zone and getting pucks to the net. Vernon was turning over pucks, didn't look very good at times, especially in the 2nd period. The power play really struggled and looked disorganized. I don't like the idea of only going with one defenceman on the PP. I will give the Vipers credit for playing very well on the PK and I thought played well defensively. Vernon didn't have a lot of puck posession and saw a lot of the game in their own end, but didn't give up much in return. The Vipers took a lot of time and space away, keeping the Spruce Kings to the wall and outside and limited their shots and opportunities to a minimum. If PG would have had their PP clicking and generate a little more offence, this could have been a different outcome. This was a game that the Vipers were lucky to win. Give Vernon credit for battling and hanging in in the 3rd period down two forwards and pulling out the win. After playing their best hockey in the second half of the season, the Vipers haven't played very well or looked very good in back to back games. Just as the Vipers seemed to get a few bodies back from injuries, more make their way to the sidelines. Matthew Culling and Reagan Milburn didn't play tonight, while Copeland Fricker and Seiya Tanaka-Campbell both were injured and left tonight's game. A very small crowd on hand for a Wednesday night. This has been a very unbalnced schedule. It seems like we have seen the Spruce Kings a lot lately and this past Sunday was the second and final game Viper fans would see the Penticton Vees. We haven't seen the West Kelowna Warriors since early in the season and Merritt just once. Yet we have seen a ton of Salmon Arm, Prince George and back to back games vs Wenatchee & Cranbrook. These two teams will meet once more during the regular season, March 11th in Prince George. The Vipers are 6-2 vs the Spruce Kings this season. The Vipers have won three of their last five games and won fifteen of their last nineteen games. With the win, Vernon improves to 22-17-4-3 remain 6th in the Interior Conference are twelve points ahead of Wenatchee and one point ahead of Cranbrrook and four points back of 4th place West Kelowna.
Top Player's: Prince George Spruce Kings
Josh Wright played well on the Spruce Kings blueline.
Luc Laylin Was one of the more shifty and crafty forwards, who generated/created some looks/chances. Hit the crossbar on an early power play to start the 2nd period.
Kilian McGregor-Bennett Had a look or two, also played well offensively.
Nick Rheaume Was the Spruce Kings best player in the loss. This kid seems to play very well vs the Snakes and has been one of if not the better Spruce Kings on most nights vs the Vipers. A big body that is hard to contain and defend. Plays at both ends of the rink.
Game Thought's: Prince George Spruce Kings
I thought the Spruce Kings were the better team, had the edge in play, more puck possession, zone time, and more pucks to the net. PG had the puck on their sticks more, carried the better of the play often. The Spruce Kings downfall was they didn't generate a whole lot of offence. The Spruce Kings didn't get a lot of looks or opportunities, had more puck posession and zone time but had troubles getting pucks to the net and generting those chances. Specialty teams was a difference. Vernon going 1-2 with the PP while Prince George went 0-5. If the Spruce Kings open the scoring or capitalize on any of those 1st period power plays, or get to within a goal in the 2nd or 3rd period, this may have been a different outcome. This was a strange game to begin with. Both teams couldn't get much of anything going early as the Spruce Kings needed six minutes to get their first shot on goal, while the Snakes needed ten minutes to get their first shot on goal. Lots of scrambled play now and again and both teams never really played their best. I spotted some Spruce Kings fans in attendance and heard some fans drove up all the way from Ontario to see Dylan Schives play. This was the final regular season visit from the Spruce Kings as Prince George went 1-4 in Vernon this season. The Spruce Kings have lost five straight games and lost six of their last ten games. With the loss, Prince George falls to 25-12-3-8 remain in 3rd place in the Interior Conference are six points ahead of West Kelowna and nine points back of 2nd place Salmon Arm.
Scratches:
Vernon Vipers:
Liam Cavan (Injured)
Matthew Culling (Injured)
Reagan Milburn
Cameron MacDonald (Injured)
Prince George Spruce Kings:
Adam Leitch
Nathan Fox
Three Star's:
1st Star: Zack Tonelli (2 goals)
2nd Star: Ethan David (22 saves-shutout)
3rd Star: Luke Buss (1 assist)
Energy Player of the Game:
Griffen Barr
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. Please be respectful when leaving comments.
Here are some pictures I took before and during tonight's Vipers-Spruce Kings game.
8 comments:
Vernon vipers know they are not a strong offensive team. The team works with its strenghs which is playing strong defensively. This formual works.It may not be pretty. But it produces on the win column
It wasn't pretty at all, probably the worst game of the season for both teams but the Vipers Goaltending has been their saviour all year. Imagine what this team could do if we had some offense because a few of the teams ahead of the Vipers are starting to falter.
BINGO... I disagree. Although it was a fairly entertaining game I did not think the Vipers played very well. Last night, and nearly all year, they have looked disorganized in their own defensive zone. It always appears to be a scramble to get the puck out. The Viper goal tending duo was clearly the reason for success again tonight.
I realize the Vipers are having trouble offensively but I get tired of watching the "dump & chase" mentality. A lot of time they approach the blue line with puck control and just shoot it in and hope to regain control. There is a time and place for that strategy but not continuously. The Spruce Kings, on the other hand, try to enter the zone with the puck to create a scoring chance far more often than the Vipers do.
The Spruce Kings showed much quicker puck movement and better control on their power play. For the Vipers 5 minute major PP and the following 2 minute PP I counted a total of 3 shots on goal. If accurate, that stat is dismal and will not result in many goals.
If we are struggling offensively, as is always mentioned, why did McKee handcuff one of his better offensive players by playing him with the owners kid who has zero offensive talent and is incapable of holding the puck or making a play. That in opinion is horrible coaching.
There are many different way to win games, I agree the Vipers didnt create much offence,however they found a way (AGAIN) to get 2 points. PG had their full lineup, Vipers ended up down 4 key forwards,with a team that doesnt have much depth,the absence of McDonald,Milburn,Culling add in Fricker and Seyia Cambpell,its little wonder they couldnt sustain pressure. Instead they relied on the D and Goaltending. Lets not dissect the "Ws" to closely, 2 points is 2 points. Hopefully they get a full lineup in before playoffs !
When they meet a quality team like Penticton they lose! They will get bounced out in the first round! I have talked to many, many people that are not renewing there seasons next year. Boring Boring hockey. Now that Jack is gone they will sell and Jack can follow his dream and become a used car salesman.
I believe Little Brother is on his way!
Boooooby C……You have referred to “Little Brother” previously, would you happen to have a name ? Age ? Playing in what league ??? Or maybe just more of your “Noise” ??
I have a friend who volunteers for the Vipers and asked the owners if they have other children. They have Jack and a daughter.
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