Vernon 3 Cranbrook 2 Shootout

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 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 viewer's. For anyone who couldn't attend or watch today's Vipers game, here are my thought's and views from today'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 today's Vipers-Bucks game as Vernon defeated Cranbrook 3-2 in a shootout in front of 1,781 fans at Kal Tire Place.

Starting Goaltenders:

Vernon Vipers: Roan Clarke
Cranbrook Bucks: Nathan Airey

Before the game, Vernon Vipers Head Coach/GM Jason McKee presented Vernon Vipers defenceman Talon Zakall and forward Cameron MacDonald their BCHL all-star jerseys. The BCHL all-star game was suppose to be played January 15th in Penticton but the game was cancelled due to COVID-19.

1st Period: The Vipers got off to a quick start. Vernon with at least two good looks off the opening faceoff before getting an early power play, just fourty three seconds into the hockey game. Viper forward/captain JoJo Tanaka-Campbell with an opportunity on a wrap around, couldn't solve Nathan Airey. Towards the end of the man advantage, Luke Buss spotted Cameron MacDonald who ripped a shot short side, giving Vernon a 1-0 lead at 2:13 Luke Buss & Anthony Cliche picked up the assists. MacDonald returned to the Snakes lineup after being out with a lengthy injury. The Vipers had the early edge in play, were outshooting Cranbrook 4-1 before the Bucks would get their first PP of the afternoon. Seconds into the man advantage, Noah Quinn with a good look/chance would be denied by Roan Clarke. Thirty two seconds into the power play, the Snakes would take another penalty, giving the visiting Cranbrook Bucks a lengthy two man advantage. Johnny Johnson would ring a shot off the crossbar as the Bucks come very close to tying the hockey game. The Bucks with six shots couldn't capitalize with the two man advantage, as Vernon's goaltending and penalty kill were very good, killed off both minors. Cranbrook took the lead in shots were outshooting the Vipers 7-6 at this point. Just before the halfway mark, Carter Schmidt redirected a shot in front forcing Roan Clarke to make a difficult save. With about seven minutes remaining, a scrum broke out in the Bucks zone, with several players psuhing and shoving. Two players from each team were given minors for roughing as tempers heated up a bit. Luke Pfoh had a good look/chance in front of the net with about five and a half minutes left in the period. On the next shift, Andrew King with a good opportunity as the Bucks with back to back chances towards the end of the period. With about a minute and a half left, Ryan Shostak with a dangerous behind the back pass, turned over the puck at the blueline, allowing Carter Schmidt in for the partial breakaway, couldn't beat Roan Clarke. It was 1-0 Vernon after 20 minutes of play. The Snakes got off to a very good start, had lots of jump & energy off the opening faceoff, would open the scoring on the man advantage before having to kill off a lengthy five on three. Roan Clarke with a couple of big stops and a very good PK and Vernon killed off both penalties but it was then where the table turned as Cranbrook seemed to change the momentum of the hockey game and were the better team for the remainder of the 1st period. The Vipers couldn't seem to gain any kind of traction as the Bucks had the better of the play and the better of the scoring chances. Roan Clarke was very good in goal. Cranbrook outshot Vernon 14-8.

2nd Period: Off the opening faceoff, Vernon with a strong shift to start the period, allowed Tyler Chan into getting a good look/opportunity inside the first shift of the 2nd period. On the following shift, Matthew Culling was at the top of the crease, trying to put home a loose puck on a goal mouth scramble as the Snakes with back to back strong shifts to start the period. Just over six minutes in, the hometown Vipers would get their second PP of the afternoon. Vernon struggled with the man advantage, had troubles getting through the neutral zone, even allowed Liam Hansson to walk in from the corner shorthanded, but would be denied by Vernon Vipers starting netminder Roan Clarke. The Snakes were missing passing, turning over pucks and looked disorganized, didn't get a single shot as Cranbrook killed off the minor, Just over two minutes later, the Bucks would get their third power play of the contest. Over halfway through the man advantage, Noah Quinn snapped a quicked shot past Roan Clarke, tying the game 1-1 at 11:51 Tyson Dyck and Johnny Johnson drew the helpers. With three minutes left in the middle frame, the Bucks would get a late power play. Cranbrook generated only one shot on goal as Vernon's PK was very good and killed off the minor. Inside the final minute the Bucks with a flurry of chances couldn't capitalize and it would cost them. In the dying seconds, Reagan Milburn put home a loose puck in front, giving Vernon a late 2-1 lead at 19:51 Talon Zakall and Ryan Shostak picked up the assists. With the Bucks pressing late, this was a big goal to take a late lead to finish the period. It was 2-1 Vernon after 40 minutes of play. The Bucks were the better team and carried the better of the play. Cranbrook didn't get a ton of chances but had the edge in play. The Snakes struggled for most of the 2nd period, didn't look good at all. Players out of position, turning over pucks, poor passes and had troubles getting through the neutral zone and gaining any kinf of pressure in the offensive zone. Cranbrook outshot Vernon 11-8.

3rd Period: The Vipers would get an early PP just over a minute into the final frame. The Snakes had a few looks but no real quality chances as Cranbrook killed off the minor. A few shifts later, Ayden Third hit Luke Pfoh into the boards from behind, that caused a chain reaction of crosschecks. Tyson Dyck then crosschecked Ayden Third into the boards, before Tyler Chan crosschecked Tyson Dyck into the boards as some pushing and shoving occured on a series of dangerous hits near the end boards. Luke Pfoh went straight to the dressing room, looked to be in some discomfort, didn't return. The Bucks would come out on top with the man advantage. Zeth Kindrachuk rang his shot off the crossbar as Cranbrook had a few good looks and at least one or two close calls but couldn't capitalize as Vernon killed off the minor. Just over a minute later, Jaden Fodchuk with a great look/opportunity in front couldn't beat Roan Clarke, but seconds later, Noah Quinn beat the Viper netminder on a shot that just fluttered in and over Roan Clarke's shoulder, tying the game 2-2 at 7:13 Rhys Bentham collected the assist. Just before the halfway mark, Roan Clarke had to be sharp was forced to make a difficult save off a point shot that either hit a body or was redirected in front with bodies in front of the goal. With eight and a half minutes remaining, Ryan Shostak looked to have an open net, would be stoned at the side of the goal after Cranbrook Bucks starting goaltender Nathan Airey managed to sprawl across to get his right pad/toe to make a highlight reel save, keeping this game tied 2-2. Jack Glen alone at the top of the crease, couldn't beat Nathan Airey with about four and a half minutes left in the period. The Vipers with some nice passing, setup Matthew Culling at the top of the crease, just missed the far corner with two and a half minutes left. It was 2-2 after 60 minutes of play. I thought both teams were even at times but the Bucks did have a slight edge in play. Cranbrook had more puck possession and zone time. The Snakes didn't get a whole lot of time in the offensive zone, had quick short shifts in the Bucks zone. Cranbrook outshot Vernon 10-7.

Overtime: Off the opening puck drop, Ryan Shostak drove hard towards the goal, managed to get behind the Bucks defence but couldn't beat Nathan Airey in close. On the following shift, Vernon with an odd man rush couldn't get a shot off after a solid defensive play from Rhys Bentham. In the dying seconds, Bucks leading scorer Tyson Dyck would be robbed at the buzzer after Roan Clarke sprawled out to make a large pad save at the top of the blue paint. It was 2-2 after overtime. The Bucks had an edge in play, generated more looks/opportunities. Cranbrook outshot Vernon 6-1.

Shootout:

Vernon Vipers Shooters:

Zack Tonelli - No goal
Cameron MacDonald - Goal
JoJo Tanaka-Campbell - Goal

Cranbrook Bucks Shooters:

Liam Hansson - Goal
Noah Quinn - No goal
Tyson Dyck - No goal

The Vipers hang on for the 3-2 shootout victory.

Top Player's: Vernon Vipers

JoJo Tanaka-Campbell (1 goal) Saw a ton of ice time and played well through out the hockey game.

Matthew Culling Was physical and battled hard. Was involved in the play and was going to the goal, looking for loose pucks.

Ryan Shostak (1 assist) Was dangerous at times, seemed to find some open ice and generate some chances on a few shifts. 

Roan Clarke (39 saves) Bailed out his team on several opportunities this afternoon. Clarke as he has been all season, kept the Vernon Vipers in today's game. This kid has been the Vipers MVP this season and the reason they are where they are today and the reason they have been winning games in the second half of the season. Clarke was very good between the pipes today.

Game Thought's: Vernon Vipers

The Vipers played a little better at times today but still no where near sixty minutes. I really liked Vernon's start and thought they played very well off the opening faceoff. The hometown Vipers started the game with lots of jump/energy, had some looks early before opening the scoring on an early power play. The Snakes were forced to kill off a lengthy two man advantage and this seemed to kill the teams momentum and Vernon wasn't the same team since. The Viper PP struggled and looked very disorganized at times. The Snakes PK was very good and has been very good all season. I really like the Viper penalty kill. The Vipers with eight penalties this afternoon, have been taking way too many penalties as of late and their undisciplined game needs to smarten up before the playoffs. The Vipers have been playing with a short lineup and injuries most of the season, have played a lot of hockey the past month or so haven't looked or played as well as they were the past three or four games. This is a big concern this late in the season and heading into the playoffs. Lot's of poor passes today, players out of positition, disorganized and troubles getting pucks to the net as well as giving up way too many shots. The Vipers have given up fourty or more shots in back to back games, can't seem to get double digit shots in a period these days. The Vipers miss the net a lot. Vernon was outplayed at times, got some solid goaltending and had a very good PK, were lucky to hang on for the win. The team hung on and gutted out a win in a game they maybe didn't deserve to win. Roan Clarke kept the Vipers in the game. Nice to see Cameron MacDonald return to the lineup after being out with a long term injury. MacDonald has missed most of the season with two long term injuries. With the Vipers trying to catch Cranbrook in the standings, Vernon really needed a win in regulation. The way the Snakes have been struggling as of late, I don't think they will catch the Bucks for 5th place. It looks like the Vipers could meet West Kelowna in the 1st round of the playoffs. The Warriors need two wins to clinch 3rd place and could possibly face the Vipers in the playoffs if Vernon remains in 6th place. The Snakes have four games remaining in the 2021-22 regular season. This team needs to improve and get better before the playoffs or the season will be over quickly. A good size crowd on hand this afternoon. The Vipers snap a two game losing streak, have won eight of their last eleven home games. After winning only seven games in the first twenty seven games, the Vipers have won seventeen of their last twenty three games. With the win, the Vipers imrpove to 24-19-4-3 sit 6th in the Interior Conference are twelve points ahead of Wenatchee, four points back of Cranbrook and eight points back of Prince George.

Top Player's: Cranbrook Bucks

Rhys Bentham Played a solid defensive game on the Bucks blueline.

Noah Quinn (2 goals) Scored both Bucks goals in regulation, was very dangerous and hard to contain/defend against. A big body, that's shifty and always in and around the net. A very skilled hockey player that has a wicked shot.

Carter Schmidt Not the biggest kid but quick on his feet, very shifty and always generating chances. Had several opportunities today. Plays hard and never stops moving his feet.

Tyson Dyck Leads the Cranbrook Bucks in scoring, didn't stand out for the entire hockey game but did play well and look good at times. Another Bucks forward that is dangerous with the puck and hard to contain/defend against.

Johnny Johnson played physical and with an edge, had a good game.

Luke Pfoh Another Bucks forward that doesn't have a lot of size but is quick on his feet, hard to contain, had some looks/chances through out the game. Was hit from behind early in the 3rd period, looked like he injured his arm/or shoulder, left the game in discomfort and didn't return.

Liam Hansson (1 goal) Scored the Bucks lone goal in the shootout, played well through out the contest.

Nathan Airey (22 saves) Wasn't nearly as tested as Roan Clarke but was still forced to make some big stops for the Bucks. 

Game Thought's: Cranbrook Bucks

Cranbrook has a very good, well coached hockey team. The Bucks have some size, speed, and several skilled players. The Bucks move the puck well, don't make a lot of mistakes or turn over the puck often. Play with an aggresive forecheck, always in your face and get sticks in the way, block a lot of shots or redirect shots using their sticks. I thought the Bucks were the better team this afternoon, had the better of the play at times, more puck posession, zone time and more quality chances. Cranbrook gets pucks to the net and often. Specialty teams was a difference as the Bucks went 1-5 with the man advantage. Roan Clarke was also a difference, was solid in goal for the Vipers. This was the final meeting between the Bucks & Vipers as Vernon wins the season series going 4-2 vs Cranbrook this season. Spotted about ten Bucks fans in attendance today. Today was the Bucks final regular season road game as they finish the 2021-22 regular season with three home games. The Bucks have won three of their last five games and won seven of their last eleven games. With the loss the Bucks fall to 27-20-2-2 sit 5th in the Interior Conference are four points ahead of Vernon, four points back of Prince George and six points back of West Kelowna.

Scratches:

Vernon Vipers:

Cade McNelly (Suspended)
Liam Cavan (Injured)
Seiya Tanaka-Campbell (Injured)
Copeland Fricker (Injured)
Luke Pakulak

Cranbrook Bucks:

Hayden Gelbard
Cole Assailly
AJ Vasko

Three Star's:

1st Star: Roan Clarke (39 saves)
2nd Star: Noah Quinn (2 goals)
3rd Star: Cameron MacDonald (2 goals)

Energy Player of the Game:

Talon Zakall (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 today's Vipers-Bucks game.