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 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 attend or watch 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-Centennials game as Vernon defeated Merritt 4-1 in front of 1,977 fans at Kal Tire Place.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon Vipers: Ethan David
Merritt Centennials: John Hicks
Before the hockey game, the Vernon Vipers honoured some of their past Alumni to celebrate the BC Hockey League's 60th Anniversary. Kenny Magowan (Vernon Vipers 1998-2000), Lennie Rampone (Vernon Vipers 1997-1999), Garth Gartner (Vernon Lakers-Vernon Vipers 1994-1998), Terry Lowe (Vernon Canadiens 1978-79), Jason Elders (Vernon Lakers 1989-1991), Bryce Kakoske (Vernon Vipers 2008-2011) and Aaron Volpatti (Vernon Vipers 2003-2006) were all introduced onto the ice before the start of the hockey game.
1st Period: Just twenty five seconds into the game, Cade McNelly returning from a four game suspension, walks into the high slot and rips a shot high and wide on a good look off the opening faceoff. Three minutes into the period, Copeland Fricker redirected a shot from the point that would be stopped by John Hicks on a quality chance but shots were 3-1 for the visiting Merritt Centennials at this point. About a minute and a half later, Zack Tonelli beat John Hicks giving Vernon an early 1-0 lead at 4:41 JoJo Tanaka-Campbell and Anthony Cliche picked up the assists. Just before the halfway mark, Vernon thought they had took a 2-0 lead with 11:03 left in the period. A shot from the point was redirected in front and beat John Hicks but the goal was immediately waived off, due to a high stick. Shortly after, Centennials leading scorer Ben Ward beat Ethan David on a harmless looking shot from the circle, tying the hockey game 1-1 at 10:07 Levi Carter and Sam Boldt drew the helpers. This was a shot/goal I think that Ethan David would like to have back. Less then a minute later, Ryan Shostak's shot missed the net, hit the end boards, come right back out front, where Cameron MacDonald put home the loose puck, giving Vernon a 2-1 lead at 11:02 Ryan Shostak and Griffen Barr collected the assists. Just over two minutes later, the Snakes would get the games first power play. Vernon with some pressure, had some looks but no real quality chances until the final seconds of the man advantage. Zack Tonelli with a good look/opportunity would be denied in front by John Hicks on a big save late in the PP as Merritt kills off the minor. Within the next ten to twenty seconds, the Vipers would regain puck posssession and get two or three good opportunities at the top of the crease but John Hicks made several big stops on a goal mouth scramble, keeping this a one goal hockey game. With about two and a half minutes remaining, Jakob Jones with a quality chance but denied by Ethan David, on the Centennials first real good look/chance of the 1st period. Inside the final minute of play, Vernon would get two or three cracks at a loose puck on a goal mouth scramble but unable to beat John Hicks late in the period. It was 2-1 Vernon after 20 minutes of play. The Snakes were the better team, had the better of the play, more puck possession and zone time. The Vipers had a lot of very good looks/opportunities, were only able to score twice. The Centennials didn't really muster much for offence, didn't get much zone time. John Hicks was very good on goal for Merritt. Vernon outshot Merritt 18-11.
2nd Period: A minute into the middle frame, the Snakes sprung Ryan Shostak in for the partial breakaway, would be denied by Merritt Centennials starting goaltender John Hicks. The Vipers would come out of the play with an early PP to start the 2nd period. Early into the man advantage, Luke Pakulak with a good looks/chance couldn't solve John Hicks. Luke Buss would capitalize on the PP, giving Vernon an early 3-1 lead at 2:22 Zack Tonelli and Nicholas Kent with the helpers. About two or so minutes later, Cade McNelly drove hard to the goal, and took out Merritt Centennials starting goaltender John Hicks on a scoring play. McNelly went crashing hard into the net, wiping out John Hicks who laid on the ice motionless, needed to be looked at by a team trainer. One Merritt player, stuck up for his goaltender and went after Cade McNelly as the Viper defenceman skated away. As John Hicks was being attended to by the trainer, the officials gathered and discussed the play/situation. No penalty was called on the play as John Hicks left the ice, went to the dressing room and would later return but stayed on the Cents bench. Backup goaltender Peyton Trzaska relieved John Hicks who gave up three goals on twenty seven Vernon shots. I don't think Hicks was injured, looked to have the wind knocked out of him. A few minutes later, the Centennials would get their first power play of the evening. Halfway through the penalty kill, Matthew Culling with a rocket of a shot beat Peyton Trzaska glove side, giving Vernon a 4-1 lead at 8:46 Cameron MacDonald and Talon Zakall picked up the assists. Merritt unable to really generate much with the man advantage as the Snakes killed off the minor. Ben Ward with a quality chance to get the Cents to within two goals, couldn't solve Vernon Vipers starting goaltender Ethan David who come up with a large save with just over five minutes remaining in the frame. Luke Lavery and a Merritt forward took a few swings at each other as Lavery tried to get the Merritt forward to drop the gloves as the two skated up ice as both players went their own way as the play continued. It was 4-1 Vernon after 40 minutes of play. The Snakes were the better team in the first half, but looked to take their foot off the gas after taking a 4-1 lead. Merritt had the better of the edge in play in the second half but didn't generate a whole lot of opportunities. Vernon outshot Merritt 18-7.
3rd Period: Thirty two seconds into the final frame, the Centennials would get an early power play, just their second of the hockey game. The Cents had a few good looks but couldn't beat Ethan David as the Vipers killed off the minor. Luke Buss with a quality chance five minutes into the period, couldn't find the back of the net. A few minutes later, Luke Buss didn't get all of his shot, missed an open cage and a chance for his second goal of the night. Two real good opportunities for the Vipers & Luke Buss. Just before the midway mark, Peyton Trzaska was forced to make two quick saves from in close before Zack Tonelli missed on a quality chance from the slot. Vernon with several chances were buzzing. Shortly after Merritt would go on the man advantage but struggled as Vernon killed off the penalty. Shortly after Luke Buss turned over the puck in his own end, allowing Jakob Jones with an opportunity looked to have Ethan David beat somehow managed to keep the puck out after coming close to crossing the goal line as the Snakes catch a break. Ethan David was forced to make two stops with about five minutes remaining. Nicholas Kent with a good look, couldn't beat Peyton Trzaska with about three minutes to go. The Snakes would get a late PP to finish the game. The Vipers with a few looks but none better then Luke Lavery's lacrosse style goal move inside the final minute, couldn't get the puck to stick to his stick. The Vipers unable to capitalize with the man advantage, that ended at the buzzer. Vernon would defeat Merritt 4-1. The Vipers were the better team but the Centennials pressed at times or did Vernon take their foot off the gas? Both teams had some looks/chances. Vernon outshot Merritt 10-8.
Top Player's: Vernon Vipers
Griffen Barr (1 assist) I thought played well defensively.
Max Borovinskiy played a physical game with a bit of an edge.
Luke Buss had some looks/chances played well.
Ryan Shostak didn't register a point but played with a lot of jump/energy.
Zack Tonelli (1 goal & 1 assist) Was probably the Vipers most consistent forward. I thought played with energy, created several opportunities, played very well.
Game Thought's: Vernon Vipers
I thought the Vipers were the better team and carried the better of the play for most of the hockey game. The Snakes had more puck possession, zone time, shots & opportunities. Vernon was the better team in all three periods other then maybe half of the 2nd period and five to seven minutes in the 3rd. With the score 4-1 in the 2nd period it looked like the Vipers took their foot off the gas. I thought Vernon had several good looks/chances, could have easily scored another five or six goals and blown out the Centennials. I thought the Vipers played well defensively, didn't give up many opportunities/or shots. Vernon went several minutes in each period where they looked like they were on the power play. I thought the officials did a good job at letting both teams play hockey. A very good turnout in the Vipers second to last regular season home game. The Vipers finish the regular season going 5-0 vs Merritt. The Vipers have two games remaining in the regular season. The Vipers have a quick turn around, play tomorrow afternoon in West Kelowna, while the Warriors had tonight off. The Vipers have won three straight and seven of their last ten games. With the win and a Cranbrook loss the Vipers are two points back of Cranbrook for 5th place. If the playoffs started today, Vernon would face 3rd place West Kelowna. If the Snakes finish 6th they will face West Kelowna, if they finish 5th they will face Prince George. With the win Vernon improves to 26-19-4-3
Top Player's: Merritt Centennials
Josh Olson I thought played physical and with a bit of an edge.
John Hicks (24 saves) Started the hockey game, allowed three goals on twenty seven Vernon shots was run over by Cade McNelly early into the 2nd period and was forced to leave the game. Hicks played very well before being shook up.
Peyton Trzaska (18 saves) Come into relief after John Hicks was shaken up early into the middle frame. Trzaska finished the remainder of the game, allowed one goal on eighteen Vernon shots. Trzaska played well down the stretch to finish the contest. Both goaltenders played well, kept the game close.
Game Thought's: Merritt Centennials
The Merritt Centennials struggled through out the hockey game, didn't generate or create a whole lot of chances. I think Merritt had three or four real quality opportunities through out the entire game, don't have any real skilled players. The Cents had trouble getting pucks to the net and generating offence. Merritt didn't have much puck possession and when they did, couldn't do much with it. The Centennials relied on both goaltenders to keep them in the hockey game and keep the score as close as possible. Overall Merritt struggled to keep pace with the hometown Vipers. The Centennials finish the regular season on the road. Tonight was the first game of a four game road trip. With the loss Merritt falls to 3-44-2-2 have loat ten straight and have one win in their last twenty seven games. Merritt sits 9th in the Interior Conference and last in the BC Hockey League.
Scratches:
Vernon Vipers:
Liam Cavan (Injured)
Jack Glen
Seiya Tanaka-Campbell (Injured)
Luke Ashton
Merritt Centennials:
Sam Ward
Ryan Mulrenin
Jacksenn Hungle
Jackson Baker
Three Star's:
1st Star: Zack Tonelli (1 goal & 1 assist)
2nd Star: Cameron MacDonald (1 goal & 1 assist)
3rd Star: Luke Buss (1 goal)
Energy Player of the Game:
Tyler Chan
Boxscore-Game Summary,
Game Report,
Text Box Score,
Official statistics powered by LeagueStat.com (hockeytech.com)
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Here are some picture's I took before and during tonight's Vipers-Centennials game.
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