West Kelowna 5 Vernon 2

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 viewer's. 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-Warriors game as West Kelowna defeated Vernon 5-2 in front of 1,410 fans at Kal Tire Place.

Starting Goaltenders:

Vernon Vipers: Roan Clarke
West Kelowna Warriors: Johnny Derrick

1st Period: The Vipers with a good strong shift off the opening faceoff, resulted in Viper forward/captain JoJo Tanaka-Campbell getting a quality chance at the side of the net inside the opening minute. Vernon had two or three real good looks in the opening minutes as the Warriors needed four minutes to record their first shot of the contest. Off the following shift, Warriors leading scorer Felix Trudeau with a good look/opportunity in front, couldn't beat Roan Clarke with traffic in front on West Kelowna's first chance of the hockey game. About a minute or a minute and a half later, Luke Buss with two good looks/opportunities, couldn't beat former Vernon Vipers goaltender Johnny Derrick. Shortly after on a scramble at the side of the net, former Trail Smoke Eaters forward Chase Dafoe beat Roan Clarke who was down and out, giving West Kelowna a 1-0 lead at 7:15 Tyler Rubin & Damon Jugnauth collected the assists. Just before the halfway mark, Former Vernon Vipers defenceman Nick Ardanaz point shot forced Roan Clarke into making a quick right pad save. With just over eight minutes left in the 1st period, Dylan Brooks point shot would be redirected on it's way to the net by Tyler Crsitall forcing Roan Clarke into making a big stop. Minutes later Nick Ardanaz point shot would be redircted on it's way to the net by John Evans, giving West Kelowna a 2-0 lead at 14:07 Nick Ardanaz and Riley Sharun picked up the helpers. With about four minutes left in the opening frame, Jack Glen and a Warrior player (didn't catch his number) were caught behind the play, as the two carried up ice, the West Kelowna player was very upset and giving it to Jack Glen on his way to the Tribes bench. It was 2-0 West Kelowna after 20 minutes of play. I thought both teams were fairly even for about the first eight to nine minutes before the Warriors took over the edge in play. The Snakes had several early good looks/chances couldn't bury their opportunities at the start of the hockey game. WK also had some early looks/opportunities in the first half but capitalized on two. The Tribe seemed to gain momentum and took over the edge in play in the second half and were the better team in the second half. The Warriors carried the play, had more puck posession, zone time and were winning the battles and races for the puck. The Vipers looked like a different team in the second half, looked sluggish and were being outworked and outplayed. Shots were 5-5 at one point before the Tribe took over the edge in play. West Kelowna outshot Vernon 12-6.

2nd Period: Inside the opening minute, the Snakes with what looked like an odd man rush had the play broken up after a solid defensive play from a WK defenceman. The Tribe quickly turned the puck back up ice, setting up Felix Trudeau on a deflection in front, couldn't beat Vernon Vipers starting netminder Roan Clarke. Five and a half minutes into the middle frame, Vernon setup Reagan Milburn going to the net on an odd man rush, couldn't beat West Kelowna Warriors starting goaltender Johnny Derrick who come across to make a big stop early into the period. A few minutes later, the Snakes would get the games first power play. Very early into the man advantage, Vernon took a few jabs at the loose puck on a goal mouth scramble at the top of the crease, couldn't sneak one past Johnny Derrick. For most of the remainder of the PP Vernon struggled until late towwards the end. With nine seconds left in the PP Jack Glen with two or three shots buried the puck in front, cutting West Kelowna's lead to 2-1 at 9:15 Anthony Cliche with the lone assist. Just over a minute later, on what most fans in the rink thought was a Viper power play, ended up being a West Kelowna power play, their first of the evening. The Tribe with only two shots on the man advantage, couldn't capitalize as Vernon killed off the minor. Just as the penalty expired, former Vernon Vipers forward and current Warriors captain Elan Bar-Lev-Wise with a quality look/chance in the slot, would be robbed by Roan Clarke. A big stop by the Snakes netminder, keeping this a one goal game. Just over three minutes later, John Evans with a snipe, beat Roan Clarke with a lazer shot for his second of the evening, giving West Kelowna a 3-1 lead at 15:50 Riley Sharun & Dylan Brooks collected the assists. This was a tough goal to give up towards the end of the period. Just over a minute later, the Vipers would get a late PP. Vernon struggled with the man advantage as WK killed off the minor. It was 3-1 West Kelowna after 40 minutes of play. I thought the Snakes had a bit of an edge in play early, played well in the first half. Vernon didn't generate or create much for offence but had a few looks/opportunities early to start the 2nd period. The Tribe turned the tables and gained momentum right after the Vipers goal. West Kelowna went on a power play shortly after Vernon's goal and took over the play and were the better team in the second half. The Warriors outworked and outskated the Snakes in the second half, had more puck possession, zone time and the edge in play. WK forced Vernon into turning over the puck and making several mistakes inside their own blueline, were winning the battles along the wall and races for the puck. John Evans late goal was a killer. Instead of only being down a goal heading into the 3rd, Vernon was down two goals. Back to back periods where the Warriors were the better team in the second half. Vernon outshot West Kelowna 11-9.

3rd Period: The Tribe would lose Felix Trudeau 3:46 into the final frame after being called for a ten minute misconduct. Trudeau not happy with the call, gave the official an earful on his way to the sin bin. About a minute later, the Snakes would get an early power play. The Vipers struggled and looked dismal with the man advantage as WK was winning the battles along the wall, taking the puck away from Vernon's forwards and had more puck possession shorthanded. The Vipers didn't get a shot with the PP as West Kelowna killed off the penalty. Sixteen seconds later, John Evans walked into the slot and ripped a shot past Roan Clarke for his third goal of the night, giving West Kelowna a 4-1 lead at 7:00 Nick Ardanaz picked up the lone assist. After struggling on the power play, the Vipers give up a quick goal, falling behind by three. Two minutes later on the rush, JoJo Tanaka-Campbell looked to have Johnny Derrick beat, somehow had the puck roll through the blue paint and out the other side on a great opportunity to get back within a goal. Johnny Derrick and the Tribe catch a huge break as it stay's 4-1 Shortly after Reagan Milburn is stopped by Johnny Derrick before Nicholas Kent buries the rebound, cutting West Kelowna's lead to 4-2 at 11:26 Reagan Milburn and Griffen Barr collected the helpers. Two minutes later Ayden Third lays a big hit on Brennan Nelson in the corner. Nelson gives Third a shot back as the two exchange words and a few wacks at one another as the play continues up ice. As Third is heading to the bench, interfers with Nelson and gets called for interference. Third's emotions get the better of him and send his team down a man with time running out. About a minute and a half through the PP Marcus Joughin rips a snipe shot from the slot, giving West Kelowna a commanding 5-2 lead at 14:45 Tyson Jugnauth with the lone assist. This goal basically puts the game away. An undisciplined penalty by Ayden Third costs Vernon a goal. On the next play, the Snakes get a late PP that lasts all of thirty eight seconds before Luke Buss takes a penalty in his own end, coughing up the power play as the teams go four on four. The Tribe would get a late/shortened PP that the Vipers would kill off. West Kelowna comes away with the 5-2 victory. This was not a good period for Vernon who couldn't gain any kind of traction, struggled offensively and turned over way too many pucks, didn't look good at all in the 3rd period. The Vipers didn't get many looks or opportunities to even try and make some kind of a comeback. The Snakes were losing most of the battles and races for the puck, as West Kelowna was by far the better team in the final period. The Warriors carried most of the play, had more puck possession, zone time and zone time. The Tribe forced Vernon into several mistakes and turnovers. WK played with a lot more hustle and energy, simply outskated and outworked the Vipers. WK didn't get a lot of opportunities but scored on their chances. Vernon outshot West Kelowna 10-8.

Top Player's: Vernon Vipers

Game Thought's: Vernon Vipers

The Vipers were no where close to playing sixty minutes, looked good at times but not for lengthy periods of time. I thought Vernon played well and held their own in the first eight to nine minutes of the 1st period and the first half of the 2nd period. Vernon with some good looks early into the game in the opening minutes, couldn't capitalize. If the Vipers open the scoring and get the games first goal just minutes into the game, does the momentum change or the Vipers poor play still end up costing them the game? For most of the night, the Snakes were outshutled, outworked, outskated, lost most of the puck battles, races for pucks, didn't look sharp. Vernon struggled coming out of their own end, with their passing, and had troubles generating or creating offence in the 2nd and 3rd periods. The Snakes turned over the puck in their own end on numerous times through out the hockey game. The Vipers struggled with the power play going 1-4 with the man advantage. Vernon had several good looks in the opening minutes of the 1st period, couldn't capitalize before giving up back to back goals and falling behind 2-0 in the 1st period. The Snakes never really recovered and were playing catchup for the remainder of the game. The Vipers didn't play with a whole lot of jump/energy and looked sluggish at times. The Vipers haven't played or looked that great in back to back home games. Tonight was a big game regarding the standings as Vernon is chasing the Warriors for 3rd place. Prior to tonight the Snakes were six points back of 3rd place West Kelowna. A very disapointing effort and game from the Vipers who knew how big of a game tonight was. Good on Vipers Head Coach/GM Jason McKee for coming on air after the game for the post game show and being very honest yet disapointed in his team and effort. These two teams will meet for the final time this regular season March 20th in West Kelowna. A small crowd tonight. The Vipers don't draw well on midweek games. The Vipers have a quick turn around with a travel day and game in Prince George on Friday before getting home late and then playing Cranbrook Sunday afternoon at home. Two very good teams. The Snakes with only six regular season games left. The Vipers have won three of their last five games and six of their last ten games. Vernon has won sixteen of their last twenty one games. With the loss Vernon falls to 23-18-4-3 sit 6th place in the Interior Conference are twelve points ahead of Wenatchee and one point back of Cranbrook and eight points back of West Kelowna & Prince George.

Top Player's: West Kelowna Warriors

Felix Trudeau was held off the scoresheet but did have a few looks/opportunities was dangerous at times in and around the net.

Dylan Brooks (1 assist) Played well on the blueline. 

Nick Ardanaz (2 assists) Played well on the Tribe's blueline, was good at both ends of the rink. Ardanaz attended the Vipers training camp in 2017 & 2018 was an affiliated player with the Vipers during the 2018-19 season, had committed to play for the Vipers in 2019 before committing to the West Kelowna Warriors for the 2019-20 season. 

John Evans (3 goals) Had a heck of the hockey game. This kid can skate, move the puck and has a wicked shot. Was by far the Warriors best player in the win. Evans was hard to defend against and hard to contain through out the evening.

Alexi Van Houtte Cachero Impressed me. I thought played very well and was one of the more consistent forwards for West Kelowna. A big body that can move the puck and makes plays happen. 

Tyler Cristall played well was involved in the play, looked good.

Riley Sharun (2 assists) With a two point night, Sharun played and looked good up front for the Tribe. 

Game Thought's: West Kelowna Warriors

The Warriors played a very well road game. WK escaped some early pressure off the start of the game as Vernon had some early chances and looks within the first few minutes. The Tribe seemed to settle down as the opening frame continued, would eventually open the scoring and then took a 2-0 lead into the 2nd period. The Warriors were nine seconds away from killing off a power play, gave up a PP goal and allowed the Vipers back in the hockey game but stuck with their game plan and got a big goal from John Evans with four minutes remaining in the middle frame. Instead of only being up a goal going into the 3rd, the Tribe took a two goal lead into the final twenty minutes. West Kelowna played very well in the 3rd period, outworked and outhustled the hometown Vipers, didn't give up much as far as opportunities, carried the play and were the better team in the 3rd. After a big penalty kill minutes into the 3rd, the Warriors strike sixteen seconds later to put the game away. The Warriors played well defensively, especially in the 2nd and 3rd periods, did a good job at limiting Vernon's opportunities in the 2nd and 3rd periods. WK didn't give up much in order of chances in the final two periods. If the Snakes did get a look/or opportunity Johnny Derrick was there to make the stop. Derrick who was an affiliated goaltender with the Vipers during the 2018-19 season. The Tribe have a good transition game, can move the puck up ice and have several skilled yet shifty players that can put the puck in the net. The Warriors didn't generate a ton of chances even though they carried the better of the play, did manage to capitalize on their looks/opportunities. I spotted a small handful of about five or six Warriors fans at tonight's game. The Warriors are 3-1 vs the Vipers this season. This was a big game for both teams regarding the standings and the race for 3rd place. West Kelowna come into tonight's contest six points ahead of Vernon. The Tribe with seven regular season games left before the playoffs. The Warriors have won three straight, four of their last five games and seven of their last ten games. With the win the Warriors improve to 30-16-1-0 sit 3rd in the Interior Conference are eight points up on Vernon, seven points up on Cranbrook and tied in points with Prince George are twelve points back of 2nd place Salmon Arm.

Scratches:

Vernon Vipers:

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

West Kelowna Warriors:

Pat Lawn
Isaiah Norlin
Cameron Hicklin

Three Star's:

1st Star: John Evans (3 goals)
2nd Star: Riley Sharun (2 assists)
3rd Star: Nicholas Kent (1 goal)

Energy Player of the Game:

Tyler Chan

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 pictures I took before and during tonight's Vipers-Warriors game.