BCHL 1st Round Playoffs: Game 1 Vernon 5 West Kelowna 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 viwers. For anyone who couldn't attend or watch 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-Warriors Game 1 of the Playoffs as Vernon defeated West Kelowna 5-2 in front of 1,048 fans at Royal LePage Place.

Starting Goaltenders:

Vernon Vipers: Roan Clarke
West Kelowna Warriors: Johnny Derrick

1st Period: The Warriors got the early jump on the Vipers off the opening faceoff. Tyler Cristal with a good look at the to of the crease in the opening minute as West Kelowna quickly jumped out to a 2-0 lead in shots on the first shift of the game. The Vipers needed two and a half minutes to get a shot on goal. Chase Dafoe would be denied by Roan Clarke in the slot, and as the puck quickly come up ice the other way, the Tribe turned over the puck before Cameron MacDonald ripped a shot past former Vernon Vipers netminder Johnny Derrick, giving Vernon an early 1-0 lead at 3:09 on just their second shot of the period. Reagan Milburn drew the lone assist. Fourty seven seconds later, WK would get an early power play, the first PP of the contest. The Warriors had some pressure but no real quality chances, until Charles-Alexis Legault with thirty two seconds left in the mean advantage, ripped home a shot past Roan Clarke, tying the game 1-1 at 5:16 Elan Bar-Lev-Wise & Nicolas Ardanaz collected the helpers. Just before the halfway mark, Roan Clarke made a big pad save off Christophe Farmer from in close. Shortly after, Ayden Third walked into the slot and ripped a laser past Johnny Derrick, giving Vernon a 2-1 lead at 11:11 Third's goal was unassisted. About two and a half minutes later, Ayden Third leaned into a heavy shot that would be blocked by Charles-Alexis Legault. Shortly after the Warriors would get their second power play of the period. The Vipers with a big kill would kill off the minor. With about three and a half minutes remaining, Cameron MacDonald with an opportunity couldn't solve Johnny Derrick from in close. Less then a minute later, Christophe Farmer had Roan Clarke beat but hit the crossbar as WK come very close to tying the game late. It was 2-1 Vernon after 20 minutes of play. The Warriors were the better team. West Kelowna carried the better of the play, had more puck posession, zone time and were very physical. Both teams were physical but the Tribe were hitting almost anybody in sight in a very physical period. The Warriors had the better of the play but didn't generate a lot of opportunities. The Vipers didn't have the puck on their stick a lot, didn't generate much for offence or have much zone time for most of the period, but did capitalize on their chances. The Snakes did play better and look their best in the final three to four minutes of the period. Vernon outshot West Kelowna 10-7.

2nd Period: Two and a half minutes into the middle frame, Cade McNelly went for the big hit, ended up hitting Matthew Culling, allowing Chase Dafoe & Tyler Cristal to go in on the two on one. Dafoe kept and shot, would be stopped by Vernon Vipers starting goaltender Roan Clarke who made a big pad save, allowing a big rebound out that Tyler Cristal couldn't pounce on. About a minute and a half later, Roan Clarke was forced to make two big stops at the top of the crease with the Warriors pressing. Just before the midway mark, West Kelowna would get their third PP of the evening. The Tribe with lots of pressure were moving the puck well. Tyler Cristal was alone in the slot, had Roan Clarke beat but hit the crossbar. Roan Clarke made at least two big stops, while the Viper defence blocked two shots as Vernon killed off the minor. Shortly after, Max Borovinskiy on a three on one, couldn't beat Johnny Derrick. Shortly after the Snakes would get their first power play of the hockey game. The Vipers couldn't get much going with the man advantage as WK killed off the minor. Cade McNelly with the biggest hit of the night, levelled former Vernon Vipers forward Elan Bar-Lev-Wise in the offensive zone. With about four minutes remaining, Johnny Derrick would make the first stop before robbing Matthew Culling on the second opportunity. Two big stops from the Warriors netminder. On the following play, Roan Clarke stopped Alexi Van Houtte-Cachero from the slot. About two minutes later, Ryan Shostak would be denied on an odd man rush as Vernon was coming on strong towards the end of the period. It was 2-1 Vernon after 40 minutes of play. The Warriors carried the better of the play for most of the period. West Kelowna had more puck posession and zone time, had lots of good looks/opportunities couldn't bury their chances. The Warriors had several good looks just missed the net by inches or couldn't connect on passes going through the slot. West Kelowna wasn't getting the bounces go their way. The Tribe could have had two or three goals if they would have capitalized. The Vipers didn't get a lot of time with the puck for most of the period, which meant they didn't generate many chances. Roan Clarke had to be sharp, made some big stops and got some luck or the Warriors could have had a two or three goal lead heading into the 3rd. Vernon like the 1st period come on strong late in the period and played their best hockey of the 2nd period in the final five mnutes. The Snakes had several good looks/quality chances in the final five minutes, could have also been up two or three goals but couldn't bury their opportunities. Vernon outshot West Kelowna 12-11.

3rd Period: Both teams played a very tight defensive game early into the period as both teams couldn't generate any kind of offence. Just before the midway mark, Cade McNelly skated across the blueline, ripped a shot that beat Johnny Derrick but not the crossbar as the Snakes come very close to taking a two goal lead. On the following play, Seiya Tanaka-Campbell returned to the Vipers lineup tonight from an injury, looked to have Johnny Derrick beat in the slot but couldn't convert on a missed opportunity. Vernon would get just it's second man advantage of the hockey game less then a minute later. Matthew Culling spotted Zack Tonelli at the side of the goal, would be robbed by West Kelowna Warriors goaltender Johnny Derrick, who stretched across the crease to make a huge right pad save off Tonelli. Tonelli stayed with the play and puck, managed to beat Johnny Derrick on the rebound, going up and over a sprawled out Derrick, giving Vernon a 3-1 lead at 10:11 Matthew Culling & Ryan Shostak picked up the helpers. About three minutes later, JoJo Tanaka-Campbell sprung Reagan Milburn in for the breakaway, deked out Johnny Derrick, giving Vernon a 4-1 lead at 12:58 JoJo Tanaka-Campbell with the lone assist. One minute later, Vernon couldn't clear the zone as Matthew Culling couldn't find the puck in his skates that allowed Chase Dafoe to rip home a quick shot from the circle that beat Roan Clarke shortside, cutting Vernon's lead to 4-2 at 13:55 Tyler Cristal drew the assist. Jason McKee quickly called a timeout after the Tribes goal. From here on in the Vipers played a solid shutdown defensive game. Down two goals, the Warriors had trouble getting Johnny Derrick to the bench. The Snakes not allowing West Kelowna to get through the neutral zone. WK would eventually get Johnny Derrick to the bench with 2:05 remaining before Simon Ferguson would use his timeout. The Warriors with a ton of pressure inside the final two minutes. Roan Clarke made one or two solid saves but none bigger then stopping Chase Dafoe in front in the slot, or this was a one goal hockey game. Inside the final minute of play, Cameron MacDonald on a breakaway would put the game away with an empty netter, giving Vernon a 5-2 lead at 19:51 as fans starting making their way to the exits. MacDonald's goal was unassisted. At the buzzer as the Vipers skated onto the ice to celebrate the win, Damon Jugnauth managed to get involved with the Viper celebration, that eluded to some pushing and shoving before the officials were forced to move him along. Lot's of chirping going back and fourth between both teams. Vernon would take Game 1 5-2 and take a 1-0 series lead. The Vipers played their best period of the hockey game, completely shutting down the West Kelowna Warriors on their home ice and were the better team. The Snakes played very well defensively, got a few blocked shots as well as two big goals to take a 4-1 lead at one point. Vernon didn't give up much of anything until the Warriors got the goaltender to the bench for the extra attacker. I think West Kelowna had only three shots on goal with about six minutes left? The Vipers played a perfect road game in the 3rd period. The Warriors who carried most of the play in the first two periods, couldn't gain any traction or get any momentum. Giving up two quick back to back goals about three minutes apart, basically put the game away. WK didn't create or generate much for offence until getting a few opportunities late with the goaltender on the bench. Down a goal heading into the 3rd, you would think you would have seen a bigger push from the Tribe? Vernon outshot West Kelowna 12-8.

Top Player's: Vernon Vipers

Ayden Third (1 goal) I thought played a solid game on the blueline. Jumped into the rush/play, was good at both ends of the rink.

Cade McNelly I thought played his best game as a Viper and played with a much more level head tonight. There was one point, I think in the 2nd period where he lost his cool after a check and went after the player but once getting warned by the official on the bench, he was also given a stearn talking to by Jason McKee. McNelly seemed to rise to the challenge, was disciplined and played a very well defensive game the rest of the way. Was getting pucks in on net, rang a shot off the crossbar in the 3rd period, played very well. Let's hope he can continue to play like this and not lose his cool like we have seen him in the past.

Griffen Barr was another Viper defenceman that played well. Barr missed the final regular season game with an injury, returned to the Snakes lineup tonight. 

Cameron MacDonald (2 goals) Was one of Vernon's better players. Opened the scoring early into the hockey game and then put the game away late in the 3rd with an empty netter. Played with a lot of jump/energy, was skating hard and really using his speed and skill to generate some offence.

Roan Clarke (24 saves) Was called apon to make some big stops through out the night, played very well. Clarke was the busier of the two goaltenders in the 1st and 2nd periods.

Game Thought's: Vernon Vipers

I don't think the Vipers played their best hockey but played well at different times in the game. The Warriors carried a lot of the play, had more puck posession and zone time for a lot of the 1st and 2nd periods but the Snakes held their own, managed to open the scoring and play most of the game with the lead. Vernon is a much better team when opening the scoring and playing with the lead. Roan Clarke was solid between the pipes and made the big saves when called apon. The Snakes didn't get a lot of looks/chances in the first two periods but capitalized on their opportunities. Vernon looked good and played better in the final three to four minutes of the 1st and 2nd periods and is where they got a lot of their opportunities but played their best hockey in the 3rd in a very solid defensive game. Vernon's defence did a good job at blocking shots, limiting the Warriors chances and clogging up the neutral zone. The Vipers didn't make a lot of mistakes, played well at times, managed to hold their own at times and score at key times in the game. Vernon caught some breaks and had the puck bounce their way, managed to get some of the bounces or luck go their way. After watching the Warriors beat Vernon the last two regular season games, I saw a much better, stronger and more complete Warriors team. Going into tonight, I did not see this coming. With the Warriors beating Vernon 6-1 March 20th and riding a ten game winning streak, I didn't see an upset in the cards tonight. Playoffs are a whole new season and you just never know what can happen. How big is tomorrow's Game 2? Could you imagine if the Vipers pull off another upset and come home, leading the series 2-0? I saw several Viper fans in attendance but not as many as I expected. I expected more Viper fans with it being playoffs. Overall this was a very physical but entertaining hockey game. Tonight was the Vipers first win in West Kelowna after going 0-2 at Royal LePage Place during the regular season. The Vipers went 1-4 vs the Warriors during the regular season. Game 2 goes tomorrow night in West Kelowna. The Vipers have won two straight and four of their last five games. Vernon has won seven of their last ten games.

Top Player's: West Kelowna Warriors

Tyler Rubin played well on WK's blueline. A good skater that can move the puck quick up ice. Play's with a lot of energy.

Charles-Alexis Legault (1 goal) Played very well vs Vernon in the final regular season meeting vs the Vipers on March 20th, had a strong game in the loss tonight. This kid is big, physical, can move the puck and quick on his feet. Played very well at both ends of the rink. 

Chase Dafoe (1 goal) Had some good looks/chances through out the game. A big body, goes to the net, is involved and engaged in the play, is hard to defend against.

Tyler Cristal (1 assist) Was all over the rink this evening. This kid is quick and hard to defend against and contain. Had several good looks/opportunities. Played with a lot of jump/energy.

Tyson Jugnauth Played a two-way game on the Warriors backend. Moves the puck very well, makes that first pass coming out of his own end, can skate well and reads the ice very well. Looked very good through out the game.

Christophe Farmer Probably had the most looks/opportunities by any Warriors forward. Played with a lot of energy and jump, was another West Kelowna forward that was hard to defend against and hard to contain in the offensive zone. Rang a shot off the crossbar late in the 1st period, had all kinds of chances.

Johnny Derrick (29 saves) The former Viper netminder wasn't really tested a whole lot in the 1st period and wasn't until late in the 2nd period when forced to make some big stops with Vernon pressing. I don't think you can blame Derrick on any of the goals played well between the pipes for West Kelowna.

Game Thought's: West Kelowna Warriors

I thought West Kelowna was the better team for a lot of the 1st and 2nd periods. Did the Warriors outplay or dominate the game? No, not at all. But the Warriors did carry the better of the play for a lot of the first two periods. The Vipers couldn't really mount any kind of threat or pressure until late in both the 1st and 2nd periods. The Tribe's problem was they couldn't bury their chances. WK didn't get the bounces or puck luck. I thought the Tribe missed on a few opportunities that looked like a sure goal, during the 2nd period. West Kelowna didn't generate a whole lot of offence in the opening frame, did create/generate a lot of good looks/quality chances in the 2nd period but come out of the middle frame with no goals. If the Warriors bury some of these opportunities, it's now 4 or 5-2 West Kelowna going into the 3rd instead of 2-1 Vernon heading into the final frame. Down a goal heading into the 3rd, the Warriors couldn't gain any kind of traction, struggled offensively, had troubles gaining the neutral zone, getting pucks to the net and creating offence. I noticed a key offensive player like John Evans wasn't noticable tonight, usally plays well vs the Vipers. Missing Felix Trudeau is another skilled forward missing from the Warriors lineup that could have been helpful tonight. The Tribe were shutdown defensively and gave up two quick back to back goals, were now behind 4-1 with seven minutes remaining. The Warriors gave up the first goal and were trailing all night. I think if West Kelowna opens the scoring and plays with the lead and makes Vernon come from behind, it's a different outcome. After going 4-1 vs the Vipers during the regular season and beating Vernon 6-1 on March 20th, if the Warriors pump in a few early goals and jump out to a 2-0 lead early, the Vipers may be thinking, oh no here we go again. Instead the Warriors are playing from behind and can't find the trigger. The Warriors ten game winning streak comes to an end and the Vipers now have home ice advantage in the series. Montreal Canadiens defenceman Shea Webber was in attendance tonight. Warriors forward Felix Trudeau was serving his fourth game of a five game suspension, will serve his final game tomorrow in Game 2.

Scratches:

Vernon Vipers:

Liam Cavan (Injured)
Luke Ashton
Tyler Chan
Copeland Fricker

West Kelowna Warriors:

Pat Lawn
Felix Trudeau (Suspended)
Isiah Norlin

Three Star's:

1st Star: Damon Jugnauth 
2nd Star: Roan Clarke (24 saves)
3rd Star: Charles-Alexis Legault (1 goal)

Energy Player of the Game:

Tyler Rubin

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