BCHL 1st Round Playoffs: Game 4 West Kelowna 6 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 mens 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 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 and see things differently. 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 Game 4 Vipers-Warriors game as West Kelowna defeated Vernon 6-2 in front of 1,264 fans at Kal Tire Place.

Starting Goaltenders:

Vernon Vipers: Roan Clarke
West Kelowna Warriors: Johnny Derrick

1st Period: The Vipers jumped on the Warriors early and often. Vernon had all the pressure off the opening faceoff but no scoring chances and only ended up with two shots on goal. It was actually the Tribe that had the first quality chance of the period after Alexi Van Houtte Cachero with a quick shot from in close, forced Roan Clarke into making a quick left pad save three minutes into the game. I don't think Clarke saw the shot until the last second and was forced to kick the puck out with his left pad. The Snakes would get the games first power play, just over four minutes into the contest. The Vipers struggled with the man advantage, didn't generate much or get a single shot with the man advantage as West Kelowna killed off the minor. Just as the penalty expired, Riley Sharun jumped out of the penalty box, joining former Vipers forward Elan Bar-Lev-Wise on an odd man rush. Bar-Lev-Wise kept and shot would be stopped by Roan Clarke. The Snakes quickly pushed the pace back the other way. Luke Pakuklak on an odd man rush, would be stopped by Johnny Derrick. Two big stops at both ends of the rink. The Warriors quickly turned the play back up ice, going the other way before former Trail Smoke Eaters forward Chase Dafoe would be denied from the high slot after a big stop from Roan Clarke. End to end action with three very good chances at both ends of the rink. Just before the halfway mark Zach Tonelli with a good look/opportunity from the circle would be denied by Johnny Derrick. Just past the midway mark, Chase Dafoe with his second opportunity of the period would be stopped by Roan Clarke. Shortly after Vernon would be hemmned in their own end and couldn't clear the zone. On the third chance to clear the zone, Anthony Cliche returning to the lineup after missing Game 3, coughed up the puck from behind the goal line, which allowed Brennan Nelson to bury the turnover, giving West Kelowna a 1-0 lead at 13:46 Marcus Joughin & Nick Roukounakis picked up the assists. This goal turned the tables and the momentum as the Warriors took over the edge in play and the Snakes went several minutes without a shot on goal. Max Borovinskiy took an akward hit in the corner and looked to be in some discomfort making his way to the bench. Borovinskiy went to the dressing room with the trainer and didn't return. The Vipers seemed to get some life back late in the period and inside the final minute, Seiya Tanaka-Campbell couldn't connect on a crease pass, somehow missing an open net from the top of the crease. The Vipers stayed with the play and on a flurry in and around Johnny Derrick, Jack Glen was able to put home a loose puck with bodies all over the front of the crease, tying the game 1-1 at 19:40 Ryan Shostak and Luke Buss collected the helpers. It was 1-1 after 20 minutes of play. I thought the Snakes were the better team in the first half or more. Vernon jumped on West Kelowna off the faceoff and carried the play for the first four minutes, but didn't generate or create any real opportunities and only mustered two shots on goal. The Vipers would get an early power play, but struggled, didn't record a shot on goal. The Vipers did managed a few good looks/chances in the first half before a costly turnover in their own end, gave the Warriors the lead and West Kelowna turned the tables, grabbed the momentum and were the better team for a lot of the second half. Both teams had some good chances. West Kelowna outshot Vernon 12-10.

2nd Period: The Snakes would get an early PP inside the opening minute, their second power play of the evening. In the opening seconds Viper forward/captain JoJo Tanaka-Campbell couldn't get the puck up and over and down and out Johnny Derrick who was forced to make two or three saves on a scramble at the top of the crease. Vernon with a ton of pressure and chances, couldn't find the back of the net. WK killed off the minor. Eighteen seconds later, Christophe Farmer gave West Kelowna a 2-1 lead at 2:49 Alexi Van Houtte Cachero drew the lone assist. On the following shift, the Tribe would get their first man advantage of the hockey game. Christophe Farmer leaned into one, beating Vernon Vipers starting goaltender Roan Clarke but not the crossbar. On a bit of a scramble, the puck popped out to Felix Trudeau who buried the rebound, giving West Kelowna a 3-1 lead at 4:55 John Evans and Tyler Cristal collected the assists. Shortly after the Vipers setup Luke Lavery who got behind the Warriors defenders but would be stoned in front by West Kelowna Warriors starting goaltender Johnny Derrick. Just before the halfway mark, the Vipers would jump on the PP. On a scramble in front, the Vipers couldn't get the puck through bodies in front. Johnny Derrick made one or two stops before being out of position where  Matthew Culling buried an open cage, cutting West Kelowna's lead to 3-2 at 9:00 Luke Pakulak and Nicholas Kent drew the helpers. 2:27 later on an odd man rush, Elan Bar-Lev-Wise setup Christophe Farmer who's shot looked like it was knocked down with a high stick. The goal was waived off immediately by the official behind the goal. Farmer and the Tribe aruged before the officials gathered to talk it over. After a short discussion, the goal was overturned and counted, giving West Kelowna a 4-2 lead at 11:27 Christophe Farmer was awarded the goal, while Elan Bar-Lev-Wise and Felix Trudeau were given the assists. Fans at Kal Tire Place were not happy with the call, let the officials hear about it. A few minutes later, Luke Pakulak would get a good look/opportunity but denied by former Vernon Vipers goaltender Johnny Derrick. Inside the final minute, the Warriors would get a late power play. Tyler Rubin's shot from the point would beat Roan Clarke but not the crossbar. Thirty five seconds into the man advantage and John Evans would get called for a minor, taking away WK's power play. It was four on four until the final buzzer. It was 4-2 West Kelowna after 40 minutes of play. The Snakes had an early power play and several quality chances but couldn't capitalize with the man advantage. Eighteen seconds later West Kelowna takes a 2-1 lead and 2:06 later the Tribe grab a 3-1 lead. Two tough goals to give up in a short period after getting several chances to take the lead on a previous power play. The Vipers get to within a goal before a controversial call on West Kelowna's fourth goal. This was the TSN turning point as I thought this goal was knocked in with a high stick. It should have been 3-2 West Kelowna, instead it's 4-2 and the Vipers need three goals in the 3rd to win. The Snakes had some good looks/opportunities early but couldn't bury their chances. Vernon didn't get many chances in the second half. The Warriors were the better team, had more puck possession and capitalized on their chances. Vernon outshot West Kelowna 14-12.

3rd Period: Ryan Shostak with an early chance to get within a goal, can't solve Johnny Derrick inside the opening minute. Shortly after Brennan Nelson puts the game away, giving West Kelowna a 5-2 lead at 1:50 John Evans and Nick Roukounakis pick up the assists. This was the end of the night for Roan Clarke. The Vipers netminder allowed five goals on twenty seven West Kelowna shots. Ethan David replaced Clarke for the second straight game. Two and a half minutes later, Cameron MacDonald wide open in the slot, is denied by Johnny Derrick. Just over three minutes later, Luke Buss hit Elan Bar-Lev-Wise from behind into the end boards, causing a little scrum. Buss would get two minutes for hitting from behind and a game misconduct. Bar-Lev-Wise went to the dressing room but returned to the game and stayed in the game. Tyler Cristal rubs salt into the open wound, scoring on the power play, giving West Kelowna a commanding 6-2 lead at 8:32 John Evans and Felix Trudeau with the helpers as fans started making their way to the exits. With the game now all but over it turned into a pond hockey game as both teams just wanting to go home. Just before the midway mark, Cameron Hicklin would get slashed on a breakaway but stopped by Ethan David. Hicklin was awarded a penalty shot, stunning the fans that were left inside Kal Tire Place. Hicklin was slashed but managed to get off a good backhand that was stopped. Hicklin ended up missing the net on the penalty shot, as Ethan David must have said something to the Warriors forward. Hicklin pointed to the scoreboard as he made his way back to the bench. With about six and a half minutes left, Seiya Tanaka-Campbell with a quality chance, couldn't solve Johnny Derrick. With about three minutes remaining, Reagan Milburn would be stopped in close on a good look/opportunity. Inside the final minute, WK would get a late PP but wound the clock down and come away with the 6-2 victory and a commanding 3-1 series lead. Not much of a final period as the Warriors put the game away with two 3rd period goals. After the Tribe's fifth goal, the life was taken out from the Vipers and the remainder of the game wasn't much of a hockey game. Both teams were just trying to wind down the clock. Vernon was down 4-2 heading into the 3rd in Game 3 with the Warriors scoring two 3rd period goals and the same thing happened tonight. West Kelowna outshot Vernon 10-7.

Top Player's: Vernon Vipers

Seiya Tanaka-Campbell Played with a lot of jump/energy, had some looks/chances played well. It's too bad Viper fans never got to see this kid play the full season as he is turning into a very good young hockey player. Tanaka-Campbell was out twice this season with two long term injuries. 

JoJo Tanaka-Campbell The Viper captain played well, had a few looks.

Ryan Shostak (1 assist) Played well at different times through out the contest. Had some looks/chances.

Luke Pakulak (1 assist) Had some looks, played and battled hard.

Game Thought's: Vernon Vipers

The hometown Vipers jumped on the Warriors off the opening faceoff and dominated the early edge in play. Vernon looked like they were on the power play, looked very good the first four minutes or so. The only problem was they didn't generate any real scoring chances and only mustered two shots on goal. The Vipers would get an early PP just over four minutes into the game but struggled without a single shot on goal. When your down in the series and need a win to get back into the series, you need to at least get a goal or two to reward your effort and hard work. Instead all that effort and hard work went to waist after a brutal turnover in their own end, that ended up in the back of their net, giving West Kelowna a 1-0 lead. These turnovers are killing the Vipers and have been all season. I thought Vernon played well for at least the first half of the 1st period and the final few minutes of the 1st period. A good start on an early power play to start the 2nd period, had lots of looks/opportunities but again, all that effort and hard work and no goal to be rewarded with. Just as the penalty expired, the Warriors come down the ice and score, to take a 2-1 lead. 2:06 later, West Kelowna takes a 3-1 lead and it's now an uphill battle from here on in. I thought as soon as the Warriors went ahead by two goals, the Vipers weren't the same team and didn't have much fight left for the remainder of the game. I didn't think the Snakes were very good in the second half of the game. I thought Vernon didn't get many opportunities after West Kelowna's 3rd goal. The Vipers aren't a very good come from behind team and when you can't score, you can't always be playing from behind. For the third straight game, the Vipers give up the games first goal and trail for most of the game. In all three of those games, they lost. The Vipers can't put them selfs in a hole and down two goals heading into the 3rd. The Snakes have struggled scoring goals all season and again in the playoffs, especially in Games 2, 3 and 4. It's not like the Vipers haven't had their chances, they just can't bury or capitalize on their opportunities and it's cost them three games in this series. Take a look at Game 3 and 4 and the Vipers get a flurry of chances, can't score and the Warriors come down the ice shortly after and score on their first shot. Vernon also made some mistakes tonight and struggled with the man advantage. Once again, specialty teams was a factor. The Vipers go 1-4 with the man advantage and West Kelowna goes 2-4 The Snakes did play a much more disciplined game but mistakes and turnovers were still an issue. The mistakes and turnovers the Vipers are making at this time of the season and in the playoffs are inexcusable and it comes down to coaching. Where has Luke Buss been in the playoffs? One of the Vipers more skilled/offensive minded forwards and he has no goals to show for it? What has happened to Roan Clarke, the Vipers regular season MVP in my mind hasn't been the same goaltender in the playoffs. Clarke has struggled at times and not looked the same from his play during the regular season. Your not going to go far or win many playoff games giving five or six goals a game. I thought maybe the Vipers would have started Ethan David in Game 3 or even more so tonight. Will David get the start Friday in West Kelowna? Tonight was a must win for the Vipers. They didn't want to go down 3-1 in the series vs a very strong Warriors team. Now trailing 3-1 in the series the Vipers have a long hill to climb and don't have much of a chance. Let's face it, the Vipers didn't have a very good season and were near the bottom of the standings at Christmas. This team had about three or four wins in twenty plus games and looked very dismal the first of the season. It wasn't until the trade deadline, when things changed. The team improved and went on a nine game winning streak and were much better in the second half of the season. Looking at both teams and watching the series, the Vipers aren't good enough and don't have the team or the players to compete or come back in the series vs a very strong West Kelowna team. The Warriors are a much better team and it's showing as the series continues. Vernon has held their own at times in the series but overall, West Kelowna is the much better team. A very small crowd tonight with lots of season ticket holders in my section not in attendance. Lots of season ticket holders in my section stopped coming to the games in late February and won't be back until a new coach is hired. Lot's of rumours going around the arena tonight, the Vipers are up for sale. Was tonight the Vipers last home game of the 2021-22 season? Will Friday be the final game of the 2021-22 season? It sure doesn't look good.

Top Player's: West Kelowna Warriors

Tyler Rubin saw a lot of ice time and played well. Rang a shot off the crossbar in the 2nd period. 

Felix Trudeau (1 goal & 2 assists) I didn't think stood out all that much was more at the right place at the right time, collecting three points in the win.

Brennan Nelson (2 goals) I thought played well and looked good this evening. I thought has played well in the series and been one of the more consistent forwards for the Tribe.

Alexi Van Houtte Cachero Played well, was involved in the play, battled and competed. 

Chase Dafoe Has played well this series, had some looks/chances tonight. 

Christophe Farmer (2 goals) Is another forward who's played very well in the series. Scored some key goals in this series and played well. 

Johnny Derrick (29 saves) Was good in goal and made the saves when called apon. Was forced to make some big stops in the 1st and 2nd periods before WK put the game away.

Game Thought's: West Kelowna Warriors

The Warriors didn't get off to a good start, but managed to weather the storm before opening the scoring on a turnover in the offensive zone. West Kelowna is quick, has a good transition game, can move the puck, is very well coached, solid goaltending and has very skilled forwards. The Warriors capitalize on their chances and play well with a lead. It seems like the Tribe come down the ice and score, where as Vernon gets three or four chances and doesn't score. The Warriors have a very balanced roster and all of WK's six goals were earned and hard fought goals, all from in close and in and around the net. It looked to me that West Kelowna's fourth goal was knocked down with a high stick. The goal was waived off immediately but then over turned. How does this goal get over turned when the official that was behind the net, made the call. I'd like to see a replay on that. The Tribe has chased Roan Clarke from the pipes twice in back to back games and scored seventeen goals in the last three games. Johnny Derrick has been the better goaltender in the series. The Warriors are getting the bounces but also working hard for those bounces. This is a very good hockey team that is built for the playoffs. Spotted several Warriors fans in attendance tonight. The Warriors will have a chance to end the series at home in Game 5 Friday. West Kelowna is 8-3 vs Vernon this season (preseason, regular season & playoffs).  

Scratches:

Vernon Vipers:

Cade McNelly (Suspended)
Liam Cavan (Injured)
Tyler Chan
Copeland Fricker

West Kelowna Warriors:

Charles Alexis-Legault
Pat Lawn
Damon Jugnauth

Three Star's:

1st Star: Christophe Farmer (2 goals)
2nd Star: Brennan Nelson (2 goals)
3rd Star: Felix Trudeau (1 goal & 2 assists)

Energy Player of the Game:

Zach Tonelli 

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 tonight's Vipers-Warriors game.