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 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 Vipers-Vees game as Penticton defeats Vernon 5-3 in front of 458 fans at Kal Tire Place.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon Vipers: Roan Clarke
Penticton Vees: Hank Levy
1st Period: Off the opening faceoff the Vipers fired the puck in from outside the blueline handcuffed Hank Levy. Levy made the save as the puck went up and over the net, was close to going in behind the Vees netminder, as the Vees catch a break nineteen seconds into the hockey game. The Vees come back the other way and Vernon has trouble clearing the zone, instead the play stays inside the blueline and Brett Moravec spots Billy Norcross in front, giving Penticton an early 1-0 lead at 0:56 Brett Moravec & Beanie Richter collected the assists. About two minutes later Roan Clarke had to be alert as the Vees couldn't concert on a scramble at the top of the crease. About a minute later, the Vipers responded with a quick breakout setting up Ludovik Tardiff at the side of the goal, couldn't convert on the odd man rush. Just before the halfway mark, Reagan Milburn's shot from well out would be redirected in front by Ludovik Tardiff but missed the goal. On the next shift, Kurt Gurkan with a quality chance in front would be denied by former Wenatchee Wild goaltender Hank Levy. Towards the end of the period, Penticton turned over the puck coming out of their own end, which resulted in Isaac Tremblay's quick release that beat Hank Levy, tying the game 1-1 at 14:47 Tremblay's goal was unassisted. Just over three minutes later, Reagan Milburn's shot from centre ice somehow fooled Hank Levy, as Vernon takes a 2-1 lead at 18:05 Ludovik Tardiff drew the lone helper. Inside the final minute, the Snakes turned over the puck at the blueline and it cost them. Aydar Suniev spotted Jackson Nieuwendyk beat Roan Clarke from in front, tying the game 2-2 at 19:53 Aydar Suniev and Callum Arnott with the assists. It was 2-2 after 20 minutes of play. The Vees were the better of the two teams for the first seven to eight minutes. Penticton carried the play early, were skating, moving the puck, forcing turnovers but didn't have a whole lot of quality chances. The Snakes seemed to get going just before the midway mark and played a much better second half. Vernon had some real good looks/quality opportunities, had the better of the scoring chances. The Vipers had their legs going and played with good pace. Hank Levy making his Penticton Vees debut looked a little shaky, was fighting the puck early, giving up rebounds and having trouble making a clean save. Shots were 6-3 Penticton at one point but Vernon outshot Penticton 13-8.
2nd Period: Off the opening faceoff Ryan Hopkins with a hard shot from the circle, forced Vernon Vipers starting goaltender Roan Clarke into making a big save inside the opening minute. A few plays later, the Vees with some quick passing couldn't solve Roan Clarke at the top of the crease. Two good looks/chances early for the visiting Penticton Vees. The Snakes would get an early power play, the game's first PP. The man advantage only lasted forty-one seconds after Vernon took a penalty, sending both teams to four on four. One minute later, Penticton would get a power play, that eventually would turn into a lengthy five on three. The Vees had a few good looks but unable to capitalize with the man advantage as Vernon kills off both minors. A big penalty kill from the hometown Vipers. Just before the halfway mark, the Vees would head back to the PP. Roan Clarke with a couple of big stops and another key Viper PK. With about six minutes left in the 2nd period, Bradley Nadeau with an odd man rush, decided to keep and shoot, but was denied by Roan Clarke. Late in the period with the Vees pressing, Roan Clarke was forced to make a big stop with traffic in front, the puck was laying next to Clarke's pads but not covered and Vernon catches a break as the official blew the play down. Dovar Tinling fired the puck into the net, which drew a reaction from the Vipers as Brock Krulicki gave Tinling a crosscheck and a shove as everyone joined in as a minor scrum broke loose. The Vees would get the extra minor giving Vernon a late power play. In the opening seconds of the man advantage, Isaac Tremblay couldn't connect on the pass at the side of the goal, on a missed opportunity. One minute into the PP, and Penticton would take a high sticking minor, sending the Snakes to a lengthy two man advantage. Jason McKee and the Vipers would use their timeout. With some puck movement, the Vipers setup Luke Lavery in the high slot, giving Vernon a 3-2 lead at 19:06 Griffen Barr and Reagan Milburn collected the assists. It was 3-2 Vernon after 40 minutes of play. The Vees dominated the middle frame and were the better team. It was all Penticton as they carried all of the play, had a ton of zone time, were outworking and outskating the Vipers, winning the battles and races and getting lots of opportunities/shots on goal. The Snakes turned over a lot of pucks, had troubles getting out of their own end, needed almost six minutes to record a shot on goal. Vernon played most of the period in their own end. The Vipers had troubles getting across the red line and getting any kind of offensive play going. The Snakes were simply outworked and out skilled. The Viper PK was good and Roan Clarke was forced to make many saves to keep his team in the hockey game. Penticton outshot Vernon 21-4.
3rd Period: The Vipers started the final frame with a short PP. Penticton killed off the remaining seconds of the PK. The Vipers had a chance to clear the zone and didn't, which resulted in Frank Djurasevic setting up Ben Brunette who ripped a shot high past Roan Clarke, tying the game 3-3 at 2:57 Frank Djurasevic with the lone helper. About three or four minutes later, Bradley Nadeau with an odd man rush, couldn't beat Roan Clarke on a nice shot. Just before the halfway mark, Hiroki Gojsic beat Roan Clarke but not the post as the Vees come close to taking a two goal lead. Just a few minutes later, Dovar Tinling with a nice goal, gives Penticton a 4-3 lead at 8:20 Bradley Nadeau and Aydar Suniev picked up the assists. Just over four minutes later, Vernon would get just their third PP of the evening. The Vipers struggled with the man advantage as Penticton kills off the minor. Fifty-six seconds later, the Vees would get a late PP. The Vees didn't get many shots as Vernon kills off the minor. With two minutes remaining the Snakes have troubles getting the goaltender out for the extra attacker. Roan Clarke would eventually get to the bench with about 1:25 left in the contest. The Vipers didn't even get into the offensive zone, would through the puck up the middle, missing the pass that lands on the stick of Frank Djurasevic who hit's the open cage, giving Penticton a 5-3 lead at 18:58 Frank Djurasevic's goal was unassisted as this goal sealed the win for the Vees. Penticton picks up their first preseason win with a 5-3 victory. For a second straight period the visiting Penticton Vees dominated the game and the period. It was all Vees as they had the puck on their stick most of the period. Penticton was the better team, outworked, outhustled and outskated Vernon in the last two periods. The Vees were winning most of the races and puck battles. The Vees didn't get a whole lot of scoring chances in the 3rd but carried most of the play. The Vipers saw a lot of action in their own end, turned over a lot of pucks, made lots of defensive mistakes, had troubles clearing the zone, getting through the neutral zone and gaining any kind of possession in the offensive zone. The Snakes struggled offensively getting pucks to the net but also gaining the entry zone. Penticton outshot Vernon 11-8.
Vernon Vipers Top Player's:
Griffen Barr (1 assist) I thought played well on the Snakes backend.
Dane Weston one of Vernon's committed players for the 2022-23 season, looked very good and played a steady game on the blueline.
Brock Krulicki I thought played well and had some good shifts through out the game.
Roan Clarke (35 saves) Like last season, Roan Clarke was forced to bail out his team mates on many nights. Tonight was no difference as Clarke made some big stops through out the game with the Vees pressing and didn't allow this game to get out of hand. If it wasn't for Clarke, the Vees could have easily had eleven or twelve goals.
Game Thought's: Vernon Vipers
- The Vipers got off to a slow start, but seemed to gain get their legs going and started generating some chances, played very well towards the midway mark of the 1st period and held their own in the second half of the opening frame
- Vernon was outworked, outskated, outshot and outskilled, simply couldn't compete or keep up with the Vees in the 2nd and 3rd periods
- The Vipers struggled offensively, had troubles clearing the zone, getting through the neutral zone and gaining the offensive zone
- The amount of turnovers the Vipers gave up tonight was ridiculous. I think Penticton scored at least four of their five goals on a Vernon turnover inside their own blueline
- Another very small crowd tonight
- Where's all the Vipers fans? I wonder what the crowd will be like at the season opener?
- The Vipers got off to a bit of a slow start but played well and looked good in the second half of the 1st period but were outplayed in the 2nd and 3rd periods
- Has anyone else noticed the amount of new advertising/logos on the ice this season?
- The Vipers not only were turning over pucks but the amount of mistakes made in their own end
- Who will be the Vipers captain this year?
- I talked to a season ticket holder/billet who told me the Vipers have picked three alternate captains but yet to name a captain yet
- The Vipers just don't have the same amount of skill or elite players to compete with a team like Penticton
- The Vipers dressed ten players returning from last season
- I attended and watched all six of Vernon's exhibition games and one thing I noticed was inconsistency
- One thing I don't like is the amount of shots the Vipers are giving up each game. Vernon has been outshot in five of their six preseason games
- Vernon can't skate or compete with the Vees
- I talked to a season ticket holder who talked to a billet family and they were told the Vipers have two more cuts to make before the regular season
- The Vipers have given up 224 shots in six preseason games
- Vernon was wearing their away/road jerseys tonight with no name bars
- Vernon finishes the preseason with a 3-3 record
- The Vipers two game winning streak is snapped
- The Vipers open the 2022-23 regular season September 23rd in Salmon Arm
- The Snakes home opener is September 24th vs Salmon Arm
Penticton Vees Top Player's:
Ryan Hopkins played very well on the Vees backend. This kid always seems to play well vs the Vipers
Billy Norcross (1 goal) I thought played very well. Was involved in the play, a good skater, can move the puck up ice and sees the ice well.
Thomas Pichette Was another Penticton forward who looked good/played very well. Was involved in the play, always in and around the net and was hard to defend against.
Ben Brunette (1 goal) The former Powell River Kings d-man played a very strong game at both ends of the rink.
Dovar Tinling Has a ton of skill and was hard to contain and defend against. A very shifty forward that skated circles around several Viper defenders.
Game Thought's: Penticton Vees
- It looks like the Penticton Vees will challenge again for top spot in the Interior Conference
- Penticton has fourteen players returning from last season's Championship team
- Year after year after year and nothing seems to change as once again it looks like the Vees have loaded up with a very skilled team
- I saw a couple of Vees fans at tonight's game
- The Vees completely dominated the 2nd and 3rd periods
- The Vees outskated, outworked, outshot, outskilled, outscored and outplayed Vernon in the final two periods
- Penticton's work ethic tonight was simply amazing as the Vees won most of the puck battles and races to pucks almost every shift
- Hank Levy making his Penticton Vees debut was acquired August 23rd from the Blackfalds Bulldogs
- The Vees were wearing their alternate or third jersey from last season with all players having their names on their jerseys
- The Vees went 1-0-0-1 vs the Vipers during the preseason
- Callum Arnott is the nephew of former NHLer Jason Arnott
- It's like the Vees had the puck on a string tonight
- Penticton only plays three exhibition games will finish the preseason tomorrow night at home vs Chilliwack
- You look at the elite talent and skilled players the Vees are recruiting year after year. It amazes me the Vees can continue to scout/recruit players like this all these years
- The Vees dressed twelve returning players from last season
- Hank Levy (22 saves) Looked shaky and uncomfortable throughout the hockey game
- The Vees have a strong transition game and don't seem to miss many passes
- Jackson Nieuwendyk is the son of former NHLer Joe Nieuwendyk
- The Vees have finished 1st in the Interior Division/Conference eleven straight seasons
- The Vees will open the 2022-23 regular season September 23rd at home vs Trail
- The Vipers & Vees will meet five times during the regular season
- Penticton went 5-0 vs Vernon last season
Vernon Vipers Roster/Lineup:
Goaltenders:
Roan Clarke 03
Ethan David 03
Defence:
Dylan Compton 05
Anthony Cliche 03
Luke Ashton 05
Griffen Barr 02
David Brandes 04
Dane Weston 03
Forwards:
Luke Lavery 04
Hank Cleaves 03
Julian Facchinelli 04
Reagan Milburn 03
Isaac Tremblay 04
Ludovik Tardiff 04
Brock Krulicki 02
Kurt Gurkan 04
Luke Pakulak 03
Ethan Merner 06
Max Borovinskiy 04
Seiya Tanaka-Campbell 03
Scratches:
Will Blackburn 03
Revy Mack 02
Max Seguin 04
Connor Chalmers 03
Justin Chaput 03
Penticton Vees Roster/Lineup:
Goaltenders:
Hank Levy 02
Luca Di Pasquo 03
Defence:
Ryan Hopkins 04
Mason Poolman 02
Ben Brunette 02
Frank Djurasevic 02
Owen Simpson 03
Gabriel Guilbault 06
Forwards:
Billy Norcross 03
Thomas Pichette 03
Beanie Richter 04
Dovar Tinling 03
Aydar Suniev 04
Callum Arnott 04
Jackson Nieuwendyk 02
Brett Moravec 03
Hiroki Gojsic 06
Spencer Smith 02
Ethan Mann 03
Bradley Nadeau 05
Scratches:
Josh Nadeua 03
Joshua Niedermayer 04
Derek Sparks 05
Three Star's:
1st Star: Frank Djurasevic (1 goal & 1 assist)
2nd Star: Reagan Milburn (1 goal & 1 assist)
3rd Star: Aydar Suniev (2 assists)
Boxscore-Game Summary,
Game Report,
Text Box Score,
Vernon Junior Hockey History website,
Please feel free to leave comments or suggestions in the comment box below. Please be respectful when leaving comments.
3 comments:
Sooooo, your saying they played much like last year!
Thankfully the Vipers have 2 very good goalies. I thought the team played pretty well but still did not play like a 5 man unit often enough, there is much coaching to do. The Vees play every shift with speed, skill and a real tenacity that we do not always see from the Vipers. Penticton will be a force again this year, their goalie seemed to be their only weak spot.
It was refreshing to see Sparrow & Lomicky talking to the players, the previous 2 stooges never seemed to have any feedback on the bench. I still worry that McKee is the guy who sets the direction and systems, controls the scouting and has the final say. As we all agree, he has certainly not proven anything yet in the BCHL, this year he better prove he can select and coach a team to above mediocrity.
On defense I was very impressed with new comers Westen, Brandes and Compton. Barr was steady as usual, Cliche was not always visible and Ashton did not have a good showing at all.
Ethan Merner is young but certainly a keeper and appears very comfortable playing against much older & experienced players. I look forward to watching him for a couple of years as he gets stronger and develops even more. Pakulak played his usual robust game but I thought a couple of the other returnees simply did not get enough done tonight. Reagan Milburn appears set for a good year and plays well with Tremblay & Tardif. This may be the line that carries the mail for us this year. There appears to be a lot of potential but time will tell if they can play together like we witnessed from the Vees. The Vipers need to come out of the gate fast and McKee has to prove to us that he is a capable GM / Head Coach.
The coaches really need to look at the video of this game or a least take a look at the system the Vee's use around the oppositions net as it is definitely a set play which looks very good as they scored two goals using that set system. The Vipes have size and need to use it with aggression for a full 60 minutes because it is effective and really slows down the free wheeling the Vees use with the puck. I must say I for the most part was entertained and enjoyed the game. I am looking forward to our team jelling because I believe we have the potential to become a very strong and effective team. GO, vipers, Go.
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