Exhibition - Vernon 3 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 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-Warriors game as Vernon defeated West Kelowna 3-2 in front of 310 fans at Kal Tire Place.

Starting Goaltenders:

Vernon Vipers: Ethan David

West Kelowna Warriors: Justin Katz

1st Period: About two and a half minutes into the opening period, Luke Lavery would get the games first scoring chance. Lavery looked to beat Justin Katz five-hole as the puck come out between Justin Katz legs but Nolan Hayes with a strong defensive play, cleared the puck from the goal crease, as the puck looked to be going to cross the goal line. Max Seguin tried to bury the loose puck in front but would be denied by Justin Katz. As the play started to come up ice, the Warriors would get an early power play. The Tribe with a couple of looks, had two shots were unable to capitalize as the Snakes killed off the minor. In and around the midway mark of the opening period, the Warriors couldn't capitalize on a scramble at the side of the net as Ethan David who was down and out, got some help from his defence as the Warriors couldn't get the puck up and over a pile of bodies in and around Ethan David. West Kelowna was outshooting Vernon 0-3 at the halfway mark. With about eight and a half minutes left in the period, Luke Devlin with a quick shot from the right circle would be denied by Ethan David who just got a piece of Devlin's shot. On the same play, Jake Bernadet with a good look/chance at the side of the goal, couldn't solve Ethan David. Back to back quality chances from WK. With just under four minutes remaining, the Vipers would get their first look with the man advantage. Vernon struggled, didn't record a single shot on the PP as the Warriors killed off the penalty. Late in the period, Max Borovinskiy sprung Ethan Merner for the breakaway. With a West Kelowna defender on his tail, Mercer shot and beat Justin Katz blocker side, giving Vernon a 1-0 lead at 18:53 Max Borovinskiy drew the lone assist. It was 1-0 Vernon after 20 minutes of play. It was all Warriors as West Kelowna controlled the play, had more puck possession, zone time, shots, were quicker and won the races/caused several turnovers. West Kelowna has some speed and can move the puck up ice in a hurry. The Warriors were getting pucks to the net but didn't generate or create a whole lot of offensive opportunities. WK played with a lot of jump/energy. Overall the Tribe were just the better hockey team and it showed other then the scoreboard. The Vipers didn't look or play good at all other then a couple of shifts. The Snakes couldn't make a pass, were turning over pucks, had troubles getting pucks to the net, were passing instead of shooting, losing a lot of the battles/races and didn't have much jump or play with any energy. Vernon looked very sloppy, disorganized and had troubles getting much of anything going. The Vipers had one shot in about eleven minutes during that period. West Kelowna outshot Vernon 13-5.

2nd Period: About two and a half minutes into the period, Brock Krulicki with a good look/quality chance couldn't solve West Kelowna Warriors starting goaltender Justin Katz. About a minute later the Vipers couldn't capitalize on a scramble in front of the goal before taking an early penalty. The Warriors needed just thirty nine seconds to find the back of the goal after Matthew Fusco's point shot found it's way into the back of the net, tying the hockey game 1-1 at 4:33 Luke Devlin & Christopher Duclair collected the assists. Just before the halfway mark, the Warriors would get their second PP of the period. The Tribe had a few looks but unable to take the lead. Just after the penalty expired, Justin Katz come out of his crease to play the puck, Ludovik Tardiff looked to slightly bump the Tribe's netminder who fell to the ice before Reagan Milburn picked up the loose puck and fired it into the open cage, giving Vernon a 2-1 lead at 12:47 Milburn's goal was unassisted. As soon as the Snakes scored/were celebrating, two Warriors took a shot or shove at Ludovik Tardiff as a minor scrum broke loose with everyone involved. The officials had to come in to break up the scrum as both teams got a penalty each. On the following shift, the Snakes would get just their second power play of the evening. Vernon moved the puck around, setup Reagan Milburn who's one timer was denied by Justin Katz. The Vipers only needed nineteen seconds to take the lead. Reagan Milbrun's one timer would be stopped before Luke Lavery buried the rebound into the open net, giving Vernon a 3-1 lead at 13:30 Reagan Milburn and Griffen Barr picked up the helpers. On the goal, Alexi Van Houtte-Cachero picked up an unsportsmanlike penalty, sending the Snakes back to the man advantage. Vernon moved the puck around, setting up Luke Lavery who's one timer would be stopped by Justin Katz. Lavery & Katz exchanged words after the save. The Vipers with some quick passing couldn't convert on a scramble at the side of the net. Vernon with a good power play, had some looks/chances. Shortly after the penalty expired, the Vipers sprung Hank Cleaves in for the breakaway, but Nolan Hayes with some hustle, made a strong defensive play to knock the puck off Cleaves stick and take away a scoring opportunity. Towards the end of the middle frame, West Kelowna would get a late PP. Alexi Van Houtte-Cachero would be denied in front as the Tribe had some looks but couldn't capitalize with the man advantage. Thirty seven seconds after the penalty expired, the Warriors went back to another PP. Alexi Van Houtte-Cachero would get two good chances in front but unable to beat Vernon Vipers starting goaltender Ethan David. David with a couple of big stops on these two back to back West Kelowna Warriors power plays. The Vipers would escape before the buzzer. It was 3-1 Vernon after 40 minutes of play. For a second straight period, the Warriors were the better team. West Kelowna carried a lot of the play, had more zone time, puck possession, were quicker on their feet, were wining battles/races and making smart plays. The Warriors downfall was giving up two goals less then a minute apart. The Snakes scored twice less then a minute apart and had a couple of good looking power plays but other then that, Vernon didn't look good or play very well. The Vipers for a second straight period, had troubles making a pass, looked sloppy, were turnover pucks, making mistakes, getting outskated and outworked and again making a pass instead of shooting and getting pucks to the net. West Kelowna outshot Vernon 12-8.

3rd Period: The visiting West Kelowna Warriors started the final frame on the man advantage that was carried over from the 2nd period. Luke Devlin thought he scored early into the PP but the goal was waived off immediately after the official had blown the whistle just a second or two before Devlin scored. It didn't take long before Ben MacDonald's shot would be stopped by Ethan David who lost track of the puck between his legs. Alexi Van Houtte-Cachero buried the puck in front while David was still looking for the puck, cutting Vernon's lead to 3-2 at 0:38 Ben MacDonald & Matthew Fusco picked up the helpers. About four and a half minutes in, Brock Krulicki got in behind WK's defence but was stopped by Justin Katz, as the play went up ice, Jake Bernadet got behind Vernon's defence but was denied by Ethan David. Two good chances and saves at both ends of the rink. Shortly after Vernon would get an early power play. The Tribe would lose Noah Laframboise for the next ten minutes after picking up a two minute minor for a blow to the head and an automatic ten minute misconduct. Early into the man advantage, Anthony Cliche's point shot would be stopped by Justin Katz who couldn't control the rebound. The Vipers PP looked good early but struggled later on as West Kelowna killed off the minor. With about six minutes remaining, Hank Cleaves one on one, decided to shoot and took a hard shot from the top of the circle that forced Justin Katz into coming out to challenge and making the save. Towards the end of the period, the Warriors would get a few looks/flurries in and around the goal. Revy Mack couldn't convert on an odd man rush with about three and a half minutes left in the hockey game after Justin Katz come across the crease to make a big stop. The Tribe would get Justin Katz to the bench for the extra attacker with 2:22 remaining. Jaiden Moriello got in behind the Viper defence with two minutes left but couldn't solve Ethan David. Luke Devlin had Ethan David beat but not the post with twenty four seconds left. The Snakes would hang on for the 3-2 victory. The Warriors were the better team, carried a lot of the play, had more looks/opportunities, had more zone time, puck possession and quicker. The Vipers played better at times and looked good at times on different shifts. Vernon had some pressure and good shifts now and again. The Vipers were coughing the puck up often, turning plays over inside their own blueline, played with a little more energy in the 3rd but couldn't play well consistent. Ethan David was very good in goal in the 3rd, keeping his team in the contest. West Kelowna outshot Vernon 13-10.

Vernon Vipers Top Player's:

Ethan Merner (1 goal) Needs to work on his skating but for a youngster I think has been very impressive and one of the more consistent forwards during the preseason. Merner is tied for second in team scoring during these exhibition games. This kid is quick, can read the play, has some offensive upside and put the puck in the net. 

Luke Lavery (1 goal) I thought played hard, competed and battled through out the hockey game.

Ethan David (36 saves) After giving up six goals in a 6-3 loss in Salmon Arm September 4th David has rebounded with a 40 save performance in a 2-1 shootout victory in Penticton September 9th and now 36 saves in the 3-2 win this evening. I thought David was fighting the puck a little early in the game but seemed to settle down as the game continued.

Game Thought's: Vernon Vipers

- The Vipers didn't play very well or look very good tonight

- Vernon struggled making passes

- The Snakes would pass instead of shooting the puck

- The Vipers were turning over pucks all night

- A very small and disappointing crowd was announced at 310

- The Vipers didn't play with a lot of jump/energy in the first two periods

- Vernon looked sloppy and disorganized 

- Brock Krulicki had a couple of very good shifts. It would be nice to see him gain some confidence and play like those shifts the entire game

- The Vipers have one preseason game remaining (Friday vs Penticton)

- Seiya Tanaka-Campbell was another forward who had a couple of real good shifts but unnoticed on other shifts

- Vernon has given up 184 shots in five exhibition games

- I think the Vipers really missed Luke Pakulak. Pakulak plays physical, plays with an edge and brings that intensity and emotion to the lineup every game

- The Vipers were lucky to hold on for the win

- The Vipers & Warriors will first meet in the regular season November 4th in West Kelowna

- Tonight's effort/performance was very disappointing

- The Snakes have to play better and play more consistent

- After losing their first two exhibition games, the Vipers have won three straight

- Vernon struggled to get anything going, seemed to be chasing the game most of the night

- The Vipers have struggled and not played very well or looked very good in both home games

- This was not the same Viper team I saw play and win in Penticton & West Kelowna over the weekend

- The Snakes have been up and down/inconsistent during the preseason

- Former Vipers Assistant Coach Joe Oliver was in attendance

- Congratulations to Liz and Barb on winning tonight's 50/50

- The Snakes dressed nine players returning from last season

- With the win, Vernon improves to 3-2 in the preseason

West Kelowna Warriors Top Player's:

Jake Bernadet Played very well for the Warriors. This kid had a couple of looks/opportunities, was hard in on pucks, battled/competed and played a very strong game in the loss this evening.

Matthew Fusco (1 goal & 1 assist) Was one of the Tribe's better defencemen. I thought he played very well.

Nolan Hayes Was another d-man that caught my attention and played very well. Made at least two if not three strong defensive plays, played well at both ends of the rink.

Alexi Van Houtte-Cachero (1 goal) I didn't notice him much early in the game but started to get his game going late in the 2nd period and played well in the 3rd. Had several looks/chances.

Luke Devlin (1 assist) This shifty forward found some holes in the Viper defence to create/generate some offensive chances. Had a couple of looks/opportunities in tonight's hockey game.

Justin Katz (20 saves) Wasn't overly busy or tested often but was called upon to make a couple of big stops for the West Kelowna Warriors. 

Game Thought's: West Kelowna Warriors

- The Warriors were the better team 

- The Warriors are quick, have some speed and a good transition game

- West Kelowna carried a lot of the play, had more zone time, puck possession, shots and were winning the races/battles

- The Warriors only play three preseason games as the Vipers play six

- Christopher Duclair is the younger brother of Florida Panthers forward Anthony Duclair

- The Warriors open the 2022-23 regular season September 23rd in Cowichan

- The Warriors dressed two players returning from last season

- The Warriors & Vipers will meet five times during the regular season

- West Kelowna played with a ton of jump/energy

- The Tribe simply outworked the Vipers most of the night

- West Kelowna played very well tonight and deserved the win

- Tonight was the Warriors final exhibition game

- The Warriors go 0-2 vs Vernon during the preseason

- The Warriors seemed more hungry and played with a lot more structure in their game

- The Warriors were wearing their burgundy alternate jerseys from last season

- With the loss, West Kelowna finishes the preseason at 1-2

Vernon Vipers Roster/Lineup:

Goaltenders:

Ethan David 03

Roan Clarke 03

Defence:

Luke Ashton 05

Anthony Cliche 03

David Brandes 04

Dane Weston 03

Griffen Barr 02

Connor Chalmers 03

Forwards:

Brock Krulicki 02

Max Borovinskiy 04

Revy Mack 02

Ethan Merner 06

Hank Cleaves 03

Seiya Tanaka-Campbell 03

Reagan Milburn 03

Isaac Tremblay 04

Luke Lavery 04

Kurt Gurkan 04

Max Seguin 04

Scratches:

Will Blackburn 03

Julian Facchinelli 04

Luke Pakulak 03

Justin Chaput 03

Dylan Compton 05

Ayden Third 02

West Kelowna Warriors Roster/Lineup:

Goaltenders:

Colton Jugnauth 05

Justin Katz 04

Defence:

Liam Davidson 04

Matthew Fusco 03

Dylan Brooks 03

Nolan Hayes 02

Isaiah Norlin 03

Aiden Reeves 02

Forwards:

Jake Bernadet 03

Ben MacDonald 04

Rylee Hlusiak 02

Jaiden Moriello 03

Michael Salandra 03

Alexi Van Houtte-Cachero 03

Mathew Lee 05

Ewan Minisofer 05

Marik Mamic 05

Christopher Duclair 02

Kailus Green 04

Luke Devlin 04

Scratches:

Brennan Nelson 03

Felix Caron 04

Prezton Stewart 05

JJ Franceschetti 05

Kaiden Schaupmeyer 05

Bobby May 03

Angelo Zol 05

Ayo Ogini 05

Three Star's:

1st Star: Reagan Milburn (1 goal & 1 assist)

2nd Star: Matthew Fusco (1 goal & 1 assist)

3rd Star: Ethan Merner (1 goal)

Boxscore-Game Summary,

West Kelowna Warriors @ Vernon Vipers Wednesday, September 14, 2022 | BCHL League Site

Game Report,

Game Report (hockeytech.com)

Text Box Score,

Official statistics powered by LeagueStat.com (hockeytech.com)

Vernon Junior Hockey History website,

Home Bench (vernonjrahockey.ca)

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Here are some photo's I took before and during tonight's Vipers-Warriors game.