Exhibition - 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 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 5-2 in front of 394 fans at Royal LePage Place.

Starting Goaltenders:

Vernon Vipers: Roan Clarke

West Kelowna Warriors: Justin Katz

1st Period: The Warriors would jump on an early power play, just fifty three seconds into the hockey game. The Vipers PK was very good, as WK only records two shots on goal as Vernon kills off the minor. Shortly after Dylan Brooks point shot got through traffic, forcing Roan Clarke into making a difficult save with bodies in front. On the following play, the Snakes sprung Reagan Milburn in for the breakaway but was denied by Justin Katz. On the same shift Milburn would get called for tripping, sending the Tribe back to the man advantage. The Vipers with another strong penalty kill, kill off the penalty. Shortly after killing off the minor, Reagan Milburn fires the puck from below the goal line, that goes off Justin Katz and into the back of the goal, giving Vernon a 1-0 lead at 6:25 Isaac Tremblay with the lone assist. I think Milburn was just throwing the puck towards the front of the net and the puck goes in and off the Warriors netminder. Just past the halfway mark Vernon would get their first look with the PP. The Vipers looked good early into the man advantage after Ethan Merner, Max Borovinskiy and Luke Pakulak all get chances on a bang bang play at the top of the crease. Less then a minute into the PP Reagan Milburn spotted Isaac Tremblay, giving Vernon a 2-0 lead at 12:00 Reagan Milburn and Ludovik Tardif collected the assists. 1:28 later Griffen Barr's quick shot beat Justin Katz, giving Vernon an early 3-0 lead at 13:28 Barr's goal was unassisted. I think the Warriors fans were a little stunned it was 3-0 at this point. About a minute later, Ludovik Tardif uses some wheels to win the race for the puck, come down the right wing, would get a partial breakaway but couldn't beat Justin Katz in close. Inside the final minute of play, Max Borovinskiy is given a double minor for spearing with only six seconds left in the opening frame. I didn't see the play, so didn't see what West Kelowna player was speared. Max Borovinskiy looked puzzled heading to the penalty box, was questioning the linesmen. It was 3-0 Vernon after 20 minutes of play. I thought the Snakes played very well and were the better of the two teams. Vernon was forced to start the game on the PK, managed to kill off two early power play's carried the better of the play. The Vipers looked very good, using their speed, played with a high tempo pace, were moving the puck, winning the races/battles and played with a ton of jump/energy. Vernon was finishing their checks and using the body, played very well on the PK and defensively. Vernon created/generated some chances through out the period. The Warriors lead in shots 2-0 & 8-3 at different times. Vernon outshot West Kelowna 11-8.

2nd Period: The hometown Warriors started the 2nd period on the man advantage that was carried over from the opening frame. The Tribe basically had a full double minor to work with after only six seconds were taken off when the 1st period ended. Vernon with a very good penalty kill in the 1st had another strong PK early in the 2nd period. The Vipers kept the Warriors to the outside, limited their chances and held WK to very little opportunities. The Vipers kill off the double minor. Just as the penalty expired, the Snakes would jump on the PP. West Kelowna would kill off the minor. Just before the midway mark, Jake Bernadet with some wheels, beat his defender, before ripping a quick shot from the circle that Vernon Vipers starting goaltender Roan Clarke just got a piece of the puck as it got through but rolled through the crease and into the corner as the Vipers catch a break. Not long after, the Vipers spring Ethan Merner for the breakaway, goes high over West Kelowna Warriors starting netminder Justin Katz, giving Vernon a 4-0 lead at 10:09 Reagan Milburn with the nice pass, collected the helper. Shortly after WK setup Alexi Van Houtte-Cachero went in for the breakaway but was denied by Roan Clarke. Not long after, Jaiden Moriello would get a great look/opportunity from down low would be denied by Roan Clarke before Clarke had to recover quickly to get across to make a big stop off Felix Caron. Two big stops by the Vernon goaltender. How big were those two saves? Not long later, Ethan Merner gives Vernon a commanding 5-0 lead at 14:11 Merner's goal was unassisted. I thought for sure this was going to be the end of the night for Justin Katz but Simon Ferguson stuck with his goaltender and allowed him to finish the contest. 1:07 later with the Warriors buzzing, Noah LaFramboise setup Kailus Green who's shot from the high slot beat Roan Clarke, cutting Vernon's lead to 5-1 at 15:18 Noah LaFramboise drew the lone helper. Judging by the reaction from Roan Clarke, I think he may have been screened on the play? West Kelowna continued to press late in the period. The Tribe would slowly start to create/generate some offensive opportunities. Roan Clarke was forced to make two glove saves as the Vipers were back on their heels a bit. Vernon manages to get out of the period, leading 5-1 after 40 minutes of play. The Vipers were forced to kill off a double minor to start the period. The Warriors with a much better period, had a slight edge in play. West Kelowna had more puck possession and zone time, had some very good opportunities but only managed to score once. The Snakes got some big saves from Roan Clarke and scored some timely goals shortly after the Warriors had a good opportunity at the other end. West Kelowna outshot Vernon 16-11.

3rd Period: Early into the final frame, the Vipers would get a couple of real good chances in front of the goal. Hank Cleaves used his size to get through the slot, setup Julian Facchinelli who would be denied by Justin Katz before Hank Cleaves regained the puck and this time setup Brock Krulicki who would be stopped in close by Justin Katz. Two big back to back saves from the WK goaltender. Shortly after West Kelowna would get an early PP less then two minutes into the 3rd. Jake Bernadet would get the best chance on the power play but be stopped from the slot by Roan Clarke. The Warriors thought they scored on play at the top of the crease. The referee behind the goal, signaled a goal but just before the puck went in, the whistle was blown. The Warriors were celebrating like they had scored, while no argument right away from the Vernon bench, but the two officials gathered near the penalty box and waived off the goal. The Tribe went back to the PP but unable to capitalize as Vernon escapes after catching a break. Less then two minutes later, West Kelowna heads back to the man advantage but just twenty nine seconds into the PP the Warriors take a penalty of their own, sending both teams to four on four. Close to three minutes later the Vipers on an odd man rush, setup Julian Facchinelli for the partial breakaway, Facchinelli would be denied at the top of the crease before trying to move out of the way bumped into Justin Katz. The referee just to the side of the Warriors goal, let the play continue but the second official way back in the neutral zone calls Facchinelli for goaltender interference, sending WK back to the PP. The Snakes manage to kill off the minor but just as the penalty expired, Justin Chaput would be given a double minor for high sticking. The Warriors had some looks but Vernon with another good PK. Just as the penalty expires, Luke Pakulak gets called for not having his chin strap done up, sending West Kelowna to yet another power play. Forty five seconds into the man advantage, Roan Clarke was forced to make two or three saves while on his back, before Brennan Nelson was able to get the puck up and over Clarke, cutting Vernon's lead to 5-2 at 16:22 Nelson's goal was unassisted. The Vipers would come away with the 5-2 victory. The Warriors carried a lot of the play and had more zone time, but remember West Kelowna had four 3rd period power plays. The Snakes got into a little penalty trouble, but managed to only surrender one PP goal, played very well on the PK not only in the period but overall. Vernon didn't get a whole lot of opportunities but also were up by four goals at one point. The Vipers limited the Warriors opportunities but also didn't sit back with a four goal lead as Vernon continued to skate, battle and compete as if it was a scoreless game. WK had a few flurries and some looks but couldn't solve Roan Clarke. West Kelowna outshot Vernon 16-7.

Vernon Vipers Top Player's:

Griffen Barr played very well on the Snakes blueline. Blocked a shot on a 2nd period PK.

Luke Ashton turned over some pucks & made some mistakes early but I thought improved and played much better as the game went on. Ashton has struggled this preseason.

Hank Cleaves Was another player that wasn't very noticeable early on, but I thought played very well and was one of the better forwards in the 3rd period. This kid is big and hard to knock off the puck.

Ethan Merner (1 goal) has peaked some interest through out the preseason. Not the biggest kid but plays big, never stops skating/working. I thought played fairly well in the win this evening.

Reagan Milburn (1 goal & 2 assists) Played well through out the game. Was hard to defend against, quick on his feet, stopped on a 1st period breakaway, had some looks. 

Ludovik Tardif (1 goal & 1 assist) Was Vernon's best forward. I was really impressed with this kid. Played with a ton of jump/energy, was moving his feet, created chances, hard to contain and defend against, seemed to always be involved in the play. 

Roan Clarke (40 saves) Was solid between the pipes for the visiting Vernon Vipers. Clarke flashed the leather with a couple of glove saves towards the end of the 2nd period, was good on the PK.

Game Thought's: Vernon Vipers

- This was the Vipers best performance/game of the preseason

- Vernon's penalty kill was very good, killing off nine of ten penalties (two double minors)

- The Vipers passing was much improved 

- The Snakes wore their home jerseys. The Vipers have been wearing their home jerseys from the 2018-19 season during the preseason since the 2019-20 season

- The Vipers took ten penalties, need to be more disciplined

- I spotted six or seven Viper fans at tonight's game

- Vernon played with a lot of jump/energy and kept up the high tempo pace for the entire game

- The Vipers were physical and finished their checks

- The Snakes were the better team five on five. The Vipers created/generated more chances and had the better of the play five on five

- I know it's only exhibition but two big wins on the road vs two of the Division's top teams last year, gives this Viper team some confidence

- After struggling with the man advantage last night, I thought Vernon's PP was much better and more engaged tonight. The Vipers went 1-3 with the man advantage

- After starting the preseason 0-2 the Vipers are much more improved team the last two games

- Head Coach/GM Jason McKee & Assistant Coach Lukas Lomicky were behind the bench

- Tonight was more of a team effort as all four lines contributed

- Vernon scored more then two goals for the first time this preseason

- The Vipers & Warriors will meet Wednesday in Vernon

- Penticton Vees Head Coach/GM/President Fred Harbinson was in attendance 

- The Vipers have 26 players on their current preseason roster

- I don't think many fans would have picked the Snakes to win in either game this weekend

- The Vipers have won back to back games

- I see a much different and better Viper team in both games this weekend, compared to the two games last week vs Salmon Arm

- The Snakes defence played very well, kept the Warriors to the outside often and limited their opportunities

- The Vipers dressed 8 returning players from last season

- If your a Viper fan, this was a very entertaining/exciting game

- With the win, Vernon improves to 2-2 and have two preseason games remaining (West Kelowna & Penticton)

West Kelowna Warriors Top Player's:

Jake Bernadet Had a couple of quality chances, I thought was one of the more consistent forwards

Alexi Van Houtte-Cachero Played well, had one or two looks/opportunities

Game Thought's: West Kelowna Warriors

- Tonight was the just the Warriors second game of the preseason

- The Tribe were wearing their black road jerseys 

- The Warriors won their preseason debut Friday night in Chilliwack 9-7

- A pretty good turnout for a preseason game as tonight's attendance was announced at 394 

- West Kelowna struggled with the man advantage, going 1-10 on the power play

- The Warriors dressed 6 players returning from last season

- The Warriors have only one exhibition game remaining. (Wednesday night in Vernon)

- The Warriors and Vipers will play five times this regular season

- The Tribe have 8 players returning from last season

- Five on five, the Vipers were the better team. Most of West Kelowna's opportunities/shots come on the power play

- WK didn't play no where near sixty minutes did play better at times in the 2nd and 3rd periods

- Before the queen passed away, I noticed Royal LePage Place has the queen's picture inside the arena above one of the door ways. I haven't noticed her picture in any of the other BCHL rinks I have gone too in past years. I remember growing up and the Vernon Civic Arena had the queen's picture up by the clock but they never transferred it over to Kal Tire Place

- The Warriors gave up several odd man rushes

- West Kelowna played a very disciplined hockey game, only taking three penalties

- The Warriors couldn't capitalize on their chances

- With the loss, West Kelowna falls to 1-1

Vernon Vipers Roster/Lineup:

Goaltenders:

Roan Clarke 03
Ethan David 03

Defence:

Justin Chaput 03

Luke Ashton 05

Dylan Compton 05

Griffen Barr 02

Anthony Cliche 03

Connor Chalmers 03

Forwards:

Brock Krulicki 02

Ethan Merner 06

Reagan Milburn 03

Max Seguin 04

Hank Cleaves 03

Max Borovinskiy 04

Isaac Tremblay 04

Kurt Gurkan 04

Julian Facchinelli 04

Luke Pakulak 03

Ludovik Tardif 04

Revy Mack 02

Scratches:

Will Blackburn 03

Luke Lavery 04

Seiya Tanaka-Campbell 03

David Brandes 04

Ayden Third 02

Dane Weston 03

West Kelowna Warriors Roster/Lineup:

Goaltenders:

Justin Katz 04

Angelo Zol 05

Defence:

Aiden Reeves 02

Noah LaFramboise 05

Bobby May 03

Nolan Hayes 02

Isaiah Norlin 03

Dylan Brooks 03

Forwards:

Jaiden Moriello 03

Michael Salandra 03

Christopher Duclair

Felix Caron 04

Ben MacDonald 04

Luke Devlin 04

Kailus Green 04

Jake Bernadet 03

Brennan Nelson 03

Rylee Hlusiak 02

Alexi Van Houtte-Cachero 03

Mathew Lee 05

Scratches:

Marik Mamic 05

Prezton Stewart 05

JJ Franceschetti 05

Kaiden Schaupmeyer 05

Matthew Fusco 03

Ayo Ogini 05

Three Star's:

No three stars announced 

Boxscore-Game Summary,

Vernon Vipers @ West Kelowna Warriors Saturday, September 10, 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.