Prince George 2 Vernon 1 Shootout

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 thoughts 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-Spruce Kings game as Prince George defeated Vernon 2-1 in front of 1,501 fans at Kal Tire Place.

Starting Goaltenders:

Vernon Vipers: Roan Clarke

Prince George Spruce Kings: Jordan Fairlie

1st Period: Twenty something seconds into the hockey game, newly acquired Ethan Rowland turns turns over the puck at the blueline, allowing Colton Cameron in for the breakaway. Cameron would be denied by Roan Clarke on a big stop in the opening minute. Two minutes into the game, Luke Pakulak redirects a point shot, that forced Jordan Fairlie into making a big stop early. On the following shift, Luke Eurig with a quick shot from the high slot, forced Roan Clarke into making a big right pad save on a quality chance. About a minute and a half later, Lee Parks with a good look/opportunity would be denied by Jordan Fairlie. Just before the halfway mark, John Herrington with a good look/opportunity would be stopped by Roan Clarke. Not long after the Spruce Kings would get the game's first power play. PG would get two very good look/quality chances, had some pressure but unable to capitalize as Vernon kills off the minor. About a minute and a half later, the Spruce Kings went back to the man advantage, this time Prince George had some puck possession in the offensive zone but didn't really generate or create much for chances as the Snakes kill off a second straight penalty. Inside the final two minutes, the Vipers would get their first PP of the evening. Vernon struggled with the man advantage, would only muster one shot on goal, their first shot in about twelve minutes as the period ended before the penalty expired. It was 0-0 after 20 minutes of play. I thought the play was fairly even for about the first six or seven minutes before the Spruce Kings slowly started to take over the edge in play. With back to back power plays, PG carried a lot of the play, had a lot of puck possession, zone time and had way more shots on goal. The Spruce Kings had several quality chances but Roan Clarke was very good in goal for Vernon. The Vipers had a few looks/chances in the opening few minutes but only had one shot on goal in at least the final twelve minutes or so. PG was the better team. Prince George outshot Vernon 12-5.

2nd Period: The Snakes started the period on the power play that was carried over from the opening frame. With only nine seconds left on the man advantage, the Spruce Kings killed off the remainder of the minor. PG would get an early PP to start the middle frame. Linden Makow somehow missed an open cage, fired wide on a shot that looked to be a sure goal. A big break for the Vipers. Hank Cleaves would carry the puck through the neutral zone on an odd man rush, Cleaves managed to get behind the PG defence but couldn't deke out Prince George Spruce Kings starting goaltender Jordan Fairlie shorthanded on a great opportunity for Vernon. The Vipers would kill off the penalty. Less then a minute later, the Spruce Kings would head back to the power play. The Snakes catch a break as Prince George takes a penalty, sending both teams to four on four. Four on Four the Vipers with an odd man rush, setup Julian Facchinelli who gets behind the PG defender but somehow can't score on what looked like a sure goal. I think Facchinelli loses the handle and doesn't get a shot off as the Spruce Kings catch a break. The Vipers end up with a shortended PP but unable to capitalize. Twelve seconds later, the Spruce Kings head back to the man advantage. Ty Gagno sets up Austin Fraser who rips a shot from the circle that beats Roan Clarke just under the crossbar, giving Prince George a 1-0 lead at 9:39 Ty Gagno & Kai Greaves collect the assists. With three minutes remaining, Kurt Gurkan with a quick shot from the slot, couldn't solve Jordan Fairlie on a very good chance. With two minutes remaining, Vernon gets a late power play to finish the 2nd period. The Snakes struggle to get much of anything going as PG kills off the minor. It was 1-0 Prince George after 40 minutes of play. The Spruce Kings were the better team and carried the better of the play. PG saw a lot of time with the puck, had more zone time, puck possession, and more shots on goal. The Spruce Kings were very good on the draw and solid defensively. PG gave Vernon's forwards all kinds of trouble cutting through the neutral zone. The Vipers struggled offensively, had trouble getting any zone time, pucks to the net and puck possession. Vernon couldn't get anything going went long periods of time without a shot on goal. Prince George outshot Vernon 12-3.

3rd Period: For a team that only had three shots on goal during the 2nd period, Vernon gets four shots on goal in the opening two minutes. About six or so minutes into the period, the Vipers setup Anthony Cliche on an odd man rush, but Jordan Fairlie come up with a large save, keeping this a one goal game. Shortly after with Ben LeFranc in some discomfort and troubles getting to the bench, Ethan Merner with a shot from behind the goal line somehow manages to beat Jordan Fairlie high under the crossbar, stunning everyone in the rink, tying the game 1-1 at 8:58 Ayden Third and Luke Pakulak draw the helpers. On the following shift, the Spruce Kings would get the only PP of the 3rd period. PG with a few good looks but the Snakes kill off the minor. Just as the penalty ends, Charlie Banquier rips a shot from the blueline that beats Vernon Vipers starting netminder Roan Clarke but not the crossbar on a shot I don't think Clarke saw, judging by his reaction. The Vipers catch a big break in a tied hockey game. It was 1-1 after 60 minutes of play. The Vipers for the first time tonight, started the period with a ton of jump and energy, something that was lacking up until the start of the 3rd period. Vernon looked good early but then struggled defensively and in their own end, getting hemmed in at times for lengthy shifts at a time, causing turnovers and poor passes that resulted in the play staying a live in their own end. Neither team really did much offensively but the Snakes did manage to get a few more shots on goal but didn't generate a whole lot of chances. PG was again very good in the faceoff circle, winning most of the draws, had more zone time but couldn't really create or generate much for offence. Vernon outshot Prince George 9-5.

Overtime: The Spruce Kings had the opening few shots but it was Max Borovinskiy with the breakaway three minutes into the extra frame, fired wide and missed the net on a missed opportunity. Shortly after Hank Cleaves with some nice stick work, had a great look in close, couldn't end the hockey game. It was 1-1 after 65 minutes of play. The Vipers had two very good chances, while the Spruce Kings had some good looks at the other end of the rink. Prince George outshot Vernon 7-2.

Shootout:

Vernon Vipers Shooters:

Max Borovinskiy

Luke Pakulak

Ethan Merner

Hank Cleaves

Prince George Spruce Kings Shooters:

Jack Stockfish

John Herrington

Jake Schneider

Kilian McGregor-Bennett (Scored)

Vernon Vipers Top Player's:

Ethan Rowland making his Vernon Vipers debut after being acquired in a trade on Thursday played very well. A veteran 20 yr old who can skate, move the puck and sees/reads the ice well. Was hard to defend and play against, always seemed to have the puck on his stick or was involved in the play. 

Hank Cleaves Had a very strong game, generating/creating some chances, was involved in the play, played with lots of energy. I really like the looks of this kid and have on most nights. Was one of Vernon's more dangerous forwards tonight.

Roan Clarke (35 saves) Going back to last season and early into the 2022-23 season, Roan Clarke and or Ethan David have kept the Vipers in a lot of hockey games and tonight was another example of that. Clarke made 35 saves in the loss, was very good in goal. Where would the Vipers be if it wasn't for their goaltending last year and again this year. 

Game Thought's: Vernon Vipers

- The Vipers played well in spurts and not for very long. I thought Vernon was good in the first six or seven minutes of the opening period and about the first half of the 3rd period

-The Vipers once again took way too many penalties and have been taking way too many penalties all season

- Vernon lost most of the faceoffs tonight

- The Vipers struggled offensively and have all season. Vernon with two goals in regulation in their last two games

- The Vipers go to overtime and shootout for a second straight game

- Your not going to win many hockey games with 18 shots on goal

- Viper fans/season ticket holders are getting restless and not happy with the team and coach

- The Snakes were outplayed most of the hockey game

- The Vipers struggled defensively, couldn't make a pass coming out of their own end

- The Vipers goaltenders are keeping the Vipers in most games. If it wasn't for Roan Clarke or Ethan David the past few games, you could turn those Viper wins into losses

- The Vipers aren't very good and inconsistent; I have to question the Vipers coaching/scouting/recruiting

- Former Vernon Lakers forward (1988-1990) David Oliver was in attendance 

- Vernon had some good looks at times but missed the net often

- The Vipers not only had trouble getting across the red line and generating offence, but getting shots on goal

- A very small crowd (1,501) The Vipers attendance has gone down since the 2019-20 season

- Vernon's three game winning streak is snapped

- The Vipers have played 7 games and played Prince George three times. What a terrible schedule! The Vipers have played three teams in seven games (Salmon Arm, Victoria & Prince George) The Spruce Kings are back in Vernon on the 22nd. I don't know about you, but I don't want to see the same teams over and over again 

- Tonight's the third game of a four game home stand. The Vipers play three of their next five games at home

- Julian Facchinelli made his return to the lineup after missing the past two games with an injury

- The Snakes have four regulars out of the lineup due to injury

- After watching the Vipers the past three seasons and seven games into this season, it's time for a coaching change. Jason McKee is not a good coach and his below average Viper teams prove it. For a second straight season the Vipers are off to a poor start, very inconsistent, can't make a pass, can't score, take way too many penalties, don't win many hockey games, turn the puck over constantly, can't win a faceoff and have several players making the same mistakes game after game. I'm also very tired of listening to his same old answers on the post game show. It seems like every game, he says we had several players not show up or need to be better etc. Were seven games into a new season and the Vipers have struggled on most nights. The Vipers haven't played or looked good the past three games, changes need to be made! McKee's teams are average at best, aren't very competitive, can't compete with the top teams in the league and don't improve as the season goes along. The few games this season the team has played well, doesn't make up for the rest of the games they haven't played well or been outplayed. McKee puts the team together at the start of the season, and the team he assembled to start the 2022-23 season isn't good enough, were seven games in and already how many roster moves/trades have we seen? How many recruits/committed players were cut before the season started and traded yesterday? Let's face it, this Viper team isn't good enough. I've seen enough! It's time for a coaching change! 

- With the loss, Vernon falls to 3-3-0-1 and sit 6th in the Interior Division

Top Player's: Prince George Spruce Kings

Colton Cameron Played a very solid game on the Spruce Kings blueline. Made at least two big defensive plays, also joined in on the rush

Ty Gagno Played very well, can skate, move the puck and create offence. This kid was hard to play against and defend. Was always involved in the play

Kilian McGregor-Bennett (Shootout winner) Was another forward who played very well, was involved in the play and gave the Viper defenders trouble

Austin Fraser (1 goal) Opened the scoring for PG. Was dangerous with the puck, hard to defend. A very skilled player that can also create/generate chances

Ben LeFranc Played very well on the Spruce Kings backend. Logged a lot of minutes

Jordan Fairlie (18 saves) Wasn't tested much but was forced to make a few big stops through out the contest. Got lucky on a few Vipers chances but played well in goal for Prince George.

Game Thought's: Prince George Spruce Kings

- The Spruce Kings are 2-1 vs the Vipers this season

- Prince George returns to Vernon October 22nd

- The Spruce Kings are very good on the draw and won most of the faceoffs tonight

- PG played very well defensively, gave up five shots in the 1st, three shots in the 2nd and nine shots in the 3rd

- The Spruce Kings were the better team, had more zone time, more puck possession, are more structured, have more skill, don't give up a lot of chances and limit the Vipers time and space

- Prince George & Vernon play four more times

- Tonight's the first game of a five game road trip

- The Spruce Kings only loss this season was a 5-1 loss at home to Vernon October 1st

- The Spruce Kings, Nanaimo Clippers and Surrey Eagles are all tied in points for 2nd overall in league standings

- PG doesn't give up a whole lot of chances, limited Vernon to very few opportunities

- With the win, Prince George improves to 6-1 sit 2nd in the Interior Division

Scratches:

Vernon Vipers:

Griffen Barr (Injured)

Dylan Compton (Injured)

David Brandes

Seiya Tanaka-Campbell (Injured)

Will Blackburn (Injured)

Prince George Spruce Kings:

Aleksy Bandu

Luke Schraeder

Brayden Skogstad

Energy Player of the Game:

Hank Cleaves

Three Star's:

1st Star: Roan Clarke (35 saves)

2nd Star: Ethan Merner (1 goal)

3rd Star: Kilian McGregor-Bennett (Shootout winner)

How do you give Vernon two stars in a game they were outplayed but also lost?

Boxscore-Game Summary,

Prince George Spruce Kings @ Vernon Vipers Friday, October 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-Spruce Kings game.