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 2.2 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-Bucks game as Vernon defeated Cranbrook 1-0 in front of 1,778 fans at Kal Tire Place.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon Vipers: Ethan David
Cranbrook Bucks: Carter Capton
2nd Period: Inside the opening minute of play, Max Borovinskiy and Julian Facchinelli lead a two on one. Borovinskiy decided to keep and shoot, forcing Cranbrook Bucks starting goaltender Carter Captaon into making a big stop not even a minute into the 2nd period. A minute later, Reagan Milburn with a good look/opportunity couldn't solve Carter Capton in close. The Vipers with back to back scoring chances one minute apart. About two minutes later, Jarrod Smith on an odd man rush would be denied by Vernon Vipers starting netminder Ethan David. A couple of chances for both teams a few minutes into the period. On the next play, Vernon would get its first look with the man advantage. The Vipers couldn't jam home a loose puck early on a goal mouth scramble, didn't generate much with the power play as Cranbrook killed off the penalty. Less then two minutes later, on a hard working shift from the Vipers, Carter Capton was forced to make a save from out front couldn't control the rebound before Isaac Tremblay opened the scoring, giving Vernon a 1-0 lead at 7:46 Julian Facchinelli and Anson McMaster with the assists. Around the midway mark, Hank Cleaves would be denied in the high slot on a good look/opportunity. Shortly after the Vipers with their second power play of the period. The Snakes would get another goal mouth scramble but couldn't solve Carter Capton. The Vipers then got a little sloppy as the Bucks took over puck control shorthanded and would kill off the minor. Towards the end of the period, the Vipers would get a late PP. Luke Pakulak looked to have an open cage, just missed the far corner as Vernon struggled with the man advantage as the Bucks kill off the penalty. Just as the penalty expired, the Bucks would finish the 2nd period on the power play. Cranbrook couldn't capitalize with the PP before the buzzer. It was 1-0 Vernon after 40 minutes of play. It was all Vipers as Vernon was the better team and outplayed the Bucks the entire period. The Snakes had full control of the play, puck possession and zone time. Vernon played with a lot of jump and energy, were getting pucks to the net and played very well, one of their better if not best periods of the season. I wasn't impressed with the Viper power play. Other then a few goal mouth scrambles, the Snakes struggled with the man advantage. Cranbrook was forced to kill off three penalties and saw a lot of the period in their own end. The Bucks couldn't seem to get much of anything going, playing their third game in four days. Vernon outshot Cranbrook 14-3.
3rd Period: The Bucks started the final frame with the man advantage that was carried over from the 2nd period. With only a few seconds left to kill off, Vernon would kill off the remainder of the penalty. Twenty three seconds into the period, the Vipers would get an early PP after Jack Silich would get two minutes for a check to the head and an automatic ten minute misconduct. Anthony Cliche with a shot from the side of the net, forced Carter Captaon into making a big stop. This was the only real quality chance as the Vipers struggled with the man advantage. The Bucks kill off the minor. About seven minutes into the period, the Vipers turned over the puck at the blueline that lead to a lengthy shift in the offensive zone with the Bucks pressing. Cranbrook would get two or three very good looks but Ethan David would be sharp between the pipes. Donovan Frias with the best look/chance would be denied by Ethan David at the top of the crease. Shortly after the Vipers sprung Lee Parks in for the breakaway but a strong defensive play from Jack Henry, stopped Parks from getting off a shot but also rewarded Parks with a penalty shot. Lee Parks would make one to many moves and lose the puck on a missed opportunity with about eleven minutes to go. Two minutes later, Vernon would get a PP and get some looks. Carter Captaon was big making back to back stops off Max Borovinskiy and another Viper forward as the Bucks get some solid goaltending before the Vipers take an undisciplined penalty, sending both teams to four on four with the Bucks coming out with a shortened PP at the end. The Snakes manage to kill off the remainder of the penalty. With about four minutes left in the game, Julian Facchinelli missed the net from in close on a chance to maybe put the game away. A minute later, Ethan David was forced to make two big saves in close before robbing Jack Silich in the slot with the Bucks pressing. Cranbrook would get Carter Captaon to the bench with about 1:51 left in the contest. Both teams would take turns calling time outs. The Vipers had two looks at the open cage but couldn't seal the win but would hang on for the 1-0 victory. I thought the play was even for a lot of the 3rd until Cranbrook started to take over an edge in play in the final five to six minutes and get some very good looks/opportunities. Both goaltenders played very well in the 3rd. Vernon had a few chances to take a two goal lead and get some insurance, while the Bucks had several quality chances to tie the game in a very entertaining and exciting period. Cranbrook outshot Vernon 16-8.
Vernon Vipers Top Player's:
Julian Facchinelli (1 assist) I thought was involved in the play and in on the scoring chances. Took an undisciplined penalty midway through the 3rd period but the Vipers managed to kill it off. I thought the rookie had some looks/chances tonight and played well.
Luke Pakulak Played a hard fought game, had a few looks, played well.
Ethan David (26 saves-shutout) Was the Vipers best player this evening. It seems like last year and again this year, the Vipers are heavily relying on their goaltenders to keep them in most hockey games. David had to be sharp and kept his team in the hockey game at times tonight. A solid performance in the game/victory.
Game Thought's: Vernon Vipers
- I thought this was Vernon's most complete game and best effort/performance of the season
- Where has this Vipers team that played tonight, been the rest of the season?
- Matthew Sutter was in the lineup but saw very limited action. I recall only seeing him on the ice for once shift the entire game
- For the first time in a while, the Vipers were finally getting pucks to the net and more then five or six shots on goal in a period
- The Vipers were without five regulars tonight
- I wasn't impressed with the Snakes power play and thought it struggled the entire game. Vernon went 0-5 with the man advantage
- A nice sized crowd on hand tonight of 1,778 I know it doesn't seem like much but as the Vipers attendance has dropped over the past few seasons, tonight is a big crowd for these days
- Fans were asking who was #10 tonight? No mention of #10 before the game started. I was told #10 was #14 Ethan Merner wearing a full face shield
- For the first time in a while, the Vipers were actually winning some faceoffs
- Vernon played with a lot of jump/energy tonight
- After blown out 8-0 at home last weekend to the Prince George Spruce Kings, tonight was a gutsy effort and win
- I thought Vernon's defence still made mistakes but played much better compared to the past few home games
- The Snakes have won three of their last four games
- Give the Vipers credit for playing very disciplined. Vernon who normally takes a lot of penalies only took three penalties this evening
- For the first game in a while, the Snakes were getting some looks/chances and getting some net front presence
- Vipers assistant coach and former Vernon Viper Colton Sparrow wasn't behind the bench tonight
- The Vipers are 5-2 lifetime vs Cranbrook
- The Vipers or their fans haven't had a lot to cheer about this season, tonight's a big boost and confidence boost for the team
- Former Vernon Lakers forward/Vernon Vipers Head Coach/GM Troy Mick was in attendance tonight
- Luke Ashton saw a lot of ice time and a lot of time on the power play and late in the hockey game, still makes a lot of mistakes
- The Snakes played hard, competed and played close to sixty minutes for the first time in a long time
- This was a very exciting and entertaining hockey game
- Tonight is just the second time this season, Vernon has outshot the other team
- The Vipers have at least one point in seven of their last nine games
- The Vipers have a quick turn around, play tomorrow afternoon in Merritt. The Centennials had this evening off
- Vernon plays six of their next eight games on the road
- With the win, Vernon improves to 6-5-0-1 sit 6th in the Interior Division
Top Player's: Cranbrook Bucks
Carsyn Good I thought played well on the Bucks blueline
Cameron Kungle has some size and played very well at both ends of the rink
Donovan Frias Had at least two or three very good looks/chances played well in the loss
Carter Capton (27 saves) Ollowed the only goal of the hockey game, made some big stops but at times looked a little shaky with pucks in his feet and goal mouth scrambles. Looked to be fighting the puck and having some troubles with the puck at times through out the game
Game Thought's: Cranbrook Bucks
- Tonight was the Bucks third game in four days
- Cranbrook has a quick team that can move the puck in a hurry
- The Bucks went 2-4 vs the Vipers last season
- Cranbrook played well in the 1st and 3rd periods were outplayed in the 2nd period
- The Bucks don't have a very big team
- Tonight is the first of five regular season meetings between the Bucks & Vipers
- The Bucks went 0-3 with the man advantage
- I really liked Cranbrook's PK (Vipers went 0-5 with the power play)
- Tonight was the Bucks third game of a six game road trip
- The Bucks have lost three straight and four of their last five games
- The Bucks next and final trip to Vernon is November 25th
- The Bucks have a quick transition game, had lot's of opportunities to get on the scoreboard, couldn't solve Ethan David
- With the loss, Cranbrook falls to 7-5-1-0 sit 5th in the Interior Division
Scratches:
Vernon Vipers:
Griffen Barr (Injured)
Dylan Compton (Injured)
David Brandes
Bowden Singleton
Ethan Rowland (Injured)
Cranbrook Bucks:
Markus Yim
Willem Terwood
Matthew Duarte
Energy Player of the Game:
Will Blackburn
Three Star's:
1st Star: Ethan David (26 saves-shutout)
2nd Star: Isaac Tremblay (1 goal)
3rd Star: Carter Capton (27 saves)
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:
Yes, credit where credit is due the Vipers played a pretty good game and it's refreshing to see them pick up a win. The Bucks were coming off a tough game against Salmon Arm on Friday evening against a rested Vernon squad. I will say though that I think Cranbrook played a better "team game". Their short passes and support for each other was far superior. As most good teams, they play as a 5 man unit instead of individual play. I hope the Vipers can learn something from competing against teams like this.
My player thoughts - I was surprised to see Ashton on the point of the PP. His puck management is questionable at times. The coach loves McMaster as he plays him a lot. Pakulak & Reagan had their usual good games. There is still lots of panic in our own end when pressured and few organized breakouts. Who are the Vipers #1 and #2 lines?
With this win the Vipers currently sit 8th in the league so, not too shabby, Go Vipers Go!
Good to see you have low expectations they should be easily met by the lowly inconsistent Vipers. In all my years of hockey I have never seen such a whining incompetent so called coach. They will never win with him in charge.
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