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 Cranbrook defeated Vernon 6-5 in a shootout in front of 2,157 fans at Kal Tire Place.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon Vipers: Ethan David
Cranbrook Bucks: Carter Capton
1st Period: About a minute and a half into the opening period, former Vernon Vipers forward Will Blackburn with a good look in front, couldn't open the scoring. A few minutes later, Lee Parks snuck in behind the Cranbrook defence, going in alone would be denied by Carter Capton. Parks would regain control of the puck and get another look from in close but fire wide of the goal on a missed opportunity. Shortly after the Vipers would get the games first power play. Vernon struggled with the man advantage. In the dying seconds of the penalty kill, Jaden Fodchuk lead a two on one shorthanded break. Fodchuck kept and shot would be stopped by Ethan David before Will Blackburn either hit the post or was denied by Ethan David in close as the penalty expired. Two terrific shorthanded opportunities at the end of the Viper power play. Just before the midway mark, the Bucks dumped the puck in that went off the end boards, Ethan David come out to play the puck as the puck went past the Snakes goaltender right out front of the goal, but luckily no Bucks players were around and the Vipers gathered the puck and cleared the zone. Just past the halfway mark, Anson McMaster's point shot would beat Carter Capton, giving Vernon a 1-0 lead at 12:50 Hank Cleaves with the lone assists. Shortly after, Cranbrook would get their first look with the man advantage. Jack Silich with a quality chance at the side of the net, couldn't capitalize with the power play. The Bucks would get three or four good looks but Ethan David was on his game as the Snakes killed off the minor. Less then two minutes later, the Vipers had two opportunities to get the puck out of their own end and couldn't before turning over the puck and it cost them. Kellan Hjartarson's shot beat Ethan David, tying the game 1-1 at 17:00 Hjartarson's goal was unassisted. Thirty seconds later, the Vipers would get a late penalty before going on a late two man advantage. Cranbrook would kill off the first minor before Reagan Milburn gave Vernon a late 2-1 lead at 19:32 Seiya Tanaka-Campbell and Thomas Tien collected the helpers. It was 2-1 Vernon after 20 minutes of play. This was a very good and entertaining hockey game as both teams seemed to be fairly even as the play went back and fourth. Both teams played with a lot of energy with a few big hits delivered. Shots were 14-11 Cranbrook.
Here are some photo's I took before and during tonight's Vipers-Bucks game.
2nd Period: The Bucks come out strong and jumped on the Vipers early, forcing Vernon into taking an early penalty, and sending the visiting Cranbrook Bucks on an early PP. The Snakes with a good PK managed to kill off the minor. It didn't take the Bucks to tie the game shortly after. Kellan Hjartarson with his second goal of the evening, tied the game 2-2 at 4:36 Jack Silich and Carsyn Good with the assists. Vernon needed just over six minutes to record their first shot of the period. On the following shift, the Vipers sent Reagan Milburn in for the breakaway. Milburn looked to have Cranbrook Bucks starting goaltender Carter Capton beat as the puck looked to be going across the goal line, before a Bucks defender managed to clear the puck from the goal line, keeping this game tied. Around the midway mark, Will Blackburn would be denied on a wrap around before bumping into Ethan David. Just past the midway mark, Cranbrook would get their second PP of the period. Early into the man advantage, Luke Pfoh with a great look would be denied in front. Noah Quinn would eventually give Cranbrook their first lead of the contest, a 3-2 lead at 12:55 Rhys Bentham picked up the lone assist. The wheels seemed to fall off for the Vipers after giving up the lead. Just over a minute later, Nick Peluso gave Cranbrook a 4-2 lead at 14:14 Donovan Frias and Bauer Morrissey collected the assists. Less then two minutes later, Cameron Kungle gave Cranbrook a 5-2 lead at 15:59 Noah Quinn with his second point of the night, drew the assist as Kal Tire Place was awfully quiet. The Vipers quickly called a timeout. With about three and a half minutes remaining, Julian Facchinelli with a quality opportunity, couldn't solve Carter Capton on just Vernon's second opportunity of the middle frame. On the following play, Donovan Frias come back the other way and would be denied by Vernon Vipers starting goaltender Ethan David. With just under two minutes remaining in the 2nd period, the Snakes would get a late power play. Vernon had a few looks but waisted a lot of time moving the puck around, getting little to no pucks to the net. Inside the final minute of play, former Cranbrook Bucks forward Ethan Sundar somehow fired up and over the goal, missing an entire open cage on a missed opportunity. The Bucks would escape the period with the buzzer. It was 5-2 Cranbrook after 40 minutes of play. The Bucks controlled and dominated the period, were by far the better team. Cranbrook played with pace, moved the puck well and forced the Vipers into making mistakes/turning over pucks with a very aggresive and relentless forecheck. The Bucks were sending two forwards in on the forecheck on almost every play. Give the Bucks credit, down a goal heading into the period, they battled back and capitalized on their opportunities, blowing the game open with three goals in 3:04 What happened to the hometown Vipers? Vernon played very well and held their own in the 1st period, quit skating, were standing still, saw a lot of time in their own end and chasing pucks most of the period. The Snakes had trouble with Cranbrook's forecheck and getting pucks into the offensive zone. Vernon with maybe three quality chances the entire period, needed just over six minutes to get their first shot of the period. The Vipers didn't look good or play good at all this period and it cost them the lead. Cranbrook outshot Vernon 15-8.
3rd Period: Vernon started the period on the PP that was carried over from the middle frame. With just a handful of seconds remaining on the clock, the Bucks would kill off the minor. Noah Quinn looking for his second goal of the hockey game, would be denied in the slot by Ethan David about five minutes into the 3rd period. A few minutes later I think it was Max Borovinskiy with a chance at the side of the goal, would either bump into or was pushed into Carter Capton. The Bucks goaltender ended up in the back of the net, and as he was coming out to readjust, Max Borovinskiy's shot beat Capton, but the goal was immediately waived off as the Vipers were celebrating. The officials said the goal was waived off due to incidental contact with the goaltender. It remained 5-2 Cranbrook. It wasn't long after Hank Cleaves and Julian Facchinelli made one too many passes and couldn't solve Carter Capton on a good chance in front. Shortly after Isaac Tremblay's shot from well out, had eyes, finding the back of the net, cutting Cranbrook's lead to 5-3 at 9:08 Ethan Sundar & Anson McMaster picked up the helpers. Twenty four seconds later, Luke Pakulak found the back of the net, cutting Cranbrook's lead to 5-4 at 9:32 Reagan Milburn and Lee Parks with the assists as Kal Tire Place erupted as the Vipers were within a goal. With about six minutes remaining, Luke Pakulak with a quick shot from the high slot would be denied by Carter Capton. Both teams then iced the puck back and forth as it seemed like every second play was called for icing, slowing the game down. With just under two minutes remaining, the Snakes would get Ethan David to the bench for the extra attacker. The Bucks were able to clear the zone a few times but didn't come anywhere near a shot at the open cage. Luke Pakulak would be stopped in front with about 1:03 left in the hockey game before Seiya Tanaka-Campbell banked his shot in and off a Cranbrook defender, tying the game 5-5 at 19:07 as Kal Tire Place erupted. Reagan Milburn with the assist. It was 5-5 after 60 minutes of play. The Snakes were the better team and carried/controlled a lot of the final frame. Vernon played with a lot of jump/energy, looked like the same Viper team that we all saw in the 1st period. The Vipers with some looks, played very well. Cranbrook I thought may have taken their foot off the gas to start the period, leading 5-2 and looking to be in full control. The Bucks didn't generate a whole lot of offence or zone time with Vernon pressing down three goals in the 3rd. The Bucks seemed to step up their play as the period went on and played better in the second half. Give the Vipers credit, as they didn't quit or go away and forced overtime. Vernon outshot Cranbrook 9-6.
Overtime: Off the opening faceoff, Julian Facchinelli with a quick shot from the circle, forced Carter Capton to make a big right pad save inside the opening minute of the extra frame. About two minutes in, Luke Pakulak carried the play in across the blueline, had a good look/opportunity couldn't send the Vipers home with the win. The Bucks had a couple of late opportunities but couldn't hit the net. It was 5-5 after 65 minutes of play. The Snakes had two real good looks/opportunities. Cranbrook had trouble hitting the net, had a couple of late chances. Shots were 4-2 Vernon.
Shootout:
Vernon Vipers Shooters:
Julian Facchinelli
Dylan Compton
Reagan Milburn
Cranbrook Bucks Shooters:
Jack Silich (Scored)
Jarrod Smith
Nick Peluso (Scored)
Vernon Vipers Top Player's:
Reagan Milburn (1 goal & 2 assists) Was Vernon's best and most dangerous forwards. Milburn had several quality chances, was hard to defend against, played a very strong game in the loss.
Anson McMaster (1 goal & 1 assist) I thought was one of the Snakes better d-men this evening.
Luke Pakulak (1 goal) I have said this a few times this season. When Pakulak is on his game, he seems to carry the Vipers with him. The better Pakulak plays, so do the Vipers. I think the Vipers made a big mistake not naming a captain and Pakulak should have been that captain. Pakulak also had some looks/opportunities, was going to the net, played hard and physical.
Ethan David (32 saves) I know he allowed five goals and lost, but I think played very well in the loss.
Game Thought's: Vernon Vipers
- This was one of the Vipers more entertaining/exciting games of the season
- I thought Vernon played very well and looked good in the 1st and 3rd periods, it was the 2nd period that cost them the hockey game, giving up three goals in just over three minutes
- The Snakes went 1-4 with the man advantage
- Vernon is 4-11 vs teams from the Interior Division
- Tonight was the biggest crowd of the season. Tonight's attendance was 2,157
- The Snakes fall to 1-3 in the shootout this season
- The Vipers have been very inconsistent all year and tonight was another example
- With the loss, the Vipers three game home winning streak comes to an end
- Vernon is the lowest scoring team in the BCHL with 48 goals
- The Vipers fall to 2-6 in November
- Former Vernon Vipers Head Coach/GM Mark Ferner was in attendance
- Julian Facchinelli must have been getting under the skin of the Bucks as he was targeted several times after the whistle
- I saw some improvement tonight. I noticed the Vipers weren't turning over the puck or making as many defensive mistakes compared to previous games and I thought the passing was much better compared to previous games
- Max Borovinskiy's 3rd period goal was waived off due to incidental contact and I think the officials made the right call
- Former Cranbrook Bucks forward Ethan Sundar made his Vipers debut tonight and played fairly well. I was impressed and thought he looked good at times. Missed a wide open net on a late 2nd period power play. Plays with an edge and adds some grit to the Viper lineup. Sundar was traded to Vernon on Wednesday for forward Will Blackburn
- The Vipers haven't been very good this season and Viper fans haven't had much to cheer about or get excited about, so let's give some credit to the Snakes for not quitting and battling back in the 3rd down three goals to force overtime and get an extra point
- Griffen Barr returned to the Viper lineup after missing a lengthy period of time with an injury
- The Vipers next game is tomorrow night vs the visiting 6-13-0-2 Langley Rivermen
- The Bucks and Vipers play three more times with all three games in Cranbrook
- The Vipers are struggling. Vernon has lost three straight games, has one win in their last six games, and three wins in their last ten games.The Vipers have lost ten of their last fifteen games
- With the loss, Vernon falls to 8-10-0-3 sit 7th in the Interior Division
Cranbrook Bucks Top Player's:
Bauer Morrissey (1 assist) I thought played well on the Bucks blueline
Noah Quinn (1 goal & 1 assist) Picked up two points in the victory, is quick and sees the game well, played very well for the Bucks
Nick Peluso (2 goals) I thought played well. Not the biggest kid but seemed to find open ice and make things happen
Kellan Hjartarson (2 goals) Scored the Bucks first two goals, played very well.
Will Blackburn I thought was involved in the play often, had several looks, seemed to be in and around the Viper net
Carter Capton (27 saves) Made a few big stops, played well in the win. Stopped all three Vernon shooters in the shootout
Game Thought's: Cranbrook Bucks
- Tonight was the second and final regular season visit to Kal Tire Place for the Cranbrook Bucks
- I thought the Bucks played well in the 1st and 2nd periods gave up three goals in the 3rd allowing the Snakes to force overtime
- Tonight's the first game of a two game road trip. Cranbrook plays Saturday night in Salmon Arm
- The Bucks are 1-1 vs Vernon this season
- Cranbrook went 1-3 on the power play
- The Bucks play a very aggressive forecheck
- The Bucks have a few kids with some size in their lineup
- These two teams won't play again until January 15th in Cranbrook
- Leading 5-2 in the 3rd, did the Bucks take their foot off the gas?
- This was a physical game at times as both teams laid out some big checks
- In 8 career games vs the Vipers, the Bucks are 3-5
- The Bucks have won four of their last five games are 5-5 in their last ten games
- With the win, Cranbrook improves to 12-7-1-0 sit 4th in the Interior Division
Scratches:
Vernon Vipers:
Dane Weston
David Brandes
Anthony Cliche
Cranbrook Bucks:
Willem Terwoord
Jackson Fuder
Matthew Duarte
Bryce Sookro
Energy Player of the Game:
Anson McMaster (1 goal & 1 assist)
Three Star's:
1st Star: Kellan Hjartarson (2 goals)
2nd Star: Reagan Milburn (1 goal & 2 assists)
3rd Star: Seiya Tanaka-Campbell (1 goal & 1 assist)
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.
Vipers were lucky to get a point tonight the Bucks squandered a 5-2 lead. When the dust cleared it was another loss for the awful Vipers. Luckily lame duck Langley is next up. Fernier must have had a good laugh!
ReplyDeleteVernon started out well in the first period. Cranbrook was disorganized and running into each other. As usual, Vernon fell apart in the second period. If Vernon could play 60 minutes in the same cycle style they did in the first and third periods, they would be sitting in the top 3 in the standings.
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed tonight's game, especially the third period. Great to see so many full sections tonight as well!
Big third period comeback in front of a huge crowd but it was all the same in the end,Turnovers leading to goals and absolutely no finish around the net. Will it change tonight?
ReplyDelete