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-Chiefs game as Vernon defeated Chilliwack 2-1 in front of 1,788 fans at Kal Tire Place.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon Vipers: Roan Clarke
Chilliwack Chiefs: Austin McNicholas
Before tonight's game, former Vernon Vipers forward Aaron Volpatti (2003-2006) and his son dropped the puck for the opening faceoff. Volpatti was at the Vipers game, promoting & signing his new book "Fighter"
2nd Period: The visiting Chilliwack Chiefs would get an early power play, their second of the hockey game a few minutes into the period. Lucas Sorace's point shot found it's way through traffic, forcing Vernon Vipers starting netminder Roan Clarke into making a big pad save. The Chiefs would get a few good looks/goal mouth scrambles, but Vernon's goaltender was solid between the pipes as the Snakes kill off the penalty. About two minutes later on a scramble in front of the net, Brady Milburn ties the game 1-1 at 7:32 Abram Wiebe and Sasha Teleguine with the assists. Just past the midway mark, Hank Cleaves setup Reagan Milburn on an odd man rush. Milburn would be stopped but the Vipers couldn't cash in on the rebound sitting out front, as the Chiefs catch a break and clear the puck from harms way. Shortly after the Vipers would get back to back power plays. Vernon struggled with the man advantage and even allowed Mateo Mrsic to get behind the defence for a partial breakaway but Roan Clarke kept this game tied with a big stop. The Chilliwack Chiefs kill off both minors. It was 1-1 after 40 minutes of play. The Chiefs were the better team and outplayed the Vipers for most of the 2nd period. Chilliwack had the better of the play, were getting pucks to the net and created/generated some chances. Vernon looked disorganized and very sloppy, making a ton of mistakes, missing passes, turning over pucks, having trouble getting through the neutral zone. The Vipers couldn't make a pass, struggled in their own end. Both teams were sloppy at times in a very scrambled period. Roan Clarke kept the Snakes in the game with several saves. Chilliwack outshot Vernon 10-9.
3rd Period: About a minute and a half into the final frame, Lee Parks with a good chance in front couldn't break the tie. Shortly after David Brandes with a quality chance was unable to beat Austin McNicholas. The Vipers with some life and energy, had a good start to the 3rd. Shortly after Julian Facchinelli with a shot from the slot would be denied by Austin McNicholas. Just before the halfway mark, Roan Clarke was forced to make a big glove save off Mason Kesselring. It wasn't long after, Max Borovinskiy would be stopped in front before Julian Facchinelli buried the rebound, giving Vernon a 2-1 lead at 9:49 Max Borovinskiy and Anson McMaster picked up the assists. About a minute later, Chilliwack would go to the PP but struggle. The Chiefs would get one opportunity, but Vernon's PK was very good as the Vipers killed off the minor. Seconds later the Chiefs would get called for too many men and the Chilliwack bench disagreed. Head Coach/GM Brian Maloney argued the call and would eventually get tossed from the contest, sending Vernon to the man advantage. The Snakes struggled with the power play, turning over a puck that allowed Mateo Mrsic in for the breakaway but Roan Clarke with a big stop, kept this a one goal game. The Chiefs would eventually kill off the minor. On the following play, Sasha Teleguine would steal the puck off a Viper turnover and go in for the breakaway but Roan Clarke saved his best save for last, flashing the leather. On the next shift or two with a faceoff in the Vernon zone, Sasha Teleguine would get tossed from the faceoff circle and then tossed from the hockey game. Teleguine would get a ten minute misconduct. With about three minutes remaining, Max Borovinskiy had the puck on his stick and a chance to put the game away but would be denied at the top of the crease. Austin McNicholas with a massive save, kept this a one goal game. The Chiefs would get Austin McNicholas to the bench with 1:28 remaining for the extra attacker. The Chiefs pressed but had troubles getting pucks to the net. I think it was Luke Pakulak missed the open cage inside the final minute. The Vipers would hold off the Chiefs attack and hang on for the 2-1 victory. The Vipers were the better team and played probably their best period of the night in the 3rd period. Vernon played with lots of jump/energy, created and generated some good looks/opportunities early in the frame. Chilliwack couldn't seem to get any real traction but did manage to get four or five real quality chances and none better then Mateo Mrsic's shorthanded breakaway and Sasha Teleguine's breakaway. Both goaltenders had to be sharp and were very good. Vernon outshot Chilliwack 11-8.
Vernon Vipers Top Player's:
Ayden Third who played very well in the loss in West Kelowna on Friday, had himself another quiet defensive game this evening.
Julian Facchinelli (1 goal) Had a strong night, was involved in the play, had some looks/chances, was in and around the net.
David Brandes I thought played very well, played with a lot of jump but didn't see a regular shift.
Hank Cleaves (1 assist) Is slowly starting to round out into a very good hockey player. The kid doesn't put up a lot of numbers but seems to always be involved in the play, creating opportunities and making plays happen. I thought he played well last night in West Kelowna and played well again tonight vs Chilliwack. Started the play, that got the Vipers on the scoreboard in the 1st period.
Luke Pakulak Played hard and played well in the win.
Roan Clarke (22 saves) Had to be sharp in the 2nd period with the Chiefs in control of the period and in the 3rd making two large saves off breakaways. Both Viper goaltenders have been very good last season and again this year. How many fewer wins would the Vipers have had last year and again this season if it wasn't for Roan Clarke and Ethan David.
Game Thought's: Vernon Vipers
- A nice turnout tonight. Vipers attendance 1,788
- The Vipers were lucky to hold on for the win in a game where they looked and played pretty bad for most of the night
- This game was very scrambled and not entertaining as both teams looked very scrambled at times
- I thought Vernon looked very disorganized and very sloppy for most of the hockey game. The Vipers couldn't make a pass, had troubles coming out of their own end, turning over pucks, making mistakes defensively and in their own end and can't score. I will say the Vipers did play better in the 3rd but otherwise were pretty awful
- I really like the Snakes penalty kill this season. Vernon's PK was good again tonight. Chilliwack went 0-3 with the power play
- The Vipers who normally take a lot of penalties, were very disciplined tonight only taking three minors
- Vernon has lost three of their last five games are 5-5 in their last ten games
- The Snakes were lucky to win tonight. The amount of mistakes and turnovers they continue to make game after game is ridiculous. Were now 15 games into the season and if you can't clean up your mistakes and turnovers by now, something is very wrong
- I have talked about how inconsistent this team is and it showed again tonight. After playing their best game last Saturday vs Cranbrook and playing very well last night in West Kelowna, they look ugly and very sloppy in a game they could have easily lost tonight
- Vipers assistant coach Colton Sparrow wasn't behind the bench for a fourth straight game
- The Vipers & Chiefs won't play again this year unless come playoffs
- The Snakes outshoot the other team for just the third time this season
- This team is very frustrating to watch at times
- The Vipers had some opportunities to break the game open at times but so did Chilliwack
- Since the 2003-04 regular season Vernon is 12-2-0-0 at home vs Chilliwack
- Luke Ashton is a major liability and turns over the puck almost every time
- After 15 games last season the Vipers were 4-6-3-2
- The Vipers snapped a two game losing streak
- The Snakes went 1-0 vs Chilliwack last season
- The Vipers are back in West Kelowna on Tuesday
- With the win, Vernon improves to 7-7-0-1 are 6th in the Interior Division
Chilliwack Chiefs Top Player's:
Dryden Kuramoto was the smallest player on the ice but can this kid skate and make plays happen.
Mateo Mrsic Played a hard fought game. Hustled and never quit on a play. Plays with a lot of energy and plays at both ends of the rink. Was stopped on two shorthanded breakaways
Sasha Teleguine (1 assist) Was by far the best and most skilled player on the ice tonight. This kid can skate, was dangerous with and without the puck, very skilled, was going in and around the Viper defenders, had some looks/chances, makes things happen in a hurry. Was hard to contain and defend against. Was stopped on a 3rd period breakaway before being given a ten minute misconduct with about four minutes left in the game
Aaron Davidson Listed at 6'9 250lbs Played with an edge, was in the face of the Vipers often
Mason Kesselring was another forward who had some good looks/chances, was involved in the play
Austin McNicholas (28 saves) Was the busier of the two goaltenders, played well between the pipes.
Game Thought's: Chilliwack Chiefs
- This was a very scrambled hockey game at times but I thought Chilliwack was the better team
- The Chiefs can move the puck, can skate, have some skilled forwards and get lots of zone time but had troubles getting pucks to the net. There was a few times in the 1st period where the Chiefs went a few minutes with the puck in the offensive zone but couldn't get a shot on goal
- Chilliwack went 0-3 with the man advantage, while Vernon went 1-4 with the power play
- Tonight was the Chiefs final game of a six game road trip
- Tonight was the Chiefs first regular season game in Vernon since the 2019-20 season
- Chiefs forward Brady Milburn is the brother to Vipers forward Reagan Milburn
- Chilliwack has slightly changed their jerseys. The Chiefs have removed the gold striping from their jerseys and replaced it with white striping
- The Chiefs return home for a four game home stand, starting Friday vs Coquitlam
- With the amount of turnovers and mistakes Vernon was making, the Chiefs should have took advantage and capitalized with
- Chilliwack has lost three straight and four of their last five games. The Chiefs have lost ten of their last thirteen games
- The Chiefs last regular season win in Vernon was a 3-2 victory February 6th 2019
- With the win, Chilliwack falls to 4-9-0-1 sit 7th in the Coastal Division
Scratches:
Vernon Vipers:
Dane Weston
Griffen Barr (Injured)
Dylan Compton (Injured)
Kurt Gurkan
Chilliwack Chiefs:
Liam Steele
Tim Delay
Darious Bachler
Energy Player of the Game:
Reagan Milburn (1 goal)
Three Star's:
1st Star: Roan Clarke (22 saves)
2nd Star: Julian Facchinelli (1 goal)
3rd Star: Brady Milburn (1 goal)
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.
The game was boring and at times I was feeling like falling asleep. I really was not excited at all in watching this game because of the sloopy,tired and inconsistent play of the vipers. I would like to comment on two players. The first being singleton. I think when they recruited Singleton they thought he would turn into a goal scorer but clearly not one goal has been produced and based on his play on the ice he should be traded off to another team as his body language tells me that if he could be anywhere else he would want it to be so. He just is not playing to the potential that we thought. Another play is luke ashton who I believe should be traded as he has not improved with the coaching he has been given and needs to move on with a different team and coaching. Both players are good trade bait and maybe we could get a goal scorer proven to help the team. GO,VIPERS,GO.
ReplyDeleteAnother good question is why is Tanaka Campbell playing on the first unit Power Play. Our PP sucks to begin with but why is the smallest forward on the ice playing in front of the net. It makes absolutely no sense!
ReplyDeleteI’m not going to comment on the game.
ReplyDeleteAfter listening to the Coach’s post game interviews, all season long, I always say to myself Why do they bother with them because he always pretty much says the same thing every time.
So, for me to comment on the game would mean I would have to say the same sort of stuff over and over again.
GO VIPERS GO!
Okay, so the Vipers won the game. But it was over Coastal 8th place Chilliwack, although Chilliwack looked like a pretty good team. It was appropriate that it was a 2-1 game as both the Vipers and Chilliwack are near the bottom in goals-for.
ReplyDeleteWhere would the Vipers be without the goaltending they've gotten? And it doesn't matter which guy is in net, Clarke or David. Both are really good. As of this morning, Sunday November 6, the Vipers are number ONE in penalty killing in the entire league. Not much offense, but great PK. The Vipers have also cut down on the number of penalties in the past couple of weeks.
The Vipers have TEN defensemen on their roster now. Five right-handers and five lefties. Griffen Barr advises that he is very close to returning and his 30 days on IR expires in just over a week. Dylan Compton's 30 day stretch is up this week. I don't know if he'll be out longer.
I heard from two reliable sources that Colton Sparrow has been away for the last few games on a scouting mission. For trades this season or for next season's recruits? They didn't say or know. Ten defenders, only 12 forwards on the roster. Hmmmmmmm.
Interesting ??. Breaking out of our own end needs work as it appears to be a real struggle. Suggestion", sometimes other teams bring personnel short term to work on such things as techinques in breaking out of our own end and powerplays. Talent locally such as brent gilchrist, volaptia and others who have years of experience could be helpful. I am not saying you get those people for free but if it helps the team by looking at things from a different view this could help the players and coaching staff. GO,VIPERS,GO.
ReplyDeleteSo there ya go. The league site informs us that the Vipers have extended both Compton and Barr on the IR by 15 days as of Sunday Nov. 6.
ReplyDelete