vipersdiehardfan blog: "Teddy Bear Toss" Vernon 3 Wenatchee 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 2.2 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-Wild game as Vernon defeated Wenatchee 3-2 in front of 2,010 fans at Kal Tire Place.

Starting Goaltenders:

Vernon Vipers: Roan Clarke

Wenatchee Wild: Andy Vlaha

During warmup a pane of glass broke, that delayed the start of the hockey game by about fifteen minutes or so.

1st Period: Just over two minutes into the hockey game, the Vipers would get the games first power play. Vernon struggled with the man advantage, didn't record a shot on goal as the visiting Wenatchee Wild killed off the minor. Just over three minutes later, the Snakes went back to the man advantage, but again didn't generate any opportunities as the Wild killed off another penalty. Lee Parks got behind the Wenatchee defence with about two and a half minutes remaining but would be denied in close by Andy Vlaha. Inside the final minute of play with the Wild on the attack, Gabe Dombrowski with a quality chance couldn't solve Roan Clarke with three seconds left in the opening frame. It was 0-0 after 20 minutes of play. Both teams were fairly even as the play went back and fourth but neither team could generate or create any quality opportunities. Wenatchee was ahead 6-2 in shots early but the Vipers rallied back. Vernon outshot Wenatchee 10-9.

2nd Period: Inside the opening minute, Reagan Milburn with a good look/opportunity from the high slot, would be stopped by Wenatchee Wild starting netminder Andy Vlaha, making a big stop thirty twenty seven seconds into the middle frame. Shortly after Dylan Compton come across the blueline and ripped a high shot past Andy Vlaha, giving Vernon an early 1-0 lead at 1:51 as fans littered the ice with stuffed animals. Compton's goal was unassisted. Just over two minutes later, Max Borovinskiy spotted Seiya Tanaka-Campbell, giving Vernon a 2-0 lead at 3:02 Andy Vlaha and the Wenatchee Wild immediately called for a high stick but the official behind the goal, stood with his call and it remained 2-0 Vipers. Max Borovinskiy and Luke Ashton picked up the helpers. Just over a minute later, the Wild would get their first PP of the evening. Early into the power play, David Hejduk's heavy shot from the point, forced Vernon Vipers starting goaltender Roan Clarke to make a difficult save with traffic in front. This was the only real opportunity from the Wild as Vernon killed off the minor. The Wild went back to the man advantage around the midway point. Early into the PP Cade Littler couldn't solve Roan Clarke who come up with a large save, to keep the Wild off the scoreboard. Michael Valdez with a good look/chance also couldn't beat Roan Clarke. The Wild with two quality chances as the Snakes kill off the penalty. Just over two minutes later, Vernon would get their third PP of the contest and capitalize early. Julian Facchinelli found the back of the net, giving Vernon a 3-0 lead at 14:25 Reagan Milburn and Luke Pakulak collected the assists. Just over a minute later, Wenatchee would jump back on their third power play of the 2nd period. With some nice/quick passing, Cade Littler with a rocket from the circle, cut Vernon's lead to 3-1 at 17:22 David Hejduk & Ean Somoza drew the helpers. Inside the final minute, the Wild would get a late PP to finish the period. Wenatchee was unable to capitalize before the final buzzer. It was 3-1 Vernon after 40 minutes of play. I thought the Vipers were the better team and carried the better of the play for most of the first half. The Snakes were skating, making plays and capitalized on their opportunities. The Wild took advantage of some power plays to gain some momentum, were the better team in the second half, had more zone time, puck possession and got back in the hockey game with a late power play goal. Wenatchee outshot Vernon 10-7.

3rd Period: The Wild started the period with the power play, that was carried over from the 2nd period. Just forty one seconds into the 3rd/power play, Cade Littler with his second of the night, cut Vernon's lead to 3-2 at 0:41 Micah Berger & David Hejduk with the assists. The Wild went back to the power play about a minute and a half later. Wenatchee couldn't capitalize with the man advantage, as the Snakes killed off the minor. About two minutes later, Hank Cleaves and Lee Parks with back to back chances were both denied by Andy Vlaha. The Wild goaltender with two large saves six minutes in, keeping Wenatchee in the contest. With about six minutes remaining, Reagan Milburn with a backhand from the circle, couldn't beat Andy Vlaha who come up with a big blocker save, keeping this a one goal game. The Wild would get the goaltender to the bench for the extra attacker with about 2:23 left. Wenatchee called a timeout before getting some pressure down low but no real opportunities. The Vipers would call a timeout on an icing call before Luke Pakulak come up with two shot blocks. The Wild with a lot of pressure in the offensive zone, couldn't generate any real quality chances as the Vipers defence was good down the stretch. The Wild would get a late power play, inside the final minute of play. A couple of looks, that missed the net and the Snakes would hang on for the 3-2 victory. The Wild had a bit of an edge in play at times but both teams seemed to go back and fourth for a lot of the period. The Snakes had the better scoring chances but Wenatchee seemed to have more pressure/zone time and more pucks to the net, but not a whole lot of offensive opportunities. This was an entertaining period and a nail biter down the stretch. Wenatchee outshot Vernon 12-5.

Vernon Vipers Top Player's:

Thomas Tien Played a heck of a hockey game. This kid isn't the biggest kid, but plays big and isn't afraid to get hit, go into the corners or play physical. When the Vipers acquired Tien, I looked at his stats/profile and wondered why they would sign this kid. Now I know why. This kid plays hard, is quick on his feet, plays with a ton of energy and never takes a shift off

Lee Parks I thought played well for most of the game. Had two quality chances, one late in the 1st period and one early into the 3rd period. Another kid who plays hard, has skill, creates/generates offense and comes to play every game

Luke Pakulak (1 assist) Leads the team in scoring with (10-13-23) Pakulak didn't stand out on the offensive side tonight, it was more his defensive game that caught my attention. This was my pick for captain this season and still think should be captain. I don't like when teams go with no captains. Pakulak made several defensive plays, finished his checks, took a few hits and battled, not to mention blocked two shots late in the hockey game

Roan Clarke (27 saves) What else can you say about the Vipers goaltending this season? The Vipers have had strong goaltending with Clarke and Ethan David last season and again this year. Clarke was solid between the pipes tonight, making some key saves at key times

Game Thought's: Vernon Vipers

- After a poor performance in Friday's 5-1 loss to West Kelowna, the Vipers responded and played a much better game tonight

- This was a very entertaining hockey game

- A great turnout tonight with one of the biggest crowds of the season. Tonight's attendance was 2,010

- The Snakes have won six of their last eight home games and have at least a point in seven of their past eight home games

- Vernon went 1-3 with the man advantage

- With the win, the Snakes are one point back of Trail & Salmon Arm, two points back of Prince George and six points back of West Kelowna

- The Vipers took way too many penalties, need to clamp down on their discipline

- The Vipers & Wild are playing for the third time in fifteen days

- Other then last night's loss to West Kelowna, this is a different Viper hockey team that has improved and playing much better the past few weeks

- How big was tonight's game? The winner would jump to 7th in the standings with the loser staying in 8th

- The Vipers have won four of their last five games and won six of their last ten games

- The Vipers & Wild play two more regular season games, both games in Wenatchee

- Tonight was Vernon's final game before the Holiday break

- The Vipers next game is December 30th vs the visiting Merritt Centennials

- With the win, Vernon improves to 13-12-0-4 sit 7th in the Interior Division

Wenatchee Wild Top Player's:

David Hejduk (2 assists) Had a strong game on the Wild blueline. This kid seems to play well on most night's vs the Vipers. Plays a lot, plays with confidence, plays well at both ends of the rink and a good skater/puck moving d-man

Ean Somoza (1 assist) Leads the Wild in scoring with (9-29-38) Is very shifty/skilled. A good skater, hard to defend against, played well in the loss

Cade Littler (2 goals) Is the son of Wild GM Bliss Littler. Had a heck of a game. Scored both goals on the power play, was hard to contain and defend against. One of the better players in tonight's game

Michael Valdez Was another forward I thought played well

Andy Vlaha (21 saves) Played well between the pipes for the Wenatchee Wild

Game Thought's: Wenatchee Wild

- This was the Wild's second and final regular season visit to Vernon this season

- Tonight was the Wild's final game before the Holidays

- Wenatchee went 2-5 with the power play

- Wild Head Coach Chris Clark played with the Salmon Arm Silverbacks, Victoria Salsa & Surrey Eagles from 2000-2003

- Both teams had an edge in play at different times, but overall both teams were fairly even and evenly matched

- I don't like the Wild's new black road jersey's. I liked their previous blue road sweaters

- The Wild are 1-2 vs the Vipers this season

- Falling down 3-0 in the 2nd period, cost the Wild

- The Wild's next game is December 30th vs the visiting Prince George Spruce Kings