Vernon 4 Cowichan 1

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-Capitals game as Vernon defeated Cowichan 4-1 in front of the Vipers second biggest crowd of the season, 2,510 fans at Kal Tire Place.

Starting Goaltenders:

Vernon Vipers: Roan Clarke

Cowichan Capitals: McCoy Bidewell

1st Period: With the Vipers buzzing in and around the Capitals goal inside the opening faceoff, newly acquired Walker Erickson spotted Luke Pakulak who missed an open cage at the side of the net, twenty two seconds into the hockey game. Two and a half minutes into the period, Walker Erickson would get a clear shot from the high slot but denied by McCoy Bidewell. The Caps pushed back on the next shift, Luke Eurig with a quick shot from in close, forced Roan Clarke to make a big left pad/toe save from the top of the blue paint. Just before the midway mark, Max Borovinskiy would get the Vipers on the board, giving Vernon a 1-0 lead at 9:26 Connor Elliott and Seiya Tanaka-Campbell drew the helpers. About two minutes later, Luke Pakulak with a quality look/opportunity couldn't solve McCoy Bidewell. Late in the period Vernon would get the games first power play, after Ethan Dekay picked up a double minor for slew footing. The Snakes couldn't convert on an early scramble at the side of the net, struggled, allowing Cole Melady in for the partial breakaway, but Roan Clarke come up with a large save shorthanded. The Vipers with only three shots on goal struggled with the man advantage, as Cowichan killed off the double minor. Inside the final minute of play, the Capitals would get their first PP of the evening. CV couldn't solve Roan Clarke on a goal mouth scramble and then tried jamming home a loose puck on a second scramble in the paint in the dying seconds but Roan Clarke down and out, somehow managed to keep the puck out. It was 1-0 Vernon after 20 minutes of play. The Snakes with a great start, jumped all over the visiting Cowichan Capitals. Vernon with a ton of early pressure, created/generated several opportunities were buzzing around the Caps goal. The Snakes were the better team in the first half, only managed one goal, could have easily had three or four. The Snakes got sloppy and didn't play nearly as good late in the period. Connor Welsh left the hockey game and didn't report. Reports from several fans was he was taken to the hospital. Cowichan with a very big PK in the second half, was forced to kill off a double minor, played better to finish the period. Vernon outshot Cowichan 14-9.

2nd Period: The Capitals started the period on the man advantage, that was carried over from the opening frame. Off the opening faceoff, Quinn Disher leaned into one, forced Vernon Vipers starting netminder Roan Clarke to make a large save, coming way out of his crease, to keep the Cowichan power play off the board. The Vipers would kill off the remainder of the period. Minutes later, Ethan Sundar with a quality chance in front couldn't find the back of the net, before Ayden Third, gave Vernon an early 2-0 lead at 4:15 Ethan Sundar & Isaac Tremblay picked up the assists. Minutes before the halfway mark, Ethan Sundar with a great opportunity couldn't convert, after Cowichan Capitals starting goaltender McCoy Bidewell come up with a large save on an odd man rush. Shortly after Luke Pakulak hit William Elias along the end wall, Elias went down and didn't get up right away. Pakulak was given a five minute major and a game misconduct for checking from behind. Elias was able to eventually get up on hos own power and stayed in the hockey game. Jason McKee and the Viper bench argued the call but the Capitals went to work with a five minute PP. Just over a minute into the man advantage, the Caps took a penalty of their own, sending both teams to four on four. Former Viper forward Luke Lavery was then given a ten minute misconduct on the same play. Cowichan would return to the PP and get a few looks but Roan Clarke was forced into making at least three big stops as Vernon killed off the major. Close to three minutes later, the Snakes would get a late power play and capitalize. Lee Parks gave Vernon a 3-0 lead at 16:13 Hank Cleaves and Walker Erickson with the assists. It was 3-0 Vernon after 40 minutes of play. The Vipers were the better team for most of the period. Vernon carried a lot of the play, had more puck possession and zone time. Luke Ashton went into the boards in front of the benches, feet first and was in a lot of discomfort getting to the bench. Ashton needed help from the trainer and one of the assistant coaches, down to the Viper dressing room and didn't return. The Capitals had a couple of quality chances on the PP, didn't have a lot of puck possession or zone time. Vernon outshot Cowichan 13-6.

3rd Period: 2:50 into the period Jonathan Horn looked to give Vernon an early 4-0 lead but the goal was waived off immediately due to a hand pass or high stick. Close to eight minutes into the period, the visiting Capitals would jump on the PP. Cowichan had a goal mouth scramble and a late opportunity but the Snakes would kill off the minor. About a minute and a half later, Ayden Third and Luke Eurig got tangled up in a scrum as the two threw a couple of punches. Both were sent off to the sin bin as both teams went to four on four. Quinn Disher come very close to getting Cowichan on the board, but rang his shot off either the post or crossbar. The Vipers quickly moved the puck back the other way, springing Lee Parks in for the breakaway but McCoy Bidewell come up with a big stop, before Parks went crashing into the end wall hard. Parks was ok and stayed in the contest. Shortly after on a broken play, William Elias's shot would be stopped by Roan Clarke before the second opportunity somehow found it's way into the back of the net, cutting Vernon's lead to 3-1 at 13:06 Cole Melady with the lone assist. The Caps come right back off the next faceoff and what looked like an odd man rush, couldn't convert on a pass for what looked like an open cage. Two minutes later, the Snakes with a late power play, had a few looks but couldn't get set and Cowichan would kill off the minor. Eighteen seconds later, former Merritt Centennials forward Walker Erickson beat two defenders before going in for the breakaway and ripping home his first as a Viper in his Viper debut, giving Vernon a late 4-1 lead at 17:20 Erickson's goal was unassisted. Julian Facchinelli with a good look/opportunity from the high slot with about a minute and a half remaining, couldn't solve McCoy Bidewell. Tempers heated up at the buzzer as two Capitals tried to mix it up with a couple of Vipers before the officials stepped in as Vernon come away with the 4-1 victory. The first ten minutes was very slow, boring and no action as the Snakes were sitting back on a three goal lead, with the Caps playing through the motions. It wasn't until both teams went to four on four when the play started to open up, both teams had some chances and both teams exchanged goals. Cowichan outshot Vernon 10-8.

Vernon Vipers Top Player's:

Ayden Third (1 goal) I thought played a strong game on the Viper blueline

Ethan Sundar (1 assist) I would have to say this young man is the hardest working player on the Vipers. I never see him take a shift or night off. Play's with a ton of jump/energy game in and game out. Was buzzing and making plays happen through out this evening

Walker Erickson (1 goal & 1 assist) Acquired from the Merritt Centennials at the BCHL trade deadline, made his Vipers debut tonight and thrilled the fans at Kal Tire Place. This kid can skate, is quick, has some skill and sees the ice well. Had a couple of scoring chances, was making plays happen through out the hockey game

Luke Pakulak returned to the Viper lineup after being injured during the Christmas break. Pakulak looked a little rusty at times but had some good looks early in the 1st period, also laid out a couple of big hits in the opening frame. Pakulak was given five minutes for a check from behind and a game misconduct in the 2nd period

Anthony Cliche stepped up his game after the Vipers lost Luke Ashton and played very well on the backend

Roan Clarke (24 saves) Made a couple of large saves at key times during tonight's contest. I think Clarke would like to have back the only goal he gave up but other wise was very good between the pipes for the Snakes

Game Thought's: Vernon Vipers

- Vernon struggled with the man advantage, going 1-3 The Vipers looked disorganized and couldn't get set on the PP

- I really liked the Vipers start. Vernon jumped on the Capitals and were buzzing in and around the net early, generated several quality chances

- Another big crowd on hand this evening, the second biggest crowd of the season (2,510)

- The Vipers next game is Sunday afternoon in Cranbrook

- I thought the Viper PK was very good and has been very good all season

- The Vipers have at least a point in eleven of their last thirteen home games

- Former Vernon Vipers forward/captain David Robinson (2009-2011) was in attendance 

- Vernon was the better team and looked good at times but also looked a little sloppy at times

- The Vipers are one point back of 4th place Prince George and six points back of 3rd place West Kelowna

- The Snakes wearing their new 3rd jersey's tonight. All yellow with navy blue stripes and numbers and the word "Vipers" handwritten across the front of the jersey. The V looks like a U. One word "UGLY" If anything the Vipers should have gone with navy blue jersey's and yellow stripes/numbers and the word "Vipers" handwritten across the front in yellow

- The Vipers have only seven regular season home games left

- Connor Elliott played 44 games with the Cowichan Capitals between 2021-2022 before being traded to Vernon 

- Vernon has won three of their last five games and six of their last ten games

- This is the only time Vernon & Cowichan will play each other during the regular season

- The Vipers play eleven of their next fourteen games on the road. Vernon with only three road wins this season

- The Snakes had a lot of quality chances through out the game, could have easily had another three or four goals

- I didn't like the Vipers yellow 3rd set jersey's back in 2014 or 2015 I think? and I don't like the new Vipers yellow 3rd jersey's this year

- The Vipers last regular season win at home over the Cowichan Capitals was a 2-0 victory on January 13th 2018

- With only seven home games left, why did the Vipers take so long to unveil their new 3rd jersey's?

- Does anyone know why the Vipers haven't hung their 2018-19 Interior Division Championship banner? 

- With the win, Vernon improves to 16-14-0-4 sit 6th in the Interior Division

Cowichan Capitals Top Player's:

Cole Melady (1 assist) Played well for the Caps. Had a few looks/opportunities

Luke Eurig I thought played well up front for the Capitals

Quinn Disher Was by far the Capitals best player. Is quick on his feet, can skate, move the puck and shifty/creative. Rang a shot off the post/crossbar in the 3rd period

Game Thought's: Cowichan Capitals

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

- Cowichan went 0-3 with the power play

- The Capitals didn't have a lot of puck possession or zone time but did create/generate some quality chances now and again

- If Cowichan could have converted on a couple of their opportunities, this may have been a different outcome

- Is it the Cowichan Valley Capitals or Cowichan Capitals? The league website goes by Cowichan Valley Capitals, but the team website and social media pages go with Cowichan Capitals

- The Capitals have one win in fifteen road games this season

- Cowichan went 2-0 vs the Vipers last season

- Capitals Head Coach/GM Mike Vandekamp was Head Coach/GM of the Vernon Vipers from 2001-2004

- Cowichan's next game is Saturday in Penticton

- Luke Lavery played 48 games with the Vipers from 2021-2022 before being traded to Cowichan

- The Capitals only road win of the season was a 5-2 win in Langley November 19th

- The Capitals are the lowest scoring team with 82 goals

- I thought Cowichan's PK & PP were fairly good

- The Capitals had won five straight games over the Vipers prior to tonight

- With the loss, Cowichan falls to 7-24-1-2 sit last in the BCHL standings

Scratches:

Vernon Vipers:

Thomas Tien (Injured)

Ethan Merner

Anson McMaster (Suspended)

Cowichan Capitals:

Ethan O'Halloran

Matthew Biros

Tyler Wood

Energy Player of the Game:

Ethan Sundar (1 assist)

Three Star's:

1st Star: Roan Clarke (24 saves)

2nd Star: Walker Erickson (1 goal & 1 assist)

3rd Star: Ayden Third (1 goal)

Boxscore-Game Summary,

Cowichan Valley Capitals @ Vernon Vipers Friday, January 13, 2023 | 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,

VernonJrAHockey.CA

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Here are some photo's I took before and during tonight's Vipers-Capitals game.