I was born and raised in Vernon, BC and been watching/following Junior hockey in Vernon my whole life. My family watched Senior men's 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 today's Vipers-Smoke Eaters game as Trail defeated Vernon 3-2 in overtime in front of 2,937 fans at Kal Tire Place.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon Vipers: Ethan David
Trail Smoke Eaters: Teagan Kendrick
2nd Period: The Snakes thought they took a 2-1 lead almost three minutes into the period but the goal was waived off. The officials said the puck was kicked into the net. The Vipers with a goal mouth scramble had several wacks at a loose puck in and around the goal about five minutes into the 2nd period, couldn't find the back of the net before some pushing and shoving occurred. Just before the midway mark, the Vipers would get their second power play of the afternoon. Shorthanded Smokies leading scorer Brady Hunter would get a partial breakaway, missed the net before crashing into the end wall. Hunter stayed down for several seconds as the play continued before making his way to the bench. Hunter was attended to by the Smoke Eaters trainer and stayed in the contest. Vernon unable to generate much with the man advantage as Trail killed off the minor. Just over three minutes later, the Snakes went back to the PP but again couldn't capitalize with the man advantage. With about six minutes remaining Brady Hunter with some slick moves across Vernon's blueline, setup Evan Bushy who ripped a quick shot from the high slot, forcing Vernon Vipers starting netminder Ethan David into making a large save, keeping this game tied. It was 1-1 after 40 minutes of play. The Vipers were the better team, carried the better of the play, had lots of zone time, didn't get a lot of quality opportunities but had several shots from in close and in and around the crease on a couple of scrambles at the top of the crease, couldn't catch a break/bounce to go in. Vernon went 0-2 with the man advantage while giving up a shorthanded breakaway. Ethan David looked a little shaky at times handling the puck outside the crease. The Viper goaltender almost coughed up the puck on at least three different occasions. Trail saw a lot of play in their own end, didn't see a lot of time in the offensive zone but did get two very good quality chances. Teagan Kendrick was good between the pipes. Trail's Head Coach/GM Tim Fragle was very vocal from the bench, thought his team should have gotten a few power play's that period. Shots were 14-6 Vernon.
3rd Period: Off the opening puck drop, Hank Cleaves drove towards the net on an odd man rush, couldn't get off a quick enough shot that was stopped by Teagan Kendrick. The Snakes with a flurry of chances in and around the net unable to take the lead. The Smokies would get their first power play of the afternoon 1:07 into the 3rd period. Shorthanded Luke Pakulak one on one, ripped a shot from outside the circle, beating Teagan Kendrick short side, giving Vernon a 2-1 lead at 1:34 Anson McMaster drew the lone assist. The visiting Trail Smoke Eaters had a couple of looks but Ethan David made the stops as the Vipers killed off the penalty. About two minutes later Nick Remissong with two quality opportunities, couldn't tie the hockey game as Ethan David come up with two big stops. Just past the halfway mark, Brady Hunter tied the game 2-2 at 11:28 Adam Parsons and Nick Remissong picked up the assists. Just over three minutes later, Vernon would get a late PP before taking a penalty of their own. Ethan David was called for interference on a play where the Trail player skated through the crease, bumping into David and falling down. David was called for interference on a blown call by the officials. The Snakes would kill off the penalty. With about 1:40ish remaining Isaac Tremblay looked to have Trail Smoke Eaters starting goaltender Teagan Kendrick deked out, but somehow the goaltender was able to sprawl across and make the save late in the hockey game with the game tied. It was 2-2 after 60 minutes of play. I thought the Smokies had the edge in play and the better team. Trail for the first time this afternoon, would have a little more puck possession and zone time. The Vipers couldn't hold on to the lead, had a few looks but weren't sharp. Trail outshot Vernon 9-7.
Overtime: The hometown Vernon Vipers had early control but were looking for the perfect play, didn't get a shot in overtime. Adam Parsons setup Adam Marshall for the overtime game winning goal at 2:17 sending the Smokies bench into a frenzy as the Smoke Eaters poured onto the ice in celebration. Trail outshot Vernon 3-0.
Vernon Vipers Top Player's:
Dylan Compton Played very well on the Snakes blueline. Compton was involved in the offensive side of the game and defensive side of the game, was creating/generating plays all afternoon
Thomas Tien Played with a ton of jump/energy was buzzing all game
Hank Cleaves (1 assist) Played very well, was creating/generating plays
Lee Parks (1 assist) was another Viper forward that played with a lot of speed, jump and energy and was making plays happen
Anson McMaster (1 assist) I thought played very well on the backend
Luke Pakulak (1 goal) Was physical, used his size to create some open ice and make plays was involved in the play at times. Scored once (shorthanded)
Game Thought's: Vernon Vipers
- I was told the Vipers returned home late yesterday evening from their two game Island road trip over the weekend and it showed as Vernon didn't look sharp or very crisp to start the hockey game, weren't moving their legs, making some poor passes/poor plays through out the game
- The Vipers have played seven of their past ten games on the road
- Vernon went 1-4 with the power play
- Walker Erickson played 31 games with the 2019-20 Trail Smoke Eaters
- This afternoon was the biggest crowd of the season. Today's attendance was announced at 2,937
- These two teams will meet again Saturday in Trail
- The Snakes didn't have any puck luck or have the bounces go their way
- I thought the Vipers were the better team but didn't look very sharp through out the contest
- Vernon Junior Hockey Alumni Aaron Volpatti, Trevor McEachnie, Mark Ferner & Ed Johnstone were in attendance
- The Snakes are one point back of Wenatchee, three points back of Salmon Arm, five points back of Prince George and six points back of West Kelowna
- The Vipers played with the lead twice, couldn't get that insurance goal to grab a two goal lead
- The Snakes PK was good, killing off both penalties
- The Vipers are 1-1 vs Trail this season
- A very disappointing loss this afternoon. You need to beat teams below you in the standings at this time of the year
- Ethan David (26 saves) looked shaky at times, especially coming out of his net to play the puck
- I heard a rumor from a season ticket holder, Vipers Head Coach/GM Jason McKee's contract is up at the end of this season
- If the Vipers finish in and around the net, this game is not close and no where near going to overtime
- The Vipers next game is Friday in Cranbrook
- The Snakes next home game isn't until March 10th vs Salmon Arm
- One section of seats that was pushed back for a concert on February 10th still has yet to be put back into place
- Vernon plays six of their final ten regular season games on the road
- The Vipers have lost back to back games both in overtime
- This was a game the Snakes needed to dig deep and pull out the win if they want to climb the standings before playoffs
- This was a costly loss as the Vipers would have been tied in points with Wenatchee, instead are a point back of the 6th place Wild
- With the loss, Vernon falls to 20-18-2-4 sit 7th in the Interior Division
Trail Smoke Eater's Top Player's:
Alec Whipple played well on the Smokies defence
Brady Hunter (1 goal) leads the team in points with 44 was by far Trail's best forward. This kid is quick, has some speed, can move the puck and very skilled. Was dangerous and a threat every time on the ice
Teagan Kendrick (36 saves) Was one of the difference makers this afternoon, making some big stops was solid between the pipes
Game Thought's: Trail Smoke Eaters
- I thought Trail got off to a good start, had the early edge in play, were up 5-1 in shots then slowly allowed the Vipers back into the hockey game. The Smokies were outplayed at times and through out the game but held their own and didn't allow Vernon to run away with the score. Trail stayed within a goal and was always in this game
- I spotted two Smoke Eater fans in attendance
- Today was Trail's third game of a four game road trip
- The Smoke Eaters went 0-2 with the man advantage
- Smoke Eaters Assistant Coach Dallas Calvin played with the 2013-14 Vernon Vipers
- Trail has only three wins in their last fifteen games
- The Smoke Eaters didn't get a lot of puck possession or zone time until the 3rd period, somehow managed to hang around and stay in the hockey game
- The Smokies didn't generate a whole lot of opportunities
- The Smoke Eaters are are twelve points ahead of 9th place Merritt and seven points back of 7th place Vernon
- The Smoke Eaters last regular season win in Vernon was a 4-1 victory on December 18th 2019
- Trail has lost eight of their last ten road games
- Nick Remissong played 37 games with the 2020-21 & 2021-22 Vernon Vipers
- The Smokies next game is Friday in West Kelowna
- The Vipers were the better team but overall this was a tight game and could have gone either way
- With the win, Trail improves to 17-21-2-3 sit 8th in the Interior Division
Scratches:
Vernon Vipers:
Connor Welsh
Ethan Sundar
Luke Ashton
Trail Smoke Eaters:
Ridge Dawson
Ethan Mann
Judah Makway
Maxim Potvin
Energy Player of the Game:
Lee Parks (1 assist)
Three Star's:
1st Star: Teagan Kendrick (36 saves)
2nd Star: Adam Marshall (Overtime Winner-1 assist)
3rd Star: Walker Erickson (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.
5 comments:
You can have all the excuses in the world but it all comes down to coaching and recruiting. Yes they got home late from the Island road trip,we all know they can't put the puck in the net and they definitely didn't get any breaks from the guys in stripes today. Our 2 best puck moving defenseman were on the bench to start OT and it was a disaster from the drop of the puck. Jason Mckee didn't even have the guts to go on the post game show because he was to busy yelling at the players he recruited. Biggest crowd of the year, some concessions ran out of food, no 50/50, and no one at the City run facility who can remember how to move the seats back out. But it was still a good Family Day
This was a fairly entertaining game to watch with two well matched teams. Nick Remissong was very noticeable, if not the Smokies best player. I remember him with the Vipers but can not remember why or how he left. He went to Merritt for 3 games and then on to Trail. It is nice to see that he is having a very good year, the Vipers certainly could use his finish now. Please refresh my memory who he was traded for, circumstances of his departure, etc.
I like hearing how the departed players are doing with their new teams. It was interesting to watch Nick, and earlier read on your blog the success of Tardif, Gurkan, Brandes, to name a few. I wonder if we would be in better shape if we had made far fewer changes and worked with the players we recruited instead of having the revolving door of try outs. No player can perform up to their potential until they settle in and are allowed to play to their strengths. Some take longer than others but they must be put into positions to succeed. After the constant roster changes this year I still see a lot of glaring deficiencies.
We have already had about 7 announcements of players committing to Vernon for next year. How many of them will still be on the roster next Christmas? This is my biggest complaint with McKee and Glen, they expect player commitment but offer little commitment in return. Recruit well, work with the recruits and put them in a positive environment to succeed.
Got home late, no puck luck, bad officiating, were the better team, 2 best defense men on the bench in overtime, blah blah blah! They lost plain and simple, quit whining, they are a 7th place team playing a 8th place team The Vipers gave them their 3rd win since Christmas.
Marty, The Vipers traded Nicholas Remissong, Braden Smith, Desmond Johnson and future considerations to the Merritt Centennials November 30th 2021 for Talon Zakall & Luke Lavery.
The seats are permanently being removed and it takes a crew to take them out. It’s going to take a bit to get them removed safely. That’s the reason that they are still there.
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