vipersdiehardfan blog: 1st Round - Game 4 Vernon 7 West Kelowna 0

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 2.3 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 Vernon Vipers-West Kelowna Warriors Game 4 of the 1st Round of the playoffs as Vernon defeated West Kelowna 7-0 in front of 1,701 fans at Kal Tire Place.

Starting Goaltenders:

Vernon Vipers: Ethan David

West Kelowna Warriors: Cayden Hamming

1st Period: For the third straight game in this series the Vipers would not only open the scoring but score early to start the hockey game. 1:09 into tonight's contest, Connor Welsh redirects home Luke Ashton's shot, giving Vernon an early 1-0 lead at 1:09 on the first shot of the hockey game. Luke Ashton and Anson McMaster with the helpers. About two minutes later, Thomas Tien at the side of the net would be denied. About five minutes later on a delayed penalty Dylan Compton gave Vernon a 2-0 lead at 7:33 Walker Erickson collected the lone assist. Seven seconds later, Cayden Hamming was caught out of position and the puck took a funny bounce off the end glass coming out front to Hank Cleaves for the open net, giving Vernon a 3-0 lead at 7:40 Anthony Cliche with the assist. On the following play, the Warriors would get the games first power play. Ethan David had to be sharp, was forced to make two big stops from the point before robbing Jaiden Moriello at the side of the net, even the goal judge turned on the light thinking it was a goal, but clearly David come across the crease to make the pad save as the Vipers get some key saves and kill off the minor. Just over four minutes later, West Kelowna would head back to the man advantage, but didn't generate much for opportunities as the Snakes kill off the penalty. With the Tribe pressing inside the final minute, Brennan Nelson with a good look from the circle just missed the net in the dying seconds as WK comes close to getting on the scoreboard. It was 3-0 Vernon after 20 minutes of play. The Vipers with a very good start, open the scoring just over a minute in and continue to press before getting two goals in seven seconds. The Snakes were up 6-2 in shots early. Vernon played with a lot of jump/energy didn't get a whole lot of opportunities but scored on their chances as pucks were going in tonight, unlike last night, pucks were staying out. The Snakes were the better team. Ayden Third took a hit along the end wall, was slow making his way to the dressing room, but later returned and stayed in the hockey game. The Warriors have struggled this series in the 1st period and tonight was no difference. WK gave up an early goal before falling behind 3-0. The Tribe had a few good shifts and some pressure but also didn't get a whole lot of chances. Shots were 10-10.

2nd Period: Off the opening faceoff, Lee Parks beat Vernon product Cayden Hamming giving Vernon an early 4-0 lead at 0:11 Hank Cleaves with the assist. This was the end of the night for Cayden Hamming who was replaced with Angelo Zol. Hamming gave up four goals on eleven Vernon shots. Angelo Zol who has yet to see any action in these playoffs, looked a little shaky on the first few Viper shots. Reagan Milburn thought he gave Vernon a commanding 5-0 lead just over two minutes into the middle frame, but the officials blew the play dead and gathered in front of the time keepers box. The Warriors were saying the puck went off the crossbar but the goal judge had turned on the goal light. After a quick discussion the officials waived the goal off. Less then a minute later the Vipers got into penalty trouble as the visiting West Kelowna Warriors would get a lengthy two man advantage. The Tribe had a few looks but no real quality opportunities as a very good Viper PK blocked several shots and were able to kill off both minors. The Warriors went back to the power play, on the next shift or two but once again a very strong PK from the hometown Vipers as Vernon killed off it's third penalty of the period. Just before the midway mark, Brennan Nelson looked to have an open cage but somehow missed the net on a missed opportunity. Inside the final minute of play the Vipers would get their first look on the PP. The Snakes were unable beat the buzzer. It was 4-0 Vernon after 40 minutes of play. The Warriors carried the better of the play for a lot of the period. West Kelowna with three power plays in the first half, couldn't capitalize with the man advantage. The Warriors played with a lot of jump, were strong in on the forecheck, winning battles and had a ton of zone time. WK had more puck possession but didn't generate a whole lot of quality chances. Brennan Nelson needed to be helped off the ice after going down with a Vernon player along the boards. Nelson wasn't putting any pressure on his leg, went to the dressing room and didn't return. Christopher Duclair took a hit behind the Viper net, was a little slow getting up, looked to be in some discomfort but managed to stay in the game. Vernon's penalty kill was very good, blocked shots, kept the Tribe to the outside and limited their chances. The Vipers had troubles getting pressure in the offensive zone, saw a lot of time in their own end. Ethan David wasn't tested often but was good. West Kelowna outshot Vernon 10-6.

3rd Period: Just over three minutes into the final frame, the Snakes would get an early PP and capitalize. Four seconds into the man advantage, Griffen Barr gave Vernon a commanding 5-0 lead at 3:20 Dylan Compton picked up the lone helper. On the following play, Lee Parks setup Reagan Milburn driving to the net on an odd man advantage but Milburn would be denied in front. The Snakes went back to the power play 1:32 later and capitalized. Isaac Tremblay got in behind the West Kelowna defence, would be stopped in close before Reagan Milburn gave Vernon a 6-0 lead at 5:30 Isaac Tremblay and Dylan Compton with the assists. Just over two minutes later the Warriors would lose Michael Salandra after being tossed from the game for a check from behind, sending Vernon to the man advantage. The Snakes unable to capitalize as the Tribe kill off the penalty. Just as the penalty expired, the Warriors would get a PP. Jake Bernadet with a quality look would be denied by Ethan David. West Kelowna couldn't get on the scoreboard as the Vipers killed off the minor. Just as the penalty expired, Marik Mamic was given a ten minute misconduct and tossed from the hockey game. With about five minutes remaining, Angelo Zol was forced to make a quick reaction save off a shot from the slot. The Snakes would get a couple of looks towards the end of the period before Max Borovinskiy gave Vernon a 7-0 lead at 18:59 Jonathan Horn collected the assist. Inside the final minute the Warriors were trying to sucker Vernon players into fighting as the Vipers evened the series with a 7-0 victory. The Tribe got into penalty trouble early and the Snakes would capitalize on back to back power play's to blow the game wide open. West Kelowna looked flat and wasn't in this hockey game as the Vipers carried the better of the play in a period where the game become very chippy with the score out of reach. The Warriors started taking several runs at several Viper players, giving several cross checks after the whistle and in front of the net. This wasn't much of a period as the Warriors were sending a message for Game 5. Vernon was the better team. Vernon outshot West Kelowna 17-8.

Vernon Vipers Top Player's:

Ayden Third has been Vernon's best defencemen this series played another solid/physical game on the blueline

Dylan Compton (1 goal & 2 assists) Was another d-man that played very well, recording three points

Jonathan Horn (1 assist) Returned to the lineup after sitting out Games 2 & 3 played a very smart hockey game. Was making plays, creating open ice

Walker Erickson (1 assist) Hasn't produced the points I thought he would have after coming over at the trade deadline from the Merritt Centennials. I thought was one of the more energized forwards who played with a lot of jump/energy

Ethan David (28 saves) Records his first BCHL playoff shutout was good between the pipes. Made some key saves on the PK

Game Thought's: Vernon Vipers

- In a must win situation, the Vipers come through with an unexpected blowout win in Game 4

- The Vipers have come close to dominating the Warriors in the 1st period of all four games this series. Vernon has opened the scoring in three of the four games and been the better team in the opening frame in all four games

- A good sized crowd for a Wednesday evening playoff game. Tonight's attendance was 1,701

- The Vipers made the right call, going with Ethan David in goal. There is no question David should have started Game 3

- Tonight was the Vipers biggest game of the season. The Snakes didn't want to go down 3-1 in the series heading to West Kelowna for Game 5

- I sure didn't expect to see this kind of game tonight

- The Vipers played very well and fully deserved the win

- What ever happened to Jason Podollan? The former NHLer joined the Vipers early in the season as color commentator

- Game 5 goes Friday in West Kelowna

- Vernon was the better team

- The Vipers have won thirteen of their last eighteen home games

- Vernon didn't generate a whole lot of quality opportunities but scored on their opportunities and had some puck luck along the way

- The Snakes need to work on their passing as it wasn't very sharp tonight

- Tonight's officials were very suspect and blew a ton of calls. Some very poor officiating

- Vernon opened the scoring early for a second straight night, except tonight the puck was going in for the Vipers and the Vipers capitalized on their opportunities

- Vernon's PK was very very good, blocked several shots and got some timely saves from Ethan David

- The Viper power play went 2-4

- The Vipers lost both playoff home games vs West Kelowna last season

- Games 6 goes Sunday in Vernon

- Ayden Third took a hit along the end wall tonight, looked to be in some discomfort, went to the dressing room but stayed in the hockey game

- Listening to the post game show on the radio on my drive home, Graham Turnbull said after watching the video, Vernon's fifth goal early into the 2nd period that was waived off was clearly a goal

- Including the regular season and playoffs the Vipers are 3-4-0-2 vs the Warriors this season

West Kelowna Warriors Top Player's:

Jake Bernadet I thought had a couple of looks, played well in the 7-0 loss

Brennan Nelson had a couple of looks, was engaged in the play before getting injured in the 2nd period. Nelson needed help off the ice and went to the dressing room and didn't return

Nic Porchetta played with an edge was in the face and under the skin of several Vernon Vipers through out the hockey game

Marik Mamic Was another kid who played with an edge, was getting in the face and under the skin of several Vipers through out Game 4

Christopher Duclair has been one of the better forwards for the Tribe in this series, played hard, competed, had a couple of looks, also took a few hits, including being in some discomfort in the 2nd period and taking a high stick late in the 3rd went to the dressing room and didn't return for the remainder of the hockey game

Game Thought's: West Kelowna Warriors

- The Warriors have struggled in all four 1st periods this series and tonight was no different. West Kelowna gives up the opening goal 1:09 into Game 4 before falling behind 3-0 not even eight minutes into the hockey game

- I didn't think either team had a whole lot of quality opportunities but the Vipers were able to capitalize and score on their chances, while West Kelowna didn't

- The Tribe went 0-6 with the man advantage

- I saw about fifteen or so Warriors fans at tonight's game

- West Kelowna was outplayed in the 1st period, re-grouped and played a hard fought 2nd period, were the better team but went 0-3 with the man advantage and ended up giving up an early goal just eleven seconds into the middle frame. The Tribe looked flat to start the 3rd and got into penalty trouble

- With the game out of reach the Warriors played a chippy 3rd period, took several runs at Vipers, were giving out crosschecks and little shots as the play went on and between whistles

- Cayden Hamming gets the hook eleven seconds into the 2nd period after giving up four goals on eleven shots

- The Warriors power play struggled. If West Kelowna scores a couple of goals on the man advantage in the 2nd period, it's now a one or two goal hockey game and naybe a different finish?

- The Warriors have struggled on the road as of late. West Kelowna have six wins in their last twenty two road games

- How big is Game 5?

- With the game out of reach and time winding down several Warriors were going for the heavy/high hits, giving crosschecks after whistles and trying to send a message

- Warriors captain Aiden Reeves was running around in the 3rd giving out two and three crosschecks to several Vipers while trying to stir things up late in the game

- The Warriors played no where near sixty minutes, need to start on time, fell behind early before the game got away on them

Scratches:

Vernon Vipers:

Ethan Merner

Ethan Sundar (Injured)

Luke Pakulak

West Kelowna Warriors:

Landen Hilditch

Matthew Fusco (Injured)

Matthew Lee

Justin Katz (Injured)

Energy Player of the Game: