1st Round - Game 5 Vernon 2 West Kelowna 1

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 5 of the 1st Round of the playoffs as Vernon defeated West Kelowna 2-1 in front of 1,508 fans at Royal Le Page Place.

Starting Goaltenders:

Vernon Vipers: Ethan David

West Kelowna Warriors: Cayden Hamming

1st Period: Four minutes into the opening frame, Christopher Duclair won the race, going in for the breakaway, looked to have Ethan David deked out but somehow the Viper netminder was able to get a pad on Duclair's shot, on the Warriors first shot of the hockey game. The Vipers needed almost five minutes to record their first shot of the game. About three minutes later, Reagan Milburn with the deflection in front, gave Vernon a 1-0 lead at 8:12 Ayden Third and Hank Cleaves picked up the assists. Two minutes later, the Snakes would get the games first power play. Shorthanded Christopher Duclair went in for the breakaway, would be denied by Ethan David before Nic Porchetta would be stopped on the second opportunity. Two quality chances by the Tribe but Ethan David stands tall. Vernon with a few looks in and around the top of the crease on a scramble in front, before Lee Parks looked to have Cayden Hamming beat down low, couldn't raise the puck up and over Hamming's pad as the Warriors killed off the minor. Just over three minutes later, the Snakes went back to the PP. 1:07 into the man advantage and things evened up with Vernon taking a penalty before West Kelowna would get a late PP. The Tribe unable to capitalize as the Vipers kill off the penalty. It was 1-0 Vernon after 40 minutes of play. The Snakes played very well, had a little more edge in play in the offensive zone as both teams had a couple of good looks/opportunities. The Warriors were able to get more pucks to the net didn't have as much zone time as the Vipers. West Kelowna outshot Vernon 14-9.

2nd Period: Five minutes into the middle frame, Walker Erickson with a nice move, got around the WK defender before cutting to the net, was able to break free, looked to have West Kelowna Warriors starting goaltender Cayden Hamming beat but somehow Hamming was able to get across and make the big stop. About two minutes later, the visiting Vernon Vipers would get an odd man rush, decided to keep and shoot as Cayden Hamming with a quick glove save, keeping this a one goal game. Just before the halfway mark, the Warriors slowly picked up the pace and were able to generate some open ice, creating chances. Jaiden Moriello and Christopher Duclair with good looks/opportunities couldn't solve Vernon Vipers starting goaltender Ethan David. With about six minutes remaining, the Tribe would get their second power play of the evening. Just seconds in, the Warriors thought they had tied the hockey game but the play was blown dead just a second or two before the puck went in and past Ethan David. West Kelowna took a slashing penalty, evening up the play as the crowd at Royal Le Page Place disagreed with the call and let the officials know about it. With about three and a half minutes remaining in the 2nd period, Walker Erickson with a quality chance, couldn't beat Cayden Hamming before the Warriors pushed back on the same shift, allowing Matthew Lee to walk in from the slot, but Ethan David come out to challenge and made a big pad save from the slot. With about two minutes remaining, a bad pinch from a Vernon d-man, allows the Warriors to break in on the odd man rush. Jaiden Moriello would tie the game with a collision in front of the goal at 18:20 Moriello's goal was unassisted. From my view/angle it looked like the puck hit the crossbar, come down on the blue paint before players crashed into the Viper net, sending the net off it's pegs. Inside the final minute of play, Michael Salandra would be denied in close with the Tribe pressing down the stretch. The Vipers escape a late surge from West Kelowna. It was 1-1 after 40 minutes of play. The Warriors had the edge in play, had more puck possession, zone time and created/generated more chances. WK with a good transition game, used their speed to break in with numbers and several odd man rushes. The Vipers had a couple of chances had troubles containing the Tribes speed and gave up way too many opportunities. Ethan David was very good in goal. West Kelowna outshot Vernon 13-10.

3rd Period: The Snakes with a great start, pushed early and often had a strong forecheck going, had some good looks before captain Seiya Tanaka-Campbell's shot beat Cayden Hamming but not the crossbar about four minutes into the final frame. About a minute or so later, Hank Cleaves with open ice rang a shot off the post from the near circle with Vernon pressing. Shortly after Cayden Hamming was forced to make a couple of big stops on a scramble at the top of the crease. Just before the midway mark, Griffen Barr was stopped before Ethan Merner making his Vipers Playoff debut, gave Vernon a 2-1 lead at 8:56 Griffen Barr and Max Borovinskiy with the helpers. About two and a half minutes later, the Snakes would jump on the PP. Lee Parks looked to have Cayden Hamming deked out but couldn't get the puck up and over Hamming's pad as Vernon with a couple of looks. West Kelowna killed off the minor. Late in the period Walker Erickson took a late hit in the slot and went down and didn't get up. Erickson was attended to by the trainer for several minutes before needing help off the ice. Erickson went to the dressing room and never returned. The Tribe would get Cayden Hamming to the bench with about 1:45ish left on the clock and on the same play, the Warriors would finish the hockey game with the man advantage. West Kelowna with pressure had a few pucks fired towards the net, that come close to bouncing in but it was Vernon who was able to clear the zone several times, winding down the clock to come away with the 2-1 victory and a 3-2 lead in the series. The Snakes were the better team as Vernon carried most of the play, had a ton of puck possession, zone time, was strong in on the fore check, winning puck battles, board battles and played a very smart 3rd period. The Vipers were getting pucks to the net, created opportunities had the Warriors hemmed in their own end often. West Kelowna saw a lot of time in their own end, had troubles containing and defending the Viper attack. The Tribe had troubles clearing the zone, getting through the neutral zone and generating any kind of offence. WK went long periods without a shot on goal. The Warriors pushed late with the goaltender out and on the power play but unable to force overtime. Vernon outshot West Kelowna 13-4.

Vernon Vipers Top Performers:

Julian Facchinelli I thought played a heck of a hockey game. The Vipers rookie forward didn't record any points but was a workhorse, played hard, competed and made plays happen with his speed and skill. Opened up a lot of ice at times.

Connor Welsh played with a lot of jump/energy, looked good

Walker Erickson Was another Viper forward that played very well. Had several opportunities, was hard to contain/defend. Took a late hit in the slot late in the 3rd, needed help off the ice, went to the dressing room and didn't return

Lee Parks Is having a heck of a playoffs in his first season in Vernon. Parks has been one of if not the Snakes best forward this series, played well, having several looks/chances this evening

Ethan David (30 saves) How good has Ethan David been in the playoffs? Now 3-0 should have started Game 3. Made some key saves at different times through out the game. Looks confident and making the big saves when needed

Game Thought's: Vernon Vipers

- This was a very tight checking but very entertaining/exciting hockey game

- Both teams played very well

- A large turnout of Viper fans were in attendance tonight

- Former Vernon Vipers Head Coach/GM Troy Mick was at tonight's game

- Vernon went 0-4 with the power play

- The Vipers played a very disciplined game, taking only three penalties

- Game 6 goes Sunday in Vernon

- A few Viper fans at tonight's game said they heard Graham Turnbull say on the radio broadcast after watching the video, West Kelowna's goal didn't cross the goal line and shouldn't have counted

- After going 0-3 in West Kelowna during the regular season, the Vipers are 2-1 in West Kelowna in these playoffs

- The officials called a fair game and let the two teams play hockey

- Talking to several fans at tonight's game, Graham Turnbull said on the Viper radio broadcast the video shows West Kelowna's only goal didn't cross the goal line and shouldn't have counted

- With the Warriors finishing the game on the power play, made for a nailbiter finish

- Ethan David improves to 3-0 in the 2023 playoffs 

- This was one of Vernon's better road games as of late and played close to sixty minutes

- Can someone explain why the Energy Player of the Game is always given to the home team player?

- The Salmon Arm Silverbacks will play the winner of this series

- With what's at stake, both teams played hockey tonight and stayed away from the crap after the whistles

West Kelowna Warriors Top Performers:

Nic Porchetta was stopped on a shorthanded opportunity in the 1st period, played well at both ends of the rink. Blocked two shots in the 3rd period, going to the bench in pain. Played hard/battled all night

Christopher Duclair Has been the Warriors best forward this series by far and it showed again tonight. This kid is relentless, never stops skating, plays whistle to whistle, competes, battles and is hard to contain/defend. Gave the Vipers all kinds of heartache through out the game with several quality chances. Is quick on his feet, has a quick shot/quick release, hard to knock off the puck

Cayden Hamming (30 saves) The Vernon product was solid in goal for the Tribe as both goaltenders battled, competed and played very well. With Justin Katz out of the lineup due to injury, Hamming has stepped in and played very well in his absence

Game Thought's: West Kelowna Warriors

- The Warriors had a chance in Game 4 in Vernon to take a 3-1 series lead, now have their season on the line, heading to Vernon for Game 6 on Sunday

- A large crowd on hand tonight as tonight's attendance was 1,508

- West Kelowna goes 0-3 with the man advantage

- The Warriors eliminated the Vipers in last year's 1st round of the playoffs in five games

- The Tribe had several good looks/quality chances ran into a hot goaltender

- Warriors Assistant Coach Josh Gorges played 14 seasons in the NHL with San Jose, Montreal & Buffalo

- Penticton Vees Head Coach, GM & President Fred Harbinson was at tonight's game

- The Warriors have been outscored 9-1 in their last two games this series

- Tonight's game could have gone either way with both teams very evenly matched

- The Warriors went 4-1 vs Vernon during the regular season

- The Tribe have five players out of the lineup due to injuries

- The league or someone must have talked to Warriors Head Coach Simon Ferguson as he has stopped arguing/complaining to the officials after every shift/play

- Warriors forward Christopher Duclair's older brother Anthony Duclair plays with the Florida Panthers

- West Kelowna has lost nine of their last thirteen regular season/playoff games combined

- If Game 7 is needed will go Tuesday in West Kelowna

Scratches:

Vernon Vipers:

Jonathan Horn

Ethan Sundar (Injured)

Luke Pakulak (Injured)

West Kelowna Warriors:

Landen Hilditch (Injured)

Matthew Fusco (Injured)

Brennan Nelson (Injured)

Felix Caron (Injured)

Justin Katz (Injured)

Energy Player of the Game:

Nic Porchetta 

Three Star's:

1st Star: Ethan David (30 saves)

2nd Star: Christopher Duclair

3rd Star: Ethan Merner (Scored game winning goal)

Boxscore-Game Summary,

Vernon Vipers @ West Kelowna Warriors Friday, April 07, 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 Vernon Vipers-West Kelowna Warriors game.