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 2.5 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 pre-season game as West Kelowna defeated Vernon 3-1 at Kal Tire Place. (No attendance was announced)
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon Vipers: Ethan David
West Kelowna Warriors: Rorke Applebee
1st Period: I thought the Snakes had a slight edge in play in the first half of the opening period. The Vipers couldn't capitalize on early power play before Johannes Lokkeberg opened the scoring for the Warriors on a turnover at 6:32 Vernon didn't get a whole lot of looks or chances but carried a slight edge in play, also had a little more zone time and puck possession at times. The Warriors were outshot 5-2 at one point before slowly taking over the remainder of the period. West Kelowna with a real strong forecheck, were winning the battles, winning the races and beating the Vipers to the puck almost every shift. On a delayed penalty, Jack Pridham beat Ethan David on a goal I think the veteran goaltender would like back, giving the Tribe a 2-0 lead at 12:01 The Vipers got into penalty trouble giving the Warriors three power play's to end the period. WK was the better team in the second half, carried the better of the play, had lots of zone time, puck possession and outworked the Snakes. The Warriors didn't get a whole lot of quality chances but scored two goals. The Vipers went 0-1 with the PP while the Tribe went 0-3. It was 2-0 West Kelowna after 20 minutes of play. West Kelowna outshot Vernon 7-5.
2nd Period: The play was even for a bit early before the Vipers carried a bit of the play for the remainder of the first half. Vernon would get several good looks/opportunities but unable to solve Rorke Applebee. Anthony Cliche rang a shot off the crossbar on a late power play, towards the end of the period. The play was a little more even in the second half with the Warriors having a bit of a slight edge in play. West Kelowna needed nine minutes to record their first shot of the period before regaining a two goal lead. The Warriors once again played with an aggressive forecheck, were beating the Viper defenders to the puck, winning the battles and coming out along the boards with the puck. The Tribe had Vernon on their heels for a good three or four minutes at one point in the period. The Vipers went 0-2 with the PP while Rorke Applebee made some big stops. It was 3-1 West Kelowna after 40 minutes of play. Vernon outshot West Kelowna 10-6.
3rd Period: The Snakes carried the better of the play for most of the period. Vernon had at least three quality looks/chances early but couldn't solve Rorke Applebee. The Vipers come very close to getting within a goal about four minutes into the final frame but Viggo Nordstrom cleared the puck from the goal line. The Vipers with some speed, had some good looks/opportunities but no finish. Vernon's power play was the difference as the Snakes struggled with the man advantage. Vernon went 0-3 with the PP. The Warriors saw a lot of action in their own end, didn't see a lot of offensive zone time. WK played with a lot of hustle, grit, determination and outworked the Vipers often. The Tribe forecheck was still beating Vernon to the puck and board battles. West Kelowna laid out several big hits early to start the period were physical through out the evening. Rorke Applebee with twelve saves in the 3rd was solid in goal. The Warriors sweep the home & home series after a 3-1 victory. Vernon outshot West Kelowna 12-7.
Vernon Vipers Top Performers:
Owen Kim was one of the lone Vipers who stood out for me. Kim played the past two seasons with the Langley Rivermen, isn't the biggest kid but used his speed and made some plays happen.
Game Thought's: Vernon Vipers
- Tonight was the Vipers fifth and final exhibition game
- A fairly decent size crowd for a pre-season game. I would guess around 700 or so fans
- Vernon went 0-6 with the man advantage
- The Vipers played well at times and made some mistakes at times
- The Snakes power play struggled
- I thought Vernon played hard, had several good looks/opportunities but no finish in and around the net
- The Vipers were denied on at least three breakaways tonight
- Vernon has seven players returning from last season
- The Snakes got into penalty trouble, taking way too many penalties
- Vernon turned the puck over in their own end often, one resulting in the games opening goal
- The Vipers open the 2023-24 regular season September 22nd in Salmon Arm
- I noticed a new banner is rolled up next to the Royal Bank Cup banners
- None of the concessions were open tonight. The concessions have been closed for all the Vipers home pre-season games
- The Snakes offence struggled in back to back games this weekend vs the Warriors. The Vipers lacked scoring and had troubles at times getting pucks to the net and not capitalizing on their opportunities
- With the loss, Vernon finishes the pre-season with a 3-2-0-0 record
- Talking to one long time season ticket holder before tonight's game, he told me he heard the officials are making $650 a game, while the linesmen are making $500 a game
- The Vipers need to shoot more and look for a rebound or second opportunity. On a lot of plays the forward was in the circle or slot and instead of shooting, dished it off or passed the puck and never got a shot or scoring chance
- With tonight the final exhibition game and cuts still need to be made, I was expecting several players to stand out and impress me
- The Snakes regular season home opener is September 23rd vs the Cranbrook Bucks
West Kelowna Warriors Top Performers:
Landen Hilditch (1 goal) Had a strong performance on the Tribe's backend
Isaiah Norlin is a very solid defencemen and plays very well game in and game out. Played very well in both games vs the Vipers this weekend
Jackson Kyrkostas Is another Warrior who looked good and played very well in the home & home series. Had another strong game tonight. This kid has some speed and plays with a lot of energy, is involved in the play and makes things happen. Is hard to defend against
Rorke Applebee (26 saves) Picked up the shutout Friday in a 3-0 win over the Snakes, played very well in goal again this evening. Was the busier of the two netminders, making some big stops in the 2nd and 3rd periods. Made three large saves early in the 3rd, keeping it a two goal game
Game Thought's: West Kelowna Warriors
- The Warriors forecheck gave the Vipers all kinds of issues tonight, including Vernon turning over the puck, which resulted in the opening goal
- Tonight was West Kelowna's fourth and final exhibition game
- West Kelowna went 0-6 on the power play
- The Warriors look to have their team picked and ready for the start of the regular season as West Kelowna had their names on their jerseys
- I thought WK played well at times as this was an entertaining hockey game
- The Tribe's defence played well, limiting the Vipers opportunities at times through out the contest
- The Warriors went 4-1 vs Vernon last regular season
- The Warriors & Vipers will meet again October 18th in West Kelowna
- Rorke Applebee with some large saves, was solid in goal
- This was a chippy game at times as both teams with some border line hits
- The Warriors were physical, finished their checks and were in the face of the Snakes through out the night
- Assistant Coach Josh Gorges wasn't behind the bench tonight
- The Warriors open the 2023-24 regular season at home September 22nd vs Penticton
- West Kelowna has seven players back from last season
- With the win, the Warriors finish the pre-season with a 4-0-0-0 record
Vernon Vipers Roster:
Goaltenders:
Ethan David 03
Colin Reay 05
Defencemen:
Connor Elliott 03
Maks Percic 04
Jordin Palmer 04
Anthony Cliche 03
Isaac Fecteau 05
Lukas McCloskey 05
Forwards:
Adam Csabi 05
Erik Pastro 05
Liam Payne 06
Owen Kim 04
Isaac Tremblay 04
Bronson Ross 06
Georgios Stavrianeas 05
Julian Facchinelli 04
Luke Buss 03
Shea Busch 07
Luke Pakulak 03
Marcello Giorgi 05
West Kelowna Warriors Roster:
Goaltenders:
Rorke Applebee 03
Matthew DellaRusso 04
Defencemen:
Trey Ausmus 04
Landen Hilditch 05
Dylan Brooks 03
Isaiah Norlin 03
Jack Farrell 04
Frederic Deschenes 05
Forwards:
Jack Pridham 05
Owen Drury 05
Callum Hughes 06
Brennan Nelson 03
Felix Caron 04
Michael Salandra 03
Jackson Kyrkostas 04
Johannes Lokkeberg 04
Mikka Kelechian 04
Viggo Nordstrom 03
Eliot Compton 07
Trent Wilson 04
Scratches:
Vernon Vipers:
No scratches announced
West Kelowna Warriors:
No scratches announced
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.
Here are some photo's I took before and during tonight's Vernon Vipers-West Kelowna Warriors game.
7 comments:
Well as we get ready for another season of Jason Mckee hockey its clear that we will be a mediocre at best hockey team again. There is a huge difference in talent between us and West Kelowna and that starts with the coaching staff and then players. As a team we look totally disorganized offensively, the PP sucks again and no finish around the net. I guess the only bright spot was the PK which always seems to be pretty good. It's looking like the 5th year with this clown is going to be no different than the previous 4 years.
Wow, this was not a very exciting game to watch as both teams scrambled a lot. I do think the Warriors were the better team for most of the game. They played most shifts as a five man unit, supporting each other, thus appearing much more cohesive in their play. I thought the Vipers generated very few good scoring chances and played with very little structure, too much individually. McKee has got to get his team playing a support game, a "team game", quickly or it will be a long, mediocre season again.
It is interesting to note that the last two teams we have played have names already on their jerseys, obviously very close to settling on their opening line ups. The rumor is that the Vipers were making four more cuts after the game so big decisions will be made. No one stood out tonight and even some returnees shouldn't feel comfortable. Who will we start the season with and who will still be here at Christmas? Stay tuned.
Also of note: the Vipers have the maximum of six 20 year olds on the roster right now. In October there are always some WHL 20 year olds who come available. The Vipers have often picked up a player or two who are late WHL cuts.
I would be more worried about the September 30 deadline for players to decide if they want to part of the circus or not and especially if you're a 20 year old
I enjoyed the game as it was full of entertainment from both teams and the fans in the stands also very having fun as it was fun with both teams having chances. I did feel that the westside warriors very more hard on the puck with possession. It is still early in the season but the vipers need to be more focused on controlling puck movement and times it looked like a struggle. GO,VIPERS,GO.
Bobby C you are so right. Any player in the BCHL is fair game to be offered a spot on any Junior A team in the rest of Canada. Late this month you have to know that there will be contacts made with BCHL players from the AJHL, SJHL, and so on. I won't be surprised if some actually go.
Over the past summer, Dylan Compton left the Vipers for the Brooks Bandits. Mirko Buuttazoni of Coquitlam Express left for the same team. Both players had NCAA commitments for next season.
Centennials #1 Goaltender Johnny Hicks gone to the Brooks Bandits.
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