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 2.6 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-Penticton Vees game as the Vees defeated the Vipers 5-3 in front of 3,064 fans at the South Okanagan Events Centre.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon Vipers: Ethan David
Penticton Vees: Will Ingemann
1st Period: This was a fairly evenly matched period other then the hometown Vees were up by three goals. I thought the Vipers had a bit of the edge in zone time and had the better of the chances. Owen Kim (shorthanded) & Isaac Fecteau were denied on breakaways. Vernon had some good looks/chances but couldn't capitalize on their opportunities. Penticton didn't generate a whole lot of offence but scored on their chances. It seemed like every time the Vees had a look or opportunity, they found the back of the net. Vernon really needed a couple of big saves and didn't get them. Connor MacPherson hit the post on the power play. The Vees were the more physical team, laying out at least four or five big checks. Something was up with the ice as several players from both teams were falling for no reason. The Vees went up 2-0 before scoring very late. It was 3-0 Penticton after 20 minutes of play. Penticton outshot Vernon 11-10.
2nd Period: I thought the Snakes were the better team in the first half, had more zone time, more puck possession and some good looks/opportunities. Both teams were a little more even in the second half other then the Vees on a two man advantage would get some zone time, pucks to the net and some opportunities. Thomas Pichette hit the post. Owen Kim's undisciplined penalty early to start the period, cost the team a goal and the Snakes were down three at this point, instead of only two. Vipers starting goaltender Ethan David was pulled early to start the middle frame after giving up four goals on twelve Penticton shots. Colin Reay made a big save on a late penalty kill, dropped to the ice in a lot of pain and was down for several minutes. After being attended to by the team trainder, Reay finished the period. It was 4-2 Penticton after 40 minutes of play. Penticton outshot Vernon 13-8.
3rd Period: Ethan David come out to start the final frame as Colin Reay didn't leave the dressing room. The Vipers were the better team, carried the better of the play, had more puck possession, zone time, more scoring chances, played and looked good. The only problem Vernon was trailing by two goals. Newly acquired Noah Dorey would be denied on an early breakaway. The Snakes only mistake of the period cost them. Vernon got caught running around in their own end, couldn't clear the zone before the puck ended up in the back of their net. The Vees played a lot of the 3rd in their own end, relied on Will Ingemann. Penticton struggled offensively, didn't get a lot of zone time or puck possession but did manage to put the game away with their lone goal of the period. The Vees got some good defensive play at times as well as solid goaltending. The Vipers would get Ethan David to the bench for the extra attacker with 1:43 remaining but couldn't capitalize. The Vees come away with the 5-3 victory. Vernon outshot Penticton 16-10.
Vernon Vipers Top Performers:
Noah Dorey making his Vipers debut tonight, didn't look out of place and played very well on the Snakes blueline. Joined the rush, was involved in the play and also denied on an early 3rd period breakaway.
Adam Csabi (2 goals) Used his speed and skill, was making plays and always involved in the play.
Owen Kim (2 assists) I sound like a broken record, but I really like this Kim kid. It seems like every game he is one of the Vipers hardest working players or better players that night. Kim really used his speed and determination this evening, played with a ton of jump/energy. Was stopped on a 1st period shorthanded breakaway. Kim doesn't back down either, was involved in some scrums in and around the net.
Anthony Cliche (1 goal) Is playing his best hockey as a Viper this season and played very well in the loss tonight. Cliche was moving the puck, joining the rush, played well at both ends of the rink. Don't look now but Cliche is second in team scoring.
Colin Reay replaced Ethan David early into the middle frame, was forced to stop all twelve Penticton shots before leaving the game between periods and didn't return to the ice or bench to start the 3rd period. Reay was forced to make some key saves on a Vees two man advantage, gave the Snakes a chance to stay in the contest.
Game Thought's: Vernon Vipers
- The Vipers have lost fourteen straight games to Penticton
- The Snakes last win over the Vees, was a 2-0 victory in Vernon on December 13th 2019
- Vernon went 1-3 with the man advantage
- I thought the Vipers played very well this evening and were the better team in the 2nd and 3rd periods
- I spotted about fifteen or so Viper fans in attendance
- The Vipers have given up twelve goals in their last two games
- The Vipers had the better of the chances but couldn't capitalize on their opportunities
- The Snakes didn't get the big save when needed
- The Snakes took a couple of undisciplined penalties tonight, and two cost them two goals
- Vernon's last win in Penticton was a 2-1 overtime victory on October 18th 2019
- Goaltender Colin Reay didn't return to the ice/bench to start the 3rd period after taking a puck high late in the 2nd period
- The Vipers need to get more traffic/bodies in front of the Vees net as Will Ingemann was seeing a lot of Vernon's shots
- Tonight's the third game of a four game road trip
- Falling behind 2-0 halfway through the 1st period was tough and then giving up a late goal with 18 seconds remaining to end the opening frame was a killer
- Give the Snakes credit, for battling back and getting to within a goal
- The Vipers gave the Vees a good run and held their own against Penticton for a lot of tonight's hockey game
- The Vipers went 0-5 vs Penticton last season
- Tonight is the first of five regular season meetings vs the Vees
- Ethan David has given up twelve goals in his last two games
- The Vipers have played four games in eight days
- Vernon's next game is Sunday afternoon in Merritt
- Giving up three goals and falling behind 3-0 in the 1st period was a big blow
- It seemed like the Vipers would get several chances/zone time and come away with no goal, Penticton would come down the other way and score on one or two shots
- After starting the season 7-1 the Snakes have lost three of their last four games
- The Vipers didn't get any real puck luck or bounces go their way
- With the loss, Vernon falls to 8-4-0-0 sits 3rd in the Interior Division
Penticton Vees Top Performers:
Callum Arnott (1 goal & 1 assist) Is the nephew of former NHLer and Stanley Cup Champion Jason Arnott. I thought played very well, was involved in the play, played with pace and gave the Viper defenders trouble.
Franceso Dell'Elce (2 assists) Played very well on the Vees backend, saw a lot of minutes and looked very good.
Thomas Pichette (1 goal) Hit the goal post in the 2nd period, was a Vees forward who stood out, played well and involved in and around the goal.
James Fisher (3 goals) Lead the Penticton attack with a hat trick. Gave Vernon's defence trouble all evening.
Will Ingemann (31 saves) Was the difference, made some big saves and made the big saves when needed. Was seeing a lot of the shots but also in the right position. Stopped all three Viper breakaways, was in the zone, playing with confidence and got some help from his defence.
Game Thought's: Penticton Vees
- The Vees improve to 5-0-0-0 at home this season
- These two teams will meet again November 25th in Vernon
- Penticton went 2-6 with the power play
- The Vees have made all missing previous championship banners from all previous years and hung them from the rafters. Prior to this season, only Penticton Vees banners were hung from the rafters.
- The Vees only have two players returning from last seasons BCHL Championship team
- A large crowd on hand tonight. Tonight's attendance was announced at 3,064
- Penticton's next game is November 3rd vs Cranbrook
- Penticton played well and come away with the win but this is not the same Vees team your use to dominating the entire hockey game. This season's Vees are good but no where near as dangerous/powerful as previous seasons. Tonight's game could have gone either way
- If you want a good burger during a Vees game, you gotta try the hamburger/fries at the concession
- The Vees didn't get a ton of zone time or a whole lot of chances but Penticton did capitalize on their opportunities and that was one of the differences tonight
- Penticton's veterans lead the way tonight
- I thought Penticton played well and looked good at times but I thought Vernon was the better of the two teams in the 2nd and 3rd periods
- Tonight's 50/50 was over $3000
- Tonight's the first game of a two game home stand
- The Vees are quick but don't seem to have the skill/fire power they have had in previous seasons
- I talked to one older fellow between periods who's god father was an Assistant Coach with the 1955 World Champion Penticton Vees and his uncle was a manager with the 1961 & 1962 World Champion Trail Smoke Eaters.
- This was an entertaining and exciting hockey game that could have gone either way
- The Vees have won seven straight games
- With the win, Penticton improves to 10-1-1-1 and sits 1st in the Interior Division
Scratches:
Vernon Vipers:
Julian Facchinelli (Injured)
Owen King (Injured)
Linden Burrett
Penticton Vees:
Leon Matthiasson
Nate McIsaac
Parker Murray
Carson Lesiuk
Sharky Nowek
Energy Player of the Game:
Callum Arnott (1 goal & 1 assist)
Three Star's:
1st Star: James Fisher (3 goals)
2nd Star: Thomas Pichette (1 goal)
3rd Star: Adam Csabi (2 goals)
Boxscore-Game Summary,
Game Report,
Text Box Score,
Vernon Junior Hockey History website,
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Here are some photo's I took before and during tonight's Vernon Vipers-Penticton Vees game.