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 2.7 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-Coquitlam Express game as the Vipers defeated the Express 3-2 in front of 2,850 fans at Kal Tire Place.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon Vipers: Colin Reay
Coquitlam Express: Ethan Simcoe
1st Period: The hometown Vipers with a quick start, would get the hometown bounce allowing Owen Kim to open the scoring at 0:11 getting the large crowd into the hockey game early. This was a fairly even played opening period but I thought the Vipers had a slight edge in play at times. I thought Vernon had the better scoring chances and had more shots then were counted as I noticed on a few times shots weren't being registered. The Vipers had way more then nine shots on goal, I would guess at least five to six shots weren't counted. The Snakes had several good looks/opportunities couldn't capitalize on their chances. Both teams played hard, were physical that made for an entertaining 1st period. The Express battled, are a hard working team but didn't generate nearly as many quality chances as the Vipers. It was 2-2 after 20 minutes of play. Both teams went 1-1 with the man advantage. The Express outshot the Vipers 12-9.
Here are some photo's I took before and during tonight's Vernon Vipers-Coquitlam Express game.
2nd Period: This was a physical period with both teams laying the body and both teams getting chippy/involved in scrums/altercations after the whistle. Tempers heated up on several occasions. Coquitlam was the better of the two teams as the Express had the better of the play, more puck possession, zone time and shots on goal. Coquitlam is a hard working team, plays hard, is physical but also plays with an edge and doesn't like to be hit or at least not tonight. It seemed like anytime Vernon laid out a big hit, the Express retaliated with a slassh, a push, a shove or a punch trying to get back at the Snakes. The Vipers didn't look like the same team I saw in the 1st period. The Snakes with several turnovers, missed passes, players out of position and just didn't look sharp. Vernon didn't get nearly as many quality chances but just didn't generate a whole lot of opportunities this period. Hank Cleaves with the lone goal of the period, ended up being the game winner. It was 3-2 Vernon after 40 minutes of play. Both teams went 0-1 with the power play.
3rd Period: It was fairly even to start the final frame as the play went back and fourth with the play/momentum changing but as the period continued the visiting Coquitlam Express changed the flow of the game and the momentum and took over the play and were the better team for the remainder of the hockey game. The Express carried the better of the play, had more zone time, puck possession, were winning the races, puck battles and outworking Vernon. Coquitlam had some good looks and a couple of quality chances, pushed hard in a nail biter of a finish. The Express would get Ethan Simcoe to the bench for the extra attacker with about 1:20ish remaining and pushed hard, had two or three real good looks/opportunities at the top of the crease but couldn't solve Colin Reay. The Snakes held their own and had a good start but after six or so minutes couldn't keep pace with Coquitlam and were back on their heels, were missing passes, turning over pucks, looked sloppy, out of position, didn't play well with the lead to finish the hockey game. The Viper forwards were sitting way up by the blueline while the defence was trying to come out of their own end. Vernon with the lone PP of the period had a chance to grab a two goal lead and some insurance, struggled with the man advantage, didn't get a single shot on the power play. The Vipers iced the puck several times, missing on several empty nets, giving the Express another shot on a game tying goal. The Vipers didn't look good and were lucky to hang on for the win. Vernon come away with the 3-2 victory. The Vipers went 0-1 with the man advantage. The Express outshot the Vipers 11-4.
Vernon Vipers Top Performers:
Owen Kim (2 goals) Played a a hard fought game and was the Vipers best player this evening. Kim who has been one of the Snakes hardest working forwards this season, come to play and played a strong game. Not the biggest kid but doesn't back down, takes his lumps but gives them back.
Lukas McCloskey (1 assist) Has really come into his own as of late and been one of the better Vipers d-men the last few games. Chipped in with a helper on the game winning goal, played well in the win.
Isaac Tremblay I thought played hard, had the puck on his stick often just didn't get any puck luck or bounces go his way, tried generating/creating some offence with several plays
Colin Reay (24 saves) I heard Ethan David is sick or under the weather? Means Colin Reay has gotten back to back starts this weekend. The Vipers goaltending has been excellent this season. Reay took the loss in Penticton on Friday, was solid in net got the win this evening and was solid between the pipes again tonight. Reay with some timely saves in the 2nd and 3rd periods, none bigger then down the stretch inside the final minute of play with the Express pressing.
Game Thought's: Vernon Vipers
- The Snakes have won five of their last seven home games
- The Vipers are 2-0 vs Coquitlam this season
- I thought Vernon played a good 1st period. Both teams were fairly even but give the Vipers a slight edge in play. The Vipers had more looks/quality chances. The Snakes were credited with nine shots on goal in that opening frame, where I counted several shots that weren't counted. The Snakes could have easily been ahead by two goals at least if they would have capitalized on more of their opportunities
- The Vipers have won three of their last five games but lost six of their last ten games
- Vernon went 1-4 with the man advantage
- Forward Carson McGinley made his Vipers debut tonight after singing with the hockey team on Thursday
- A large crowd tonight. Tonight's attendance was announced at 2,850 the second biggest crowd of the season
- Vernon played so well in the 1st period didn't play so well in the 2nd period. Hank Cleaves scored the only goal of the period, which ended up to be the game winner, didn't look or play well in the middle frame. I didn't think the Vipers generated enough offence, were turning over pucks, missing passes, struggled coming out of their own end, caught out of position, making mistakes, didn't look sharp
- The last time these two teams met, the Vipers beat Coquitlam 8-1 October 23rd at the BCHL Showcase in Seattle
- I wasn't very impressed with newly acquired forward Patrick Kral. Kral was signed on Tuesday after playing this season with the Vancouver Giants. Kral made his Viper debut Friday in Penticton. I didn't notice him at all in last night's game vs the Vees and didn't see much from him tonight/ Let's give the kid a few games to see if he improves
- The Viper power play struggled. Vernon went 1-4 didn't look organized with the man advantage
- The Vipers and Express met in the Fred Page Cup Finals in 2014 with the Express winning the league Championship
- The Vipers improve to 12-4-1-0 at Kal Tire Place
- The Snakes next game is January 24th in Salmon Arm
- For a team heading into the 3rd with a one goal lead, that's not the way you want to try and close out a one goal hockey game. I thought Vernon started off the 3rd ok as both teams were fairly even to start as the play went back and fourth before the Express shifted the ice, changed momentum and took over the play for the remainder of the period. The Vipers struggled in their own end, were turning over pucks, losing battles, races for pucks, out of position, missing passes, back on their heels, didn't look sharp or a team with confidence. Vernon with the only PP of the period, had a chance to get an insurance goal and a two goal lead struggled with the man advantage, didn't get a single shot on goal or any sustained pressure or zone time. Coquitlam was the better team and outplayed and outworked the Vipers for most of the 3rd
- The Snakes play six of their next seven games on the road
- How great have the crowds been this season? Some of the bigger crowds in several years
- The Vipers were very lucky to hang on for the win as the Express gave Vernon a good push in the 3rd and come very close on several occasions to forcing overtime
- Both goaltenders played very well
- It's great to see someone has switched up the music at the Viper games and started playing some different tunes instead of the same old same old game after game after game
- Forward Erik Pastro took a high stick in the 1st period, went to the dressing room with the trainer but retruned to the game within minutes
- I wasn't too impressed with newly acquired forward Carson McGinley. Making his Vipers debut tonight turned over the puck on Coquitlam's first goal and was almost caught for too many men on the ice. This kid can skate, is quick on his feet but I just didn't see much tonight. Maybe nerves? Let's give him a couple of games to see what he's like
- I heard goaltender Ethan David is sick/or under the weather?
- Before tonight's game former Vipers Colton Sparrow and Bryce Kakoske were inducted into the Vernon Vipers alumni club. The Vipers have done this before in the past but it's been many many years since doing this. I wish the Vipers would start a wall of fame or ring of honour to honour former Vernon Junior hockey greats
- The Vipers & Express won't play each other this regular season
- Both goal lights weren't working tonight. One set of goal lights haven't been working for at least a month and have been on and off for the past few years
- The Vipers are five points back of 3rd place Salmon Arm
- Since early to mid November this Viper team went from starting the season 7-1-0-0 to now being very inconsistent
- For two teams that only see each other twice this season, tempers sure heated up often as both teams didn't like one another
- With the win, Vernon improves to 20-12-1-0 sit 4th in the Interior Conference
Coquitlam Express Top Performers:
Luke Vardy played very well on Coquitlam's blueline. This kid blocked several shots, was aggressive with and without the puck, played well at both ends of the rink
Drew Garzone Was strong in the faceoff circle, played well through out tonight's contest
Sam Frandina Not the biggest kid but plays hard and plays with an edge. This kid was in the face of several Vipers in all three periods, getting under the skin of the Vipers. Was physical, laid the body, gave a couple of shots here and there, was engaged and involved in the after the whistle activities
Noah Dziver (1 goal & 1 assist) Played very well was one of the more dangerous Express forwards. Was hard to contain and defend against, was involved in the play, always with the puck on his stick and in and around the net
Matheson Mason Another forward who was dangerous, has soft hands, is skilled, can move the puck, make plays in a hurry, has a quick release, involved in the play, always in and around the net, hard to defend and contain, gave the Snakes defenders troubles all game
Ethan Simcoe (34 saves) Was tested often through out the opening frame, did give up two goals but kept the Express in the 1st period with the Vipers getting several good looks/quality chances. Simcoe made some big saves and timely saves as solid in goal for the visiting Express
Game Thought's: Coquitlam Express
- Tonight was the seventh and final game of a seven game road trip
- This was the Express first game in Vernon since January 4th 2020
- Coquitlam went 1-3 on the power play
- I thought the Express played a very good 1st period. Both teams were fairly even giving Vernon a slight edge in play due to more looks/quality chances
- Coquitlam has three wins in Vernon since the 2003-04 season.
- The Express are chippy and play with an edge
- The Express are three points back of Chilliwack for 5th place
- Coquitlam is a hard team to play against, the Express don't give you much room or time or space
- Head Coach Patrick Sexton played two seasons with the Penticton Vees from 2013-2015. Sexton was captain of the 2014-15 Vees
- The Express went 1-6 on their seven game road trip with the lone win a 5-4 victory in Nanaimo January 6th
- I thought the Express were the better team in the 2nd and 3rd periods. This team never stops skating, outworked and outskated the Vipers in the 2nd and 3rd periods. Coquitlam were forcing Vernon into making mistakes, turning over pucks and playing on their heels. The Express were winning the battles, races for pucks and come very close to forcing overtime
- Coquitlam falls to 7-10-1-1 on the road this season
- The Express are a much better hockey team then their record shows
- Coquitlam is 0-2 vs the Vipers this season
- The Express next game is January 24th vs the visiting Chilliwack Chiefs
- Coquitlam has lost four of their last five games and lost seven of their last ten games
- The Express last win in Vernon was a 5-4 victory on January 4th 2020
- The Express are quick, play hard, physical, battle/compete and never stop skating
- Both teams were physical, finished their checks and played hard
- With the loss, Coquitlam falls to 15-15-1-1 sit 6th in the Coastal Conference
Scratches:
Vernon Vipers:
Noah Dorey (Injured)
Owen King (Out for the season)
Payton Struck
Luke Pakulak (Injured)
Coquitlam Express:
Ben Feenan
Cale Colwell
Nate Crema
Joseph Odyniec
Eric Young
Energy Player of the Game:
Lukas McCloskey (1 assist)
Three Star's:
1st Star: Owen Kim (2 goals)
2nd Star: Hank Cleaves (1 goal & 1 assist)
3rd Star: Noah Dziver (1 goal & 1 assist)
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.
Were you at tonight's game? What were your thoughts or opinion on the game?
ReplyDeleteThe Vipers were lucky to win
ReplyDeleteQuote, “ How great have the crowds been this season? Some of the bigger crowds in several years”, Inquote.
ReplyDeleteIt would be nice if the league required more transparency concerning attendance figures released to the public.
For example, How many were Season Tickets holders that showed up ( not total sold and then not show up), How many were Kids Tickets that get in FREE, How many were Complimentary Tickets, How many were Sponsors Tickets that showed up ( again not total then not show up), How many were Gratuitous Scout Entry, How many were Gratuitous Alumni, so on and so forth.
As a fan the break down would be interesting, for me any how!, but, ya, the crowds give a great feel to any home game which makes it more fun to be there, especially if the Vipers win.
Enjoyed the game and the fans where into it. Good first and second period in the third the vipers for a short time took there foot off the gas. Be careful it almost cost you the game vipers. I know it is tough but winning means consistency through out the game. go,viper,go.
ReplyDelete“Since early to mid November this Viper team went from starting the season 7-1-0-0 to now being very inconsistent”…
ReplyDeleteWhat?! This comment makes no sense.