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 2.8 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 today's Vernon Vipers-Alberni Valley Bulldogs game as the Vipers defeated the Bulldogs 3-2 in front of 756 fans at Kal Tire Place North.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon Vipers: Ethan David
Alberni Valley Bulldogs: Hlib Artsatbanrov
2nd Period: The AV Bulldogs with a much better start to the period, compared to the first frame. Alberni Valley had the early jump, had more puck possession and zone time this period. The Bulldogs didn't generate a whole lot of quality chances. AV fell behind 3-0 as the Snakes slowly started to get their game going in the second half. Vernon slowly started to get a few quality shifts in with about six or seven minutes remaining but played their best hockey in the final three or four minutes. The tables switched as the Vipers were the team that couldn't stay out of the sin bin as Vernon with four minors compared to the Bulldogs one. The Snakes struggled offensively and defensively at times. Vernon couldn't make a pass, were turning over pucks, making mistakes. I didn't think the Vipers played well until late in the period. It was 3-1 Vernon after 40 minutes of play. Shots were 11-6 Bulldogs.
3rd Period: The visiting Bulldogs started the final frame with a two man advantage that was carried over from the 2nd period. Ethan David and the Snakes catch a couple of big breaks and kill off both minors. Alberni Valley was the better team and carried the better of the play for a lot of the period. The Bulldogs once again had lots of puck possession and zone time but didn't get a whole lot of quality looks/or chances. Vipers starting netminder Ethan David catches a couple of breaks, was caught outside the blue paint, almost coughed up the puck twice while behind the net. Vernon again with several mistakes, poor passes, turnovers, didn't look or play well for much of the period. The Bulldogs get to within a goal and the Snakes get a power play halfway through the game, but turn over the puck several times, struggled with the man advantage and blew a great opportunity to take a two goal lead. Adam Csabi was denied on a breakaway with about three minutes remaining. AV gets starting goaltender Hlib Artsatbanrov to the bench with about 1:10 remaining but the Bulldogs can't capitalize with the extra attacker. Julian Facchinelli looked to seal the win with a shot at the empty cage but couldn't hit the target. At the buzzer a Bulldogs player is right in the middle of the Vipers celebrating the victory. A couple of Bulldogs skate over, while the officials intertwine. The Bulldogs then come off the bench as tempers heat up at the end of the hockey game. Both teams with lots of trash talking, pushing and shoving but no fights. This went on for several minutes while officials struggled to keep everyone under control. Eventually both teams would seperate and Alberni Valley would leave the ice with the Snakes waving goodbye. With only a handful of Vipers left on the ice, two Vipers went to go across the ice to grab the game puck, as the officials shooshed them away. One Viper tried for a second attempt to grab the game puck before the official skated over and put the puck in his pocket. The Vipers hang on for the 3-2 win. Shots were 11-9 Vipers.
Vernon Vipers Top Performers:
Noah Dorey (2 assists) For the second straight night, I thought the veteran defenceman played a strong game on the Snakes backend. Dorey turned the puck over once but overall played very well at both ends of the rink. A smooth skating d-man that can carry the puck, move the puck and join in the rush. Dorey was a good addition to the Vipers blueline this season
Connor Elliott The Vipers captain, I thought played very well on the blueline
Hank Cleaves (1 assist) I liked his game tonight. With one helper, I thought was dangerous with and without the puck
Bronson Ross I liked this young mans game this evening. I thought had the puck from time to time, made a few plays, made a few things happen, looked good
Luke Pakulak (1 goal & 1 assist) The veteran forward played very well, was physical, finished his checks, played with an edge, used his size and competed hard
Ethan David (25 saves) I thought other then getting caught outside of the blue paint a couple of times, was in the zone, played with confidence, was on his game. David was bumped a few times, was in the face of a couple of Bulldogs players chirping back and fourth between the game
Game Thought's: Vernon Vipers
- The Vipers/Bulldogs played at Kal Tire Place North this evening, due to the ice chiller and an ammonia leak last weekend at Kal Tire Place. Kal Tire Place has been closed all week/weekend for repairs. The ice was taken out and now back in with lines and advertising being painted on today. Reports are Kal Tire Place will re-open March 20th
- Kal Tire Place North was built in 2018 and opened September 7th 2018
- According to the City of Vernon website, Kal Tire Place North facility has a regulation size 200' x 85' sheet of ice, with bench style seating for 400 spectators
- Kal Tire Place North has no shot clocks and one regular minor hockey style score board
- This is the third Vipers game to be played at Kal Tire Place North. The Vipers played an exhibition game in Kal Tire Place North September 1st 2019 vs the Brooks Bandits and then hosted the Nanaimo Clippers on Saturday
- Tonight was the Vipers second game of a two game home stand
- The Snakes have four games remaining in the regular season
- After building up a 3-0 lead, Vernon didn't get a whole lot of quality chances in the 2nd and 3rd periods. The Snakes had trouble sustaining a whole lot of zone time in the offensive zone in the final two periods
- Vernon is four points back of 3rd place Salmon Arm
- The Snakes struggled with their passing tonight. This team has struggled for the majority with their passing all season
- The Vipers & Bulldogs played once last season in Chilliwack at the BCHL Showcase. Vernon won 5-3 October 19th 2022
- The Vipers went 1-4 with the power play
- Vernon's next game is Friday in Prince George
- The Vipers have won three of their last five games and won six of their last ten games
- The Vipers with lots of mistakes tonight, turned over or coughed up the puck often through out the hockey game
- Tonight's attendance was announced at 756
- Vernon was physical, was laying the body and the more physical team
- The Snakes are 17-6-1-0 at home this season
- I thought Vernon struggled with the man advantage. Poor passing, missed the net often, didn't generate a whole lot of offence on the PP
- The Vipers play Prince George in three of their final four regular season games
- At the end of the hockey game, Adam Csabi was given a game misconduct and Luke Pakulak was given a Illegal check to the head-5 minute major
- Tonight is the fist and only regular season meeting between the Vipers & Alberni Valley Bulldogs
- The Snakes have won eight of their last ten home games
- The Vipers are 3-0 all-time at Kal Tire Place North
- Give Vernon credit, they were outplayed for a lot of the 2nd and 3rd periods but battled/competed hard to earn the hard fought victory
- Adam Csabi was denied on a 3rd period breakaway with about three minutes remaining
- The Snakes looked to hit a post/or crossbar on a 1st period power play
- Tonight's game felt like a playoff game of some sorts with both teams playing with a lot of emotion & intensity. For playing each other for the first and only time this season, these two teams didn't like each other. Lots of big hits, chippy play, trash talking, pushing and shoving etc
- Vernon is five points ahead of 5th place Trail
- How good has Vernon's goaltending been this year? If it wasn't for the Vipers goaltending, you have to wonder where they would be in the standings?
- It's nice to see some of the Island/Coast teams once in a while, instead of seeing Salmon Arm nine times this year. I would like to see every team at least once next season, even better if every team visited twice
- A big shoutout to the Vernon Vipers, Nanaimo Clippers, Alberni Valley Bulldogs, the staff, volunteers and organizers who made these two hockey games happen this weekend
- Will we see any suspensions from the end of the hockey game?
- The Vipers were wearing their yellow third set jerseys tonight
- You get a different view/perspective watching the games at Kal Tire Place North, compared to at Kal Tire Place. Your almost right over top of the players/benches, you can hear the boys talk/chirp on the ice and notice a lot more pucks leave the playing surface
- Since former Head Coach/GM Jason McKee hasn't been with the Vipers, Colton Sparrow and Lukas Lomicky are 4-2 behind the bench
- Vernon's PK was very good last night and again this evening
- With the win, Vernon improves to 30-19-1-0 sit 4th in the Interior Conference
Alberni Valley Bulldogs Top Performers:
Hlib Artsatbanrov (28 saves) Wasn't tested as much as Vipers netminder Ethan David but still played well in the loss. The Bulldogs starting goaltender made a couple of saves with Vernon ahead 3-0 and then with the Vipers ahead 3-2 but none bigger then his breakaway stop off Vipers forward Adam Csabi
Nicholas Beneteau (1 assist) The Bulldogs captain was one of the only real players that stood out for myself. Beneteau had the puck often, was hard to knock off the puck and defend against. Was going to the net often and making plays happen. I thought competed and played hard in the loss
Game Thought's: Alberni Valley Bulldogs
- The Bulldogs last visit to Vernon was a 7-3 loss January 11th 2020
- Tonight's game was scheduled for Friday but due to the repairs/no ice at Kal Tire Place, Friday's game was re-schedule for tonight
- Tonight was the second game of a two game road trip
- Alberni Valley plays with a bit of an edge, took several undisciplined penalties tonight
- The Bulldogs next game is Friday vs the visiting Chilliwack Chiefs
- Alberni Valley was the better team in the 2nd and 3rd periods, but struggled offensively through out the contest. The Bulldogs didn't get a whole lot of quality looks/or chances tonight
- The Bulldogs are 14-13-0-0 on the road this season
- The Bulldogs went 0-4 with the man advantage
- I wonder if Bulldogs goaltender Vladislav Bryzgalov is any relation to former NHL goaltender IIya Bryzgalov?
- Alberni Valley has four games remaining in the regular season
- Bulldogs Assistant Coach Jamie McCaig was a goaltender with the Penticton Panthers and Merritt Centennials from 1998-2000
- Give the Bulldogs credit, down 3-0 they battled their way back to get within a goal but fell short
- Bulldogs broadcaster " The Hammer"is a regular viewer of this blog has his own Bulldogs Blog. Check it out,
- The Bulldogs are four points back of 2nd place Chilliwack
- Alberni Valley was the better team in the 2nd and 3rd periods, couldn't capitalize on Vernon's mistakes/turnovers
- The Bulldogs have lost five of their last seven road games
- Alberni Valley doesn't have a lot of skilled forwards, but play hard, compete, are physical, in your face, play with an edge
- The Bulldogs last regular season win in Vernon, was a 4-3 victory on December 8th 2012
- The Bulldogs are three points ahead of 4th place Nanaimo
- Your not going to win many hockey games, going down 3-0 on the road. The Bulldogs needed a better start and a better opening period
- Alberni Valley have lost three of their last five games are 5-5 in their last ten games
- Prior to joining the Bulldogs, Head Coach/GM Joe Martin previously coached the Merritt Centennials from 2011-2019
- I thought it was real classy of Bulldogs starting goaltender Hlib Artsatbanrov to come over and give Vipers goaltender Ethan David a high five at the end of the hockey game while both teams were on the ice in the altercations at the end of the game
- With the loss, Alberni Valley falls to 29-20-1-0 sit 4th in the Coastal Conference
Scratches:
Vernon Vipers:
Filip Krajcik
Payton Struck
Owen King (Injured-Out for season)
Payton Struck
Owen King (Injured-Out for season)
Carson McGinley
Ewan McPherson
Linden Burrett
Alberni Valley Bulldogs:
Matias Mlyllykoski
Mason Croucher
Anthony Ip
Wyatt Blace
Vladislav Bryzgalov
Energy Player of the Game:
Julian Facchinelli (1 goal)
Three Star's:
1st Star: Luke Pakulak (1 goal & 1 assist)
2nd Star: Noah Dorey (2 assists)
3rd Star: Matt Kursonis (1 goal)
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.
I see Pakulak received a major for blow to the head at 20 minute mark. If true should be out of lineup a long time. No excuse for headshots after a game is over.
ReplyDeleteNeed to stop focusing on promoting one players success. So far it hasn't worked even as hard as coaching tries by giving him top line minutes and prime opportunities. Being a good skater does not mean you are a good hockey player..Turmover machine.Shouldn't all players be held to the same standards?
ReplyDeleteNeed to do better. Bring back McKee.- atleast he held ALL the players accountable.
Horrible game. Reffing was attrocious. And that whole vernon team needs a taste of unsportsman like conduct. They acted like a goon squad. Fealt like i was watching a port alberni bandits game. Bchl should be ashamed. Time to hand out some discipline calls
ReplyDeleteViper fan
DeleteWere you even at the game. Yes the reffing was horrendous. On that alone can we agree. The refs missed at least 15 calls against the dogs. Most of them so blatantly obvious that you would need to be be blind to miss. Yet the refs missed. They need to go back to ref school! The dogs are an incredibly undisciplined team. There is a reason they are the most penalized team in the league. Most unsportsmanlike. At the end of the game instead of leaving the ice as most teams would, the came out in force after the vipers who were trying to celebrate their victory. Even after the refs tried to get them to leave multiple times, they kept coming back to harass. Seriously, how is this crap allowed. The dogs are the ones who need the bchl to discipline them. Also the coach as he was unable or unwilling to reign in the goons. Good riddance to bad rubbish.
DeleteExplain how csabi and pakulak are the only Ones with penalties at the end of the game ? The bulldog’s initiated and wouldn’t back off. Vipers organization need to send the video in to the league if suspensions come down on them .
ReplyDelete