Game Recap - Vernon 3 Nanaimo 2 Overtime

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-Nanaimo Clippers game as the Vipers defeated the Clippers 3-2 in overtime in front of 615 fans at Kal Tire Place North. Kal Tire Place is closed for repairs.

Starting Goaltenders:

Vernon Vipers: Colin Reay

Nanaimo Clippers: Tyler Hidges

1st Period: The hometown Vipers got the early jump and were the better team to start tonight's hockey game. Vernon carried the better of the play for the first eight to nine minutes, had more puck possession and zone time. The Snakes PP looked good, had good zone time, were getting pucks to the net and scored twice with the man advantage. Vernon's PK was also very good. The Vipers blocked several shots, got sticks/bodies in the way, as specialty teams was the difference. The Clippers had a couple of shifts in the first eight to nine minutes before getting their legs going just before the midway mark and playing much better in the second half. Nanaimo was the better team in the second half, had more zone time, puck possession and opportunities. Mike Murtagh hit the post. Both goaltenders were good in between the pipes. A penalty filled opening frame with seven minor penalties. It was 2-2 after 20 minutes of play. Shots were 17-17.

2nd Period: I thought the Vipers had a little more edge in play for a lot of the period but didn't get a whole lot of rubber to the net or create/generate enough chances. Nanaimo couldn't seem to get much of anything going until the final five or six minutes, when the Clippers picked up the pace and took over the edge in play, outplayed the Snakes to finish the period. Vipers starting netminder Colin Reay had to be sharp, was forced into making several big stops late in the period, to keep the game tied. Both teams were more disciplined, with only one minor penalty taken in the middle frame. It was 2-2 after 40 minutes of play. Shots were 16-7 Clippers.

3rd Period: The visiting Nanaimo Clippers jumped on the Vipers often and early as the Shipmen dominated the play for most of the 3rd period. The Clippers had a ton of Grade A scoring chances and at least four, maybe five off the stick of former Vipers forward Luke Buss. Colin Reay was solid between the pipes, keeping Vernon in the contest. The Vipers saw a lot of the period in their own end, struggled offensively, didn't get a whole lot of shifts in the offensive zone. It was 2-2 after 60 minutes of play. Shots were 16-10 Nanaimo.

Overtime: The Shipmen had a couple of shifts early to start the extra frame before Julian Facchinelli scored the game winner at 2:15 giving the hometown Vipers a 3-2 overtime victory. Shots were 3-2 Clippers.

Vernon Vipers Top Performers:

Noah Dorey I thought other then a couple of turnovers, played well and well at both ends of the rink. The smooth skating veteran defenceman carried the play/puck, was involved in the offensive play and played well in his own end

Owen Kim (1 goal & 1 assist) Played with some jump/energy, was denied on a glorious opportunity in the 2nd period

Shea Busch I thought played well. Didn't get any points but looked good up front for the Snakes. Busch was wearing a full face shield

Colin Reay (44 saves) Was the difference, was forced to make several Grade A saves this evening in the 2nd and 3rd periods with the Shipmen pressing. Reay made a couple of highlight reel saves and robbed former Vipers forward Luke Buss on a handful of opportunities

Game Thought's: Vernon Vipers

- The Vipers/Clippers game was played at Kal Tire Place North due to repairs to Kal Tire Place. Kal Tire Place is scheduled to re-open March 20th

- Kal Tire Place North was built in 2018 and opened September 7th 2018

- This is the second Vipers game to be played at Kal Tire Place North. The Vipers & Brooks Bandits played an exhibition game at Kal Tire Place North September 1st 2019 with the Vipers winning 3-2 in overtime

- 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

- Tonight's the first game of a two game home stand

- The Vipers were wearing their yellow third jerseys tonight

- The Vipers are six points back of 3rd place Salmon Arm

- The Snakes have won seven of their last nine home games

- Kal Tire Place North has bench style seating with standing room on one side of the arena

- Vernon went 2-4 with the man advantage

- I thought the Vipers started off strong, had the better of the play early, looked good for the first eight to nine minutes. I thought Vernon had a bit of an edge in play in the 2nd period, but struggled offensively. The Vipers didn't get a whole lot of pucks to the net and didn't create/or generate a ton of chances. Vernon was outplayed and outworked in the 3rd period and heavily relied on starting goaltender Colin Reay to keep them in the hockey game

- Tonight is the first and only regular season meeting vs the Clippers

- Tonight's attendance was announced at 615

- The Vipers have five regular season games remaining

- Forward Luke Bibby played with the 2023-24 Nanaimo Clippers, was traded to Vernon October 21st 2023

- A penalty filled 1st period with seven minor penalties 

- The Vipers next game is Sunday vs the visiting Alberni Valley Bulldogs

- Other then the 3rd period, I thought the Snakes played hard, battled and competed

- Kal Tire Place North has no shot clocks

- The Vipers have won three of their last five games are 5-5 in their last ten games

- Vernon is 4-1 in overtime this season

- Defenceman #22 was Cooper Cleaves

- I thought Vernon looked good on the man advantage and penalty kill. The Vipers scored twice with the PP and looked good on the PK, killing off a two man advantage

- The Vipers are 16-6-1-0 at home this season

- Vernon is three points ahead of 5th place Trail

- With the Vipers officially announcing they have parted ways with Head Coach/GM Jason McKee, it will be very interesting to see who will take over as Head Coach for next season

- The Vipers went 0-1 vs Nanaimo last season

- With the win, Vernon improves to 29-19-1-0 sit 4th in the Interior Conference

Nanaimo Clippers Top Performers:

Gabriel Westling played well in the overtime loss for the Clippers

Cole Lonsdale (2 assists) Was involved in the play, going to the net and making plays happen

Luke Buss (1 goal) Opened the scoring for the Shipmen, was by far Nanaimo's best forward. The former Viper forward was all over the ice, had a ton of glorious opportunities through out the contest. Buss was stopped on at least two, maybe three breakaways, was driving to the net, making plays happen and causing difficulties for the Viper defenders

Isa Parekh (1 goal) Played a strong game on the Clippers backend. A good skating d-man that can move the puck, plays at both ends of the rink, sees the ice well

Tyler Hodges (39 saves) Wasn't as busy as Colin Reay, but still had to come up with a couple of big stops through out the game. Played very well, is confident, doesn't give up any rebounds or second opportunities

Game Thought's: Nanaimo Clippers

- The Clippers last visit to Vernon was a 3-2 win February 7th 2020

- Tonight's the second game of a four game road trip

- Nanaimo went 0-3 with the power play

- Forward Luke Buss played with the 2021-22 Vernon Vipers, returned to Vernon this season before being traded to Nanaimo October 21st 2023

- The Clippers are three points back of 3rd place Alberni Valley

- The Shipmen got off to a slow start, didn't have their legs going and were outplayed early to start the hockey game. Nanaimo needed close to the first half before they got their legs going, and played better as the game continued. The Clippers are quick, move the puck well, have team speed, several offensive minded forwards and play well at both ends of the rink

- The Clippers next game is Friday in Surrey

- I saw one Clippers fan at tonight's game

- The Shipmen have four regular season games left in the 2023-24 season

- Nanaimo has lost six of their last nine road games

- The Clippers outplayed and dominated the 3rd period and if it wasn't for Vipers goaltender Colin Reay, this game would have never gone to overtime

- The Clippers are 14-10-1-0 on the road this season

- Nanaimo is three points ahead of 5th place Victoria

- The Shipmen have lost four of their last five games and lost six of their last ten games

- With the overtime loss, Nanaimo falls to 26-20-3-1 sits 4th in the Coastal Conference

Scratches:

Vernon Vipers:

Filip Krajcik 

Zhenya Miles

Payton Struck

Owen King (Injured-Out for season)

Linden Burrett

Isaac Tremblay

Nanaimo Clippers:

Grant Babcock

Gus El-Tahhan

Andrew Brown

Chazz Nixon

Energy Player of the Game:

Etienne Lessard (2 assists)

Three Star's:

1st Star: Julian Facchinelli (Overtime winner)

2nd Star: Owen Kim (1 goal & 1 assist)

3rd Star: Cole Lonsdale (2 assists)

Boxscore-Game Summary,

Nanaimo Clippers @ Vernon Vipers Saturday, March 16, 2024 | 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 today's Vernon Vipers-Nanaimo Clippers game.