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 2.9 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 Game 5 Playoff game between the Vernon Vipers & Trail Smoke Eaters as the Vipers took Game 5 6-2 and win the best of seven series 4 games to 1 in front of 2,546 fans at Kal Tire Place.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon Vipers: Ethan David
Trail Smoke Eaters: Ryan Parker
2nd Period: Vernon with another good start to the period, scored two quick goals less then four minutes into the middle frame. The Snakes looked good and were the better team. The Vipers passing was clicking, had a lot of zone time, puck possession and good looks/opportunities. Luke Bibby and Erik Pastro would both be denied on breakaways. The Vipers didn't make as many mistakes or turn over the puck as often as they did in the opening frame. Chase Stefanek hit the post early to start the period but the Smokies couldn't solve Ethan David who was very sharp. The Smokies didn't generate a ton of chances but when they did, David bailed out his team with at least three large saves. The Smoke Eaters had troubles hitting the net. Ryan Parker would allow four goals on seventeen Vernon shots and be replaced by Teagan Kendrick. Trail would fall behind three goals at one point in the period. It was 4-2 Vernon after 40 minutes of play. Shots were 14-13 Vipers.
3rd Period: Luke Bibby's power play goal just forty seconds into the final frame, basically put the game away as Vernon played a very solid shutdown period. The Snakes improved their defensive play and kept their foot on the gas, didn't allow the Smoke Eaters much breathing room or opportunity to claw their way back into the hockey game. The Smokies down three goals early didn't have much of a push back, and when they did, Ethan David shut the door. The Vipers close out the final game of the series with a 6-2 victory, winning the best of seven series 4 games to 1 in front of a large crowd. Shots were 14-12 Trail.
Vernon Vipers Top Performers:
Julian Facchinelli Didn't do much offensively but it was his energy that really impressed me. Fachinneli played with a ton of jump/energy was also physical laying out some big checks, played a hard fought game.
Georgios Stavrianeas (1 assist) Was another Viper forward who come to play, played hard, competed and played with a ton of jump/energy. This kid has been one of the hardest working Vipers all season and it showed again tonight. Stavrianeas blocked a shot before making a play that resulted in Vernon's fourth goal.
Carson McGinley (1 goal) Scored the Vipers game tying 1st period goal, was another kid who played with a lot of jump/energy. I have said it before, McGinley needed some time to adjust to a new league, new team and new city but has really come on and looked very good as of late. McGinley really showed of his skill/offensive side tonight, created/generated several plays, made plays happen, used his speed and skill to open up the ice and create space
Etienne Lessard (1 assist) I thought has struggled at times the past few weeks but played very well this evening. This kid isn't the biggest kid but quick on his feet, reads/sees the ice well, can make that first pass and is good on the power play
Luke Bibby (1 goal) Scored on the PP just forty seconds into the 3rd to basically put the game away, also looked good and played very well. I have really liked the addition of Bibby since the trade and have noticed a big improvement since he arrived in Vernon. This kid plays hard, competes, makes plays happen, was stopped on a 2nd period breakaway, had some looks/opportunities tonight
Owen Kim (2 goals & 1 assist) Not the biggest kid but plays big and doesn't back down or afraid to make a hit or take a hit. Another Viper who always comes to play, plays hard, is physical, quick on his feet, gets the crowd into the game, gets under the skin of the opponents and tonight was no difference. Kim took a big hit in the 3rd got back to his feet, took a slash on the way to the net before giving the Snakes a 6-2 lead
Cooper Cleaves (AP) Has committed to the Vipers for the 2024-25 season, I thought looked good/played very well on the Snakes backend tonight.
Hank Cleaves (2 goals) The older brother of Cooper Cleaves, scored twice, had a couple of looks/chances, was in the zone all game. Was hard to contain/defend
Isaac Tremblay (4 assists) Had a heck of a game this evening. Tremblay was all over Kal Tire Place, was hard to defend, hard to contain and seemed whatever he touched went in the back of the net. Ernie Gare in 1971 and Duane Dennis in 1989 hold the Vernon junior hockey franchise record for most assists in a hockey game with 9 assists each
Ethan David (38 saves) The final score didn't look close but there was times when Trail was pressing but Ethan David made some unreal highlight saves in key times in the contest, not allowing the Smokies back in the hockey game. With Vernon ahead in the 2nd period, David made at least three or four large saves that could have easily changed the momentum or got the Smoke Eaters back in the game. David then made at least two large stops in the 3rd that would have gotten Trail to within two goals. David has been the Vipers MVP all season and played very very well in the playoffs
Game Thought's: Vernon Vipers
- With the win the Vipers advance to the second round of the Playoffs. Games 1 & 2 will start next Friday & Saturday
- The Vipers went 1-4-0-0 vs Trail during the regular season
- The Snakes are 21-6-2-0 at home during the regular season/playoffs
- The Vipers were outshooting Trail 6-1 about minutes into the hockey game, were then being outshot 8-7 around the midway mark
- Goaltending was a big difference in the series as Ethan David was very solid in goal in all five games
- I liked Vernon's start to the opening frame. The Vipers were able to get some pucks to the net early, get some looks and generate some play in the offensive zone. That didn't last too long as about four or five minutes into the period, Trail quickly re-grouped and took it to the Snakes. Vernon would struggled defensively, turnover pucks often, had troubles clearing the zone, had troubles getting through the neutral zone, gave up several opportunities before managing to re-group themselves and play much better in the second half. The Vipers would give up the opening goal but score two goals in the second half to take a 2-1 lead heading into the 2nd period.
- Vernon went 1-0 vs Trail during the pre-season
- Assistant Coaches Lukas Lomicky and Colton Sparrow are 11-3-1-0 since the Vipers parted ways with Head Coach/GM Jason McKee
- A large crowd on hand for Game 5. Tonight's attendance was announced at 2,546
- The Snakes went 2-3 with the man advantage
How big was Ethan David tonight? With the Smokies pressing, David come up with some big stops at key times in the contest. I thought if Trail scores or gets a goal in that 2nd period, the game or momentum changes
- Vipers forward Erik Pastro was stopped on a breakaway during the 2nd period
- Penticton Vees Head Coach/GM/President Fred Harbinson and the Penticton Vees coaching staff were in attendance tonight
- I really liked Vernon's 2nd period and thought they were the better team. The Vipers score two quick goals less then four minutes into the middle frame to grab a 4-1 lead and basically never looked back. The Snakes played much better defensively and in their own end compared to the 1st period. The Vipers were moving the puck, generating looks/chances
- Isaac Tremblay recorded four assists. Ernie Gare in 1971 and Duane Dennis in 1989 hold the Vernon junior hockey franchise record for most assists in one game with 9 assists each
- I really liked the Viper power play this evening. I thought the boys were moving the puck well, not rushing the pass or shot, were getting pucks to the net, scored twice with the man advantage
- Who saw this coming? After the Vipers went 1-4-0-0 vs Trail during the regular season, I sure didn't see the Vipers taking the series in four games
- Does anyone know why Adam Csabi didn't play tonight?
- Overall Vernon was the better team and had the better of the play in at least two periods
- If West Kelowna and Salmon Arm win, the Vipers will face the Penticton Vees in the next round. If Salmon Arm and Cranbrook win, the Vipers will face the Salmon Arm Silverbacks. If Merritt and West Kelowna win, the Vipers would face the Warriors, If Cranbrook and Merritt win the Vipers would face the Centennials
- Vipers forward Luke Bibby was denied on a 2nd period breakaway
- Since going to the league finals vs Coquitlam in 2014 the Vipers have made it past the 2nd round of the Playoffs just once (2018-19) lost in the Interior Division finals to Prince George
- How big was specialty teams in this series? The Snakes PK and PP were better then Trails PK/PP
- The Vipers have won twelve of their last fifteen regular season/playoff home games and have at least a point in thirteen of their last fifteen regular season/playoff home games
- I have to give credit to the Vipers "Game night host" Jason Armstrong who does one hell of a job not only during the games but between periods, getting the crowd into the game, generating a ton of noise, atmosphere and energy inside Kal Tire Place. I went to all three Kelowna Rockets home playoff games last week and they don't have anyone that does a job like Jason Armstrong. The crowd and the atmosphere inside Prospera Place was dead and dull
- This series could have gone either way. A bounce here, a goal here or there, not giving up a goal a certain time in a game.
- Going into the 3rd up 4-2 Luke Bibby basically put the game away with a PP goal forty seconds into the frame and the Vipers played a very good/shutdown 3rd period. I really liked the Snakes 3rd. I thought they played well at both ends of the rink, kept their foot on the gas, didn't give up a ton of looks/opportunities and when they did, Ethan David come up with some big stops.
- The Vipers have won four of their last five games and eight of their last ten games
- I thought Vernon was coughing up the puck/turning over pucks a ton in that 1st period but as the game continued they still made some mistakes and turned over pucks but not nearly as often and played much better defensively and in their own end
- This is the ninth time in franchise history the Vernon Vipers & Trail Smoke Eaters have met in the playoffs
1996-97 Vernon defeated Trail 4 games to 1 (1st round)
1997-98 Trail defeated Vernon 4 games to 3 (1st round)
2002-03 Vernon defeated Trail 4 games to 0 (Interior Conference Finals)
2003-04 Trail defeated Vernon 4 games to 1 (1st round)
2006-07 Vernon defeated Trail 4 games to 1 (Interior Conference Semi Finals)
2007-08 Vernon defeated Trail 3 games to 0 (1st round)
2016-17 Vernon defeated Trail 4 games to 1 (Interior Division Semi Finals)
2018-19 Vernon defeated Trail 4 games to 3 (2nd round)
2023-24 Vernon defeated Trail 4 games to 1 (1st round)
Trail Smoke Eaters Top Performers:
Isaac Fecteau I thought played very well vs his former team in the Smokies final game of the season
Adam Barone Played very well on the blueline, played well at both ends of the rink. Carried the puck, moved the puck well and jumped into the play. A very smart/steady d-man
Teagan Kendrick (20 saves) Replaced starting goaltender Ryan Parker in the 2nd period after Parker gave up four goals on seventeen Vernon shots. Kendrick started Games 1, 2 and 3 played well and looked confident, keeping the Smokies in the game at times with the Vipers pressing
Game Thought's: Trail Smoke Eaters
- I would like to take this time to congratulate the Trail Smoke Eaters and their organization on a great season and giving the Vipers one heck of a battle every game we played. I would also like to wish all the graduating players from the Smokies all the best in their hockey/future careers
- The Smoke Eaters finished the regular season with a 28-20-6-0 record 5th in the Interior Conference twelve points ahead of Merritt and six points back of Vernon
- The Smokies didn't get off to a good start, were outshot 6-1 early but quick;y re-grouped after four or five minutes, before taking it to the hometown Vipers. Trail pressed and had the Vipers back on their heels, making mistakes, turning over pucks, generated/created some chances eventually opening the scoring. The Smoke Eaters played well defensively not allowing Vernon through the neutral zone. The Smokies did eventually give up two goals in the second half and were down 2-1 after one period
- Assistant Coach Dallas Calvin played with the 2013-14 Vernon Vipers
- Trail went 0-1 with the power play
- The Smoke Eaters opened the scoring in four of the five games this series, couldn't hold onto a lead except in Game 4 their only win of the series
- The Smoke Eaters were 12-15-3-0 on the road during the regular season/playoffs
- The Smokies are pesky and get under your skin, played much more disciplined in Games 4 & 5 compared to the first three games of the series
- Smoke Eaters forward Chase Stefanek hit the post early into the middle frame
- A good size crowd of Smoke Eaters fans were in attendance as Trail put together a fan bus for tonight's game
- Trail would give up two goals less then four minutes into the 2nd period, were down 4-1 and this would be the end of the night for starting netminder Ryan Parker, who allowed four goals on seventeen Vernon shots was replaced by Keagan Kendrick. The Smokies were outplayed in the 2nd period, had trouble hitting the net, hit one post, did manage to get a couple of quality chances but were robbed by Ethan David who made at least three large saves during that period. One or two of these pucks go in and it's a different hockey game.
- Defenceman Isaac Fecteau played with the 2023-24 Vernon Vipers was traded to Trail February 10th 2024
- The Smoke Eaters went 0-3 in Vernon during the Playoffs
- Including the pre-season, regular season and playoffs, Trail went 1-4-1-0 in Vernon
- Trail has a very quick team that can move the puck, have a good transition game that get the puck up ice in a hurry
- The Smoke Eaters lost four of their last six road games
- Down 4-2 in the 3rd the Smokies five up a quick power play goal inside the opening minute, fall behind 5-2 and can't recover or make a comeback, couldn't get much of anything going in the final twenty minutes. Trail had a couple of looks/opportunities, hit one post in the 3rd just seem to run out of steam
Scratches:
Vernon Vipers:
Filip Krajcik
Own King (Injured-Out for season)
Ewan McPherson
Linden Burrett
Adam Csabi
Nick Mikan (Injured)
Trail Smoke Eaters:
Cameron Johnsen
Ethan Mann
Cash Carter (AP)
Jack Ketsa
Kailus Green
Energy Player of the Game:
Julian Facchinelli
Three Star's:
1st Star: Isaac Tremblay (4 assists)
2nd Star: Owen Kim (2 goals & 1 assist)
3rd Star: Hank Cleaves (2 goals)
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.
If this was the regular season the Vipers would have been going home today but somehow they have changed their game and seem to have alot more drive and determination. Their aggressive play with or without the puck was the reason for the series win along with the great goaltending from Ethan David which is what we have come to expect. Sure we are still turning the puck over alot ( #17 & #2 not dressed) and taking dumb penalties but the players are finding away to get past these issues.
ReplyDeleteBy the way the other 2 Interior division series are not over yet so if Cranbrook and Merritt both come out with series wins the Vipers would be the #2 seed and have home ice advantage in the second round.
ReplyDeleteWhat game! And what a game to end a playoff series on! Even without a perfect game they got the job done and deserve to be in round two.
ReplyDeleteViper fans are clueless. They just beat the 5th place team! Penticton has won the league title 12 years in a row. Yes, that's right 12 years in a row! The season is over for the Interior teams when the first puck of the season is dropped. Wake up and you might get a small smell of the coffee...lol.
ReplyDeleteWhy as such a die hard vees fan do you find the need and time to come to a vipers blog? Good lord
DeleteMaybe Anonymous wants to hang out with a 6 time National Championship Team
ReplyDeleteI honestly don’t know what Vee’s fan is talking about. 12 consecutive league titles? Uh….no. Try 2. Two Fred Page cups in a row.
ReplyDeleteI am not a Penticton fan but they are the cream of the crop.They are well coached. I gave up my Viper season tickets when the used car salesmen played their useless son for 4 years and hired their friend as coach who was also useless. I don't abide by dishonesty to Viper fans.
ReplyDeleteYou are missing out on some exciting hockey this year! Life is short and these coaches and players are working hard to win hockey games. Isn’t that all that really matters at this point. It’s been 5 years since the new ownership and it’s obvious they are here to stay so why not enjoy it instead of always negativity. Anyways Cheers! Can’t wait for the next game!
DeleteThe owners will be around because they have another relative that can't make the team without them. They have no conscience and will screw another deserving player a chance to play. I refuse to put money in their pockets. What don't you get, have you never dealt with a used car dealer.
ReplyDelete