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 missing only 40 home games. Since 2001 I have missed 10 home games. I started and created this blog in November 2008 and have over 3 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 between the Vernon Vipers & Sherwood Park Crusaders as the Crusaders defeated the Vipers 4-3 in overtime in front of 2,414 fans at Kal Tire Place.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon Vipers: Colin Reay
Sherwood Park Crusaders: Logan Kennedy
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2nd Period: The Vipers were the better of the two teams, had a little more puck possession, zone time, shots on goal and opportunities. The Snakes looked to take a 2-1 lead on the power play but the goal was reviewed and waived off after a kicking motion. The Vipers blew an opportunity on a three on one didn't get a shot on goal. The Crusaders saw a lot of time in there own end, blocked a lot of shots, gave up lots of scoring chances, went a lengthy period of time without a shot on goal. It was 1-1 after 40 minutes of play. Shots were 17-7 Vernon.
3rd Period: The period didn't get off to a good start for the hometown Vipers. The Snakes got into penalty trouble within the first five minutes. Sherwood Park took advantage and capitalized with the man advantage, scoring back to back power plays less then four minutes apart. Other then the start I thought both teams were even with both teams having periods of time where they carried the play and were the better team. The Crusaders would get into penalty trouble in the second half, sending Vernon to a two man advantage. The Snakes would capitalize with two PP goals to tie the game 3-3. The Vipers come on strong to end the period with a couple of good looks/opportunities. It was 3-3 after 60 minutes of play. Shots were 13-13.
Overtime: The Snakes lost the puck in there own end, allowing the visiting Sherwood Park Crusaders a 2 on 0 with Colin Reay making a large save to keep this game from ending. The Crusaders stayed with the puck, circled around before Kale Dach puts the game away with his second of the evening, giving the Crusaders a 4-3 overtime victory. Shots were 2-0 Sherwood Park.
Vernon Vipers Top Performers:
Marko Stojkov (1 goal & 1 assist) I thought played well on the Snakes blueline
Shea Busch I thought played with a lot of jump/energy, found open ice and tried creating/generating chances
Colin Reay (29 saves) The Sherwood Park native played well in goal, other then maybe wanting the 3rd goal back. I thought Reay was a little too deep in his crease but otherwise played well
Game Thought's: Vernon Vipers
- The Vipers have one win in there last six games
- Tonight's the second game of a three game home stand
- I thought Vernon responded with a much better effort/performance after not looking good or playing good in Friday's 4-2 loss to Trail
- The Snakes have only one win at home this season, a 6-3 win over the West Kelowna Warriors October 11th 2024
- Tonight's attendance was announced at 2,414
- Vernon went 3-5 with the man advantage
- Tonight is the first of four regular season meetings vs the Sherwood Park Crusaders
- I thought both teams were fairly evenly matched in the 1st period. Both teams had some looks/chances but it was Sherwood Park who had a little more puck possession/zone time and a slight edge in play in the second half of the period
- The Vipers next game is Friday vs the visiting Okotoks Oilers
- The Vipers have lost four of there last five games and lost six of there last ten games
- The Snakes are 0-4 in overtime
- The Vipers are 1-2 this season vs teams from Alberta
- Forward Noah Grolnic made his Vipers debut this evening
- I thought the Snakes were the better team in the 2nd period. Vernon played with a lot of jump, were skating, had more puck possession, zone time, more shots on goal and the better of the opportunities. I really liked the Vipers 2nd period but unfortunately Vernon couldn't find the back of the net, instead of taking a lead into the 3rd, they were still tied. The Vipers thought they had taken a 2-1 lead on the power play, but the goal went to video review and was eventually waived off after a lengthy delay. The officials said the goal was waived off do to a kicking motion
- The Vipers are 1-3-3-0 at Kal Tire Place this season
- The Vipers continue to struggle scoring and not capitalizing on there chances
- With five teams now playing in the BCHL why is it still called the BC Hockey League?
- Vernon plays four of there next six games on the road
- Does anyone else think the music is way too loud at Vipers games? Why do the announcers have to scream at the top of there lungs when trying to pump up the crowd and when announcing goals? You can't even talk to the person sitting next to you sometimes the music is so loud
- These two teams will play again January 4th in Vernon
- The Vipers got into penalty trouble early into the 3rd and it cost them as the Crusaders scored back to back power play goals to take a 3-1 lead but give Vernon credit, they didn't quit. The Vipers would get two power play goals of there own to tie the game. I thought other then the first five minutes or so the Snakes played a good final period as both teams were again evenly matched. Both teams looked better then the other at different times but overall a good 3rd period
- I have noticed Vernon keeps the puck to the outside and most shots are from well out or the point on the power play. The Vipers hardly use a man in front and drive to the net
- The Snakes played well enough to win tonight
- Tonight was the first time in franchise history the Vipers have played a team from Alberta at home during the regular season
- I'm having a hard time believing were 18 games into the season and the Vipers only have 5 wins
- Goaltender Colin Reay is from Sherwood Park
- One thing I have noticed with the BC Hockey League adding instant replay to games, is how many delays and lengthy delays on some video reviews and how much it slows down the game
- Overall this was a very good entertaining/exciting game to watch
- With the overtime loss, Vernon falls to 5-9-4-0 sit 10th in the Interior Conference
Sherwood Park Crusaders Top Performers:
Christian Chouha (2 goals) was one of Sherwood Park's top forwards. This kid is quick with the puck, was hard to contain/defend, gave the Viper defenders difficulties all night
Jeremy Loranger (1 assist) Assisted on the overtime winning goal, was another forward who looked very good and dangerous
Kale Dach (2 goals) Scored the overtime winner at 0:35 was dangerous with and without the puck tonight. A very smooth/good skater, sees the ice well, hard to defend, very shifty and smart with the puck
Logan Kennedy (34 saves) Was good between the pipes for the visiting Crusaders. Had to be alert in the 2nd period with Vernon pressing and again in the 3rd with the Vipers looking for the winner. Both goaltenders played good
Game Thought's: Sherwood Park Crusaders
- The Sherwood Park Crusaders made there first ever visit to Vernon to face the Vipers
- Tonight's the fifth and final game of a five game road trip
- The Edmonton Crusaders joined the Alberta Junior Hockey League in 1976 before moving the team to Sherwood Park in 1978
- The Crusaders are 5-5-0-0 on the road this season
- Forward Jeremy Loranger leads the league in scoring with twenty nine points, while forward Kale Dach is third in league scoring with twenty five points
- The Crusaders next game is Wednesday in Nisku, Alberta vs the Salmon Arm Silverbacks
- The Crusaders are 2-0 in overtime
- I thought both teams were fairly even in the 1st period. The Crusaders did however have a slight edge in play in the second half, had a little more puck possession, zone time and were getting more of the opportunities
- Sherwood Park blocks a lot of shots and did that very well in the OT win this evening. The Crusaders were blocking shots on the PK and five on five
- The Crusaders went 2-5 on the power play
- Tonight is the Crusaders first of two regular season visits to Kal Tire Place
- Sherwood Park has a good transition game, can skate, move the puck and shifty in the offensive zone
- One turning point that comes to mind is the 2nd period where the Crusaders were outplayed as the hometown Vipers were the better of the two teams. Sherwood Park catches a big break after Vernon scores on the PP but the goal was waived off after video review. I think the Crusaders were lucky to come out of the middle frame with the game still tied and not down a goal or two heading into the 3rd
- The Crusaders have lost three of there last five games are 5-5 in there last ten games
- It looked like the Crusaders may have had the game in hand with a 3-1 lead with about thirteen minutes remaining in the 3rd, but the Snakes score two power play goals to force overtime. Both teams were once again fairly evenly matched but also both teams were better at times as the two battled it out. Either team could have won the game in regulation
- With the overtime victory, Sherwood Park improves to 10-7-0-0 sit 6th in the Interior Conference
Scratches:
Vernon Vipers:
Koji Gibson
Lucas Brennan (Suspended)
Keaton Dowhaniuk
Sherwood Park Crusaders:
Robin Benoit
Nicolas Dipaolo
Hudson Landmark
Luke Norcross
Energy Player of the Game:
Marko Stojkov (1 goal & 1 assist)
Three Star's:
1st Star: Kale Dach (2 goals)
2nd Star: Charlie Kresl (1 goal & 1 assist)
3rd Star: Christian Chouha (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.
What did you think of tonight's Vipers/Crusaders game? What are your comments/opinion on the game?
ReplyDeleteTonights game compared to the game against Trail yesterday proved to be entertaining but but the vipers being able to finish when they have the opportunity to put the puck in the net is a problem. Maybe the coaching staff should try practicing the tactic of three against one with the idea in mind of working on with practice putting the puck in the net because tonight time and again with the man advantage our team failed to get the puck in the net . Also the idea of working on less penalties as to the why and how to avoid them is another area the coaching staff has to work on . GO, VIPERS,GO.
ReplyDeleteKeep overplaying the same players...keep getting same results
ReplyDeleteLet’s keep an eye out for which players leave this week after getting swept again! Brutal decision making behind the bench!
ReplyDeleteAnother tough weekend! Games that easily could have been won. Hard conversations likely happening this week from players to coaches.
ReplyDeleteYour comment about the music being too loud is correct. Parents of a player who were here for the weekend said the same thing. And there's nothing more irratating than hearing "make some noise" being bellowed at a level that is distorting.
ReplyDeleteIts going to be a long year for the Vipers
ReplyDeleteDoesn't have to be. Replace the problem. Should have hired an experienced coach in the first place. Shame.
DeleteYes music is too loud.
Vipers only have scored 20 goals at home and only 1 win at home. Bad reffing last night, player didn't even have the stick and a tripping where a player didn't even fall to the ice. Some fans were saying we need a new goaltender. I agree with the loud music, you can't even talk to someone to hear them when the music is playing
ReplyDeleteDid anybody really think it would be any different? You have 2, yes 2 coaches left over from the McKee dumpster fire era running the show. Why is that? I'll propose that is because the hockey world talks to each other and any self respecting coach/gm would never come to Vernon these days. WE have an ex nhl player coaching in the Vernon system who is light years ahead of the Vipers staff. Do you think he would accept a job from John Glenn? I believe Smithson has too much class to have his name associated with them. Certainly would be interesting to hear what Smithson has heard about the organization.....
ReplyDeleteBeing entertained with the music and the promo guy yelling let us fans here you roar for the vipers is one thing but being annoyed with this activity is another. I think todd miller has to rethink this thru as alot of fans I have spoke to aren't happen.
ReplyDeleteTo think that fans are more worried about the music and Jason Armstrong trying to get a dead crowd excited is concerning, they should be more worried about the terrible 18th place team that Vipers coaching staff has assembled and put on the ice.
ReplyDeleteUnhappy fans continue to come to the games. There are more happy fans than unhappy ones. Hockey isn’t supposed to quiet in the stands. Lots of fans enjoy the atmosphere at Kal Tire Place. Keep the music the way it is.
ReplyDeleteThank you. It’s a hockey game, it’s supposed to be loud with energy. If you find it’s hampering your conversation, maybe a change of venue is in order (?)
DeleteAre you sure there are more happy fans? How did you come to this conclusion?
ReplyDeleteAttendance Friday night, 2200+. Attendance Saturday night, 2400+. Compare those numbers around the BCHL. Unhappy customers do not come back. Our fans do. They must be happy, no?
ReplyDeleteThe Vipers are playing with a lack of discipline that hurts the team. The 5 minute major penalty to Brennan with 5.5 minutes to go in the Trail game is a good example. It was a blatant head shot and basically took the Vipers out of the game. Very selfish of this veteran player. In my opinion this is unacceptable and there should be team consequences, other than just the league's game suspension. A seat in the press box will send a message to the entire team that this will not be tolerated.
ReplyDeleteAs another poster said "Keep overplaying the same players... keep getting the same results". We have a couple of D-men who think they are Quinn Hughes, better than they really are. Time to simplify their game.
The 2 weekend games showed that the Vipers are not playing with team speed or as a 5 man unit on the ice. The Vipers were simply not executing with the same quickness as their opposition. Being a fast skater doesn't mean you can use that speed effectively. Again, where is the proper scouting & player analysis?
I agree with the comments on the ridiculous noise level. The play on the ice should be enough to motivate the crowds to cheer, not an announcer screaming into the microphone. It is getting ridiculous!! There are now more cow bells than at a dairy farm. It was certainly more enjoyable when fans clapped and shouted to show their support. Hopefully Jason reads this BLOG.
Well said Marty. I agree 100%.
ReplyDeleteSome players are treated differently and it is noticeable.