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 & Trail Smoke Eaters as the Smoke Eaters defeated the Vipers 8-0 in front of 2,077 fans at Kal Tire Place.
Vernon Vipers: Logan Cunningham
Trail Smoke Eaters: Ryan Parker
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2nd Period: The visiting Trail Smoke Eaters were again the better team. For a second straight period, the Smokies created/generated some opportunities, played well with and without the puck. The Vipers played a little better, were able to generate some offence and got pucks to the net as well as getting some looks/chances but unable to find the back of the net. One of the officials took a fall, landing on his knee and had to leave the game for a few minutes before returning. It was 4-0 Smoke Eaters after 40 minutes of play. Shots were 12-10 Trail.
3rd Period: It was basically all Smoke Eaters for most of the final period. I mean other then a couple of power plays, Trail carried the better of the play. The Smokies blew the game wide open scoring four times. Trail had a ton of pressure, zone time and were shooting everything towards the goal. The Smoke Eaters scored a couple of highlight reel goals in the final frame. Vernon didn't look good at all, struggled with the man advantage, had trouble getting pucks to the net, were making mistakes, turning over pucks, didn't compete. As a Vipers fan, this was a tough period to watch. Shots were 16-4 Trail as the Smoke Eaters win 8-0.
Vernon Vipers Top Performers:
Logan Cunningham (33 saves) Kept the Vipers in the 1st period but could only hold on for so long. I will admit I didn't like the way this kid played goal or thought he was very good in his first game or two but in his most recent games, he has improved and playing much better then his first few starts. Cunningham was the only kid who showed up tonight and was hung out to dry
Game Thought's: Vernon Vipers
- The Vipers are 0-5 vs Trail this season
- The Vipers have lost four of their last five games and lost seven of their last ten games
- Vernon has given up 258 shots in their last 6 games
- The Snakes have one game remaining in the 2024-25 regular season
- The game was basically over in the 1st period after the Snakes were down 3-0 Vernon didn't show up to play and were outskated, outworked and outplayed most of the 1st period. The Vipers were making mistakes, turning over pucks, missing passes, had trouble getting pucks to the net and trouble generating offence. This was a chippy period with both teams getting under each others skin
- Tonight's attendance was announced at 2,077
- Vernon has been inconsistent all season with very few improvements and it showed again tonight
- The Vipers next home game is Saturday vs the Cranbrook Bucks
- Everyone at tonight's game should be refunded, that's how bad the Vipers were
- Since the 2003-04 regular season the Vipers are 51-10-5-0 at home vs Trail
- Vernon went 0-4 with the man advantage
- The Vipers are 9-11-5-0 at Kal Tire Place
- The Vipers have been outscored 15-3 in the last two games
- The Vipers have actually gotten worse over the final month and going by body language and their play on the ice, have packed it in
- The Snakes played a little better in the 2nd period, didn't score but were able to get some pucks to the net, generate some chances and have some puck possession, something they didn't in the 1st period.
- Since November 29th the Vipers have seven wins in thirty one games
- Did someone tell the Vipers they had to play a hockey game this evening? Vernon didn't show up and took it on the chin. This was a very boring and non inspired game to watch. The Vipers showed no compete, players going through the motions, most looked like they didn't want to be here.
- No matter what the final score was, tonight's game was very hard to watch. It was like watching pond hockey
- The Vipers struggled with the power play, didn't look good, gave up a 3rd period shorthanded goal
- The Vipers were basically caught standing around most of the 3rd period in a period where it was all Trail. The Smoke Eaters were by far the better team, outskated, outworked and outplayed Vernon, scoring four times to blow the game wide open. The Vipers struggled on the PP, struggled making a pass, were making mistakes, turning over pucks, had troubles getting shots on goal, did have a few opportunities to break the shutout on a goal mouth scramble
- Since the 2003-04 regular season Vernon is 90-31-1-6-1 vs Trail
- The Vipers have shown no improvements all season, no matter how many players come and gone, it was always the same result
- Logan Cunningham was the lone Viper that showed up tonight and played. The Vipers goaltending has been one of the few bright spots this season
- This team is terrible! They can't make a pass and the amount of mistakes and turnovers at this time of the year is ridiculous. Who's coaching these kids?
- The Vipers have been outshot 258-148 in their last six games
- Changes need to be made! This season has been a complete disaster. In all of my years watching Junior hockey in Vernon, this is by far the worst Vernon team I have ever seen
- Tonight's the first game of a two game home stand
- With the loss, Vernon falls to 15-32-6-0 sit 10th in the Interior Conference and 19th overall in league standings
Trail Smoke Eaters Top Performers:
Isaac Fecteau playing his former team, played well on Trail's blueline but saw very limited ice time in the 3rd period with the game out of reach
Ridge Dawson The Smokies captain, played a hard fought inspired game. Dawson took a hit in the 2nd period I think? obviously didn't like the play/hit, bounced up off the ice, going after Vipers defenceman Eric Johnston. Dawson plays with his heart on his sleeve and competed hard in the victory
Dylan Lariviere (1 goal) I thought played well/looked good for the Smoke Eaters
Jason Stefanek (2 goals & 1 assist) Seems to always play well vs the Vipers and did again this evening. I like this kid. A very smooth skating forward with soft hands, has a wicked shot and very hard to defend/contain
Stefano Pietrantonio Was another forward who looked good/played well
Carter Matthews A big body on the backend, played well
Josh Evaschesen (2 goals) Had a strong game. I liked this kids game tonight, played hard, battled/competed, was going to the net, made some plays, scoring twice
Ryan Parker (20 saves-shutout) Wasn't tested much but was forced to make a couple of big saves in the 2nd period and on a goal mouth scramble in the 3rd
Game Thought's: Trail Smoke Eaters
- The Smoke Eaters are 14-9-2-1 on the road this season
- Tonight's the first game of a two game road trip
- I spotted several Smoke Eaters fans at tonight's game
- Trail with a good opening period, were the better team. The Smokies carried the better of the play, had more zone time, were getting pucks to the net, generated some chances, have a good transition game, can move the puck up ice in a hurry, played well defensively. The Smokies could have had more then three goals but Vipers starting netminder Logan Cunningham kept Vernon in the contest. A chippy 1st period with both teams getting under each others skin
- Trail went 1-3 with the power play
- With tonight being a mean nothing game, Trail was sitting out several veteran players
- The Smoke Eaters have lost three of their last five games are 5-5 in their last ten games
- Defenceman Isaac Fecteau played with the 2023-24 Vernon Vipers was traded to Trail February 10th 2024
- The Smokies next game is Saturday in West Kelowna
- Trail has a very lively bench as you could hear the boys through out the hockey game
- The Smokies were the better team in the 2nd period, had more of the possession, zone time, were picking up on Vernon's mistakes/poor passes, only scored once but played well defensively
- Trail will open the playoffs at home next weekend vs the Cranbrook Bucks
- The Smoke Eaters have some speed, have a good transition game, can move the puck up ice in a hurry
- Smoke Eaters Scout Dallas Calvin played with the 2013-14 Vernon Vipers
- Trail had nothing to play for tonight, other then team pride as the team has clinched a playoff spot and will face the Cranbrook Bucks in the opening round of the playoffs but give the team credit, they still come to play, played hard, competed, looked to be a little cautious in and around the net/scrums, not wanting to get injured
- Tonight was Trail's fifteenth win in Vernon since the 2003-04 regular season
- The Smokies have one game remaining in the 2024-25 regular season
- With the game basically over, Trail scored four times in the 3rd in a period they dominated. The Smokies capitalized on the Snakes mistakes/turnovers and on their opportunities. Trail carried the better of the play, blocked a ton of shots, played well defensively, were generating offence, getting pucks to the net, outworked, outskated and outplayed Vernon for most of the period
- The Smoke Eaters only scored once on the man advantage but I like their PP and how they move the puck
- Trail outscored Vernon 30-12 in five games this season
- With the win, Trail improves to 35-14-3-1 sit 3rd in the Interior Conference and 4th overall in league standings
Scratches:
Vernon Vipers:
Jett Quaschnick
Dennis Lominac
Daniil Dolzhenko
Charlie Kresl
Jari Kykkanen
Trail Smoke Eaters:
Jack Kennedy
Drew Anastasio
Brayden Sinclair
Grphon Bucci
Judah Makaway
Deacon Drummond
Evan Sundar
Teagan Kendrick
Energy Player of the Game:
Michael Munroe
Three Star's:
1st Star: Jason Stefanek (2 goals & 1 assist)
2nd Star: Josh Evaschesen (2 goals)
3rd Star: Brayden Rotach (2 assists)
Boxscore-Game Summary,
Game Report,
Text Box Score,
Vernon Junior Hockey History website,
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5 comments:
This was an embarrassing game to watch!! I get that they have to play these last two games, but at least put something, anything in to it.
I heard a comment from a fan that the players on this team have no respect for its coaches and feel they can do it on there own as they no better. I am sure the coaches over this season have tried but again it is evident the hockey players have no respect and have developed nothing but a negative attitude towards its coaches and it is evident as it shows on the ice. This team shows no game plan on the powerplay, on defense or offense. The coaching needs to change as pond hockey all season doesn't cut it. I am for next season for new rule changes as a trade deadline of Dec. 10 or Jan 10 as the current one is not good for this league or its players. Also we need to hire a better experienced coach rather then a coach that is clearly learning on the fly. The players have all played for better coaches so they no the difference and that is the reason for no respect and how they play. Enjoy the last game fans and hope for better results next season. GO,VIPERS,GO.
Players will not respect coaches that show no respect for them or that obviously have no concepts of systems. This organization has taken a year of hockey away from these players and its sickening. There is a small window in Jr hockey to get better to get to the next level and imo these players were robbed. Wishing them all the best next season, esp those with another year or 3 to improve with another organization.
Respect is earned and this coach hasn’t earned anything but distrust from the 60+ players that were used this season. The recruiting tactics brought in some good young talent early but as soon as the revolving door started, and the lies were exposed, most of the talent upon which a foundation could have been built, moved on to salvage their seasons. Good on them for seeing the writing on the wall and getting off this train wreck. No chance this guy can attract any talent for next season. What a shame!
Yup
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