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 today's game between the Vernon Vipers & Spruce Grove Saints as the Vipers defeated the Saints 4-3 in overtime in front of 2,012 fans at Kal Tire Place.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon Vipers: Jari Kykkanen
Spruce Grove Saints: Ryan De Kok
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2nd Period: I thought the Vernon Vipers had a much better 2nd period compared to the opening frame. The Snakes played very well, looked good in at least the first ten or twelve minutes. The Vipers were moving the puck, making plays, generating lots of opportunities, were going to the net but weren't getting the bounces or puck luck. Saints starting goaltender was very good early with Vernon pressing. The Vipers did a much better job at getting more pucks to the net and eventually getting on the scoreboard. The visiting Saints changed the momentum in the second half and were the better team down the stretch. Vipers starting netminder Jari Kykkanen was solid in goal with the Saints pressing. Spruce Grove had the Snakes hemmed in their own end for long periods of time, were back on their heels, relying on their goaltender to bail them out. It was 2-1 Spruce Grove after 40 minutes of play. Shots were 16-12 Saints.
3rd Period: Logan Cunningham started the 3rd period after Jari Kykkanen wasn't on the bench for the first few minutes of the start of the period. Kykkanen allowed two goals on thirty one Spruce Grove shots. The Saints had the edge in play early as it looked like Vernon stopped skating. At times both teams were fairly even but otherwise Spruce Grove would grab a 3-1 lead and had the better of the play. Logan Cunningham had to be sharp, making some big stops, keeping the Snakes in the contest. The Saints had three straight opportunities to put the game away with back to back to back power plays but couldn't capitalize with the man advantage. The Vipers didn't have a ton of time in the offensive zone but did get some quality chances but couldn't capitalize. The Vipers didn't look sharp, made several poor passes, turned over the puck, just didn't look very good for a lot of the period. Late in the game with the goaltender pulled for the extra attacker, Kyren Gronick on the power play, got the Vipers to within a goal at 18:13 before Ryan Watt tied the game at 19:53 to force overtime. Shots were 14-10 Saints.
Overtime: For most of overtime either team didn't get much for opportunities, as the Saints had more puck possession through out the extra frame. On a scramble in front, the puck come back to Koji Gibson who put home the OT winner at 4:19 giving the hometown Vipers a 4-3 come from behind overtime victory. Shots were 2-1 Vernon.
Vernon Vipers Top Performers:
Talan Blanck (1 goal) Got the Vipers on the board to cut Spruce Grove's lead to one in the 2nd period, was one of if not the best player for the Snakes. I thought Blanck played with a lot of jump/energy, was skating hard this afternoon, had several odd man rushes/opportunities
Jari Kykkanen (29 saves) Kept the Vipers in today's hockey game, especially in the second half of the 2nd period with the Saints pressing. The former Kelowna Rockets goaltender made several big stops through out this afternoon, before not coming out to start the 3rd period. Kykkanen looked to have gotten hurt or injured in Saturday's game vs Penticton, also didn't come out to start the 3rd. Kykkanen wasn't on the bench when the 3rd period started but did eventually make his way back to the bench for remainder of the game
Logan Cunningham (13 saves) Started the 3rd period for a second straight night, played very well for being on the bench in the first two periods. Cunningham hasn't seen a ton of action since joining the Vipers, was sharp, played very well, especially early in the 3rd with Spruce Grove pressing
Game Thought's: Vernon Vipers
- The Vipers next game is Friday in Spruce Grove
- The Vipers didn't get off to a great start, fell behind 2-0 just minutes into the game this afternoon. Vernon looked a little flat off the start, didn't have a lot of jump/or energy, didn't get a lot of puck possession, took way too many penalties, had troubles getting pucks to the net but were aggressive on the PK, managed to get several shorthanded odd man rushes, could have easily scored a couple of goals but either didn't get the bounces or made a poor pass or stopped by the goaltender. I thought Spruce Grove could have easily had more then two goals, while Vernon could have easily had a couple of goals
- Today's attendance was announced at 2,012
- For a team who hasn't come from behind often this year, they pulled one out this afternoon
- The Vipers are 2-1-0-0 vs the Saints this season
- The Snakes have lost three of their last five games and lost seven of their last ten games
- Vernon went 1-6 with the man advantage
- No disrespect to Jari Kykkanen but the Vipers season is over, why wouldn't Logan Cunningham get the start today? Kykkanen has played the bulk of the games since Cunningham has joined the team
- I really liked the Snakes 2nd period, well at least the first half. I thought Vernon had a great start to the period, were getting some time in the offensive zone, getting pucks to the net, creating quality chances, but weren't getting the bounces or puck luck. The Vipers could have easily had a couple of goals early, couldn't capitalize on their chances. The Vipers couldn't play with the same amount of pressure or pace, allowed the Saints back into the hockey game, as Spruce Grove was the better team in the second half. The Saints had the Vipers back on their heels, had several opportunities to blow this game open but it was Jari Kykkanen who stood tall, kept Vernon in the hockey game with some large saves
- The Vipers have four games remaining in the 2024-25 regular season
- Vernon's power play really struggled. I mean it was terrible. The Vipers couldn't do anything right with the man advantage, from poor passes, players not in the correct places, turnovers, sloppy plays, not getting pucks to the net etc
- Since November 29th the Snakes have just eight wins in twenty eight games
- Today is the first game of a home & home series vs the Saints
- The Vipers are 4-6 in overtime this season
- Give the Vipers credit. In a game where they were inconsistent and played no where near sixty minutes, it looked like another game, another loss. But in the final minutes, the Snakes scored twice late to tie it and force overtime, before pulling out the OT victory
- Down 2-1 in the 3rd and a different goaltender now in goal, it looked like Vernon stopped skating. I didn't think the Vipers played all that great in a game where they were only down a goal. Spruce Grove would take a 3-1 lead and that looked like it might be enough. Vernon just didn't play with a ton of energy early, looked flat/sluggish at times, struggled with the man advantage, did play well at times but not for long periods of time. The Vipers did have some good looks/opportunities but again, weren't getting the bounces or puck luck, until late in the game, would force overtime and then pull out the win in the extra frame
- I liked Vernon's PK. I thought the Vipers were aggressive shorthanded, forced the Saints into several turnovers, had several shorthanded odd man rushes, but couldn't capitalize
- The Snakes are 9-10-5-0 at Kal Tire Place this season
- The Vipers have been inconsistent not only today but all season. The Snakes have come no where near close to playing sixty minutes
- Vernon played well at times, looked good at times but for a lot of the game didn't look good, didn't play well, were making mistakes, turning over pucks, losing battles, relying on their goaltender to bail them out etc
- The Vipers are 6-11-1-0 vs Alberta teams this season
- The Vipers knew Spruce Grove was playing their third game in three days, to have a team score twice in the first 2:12 of the opening period, on the road is not good. I know the Vipers aren't good this year but it should have been Vernon who jumped all over Spruce Grove and taken the early lead
- Vernon took way too many penalties today, especially in the 1st period
- This Vipers team is hard to watch this year. From in inconsistent play, to poor passing, mistakes, being outplayed often, troubles scoring, poor defence, not a good power play, not good at home or on the road, a very poor record and the amount of player turnover, etc it's been a very difficult season to get up and get motivated to come watch this team play this season
- With the overtime victory, Vernon is 15-29-6-0 sit 10th in the Interior Conference and 19th overall in league standings
Spruce Grove Saints Top Performers:
Matheson Mason (1 goal & 1 assist) I thought was by far the best forward on the ice for the visiting Saints. This kid can skate, move the puck, has soft hands, was hard to defend, hard to contain, gave the Vipers defenders trouble all afternoon. The Saints got a bit of a scare about midway through the 3rd period when Mason fell to the ice, looked to be tangled up with a handful of Vipers, didn't get up and looked to be down in pain. The play was blown down, as Mason needed help off the ice, went to the dressing room but did return and seemed to be ok
Ryan Johnstone I thought saw a lot of ice, was involved in the play, played well in the overtime loss today
James Richards played a lot on the Saints blueline, played well
Oscar Wu was another defenceman who played well and at both ends of the rink
Ryan De Kok (25 saves) Wasn't nearly as busy as the two Vipers goaltenders, but played very well in goal for Spruce Grove. Not the biggest goaltender but very quick on his feet, sees the puck well, but also got lucky as the puck seemed to be bouncing or going his way
Game Thought's: Spruce Grove Saints
- The Saints went 0-1-1-0 in Vernon this season
- The Saints went 1-6 with the power play
- A huge loss, especially after blowing 2-0 and 3-1 period leads in a game where the Saints had numerous opportunities to put the game away. A win today and the Saints could have got to within four points of the final playoff spot
- The Saints next game is Friday vs the visiting Vernon Vipers
- For a team playing their third game in three days, it sure didn't look like it off the opening faceoff. Spruce Grove jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead and played very well on the road in the opening frame. I thought the Saints were the better team, obviously scoring twice helps but had more puck possession, more zone time, were getting pucks to the net, generating chances. Spruce Grove could have easily been up more then just two goals but some sloppy play five on five and on the power play, resulted in turnovers, mistakes, odd man rushes coming back the other way etc. The Saints could have also easily been tied heading into the 2nd period if the hometown Snakes get a couple of bounces or capitalize on some of their shorthanded odd man rushes
- Today was the third game of a three game road trip
- Defenceman Carson Lloyd played with the 2024-25 Vernon Vipers, was traded to Spruce Grove October 1st 2024
- The Saints are 9-15-2-0 on the road this season
- I think if Spruce Grove can clean up some of their sloppy play/mistakes, they would have more wins under their belt
- Spruce Grove has just four wins in their last twenty five games
- The visiting Saints didn't have a great start to the middle frame, were back on their heels as Vernon was pressing and had the edge in play for the first half of the period. The Saints get some puck luck and saves from their goaltender, were able to change the momentum in the second half, and were the better team in the second half. The Saints took over the edge in play in the second half, had the Vipers back on their heels, had several quality opportunities, couldn't solve Jari Kykkanen. The Saints could have easily blown this game open if it wasn't for the Vipers netminder.
- These two teams will meet once more in the regular season, Friday in Spruce Grove
- The Saints have four games remaining in the regular season
- Forward Max Seguin committed to the Vernon Vipers for the 2022-23 season, was released before the start of the 2022-23 regular season
- This team can skate, move the puck, have a good transition game but also are sloppy at times and turn over the puck a lot, resulting in giving up several odd man rushes
- You have to wonder of fatigue wasn't a factor late in the 3rd? The Saints are playing their third game in three days and couldn't shut the game down late in the game. Just before the game tying goal, the Saints come up with a huge block, but can't get the puck out on two different occasions before Vernon gets the puck back and ties the game with six seconds remaining
- The Saints are five points back of the Okotoks Oilers, who are currently holding down the final playoff spot
- The Saints have lost five straight games and lost eight of their last ten games
- Spruce Grove struggled with the power play this afternoon. The Saints were sloppy with and without the puck, made way too many turnovers/mistakes, gave up several shorthanded odd man rushes. Spruce Grove had three straight PP's in the 3rd could have easily put the game away
- I like the Saints jerseys/logo/colours
- For a team that is fighting for a playoff spot, they sure aren't making it easy on themselves. Spruce Grove with eight wins since mid December sure isn't playing like a team fighting for the playoffs
- The one thing I noticed is how inconsistent the Saints are. They looked real good at this point, then not so good at this point. One period they looked good, then the next period not so good. No consistency from a team fighting for a playoff spot
- With the overtime loss, Spruce Grove falls to 17-27-6-0 sit 9th in the Interior Conference and 18th overall in league standings
Scratches:
Vernon Vipers:
Luc Bydal
Charlie Kresl
Noah Ideback
Spruce Grove Saints:
Grayson Niehaus
Matthew Lesyk
Owen Leckelt
Joseph Quintillo
Energy Player of the Game:
Eddie Revenig
Three Star's:
1st Star: Koji Gibson (Overtime winning goal)
2nd Star: Ryan Watt (1 goal & 1 assist)
3rd Star: Max Seguin (1 assist)
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.
4 comments:
What is up with Captain Pastro? Is he playing through an injury? I ask this not to dish on him but It sure looks like he is just going through the motions, playing very uninspiring hockey. I think we were expecting a good year from him but I can’t remember a game where he was a factor. He does not hang onto the puck any longer than he has to and stays on the perimeter. A leader needs to be a good example and drag his teammates into the fight. Sorry, just not seeing it.
Feel bad for anyone being singled out on this team. From ownership to coaching to a revolving door of players to losing the rest of the leadership group there is much blame to go around. I suspect that the captain will be just fine under a new coach, he did quite well I believe under Jason mckee and with a fairly consistent line up.
I also was surprised that Cunningham hadn't gotten at least a few starts. His hometown is Sherwood Park and I thought that he was a likely starter against the Crusaders in Sherwood Park. But no. He stayed on the bench.
Don't you just think that everyone including the coaches are just going through the motions. Both coaches just standing behind the bench like they are frozen in time, it's pathetic!
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