I was born and raised in Vernon, BC and been watching/following junior hockey in Vernon my entire life. My family watched senior men's hockey in Vernon in the 1950's and has been watching/following junior hockey in Vernon since getting a team 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. I started and created this blog in 2008 and have over 5 million viewers.
I was at tonight's Vernon Vipers-Cranbrook Bucks game as the Cranbrook Bucks defeated the Vernon Vipers 6-1 in front of 1,677 fans at Kal Tire Place.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon Vipers: Brendan Gee
Cranbrook Bucks: Richard Rajaj
1st Period: The visiting Cranbrook Bucks were the better team in the first half and had a slight edge in play overall in the opening frame. The game got off to a bit of a rough start with some chippy ness just nine seconds off the opening puck drop. The game took a while to get going with lot's of whistles and stoppages in play early and often. I liked the Bucks start as Cranbrook had a little more of the play, a little more puck posession and jumped out to an early 7-1 lead in shots and an early 2-0 lead. The Snakes responded and played better in the second half, seemed to get their legs going, started getting pucks to the net and getting some looks. It was 2-0 Bucks after 20 minutes of play. Shots were 8-6 Cranbrook.
2nd Period: I thought both teams were pretty even in the first half, with both teams going back and fourth. Both teams had some looks/chances and both teams had some puck possession and zone time. It was just past the midway mark when the game changed. Cranbrook would capitalize on their opportunities and a few defensive let downs from Vernon, scored two goals in less then two minutes before basically putting the game away with a 5-1 lead. This took the wind out of the sails of the hometown crowd and Vipers. Matt Cooke quickly made a goaltending change after Brendan Gee allowed five goals on twenty Bucks shots. Oliver Kanat replaced Gee. That killed any hope for the Snakes in a big way. It was 5-1 Cranbrook after 40 minutes of play. Shots were 13-11 Bucks.
3rd Period: With the game basically over, the Bucks seemed to take their foot off the gas as the Vipers carried the better of the play for most of the 3rd period. This was a very slow going period with lot's of whistles, stoppages and chippy ness. We saw our first of two fights this season in a rough and physical period. The Snakes had lot's of puck possession, zone time, even though down 6-1 were still competing, creating plays, getting some looks/opportunities. Alex Edwards left the ice in discomfort, went to the dressing room and didn't return. Ben Edwards also left the ice late in the contest and didn't return. With the game out of reach, Cranbrook sat back, took their foot off the gas and didn't allow the Vernon Vipers to get back into the hockey game. With the game out of reach, this wasn't much of a period to watch. The Bucks come away with the 6-1 victory. Shots were 8-8.
Vernon Vipers Top Players:
Nathaniel Harvey played with a ton of jump/energy, come to play and was one of the hardest working Vipers this evening. I thought Harvey looked very good and played well in the Vipers home opener on Friday. Harvey was skating hard, in on the puck, battling down low, never quit
Toms Trockis I thought also looked good and played well in the loss. I thought Trockis was involved in the play often, seem to always be in and around the net, was skating hard, getting involved in the play and competed
Alex Edwards I thought used his size, played with a bit of an edge, was physical, didn't back down from the scrums/altercations, played well and looked good until leaving the game in the 3rd with some discomfort
Game Thought's: Vernon Vipers
- For a second straight night, the Vipers took a lot of penalties
- I'm really enjoying the new video scoreboard that was recently installed. It's huge, bright and very clear. I'm really enjoying the replays
- Including the preseason, the Snakes are 0-5-1-0 this season
- One thing I have noticed in the first two games, is the Vipers don't shoot enough. They tend to try and make the pretty play, or make a poor pass that results in nothing. I'd like to see Vernon shoot the puck more, go to the net and look for rebounds
- The Vipers next game is Friday vs the visiting Trail Smoke Eaters
- Vernon has given up ten goals in the first two games
- I thought the Bucks were the better team in the first half of the 1st period and had a slight edge in play most of the period. Cranbrook jumped out to a 2-0 lead with goals less then two minutes apart. Cranbrook was getting pucks to the net early, had some puck possession and zone time and looked good in the first half. The Vipers played better in the second half, were finally able to get some pucks to the net after being outshot 7-1 at one point. Vernon would get some puck possession and zone time in the second half and ended the period on a strong note. This was a chippy period, that all started just nine seconds into the hockey game. A very slow period with lot's of whistles/stoppages etc
- Defenceman Brayden Pankey made his Vipers debut tonight
- A much smaller crowd tonight compared to the teams home opener. Tonight's attendance was announced at 1,677
- Starting goaltender Brendan Gee was pulled after the Bucks fifth goal. Gee allowed five goals on twenty Cranbrook shots
- This game had lot's of scrums, that lead to whistles etc that really slowed the game down
- The Vipers & Bucks will meet seven times during the regular season
- Including the preseason, the Vipers are 0-2 vs Cranbrook this season
- I thought both teams were fairly even in the 2nd period as the play seemed to go back and fourth. Both teams had some puck possession, zone time, opportunities. The game changed just past the midway mark when the Bucks capitalized on two defensive letdowns, scoring twice in less then two minutes to take a 5-1 lead. This basically put the game away
- For a second straight night, the visitors were getting in behind Vernon's defence
- The Snakes went 0-5 with the man advantage
- After Vipers fans got to see Trail & Cranbrook this weekend to open the 2025-26 regular season, the same two teams are back in Vernon next weekend. Including the preseason, Vernon plays Cranbrook and Trail in eight of their first ten games
- The Vipers have never lead in one game this season (preseason & regular season)
- Vernon couldn't buy a goal tonight. The Vipers had some good looks/opportunities didn't catch a break or get a bounce go there way
- With the game out of reach and the Bucks taking their foot off the gas, the hometown Vipers carried the better of the play for most of the 3rd period. A period that was very chippy, also included two fights. Ben Edwards and Alex Edwards left the game in discomfort and didn't return. Down 6-1 Vernon didn't quit, had lot's of zone time and puck possession, couldn't get the puck past Richard Rajaj who was solid between the pipes for the Bucks. This was another slow paced period with lot's of whistles and stoppages in play, that dragged out the period
- The Snakes defence struggled for a second straight night
- It's early but Vernon definintely has trouble scoring this season. Including the preseason, the Vipers have scored just eleven goals in six games
- The Vipers went 1-3-0-0 vs Cranbrook last season
- If you take away the two defensive errors just past the midway mark of the 2nd period that lead to goals, I don't think this is a 6-1 hockey game. Before these two defensive errors/goals, the Vipers were in this hockey game
- One thing I noticed is even with the game out of hand, the Snakes didn't quit and played hard until the final buzzer
- Tonight's the second game of a four game home stand
- With the loss, Vernon falls to 0-1-1-0
Cranbrook Bucks Top Players:
Malachi Freh (1 assist) I thought played well on the Bucks blueline
Adam Csabi (1 goal & 1 assist) The former Vipers forward made his return to Vernon as a Cranbrook Buck and played well. Csabi almost scored his second of the night on a breakaway but couldn't slide the puck into the open netting. Csabi is a very smooth skater, soft hands, very skilled, quick on his feet
Grant Denuccio (1 goal & 1 assist) Was another Bucks forward that played well and looked good. This kid is quick on his feet, a smooth skater, hard to defend/contain
Richard Rajaj (24 saves) Played his position very well, covers a lot of the net, stays in the blue paint, plays at the top of his crease, is quick on his feet, smothers the puck well, doesn't give up many if any rebounds
Game Thought's: Cranbrook Bucks
- The Bucks next game is Friday in West Kelowna
- Cranbrook went 0-3 with the power play
- I liked the Bucks 1st period. I thought they were the better team in the first half and had a slight edge in play for the period. Cranbrook jumped out to a 7-1 lead in shots and a 2-0 score with two quick back to back early goals minutes apart. The visiting Bucks had the early puck possession, zone time, were getting pucks to the net and capitalizing on their chances. This was a feisty period with lot's of scrums/altercations after the whistle
- The Bucks won the only exhibition game vs the Vipers with a 4-3 win in Vernon September 5th
- Forward Adam Csabi played the 2024-25 season with the Vipers, was traded to Cranbrook during the 2024-25 season
- Assistant Coach Roman Vopat was drafted by the St. Louis Blues in 1994 played four seasons in the NHL with Chicago, St. Louis, Los Angeles and Philadelphia
- Both teams got into penalty trouble in a very chippy/feisty hockey game
- I thought both teams were pretty even in the 2nd period until the Bucks scored an early PP goal to grab a 3-1 lead and then just past the halfway mark, blew the game open with two quick back to back goals to take a 5-1 lead into the 3rd. This pretty much put the game away as the Bucks coasted for the remainder of the period in a period that saw the Vipers wind taken out of their sails
- Tonight's the second game of a five game road trip. The Bucks home opener is October 4th vs Salmon Arm
- These two teams will meet again next Saturday in Vernon
- With an early goal to start the 3rd and a 6-1 lead, the Bucks took their foot off the gas as Vernon carried the better of the play for most of the period. Cranbrook gave up some looks/chances but their goaltender was solid in goal
- With the win, Cranbrook improves to 1-0-1-0
Scratches:
Vernon Vipers:
Seth Tansem
Lane Sim
Deacon Drummond
Antoine Demers
Cranbrook Bucks:
Nathan Wright
Jordan Murray
Konnor Bissell
Energy Player of the Game:
Alex Edwards
Three Star's:
1st Star: Adam Csabi (1 goal & 1 assist)
2nd Star: Elliott Mullen (1 goal & 1 assist)
3rd Star: Nikolaj Rupie (2 assists)
Boxscore-Game Summary,
Cranbrook Bucks @ Vernon Vipers Saturday, September 20, 2025 | BCHL League Site
Game Report,
Game Report
Text Box Score,
Official statistics powered by LeagueStat.com
Vernon Junior Hockey History website,
19 comments:
Good squad team… going to be long year again I believe
Why are all these guys the vipers getting rid of come back and play well.
Georgios staverneas and Eric Pastro both played great yesterday helping trail push past the snakes then tonight first star Adam csabi… what is going on I do not get it. Are players not wanting to come here or what the deal?
And what’s with the fights. More fights then goals not very positive early struggles
Pretty sure the players left the team by choice
Ya but, fights? wondering why? it is a no brainer, Matt Cooke as coach!
Why blame the coach for the fights? That implies the players can’t think for themselves. The fights were minor, no major injuries and a chance to establish some toughness.
Why did Cranbrook fight? Was it their coach as well?
So if Miller is such a genius marketer why is this blog trying to help the Vipers get sponsors??? I know it's a post from earlier but wanted to understand. I personally believe he is TOO involved with the hockey end of things...
I really enjoyed the game last night. The compete level of play from beginning to end was strong. The standing up for each other as a team was noticeable. I feel the vipers will be a hard team to play against once they gel together as players and learn head coach Matt Cooke systems. GO,VIPERS,GO.
In response to GN...sometimes a change of scenery really helps a player. Just playing for a coach that values you differently and shows confidence in you can help you elevate your game and renew confidence. I think that's what's happening with the above mentioned players
What a crappy game last night, no control. The reffing was brutal. I thought they left our goalie wide open with no defensive play just standing around and that’s how Cranbrook scored those 3 goals. Vipers couldn’t pass the puck to each other no control at all. Lots of fans said no where near the team that played Friday. I I don’t think it will be as bad as last year, I hope it’s just going to take some time to adjust the team and get them to gel. I like how they showed Cooke giving it to the refs on the video screen. And I like at the end when they announce the stars they show their picture on the screen. They say 1600 fans on website but I don’t think that many were at the game. I enjoy reading everyone’s comments on here, everyone has an opinion and that’s what sports are all about.
Crazy train stop with this right now. You have no idea how hard these people work to put on a hockey game and what it takes behind the scenes. They do it over and over again with little appreciation. Getting the new score clock up was a huge feat and all you do is make unfounded assumptions that are completely false. Shame on you! Go find something else to complain about maybe something you actually know what you’re talking about. Diehard I’m assuming you want this blog to be something to be proud of? Act like a leader and stop allowing nonsense rumors to be spread and stop calling out names of people who you know nothing about what they do.
What are you talking about? How does this blog help get sponsors?
Crazy Train do you know how much it costs to run a team? Two years ago it was roughly 1.2 million per season and I'm sure it's alot more now. Advertising is all over the ice, rink boards,concrete pillars, stair cases and anywhere else they can promote a sponsor and create revenue for the team. All VDHF did was post a video the Vipers had posted themselves.
Crazytrain, I’m not trying to get the Vipers sponsors. The Vipers had a promo video to become a sponsor this season, and I reposted the video.
What the Vipers lost again? And fights broke out? The Vipers need some help as they haven’t won a game
Those few little spurts to start the game and in the 2nd period cost the Vipers the game. Vipers also don't have anyone to put the puck in the net. We were late with recruiting, compared to the other teams, so this is what you get
The Vernon vipers fans judging are team now and it’s coaches is a little unfair as it has always been until the new year you really won’t see the results on the ice until the players gel as a team and learn the coaches systems and that has always been regardless who the coaches are or it’s players. Go vipers Go
Time for BCHL to change their name. Teams no longer have to have any BC players on their rosters. It’s been changed to 10 Canadians. The rest of the roster can be from anywhere in the world
Why should the BCHL change their name? It was Alberta teams that joined, not b the other way around. It was established here. Should Canada Dry change their name because it’s sold in other countries?
How many of you commenting have kids from BC in the Junior system. I’m guessing very few. When bchl left hockey Canada they said they would continue their commitment to developing BC players. With the new roster rules there is no commitment to BC players. There is no longer a Tier 2 league in BC that competes in the CJHL. The owners of the PJ teams didn’t agree on tier 1 so there still isn’t a league in BC. Even if they managed to get the teams to vote in favour of tier one they would not have been part of the cjhl. No other junior league has such rogue rules BCHL seems to have lost their vision. They won’t compete with the USHL nor the WHL. It’s very frustrating as a parent. I understand hockey is a business but the BCHL, BC hockey and hockey Canada have screwed BC athletes
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