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 2.6 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 Vernon Vipers-Cranbrook Bucks game as the Vipers defeated the Bucks 10-2 in front of 1,472 fans at Kal Tire Place.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon Vipers: Ethan David
Cranbrook Bucks: Carter Capton
2nd Period: The visiting Cranbrook Bucks saw a lot more time with the puck, had more zone time and carried the edge in play, but let's not forget it was 5-0 Vernon to start the middle frame. I thought the Bucks had an edge in play and once again, generated a few quality looks/chances but Vipers starting netminder Ethan David was solid between the pipes. Adam Csabi scored his third goal of the contest at 7:41 With the Vipers up five goals and in control it looked like the Snakes took their foot off the gas for stages of the 2nd period, still played hard and created/generated some opportunities. Jack Silich broke Ethan David's shutout bid at 13:49 The Vipers went 0-1 with the PP, while the Bucks went 0-1 with the man advantage. It was 7-1 Vernon after 40 minutes of play. Vernon outshot Cranbrook 14-12.
3rd Period: With the game one sided, I thought the Vipers were the better team to start the period and for a good chunk of the first half. The Snakes had several good looks/quality chances. The Bucks did manage to gain some puck possession and zone time and did create some looks/opportunities as both teams were still playing hard. Both teams had a few hits in the final period. Newly acquired Nick Mikan recorded his third goal of the hockey game in his Vipers home debut. Jarrod Smith missed the net on a breakaway, while Jaden Fodchuk and Noah Dorey dropped the gloves. Jaxon Fuder was given a ten minute misconduct late in the hockey game. The Vipers come away with a 10-2 win. Cranbrook outshot Vernon 12-11.
Vernon Vipers Top Performers:
Noah Dorey Made his Vipers home debut, played very well. I thought played and looked good. Really adds some experience and size to the Viper blueline.
Georgios Stavrianeas (2 assists) Played with speed, pace and a lot of jump/energy. Played well picking up two helpers, was involved in the play, used his speed to open up some ice and create some chances. This kid seems to play well and be consistent close to every game.
Erik Pastro (1 goal & 2 assists) Didn't stand out but played well through out the game. A local kid that has been consistent on most night's this season.
Adam Csabi (3 goals) This kid is fun to watch. Is quick on his feet, reads and sees the ice well.
Nick Mikan (3 goals) A big body that's involved in the play, has a nice shot and goes to the net. Played very well in his Vipers home debut.
Hank Cleaves (4 assists) Recorded three assists in the opening frame alone. Was hard to contain and defend, especially in the first two periods. Took a high stick to the face that was missed, needed some attention from the trainer but stayed in the hockey game.
Ethan David (34 saves) Had to be sharp in the opening frame after the Bucks come up with several quality scoring chances. Cranbrook capitalizes on a couple of these chances and this may be a different hockey game. David has played very well in back to back games.
Game Thought's: Vernon Vipers
- The Vipers improve to 3-0 vs Cranbrook this season
- Vernon is 4-1 at home this season
- The Vipers scored three goals less then six minutes into the hockey game
- The Snakes went 1-2 with the man advantage
- Can someone pass along to the PA announcer when they announce the scoring to please tell fans how many goals the player has on the season, like they do at almost every other hockey game
- The Vipers were obviously the better team, capitalized on their chances this evening
- The Snakes have been very disciplined this season and again tonight, only taking two minors
- Adam Csabi & Nick Mikan both recorded hat tricks
- With Colin Reay out due to injury, Kaden Clegg "AP" was the teams backup goaltender tonight
- The Vipers next game is Friday at home vs Prince George
- Someone please change up the music during games! Why have we been listening to the same music all season and a lot of the same music for several years now! Someone upgrade and upload some new music for the Viper games
- A very small crowd tonight. Tonight's attendance was announced at 1,472
- At one point the Vipers had scored five goals on just nine shots
- Tonight's the first game of a three game home stand
- When was the last time the Vipers looked and played this well this early in a season?
- The Vipers created/generated loads of offence, capitalized on their opportunities
- This has been the best Viper team we have seen since new ownership bought the team in 2018
- The Snakes were physical at times, finished their checks
- If you look at the standings, these games are games you need to win. You need to beat teams below you in the standings but also teams that are struggling and Cranbrook is one team that is struggling and has been struggling this season
- Vernon has won back to back games and won three of their last five games
- All three concessions were open this evening for the first time this hockey season. Three local companies have taken over the three concessions inside Kal Tire Place
- The Vipers went 1-3-0-1 vs Cranbrook last season
- The Snakes scored a couple of highlight reel goals this evening
- Vernon was really clicking offensively and whatever was thrown towards the net, seemed to go in
- When's the last time two Vipers had hat tricks in the same game?
- These two teams will meet again December 15th in Cranbrook
- For a one sided game, give credit to both teams and the officials for not letting this game get out of hand with penalties and altercations after the whistle
- With the win, Vernon improves to 10-4-0-0 sit 2nd in the Interior Division
Cranbrook Bucks Top Performers:
I didn't think anyone stood out or played well for Cranbrook
Game Thought's: Cranbrook Bucks
- The Bucks have been outscored 19-6 in three games vs Vernon
- Tonight's the first game of a three game road trip
- The Bucks have lost five straight games
- The Bucks had all kinds of trouble not only stopping goals from going in tonight but containing/defending the Viper offence
- Cranbrook went 0-2 with the power play
- Playing on the road, down 5-0 in the 1st period must be not only tough but hard to try and stay competitive in a game that's already out of hand
- The Bucks didn't get the saves when needed as goaltending let them down, especially in the first period
- The Bucks needed five minutes to record their first shot of the hockey game
- Cranbrook has one win in their last eleven games
- The Bucks got off to a slow start, gave up three goals in less then six minutes, were down 5-0 after the opening period
- Cranbrook did manage to create/generate some looks/quality chances in both the 1st and 2nd periods but couldn't solve Ethan David
- Jarrod Smith missed the net on a 3rd period breakaway
- Both Cranbrook goaltenders didn't have a great night and struggled between the pipes
- The Bucks did manage to sustain some pressure and zone time through out the game but were already down five or more goals
- The Bucks fall to 2-5-0-0 on the road this season
- The Bucks next game is Friday in Penticton
- Give some credit to Cranbrook for not laying an egg and allowing Vernon to dominate the game from start to finish. Yes the score was 10-2 but the Bucks did gain some zone time, have puck possession and create/generate opportunities
- Cranbrook is 0-2 in Vernon
- Starting netminder Carter Capton gave up three goals on just five Viper shots
- You have to wonder, if the Bucks get a couple of saves in the 1st period and capitalize on a few of their chances, this could be a different hockey game
- The Bucks went 0-1-0-1 in Vernon last season
- With the loss, Cranbrook falls to 3-10-1-0 sit last in the Interior Division
Scratches:
Vernon Vipers:
Julian Facchinelli (Injured)
Linden Burrett
Owen Kim
Colin Reay (Injured)
Cranbrook Bucks:
Patrick Czarnecki
Oskar Cederqvist
Julian Frias
Energy Player of the Game:
Georgios Stavrianeas (2 assists)
Three Star's:
1st Star: Adam Csabi (3 goals)
2nd Star: Nick Mikan (3 goals)
3rd Star: Hank Cleaves (4 assists)
Boxscore-Game Summary,
Game Report,
Text Box Score,
Vernon Junior Hockey History website,
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