Image credit: Vernon Vipers
Here are the highlights from the Vernon Vipers YouTube page,
Monday, November 4, 2024
Vernon Vipers-West Kelowna Warriors Highlights:
Former Vernon Viper MacDonald Makes Kalamazoo Wings 2024-25 Season-Opening Roster:
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roster. former Vernon Vipers forward Ayden MacDonald is one of twenty one players to make the Wings season-opening roster.
Here is the press release from the ECHL website,
MacDonald is in his third season with the ECHL Kalamazoo Wings, after re-signing with the Wings August 29th 2023. In 64 regular season games last season, MacDonald collected (13-goals-9-assists-22-points).
MacDonald split the 2022-23 season with the ECHL Greenville Swamp Rabbits & ECHL Kalamazoo Wings. MacDonald started the 2022-23 season with the Swamp Rabbits before being traded to Kalamazoo March 16th 2023.
MacDonald played five years at Brock University from 2017-2022 before signing his first professional contract with the ECHL Greenville Swamp Rabbits January 4th 2022.
MacDonald committed to the Vernon Vipers for the 2014-15 season. The Vipers traded MacDonald & Jake Emilio to the Victoria Grizzlies October 8th 2014 for Brandon Egli, Mitch Meek and future considerations. MacDonald went pointless in 5 games with the Vipers. MacDonald played parts of four years in the BCHL with Surrey, Vernon, Victoria and Cowichan from 2013-2017.
Sunday, November 3, 2024
Warriors Humbled At Home:
Here is the story from Castanet.net,
West Kelowna Warriors drop their eighth in nine starts, 6-1 to visiting Vernon - BCHL - Castanet.net
Vernon Vipers-West Kelowna Warriors Highlights:
Here is Lucas Brennan's goal from the BCHL X page,
West Kelowna Warriors forward Sam LeDrew scores the Warriors lone goal of the night at 0:56 into the 2nd period.
Here is Sam LeDrew's goal from the BCHL X page,
Vernon Vipers defenceman Cooper Cleaves scores his second goal of the game on the power play at 7:01 of the 3rd period.
Here is Cooper Cleaves goal from the BCHL X page,
Former Viper Dorey Makes Bison 2024-25 Season-Opening Roster:
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opening roster. former Vernon Vipers defenceman Noah Dorey is one of twenty one players to make the Bison season-opening roster.
Here is the press release from the ECHL website,
Dorey is in his first season with the Bloomington Bison. The Bison signed Dorey August 19th 2024.
Dorey played parts of four seasons in the Western Hockey League with the Kelowna Rockets from 2019-2023.
Dorey played parts of one season with the 2023-24 Vernon Vipers. The Vipers signed Dorey October 21st 2023. In 26 games with the Vipers, Dorey collected (4-goals-10-assists-14-points).
Game Recap - "Parents Weekend" Vernon Vipers 6 West Kelowna Warriors 1
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 & West Kelowna Warriors as the Vipers defeated the Warriors 6-1 in front of 1,236 fans at Royal LePage Place.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon Vipers: Marko Bilic
West Kelowna Warriors: Jack Lisson
2nd Period: After being outplayed for most of the opening period, the Tribe got off to a quick start in the middle frame. Sam LeDrew got the Warriors on the board at 0:56 as West Kelowna played much better. The Warriors were skating, moving the puck, had more puck possession, more zone time and were generating/creating some opportunities. WK was the better team, had more of the edge in play. The Vipers had a couple of good shifts, hit the post once, saw a lot of time in there own end. Marko Bilic was sharp between the pipes, played very well. It was 4-1 Vernon after 40 minutes of play. Shots were 13-7 Warriors.
3rd Period: The Snakes re-grouped and played much better in the 3rd. Shea Busch gave Vernon a four goal lead at 0:47 before Cooper Cleaves basically put the game away on the power play. Vernon was the better team, carried the better of the play, had more puck possession, zone time and made smart plays with and without the puck. Instead of sitting back on a four or five goal lead, Vernon kept pressing. With the score out of hand, the Warriors top two units didn't see a shift for the remainder of the hockey game as WK had some looks/chances but looked like a team that was down and out. West Kelowna with not much of a 3rd period push got into penalty trouble with three minors. The Vipers snapped a three game losing streak with a 6-1 victory. Shots were 15-7.
Vernon Vipers Top Performers:
The line of Georgios Stavrianeas (1 goal & 1 assist), Simon Binkley and Lucas Brennan (1 goal) were very good and played very well through out the contest. Stavrianeas scored shorthanded late in the 1st while Brennan opened the scoring at 4:20 Binkley was winning races/battles along the boards as all three contributed
Carson McGinley (2 assists) Chipped in with two helpers, played well this evening
Cooper Cleaves (2 goals) Had a strong game at both ends of the rink. Cleaves was skating/moving the puck, made some plays at both ends of the rink to keep the puck moving
Keaton Dowhaniuk Took back to back penalties early to start the game, settled down as the game went on and played a physical/defensive game
Marko Bilic (27 saves) Earned just his second win of the season as both wins this year have come vs the West Kelowna Warriors. Bilic was very good in goal for Vernon, looked calm yet poised wasn't forced to make a ton of large saves but made the saves when called upon.
Game Thought's: Vernon Vipers
- The Vipers are 4-6-1-0 on the road this season
- The Vipers & Warriors play each other six times this season
- For a team that had 44 shots on goal Friday and lost 3-0 to Salmon Arm, managed to score six goals in the win tonight
- The Snakes are 1-1-0-0 at Royal LePage Place this season
- Vernon went 1-4 with the man advantage
- It didn't look good early as the Vipers took back to back penalties within the first five minutes, but Lucas Brennan opened the scoring at 4:20 as the Snakes score four 1st period goals in a period where they were the better team and outplayed the hometown West Kelowna Warriors. The Vipers had the edge in play, more puck possession, more zone time, more shots on goal, the better of the scoring chances, played very well.
- A good size turnout of Vipers fans in attendance tonight
- With the win, Vernon passes West Kelowna & Okotoks into 8th place in the Interior Conference
- The Vipers have outscored the Warriors 12-4 in the last two games
- The Vipers next game is Friday vs the visiting Trail Smoke Eaters
- Lukas Lomicky and Colton Sparrow are 12-10-4-0 during the regular season since taking over the Vipers bench last season after the Vipers and Jason McKee parted ways
- Since the Langley Hornets moved to West Kelowna in 2006 the Vipers are 50-43-7-3-2 vs the Warriors
- Vernon snapped it's three game losing streak with the win tonight
- I really liked the Snakes penalty kill. The Vipers kill off back to back early penalties to start the game, only allow one shot on both power plays, score once shorthanded don't give up a ton of chances on the PP
- Prior to tonight the Vipers had lost eight of there previous ten games in West Kelowna
- The Snakes play four of there next five games at home
- Up 4-0 heading into the 2nd period the Vipers give up an early goal inside the opening minute, didn't play as well as the 1st period, see a lot of action in there own end, get some saves from there goaltender, limit the Warriors opportunities, escape a period where they were slightly outplayed only give up one goal and head into the 3rd up by three goals
- The Vipers have lost three of there last five games are 5-3-2-0 in there last ten games
- At this time last season the Vipers still couldn't make a pass or break out of there own end, I have noticed a major difference in coaching this year and much much better/improved passing and a breakout are two things that have improved this year
- Defenceman Zhenya Miles played two seasons with the West Kelowna Warriors from 2022-2024 was traded to Vernon February 9th 2024
- I really liked Vernon's 3rd period. Instead of taking there foot off the gas and sitting back on a three goal lead, Shea Busch gives Vernon an early 5-1 lead at 0:47 before Cooper Cleaves with his second of the night on the PP gives the Vipers a commanding 6-1 lead. I thought the Vipers were the better team in the 3rd, had the better of the play, more puck possession, zone time, were getting pucks to the net and still thinking offence, generating/creating chances
- The Vipers & Warriors will play again January 3rd in Vernon
- The Vipers haven't been winning a ton of games this season, but I really like the way the team has been playing/improving from game to game, week to week. The Vipers could have easily won last weekend in Penticton, on Wednesday vs Victoria and should have won last night if they could have scored. This team is much better on paper then there record shows
- Prior to tonight, the Vipers had lost seven of there past ten games vs the Warriors
- For a team that can't score and has difficulties scoring this season, it's nice to see them get six tonight and maybe gain some confidence
- With the win, Vernon improves to 5-8-3-0 sits 8th in the Interior Conference
West Kelowna Warriors Top Performers:
Sam LeDrew (1 goal) Was the only real player that stood out and played well for the Tribe. LeDrew got the Warriors on the board at 0:56 of the 2nd period with a rocket of a shot. Was quick on his feet, played with a lot of jump
Game Thought's: West Kelowna Warriors
- Heading into tonight's game, the Vipers & Warriors only had four wins this season
- Tonight was "Parents Weekend" as the game was delayed close to fifteen minutes due to the Warriors pre-game players/parents introductions
- The Warriors home record falls to 2-4-0-0
- Forward Jack Pridham was selected in the 3rd round by the Chicago Blackhawks
- Tonight's the second game of a three game home stand
- Starting the game with back to back power plays, the Warriors couldn't capitalize with the man advantage. Instead they give up a shorthanded goal and fall behind 4-0 after the 1st period in a period where they didn't look very good, were outplayed, gave up four goals, struggled with the PP, struggled offensively and gave the Vipers way too much time and space, leaving starting goaltender Jack Lisson to hang out to dry
- The Tribe went 1-5 with the power play
- A good sized crowd on hand this evening. Tonight's attendance was announced at 1,236
- The Warriors play six of there next eight games on the road
- West Kelowna struggled defensively, had troubles containing/defending the Vipers for most of the contest
- The Warriors have lost four of there last five games and lost eight of there last ten games
- The Warriors played much better in the 2nd period, had the better of the play, had more puck possession, zone time, were finally able to create and generate some opportunities. West Kelowna did a much better job defensively, limiting the Vipers time and space, allowing less shots on goal and giving up less chances. West Kelowna needed more then one goal to have a chance in the 3rd for a come back
- The Warriors power play struggled through out the game. I think if the Warriors score on at least one of the two early PPs to start the game or even capitalize on two of the three PP's this may be a different game
- West Kelowna shortened there bench in the 3rd with the top two lines sitting out for most of the final frame
- The Warriors next game is Tuesday vs the visiting Penticton Vees
- Heading into the 3rd down 4-1 I thought I would see more of a push back from the hometown Warriors, instead it was Vernon who didn't sit back, scored inside the opening minute and put the game away on the PP. The Tribe had a couple of shifts with some good looks/opportunities but it wasn't enough as the Vipers were the better team, had the edge in play, more puck possession, looked like they wanted the game more
- The past few seasons the Warriors have been knocking on the door of the Penticton Vees as one of the top two or three teams in the Interior. With only four wins this year and near the bottom of the standings, I didn't see this coming when the season started
- With the loss, West Kelowna falls to 4-8-2-1 sit 10th in the Interior Conference
Scratches:
Vernon Vipers:
Jakub Galnor
Joey Mugaas
West Kelowna Warriors:
Aidan Malone (Injured)
Ayo Ogini
Carter Oakenfold
Luciano Bruno (Injured)
Energy Player of the Game:
Sam LeDrew (1 goal)
Three Star's:
1st Star: Cooper Cleaves (2 goals)
2nd Star: Georgios Stavrianeas (1 goal & 1 assist)
3rd Star: Carson McGinley (2 assists)
Boxscore-Game Summary,
Game Report,
Text Box Score,
Vernon Junior Hockey History website,
VernonJrAHockey.CA
Please feel free to leave comments or suggestions in the comment box below. Please be respectful when leaving comments.
Here are some photo's I took before and during tonight's Vernon Vipers-West Kelowna game.
Saturday, November 2, 2024
Busch Named Honourable Mention For 3 Stars Of The Month:
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3 Stars of the Month.
Here is the press release from the BCHL website,
Loranger, Mrsic, Bachler named FortisBC 3 Stars of the Month | BCHL League Site
Shea Busch's Player Profile:
Vernon Vipers-Salmon Arm Silverbacks Highlights:
Game Preview: "Parents Weekend" Vernon Vipers @ West Kelowna Warriors:
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Tonight is the fourth of six regular season meetings between the Vernon Vipers & West Kelowna Warriors.
Vernon Vipers Regular Season Record/Stats vs the Westside Warriors/West Kelowna Warriors since 2009 (The Langley Hornets franchise moved to West Kelowna in 2006)
Games Played:104
Wins:49
Losses:43
Overtime Losses: 7
Shootout Wins: 0
Shootout Losses: 3
Tie: 2
Overtime Record: 8-7
Shootout Record: 0-3
Home Record: 29-18-4-0-2
Road Record: 20-26-3-3-0
Vernon Vipers BCHL Showcase Record/Stats vs the West Kelowna Warriors. (BCHL Showcase started in 2012)
Games Played: 1
Wins: 0
Losses: 1
Overtime Wins: 0
Overtime Losses: 0
Shootout Wins: 0
Shootout Losses: 0
Vernon Vipers 2020-21 Pod Season Record/Stats vs the West Kelowna Warriors (All games were played in Vernon)
Games Played: 10
Wins: 6
Losses: 3
Overtime Wins: 0
Overtime Losses: 0
Shootout Wins: 0
Shootout Losses: 1
The West Kelowna Warriors have won fourteen of their last eighteen regular season games over the Vernon Vipers
The Vernon Vipers are 3-5-1-1 in their last ten regular season games vs the West Kelowna Warriors
The Vernon Vipers are 2-6-0-2 in their last ten regular season games in West Kelowna
The Vernon Vipers are 4-5-1-0 in their last ten home regular season games vs the West Kelowna Warriors
The Vernon Vipers last regular season win at home vs the West Kelowna Warriors was a 6-3 victory on October 11th 2024
The West Kelowna Warriors last regular season win in Vernon was a 4-3 overtime victory on September 28th 2024
The Vernon Vipers last regular season win in West Kelowna was a 4-3 overtime victory on October 18th 2023
The West Kelowna Warriors last regular season win at home vs the Vernon Vipers was a 2-1 victory on September 27th 2024
Vernon Junior Hockey Franchise History:
1961-1962 Vernon Jr Canadians
1962-1967 Vernon Blades
1967-1973 Vernon Essos
1973-1978 Vernon Vikings
1979-1980 No team
1980-1995 Vernon Lakers
1995-Present Vernon VipersWest Kelowna Junior Hockey Franchise History:
2006-2012 Westside Warriors
2012-Present West Kelowna Warriors
Vernon Vipers/West Kelowna Warriors 2024 Preseason Schedule:
September 6th West Kelowna @ Vernon: Warriors won 4-0
Vernon Vipers/West Kelowna Warriors 2024-25 regular season schedule:
September 27th Vernon @ West Kelowna: Warriors 2-1
September 28th West Kelowna @ Vernon: Warriors won 4-3 overtime
October 11th West Kelowna @ Vernon: Vipers won 6-3
November 2nd Vernon @ West Kelowna
January 3rd West Kelowna @ Vernon
February 8th Vernon @ West Kelowna
Let's take a look at the Vernon Vipers:
The 4-8-3-0 Vernon Vipers make their second of three regular season visits to Royal LePage Place, are coming off a 3-0 loss Friday vs the visiting Salmon Arm Silverbacks. Tonight's the fourth regular season meeting between the Vipers & Warriors. The Vipers are 1-2 vs the Warriors. The last time these two teams met, the Vipers won 6-3 at home October 11th. The Vipers have lost three straight games, four of there last five and six of there last ten games. Vernon sits 9th in the Interior Conference.
Zhenya Miles played parts of two seasons with the West Kelowna Warriors from 2022-2024. Miles was traded to Vernon February 9th 2024
Vernon Vipers 2024-25 Roster:
Vernon Vipers 2024-25 Regular Season Scoring Leader:
Will Schumacher (4-9-13)
Vernon Vipers 2024-25 Regular Season Record/Stats:
Games Played: 15
Wins: 4
Losses: 8
Overtime Wins: 0
Overtime Losses: 3
Shootout Wins: 0
Shootout Losses: 0
Overtime Record: 0-3
Shootout Record: 0-0
Home Record: 1-1-2-0
Road Record: 3-6-1-0
When the Vipers score first: 3-3
When the opponents score first: 1-8
Leading after the 1st period: 3-2
Tied after the 1st period: 0-4
Trailing after the 1st period: 1-5
Leading after the 2nd period: 3-3
Tied after the 2nd period: 0-1
Trailing after the 2nd period: 1-7
Out shooting opponents: 1-5
Out shot by opponents: 1-6
One goal games: 0-6
Goals for: 40
Goals against: 52
Record vs Interior Conference: 4-7-2-0
Record vs Coastal Conference: 0-1-1-0
Longest winning streak: 2 Games
Longest losing streak: 6 Games
Standings: 9th Place Interior Conference
Vernon Vipers Returning Players From 2023-24 Season:
Forward Georgios Stavrianeas 05
Forward Carson McGinley 06
Forward Shea Busch 07
Forward Luke Bibby 04
Forward Erik Pastro 05
Defenceman Zhenya Miles 06
Defenceman Lukas McCloskey 05
Defenceman Cooper Cleaves 06
Goaltender Colin Reay 05
Vernon Vipers Departed/Traded Players From 2023-24 Season:
Forward Hank Cleaves 03
Forward Owen Kim 04
Forward Adam Csabi 05
Forward Payton Struck 05
Forward Isaac Tremblay 04
Forward Luke Pakulak 03
Forward Julian Facchinelli 04
Forward Bronson Ross 06
Forward Nick Mikan 04
Forward Ewan McPherson 04
Defencemen Anthony Cliche 03
Defencemen Connor Elliott 03
Defencemen Etienne Lessard 04
Defencemen Noah Dorey 03
Defencemen Filip Krajcik 04
Defencemen Linden Burrett 06
Goaltender Ethan David 03Vernon Vipers 2024-25 Regular Season Home Record vs West Kelowna Warriors:
1-0-1-0
Vernon Vipers 2024-25 Regular Season Road Record vs West Kelowna Warriors:
0-1-0-0
Vernon Vipers 2024-25 Regular Season Scoring Leaders vs West Kelowna Warriors:
Landon MacDonald (1-3-4)
Shea Busch (2-1-3)
Cooper Cleaves (0-2-2)
Lucas Brennan (1-1-2)
Simon Binkley (0-2-2)
Georgios Stavrianeas (2-0-2)
Erik Pastro (0-2-2)
Will Schumacher (1-1-2)
Charlie Kresl (1-0-1)
Marko Stojkov (0-1-1)
Carson McGinley (0-1-1)
Luke Bibby (0-1-1)
Lukas McCloskey (1-0-1)
Keeghan Dunn (1-0-1)
Colin Reay (0-2 Record)
Marko Bilic (1-0 Record)
Let's take a look at the West Kelowna Warriors:
The 4-7-2-1 West Kelowna Warriors are coming off a 4-1 loss Friday to the visiting Brooks Bandits. Tonight's the second game of a three game home stand. The Warriors and Vipers will meet again January 3rd in Vernon. The Warriors have lost four of there last five games and lost eight of there last ten games. West Kelowna sits 9th in the Interior Conference.
West Kelowna Warriors 2024-25 Roster:
West Kelowna Warriors 2024-25 Regular Season Scoring Leader:
Jackson Kyrkostas (0-14-14)
West Kelowna Warriors 2024-25 Regular Season Record/Stats:
Games Played: 14
Wins: 4
Losses: 7
Overtime Losses: 2
Shootout Losses: 1
Home Record: 2-3-0-0
Road Record: 2-4-2-1
Goals for: 33
Goals against: 55
Standings: 8th Place Interior Conference
West Kelowna Warriors Returning Players From 2023-24 Season:
Forward 05 Jack Pridham
Forward 06 Callum Hughes
Forward 04 Jackson Krykostas
Forward 05 Carter Oakenfold
Forward 05 Caden Kemkaran-Humble
Forward 07 Elliott Compton
Defencemen 04 Simon Houge
Defencemen 05 Landen Hilditch
Defencemen 05 Kaiden Schaupmeyer
Defencemen 04 Jack Farrell
West Kelowna Warriors Departed/Traded Players From 2023-24 Season:
Forward 05 Ben Henshall
Forward 05 Jack Pridham
Forward 05 Owen Drury
Forward 06 Callum Hughes
Forward 03 Brennan Nelson
Forward 04 Felix Caron
Forward 03 Michael Salandra
Forward 04 Johannes Lokkeberg
Forward 03 Viggo Nordstrom
Defencemen 04 Trey Ausmus
Defencemen 03 Dylan Brooks
Defencemen 03 Isaiah Norlin
Defencemen 04 Sean Keohane
Goaltender 03 Rorke Applebee
Goaltender 04 Matthew DellaRusso
West Kelowna Warriors 2024-25 Regular Season Home Record vs Vernon Vipers:
1-0-0-0
West Kelowna Warriors 2024-25 Regular Season Road Record vs Vernon Vipers:
1-1-0-0
West Kelowna Warriors 2024-25 Regular Season Scoring Leaders vs Vernon Vipers:
Dylan Krayer (2-1-3)
Callum Hughes (2-1-3)
Jackson Kyrkostas (0-2-2)
Carter Oakenfold (2-0-2)
Laz Giardina (1-1-2)
Jack Pridham (1-0-1)
Aidan Malone (0-1-1)
Owen Drury (0-1-1)
Sam LeDrew (0-1-1)
Luka Graziano (0-1-1)
Jack Farrell (1-0-1)
Ayo Ogini (1-0 Record)
Dawson Labre (1-1 Record)
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