I was born and raised in Vernon, BC and been watching/following Junior hockey in Vernon my whole life. My family watched Senior mens 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 2.2 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 Vipers-Spruce Kings game as Prince George defeated Vernon 8-0 in front of 1,730 fans at Kal Tire Place.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon Vipers: Roan Clarke
Prince George Spruce Kings: Jordan Fairlie
1st Period: The Vipers had lots of life and jump early, lost the opening faceoff but would get a handful of chances early into the hockey game. Three minutes into the period, Luke Pakulak setup Hank Cleaves on an odd man rush, couldn't solve Jordan Fairlie who made a big pad stop, keeping this game scoreless. About two minutes later, Kurt Gurkan with a good look/opportunity in the slot was denied by Jordan Fairlie. One minute later, Regan Milburn would be stopped in close and then Kurt Gurkan with his second opportunity a minute later, would be denied again in front. The Snakes with several chances couldn't open the scoring. Just past the midway mark, the Spruce Kings would get the games first power play. Off the opening faceoff, Roan Clarke was forced to come out to challenge to make a big stop at the top of the crease. Shortly after, Ben LeFranc's point shot beat Roan Clarke, but not the post as PG come close to opening the scoring. Those were the only two opportunities the Spruce Kings would manage as Vernon killed off the minor. This seemed to change the momentum of the hockey game as Prince George slowly started to take over the edge in play and shortly after the PP Ty Gagno spotted Charlie Banquier in the slot, beat Roan Clarke low along the ice, giving Prince George a 1-0 lead at 13:39 Ty Gagno and Austin Fraser collected the assists. About two minutes later, Luke Pakulak's shot from the circle, forced Jordan Fairlie into making a blocker save. Shortly after, Luke Ashton turned over the puck, allowing Linden Makow to setup John Herrington alone in the slot, giving Prince George a 2-0 lead at 18:12 Linden Makow drew the lone helper. It was 2-0 Prince George after 20 minutes of play. I really liked Vernon's start as the Vipers come out with a lot of jump/energy, created/generated some chances and looked very good in the first half. I thought the Snakes had the edge in play, more zone time and had the better of the chances. Vernon's problem was they couldn't capitalize on their chances. The Vipers had only one shot in the final twelve minutes of the period. The Spruce Kings were a head in shots in the first half but didn't generate much offensively, saw more action in their own end. It was after a power play, that seemed to turn the tables and change the momentum where PG took over the edge in play and were the better team in the second half. Prince George outshot Vernon 10-5.
2nd Period: Not a lot of action early and in the first half. The Spruce Kings would get their second man advantage of the game just before the halfway mark. Shorthanded the Vipers sprung Reagan Milburn in for the breakaway, just as Milburn went to make a move, Kai Greaves with a strong defensive play, broke up the scoring chance as Milburn couldn't get a shot. The Snakes with a good PK managed to kill off the penalty. Shortly after a shot from the point, hit someone or something on it's way to the net and the puck come up in the air, landing on top of the Vipers net before coming down and was very close to bouncing in and past Roan Clarke as the Vipers catch a break. On the next shift, Kilian McGregor-Bennett's shot from the circle, forced Roan Clarke into flashing the leather, with a quick glove save. Shortly after Ty Gagno's point shot hit something or went off a body in front, as the puck changed direction, beating Vernon Vipers starting goaltender Roan Clarke, giving Prince George a 3-0 lead at 13:03 Colton Cameron & Austin Fraser picked up the assists. Two minutes later, PG went back to the power play and capitalized. Linden Makow gave Prince George a 4-0 lead at 16:36 Luca Primerano and Austin Fraser collected the helpers. Inside the final minute the Spruce Kings went back to work on the man advantage. It took only four seconds for John Herrington to find the back of the net, giving Prince George a commanding 5-0 lead at 19:52 Kilian McGregor-Bennett and Ty Gagno with the assists. It was 5-0 Prince George after 40 minutes of play. The Spruce Kings were the better team. PG carried the better of the play, had more puck possession, zone time and scoring chances. The Spruce Kings didn't get a lot of scoring chances but capitalized on their opportunities. PG played very well defensively. The Vipers didn't look good and struggled offensively. Vernon's defence was turning over pucks almost every chance coming out of their own end. The Snakes struggled in the faceoff circle and had troubles getting into the offensive zone. Vernon didn't get any chances, had troubles getting pucks to the net. It was all PG in the middle frame. The Vipers went lengthy periods without a shot on goal. Prince George outshot Vernon 17-6.
3rd Period: Thirteen seconds into the final frame, the Spruce Kings jumped on an early power play. Vernon with a good PK didn't give up much and killed off the minor. About a minute later, the Snakes would get their first PP of the evening. Luke Pakulak with three very good looks/opportunities couldn't solve Prince George Spruce Kings starting netminder Jordan Fairlie. The Spruce Kings would get some big stops from their goaltender and kill off the penalty. Shortly after Luke Pakulak would get another shot from the slot but again denied by Jordan Fairlie. Shortly after John Herrington with his second of the evening, gave Prince George a 6-0 lead at 7:27 Kilian McGregor-Bennett and Charlie Banquier with the helpers as Viper fans started getting restless. Two minutes later, Luke Eurig gave Prince George a commanding 7-0 lead at 9:23 Dom Murphy picked up the lone assist. This was the end of the night for Roan Clarke. Clarke obviously upset, made his way to the Viper dressing room. Clarke gave up seven goals on thirty two Prince George shots. Ethan David come in to replace Clarke. Showing frustration, Vernon now come out hitting and was laying out several checks on the next few shifts. With about five minutes remaining, Kurt Gurkan beat Jordan Fairlie but rang his shot off the post as the Snakes couldn't buy a goal. Shortly after PG went to the PP and capitalized. Jack Stockfish beat Ethan David fivehole, giving Prince George a 8-0 lead at 15:37 Austin Fraser & Colton Cameron with the assists as fans started pouring out of Kal Tire Place. Prince George would come away with the 8-0 win. With the game out of reach the Vipers looked to be going through the motions but it seemed like anything the Spruce Kings put on goal, went in. PG had the edge in play already had the game won before the period started. Luke Pakulak had three chances on the lone power play of the night and Kurt Gurkan hit the goal post but Vernon didn't really generate much. The Snakes did manage to get double digits for shots on goal. It's hard to watch when the games one sided and already over. Prince George outshot Vernon 14-13.
Vernon Vipers Top Player's:
Kurt Gurkan I thought played with some energy, had the puck often and tried to create some offence. I thought played well in a one sided hockey game.
Luke Pakulak was another forward that had several opportunities, couldn't find the back of the net. Was another Viper that played with some jump and created some looks/chances.
Game Thought's: Vernon Vipers
- I really liked the Vipers start and thought Vernon looked good/played very well the first half of the opening period
- The Snakes have been outscored 16-1 in their last two home games
- Once the momentum changed halfway through the 1st period, the Spruce Kings took over control of the hockey game and never looked back
- The Vipers have struggled offensively all season and again tonight
- The past five or six games, Vernon has had troubles getting pucks to the net and getting more then ten shots in a period
- This is what kind of team you get with poor scouting/recruiting
- The Vipers look lost at times and don't know what to do
- The Viper defence has struggled all year and again tonight. The amount of turnovers in their own end is ridiculous
- Tonight should be a wake up call! Jason McKee has to go! McKee is not a good coach and since coming to Vernon has had an average team at best that makes a ton of mistakes, can't score and never improves. McKee's teams make the same mistakes at the end of the season, they were making at the start of the season. It's time for a coaching change! The Vipers are a mess and not a good hockey team. Were only eleven games into the season and the wheels are already falling off. If I was owner, McKee would be sent packing tonight!
- I can't recall many games this season, where the Vipers have played with a lead. On most night's the Snakes are having to play from behind
- This Viper team is very inconsistent and hasn't played nearly close to sixty minutes since a 5-1 win in Prince George October 1st
- The Vipers two game winning streak ended with tonight's loss
- Your not going to win many hockey games with 5 and 6 shots in a period and go lengthy periods at a time without a single shot
- I understand Viper fans are use to winning! I get that! I don't expect to win every year but at least put a competitive team on the ice
- What a terrible schedule this year! The Vipers have played eleven games and already we have seen Salmon Arm three times and Prince George four. I don't want to see the same teams over and over again
- This is what happens when you put together an average team and expect to compete vs the top teams in the Division/League
- This years Vipers look exactly like last years team.
- What has happened to Bowden Singleton? A point a game player in the Alberta Junior Hockey League last season, since being acquired in a trade in late September has no points in eight games and done nothing with the Vipers
- Vernon & Cowichan are the lowest scoring teams in the BCHL. Only Cowichan has scored less goals then the Vipers. The Capitals have 26 goals, while the Vipers have scored only 27 goals, the second least in the league
- Vernon has at least a point in six of their last eight games
- The Vipers have been outshot in every game, except the season opener in Salmon Arm
- This Viper team is average at best and is hard to watch this season
- Vernon will play six of their next nine games on the road
- A lot of upset off Viper fans tonight. Lot's of chatter before the game with fans wanting a new coach
- I talked to a long time season ticket holder before tonight's game, who talked to a billet was told Ethan Rowland has left the team
- Jason McKee doesn't even have the guts to come on air after the game and face the music, instead he bails on the post game show. You put this team together coach, your the guy in charge, 2-1 or 8-0 face the music!
- The Vipers only had one power play this evening, went 0-1 with the man advantage
- With the loss, Vernon falls to 5-5-0-1 and sit 7th in the Interior Division
Prince George Spruce Kings Top Player's:
Kai Greaves I thought played very well defensively
Ty Gagno (1 goal & 2 assists) Looked good and played very well in the victory
Austin Fraser (4 assists) Had a strong night with four helpers, was involved in the play through out the hockey game
Charlie Banquier (1 goal & 1 assist) Opened the scoring for the Spruce Kings, was another forward that caught my attention. I thought looked very good
John Herrington (3 goals) Leads the Spruce Kings in scoring is very dangerous, hard to contain and defend against. A very skilled player
Jordan Fairlie (24 saves) Wasn't tested much after the 1st period but it was in that opening frame when the Vipers had an edge in play and created four or five good scoring chances, couldn't solve Fairlie. Fairlie made some big stops when the game was scoreless, to keep the game scoreless
Game Thought's: Prince George Spruce Kings
- I have said it before, I think PG has a strong team and is very competitive
- The Spruce Kings are 3-1 vs the Vipers this season
- Prince George is very good defensively and doesn't give up a lot of shots or opportunities
- PG went 3-6 with the power play
- The Spruce Kings were wearing black jerseys with red stripes and numbers and a red Spruce Kings logo. I'm assuming these are the teams alternate jerseys? I don't understand why teams with no black in their team colours choose black jerseys? PG's colours are red, white and blue
- These two teams don't play each other again until March
- The Spruce Kings capitalized on their chances
- Tonight was the end of a five game road trip
- The Spruce Kings have some skilled forwards, size, a strong blueline and solid goaltending and are well coached
- With the win, PG snaps their three game losing streak
- The Spruce Kings won almost every draw and most puck battles
- The Spruce Kings play six of their next nine games away from home
- This team plays hard, competes and doesn't take a shift off
- With the win, Prince George improves to 7-3-0-1 and sit 3rd in the Interior Division
Scratches:
Vernon Vipers:
Griffen Barr (Injured)
Dylan Compton (Injured)
David Brandes
Seiya Tanaka-Campbell (Injured)
Ethan Rowland (Injured)
Prince George Spruce Kings:
Tate Ross
Aleksy Bandu
Brayden Skogstad
Energy Player of the Game:
Ayden Third
Three Star's:
1st Star: John Herrington (3 goals)
2nd Star: Ty Gagno (1 goal & 2 assists)
3rd Star: Jordan Fairlie (24 saves)
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.
Here are some photo's I took before and during tonight's Vipers-Spruce Kings game.
