Game Recap - Vernon Vipers Home Opener - Vernon 3 Cranbrook 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 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 3-1 in front of 2,209 fans at Kal Tire Place.

Starting Goaltenders:

Vernon Vipers: Ethan David

Cranbrook Bucks: Carter Compton

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Before tonight's Vipers home opener, a twenty minute delay to the start of the hockey game after the Vipers honored former owner Duncan Wray with a special pre-game ceremony, re-naming the street outside Kal Tire Place "Duncan Wray Way" a video tribute and raised his banner to the rafters.

1st Period: The Bucks had more puck possession early but both teams looked a little sloppy and disorganized for a lot of the first half of the opening period. Both teams play improved a bit in the second half as Cranbrook had a slight edge in play towards the end of the period. The Vipers made several mistakes in their own end, had troubles coming out of their own end, turned over the puck at least four or five times. Both teams had a couple of scoring chances. Bucks forward Noah Urness hit the post on a penalty shot with about five or six minutes remaining in the period. The Bucks went 0-1 with the man advantage, while the Snakes went 1-1 with the power play. It was 1-0 Vernon after 20 minutes of play. Cranbrook outshot Vernon 12-8.

2nd Period: The Bucks would get back to back to back power plays after the hometown Vipers got into penalty trouble in the middle frame. Ethan David coughed up the puck on the PP allowing Bryce Sookro to tie the game 1-1 at 11:02 A bad decision from the Vipers goaltender, cost the team a goal and evened the hockey game. The visiting Cranbrook Bucks were the better team and carried the better of the play, had more puck possession, a ton of zone time and created some opportunities. The Bucks with an aggresive forecheck, forced Vernon into turning over the puck in their own end again on several plays. The Snakes didn't look or play that well, couldn't seem to find their legs, get their game going and struggled to gain puck possession and time in the offensive zone. Vernon did manage to create/generate a couple of quality chances but Carter Capton had some luck on his side with a couple of big stops. Vernon didn't get the bounces or puck luck in the 2nd period. This was a bit of a chippy period with both teams getting involved in some after the whistle activities. The Bucks go 1-2 with the PP while the Vipers go 0-1 on the man advantage. Vernon outshot Cranbrook 10-9.

3rd Period: The Vipers with a strong effort in the final twenty minutes, were the better of the two hockey clubs. The Snakes had their legs going, played hard, carried the better of the play, had more puck possession and zone time. Cranbrook would get into penalty trouble taking four penalties. Vernon created/generated several quality chances but Carter Capton was solid between the pipes. The Vipers would capitalize on a double minor late in the contest. Adam Csabi & Hank Cleaves with back to back power play goals, gave Vernon a late 3-1 lead. The Bucks would get Carter Capton to the bench with fifty nine seconds remaining but Vernon would hang on for the 3-1 victory. The Bucks had troubles mounting offence, played a lot of the period on the PK and in their own end. Carter Capton had to be sharp, keeping his team in the game with the hometown Snakes pressing. The Vipers go 2-4 with the man advantage. Vernon outshoots Cranbrook 12-4.

Vernon Vipers Top Performers:

Georgios Stavrianeas I thought got better as the game went along. Didn't stand out but made some good plays in the 3rd period and played well.

Adam Csabi (1 goal) This kid is a player and a treat to watch. Scored the game winning goal on the PP and looked good through out the game tonight

Owen Kim I thought played a hard fought game. Not the biggest kid but never stops skating, plays hard, finishes his checks and competes every shift.

Ethan David (24 saves) Made some big saves at key times in the contest with the game close. Made a big mistake in the 2nd period, coughing up the puck behind his net, giving Bryce Sookro an open cage for the game tying goal. I thought David was a little loose coming out of his crease at times but other wise played well in goal.

Game Thought's: Vernon Vipers

- The Snakes played well at times, struggled at times and looked good at times. I thought were inconsistent and need to play sixty minutes

- A great pre-game ceremony & tribute for former owner Duncan Wray

- It was nice to see someone other then Salmon Arm for the home opener. It seems like every year the Silverbacks are here for the teams home opener

- Vernon went 3-6 with the man advantage

- A big crowd for the home opener. Tonight's attendance was announced at 2,209

- I really liked Vernon's PK

- Vernon didn't get any bounces or puck go their way

- The Snakes struggled breaking out of their own end, turned the puck over in their own end a lot

- The Vipers next game is September 29th at home vs Merritt

- The Vipers don't shoot enough on the PP. The Snakes pass the puck around and around way too much. I'd like to see the boys get more pucks to the net

- The Vipers wore their yellow third jerseys from last season tonight

- The Vipers went 1-3-0-1 vs Cranbrook last season

- Vernon junior hockey alumni Colton Sparrow, Chris Crowell, Lennie Rampone, Marty Stein, Kevin Kraus were a few in attendance tonight

- Both teams looked very scrambled and disorganized for at least the first half or more of the opening period

- All concessions were closed during the Vipers exhibition games. Tonight, two out of the three were open

- The Vipers played and looked their best in the 3rd period, a period they controlled and were the better team. The Vipers need to learn to play like this for the entire game

- With the win, Vernon improves to 1-1-0-0

Cranbrook Bucks Top Performers:

Patrick Czarnecki I thought played very well in the loss, other then taking a double minor late in the hockey game for high sticking

Zion Green was another Bucks forward that impressed me

Luke Pfoh Was involved in the play, played hard and looked good up front for the Cranbrook Bucks

Carter Capton (27 saves) Made some big stops, giving his team a chance to win. A bigger goaltender, covers a lot of the net, had some puck luck go his way but was solid between the pipes

Game Thought's: Cranbrook Bucks

- Cranbrook's last win in Vernon was a 6-5 shootout victory on November 25th 2022

- I really like the Bucks jerseys, one of the sharpest in the league

- These two teams will meet again October 14th in Cranbrook

- The Bucks went 1-4 with the power play

- Cranbrook plays with an aggresive forecheck, forced Vernon's defence into turning over pucks often through out the hockey game

- Tonight was the Bucks second game of a four game road trip

- I thought the Bucks best period was the 2nd period where they were the better of the two teams

- These two teams will meet seven times during the 2023-24 regular season

- Other then a sloppy/scrambled 1st period this was an entertaining and exciting hockey game

- The Bucks are quick, always moving their feet and have a good transition game

- The Bucks next game is September 29th in West Kelowna

- Cranbrook's lone goal was a gift. Vipers goaltender Ethan David turned over the puck behind his net, allowing Bryce Sookro to hit the open net to tie the hockey game

- Cranbrook struggled with the man advantage, didn't generate a whole lot on the PP

- Bucks Assistant Coach Roman Vopta played four seasons in the NHL from 1995-1999 with Los Angeles, Philadelphia, St. Louis and Chicago

- With the loss, Cranbrook falls to 1-1-0-0

Scratches:

Vernon Vipers:

Cooper Cleaves

Owen King

Walker Gelbard

Bronson Ross

Cranbrook Bucks:

Tyler McGowan

Malachi Freh