It wasn't the start to 2014 that the Vernon Vipers were looking for as they took on the Trail Smoke Eaters on Friday Night. Overall it was a strange game to watch as both teams opened things up offensively with numerous odd man rushes at either end. In the end special teams and costly turnovers were the difference as the Smoke Eaters ended their 13 game losing streak with a 4-1 victory over the Snakes.
The first was a wide open period with both teams attempting to stretch out the others defense. Many times it was successful and both Austin Smith and Adam Todd had to be very alert and sharp. I thought the Vipers had their legs early and shook off the break and the long road trip and were probably happy with the scoreless first period.
Vernon opened the scoring in the second as Demico Hannoun had the puck on a string through the high slot and snapped a wicked wrist shot past Adam Todd. The lead was short lived as a Trail powerplay would convert off the stick of Bryan Basilico who knocked home a rebound in the slot. Both teams would then exchange chances and I thought that they were both very loose with the puck in their own end and through the neutral zone. The Vipers were actually lucky to be tied by the time the period ended as the Smokies hit two goal posts in the final few minutes off odd man rushes.
It seemed like the third period was a battle of attrition as both teams worked hard to get the go ahead goal. Unfortunately for Vernon, the Smokies had a little bit more in the tank in the end and on a powerplay Travis Stephens would find some room off a nice entry into the zone and get one past Smith to give Trail the lead. The wheels fell off defensively for the Snakes as an uncharacteristically awful turnover at their own blue line allowed Riley Brandt to get in alone and increase the lead to 2 just minutes after getting the lead. An empty netter from Stephens would seal it as the Vipers just couldn't get a lot mustered in the final few minutes and the game would end 4-1.
My 3 Key Thoughts
1) Burying Chances - The Vipers weren't without their chances to score in this game. They had 32 shots and many of those were quality chances and has been the case at times this year, it seemed frustration started to sneak in when the bounces weren't going their way. The turning point was Michael McNicholas hitting the cross bar with the game tied in the 3rd. Trail came back to get the lead and wouldn't relinquish it.
2) Penalty Trouble - After the 6 minor penalties the Vipers took that now makes 14 in two games. Thats too many! Jason Williamson said in the post game show that he doesn't mind the good, hardworking penalties, but a few high sticking and tripping calls snuck in there and proved costly. This is not a team that has had to deal with penalty trouble, so it'll be interesting to see if they can start to walk the thin line between good aggressive play and undisciplined play.
3) Smokies End Streak - It took the 14th game for the Trail Smoke Eaters to end the longest losing streak of the season. In fairness to Trail, that streak could have and should have ended in previous games, but this team is continuing to learn and grow with players getting chances they normally wouldn't get. Adam Todd seems to be rounding back into game shape after missing two months and with a little bit of confidence this Trail club will look to play spoiler down the stretch drive to the post season.
For the Vipers they get a quick turnaround as they end the weekend with a Saturday Night matchup against Mike Vandekamp and the Nanaimo Clippers. The Vipers will look to deal a little retribution for a shut out loss they took back in October. You can catch all the action on 107.5 KissFM starting at 6:45 with the pregame show and all the play by play action starting at 7 from Kal Tire Place.
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