The Vernon Vipers hosted the Blackfalds Bulldogs last night in a thrilling holiday-season matchup at Kal Tire Place, capping off the 2025 portion of their schedule before the Christmas break. The game went to overtime, where the Vipers edged out the Bulldogs 5-4 in a back-and-forth battle filled with penalties and exciting end-to-end action. Despite the Bulldogs outplaying and outshooting their hosts for much of the night, Vernon found a way to secure the win in the extra frame, making it a fun and intense game to watch. No former Bulldog Oscar Bjork suited up for Vernon, as he’s currently sidelined with an injury. Adding to the festive vibe, Santa Claus and a 4-wheeler made appearances around the arena on the broadcast, while a parade of penalties kept the referees busy. The Vipers’ roster featured players with colorful hockey journeys—many have bounced between numerous teams, looking like they could double as sales reps for luggage companies. One standout name on TV sounded like “Lipshits,” which has to be one of the coolest (and most memorable) monikers in junior hockey. And for good measure, a fan on the broadcast sported an ugly sweater featuring a marijuana leaf, paired with a noticeable red eye—leading one to wonder if she’d been pre-gaming with the refs. Overall, it was a chaotic, entertaining affair full of holiday spirit and hockey drama.
Nikita Ivashchenko makes it a 1-0 game for the Bulldogs at 2:51 of the first period with the assists on the goal going to Nikita Mescheryakov and Dean Toskos. That is Ivashchenko’s 15th goal of the season.
The Vipers tied up the game on the 5 on 3 powerplay when 20 year old former Spruce Grove Saint Evan Sundar scored at 16:05 of the first period. The assist on the goal went to former Canmore Eagle and Calgary native Liam Magnuson.
Shots on goal in the first period were 10-8 for the Vipers
Evan Sundar scored his second to give the Vipers the 2-1 lead at 3:04 of the second period with the assist on the goal going to 17 year old Russian Import Dmitrii Kubantsev
Joey Melo tied the game up at 2 for the Bulldogs at 6:55 of the second period while on the Power Play after receiving a beautiful feed from Noah Mertz. The other assist went to Nikita Ivashchenko.
Vipers then make it 3-2 shortly after their Power Play expired when Sebastien Bradshaw scored his 5th of the season at 10:15 of the second period. The assists on the goal went to former Seattle Thunderbird and Whitecourt, Alberta native Samuel Charko and Edvin Nilsson.
Luke Dahlen ties the game up at 3 on the Power Play at 12:46 of the second period with the assist on the goal going to Nikita Ivashchenko.
20 year old former Tri City American Deagan McMillan makes it 4-3 on a Power Play for the Vipers at 15:39 of the second period with the assist on the goal going to Dmitri Kubanetsev.
Shots on goal in the second period were 19-11 for the Bulldogs
Joey Melo scored the tying goal as Flo TV was showing Kiraly skating to the bench. But the replay is there at 17:59 of the third period with the assist going to Brendan Giles.
Shots on goal in the third period were 16-3 for the Bulldogs.
Christian Maro scored a nice goal at 3:38 of overtime to win the game for the Vipers with the assist on the goal going to Samuel Charko
Shots on goal in overtime were 4-2 for the Bulldogs. The Bulldogs outshot the Vipers 47-26 in the game.
Colton Jugnauth was the main reason the Vipers won the game as he made 43 saves on the 47 shots that he faced for the win. Oliver Kiraly made 21 saves on the 26 shots that he faced.
Three Stars of the game were 1) Colton Jugnauth 2) Nikita Ivashchenko 3) Evan Sundar
Attendance in Vernon was 1872
Bulldogs next game is January 2nd, 2026 in Blackfalds against the West Kelowna Warriors.
