Salmon Arm 7 Vernon 2

Salmon Arm 7 Vernon 2

Was at tonights game as Salmon Arm defeated Vernon 7-2 in front 1,312 fans at the Sunwave Center.

1st Period: This is the start of a five game road trip for Vernon & they didnt get off to a good start. Off the opening draw, Captain Chris Crowell was hit hard almost going over into the Backs bench, Crowell lost his stick and couldnt recover fast enough to get back into the play, the play went up ice as Conor Morrison cut hard towards the net, getting a shot off, Andrew Hammond made the big pad save but couldnt handle the rebound as Keenan Desmet gobbled up the loose puck putting past Hammond as the Silverbacks jumped out to the early lead just 15 seconds into the game. Vernon responded well, off the next faceoff the Vipers got the puck deep in the Backs zone, as Kyle Bigos fed Connor Jones who beat Bryan Gillis tying the game up 1-1 just 20 seconds later. Not much flow in the early goings with some scrambly play at either ends of the rink. Alot of whistles-stopages in play resulted in a slow pace 1st period. Salmon Arms best scoring chance came when Kyle Bigos went for the puck and not the body, Bigos couldnt handle the puck as Mark Zengerle skated by Bigos, come down the right wing and wired a shot from the circle but rang it off the far post. The Vipers best scoring chance came when Bryce Kakoske made a nice pass from the side boards, hitting a wide open Braden Pimm, but Pimm would hit the post on the play. Overall not many great scoring chances as most of the shots were from the slot with very little bodies in front, both goaltenders seemed to see most of the shots. The Silverbacks were playing physical, laying out some good checks, and always finishing there checks, as Vernon on the other hand was shying away from the physical play, not getting involved. The final minute of the period took wich seemed to be a very long time with almost a whistle every few seconds, with just 2.1 seconds remaining in the 1st Mark Zengerle won the draw deep in the Vipers zone, getting the puck over to a wide open Conor Morrison who would find the empty net as the puck went in at the buzzer giving the Backs a 2-1 lead with no time left on the clock. Vernon should have never allowed the Backs to win the draw, let alone score with 2.1 seconds left. Both Vernon D-men left Morrison wide open and untouched. The Silverbacks were up 2-1 after 20 mins of play. Salmon Arm outshot Vernon 10-8.

2nd Period: Vipers come out very flat, as Salmon Arm was flying winning all the battles, races to the puck and overall outplaying the Vipers early to start the 2nd. Salmon Arm had loads of jump having the better of the play as Vernon looked very slow and sluggish having all kinds of trouble in there own end. The Backs took advantage of the Vipers slow start and with some very nice three way passing, Salmon Arm would jump ahead 3-1 after Kennan Desmet, Conor Morrison & Mark Zengerle with some tic tac toe passing, Zengerle beat Hammond as the Vipers were caught just standing around. Kevin Kraus coughed up the puck in the neutral zone as Mark Zengerle beat Kraus, stole the puck and then went in on the parcial breakaway but was stopped by Hammond, the play come back the other way, as Sahir Gill would break down the wing on a parcial breakaway but was stopped by Gillis. The Silverbacks kept up the presure pouring it on getting all kinds of room to move and create scoring chances, as the Backs were buzzing around the Vernon zone. Salmon Arm would go up 4-1 after Sam Micthell stepped over the blueline and took wich seemed to be a weak shot towards the net, somehow eluded Hammond wich looked to have missplaced it as the puck dropped and went under Hammonds glove. This was the first soft goal Hammond has given up all season, as Hammond was pulled from the game, giving up 4 goals on just 15 shots, rookie backup Mark Segal came into the game in just his 2nd BCHL game. It seem to matter who was in goal for Vernon as the Silverbacks were getting a powerplay, Gillis went to the bench for the extra man, as the Vipers couldnt touch the puck to stop the play, the Backs moved the puck well down low, wich seemed to be passed around for a good minute before Mark Zengerle would score his 2nd goal of the night sliding the puck past Mark Segal as the Silverbacks were up 5-1 and in full control. Mark Ferner finally decided to call a timeout with the Vipers down 5-1. Ferners timeout seemed to give his troops some life as Vernon responded finally getting the puck deep into the Backs zone, cyclying the puck well down low, and now creating some chances. The Vipers moved the puck well, and did get some chances but Bryan Gillis was there to come up with the save. Gillis made his biggest save of the night, coming up with a big glove save. Around 5 m mins left in the period Vernon would get one past Gillis as Kory Roy & Rob Short did all the hard work in the corner and then fed Mike Collins who would score his 3rd of the year cutting the lead to 5-2. Vernon now had the edge in play after dominating the last 4-5 mins with some good hard work, but just 3 mins later Salmon Arm would once again find the back of the net after Mark Zengerle made a nice pass over to Keenan Desmet who beat Segal as the Backs would score 4 goals in the 2nd and were up 6-2 after 40 mins of play. Shots were even 15 each.

3rd Period: With the Silverbacks on the powerplay, the Vipers gave the Backs way too much time and room to setup, and it cost them as just 52 seconds into the 3rd veteran D-man, Matt Grassi had all day to wire his shot from the point putting Salmon Arm up 7-2. This seemed to put the game away as both teams didnt seem to have much drive after the 7th Silverbacks goal. Both teams seemed to just want to let the clock wind down and go home. Some back & forth play at both ends but very little scoring chances. With Kevin Kraus heading to the penalty box, Kraus mouthed off to the ref so was rewarded with a 10 min misconduct, with under 10 mins to go in the game, Kraus headed to the Vipers dressing room for the early shower. Not much excitement in the final period as the Backs would defeat Vernon for the 2nd straight game blowing out Vernon 7-2.

Top Players: (Vernon)

Mike Collins (1 Goal) Played well, this kid has the potential but just needs sometime to get his confidence going, needs some work on his skating as well as adding that edge to his game. I do see a future with Collins.

Top Players: (Salmon Arm)

The line of Conor Morrison, (1 Goal & 3 Assists) Mark Zengerle (2 Goals & 2 Assists) & Keenan Desmet (2 Goals & 2 Assists) was by far the best players for Salmon Arm. This line was basically untouchable, the Vipers gave these kids way too much time & space all night, they were able to walk in the slot get a shot off, and collect the rebound without being touched. Zengerle has some wheels and was flying all game, put on a clinic on the Vipers defence. Had a few great scoring chances. Desmet scored one real nice goal, this kid isnt all that big but is fun to watch. What can you say about Conor Morrison, this kid has Vernons number. It seems anytime these two teams hook up Morrison always seems to find the back of the net, atleast once. Vernon needs to keep there eye on him as well as this line.

Matt Grassi (1 Goal) saw alot of icetime, played well defensivly.

Game Thoughts: (Vernon)

This isnt the start the Vipers wanted to begin a five game road trip, lets hope they can rebound and turn things around Wednesday in Powell River. Vipers didnt get off to a great start, giving up the first goal just 15 seconds into the game. Yes they responded well by scoring just 20 seconds later to tie the game 1-1 but should have never allowed Salmon Arm or any team score a goal with just 2.1 seconds left in a period. This goal seemed to deflate the Vipers as they couldnt recover, starting the 2nd flat and then giving up 4 goals during the 2nd period and not having much of a chance to recover. Just a brutal 2nd period, no jump or life for most of the 2nd & 3rd periods. The Vipers were being outplayed, outskated, and just couldnt compete against a very strong looking Silverbacks hockey club. Vernon lost most of the puck battles and races during the 2nd period. Vipers looked lifeless and didnt seem to want to be in tonights game. Connor Jones looked lost and is not the same player without his brother Kellen. Once again the Vipers were outhit and outmuscled for most of the night, way too soft. You can have all the talent in the world but you need to play physical, finish your checks and work hard. Vipers didnt hit anyone tonight, shyed away from the corners-hits for most of the night. Just a poor effort after playing good in last nights 3-1 win over Westside. Once again another loss after a win. This is already starting to look like the start of last year, win one, lose win etc etc. So far very inconsistant play from the Vipers early in the year. One night they look very strong and unbeatable, the next night, they play well at times and then dont look very good at all tonight. I know its early but I think its gut check time for alot of these kids. Kevin Kraus & Kyle Bigos both didnt have great games, both D-men had troubles all night.

Game Thoughts: (Salmon Arm)

Not sure if it was just how bad Vernon played but the Silverbacks looked very quick, deadly up front and played physical all game. This was not the same Salmon Arm team I saw in the Vipers home opener, a much improved hockey team since the opening night in the BCHL. The Silverbacks have a quick skating team, that moves the puck well. The line of Morrison, Desmet & Zengerle is very deadly. This game was over after the Backs 5th goal. This had to be the smallest and quietest crowd for a Vernon-Salmon Arm game at the Sunwace Center. Alot of empty blue seats.

Scratches:

Vernon:

Kellen Jones (Injured)
Trent Dorais
Nick Amies

Salmon Arm:

Zac Rasmussen (Suspended)
Levi Hantula

3 Stars:

1st Star: Mark Zengerle (2 Goals & 2 Assists)
2nd Star: Keenan Desmet (2 Goals & 2 Assists)
3rd Star: Conor Morrison (1 Goal & 3 Assists)