Was at tonights BCHL Exibition game as Vernon defeated Salmon Arm 9-2 in front of 589 fans at the Sunwave Centre.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon: Graeme Gordon
Salmon Arm: Adam Harris
1st Period: This was the first meeting between these two teams since last years BCHL's Interior Conference Finals, where the Vipers defeated the Silverbacks in 6 games. Both teams come out hitting in the first few minutes. Salmon Arm would get the first powerplay of the night just two minutes into the game. A quick shot from the slot by Keenan Patershuk just missed the far corner on a good scoring chance by the Backs. Salmon Arm would get two quick chances in front but Gordon stood tall making two nice saves. The Vipers would kill off the minor. Vernon would get its first good scoring chance when Rob Florentino setup Cory Kane in front but was stopped by Adam Harris. The Vipers would get their first powerplay of the night, Garrett Noonan with a quick shot from the point just missed the net on a screened play. The Backs would kill off the minor. A very quick paced 1st period with very little stopages in play. Just after the midway mark Vernon would get on the board first, Dylan Walchuk made an unreal move on Harris putting the Vipers up 1-0 at 11:45. Kale Hidlebaugh with the lone assist. Salmon Arm had a great chance as Rick Soo & Matt Cassidy went in two on one, before Drew George showed great hustle, coming back breaking up the scoring play. The Vipers would score three goals in a four minute span. Drew George put Vernon up 2-0 at 13:37 with Cole Ikkala collecting the lone assist. Just two minutes later, Terrence Limbert put Vernon up 3-0 at 15:47, Frank Riddle picked up the lone assist. The Vipers were really rolling in the second half dominating the edge in play. Adam Harris had to be sharpe making many key saves. Matt Cassidy had a good chance for the Silverbacks in the second half but was stopped by Gordon. The Vipers moved the puck well, getting some solid scoring chances. Salmon Arm seemed to have trouble with Vernons speed and skill down low, the Vipers were winning most of the battles in and along the boards. Late in the period the rough stuff picked up with some big hits, and some pushing and shoving after the whistle. Vernon would get called for two many men late in the period but it was Rob Short who would get the best chance after breaking in down the wing and then letting a shot go from the circle. The Vipers would kill off the minor. Vernon carried the better of the play and was up 3-0 after 20 minutes of play. The Vipers outshot the Silverbacks 17-9.
2nd Period: Just over a minute into the 2nd period Rob Florentino coughed up the puck in behind his own net, Matt Cassidy would beat Graeme Gordon at 1:15 putting the Backs on the board. Devon Roesler & Rick Soo would collect the assists. This goal seemed to rattle Vernon as the Vipers were having all kinds of trouble in their own end, the Silverbacks with their best presure of the night looked good in the early goings. Salmon Arm come close to cutting the lead to one after Keenan Patershuk hit the post. The Silverbacks would get a four minute powerplay after Kale Hidlebaugh took two minors. Some good puck movement by Salmon Arm, Michael King wired a shot off the bar after beating Gordon. The Backs with some decent chances couldnt take advantage on the powerplay. With just a handful of seconds remaining on the man advantage the Vipers would send another player to the box as the Silverbacks remained on the powerplay. Vernons penalty kill looked not bad after killing off three straight minors. Salmon Arm carried the edge in play in the first half but could only manage the one goal. The Silverbacks would change goaltenders halfway through the 2nd, Adam Harris looked good allowing three goals on 17 Vernon shots. Will Frolek now was in goal for Salmon Arm. This is one game Frolek may want to forget as Vernon would score four goals in just over four minutes. Cole Ikkala beat Frolek at 12:30 putting Vernon up 4-1 with Nick Kerr getting the assist. With around six minutes left in the period the Vipers now switched goaltenders as Blake Voth replaced Graeme Gordon. Gordon allowed just one goal on 16 Salmon Shots. Just under three minutes later Cory Kane with a rocket topshelf put Vernon up 5-1, Kanes goal was unassisted. & just 18 seconds later Brendan Persley beat Frolek putting the Vipers in full control up 6-1 after Kane & Marley Keca collected the assists. The Vipers didnt stop, just under a minute later Dylan Walchuk with his second of the night put Vernon up 7-1 at 16:10, Walchuks goal was unassisted. Walchuk come very close to scoring two more goals, after Drew George setup Walchuk in front but was stopped by Frolek and then late in the period Walchuk lost the handle on the puck in close. Vernons speed and skill was too much in the second half of the period as the Vipers put on a clinic scoring four 2nd period goals. Devon Roesler hit iron after beating Voth as the Backs hit three posts tonight, on the next rush up ice Nick Kerr beat Frolek but would ring one off the post. Late in the period Nick Kerr went to drop the gloves with Justin Krabben before the linesmen stepped in to break up the fight. On the next faceoff Kale Hidlebaugh dropped the gloves with Mike Puddifant, Puddifant got the better of Hidlebaugh, after he left the ice with blood coming from his face. Both players were given 5 minutes each for fighting and a game misconduct. The Silverbacks didnt record a single shot in the final eight minutes of the period. The physical play and rough stuff picked up once again. The Vipers were up 7-1 after 40 minutes of play. Vernon outshot Salmon Arm 9-7.
3rd Period: Eric Soderlund put Vernon up 8-1 at 3:22 with Cory Kane picking up his second assist of the night. This was a bit of a slow period as the Vipers took their foot of the gas, as Mark Ferner was giving some of the younger kids lots of icetime, and even then the Vipers still carried the better of the play. Josh Manson & Devon Roesler had a great scoring chance but couldnt beat Blake Voth on the two on one. Both teams looked sloppy at times with some poor passes, or kids out of position. Not many great scoring chances as both teams just wanted to end tonights game. Devon Roesler beat Voth shortside at the side of the net at 9:58 scoring unassisted, as Salmon Arm cut the lead to 8-2. Patrick McGillis with some good moves in close looked pretty good at times for the Vipers in the 3rd, seeing lots of icetime. Brendan Persley had a good chance at the side of the net but was stopped by Frolek who made his best save of the night. Rob Short scored from the corner at 15:22 to put Vernon up 9-2, Short through the puck out front from the corner, the puck went off a Silverbacks d-man and past Frolek. A fairly boring 3rd as Vernon would win its first exibition game of the season, defeating Salmon Arm 9-2. The Vipers outshot the Backs 10-7.
Top Players: (Vernon)
Dylan Walchuk (2 goals) Walchuk was by far Vernons best player tonight, this kid was all over the ice. This kid is quick, smooth skater, had some great chances all night. Was buzzing in the Salmon Arm zone most of the night. This kid is going to be a treat to watch this year.
Drew George (1 goal) George looked very good tonight, played most of the night with Dylan Walchuk. These two looked very good together, both kids seemed to always know where the other one was, both setup each other a few times on some good chances in front. Showed great hustle in the 1st period, after getting back breaking up a two on one scoring chance.
Cole Ikkala (1 goal & 1 assist) Played a heck of a game tonight. Ikkala was skating hard, played physical, and was very hard to knock off the puck down low. Scored a real nice goal in the 2nd with a quick low wrist shot from the circle. It looks like Cole has bulked up a little over the summer.
Cory Kane (1 goal & 2 assists) Kane looked pretty good most of the night, was skating hard, scored a nice goal in the 2nd period after ripping his shot topshelf high over Frolek.
Frank Riddle(1 assist) I really like this kid, plays his position well, good skater. Played well tonight.
Josh McKissock has potential. Looked pretty good out there tonight. Shows good hustle, good skater.
Garrett Noonan played very well on the Vipers blueline. This kid looks very good with the puck, likes to carry the puck, good skater and really see's the ice well.
Eric Soderlund (1 goal) Played well at times through out tonights game. I really like this kids size and long reach. With some work and adjustments on a few things, could be a steady d-man.
Patrick McGillis saw lots of icetime in the 3rd and didnt do too bad. Played well, had a few chances.
Kale Hidlebaugh (1 assist) Looked fairly good on the backend. Played his position well, didnt back down from the rough stuff.
Top Players: (Salmon Arm)
The line of Matt Cassidy (1 assist), Rick Soo (1 assist) & David Killip was Salmon Arms best line. Soo & Cassidy played very well together, always seemed to know where one another was at all times. Cassidy and Soo has the Backs best scoring chances most of the night.
Devon Roesler (1 goal & 1 assist) Looked very strong up front. Rang a shot off the post in the 2nd after beating Voth. This kid can skate and move the puck, has some nice hands in close.
Adam Harris played well between the pipes for the Backs. Couldnt fault him on any of the Vipers three goals.
Game Thoughts: (Vernon)
Vernon was by far the better of the two teams. The Vipers speed, skill and depth was just too much for a young Silverbacks squad. I was very impressed with the Vipers tonight, until you see these kids play in a game vs another team and in game type situations etc you really dont know what to expect. The Vipers moved the puck well most of the night, look very solid up front with alot of scoring, and thats without most of the veterans not in the lineup. Mark Ferner was mixing and matching lines all night. It was nice to see a good turnout of Vernon fans at tonights game. Mark Ferner and Jason Williamson have some tough choices to make regarding the roster. Both these teams will play again tomorrow night in Revelstoke.
Game Thoughts: (Salmon Arm)
With just two veterans in the lineup the Backs went with a very young roster tonight. I felt sorry for a few of these kids, they just couldnt compete or play against some of the older Viper players. Salmon Arm had lots of trouble in their own end, were losing most of the one on one battles in and along the boards. The Backs had a few scoring chances but didnt seem to have much scoring in the lineup. This is just exibition, Im sure once the Backs have their vets back in the lineup they will do fine. I felt sorry for young Will Frolek, the crowd was getting on him after making a save. This kid was litup giving up six goals.
Scratches:
They didnt announce any of the teams scratches, but I know a few of the Viper scratches. The Vipers had 12 kids not playing tonight, here are the ones I reconised.
Nick Amies
Mike Collins
Connor Jones
Kellen Jones
Kevin Kraus
Jonathan Milhouse
Braden Pimm
Dan Nycholat
Adam Thompson
Steve Weinstein
Vernons Lineup:
Frank Riddle 90
Garrett Noonan 91
Eric Soderlund 90
Rob Florentino 89
Marley Keca 93
Terrence Limbert 93
Dylan Walchuk 92
Cory Kane 90
Cole Ikkala 90
Brendan Persley 93
Nick Kerr 92
Patrick McGillis 91
Rob Short 89
Kale Hidlebaugh 90
Drew George 91
Jesse Halikas 91
Bryce Kakoske 90
Josh McKissock 92
Goaltenders:
Blake Voth 91
Graeme Gordon 89
Salmon Arms Lineup:
Mike Puddifant 91
Matt Cassidy 90
Justin Krabben 91
Shane Hanna 94
Adam Bartsch 92
Keenan Patershuk 93
Adam Dibella 93
Cody Wiseman 93
Jordan Swetlikoff 91
Josh Manson 91
Devon Roesler 90
Gerry Fitzgerald 93
David Killip 91
Jordan Salahor 93
Michael King 93
Brendan Burge 92
Rick Soo 91
JR Krolik 92
Goaltenders:
Adam Harris 92
Will Frolek 92
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