I was at tonights BCHL game as Salmon Arm defeated Vernon 3-1 in front of 2,633 fans at the Wesbild Centre.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon: Graeme Gordon
Salmon Arm: Tony Ierfino
1st Period: The Silverbacks got off to a quick start, getting the play in deep, moving the puck well down low. Josh Manson beat Graeme Gordon at 1:16 putting the Backs up 1-0 early. Devin Gannon & Josh Monk picked up the assists. Shortly after Vernon would get the games first powerplay but didnt register a single shot as the Silverbacks penalty kill had very little work as the Vipers looked very disorganised not conecting with the man advantage. After killing off the minor Salmon Arm went back to work and again controlled the edge in play early, the Backs moved the puck well in the Vipers zone, on a bit of a strange deflection Graeme Gordon was caught going the other way, before Levi Hantula hit the open net at 4:19 putting Salmon Arm up 2-0. Matt Cassidy & Brett Knowles collected the assists. Jason Williamson called a timeout trying to re-group his troops, Gordon was pulled after giving up two goals on just six shots. Blake Voth was now in goal for Vernon. Off the draw Voth was called apon to make a big save on his first shot on goal. The Vipers would finally get their first shot on goal just before the five minute mark. Corey Chakeen with a great chance all alone in front was robbed by the glove of Blake Voth. Vernon looked flat for the second straight game, being outplayed early. The Silverbacks controlled the early edge in play, getting some good quality chances in front. Salmon Arm was outshooting Vernon 9-2 at this point. The Vipers would get their second straight powerplay of the night and again struggle recording just a single shot on the man advantage as the Backs killed off the minor. Vernon finally seemed to get their legs going, getting some pressure. "AP" callup Trevor Fitzgerald, Patrick McGillis & Darrin Robak with a solid shift laid out three big checks creating some energy from the Vipers 4th line. Robak with a wraparound was stopped by Tony Ierfino, and then Mike Collins was denied on the rebound before Ierfino covered up the rebound. After some short lived pressure by the Vipers, The Silverbacks got lucky on a non offside call, Tyler Gubb setup Mark Zengerle beat Blake Voth at 10:37 as the Silverbacks jumped out to a 3-0 lead and in full control. Vernon would re-gain some of the pressure they had before the Backs last goal, Braden Pimm with a huge check inbehind the Backs net sent Charlie Vasaturo to the ice, Vasaturo was down for several minutes before heading to the Silverbacks dressing room. Vasaturo would return to tonights game. On the play Travis Statchuk chased down Braden Pimm dropping the mits as both players had more of a wrestling match with one another. The Vipers slowly started to come on, getting some chances but couldnt find the back of the net. Late in the period Vernon would get a two man advantage but with very little shots the Vipers waisted most of the powerplay passing the puck around. Vernons best chance came with just seconds remaining as Ierfino made a big save off Dan Nycholats point shot. The period would come to an end as the Vipers with still 30 plus seconds remaining on just the single powerplay. Salmon Arm was up 2-0 after 20 minutes of play. Vernon outshot Salmon Arm 11-10.
2nd Period: Salmon Arm would kill off the remainder of the two man advantage as Vernon was now 0-4 on the powerplay. Captain Bobby Lipsett come out hitting, laying out three solid checks one right after another. Both teams went back and forth in the first few minutes with very little scoring chances, before the Silverbacks would get their first powerplay of the night. Mike Collins shorthanded had a great chance for the Vipers but was stopped by Tony Ierfino. Salmon Arm didnt generate much offence as Vernon would kill off the minor. The Vipers slowly got some pressure in the Backs zone creating some chances. Kevin Kraus with a blast from the point beat Ierfino but hit the bottom of the post. Sawyer Mick tipped a point shot in front as Ierfino made the first save and then stopped Mick on the rebound as the Vipers come close to scoring. Brett Knowles with a shot from the slot was stopped by Voth who saw limited action with just seven shots. Vernon had the better of the play in the 2nd period but didnt get any real solid quality shots as Ierfino saw everything. Most of Vernons shots were from the outside with very little traffic in front. Once again the Vipers fourth line of Patrick McGillis, Darrin Robak & "AP" Trevor Fitzgerald created energy and added some physical presence up front. The Silverbacks would get a late powerplay but couldnt take advantage as the Vipers killed off the minor. Brett Knowles with a backhand shot in the dying seconds just got past Voth but ended up missing the net. The Silverbacks were up 3-0 after 40 minutes of play. Vernon outshot Salmon Arm 13-7.
3rd Period: Salmon Arm would get an early powerplay just over two minutes into the game, but again it was Vernons penalty kill who had the better chances. Jonathan Milhouse with a breakaway couldnt beat Ierfino down low, Dylan Walchuk pounced on the rebound but again Ierfino come up big down low. Curtis Gedig with an end to end rush shorthanded tried splitting the two d-men getting off a weak shot. After some strong penalty kill the Vipers would kill off the minor. A very non entertaining first half of the period as both teams really slowed the pace to a crawl with very little action. Salmon Arm with another powerplay had troubles with Vernons penalty kill. Vernon with a two on one, Braden Pimm couldnt beat Ierfino down low after making the pad save robbing Pimm at the side of the net. The Vipers didnt quit as Rob Short & Jonathan Milhouse broke in two on one, Short waited out before making a nice pass over to Milhouse who just got the puck past Tony Ierfino at 9:38 as Vernon was on the board scoring their 17th shorthanded goal of the season. Short with the lone assist. After killing off the minor this seemed to give the Vipers some momentum, Vernon would put on some good pressure generating some quality chances. Mike Collins with a chance from the slot was stopped by Ierfino. Braden Pimm with some hard work along the boards, cut towards the net but couldnt beat Ierfino down low who played well for the second straight night. Salmon Arm couldnt seem to generate much offence in the final frame but come close to getting a gift from Blake Voth. Voth was caught twice outside of his crease and twice just about coughed up the puck as the Vipers were lucky. Late in the period both teams were caught for minors making it four on four as Vernon would pull Blake Voth for the extra attacker but with very little pressure the Vipers would get called for a minor sending Voth back into his net as the Backs would just wind down the clock for the remainder of the period. Salmon Arm would sweep the home and home series 3-1. The Vipers outshot the Backs 13-5.
Top Players: (Vernon)
The Vipers 4th line of Patrick McGillis, Darrin Robak and "AP" Trevor Fitzgerald created some good energy and played physical adding some physical presence.
Jonathan Milhouse (1 goal) Played a very solid game up front. Milhouse was one of of just a handful of players that were skating hard. Milhouse looked very strong on the penalty kill.
Mike Collins played a good game up front for Vernon. Collins had some good quality chances.
Blake Voth (22 saves) Allowed just one goal on 21 shots. Voth looked and played very well in relief of Graeme Gordon. Voth made some big saves through out tonights game.
Top Players: (Salmon Arm)
Greg Noyes played very well on the Backs blueline.
Brett Knowles (1 assist) Played well at both ends of the rink. Had two or three good chances.
Mark Zengerle (1 goal) Didnt play with the flash Vernon fans are use to seeing but looked good for most parts of tonights game. Zengerle made some real smart heads up plays, made some nice passes on the powerplay, very smooth skater and stick handler.
Tony Ierfino (36 saves) Played very well for the second straight game. Ierfino looked confident, & calm all night. Played his position very well. Made 13 saves in the 2nd period but most were from the outside with very little traffic in front but made some tough saves in the 3rd.
Game Thoughts: (Vernon)
For the second straight game the Vipers come out flat with very little energy. For the second straight night the Vipers go down 2-0 early in the opening period. The Vipers again didnt come to play, the team wasnt skating, didnt compete, & win battles. The Vipers did step up the physical play but wasnt willing to pay the price. Just like Thursdays game vs Salmon Arm the Vipers come on in spirts but couldnt put together a full period effort. Very good quality shots & chances, most of Vernons shots were from the outside. Vernons powerplay is really struggling going 0-5 tonight. With Penticton knocking off Westside tonight, the Vipers have just a two point lead over the Vees. For the second straight game Mark Ferner wasnt behind the bench for the Vipers.
Game Thoughts: (Salmon Arm)
Salmon Arm come out strong getting two quick goals putting the Vipers back on their heels. The Backs played a very well road game coming up with a big two points. After going up 3-0 it looked as if the Silverbacks tried to slow things down, making it real tough for Vernon to come back. Salmon Arm had their legs going, won most of the battles, really shutdown Vernons powerplay but had troubles with the Vipers penalty kill. Rylan Ferster was behind the bench for the second straight game. Give the Backs credit they played very well, they didnt back down from the rough stuff and created enough chances to get the win.
Scratches:
Vernon:
Connor Jones
Eric Soderlund
Kellen Jones (Injured)
Salmon Arm:
Rick Soo
Brandon Mistal
3 Stars:
1st Star: Tony Ierfino (36 saves)
2nd Star: Mark Zengerle (1 goal)
3rd Star: Jonathan Milhouse (1 goal)
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