(Game Preview) Vernon @ Salmon Arm:

Vernon (0-1) @ Salmon Arm (1-0)

Tonight is the Silverbacks home opener as they face one of their old time arch rivals in the final game of a home and home series with the Vernon Vipers. Tonight will be the fourth straight meeting between both clubs (Exibition & regular season). Salmon Arm spoiled the party last night in Vernon defeating the Vipers 4-1 in their home opener. You can listen to tonights game live with Todd Miller starting at 6:45pm on 107.5 Kiss FM

Let's take a look at the Vernon Vipers:

After going 4-0 in exibition play, the Vipers start the regular season 0-1. The Vipers have alot of talent and speed up front in, Gus Correale, John Knisley, Marcus Basara, Mike Zalewski, & Dylan Walchuk. Vernon has some sold d-men on the blueline with, Adam Thompson, Steve Weinstein, Elliott Richardson, & Brett Corkey. Blake Voth is the Vipers #1 goaltender, Voth in his second year had just two losses all of last season.

Returning Players:

Bryce Kakoske (90)
David Robinson (90)
Blake Voth (91)
Steve Weinstein (90)
Adam Thompson (90)
Dylan Walchuk (92)
Patrick McGillis (91)

Departing & traded players from last years team:

Connor Jones (90)
Mike Collins (90)
Braden Pimm (89)
Cory Kane (90)
Jonathan Milhouse (89)
Kellen Jones (90)
Rob Short (89)
Cole Ikkala (90)
Dan Nycholat (89)
Kevin Kraus (89)
Curtis Gedig (91)
Garrett Noonan (91)
Sahir Gill (92)
Darrin Robak (91)
Graeme Gordon (89)

KEY RETURNEES: F Dylan Walchuk (19-28-47), Bryce Kakoske (13-28-41), Dave Robinson (15-10-25), D Adam Thompson (5-20-25), D Stevie Weinstein (4-18-22), G Blake Voth (1.79 GAA, 92.90 save percentage).

ROOKIE SENSATIONS: Power forward Aaron Hadley scored at a point-a-game clip, and added 94 penalty minutes, as a 16-year-old with the KIJHL Beaver Valley Nitehawks. F Trevor Fitzgerald surpassed all expectations last season, leading the expansion North Okanagan Knights with 67 points in 49 games. The Vernon product also practised with the Snakes and played in the Royal Bank Cup championships. F Marcus Basara (37-28-65) led the Notre Dame Hounds to their second straight Telus Cup title.

-With 16 new players its going to take a little time for these kids to gel and adjust to a new league and new linemates.

-If the Vipers can play three periods like the opening period yesterday, they will be fine.

-Vernon needs to play a little more physical, get some bodies crashing and banging in front of the Silverbacks net.

Getting out on the road, may take a little of the nerves or pressure off some of the new kids tonight.

-The Vipers are really going to have to watch Cody Michelle tonight. This was kid was all over the ice last night.

Let's take a look at the Salmon Arm Silverbacks:

The Silverbacks finished the exibition season at 1-3 but have started the regular season at 1-0. Tonight is the Silverbacks home opener. The Backs have several players that know what to do with the puck, David Killip, Brett Knowles, Cody Michelle, Chris Hoe & Matt Cassidy. The Silverbacks improved their defence and look to be solid early in the season. Veteran 20 year old Kris Moore has taken over the #1 job from Tony Ierfino after coming over from the Camrose Kodiaks in a trade during the off season.

Returning Players:

Matt Cassidy (90)
Devin Gannon (91)
Christopher Hoe (90)
David Killip (91)
Brett Knowles (91)
Justin Krabben (91)
Josh Manson (91)
Brandon Mistal (92)
Josh Monk (92)
Jayson Reardon (90)
Matt Ridley (90)
Charlie Vasaturo (90)
Kurt Williams (91)

Departing & traded players from last years team:

Mark Zengerle (89)
Corey Chakeen (89)
Tyler Gubb (89)
Travis Statchuk (90)
Bobby Lipsett (89)
Levi Hantula (90)
Kyle Peden (89)
Tony Ierfino (89)

KEY RETURNEES: F Dave Killip (32-42-74), F Matt Cassidy (10-10-20), D Charlie Vasaturo (7-19-26), D Jayson Reardon (1-9-10), F Brett Knowles (6-10-16).

ROOKIE SENSATIONS: The SilverBacks plucked the top three scorers from the Prince Albert Mintos Midget AAA program – Taylor Fauchoux, Bryce Gervais and Cody Michelle. The trio combined for 193 points in 129 games. F Morgan Zulinick led the Thompson Blazers (Major Midget) in scoring with a point-per-game production. He is already committed to the NCAA Wisconsin Badgers.

-Salmon Arm needs to keep up with the physical play

-The Silverbacks will once again need Kris Moore to make the big save when needed

-If the Backs defence can play as well as they did last night, they will give the Viper forwards all kinds of trouble for the second straight night.

-The Silverbacks have a bit of an edge in experience with 13 kids back from last year, compared to Vernons 7

Here’s a look at both exhibition games between both teams from this year:

Friday, September 3rd @ Vernon: Vernon wins 3-0

Saturday, September 4th @ Salmon Arm: Vernon wins 4-3

Heres a look at the season series:

Friday, September 10th @ Vernon: Salmon Arm wins 4-1

SCORING SUMMARY

PERIOD 1

Vernon Vipers at 12:55 (PP) - Dylan Walchuk from David Robinson
Salmon Arm Silverbacks at 13:45 - Devin Muller (unassisted)
Salmon Arm Silverbacks at 16:51 - Brett Knowles from David Killip and Jayson Reardon

PERIOD 2

No Scoring

PERIOD 3

Salmon Arm Silverbacks at 7:01 (PP) - Jarryd Ten Vaanholt from Jayson Reardon and Charlie Vasaturo
Salmon Arm Silverbacks at 8:06 - Taylor Fauchoux from Brandon Mistal and Devin Gannon

Salmon Arm outshot Vernon 29-27. Kris Moore made 26 saves picking up the victory while Blake Voth made 25 saves taking the loss.

http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=840175&link=bchl

Here's a look at both teams rosters:

Vernon:

Defence:

Malcolm Lyles 1990 Miami, FL 5'10 179lbs
Brett Corkey 1992 Calgary, AB 5'11 175lbs
Bennett Hambrook 1992 Kimberley, BC 5'11 186lbs
Elliott Richardson 1991 Hanmer, ONT 6' 195 lbs
Philip Patenaude 1991 Denver, COL 6'2 196lbs
Steve Weinstein 1990 Los Angeles, CA 5'9 180lbs
Adam Thompson 1990 Calgary, AB 6'1 200lbs

Forwards:

Dylan Walchuk 1992 McBride, BC 5'9 173lbs
David Robinson 1990 Vernon, BC 5'10 185lbs
John Knisley 1992 Pittsford, NY 5'8 160lbs
Aaron Hadley 1993 Castlegar, BC 6'2 190lbs
Michael Zalewski 1992 New Hartford, NY 6'2 200lbs
Darren Nowick 1991 Long Beach, CA 5'10 168lbs
Marcus Basara 1993 Coquitlam, BC 5'11 180lbs
Kyle Murphy 1990 Fair Haven, NJ 5'9 170lbs
Patrick McGillis 1991 Calgary, AB 5'10 185lbs
Todd Skirving 1992 Thunder Bay, ONT 6'2 170lbs
Colton Sparrow 1993 Vernon, BC 5'11 175lbs
Gus Correale 1993 Prince George, BC 5'9 170lbs
Trevor Fitzgerald 1992 Vernon, BC 6' 190lbs
Bryce Kakoske 1990 Vernon, BC 6' 194lbs

Goaltenders:

Bryton Udy 1993 Calgary, AB 6'3 160lbs
Blake Voth 1991 Herbert, Sask 5'10 170lbs

Salmon Arm:

Goal #1 Kris Moore - Calgary, AB
Goal #29 Kurt Williams - Rocky Mountain House, AB

Defense #4 Dustin Cave - Tappen, BC
Defense #5 Jayson Reardon - Lumby, BC
Defense #7 Clinton Atkinson - New Westminster, BC
Defense #8 Matt Ridley - Kelowna, BC
Defense #11 Charlie Vasaturo - Sewell, New Jersey, USA
Defense #14 Justin Krabben - Rocky Mountain House, AB
Defense #28 Josh Monk - Langley, BC

Forward #9 Chris How - Burnaby, BC
Forward #10 Spencer Samuel - Drumheller, AB
Forward #12 Jarryd Tenvaanholt - West Vancouver, BC
Forward #15 Morgan Zulinick - Kamloops, BC
Forward #16 Josh Manson - Prince Albert, SK
Forward #17 Brett Knowles - Vanderhoof, BC
Forward #19 David Killip - Kelowna, BC
Forward #20 Devin Gannon - Kamloops, BC
Forward #22 Josh McKissock - Vancouver, BC
Forward #24 Brandon Mistal - Kamloops, BC
Forward #71 Bryce Gervais - Battleford, SK
Forward #83 Taylor Fauchoux - Prince Albert, SK
Forward #89 Cody Michelle - Prince Albert, SK
Forward #91 Devin Muler - Zug, Switzerland
Forward #94 Matt Cassidy - London, Ontario