I was at tonights BCHL game as Salmon Arm defeated Vernon 4-3 in front of 1,192 fans at the Sunwave Centre.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon: Bryton Udy
Salmon Arm: Chase Martin
1st Period: Salmon Arm got off to a good start last night scoring just twenty one seconds into the hockey game, tonight it was Vernon who got off to a quick start, Bryce Kakoske setup Kyle Murphy just thirty five seconds into the opening period, Murphy with a nice move in close beat Chase Martin but slide the puck just wide of the far post as the Vipers come oh so close to grabbing an early 1-0 lead. The Vipers looked very good to start the game getting the puck in deep and often, firing pucks towards the net. Vernon would get the games first powerplay of the night just under three minutes into the game. Kyle Murphy on a wrap around had Chase Martin still looking the other way, but Murphy couldnt get the puck to go around the side of the net. Vernon with just a single shot on the man advantage was unable to capitalize as Salmon Arm killed off the minor. The Vipers would head right back to the powerplay just under three minutes later but again the Vipers with just a single shot on the man advantage couldnt muster any quality chances as the Backs now killed off back to powerplays. Vernon was the better of the two teams atleast in the first half but the Vipers with only two scoring chances had troubles generating chances. Vernon carried the better of the play in the first half but only come up with two scoring chances. Vernon was outshooting the Backs 8-2 at the midway mark of the opening period. The Silverbacks would finally get setup deep in the Vipers zone, Clinton Atkinsons pointshot just went high and over the goal on a good chance by the Silverbacks on their first real rush of the night. Salmon Arm would then get their first powerplay of the night. Off the draw Bryton Udy had to be sharp making two quick glove hand saves off back to back point shots by Justin Krabben and Devin Gannon. The Backs moved the puck well, creating some space setup Gannon again on a wrap around but Udy stayed with the Backs veteran forward and made a big save down low. In the dying seconds of the powerplay Udy made atleast two big saves with traffic in front keeping the Silverbacks off the board as Vernon thanks to Udy killed off the minor. A strong powerplay by Salmon Arm seemed to give the team a little life and turn the tables a little as the Silverbacks now slowly started to carry and take over the edge in play in the final four or five minutes of the 1st. Bryton Udy was forced to make another save down low as shots were now 10-8 for Vernon. Newcomer Paul De Jersey, Dustin Cave and former Vernon Viper tryout Josh McKissock on a three on one late in the period, De Jersey would keep and shoot but was stopped by Udy who played very well in the opening period making the big saves when needed. Salmon Arm who was slightly outplayed in the first half of the 1st picked things up and now outplayed Vernon in the final four or five minutes. The Vipers carried the better of the play but it was the Silverbacks who had the better scoring chances. It was 0-0 after 20 minutes of play. Shots were even 10-10.
2nd Period: The Silverbacks started the 2nd right from where they left off the 1st period, Salmon Arm got the play in deep and forced the Vipers back into their own end in the opening few minutes. Vernon was back on their heels a bit and couldnt seem to get out of their own end. But just four minutes into the period John Knisley used his wheels, beat Josh Manson going in for the breakaway, Knisleys shot was stopped by Chase Martin who made the big blocker save but Martin couldnt control the rebound as the puck rolled off Martins blocker and looked to be going inbehind the Backs goaltender, before Manson hustled back into the play and dove into the crease batting the puck out of the crease and stopped the puck from going in. The Vipers slowly started to gain momentum and take over the edge in play. David Robinson all alone in front had all day but couldnt get the puck up and over Martin who got his pad out making a huge save on the Vipers captain, before John Knisley picked up the rebound but couldnt beat Martin who made another huge pad save while down and out. Martin with two big saves kept the Vipers off the scoreboard. Just minutes later Vernon got a bit of a scare after rookie forward, Mike Zalewski looked to have went down awkwardly, Zalewski skated over to the Vipers bench and was attended by the Vipers trainer. Zalewski stayed in the tunnel and walked it off and stayed on the bench and in the game. Just minutes later Kyle Murphy beat Chase Martin in close but put the puck through the crease as no other Vernon player could tap it into the empty cage, give credit to the Vipers, they battled hard kept up with the play, before Murphy got the puck back out front to David Robinson who beat Martin at 8:03 giving Vernon a 1-0 lead after some good strong forecheck down low by the Vipers. Murphy with the lone assist. Just minutes later Salmon Arm would get just its second powerplay of the night but the Vipers penalty kill was pretty good killing off the minor. But just over a minute later Bryce Gervais hustled for the loose puck, Gervais interfered with Adam Thompson who was also hustling back for the loose puck, with no call on the play Gervais would turn on the jets and go in for the breakaway before Max Mowat hustled back into the play and gave Gervais a hook wich forced Gervais to get off a weak shot. The Backs would move the puck well on the man advantage but couldnt seem to capitalise as the Vipers would kill off the minor. Trevor Fitzgerlad would then get a great chance after beating Martin but hit the post. Salmon Arm who had very little presure in the 2nd took over play in the final few minutes. In the final two minutes David Robinson couldnt clear the zone, allowing for Cody Michelle to feed Devin Gannon down low in behind the Vipers goal, Gannon was able to walk in from the boards untouched and then cut towards the net going shortside on Udy at 18:21 tying the game 1-1. Michelle with the lone assist. This was a heartbreaker for the Vipers, Robinson had a chance to clear the zone and couldnt, and then Vernon allowed Gannon who scored twice last night to walk in untouched and find the back of the net. It was 1-1 after 40 minutes of play. Vernon who carried most of the play in the middle frame couldnt hold onto the 1-0 lead giving up a late goal. The Vipers outshot the Silverbacks 14-8.
3rd Period: The Silverbacks would get an early powerplay but it was the Vipers who capitalised. Vernon with some strong defensive play in their own end created room wich allowed Bryce Kakoske and Kyle Murphy to go in two on one shorthanded, Kakoske shot and beat Martin high at 2:40 giving Vernon the 2-1 lead. Kakoskes shorthanded goal was unassisted. Vernons penalty kill was solid not giving the Backs powerplay a sniff, wich frustrated the Backs wich forced Salmon Arm into taking a minor. After some four on four action the Vipers were left with a short man advantage and with just a second left on the penalty captain David Robinson wearing Vic Sharmas old jersey #10 scored his second goal of the night at 5:10 giving Vernon a 3-1 lead. Kyle Murphy with the only helper. Off the facoff "AP" Nick Kerr (younger brother of former Viper James Kerr) dropped the gloves with Dustin Cave. Kerr who was called up was playing in his fourth game with Vernon. Just two minutes later is when the wheels fell off for the Vernon Vipers. David Robinson and (I didnt catch the players #) got tangled up in the neutral zone, as the Backs carried the play into the Vipers zone, Robinson was heading towards the Vernon bench before the Salmon Arm player seemed to be injured and wasnt getting up off the ice. As the play was stopped Josh Manson straight towards Robinson, giving him an earfull before the linesman called Robinson for butt-ending wich gave Salmon Arm a four minute powerplay. Mark Ferner was furious really giving it to the referee and two linesmen. Tim Kehler then asked the referee to come over to the Backs bench as Kehler seemed upset about the play. With the Silverbacks on a two man advantage it didnt take them long to cut the lead to within a goal. Salmon Arm moved the puck well setting up a wide open Jarryd TenVannholt at the side of the net at 9:13 cutting the Vernon lead to within a goal. Brett Knowles and David Killip collected the assists. The Backs on all previous powerplays were really trying to setup the exact same play, feeding TenVannholt at the side of the Vernon goal, but then were unable to connect. Before the faceoff Mark Ferner was again really giving it to the one linesman, thats when the Vipers were charged with a bench minor giving Salmon Arm another two man advantage. Again the Backs didnt waist anytime with the powerplay, moving the puck around Justin Krabben setup Josh Manson who wired a pointshot past Bryton Udy at 8:34 tying the game as the Sunwave Centre was rocking. Krabben with the only helper. With the Silverbacks still on the powerplay, the Vipers were lucky as Salmon Arm took a minor. With some four on four action the Vipers would then get their chance with the man advantage but thats not the way things went, just as the Vipers shortened powerplay started Josh Manson setup Brett Knowles whos shot went high and over Udy at 10:14 giving the Silverbacks their first lead of the night, and sending the Salmon Arm crowd into a frenzy. Manson with the lone assist. Two powerplay goals and one shorthanded goal all in two minutes gives Salmon Arm the lead as Vernon blows a 3-1 lead. With Vernon still on the powerplay the Vipers went back to work, moving the puck well the Vipers come up with some good chances but unable to find the back of the net. Salmon Arm would kill off the minor. Just over a minute later the Vipers would go back to work on another powerplay, Mike Zalewski with a great chance slide the puck through the crease as no Viper player was near to tap the puck into the empty cage. David Killip and Justin Krabben with two huge shot blocks come up huge on the penalty kill. The Vipers with back to back strong powerplays couldnt capitalise. Salmon Arm would kill off the penalty. Vernon didnt quit as the Vipers dominated the final eight minutes. Mike Zalewski with a nice move at the circle cut towards the goal but was pokechecked by Chase Martin who made a huge save in tight. Kyle Murphy with a chance in close couldnt beat Martin as the Vipers were firing shots from everywhere. Time was no becoming a factor as Vernon would call a timeout with 1:16 remaining. The Vipers would get Bryton Udy to the bench for the extra attacker, Vernon would get the play in deep but some strong defensive play by the Backs, the Vipers couldnt get control of the play or get a chance to setup a play, as the puck was going back and forth along the boards, eating up valuable time off the clock. The Vipers would get a late powerplay but again unable to find the back of the net. In the dying seconds Steve Weinsteins point shot was blocked at the blueline as the puck come all the way back into the Vipers zone, killing off the final few seconds off the clock. In the end Salmon Arm with a huge comeback victory improve to 4-0 against Vernon. As the Silverbacks bench erupted at the buzzer and flooded the ice, the Vipers didnt move for a few seconds as everyone stayed on the Vernon bench. This is when David Robinson gave an earfull to referee Matt Thurston. Robinson was given a game misconduct. The Vipers bench then slowly started to make their way to the dressing room, with a few players giving an earfull to the referee and linesmen. The Vipers outshot the Silverbacks 19-10.
Top Players: (Vernon)
David Robinson (2 goals) Played a strong game up front for Vernon. Robinson had lots of jump in his game tonight and was skating hard all night. The Viper captain with several good scoring chances in close managed to score twice.
Kyle Murphy (2 assists) Played a very strong game for Vernon. Murphy who had several great chances couldnt buy a goal tonight. Murphy was all over the ice for the Vipers, looked very dangerous with the puck in close and around the net, but just couldnt get a break or bounce tonight.
Bryce Kakoske (1 goal) Played his second straight good game for the Vipers. Kakoske scored a real nice shorthanded goal early in the 3rd to give Vernon a 2-1 lead. Was very good with and without the puck.
Adam Thompson who struggled in last nights 3-2 loss to Salmon Arm, played a much stronger game tonight. Thompson looked like his usal self tonight played very well defensively.
Bryton Udy (24 saves) Udy who was making his first start on the road this season, played very well between the pipes for the Vipers. Udy looked very confident and sharp in goal, giving his team a chance to win. I thought Udy was his best in the opening period coming up with two big back to back glove hand saves and then making a few real tough saves down low with traffic in front with the Backs on the powerplay. You couldnt fauly Udy on any of the four Salmon Arm goals.
Top Players: (Salmon Arm)
Clinton Atkinson I thought played very well on the Salmon Arm blueline. Atkinson who played very well last night was very steady for the Backs tonight.
Justin Krabben (1 assist) another Silverback defenceman played very well on the Backs blueline. Krabben who played well in both games vs Vernon was solid all night.
Josh Manson (1 goal & 1 assist) Was one of the better Silverbacks tonight. Manson who showed good hustle early in the 2nd period dove back into the play to bat the loose puck out of the crease, after John Knisleys shot went off Chase Martins blocker and looked to have been going in behind the Backs goaltender. Manson played physical and scored a real nice game tying goal.
Devin Gannon (1 goal) Played his second straight good game. Gannon who I thought looked his best in the 1st period was strong up front.
Chase Martin (40 saves) Is now 2-0 against Vernon after back to back wins over the Vipers. Martin who played well last night played a little better tonight. I thought Martin made a few more tougher saves tonight and once again gave his team a chance to win.
Game Thoughts: (Vernon)
I thought the Vipers played a very strong road game tonight, and played and looked much better after last nights dissapointing 3-2 loss at home. In all three periods I thought the Vipers got off to a good start and really controlled the edge in play, atleast for the first half of all three periods. It was late in the first two periods when Salmon Arm turned things around and was the better team. With the Vipers up 3-1 and at the time outplaying the Backs I think the Vipers let their emotions get the better of them and the hockey game wich ended up costing them the victory and two very big points in the standings. I didnt see the Robinson butt end call. As I said earlier Robinson and another Silverbacks player (I didnt catch the #) got tangled up in the neutral zone, as the Silverbacks carried the play into the Vernon zone I saw Robinson head towards the Vipers bench but then looked back to watch the play continue in the Vipers zone. After hearing the fans yelling, I looked up and saw the Silverbacks player down on the ice and looked to be in pain. This is when the linesmen made the four minute butt-ending call on Robinson. Mark Ferner who usally dosnt get very upset that often was very furious. Now why would Ferner be so upset after a call like this? My guess is that maybe the Salmon Arm player acted out the penalty? I dont know I didnt see the play, but if Robinson did actually butt-end the Silverback player, why would Ferner get so upset over a very dumb penalty? In anycase the Vipers with a 3-1 lead and in full control of the hockey game at this point, let their emotions get in the way and coughed up two big points. This was a game where Vernon had played very well and deserved the win until the undisaplined penalties. Other then the undisaplined penalties wich cost the Vipers the game, I was very pleased to see the Vipers respond with a much better effort and put on a better performance tonight after last nights 3-2 loss. Vernon was skating hard, was throwing alot of pucks towards the net as well as driving towards the goal, getting more net presence tonight. I also liked the Vipers hustle and work ethic. Tonight the Vipers competed and played very well in a tough loss. Tonight was the first of a five game road trip for the Vipers, Vernon has 16 of the next 21 games away from home. This will be a tough test for the Vipers.
Game Thoughts: (Salmon Arm)
I thought the Silverbacks were outplayed most of the night. Salmon Arm started off slow in all three periods but managed to slowly get things going late in atleast the first two periods. The Backs for the second straight night had troubles generating offence. For the second straight night I was very impressed with the teams defence and penalty kill. The Silverbacks blocked several shots especially in the 3rd when Vernon had some good presure going. Specialty teams was the difference tonight, Salmon Arm capitalised on two undisaplined penalties by the Vipers midway through the 3rd. The Backs scored back to back powerplay goals and then got the game winner shorthanded scoring three goals in two minutes. Give the Silverbacks credit they battled back and played very well defensively. I think Tim Kehler may want to see a little more presure and offensive attack from his forward units but with back to back wins over Vernon he has to be pleased. The Silverbacks have Vernons number going 4-0 against the Vipers.
Scratches:
Vernon:
Dylan Walchuk (Playing for Team Canada West)
Malcolm Lyles
Patrick McGillis (Injured)
Salmon Arm:
Jayson Reardon
Morgan Zulinick
Kris Moore
3 Stars:
1st Star: Josh Manson (1 goal & 1 assist)
2nd Star: Kyle Murphy (2 assists)
3rd Star: Chase Martin (40 saves)
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