I was at tonight's BCHL game as Vernon defeated Salmon Arm 6-3 in front of 1,400 fans at the Sunwave Centre.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon: Kirby Halcrow
Salmon Arm: Kris Moore
1st Period: After the Christmas break, the BCHL makes all teams switch home and away jerseys for the second half of the regular season. So tonight Vernon was wearing their home white jerseys, while Salmon Arm was wearing their dark 3rd set jerseys. The Vipers would lose forward, Aaron Hadley just three minutes into the hockey game after being called for checking from behind this giving Salmon Arm an early powerplay. The Backs moved the puck well, before Kirby Halcrow was tested early making a huge glove save to keep the game scoreless. Halcrow and the Vipers couldnt keep the Silverbacks off the scoreboard for much longer, after Bryce Gervais setup Brett Knowles at 3:28 giving Salmon Arm the early 1-0 lead with the powerplay goal. Gervais with the lone helper. The Backs were outshooting the Vipers 3-0 early but Vernon would come right back and just a few minutes later Zac McPhee setup a wide open Trevor Fitzgerald who was robbed by the pad of Kris Moore who stoned the Viper rookie in front on a great scoring chance. Just a few minutes later the Vipers would get a two man advantage, Vernon moved the puck around well but was unable to get any shots towards the net. Captain, David Robinson from the side of the net through the puck in front, the puck hit someone or something in front and was laying in the crease but no Vipers were close enough to fire the puck into the empty cage as Kris Moore had no idea where the loose puck was, one of the Salmon Arm d-men scooped up the loose puck and managed to clear the zone. The Backs penalty kill looked pretty good killing off the first powerplay, with one still to go Adam Thompson stepped into his point shot but was robbed after Moore come up with a huge glove save keeping the Vipers off the scoreboard. Salmon Arm would kill off the minor and on the next play the Silverbacks would send Matt Cassidy in all alone for the breakaway, but Cassidy couldnt beat Kirby Halcrow who went down but managed to keep the puck out making a huge save. Just minutes later Vernon would head back to the man advantage and waist very little time. Dylan Walchuk setup John Knisley at 15:47 tying the game 1-1. Walchuk and Mike Zalewski drew the assists. Both teams didnt play their best hockey of the period but as the 1st carried on, Vernon seemed to get better. The Vipers slowly started to get their forecheck going late in the period as Salmon Arm looked frustrated having all kinds of trouble with the Vipers forecheck down low, just seconds after Knisley's goal, Todd Skirving was somehow left all alone down low, Skirving with a wrap around banked the puck in and off Kris Moore at 16:15 giving Vernon a 2-1 lead. Skirving's goal was unassisted. The Vipers would get the puck back in deep and kept up the forecheck, well the frustration finally boiled over for the Backs after Lumby product, Jayson Reardon pushed a Vernon player onto Kris Moore, with the play still continuing in the corner Moore then finally got up and shoved the net off its mournings stopping the play, wich then forced some pushing and shoving in the final two minutes. In the end Vernon would get a late powerplay. The Vipers moved the puck well, Malcolm Lyles screened point shot got through traffic beat Moore but hit the post as Vernon come very close to going up 3-1. This was the only real good scoring chance as the Silverbacks killed off the minor just before the buzzer. The Vipers seemed to carry a bit of the play late in the period and got better as the 1st went on. Salmon Arm with just a few scoring chances, couldnt get much offence going after scoring their lone goal early to start the game. Vernon was up 2-1 after 20 minutes of play. The Vipers outshot the Silverbacks 17-4. Salmon Arm would get just a single shot after opening the scoring at 3:28 of the period.
2nd Period: Both teams didnt look real sharp to start the second. The Backs would get a break just over two minutes into the period, newcomer Kevin Mills would skate through the Vipers defensive zone untouched, before beating Kirby Halcrow at 2:06 Halcrow who never moved on the play looked stunned. Mills goal was unassisted tying the game 2-2. The reason Mills was untouched and then beat Halcrow who didnt move on the play, was the play was offside at the Vernon blueline, and Im guessing the Vipers along with Halcrow didnt touch Mills thinking the play was going to be blown down. In fact the play was still alive and the goal stood. But just over two minutes later David Robinson with some hard work down low setup Bryce Kakoske who's shot beat Kris Moore from the slot but the puck hit the post and then went in past Moore at 4:31 giving Vernon a 3-2 lead. Kakoske's goal was unassisted. Just over two minutes later the Vipers come right back getting the play in deep, on a strange play the puck somehow come from the corner boards, right out front both Darren Nowick and Patrick McGillis tried swating the puck past a diving Moore, McGillis would be the one who would find the back of the net at 6:32 giving the Vipers a 4-2 lead. Nowick with the lone helper. The Backs would then get a powerplay just over a minute later. Vernon's penalty kill was sharp as Salmon Arm couldnt seem to get much going as the Vipers would kill off the minor. The Vipers slowly started to move the puck well and carry the better of the play at times in the second half. At times both teams looked a little scrambly. Devin Gannon was fired up about something, as Gannon gave Kyle Murphy a shot and tried to get Murphy to drop the gloves, but Murphy was smart and skated away. Both teams took some liberty towards one another, as David Robinson was give four minutes for spearing. Salmon Arm with a great chance to either tie the game or cut the lead to one. Patrick McGillis would lose his stick and come up with a huge shot block. The Backs moved the puck around well but the Vipers blocking the shooting lanes forced Salmon Arm to keep moving the puck around this forcing a turnover giving Trevor Fitzgerald and Dylan Walchuk a two on one shorthanded, Fitzgerald fed Walchuk who couldnt connect on the pass, sending the Silverbacks back the other way on the odd man rush. Give credit to Fitzgerald who showed good hustle getting back into the play but Walchuk couldnt get back in time, as Charlie Vasaturo setup Jarryd Ten Vaanholt who cut towards the slot and then snuck the puck just under the arm of Kirby Halcrow at 16:15 cutting the Vernon lead to one goal. Vasaturo with the only assist. Vernon would kill off the remainder of the double minor. On the next play Mike Zalewski all alone in front couldnt beat Moore who just got out his pad at the last second making a huge save to keep the Backs within a goal. On the final play of the game, the Vipers got the puck in deep with just a few seconds remaining on the clock. David Robinson come hard towards Kris Moore spraying the Backs goaltender with snow at the buzzer this sending Clinton Atkinson to charge the Viper captain and deliver either a check or stick to the head of Robinson. Robinson dropped to the ice sending several players in as some pushing and shoving took place in the corner to end the 2nd period. Robinson who could barly stand up, was helped off the ice and didnt return. Atkinson was given a five minute major and tossed from the game. Robinson was given a minor on the play giving the Vipers a three minute powerplay to start the 3rd. The Vipers took a 4-3 lead into the 3rd. Shots were even seven each.
3rd Period: Both teams started the final frame four on four as the Silverbacks would get the puck in deep and carry the better of the play until the Vipers would get the final three minutes on the five minute major for a lengthy powerplay. Bryce Gervais come up with a huge shot block shorthanded, give credit to Salmon Arms penalty kill who played well forcing the Vipers to take a penalty with still time remaining on the five minute major. Devin Gannon with a great chance was alone at the side of the net but couldnt beat Halcrow. A burrage of penalties over the next few minutes made things interesting. Out of all the minors the Vipers would once again head back to the powerplay and waist little time, just ten seconds into the man advantage Kyle Murphy beat Moore at 5:33 giving Vernon a 5-3 lead. Patrick McGillis with the only assist on the goal. Salmon Arm would then get a powerplay and get some great chances, Halcrow was forced to make a huge toe save off a quick shot from the slot and then Charlie Vasaturo's point shot somehow got through Halcrow as the puck was laying in the Viper crease before a Vernon d-man would clear the puck and the zone as the Silverbacks couldnt capitalise. The Vipers then played shutdown hockey for the next nine minutes, as Vernon would hit centre, get the puck in deep and change lines keeping guys fresh. Salmon Arm couldnt get any offence going with the Vipers clogging up the neutral zone not giving the Backs any room to create chances. Vernon's defence was stellor in the 3rd doing a great job defensively as well as allowing Kirby Halcrow to see any shots coming in from the point. The Backs would get another powerplay in the final four minutes this time Salmon Arm would get two good chances on the man advantage but couldnt connect on the passing as once again Vernons penalty kill was very strong. Newcomer Brad Reid had Halcrow down and out but Brett Corkey with a good stick got his stick in the way of Reid's shot sending the puck up into the mesh stopping play. Kyle Murphy who played very well tonight, come up with two big shot blocks on the penalty kill as Vernon would kill off any Salmon Arm pressure. Salmon Arm would get their third straight powerplay with 1:35 remaining. Tim Kehler would call a timeout to try and rally the troops, with a big faceoff win deep in the Vipers zone, the Silverbacks would get Kris Moore to the bench for the extra attacker but it was the strong penalty kill once again from Vernon who calmly cleared the zone on almost every Backs dump in. On atleast two or even three long shots from the Vernon zone the Vipers come close to hitting the empty net. In the final dying seconds the Vipers got the puck in deep allowing Kyle Murphy to find the empty net shorthanded with just ten seconds remaining in the hockey game, giving the Vipers a three goal lead. In the end Vernon would end their six game road trip with a 6-3 victory and their first of the season over Salmon Arm. The Silverbacks outshot the Vipers 8-6.
Top Players: (Vernon)
Max Mowat who returned after being injured the past few weeks, played very well tonight. Mowat took a few big checks but didnt back down.
John Knisley (1 goal) I was very impressed with Knisley tonight, played with a ton of energy, was skating hard, and competed on every shift. Really used his wheels to get in and out of the play.
Kyle Murphy (2 goals) I thought tonight was one of if not Murphy's best game as a Viper. Played very well at both ends of the rink, made atleast two or three huge shot blocks on the penalty kill. Worked hard all night.
Patrick McGillis (1 goal & 1 assist) Nice to see Patty McGillis get going again, McGillis played a strong game up front for the Vipers. Another player who come up with a few huge shot blocks through out tonights game. McGillis was also another player who played very well at both ends of the rink.
Todd Skirving (1 goal) I dont think saw a shift after about the midway mark of the 2nd period but up until then played very well. Here's a kid who was a top recruit, come into this season as a proven goal scorer but has yet to really find or should I say get his game going this season. Skirving who is a bigger kid but dosnt use his size to his advantage finally used his size tonight. Skirving went hard to the net on several plays, seemed to get involved in the play and in and along the boards more tonight then I have seen him do all season. Because of this, the young man was rewarded with a nice goal giving Vernon a 2-1 lead in the opening period. I sure wish Todd would drive to the net more often, use his size and start playing a little more physical. I think Skirving needs to battle and muck it up more in and along the boards and in front of the net, and work hard for his goals. Keep playing like you did tonight and things will work out.
Adam Thompson played a very solid game on the Vipers blueline. Thompson was robbed of a goal in the 1st period after Kris Moore come up with a huge glove save on Thompson.
Kirby Halcrow (16 saves) Even though Halcrow only faced 19 shots, the second year BCHLer still had to come up with a few tough saves. I think a turning point of the game could be after Salmon Arm killed off a Vernon two man advantage powerplay and then on the next play Kirby Halcrow stops Matt Cassidy on the breakaway. Cassidy scores and it's 2-0 Silverbacks and we have a different hockey game. I thought Kirby looked to have troubles handling the puck early but seemed to get better as the game went on.
Top Players: (Salmon Arm)
Charlie Vasaturo (1 assist) Vasaturo was by far the Backs best d-man tonight. The second year Silverback played and looked very strong on the blueline. Vasaturo is a big strong young man who is very hard to knock off the puck and uses his size and stature to his advantage playing physical. Vasaturo with a few nice shots from the point, created a few scoring chances.
Brad Reid who come over in a trade from the Coquitlam Express just before the Christmas break, looked good in the 3rd. I didnt think Reid looked or played that well in the first two periods but took over in the final frame getting a ton of icetime. The 20 yr old forward, carried the play alot and come up with a few chances in the 3rd but was unable to find the back of the net.
Game Thoughts: (Vernon)
After five meetings between these two teams, the Vipers finally beat the Salmon Arm Silverbacks. The Vipers also beat Kris Moore who was 2-0 against them this season. In both previous meetings before tonight, Moore stopped 59 out of 61 Vernon shots in back to back 4-1 Salmon Arm victories. With the win, the Vipers now have some confidence and know they can beat Salmon Arm. Vernon is now 5 pts up on the Silverbacks and just a single point back of 1st place Penticton. The Vipers are now unbeaten in their last eleven games. Well tonight Vernon got five goals past Moore who I dont think played his best game. The Vipers who played their first game since the Christmas break, showed signs of being off for the past ten days but as the game went along I thought Vernon seemed to get better and look better in the second half of all three periods. For a team who has had troubles scoring goals this season, nice to see the Vipers put six on the board tonight. Vernon's penalty kill and defence was very strong, especially in the 3rd period. I also thought Vernon moved the puck very well tonight, looked very strong breaking out of their own end as well as coming through the neutral zone. I dont know how David Robinson is, but I sure hope the Vipers captain is ok and ready to go tomorrow night. Robinson took a brutal check or stick (couldnt tell) to the head-face at the buzzer of the 2nd period. There was no need for Clinton Atkinson to react this way, and on the way home Todd Miller & Donn Klepp were saying on the radio broadcast the Vipers will be sending a tape into the league for them to view. Let's hope David is ok.
Game Thoughts: (Salmon Arm)
Before tonight the Backs were 4-0 against Vernon and looked very strong in almost all four games, tonight I dont think the Vipers or their fans saw the same Salmon Arm team we watched earlier in the season. I wasnt very impressed with the Backs tonight and didnt think they played or looked all that great. Salmon Arm just like Vernon was playing their first game since the Christmas break and it showed. The Backs defence wasnt nearly as strong as in the four previous games vs Vernon, Kris Moore who was basically lights out in his first two starts vs the Vipers made a few big saves early but allowed some big rebounds, seemed to be fighting the puck at times. Moore just didnt look very confident between the pipes. The Backs did manage to get some good chances in the 3rd but couldnt capitalise. Salmon Arm couldnt seem to carry the play or control the play for long periods of time. A bounce or two and we could have a different ending. Both teams took some liberty on one another tonight, I thought Salmon Arm got away with atleast two checking from behind calls in the opening period. The Vipers also got away with a few calls but this game could have gotten out of hand and thankfully it didnt. Both these teams will play the second game of a home and home series tomorrow night in Vernon. You can bet both teams will have the little bit of rust left over from the holidays off and I think both teams will look at the video and maybe change a few things. You can bet Salmon Arm will come up with a better effort tomorrow night. The Backs have been struggling latley and you have to wonder if all these trades-changes to the roster has something to do with it?
Scratches:
Vernon:
Philip Patenaude (Injured)
Marcus Basara
Salmon Arm:
Dustin Cave
Josh McKissock
Devin Muller
3 Stars:
1st Star: Kyle Murphy (2 Goals)
2nd Star: John Knisley (1 Goal)
3rd Star: Charlie Vasaturo (1 assist)
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