Interior Conference Finals-Series Preview: Salmon Arm @ Vernon:

Regular Season Final Records: Salmon Arm (38-19-2-1) @ Vernon (36-11-4-9)

The Salmon Arm Silverbacks are coming off a 4-0 series sweep of the Merritt Centennials in the first round, before knocking off the 2nd place Penticton Vees in five games in the Interior Conference Semi-Finals. Salmon Arm now moves onto the Interior Conference Finals for just the third time in team history and a date with the defending back to back National Champions. After winning their 15th Interior Conference Pennent the Vipers finished with a bye in the first round of the playoffs before taking out the 4th place Westside Warriors in six games. The Vipers and Silverbacks will meet for just the second time in playoff history.

Let's take a look at the Vernon Vipers: (Regular Season)

Games Played: 60
Wins: 36
Losses: 11
Ties: 4
Overtime Losses: 9
Home Record: 18-5-2-5
Road Record: 18-6-2-4
Streak: Three game regular season winning streak
Last Ten Games: 8-1-0-1
Goals For: 197
Goals Against:141
Standings: 1st Place

-The Vipers powerplay was ranked 12th during the regular season

-Vernon’s penalty kill was ranked 5th during the regular season

-Blake Voth was the leagues 3rd best goaltender during the regular season posting a 25-11-3 record, with 4 shutouts and a 2.12 GAA

-Vernon had the leagues second best home record behind Powell River going 18-5-2-5 at the Wesbild Centre

-The Vipers were the BCHL’s second best road team behind the Powell River Kings, going 18-6-2-4 away from home

-The Vipers only gave up 141 goals against during the regular season, wich was also second best behind Powell River who only gave up 115 goals

-Vernon is 22-3-3-8 when scoring the games first goal

-The Vipers are 14-8-1-1 when giving up the first goal of the game

Since the 2002-03 season Vernon is 35-24-3-4 vs. Salmon Arm

Since the 2002-03 season Vernon has outscored Salmon Arm 231-223

Since the 2003-04 season Vernon is 13-12-0-2 at home vs. Salmon Arm

Since the 2003-04 season Vernon is 16-9-2-3 in Salmon Arm

Vernon is 4-6-0-0 in its last 10 visits at the Sunwave Centre

Vernon is 4-5-0-1 in its last 10 home games vs Salmon Arm

Vernon is 2-7-0-1 in its last 10 games vs. Salmon Arm

The Vipers last win at the Sunwave Centre was a 6-3 victory back on Wednesday, December 29th 2010

The Vipers last win at the Wesbild Centre vs Salmon Arm was a 3-2 victory back on Friday, February 11th 2010

The Vernon Lakers changed their name to the Vernon Vipers to start the 1995-96 season. Here’s a look at the Vipers all-time regular season record

Games Played: 960
Wins: 619
Losses: 245
Ties: 15
Overtime Losses: 84

For more stats & former Vernon Junior Hockey Team rosters & lineups please visit Paul’s Vernon Junior Hockey History website,

http://members.shaw.ca/vernonfranchise/index.html

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)

Vernon’s Home record vs. Salmon Arm this season:

0-3-0-1

Vernon’s Road record vs. Salmon Arm this season:

1-3-0-0

Vernon’s Powerplay vs. Salmon Arm this season:

4-44

Vernon’s scoring leaders vs. Salmon Arm this season:

Kyle Murphy (3-6-9)
Bryce Kakoske (2-3-5)
Max Mowat (1-4-5)
Aaron Hadley (4-0-4)
Dylan Walchuk (2-2-4)
David Robinson (2-1-3)
Marcus Basara (1-2-3)
John Knisley (1-1-2)
Michael Zalewski (0-2-2)
Patrick McGillis (1-1-2)
Darren Nowick (0-2-2)
Malcolm Lyles (1-0-1)
Adam Thompson (0-1-1)

Blake Voth (0-3 Record)
Kirby Halcrow (1-2 Record)

-Kirby Halcrow is 2-6 in his career vs. Salmon Arm

-Blake Voth is 1-3 in his career vs. Salmon Arm

-Bryce Kakoske has (8-5-13) in 21 career regular season games vs. Salmon Arm

-Steve Weinstein has (1-1-2) in 20 career regular season games vs. Salmon Arm

-Adam Thompson has (2-5-7) in 23 career regular season games vs. Salmon Arm

-Patrick McGillis has (1-3-4) in 11 career regular season games vs. Salmon Arm

This will be the Vernon franchise’s second chance at doing something no other junior hockey team has done, and that’s win three straight National Titles. The Vernon Lakers won back to back Centennial Cups in 1990 & 1991 before falling in the Semi-Finals at the 1992 Centennial Cup. The Vernon Vipers have won back to back Royal Bank Cups and now have a chance to win three straight but with just seven returning players back from last years National Championship team (Dylan Walchuk, David Robinson, Bryce Kakoske, Steve Weinstein, Adam Thompson, Blake Voth and Patrick McGillis), Vernon will be in tough.

The Vipers who I think surprised a lot if not most fans around the league winning their 15th Interior Conference Pennent with a record of 36-11-4-9 will have their work cut out for them in this years BCHL playoffs. With just seven returning players back from last year, the Vipers don’t have that veteran experience they carried through last years playoff run.

The Vipers have had troubles putting pucks in the net all season, ranked 11th in the league, scoring just 197 goals, Vernon will have to try and win a lot of one goal games in these playoffs, relying on team defence and strong goaltending. The 2008-09 Royal Bank Champion Vipers also didn’t have a lot of fire power up front, and also relied on team defence and strong goaltending, winning a lot of 2-1 games through out their playoff run.

Experience and leadership is key for any team come playoff time, the Vipers seven returning players from last years RBC Cup team will have to lead the way and use their experience and leadership through these playoffs.

Goaltending is huge come this time of year, and the Vipers who have one of the BCHL’s top two goaltenders (Blake Voth & Kirby Halcrow) will have to depend on both goaltenders to have their best saved for the playoffs.

Let's take a look at the Salmon Arm Silverbacks: (Regular Season)

Games Played: 60
Wins: 38
Losses: 19
Ties: 2
Overtime Losses: 1
Home Record: 22-7-1-0
Road Record: 16-12-1-1
Streak: One game regular season losing streak
Last Ten Games: 7-2-0-1
Goals For: 239
Goals Against: 205
Standings: 3rd Place

-Salmon Arm was ranked 1st during the regular season with the man advantage

-The Silverbacks had the leagues 3rd best penalty kill during the regular season

-Mike Hammond (39-54-93) lead the league in scoring

-Salmon Arm scored 239 goals during the regular season, wich was second best in the BCHL behind the Westside Warriors

-Salmon Arm is 29-6-2-0 when scoring the games first goal

-The Silverbacks are 9-12-0-1 when giving up the first goal of the game

Returning Players:

Devin Gannon (91)
David Killip (91)
Brett Knowles (91)
Justin Krabben (91)
Josh Manson (91)
Brandon Mistal (92)
Jayson Reardon (90)
Charlie Vasaturo (90)
Kurt Williams (91)

Departing & traded players from last years team:

Matt Ridley (90)
Christopher Hoe (90)
Josh Monk (92)
Mark Zengerle (89)
Corey Chakeen (89)
Tyler Gubb (89)
Travis Statchuk (90)
Bobby Lipsett (89)
Levi Hantula (90)
Kyle Peden (89)
Tony Ierfino (89)
Matt Cassidy (90)

Salmon Arm's Home record vs. Vernon this season:

3-1-0-0

Salmon Arm's Road record vs. Vernon this season:

4-0-0-0

Salmon Arm's Powerplay vs. Vernon this season:

8-37

Salmon Arm's scoring leaders vs. Vernon this season:

Brett Knowles (5-5-10)
Jarryd Ten Vaanholt (5-2-7)
David Killip (3-4-7)
Devin Gannon (4-2-6)
Bryce Gervais (3-2-5)
Jayson Reardon (2-3-5)
Josh Manson (2-3-5)
Charlie Vasaturo (0-4-4)
Brandon Mistal (0-3-3)
Taylor Fauchoux (1-1-2)
Justin Krabben (0-2-2)
Clinton Atkinson(0-2-2)
Cody Michelle (1-1-2)
Kevin Mills (1-1-2)
Brad Reid (2-0-2)
Mike Hammond (0-2-2)
Devin Muller (1-0-1)
Paul De Jersey (1-0-1)

Kris Moore (5-1 Record)

-David Killip has (11-7-18) in 20 career regular season games vs. Vernon

-Jayson Reardon has (3-5-8) in 14 career regular season games vs Vernon

-Brett Knowles has (5-6-11) in 14 career regular season games vs. Vernon

-Devin Gannon has (4-3-7) in 16 career regular season games vs Vernon

With nine returning players from last years team, I was expecting the Salmon Arm Silverbacks to be one of the Interior Conference’s top clubs this season, battling for the Interior Conference Pennent. Well the Backs finished in 3rd place but due to some injuries earlier in the regular season, I think Salmon Arm would have been fighting it out for tops in the Interior Conference with the Vipers, if it wasnt for these injuries. The Silverbacks will be looking at winning just their second Interior Conference Championship. The Backs won their one and only Interior Conference Title back in 2003-04 before falling to the Nanaimo Clippers in the BCHL finals. Last year Salmon Arm was knocked out in the first round of the BCHL playoffs by the Quesnel Millionaires.

The Silverbacks have a very balanced scoring team, with all four lines contributing. Salmon Arm who can put the puck in the net was the BCHL’s second top scoring team this regular season, scoring 239 goals. Seven players (Mike Hammond, David Killip, Brett Knowles, Brad Reid, Devin Gannon, Bryce Gervais & Jarryd Ten Vaanholt) all have twenty or more goals this regular season. The Vipers better find a way to try and slow down or stop the Backs potent offence.

On the backend Salmon Arm didnt have one of either goaltenders in the league's top ten during the regular season, but on the ice have one of the league's best tenders in Kris Moore. Moore has stopped 189 out of 205 shots in six games vs Vernon this season. Kris Moore (21-11-2 Record, 1 Shutout, 2.99 GAA) has played in all nine Salmon Arm playoff games while Kurt Williams (10-6 Record, 3.38 GAA) has yet to see any action. Moore alone will give the Silverbacks a chance to win a game and a series.

Here’s a look at the regular season series between these two teams:

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 from Taylor Fauchoux
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 Justin Krabben

Salmon Arm outshot Vernon 29-27. Kris Moore made 26 saves in the win, while Blake Voth made 25 saves in the loss.

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

Saturday, September 11th @ Salmon Arm: Salmon Arm wins 4-1

SCORING SUMMARY

PERIOD 1

Salmon Arm Silverbacks at 1:39 (PP) - David Killip from Brett Knowles and Jarryd Ten Vaanholt
Salmon Arm Silverbacks at 2:03 - Bryce Gervais (unassisted)

PERIOD 2

Salmon Arm Silverbacks at 2:30 - Josh Manson from Bryce Gervais

PERIOD 3

Vernon Vipers at 7:43 - Aaron Hadley from Bryce Kakoske
Salmon Arm Silverbacks at 17:40 - Cody Michelle from Matt Cassidy and Devin Gannon

Vernon outshot Salmon Arm 34-13. Kris Moore made 33 saves picking up the win, while Blake Voth made 9 saves taking the loss.

http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=840261&link=bchl

Friday, November 12th @ Vernon: Salmon Arm wins 3-2

SCORING SUMMARY

PERIOD 1

Salmon Arm Silverbacks at 0:21 - Devin Gannon from Clinton Atkinson and Matt Cassidy
Vernon Vipers at 18:09 - Aaron Hadley from Michael Zalewski and Max Mowat
Vernon Vipers at 18:18 - Aaron Hadley from John Knisley and Max Mowat

PERIOD 2

Salmon Arm Silverbacks at 11:47 - Paul De Jersey (unassisted)
Salmon Arm Silverbacks at 13:43 (PP) - Devin Gannon from Matt Cassidy

PERIOD 3

No Scoring

Vernon outshot Salmon Arm 28-18. Chase Martin made 26 saves picking up the victory, while Blake Voth made 6 saves taking the loss.

http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=840176&link=bchl

Saturday, November 13th @ Salmon Arm: Salmon Arm wins 4-3

SCORING SUMMARY

PERIOD 1

No Scoring

PERIOD 2

Vernon Vipers at 8:03 - David Robinson from Kyle Murphy and Bryce Kakoske
Salmon Arm Silverbacks at 18:21 - Devin Gannon from Charlie Vasaturo and Matt Cassidy

PERIOD 3

Vernon Vipers at 2:40 (SH) - Bryce Kakoske (unassisted)
Vernon Vipers at 5:10 (PP) - David Robinson from Kyle Murphy
Salmon Arm Silverbacks at 8:13 (PP) - Jarryd Ten Vaanholt from Brett Knowles and David Killip
Salmon Arm Silverbacks at 8:34 (PP) - Josh Manson from Justin Krabben and Devin Gannon
Salmon Arm Silverbacks at 10:14 (SH) - Brett Knowles from Josh Manson and David Killip

Vernon outshot Salmon Arm 43-28. Chase Martin made 40 saves in the win, while Bryton Udy made 24 saves in the loss.

http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=840262&link=bchl

Wednesday, December 29th @ Salmon Arm: Vernon wins 6-3

SCORING SUMMARY

PERIOD 1

Salmon Arm Silverbacks at 3:28 (PP) - Brett Knowles from Bryce Gervais
Vernon Vipers at 15:47 (PP) - John Knisley from Dylan Walchuk and Michael Zalewski
Vernon Vipers at 16:15 - Todd Skirving (unassisted)

PERIOD 2

Salmon Arm Silverbacks at 2:06 - Kevin Mills (unassisted)
Vernon Vipers at 4:31 - Bryce Kakoske from Kyle Murphy
Vernon Vipers at 6:32 - Patrick McGillis from Darren Nowick
Salmon Arm Silverbacks at 16:15 (PP) - Jarryd Ten Vaanholt from Charlie Vasaturo

PERIOD 3

Vernon Vipers at 5:33 - Kyle Murphy from Patrick McGillis
Vernon Vipers at 19:50 (SH) (EN) - Kyle Murphy from Dylan Walchuk

Vernon outshot Salmon Arm 30-19. Kirby Halcrow made 16 saves in the win, while Kris Moore made 24 saves in the loss.

http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=840263&link=bchl

Thursday, December 30th @ Vernon: Salmon Arm wins 3-2 in double overtime

SCORING SUMMARY

PERIOD 1

Vernon Vipers at 10:01 - Aaron Hadley from Darren Nowick and Max Mowat
Salmon Arm Silverbacks at 17:36 - Bryce Gervais from Jarryd Ten Vaanholt and Jayson Reardon

PERIOD 2

Salmon Arm Silverbacks at 1:22 - Jarryd Ten Vaanholt from Brandon Mistal
Vernon Vipers at 13:23 - Marcus Basara from Bryce Kakoske and Kyle Murphy

PERIOD 3

No Scoring

OVERTIME PERIOD 2

Salmon Arm Silverbacks at 2:53 - David Killip from Brett Knowles and Jayson Reardon

Vernon outshot Salmon Arm 38-31. Kris Moore made 36 saves in the win, while Kirby Halcrow made 28 saves in the loss.

http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=840177&link=bchl

Tuesday, Januray 25th @ Vernon: Salmon Arm wins 3-0

SCORING SUMMARY

PERIOD 1

Salmon Arm Silverbacks at 11:51 - Brett Knowles from Kevin Mills

PERIOD 2

Salmon Arm Silverbacks at 7:18 - David Killip from Brett Knowles and Charlie Vasaturo
Salmon Arm Silverbacks at 11:14 - Jarryd Ten Vaanholt from Clinton Atkinson

PERIOD 3

No Scoring

Vernon outshot Salmon Arm 45-30, Kris Moore made 45 saves for the shutout-win, while Kirby Halcrow made 27 saves in the loss.

http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=840178&link=bchl

Wednesday, February 9th @ Salmon Arm: Salmon Arm wins 5-4

SCORING SUMMARY

PERIOD 1

Salmon Arm Silverbacks at 3:55 - Brett Knowles from Josh Manson
Salmon Arm Silverbacks at 18:28 - Brad Reid from Mike Hammond and Josh Manson

PERIOD 2

Vernon Vipers at 0:35 - Kyle Murphy (unassisted)
Salmon Arm Silverbacks at 4:31 - Devin Gannon from David Killip and Brett Knowles
Salmon Arm Silverbacks at 6:10 - Bryce Gervais from Cody Michelle and Brandon Mistal
Salmon Arm Silverbacks at 19:15 (PP) - Brad Reid from Mike Hammond and Jayson Reardon

PERIOD 3

Vernon Vipers at 9:33 (PP) - Dylan Walchuk from Max Mowat and Adam Thompson
Vernon Vipers at 12:42 - Malcolm Lyles from Kyle Murphy and Marcus Basara
Vernon Vipers at 16:33 - Max Mowat from Marcus Basara and Kyle Murphy

Salmon Arm outshoots Vernon 31-29. Kris Moore made 25 saves in the win, while Kirby Halcrow made 21 saves in the loss.

http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=840264&link=bchl

Here's a look at both teams regular season rosters:

Vernon:

Dylan Walchuk (24-32-56)
David Robinson (32-18-50)
Bryce Kakoske (17-33-50)
Kyle Murphy (18-25-43)
John Knisley (10-25-35)
Malcolm Lyles (8-22-30)
Michael Zalewski (12-17-29)
Adam Thompson (7-22-29)
Marcus Basara (12-16-28)
Darren Nowick (9-18-27)
Patrick McGillis (13-12-25)
Aaron Hadley (9-15-24)
Steven Weinstein (5-19-24)
Brett Corkey (1-23-24)
Trevor Fitzgerald (7-11-18)
Max Mowat (2-13-15)
Ryan Renz (4-10-14)
Colton Sparrow (1-6-7)
Dane Muench (1-5-6)
Zach McPhee (3-1-4)
Philip Patenaude (0-1-1)

Kirby Halcrow With Quesnel (5-18-1 Record, 3.56 GAA)
With Vernon (10-4-1 Record, 1 Shutout, 2.19 GAA)
Blake Voth (25-11-3 Record, 4 Shutouts, 2.12 GAA)

Salmon Arm:

Mike Hammond (39-54-93)
David Killip (23-37-60)
Brett Knowles (30-28-58)
Brad Reid (23-29-52)
Devin Gannon (22-30-52)
Bryce Gervais (29-22-51)
Jarryd Ten Vaanholt (22-28-50)
Clinton Atkinson (3-45-48)
Josh Manson (12-35-47)
Morgan Zulinick (12-17-29)
Devin Muller (12-16-28)
Cody Michelle (11-17-28)
Jayson Reardon (2-26-28)
Charlie Vasaturo (4-18-22)
Brandon Mistal (8-10-18)
Paul De Jersey (8-9-17)
Kevin Mills (1-8-9)
James Friedel (1-5-6)
Josh McKissock (1-4-5)
Dustin Cave (2-2-4)
Justin Elliott (0-2-2)

Kris Moore (21-11-2 Record, 1 Shutout, 2.99 GAA)
Kurt Williams (10-6 Record, 3.38 GAA)