For anyone who could not attend or watch today’s Vipers game here are my thoughts and views from today’s game. You may agree or disagree but we all have our own view and opinion on any game we watch. This is my opinion and my thoughts on how I saw today’s game. I try to be unbiased and give a fare recap on both sides. Thanks for stopping by & visiting my blog.
I was at today's Vipers-Silverbacks game as Salmon Arm defeated Vernon 3-2 in overtime in front of 856 fans at the Shaw Centre.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon: Danny Todosychuk
Salmon Arm: Adam Clark
1st Period: Just eleven seconds into the game Jared Wilson and Jeff Kennedy dropped the gloves. The Vipers come out with alot of jump and energy in the opening few minutes, skating hard Vernon with a good start playing their third game in as many days. Just over three minutes into the period Tyler Povelofskie and Jack Berezan dropped the mits. From here on in it was basically all Salmon Arm as the Silverbacks carried the edge in play outplaying the Vipers for most of the 1st. The Backs would open the scoring on a Vernon turnover, Salmon Arm with good pressure in the Vernon zone created a turnover wich resulted in the games first goal. Vernon product Alex Gillies at 6:01 gave Salmon Arm a 1-0 lead. Landon Smith and Brendan Kennedy picked up the helpers. I couldnt get a good look at the numbers, but the shot from the high slot may have beat Danny Todosychuk but on the other hand a Silverback player was going hard to the net and may have redirected the puck past Todosychuk either way the Backs with an early lead. The Vipers couldnt get much going, on the other side the Backs with the better of the play were very limited with opportunities. With eight minutes to go Dexter Dancs setup Michael McNicolas going to the net but McNicholas fired wide missing the goal. On the same play back come the Silverbacks as Danny Todosychuk had to be sharp making a big save off Bryden Marsh from the slot. With less then five minutes remaining Blake Box gave Liam Coughlin a slash along the side wall before Coughlin shoved Box back as the two exchanged words both players tried throwing a punch before both dropped the gloves in the third scrap of the period. The Vipers with a three on two, Jared Wilson in the slot decided to pass instead of shooting couldnt connect with the left winger on a missed opportunity. The Vipers would finally get some chances late after Brendan Persley with the best scoring chance was robbed at the side of the net by Adam Clark who come across the blue paint making a huge pad save as Persley couldnt get the puck up and over Clark before Clark had to sharp stopping McNicholas on the rebound. Salmon Arm was up 1-0 after 20 minutes of play. With two fights in the first few minutes it looked like we may be in for a long night. The Vipers with some good jump and energy early fizzled out as it was all Silverbacks for most of the period. Vernon come back late with a few chances but the Backs carried the play for most of the period but were very limited to opportunities. The Vipers defence had problems slowing down & containing the Silverbacks speed up front. The Vipers outshot the Silverbacks 11-9.
2nd Period: Nick Josephs who attended the Vipers training camp last year with a good opportunity in the first few minutes couldnt beat Vipers starting goaltender Danny Todosychuk who made a nice save through traffic. A few plays later Todosychuk down and out made a save I dont think he even saw as a huge pile of players were in and around the Vernon netscrambling for the loose puck before the Vipers defence were able to clear the zone. Salmon Arm with some good energy and pressure early held the Vipers off the offensive attack before Brett Mulcahy would get a fairly easy goal putting the puck into the open cage tying the game 1-1 at 6:26 on the Vipers first shot of the period. Colton Sparrow and Demico Hannoun with the assists. Less then two minutes later Vernon would get the games first powerplay but the Vipers would struggle as the Backs were able to kill off the minor. Brendan Persley with a chance at the side of the net couldnt get a full reach on a shot from in close was stopped by Clark. Very limited scoring chances at both ends of the rink in a very tight checking game all around. Danny Todosychuk didnt have to make any tough saves but was forced to make a few key saves at times in the second frame. The game was tied 1-1 after 40 minutes of play. The Backs with a good start, had some life and pressure in the opening few minutes before the Vipers responded with the games tying goal. Like I said very little scoring chances in a very tight checking game. The Vipers had troubles getting pucks to the net. Salmon Arm outshot Vernon 14-6.
3rd Period: The Vipers with a great chance off the opening faceoff, Brett Mulcahy setup Colton Sparrow who was stopped by Adam Clark on a Vipers odd man rush. Just 1:17 into the 3rd Vernon would get their second man advantage of the afternoon. The Vipers with a great chance to take the lead, Dexter Dancs setup Liam Coughlin who was stoned by Silverbacks starting goaltender Adam Clark who was on his knees made a big save from in close. Once again the Vipers struggled with the powerplay going 0-2 this afternoon. Salmon Arm would re-take the lead 2-1 after another Viper turnover inside their own end. The Backs once again capitalized after Danny Todosychuk had a chance to smother a loose puck, through the puck up the middle back into the play, the Silverbacks were able to keep the puck in the Viper zone before Landon Smith's pass went in off Vernon product Alex Jewell past Danny Todosychuk at 8:06 Smith and Alex Gillies with the assists. The Vipers come right back, getting some good pressure had a flurry of chances finally starting to generate and create some offensive chances. Vernon throwing everything towards the goal were pressing hard before once again tying the game at two. A big win off the draw in the Viper zone, Josh Bryan was able to quickly get the puck up ice to Michael McNicholas who lead the charge on a two on one setup Liam Coughlin for the game tying goal at 11;02 McNicholas and Bryan with the helpers. Vernon really started to come on in the second half buzzing in and around the Backs zone. Once again not alot of grade A opportunities in a very tight checking contest. The Vipers carried the better of the play for most of the period. With a two minutes remaining the Silverbacks with a flurry of chances in the Viper end couldnt find the back of the net as the Vernon defence was scrambling in their own end having all kinds of troubles clearing the zone. Troy Mick would call a timeout with fifty four seconds to go before the Vipers with a late push had Salmon Arm running around as the Vipers pushing for the game winner in the final minute. Brett Mulcahy had the puck come out to the slot with twenty or so seconds remaining but couldnt connect on the pass as the buzzer would sound. It was 2-2 after 60 minutes of play. I really liked Vernon's game in the third, I thought the Vipers played much better and played their best period of the afternoon. Both teams with not alot of great chances played hard. The Vipers outshot the Silverbacks 13-9.
Overtime: It didnt take long for this one to end after the Backs got the puck deep in the Vernon zone, Andrew Farny was left all alone at the point. Alex Jewell won the battle down low fed Farny who walked in from the slot before ripping a shot that was tipped along the way by Alex Gillies who beat Todosychuk giving the Backs the 3-2 OT winner at 1:19 Andrew Farny and Alex Jewell with the helpers. Salmon Arm outshot Vernon 1-0.
Top Players: (Vernon)
I really liked the line of Michael McNicholas (1 assist), Dexter Dancs and Liam Coughlin (1 goal). This line played very well all afternoon. I thought the Vipers top two units played very well today. McNicholas with a few chances from the slot couldnt connect on the passes played well. Seemed to really see and read the ice-plays well. Coughlin played his best game in sometime now and was the Vipers best player tonight. I really liked Coughlin's game today, thought he played very well, created and generated alot as did this line. Coughlin was really skating, moving his feet and generating chances.
I also liked the line of Brett Mulcahy (1 goal), Colton Sparrow (1 assist) and Demico Hannoun (1 assist). This line seemed to play well, created and generated some chances was involved in the play and had a few missed opportunities as well. Sparrow has really stepped up his play the last month or so and been playing his best hockey of the season. Hannoun hasnt been the same player since before the Christmas break cant seem to get his game going latley.
Tyler Povelofskie played with alot of jump and energy. Was in a fight just minutes into the game played hard and battled hard.
Danny Todosychuk (30 saves) Has made 68 saves in his last two starts (losses to West Kelowna and Salmon Arm) has played well latley. Not alot of great opportunities at both ends of the rink but both goaltenders played very well when called apon.
Game Thoughts: (Vernon)
A very tough loss today as Vernon is now just four points up on 4th place Salmon Arm and three points back of 2nd place West Kelowna (Warriors defeated Alberni Valley today 5-3). The Vipers have lost six straight on the road. Vernon hasnt been the same team since about mid December and really struggling finding ways to be more consistant and winning more then back to back games. The Vipers with just one win this week-weekend are really going to have to bare down here for the remainder of the season if they want to make the playoffs. The way the Vipers have been struggling and West Kelowna has been playing the Vipers could easily fall to 4th or 5th spot as its a real dog fight in the Interior Division. Vernon really needs to put together a string of wins and get on a roll if they want to make the playoffs. After going 12-4-2-1 in October & November Vernon is 8-7 in December and January. This was a very good hockey game with very little scoring chances. Both teams played a very tight checking game, not giving the other club much room for opportunities. The Vipers had lots of jump and energy most of the game played hard. All season the Vipers powerplay has struggled and once again today (0-2) the Vipers couldnt muster much with the man advantage. Since the Christmas break it seems like Vernon has been outshot in almost every game as the Vipers are really struggling getting pucks to the net and shots on goal. Tuesday in Merritt the Vipers with just twenty two shots all night (eight in the 1st, six in the 2nd and eight again in the 3rd) in a 4-1 loss. Friday in West Kelowna the Vipers with just nine in the 1st and only five in the 3rd in a 5-3 loss. Today the Vipers with only six in the 2nd. Your not going to win many games with shots like that. What I did like was the Vipers giving up no powerplays playing alot more dicaplined. The Vipers defence with two turnovers, both lead to Salmon Arm goals. Vernon's defence struggled through out the game today clearing the zone, getting caught running around in circles a few occassions have troubles defensively in their own end.
Top Players: (Salmon Arm)
Mitchell Ferguson played a solid game on the Salmon Arm blueline. I thought Ferguson was one of the Backs best d-men this afternoon, playing very steady all game.
Landon Smith (2 assists) Has played very well against the Vipers this season (eight points vs Vernon this season) wasnt as dominate as in previous games vs the Vipers but still played well. Smith really reads and sees the ice well, always involved in the play, always going hard to the net, looking for an open spot or a loose puck is always dangerous in and around the net.
Alex Jewell (1 goal) Played well vs his hometown team today. Jewell was skating hard, played hard and was going to the net most of the game. Thats why he was rewarded with a goal.
Alex Gillies (2 goals & 1 assist) Also played well for Salmon Arm. Gillies didnt have the time and space today he usally has had against Vernon as I thought the Vipers contained him well but still recorded two goals, was going to the net and rewarded against his hometown team.
Brett Fagerheim played well on the backend. Was also very steady.
Bryden Marsh I thought played well for the Backs, didnt do anything offensively but another kid who worked and played hard.
Adam Clark (28 saves) Made his biggest save late in the opening period after coming across the crease to rob Brendan Persley with a huge pad save. Clark and Todosychuk both played well. Neither goaltender had to be spectacular but both had to be sharp at times.
Game Thoughts: (Salmon Arm)
After back to back losses to last place Alberni Valley the Silverbacks regroup with back to back overtime wins over Penticton and Vernon. Two huge wins as Salmon Arm leap frogs ahead of Merritt into 4th spot for the final BCHL playoff spot. The Backs played very well today and I thought were the better team in the 1st period outplaying the Vipers for most of the period. Both teams were fairly even in the 2nd and Vernon had the better of the play in the 3rd. Neither team gave each other much room as both teams really had to work hard and earn their scoring chances and goals. Salmon Arm is quick, they move the puck well, aggresive on the attack and played well defensively. The Backs with very little mistakes dont make many mistakes or turnover the puck much and made the Vipers work for and earn their goals. Salmon Arm also played with some dicapline only taking two minor penalties as the referee allowed both teams to play. A pretty small crowd on a day with two pretty huge football games being played made for very little atmosphere in the rink today.
Scratches:
Vernon:
Mark Hamilton (Injured)
Mason Blacklock (Injured)
Salmon Arm:
Connor Brown-Maloski
Evan Anderson
Energy player of the game:
Mitchell Ferguson
Three Stars:
1st Star: Alex Gillies (1 goal & 1 assist)
2nd Star: Adam Clark (28 saves)
3rd Star: Danny Todosychuk (30 saves)
For more on today's game visit the BCHL boxscore,
http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=1231481&link=bchl
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