For anyone who could not attend or watch tonight’s Vipers game here are my thoughts and views from tonight’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 tonight’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 tonight's Vipers-Silverbacks game as Vernon defeated Salmon Arm 3-2 in overtime in front of 1,981 fans at Kal Tire Place.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon: Austin Smith
Salmon Arm: Angus Redmond
Before tonight's game Sharron Buck awarded Vipers forward Michael Statchuk with the Wayne Buck Memorial Award.
1st Period: The Silverbacks got off to a good start, getting some early pressure in on Vernon. Austin Smith had to be sharp early making atleast two or three saves in the games opening few minutes before former Vernon Vipers forward Michael Roberts with a great chance to open the scoring couldnt lift the puck up and over and down and out Smith. Salmon Arm's hard work would eventually pay off after Evan Anderson with a quick pass out front setup Vernon product Alex Gillies on a bang bang play beat Smith with a quick release giving the Backs a 1-0 lead at 4:24 Anderson & Landon Smith picked up the helpers. The Vipers who were outshot 4-1 at this point would respond with a few good shifts, getting some pressure in the Silverbacks zone, but couldnt generate much offence. Angus Redmond was forced to make a bit of a tough save after snagging a bouncing puck off a shot from in close. Salmon Arm would come close to grabbing a two goal lead after some nice tic tac toe passing on a three on two. Jack Berezan fed former Vernon Vipers forward Alex Jewell who quickly dished off to Bryden Marsh who ripped a quick shot from in close couldnt beat Austin Smith on a nice save. The Backs were really skating and working hard, as Vernon seemed to be a step behind couldnt get much going in the opening period. Shots were even six each before Salmon Arm took over the play. Just past the halfway mark the Silverbacks would take a 2-0 lead after Jeff Kennedy setup Landon Smith who beat Smith at 11:37 Kennedy and Andrew Farny collected the assists. The Vipers would call a timeout and settle the troops down, wich worked as just thirty two seconds later Logan Mick setup Colton Sparrow on a two on one as Sparrow beat Redmond going hard to the net cutting the Backs lead to within a goal. Mick and Riley Guenther with the assists. But on the next play Salmon Arm would get the games first powerplay. The Silverbacks couldnt capitalize after a strong Viper penalty kill would kill off the minor. The Backs would jump right back on the powerplay just over three minutes later, and come very close to re-taking a two goal lead with thirty eight seconds remaining. Austin Smith made the first save before Alex Gillies couldnt burry the rebound in the final minute as Vernon was able to kill off the penalty. The Silverbacks were up 2-1 after 20 minutes of play. Salmon Arm was ready to go off the opening faceoff, the Backs with some early pressure were skating and working hard, jumped out to a 2-0 lead before the Vipers come back with a few good shifts but Salmon Arm was the better of the two teams and outskated and outplayed Vernon who was outshot 8-1 in the final nine minutes of the period. The Silverbacks outshot the Vipers 17-7.
2nd Period: The Vipers regrouped and turned the tables come out with alot of jump, getting pressure early and often in the Salmon Arm zone. The Vipers skating hard, finally got their legs going and generated some offence early. Just a minute or two into the second frame Dexter Dancs come in one on one beat his man, going hard to the net was stopped by Silverbacks starting goaltender Angus Redmond in tight. Thomas Plese with a hard shot from in close in the opening minutes beat Vipers starting goaltender Austin Smith but hit the crossbar. The Vipers with a flurry of chances in the opening minutes were really buzzing in the Backs end. Dexter Dancs fed Josh Bryan in close who beat Redmond down low tying the game 2-2 at 4:22 Dancs with the lone helper. Less then two minutes later Logan Mick coughed the puck up at the Salmon Arm blueline allowing Thomas Plese to walk in for the breakaway but would be stopped by Smith in close. Just a few minutes later Mick would come back the other way getting a breakaway of his own but was stopped by Redmond. Vernon was all over the Backs in the middle frame as Salmon Arm had just two shots in the first eight to nine minutes of the period. Just past the midway mark Riley Guenther was hit from behind in front of the penalty boxes, with no call on the play Guenther took a slash at Jack Berezan who hit Guenther. The two exchanged words before dropping the mits. Guenther was given a slashing penalty on the play giving the Silverbacks their third powerplay of the night. Salmon Arm's powerplay struggled as the Vipers penalty kill was good killing off the minor. Salmon Arm would finally get some pressure deep in the Vernon zone late as the Backs with a few good shifts in the final four or five minutes. It was tied 2-2 after 40 minutes of play. The Vipers with a much better period outplayed and outhustled the Silverbacks for most of the period tying the game with the lone goal of the period. Vernon with alot of jump, showed alot more energy and step in their game getting several flurries through out the 2nd period. The Vipers outshot the Silverbacks 15-5.
3rd Period: The Backs come out hard for the final period carried the play early and often. Salmon Arm carried the play but didnt generate much offence. Michael Roberts with a great chance in the slot, was left all alone fanned on his shot on a good opportunity. Both teams went atleast four minutes or so without a shot on goal. The Silverbacks with a few flurries in and around the net forced Austin Smith to be alert who made several saves with Salmon Arm buzzing in and around the goal. The Silverbacks would get the only man advantage of the period but once again couldnt capitalize as the Vipers penalty kill was good killing off the minor. The play would eventually even out in the second half as both teams went back and fourth getting a few chances at both ends of the rink. With six and a half minutes remaining the Vipers with a flurry of chances in and around the Salmon Arm goal couldnt beat Angus Redmond before Michael Statchuk with Redmond down and out couldnt hit the open cage shooting high and over the net on a missed opportunity. With just under four minutes remaining Evan Anderson setup Alex Gillies going hard to the net was robbed by Austin Smith who made his biggest save of the night before Angus Redmond made his biggest save of the night at the other end of the ice on the next play. Redmond come across the crease to stone TJ Dumonceaux as both goaltenders made two back to back huge saves with time winding down. The game was tied 2-2 after 60 minutes of play. The Backs carried most of the play, getting several flurries in and around the net didnt get alot of great opportunities. The Vipers would clinch a playoff spot for the first time in three years with the point as Salmon Arm outshot Vernon 13-8.
Overtime: Salmon Arm carried the play in the extra frame but couldnt generate much before Kenny Citron had a great opportunity for the game winner was one on one ripped a hard low shot from the circle that was stopped by Redmond who come out to challenge closed the fivehole. Redmond looked to have the puck covered but the play was still alive as TJ Dumonceaux and Citron were both banging away for the puck as a Salmon Arm defender jumped into the mix somehow the puck got loose before Dumonceaux was able to slide the puck into the open cage in a hard fought battle for the puck for the game winner as the Vipers bench would erupt onto the ice in celebration. Dexter Dancs & Citron picked up the helpers. Former Vernon Vipers Head Coach-GM Troy Mick and the Silverbacks bench was very upset as Mick was banging a stick along the boards really giving it to the two referee's. The Salmon Arm bench didnt leave the ice before waiting to hear from the referee. The Silverbacks carried the edge in play but couldnt generate much before the Vipers got a lucky break and ended up scoring the game winner in a period they didnt have much puck possesion. The Vipers outshot the Silverbacks 2-1. Salmon Arm wins the season series 4-3.
Top Players: (Vernon)
Kenny Citron (1 assist) Has really come along the last few weeks playing his best hockey of the season. Citron played a heck of a game tonight, was physical, involved in the play, solid on the backend and hard to play against.
Josh Bryan (1 goal) Also played very well on the Vipers blueline. Bryan with the game tying goal was also very solid defensively.
Matty Saharchuk I thought played a strong game up front for the Vipers. Saharchuk really worked hard, battled and competed all night was very good for Vernon.
Dexter Dancs (2 assists) Was good most of the night. Dancs with several chances played well, had some good opportunities was really skating and hard to defend against. Dancs was going hard to the net all night.
Colton Sparrow (1 goal) I thought played with a ton of energy, was really skating, getting in on the forecheck, battled hard tonight.
Ryan Renz played a quiet but steady game on the Vernon blueline. I thought was very steady defensively all night.
Austin Smith (34 saves) Was very solid made several saves in close off several Salmon Arm flurries in and around the net. Smith looked like he was having troubles with his rebound control at times but seemed to battle through it. Made a huge game saver off Alex Gillies with just under four minutes to go to keep the game tied.
Game Thoughts: (Vernon)
The Vipers may have not played one of their better games but battled back down 2-0 to come from behind for a third straight game to pull out the victory and earning a playoff spot for the first time in three years. The BCHL Playoffs begin March 4th & 5th (Games 1 & 2). I didnt think the Vipers looked that great in the opening period, Vernon was outplayed and outworked for most of the period getting very little pucks to the net, and didnt generate much offence. The Vipers really turned it around come the 2nd period, Vernon started skating, got their legs moving and played with alot more jump and energy outplayed Salmon Arm. The Vipers would eventually tie the game, getting several opportunities. The Vipers looked to sit back in the third as once again were outplayed and outskated. Yes at times Vernon did get some pressure but very little. It wasnt until in the second half when the Vipers did generate most of their chances. The Vipers looked to be a step behind Salmon Arm most of the night, made several poor passes and were throwing the puck up the middle on the offensive attack, when the puck went to nobody. Vernon with several mental errors just didnt seem to have their head in the game at times. I really liked the Vipers penalty kill wich has been very good as of late and most of the season. I think the Vipers got lucky in overtime, it looked to me as if Angus Redmond had the puck, but the referee was right there getting a good look at the play, allowed the play to continue before the Vipers scored the OT winner on a scramble outside of the crease. Give the boys credit they come from behind and got the win and the two points to get into the playoffs. The Vipers have won four straight. Vernon is still four points behind West Kelowna, after the Warriors 5-3 win over Merritt.
Top Players: (Salmon Arm)
Andrew Farny (1 assist) Was one of the Backs better D-men tonight. Farny was very good for Salmon Arm, getting involved in the play, was steady on the backend and good with and without the puck.
Thomas Plese I thought was the Silverbacks best and most dangerous player tonight. Plese was all over the ice, hit the post, had some good opportunities.
Landon Smith (1 goal & 1 assist) Was also very strong for the Backs. Smith has played very well against Vernon all season is good with and without the puck.
Alex Gillies (1 goal) Played well, had several opportunities was always buzzing in and around the net.
Bryden Marsh also played very well tonight. I really like this kid, hes played well against the Vipers all season. Played with alot of hustle, plays hard, gets involved in the play and plays physical, dosnt back down from the rough stuff.
Game Thoughts: (Salmon Arm)
For a team fighting for their playoff lives I thought Salmon Arm come ready and willing to play and play hard. The Backs played very aggressive with and without the puck, played with alot of determination. Other then the 2nd period the Silverbacks were the better of the two teams and should have won this game. The Backs who were really skating hard, battled and competed all game. Salmon Arm was dangerous in and around the net, getting several chances down low. The Silverbacks struggled with the man advantage going 0-4 didnt get many great opportunities. Salmon Arm looked hungry and more determined. The Backs coaching staff won be happy blowing a 2-0 lead and let a game like tonight slip away on them. I thought the Silverbacks carried most of the play, had the better of the chances needed to bare down and burry some of their missed opportunities. Give the Backs credit as they played with several key players out of the lineup. Salmon Arm has lost six in a row collected one point with the loss tonight moved to within four points of 4th place Merritt for the final playoff spot.
Scratches:
Vernon:
Mark Hamilton (Injured)
Liam Coughlin (Suspended)
Michael McNicholas
Demico Hannoun (Injured)
Salmon Arm:
Mark Whiteley
Max Becker
Connor Brown Maloski
Colton Thibault
Adam Clark
Energy player of the game:
Brett Mulcahy
Three Stars:
1st Star: TJ Dumonceaux (Scored the OT game winner)
2nd Star: Josh Bryan (1 goal)
3rd Star: Landon Smith (1 goal & 1 assist)
For more on tonight's game visit the BCHL boxscore,
http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=1231568&link=bchl
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