Saturday, September 6, 2014

Exhibition: Vernon 4 Salmon Arm 2

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 Exhibiton game as Vernon defeated Salmon Arm 4-2 at Kal Tire Place.

Starting Goaltenders:

Vernon: Danny Todosychuk
Salmon Arm: Angus Redmond

1st Period: The Vipers looked to get an early jump on the Silverbacks, Vernon seemed to be firing pucks on goal early in the opening few minutes before the Silverbacks would get the games first powerplay before the five minute mark.  Just fourteen seconds into the man advantage Phil Middleton's point shot come off the back glass hitting Andy Chugg in front going past Danny Todosychuk at 4:29 giving Salmon Arm the early lead.  Middleton & Mitch Hutchinson collected the helpers.  This goal seemed to give the Backs a little momentum.  Seven minutes into the contest #18 (wasnt on the lineup sheet) beat the Salmon Arm d-man along the boards cut left before going hard to the net on a parcial breakaway but couldnt control the puck looked to have Angus Redmond beat but lost the puck going to the net on a close call.  Just a few minutes later Trever Fidler setup Liam Feeney on a two on one but Feeney couldnt hit the net from in close.  On the same shift the same two come right back on another odd man rush, this time Fidler setup Feeney in front who was robbed by Silverbacks starting goaltender Angus Redmond who come across the crease to make a big pad save off the Vernon defenceman.  The following play Mitch Hutchinson lead the Backs on an odd man rush snapped a quick shot from the circle couldnt beat Vipers starting goaltender Danny Todosychuk who made a nice blocker save.  In the second half Salmon Arm would get their second PP of the night, with some good pressure the Backs had a scramble in front but Todosychuk come up big as Vernon killed off the minor.  The Silverbacks slowly started to come on and take over the edge in play. Vernon was outshooting SA 5-2 at one point before the Silverbacks rattled off a handful of shots climbing back now were outshooting the Vipers 11-6.  Salmon Arm carried the better of the play in the second half but the Vipers did manage to come back in the final two minutes with a couple of hard working shifts.  It was 1-0 Silverbacks after 20 minutes of play.  Vernon come out getting lots of pucks on net but fell behind early before the Backs carried the edge in play and outplayed the Vipers in the second half.  Salmon Arm outshot Vernon 12-7.

2nd Period: The Silverbacks had a strong start to the second period, created two good chances in front of the Vipers goal but couldnt beat Danny Todosychuk.  The Vipers responded on the following shift and eventually tied the game at one.  Chris Harpur sprung Thomas Aldworth for the parcial breakaway who beat Redmond low as the puck went off the post and into the back of the cage tying the game 1-1 at 2:41 Harpur with the assist.  Vernon with a very strong hard working period was really skating and creating several opportunities this period.  Ayden MacDonald with a parcial breakaway couldnt beat Angus Redmond on a shot where I dont think he got all of it.  Luke Voltin come close to giving Vernon their first lead of the evening after beating Angus Redmond but hitting the post.  On the same shift Thomas Aldworth lead a Viper two on one didnt setup Voltin decided to wait before feeding a pinching Riley Guenther who walked in from the slot was stoned by Redmond who come up with some big saves this period as the Vipers were charging.  Just before the midway point with Vernon going on their first powerplay, the Backs replaced Angus Redmond with backup goaltender Zach Dyment.  Redmond allowed one goal on nineteen Vernon shots.  The Vipers with a smooth looking powerplay had one minor letdown as Cam Coutre was left alone in front recieved a nice pass from behind the net couldnt beat Danny Todosychuk who made a big shorthanded save from in close.  Vernon couldnt convert as SA would kill off the remainder of the minor.  The Silverbacks would eventually respond with a few hard working shifts couldnt manage much of an attack tonight.  Under five minutes remaining Anthony Latina fed TJ Dumonceaux with a beauty of a pass, Dumonceuax went upstairs over a sprawling Zach Dyment giving Vernon a 2-1 lead at 14:19 Latina & Trever Fidler picked up the assists.  The Vipers with a very physical game continued the physical play, finishing most checks through out the contest.  Salmon Arm come back with a few hard working shifts would head to the penalty box for a second Viper powerplay.  The Vipers couldnt capitalize before the period ended meaning they would start the third on the man advantage.  Vernon had a 2-1 lead after 40 minutes of play.  Vernon responded very well after being outplayed most of the opening period with a very solid hard working 2nd period.  The Vipers were really skating, creating and generating lots of good chances were really moving the puck well.  Vernon scored twice outshot the Backs 18-10.

3rd Period:  The Vipers started the final frame with the man advantage that was carried over from the second period.  Salmon Arm would kill off the shortened powerplay.  The Backs with a few good early looks couldnt beat Danny Todosychuk who made a nice glove save off Logan Mostat.  The Vipers still laying the body played a physical period outhitting the Backs carried the early edge in play.  TJ Dumonceaux with a good opportunity in the slot was stopped by Dyment who played well.  The Vipers carried the edge in play before the Silverbacks responded.  Salmon Arm didnt have the same jump-intensity as the Vipers and couldnt really settle the play down in Vernon's zone for too long.  Both teams exchanged powerplays before the Silverbacks would eventually tie the game late.  Clive Rozdeba's point shot was stopped by Todosychuk before Cam Coutre's put the rebound fivehole tying the game at 13:28 Rozdeba with the lone helper.  With just under six minutes to go Blaine Caton setup Thomas Aldworth on an odd man rush, was going hard to the net but couldnt beat Dyment who made a big save keeping this game tied.  The Vipers got a late powerplay, Johnny Coughlin with a nice setup spotted Jake Emilio who ripped a rocket of a shot high under the crossbar knocking the water bottle off the top of the net giving Vernon a 3-1 lead at 17:01 they announced the goal as Riley Guenther's but it was Emilio who took the shot and scored.  Guenther wasnt even on the ice at the time of the goal.  Coughlin and Thomas Aldworth picked up the helpers.  Salmon Arm would pull Zach Dyment for the extra attacker with 1:22 remaining.  The Silverbacks couldnt really setup before Thomas Aldworth hit the back of the net from centre ice for his second of the night, giving Vernon a 4-2 lead at 19:35 Aldworth's goal was unassisted.  In the end the Vipers would come away with the 4-2 victory.  Just like the middle frame I thought Vernon played very well, the Vipers carried the better of the play laid out several checks.  Vernon outshot Salmon Arm 12-8.

Top Players: (Vernon)

Liam Feeney who played very well last night looked solid again tonight.  A bigger kid has some good size is very mobile on the Vipers backend.  Played a very solid defensive game.  Was good one on one and in his own end also jumped up into the rush on several occassions.  Had two great scoring opportunities in the opening period.

Anthony Latina (1 assist) Didnt really stand out but I thought was really skating hard, played hard and competed all night.

Trever Fidler (1 assist) Caught my attention tonight, seemed to battle hard all game.  Isnt the biggest kid but played hard every chance I saw him on the ice.

#18 (wasnt on the lineup sheet) I think is Riley Brandt played hard tonight.  This kid isnt the biggest kid but plays big, dosnt back down.  Has some quick wheels, can really fly and isnt afraid of throwing his weight around.

Thomas Aldworth (2 goals & 1 assist) Was by far Vernon's best player.  Aldworth collected a goal and an assist in last night's 3-2 loss is very strong with and without the puck.  A smooth skater is very strong up the middle of the ice.  Really sees and reads the ice well.  Had several chances tonight, really opens the ice and makes things happen.

Luke Voltin The more I watch this kid play, the more I like the way he plays.  Another kid who plays hard, competes and dosnt back down.  Adds a little size up front likes to bang and crash as well as create opportunities.

Johnny Coughlin (1 assist) Other then one turnover I thought was solid on the Viper backend.  Adds some size, was hard to beat one on one.

Danny Todosychuk (28 saves) I thought played very well between the pipes in his first pre-season action.  Didnt see alot of rubber but made the saves when called apon.

Game Thought's: (Vernon)

With the win the Vipers improve to 2-1 in Exhibition action.  This was a much better performance and effort tonight, after watching last night's 3-2 loss in Salmon Arm.  I thought the Vipers looked a hundred times better compared to last night's game.  Without Jason Williamson behind the bench Kevin Kraus & Eric Godard ran the Vipers bench this evening.  I really liked the Vipers defensive play, thought it was much better after last night and a much improved breakout that was really flying tonight.  The Vipers looked good moving the puck, much better passing, created and generated lots of scoring chances.  Vernon competed and worked hard and were rewarded.  I thought last night the Vipers backed off the physical play after the 1st period but tonight Vernon with a very physical pressence laid the body-finished their checks in all three periods outhit Salmon Arm all game.  The Vipers outchanced the Backs all night, creating several good opportuities.  Vernon with lots of odd man rushes were really making things happen in a hurry at times.  For just their third Exhibition game I thought the Vipers looked pretty good.  Overall a pretty entertaining pre-season game for the small crowd that was on hand to catch tonight's game.  The Vipers mentioned earlier in the week, they will make their final cuts this weekend and have their roster set for next weekends home and home series with Prince George.

Top Players: (Salmon Arm)

Chase Priskie I thought looked ok on the Backs blueline.

Mitch Hutchinson (1 assist) Was another Salmon Arm player that caught my eye through out tonight's game.  I thought played fairly well.

Rory Neary I thought was the Silverbacks best player, really stood out in my eyes.  Played with alot of jump and energy, seemed to always have the puck and made things happen offensively. 

Angus Redmond (18 saves) Started the hockey game will be the Backs #1 go to guy between the pipes this season played well.

Zach Dyment (11 saves) I thought also played well between the pipes in relief for Redmond.

Game Thought's: (Salmon Arm)

The Silverbacks suffered their first loss of the pre-season fall to 2-1 wasnt the same team that I watch defeat the Vipers on home ice Friday.  The Backs didnt seem to have the same jump-compete level as last night, as well as didnt get nearly as many scoring opportunities tonight either.  Overall this was a totally different looking hockey team.  With 32 kids still in camp Im sure several changes were made lineup wise but I didnt think SA looked all that good tonight.  I thought the Backs had good goaltending between Dyment and Redmond, created a few good chances but overall were outhit and outplayed most of the night.  I didnt think Salmon Arm played with the same pace and skill level as last night's game.  The Backs were outskilled tonight.   

Three Stars:

1st Star:  Thomas Aldworth (2 goals & 1 assist)
2nd Star: TJ Dumonceaux (1 goal)
3rd Star: Andy Chugg (1 goal)

Here is a look at tonight's lineups-rosters

Vernon:

Danny Todosychuk
Jarrod Schamerhorn

Mitchell Oliver
Chris Harpur
Liam Feeney
Jake Emilio
Liam Coughlin (Didnt play tonight)
Riley Guenther
Blaine Caton
Anthony Latina
Jagger Williamson
TJ Dumonceaux
Trever Fidler
Linden Hora
#18 Had no name (wasnt listed on the lineup sheet)
Thomas Aldworth
Luke Voltin
Mackenzie Bauer
Branden Waggner
Ayden MacDonald
Johnny Coughlin

Salmon Arm:

Angus Redmond
Zach Dyment

Clive Rozdeba
Phil Middleton
Chase Priskie
Will Scherer
Andy Chugg
Steven Jandric
Logan Mostat
Mitch Hutchinson
Connor Brown-Maloski
Carson Bolduc
Thomas Plese
Nick Josephs
Rory Neary
Colton Thibault
Anthony Siderio
Cam Coutre
Marcus Rusell
Bennett Morrison

For more on tonight's game visit Ian Douglas's Salmon Arm Silverbacks Blog,

http://backstalk.wordpress.com/

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