The Vernon Vipers pick up their first win of the pre-season at the Okanagan Cup Tournament after a 5-2 victory over the visiting Salmon Arm Silverbacks. Cameron MacDonald with (2 goals & 1 assist) lead the way, while Jo Jo Tanaka-Campbell, Ethan Mercer & Jeremy Rainville with two points each. Roan Clarke made 23 saves in the win, while Riley Kohonick made 33 saves in the loss. Vernon outshot Salmon Arm 38-25. With the win Vernon improves to 1-4 while Salmon Arm drops to 1-4.
Boxscore-Game Summary,
https://bchl.ca/stats/game-center/9849
Game Report,
https://lscluster.hockeytech.com/game_reports/official-game-report.php?lang_id=1&client_code=bchl&game_id=9849
Text Box Score,
https://lscluster.hockeytech.com/game_reports/text-game-report.php?lang_id=1&client_code=bchl&game_id=9849
Game Report,
1 comment:
I watched the Vipers game online this evening. It's still very strange and a weird feeling watching a home game from my computer and not being able to go to the game.
The Vipers played their most consistent and complete game of the pre-season to date, picking up there first win of the Okanagan Cup Tournament. The Snakes controlled and carried most of the play/game and were by far the better team. I really liked the teams compete, blocking shots, making plays, creating/generating chances and for the first time this season, scoring more then one goal in a game. I thought the forwards used there speed and had several quality chances/looks, while the defence stepped up and played very well in front of Roan Clarke. This was by far a full team effort and fully deserving of the victory.
I really liked the looks of recently acquired Will Arquiett. This kid isn't the biggest kid but showed some skill and play making through out the exhibition game. I also thought Griffen Barr played well on the blueline. Ethan Mercer, Cameron MacDonald, Jeremy Rainville & Jo Jo Tanaka-Campbell played well up front. I think for the first time this pre-season the Snakes didn't have to rely on there goaltender to bail them out and keep them in the hockey game. Roan Clarke played well but in previous games, the Vipers goaltenders had to be sharp and kept Vernon in the hockey games.
Joaquim Lemay, Hunter Sansbury, Logan Shaw & Riley Kohonick played well for the visiting Silverbacks. Kohonick was by far the Apes best player and kept Salmon Arm in the hockey game. The hometown Vipers had several scoring opportunities could have had a few more goals if it wasn't for the S'Backs netminder. I didn't think the Silverbacks looked or played all that well tonight.
I haven't been pleased with the Vipers this pre-season and I know it's only exhibition and still early but I have to admit and say I have been pleased with the effort, compete level and overall play the past two games. Last weekend the Vipers may have lost 4-1 to Penticton in a game Vernon couldn't score. I thought the Snakes played very well last weekend but ran into a hot goaltender and couldn't capitalize on some chances. I have to give this young Vipers team some credit for playing hard and well in back to back games.
I know the Vipers beat a 1-3 Salmon Arm team that has had troubles keeping the puck out of the net but a wins a win and a big win at that! I think for all of the negative comments, from myself included this team had to have been very frustrated prior to tonight not having a win this pre-season. This Viper team is young and needs to grow with some tough games, calls and goals go against them but also need to build confidence, team chemistry and moral on and off the ice before they start to get better. Maybe this recent trade with Cowichan was a wake up call or were Feist & Fudger the problem?
I'm really hoping the Vipers got the monkey off there back and continue to play hard, compete and strong along a few wins to gain and build some confidence. You can bet the Silverbacks will be looking for revenge tomorrow in Salmon Arm.
Go Vipers Go!
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