Game Recap - Exhibition: Vernon Vipers 3 Salmon Arm Silverbacks 0

I was born and raised in Vernon, BC and been watching/following Junior hockey in Vernon my whole life. My family watched Senior men's hockey in Vernon in the 1950's and has been watching Junior hockey in Vernon since it started in 1961. I have two family members that played Junior hockey in Vernon. I have had season tickets since 1990 missing only 40 home games. Since 2001 I have missed 10 home games. I started and created this blog in November 2008 and have over 3 million viewers. For anyone who couldn't watch or attend tonight's Vipers game, here are my thoughts and views from tonight's hockey game. You may agree or disagree, but we all have our own opinion on the hockey game and see things differently. I try to be professional and give a fare game recap from both sides. Thank you for visiting my blog.

I was at tonight's exhibition game between the Vernon Vipers & Salmon Arm Silverbacks as the Vipers defeated the Silverbacks 3-0 in front of 241 fans at the Hucul Pond Arena.

Starting Goaltenders:

Vernon Vipers: Colin Reay

Salmon Arm Silverbacks: Ryan Grout

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1st Period: This was a fairly entertaining opening frame with both teams evenly matched at times but overall I thought Vernon had a slight edge in play at different times in the opening frame. Both teams were physical, finishing checks while taking three minor penalties each. The Snakes had a couple of good looks/opportunities. SA had good movement on the PP but I liked the Vipers PK. The Apes were very good defensively, made several good defensive plays to break up a scoring opportunity. The Backs defence broke up two Viper odd man rushes. It was 0-0 after 20 minutes of play. Shots were 9-7 Silverbacks. 

2nd Period: The hometown Silverbacks would get an early PP inside the opening minute. The Backs didn't score but gained some momentum and had the edge in play for a lot of the period. Salmon Arm had a lot of puck possession, zone time, created/generated a lot of quality chances were unable to solve Vipers starting netminder Colin Reay. Reay returning to Vernon for a second season. The Gorillas really used their speed and skill to open up the ice and get some quality chances. Payton Nelson come close to tying the game late but rang his shot off the post. The S'Backs looked good in a period where they deserved the lead. Vernon didn't have a whole lot of time with the puck, didn't generate or create much for offence, didn't get a lot of time in the offensive zone. The Vipers made some good defensive plays down low and in and around the net. but also gave up a lot of opportunities, relied on their goaltender to bail them out. Another physical period with both teams laying the body. Carson McGinley with the lone goal at 3:20 Silverbacks go 0-2 with the man advantage. It was 1-0 Vipers after 40 minutes of play. Shots were 15-5 Salmon Arm.

3rd Period: The Vipers responded with a heck of a 3rd period. Lukas McCloskey and Georgios Stavrianeas added some insurance, while the Vipers defence shutdown Salmon Arm's offence and Colin Reay was there to make the saves when needed. Vernon was the better of the two teams and carried a lot of the play, had more puck possession, zone time, created/generated some good looks/chances and played well on the road to earn the win. The Apes had some good shifts, created/generated some plays that resulted in chances but again couldn't solve Colin Reay. Both teams went 0-1 on the PP. Shots were 11-8 Vernon as the Vipers pick up there first preseason win with the 3-0 victory. 

Vernon Vipers Top Performers:

Georgios Stavrianeas (1 goal) Has impressed me in the preseason, had another good game this evening. This kid brings the energy every game-every shift and tonight was no different. 

Isaac Holt signed with the Vipers over the summer, looked good on the Snakes blueline. Kept the Silverbacks forwards to the outside, and away from the front of the net. I thought was one of Vernon's better d-men tonight. This kid is big, has some size.

Luke Bibby (2 assists) Back for a second season, chipped in with two helpers, played well at both ends of the rink. Didn't back down from the altercations after the whistle.

Erik Pastro had a couple of strong shifts, looked good through out the hockey game. Was hard to knock off the puck down low and mucked it up along the boards/in front of the net

Lucas Brennan played with an edge, was in the face and under the skin of several Salmon Arm players through out tonight's preseason game. Brennan didn't back down from any Silverbacks, was causing havoc through out the contest

Lukas McCloskey (1 goal) Was another Vipers defenceman that played well on the blueline. McCloskey made a couple of nice defensive plays as well was good in the offensive zone, getting pucks to the net, working the blueline.

Colin Reay (32 saves-shutout) Making his preseason debut is another Viper that is returning for a second season. Reay was very good between the pipes. Made several key saves, looked calm, stood tall and made the big saves when called apon

Game Thought's: Vernon Vipers

- Due to the 55 plus games in Salmon Arm, Rogers Rink was booked for the games this evening. The Vipers & Silverbacks game was moved to the Hucul Pond arena that is an NHL sized ice surface with seating for 300. The Hucul Pond arena is very similar in ways to Vernon's Kal Tire Place North, as seating is on one side. What an experience to be able to witness and watch the Vipers play in this arena. Silverbacks season ticket holders were given the seats, while the public was allowed standing room only which was along the glass behind the one net or along the boards across the rink from the stands. The rink was freezing cold and packed. You don't realize how big these kids are, how fast these kids are and how fast the game is until your watching from along the boards/glass. The game moves at such a quick pace, everything and everyone seems to be a blur and moshed together, it's really difficult to see the play develop being so close to the ice level. 

- Tonight was the second of back to back road games for the Vipers 

- The Vipers & Silverbacks play each other seven times during the regular season

- I spotted a very small handful of Vipers fans at tonight's game

- The Snakes went 1-4 with the power play

- Tonight was by far Vernon's best game of the preseason

- I liked the Vipers 1st period. I thought both teams were evenly matched at times but I thought the Snakes did a lot of good things. Had some puck possession, zone time, created/generated some looks/chances, were strong on the PK and were physical

- The Vipers PK has impressed me so far after three exhibition games. I thought Vernon's PK was very good in Penticton on Saturday and again here tonight in Salmon Arm. 

- The Vipers next preseason game is Friday vs the visiting Trail Smoke Eaters

- I noticed there was a lot of NCAA scouts at the hockey game

- I thought Vernon looked good/played well in two out of three periods

- One thing I have noticed that the Snakes need to clean up is being a little more disciplined. In two of the three exhibition games, the Vipers have taken a lot of penalties

- I liked the Vipers defence and defensive play tonight. I thought they did a good job at clearing the lanes, keeping bodies out from out front and allowing Colin Reay to see the puck

- Vernon played well at different times in the 2nd period but overall the Silverbacks were the better team in the middle frame. The Vipers didn't have a whole lot of puck possession or zone time, managed only five shots while seeing a lot of time in their own end.

- The Vipers dressed nine veterans from the 2023-24 season

- The Vipers went 6-3-0-0 vs Salmon Arm during the 2023-24 season

- I really liked the Snakes 3rd period. After being outplayed for a lot of the 2nd period, the Vipers responded with a great effort in the final twenty minutes. The Vipers played with pace, had a lot of puck possession, zone time, played well defensively, created/generated opportunities and scored two big goals to seal the victory

- The Vipers open the 2024-25 regular season September 20th in Trail

- With the win, Vernon improves to 1-2-0-0 in the preseason

Salmon Arm Silverbacks Top Performers:

Ryan Philbrick I thought played well on the Silverbacks blueline

Patrick Raftery played with an edge, was in the face of several Vipers and under the skin of a couple of Vernon players through out the hockey game

Cole Cooksey Returning for a second season with the S'Backs, had a couple of looks/chances, played well in the loss

Scott Miner was another d-man that played well

Alex Sandhu Was acquired from the Powell River Kings over the summer, had a couple of good looks/chances, has some speed and skill

Ryan Grout (20 saves) Played well in goal for the Apes

Game Thought's: Salmon Arm Silverbacks

- Tonight was the Silverbacks second of four exhibition games

- Salmon Arm's next preseason game is Saturday in Penticton

- This was a fairly physical hockey game, with both teams laying the body, finishing their checks and getting under the skin of each other

- The Gorillas looked good and played very well in two of the three periods

- Salmon Arm went 0-6 with the man advantage

- The Apes have some speed, can move the puck and created/generated lots of quality chances, but couldn't solve Vipers starting goaltender Colin Reay

- I like the Silverbacks 1st period, I thought both teams were fairly even at times with Vernon having a slight edge in play but not by much. The 1st period was fairly entertaining as both teams come out hitting

- I wouldn't say SA struggled with the power play, had some good looks/chances just couldn't capitalize with the man advantage

- Rogers Rink formerly known as the Shaw Centre, changed names in March 2024

- The Silverbacks and Vipers will meet for the first time during the 2024-25 regular season October 4th in Salmon Arm

- The S'Backs open the regular season September 20th in Cowichan

- Payton Nelson had a good look/opportunity to tie the game in the 2nd period, hit the post

- The website says the Hucul Pond arena seats 300. Tonight's attendance was announced at 241 The arena was packed full as fans were even lined up standing along the glass 

- The Silverbacks have nine players returning from the 2023-24 season

- The Silverbacks defence played very well, made at least two or three defensive plays in the opening frame, breaking up a couple of Vernon odd man rushes. 

- I don't think the Backs will be happy with taking eight penalties this evening

- With the loss, Salmon Arm falls to 1-1-0-0 in the preseason

Vernon Vipers Lineup/Roster:

Forwards:

Luke Bibby 04

Shea Busch 07

Weston Field 06

Georgios Stavrianeas 05

Jakub Galnor 06

Erik Pastro 05

Charlie Kresl 06

Simon Binkley 06

Bronson Ross 06

Carson McGinley 06

Sean Gibbons 05

Lucas Brennan 04

Defencemen:

Carson Lloyd 05

Isaac Holt 05

Vinny Ipri 06

Lukas McCloskey 05

Cooper Cleaves 06

Joey Mugaas 05

Roarke Gilmour 06

Goaltenders:

Colin Reay 05

Marko Bilic 06

Salmon Arm Silverbacks Lineup/Roster:

Forwards:

Patrick Raftery 04

Cole Cooksey 05

Ty Paisley 04

Wyatt Stefan 05

Alex Smith 05

Liam Beamish 07

Tanner Walos 05

Nate Crashley 07

Payton Nelson 05

Liam Bursaw 07

Easton Walos 08

Malcolm Baar 06

Defencemen:

Ryan Philbrick 04

Scott Miner 05

Luke Brierley 07

Brenden Espenell 07

Adam Boatter 04

Carson Olsen 06

Joose Pesonen 05

Goaltenders:

Ryan Grout 07

Andrew Ballantyne 04

Scratches:

Vernon Vipers:

Forwards:

Adam Csabi 05

Keeghan Dunn 07

Koji Gibson 07

Carter Streek 04

Payton Struck 05

Defencemen:

Max Kelly 07

Zhenya Miles 06

Goaltenders:

Sam Saskiw 07

Salmon Arm Silverbacks:

Forwards:

Riley Ashe 06

Maddux Martin 05

Gianni Bosa 08

Luke McSorley 06

Aaron Van Wie 06

Defencemen:

Ryan DeAngelis 05

Sawyer Prokopetz 04

Ben MacBeath 08

Isaac Nelson 07

Energy Player of the Game:

Ty Paisley 

Three Star's:

1st Star: Colin Reay (32 saves-shutout)

2nd Star: Georgios Stavrianeas (1 goal)

3rd Star: Luke Bibby (2 assists)

Boxscore-Game Summary,

Vernon Vipers @ Salmon Arm Silverbacks Tuesday, September 10, 2024 | BCHL League Site

Game Report,

Game Report (hockeytech.com)

Text Box Score,

Official statistics powered by LeagueStat.com (hockeytech.com)

Vernon Junior Hockey History website,

VernonJrAHockey.CA

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Here are some photo's I took before and during tonight's Vernon Vipers-Salmon Arm Silverbacks preseason game.