I was born and raised in Vernon, BC and been watching/following junior hockey in Vernon my entire life. I started and created this blog in November 2008 and have over 10 million viewers. I have had season tickets since 1990 and missed 46 home games since. My family watched senior men's hockey in Vernon in the 1950's and has been watching/following junior hockey in Vernon since Vernon got a team in 1961. I have two family members that played junior hockey in Vernon. I have programs and ticket stubs from every game since 1988. I worked with the Vipers as colour commentator for a few home games during the 2002-03 season and in 2011 I helped create/design the Vipers website that I was in charge of for five seasons.
I was at tonight's Vernon Vipers-Salmon Arm Silverbacks game as the Vipers won 4-1 in front of 1,920 fans at Kal Tire Place.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon Vipers: Kason Kobelka
Salmon Arm Silverbacks: Noah Mavin
2nd Period: The visiting Silverbacks come out with a lot of jump and were the better team early. SA with an aggressive forecheck, were moving their feet, winning the battles had loads of early pressure in the offensive zone. The Gorillas looked good early and looked to tie the hockey game but Jack Toogoods goal was waived off due to a high stick. The Snakes catch a huge break and still lead 1-0. The Vipers looked a little slow to start the period, couldn't seem to get much going, had trouble moving the puck up ice and out of their zone. A big turning point in the game was shortly after Salmon Arm's goal was waived off, the hometown Vipers with their second power play goal, took a 2-0 lead. Instead of the game tied, the Apes were down down two goals. This give Vernon a boost as the Vipers were the better team in the second half. The Snakes carried and controlled the better of the play, had lots of zone time, were getting pucks to the net but also capitalizing on some of their opportunities. Silverbacks starting goaltender was pulled after giving up four goals on twenty seven shots in favor of Mikkel Christensen. It was 4-0 Vipers after 40 minutes of play. Shots were 19-9 Vernon.
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3rd Period: The Silverbacks had a little more edge in play, due to the fact they were down four goals. The S'Backs had several odd man rushes and some good looks/quality chances. On what looked like should have been a penalty, the call was missed and Alexis Beaulieu gets SA on the scoreboard at 12:39 The goal would be reviewed but the goal stood. With a four goal lead to start the period, I think the Vipers took their foot off the gas and played a little more defensive hockey in the final frame. The Snakes had a couple of opportunities but other wise didn't get a lot of shots on goal or have any real sustained pressure in the offensive zone. The Vipers win 4-1. Shots were 10-7 Salmon Arm.
Vernon Vipers Top Performers:
Mason Kim Was buzzing in and around the offensive zone tonight, made a couple of exciting plays that lead to opportunities. Very quick on his feet, is hard to defend and contain, plays with a lot of energy
Evan Schulha (1 assist) I thought played well on Vernon's blueline
Luca Pura (1 goal & 1 assist) Played a very strong game, picking up two points. This kid has impressed me this season
Kason Kobelka (26 saves) Was very sharp in goal, plays his posistion very well, made a couple of large saves tonight, is 2-0 vs Salmon Arm this season
Game Thought's: Vernon Vipers
- After losing in Salmon Arm on opening night, the Vipers have won two straight vs the Silverbacks
- Very disappointing to see a small crowd tonight
- The Vipers next game is Sunday vs the visiting Blackfalds Bulldogs
- The Snakes played very well in the 1st period in a period where both teams were very even. The play went back and fourth with neither team getting a whole lot of chances
- The Vipers have won four straight games for the first time in how long?
- The Vipers are 2-0 at home this season
- Vernon didn't look as sharp as they did in the teams home opener last weekend. I thought the Vipers made a few mistakes tonight, had to work for their goals tonight
- Tonight's attendance was announced at 1,920
- Since the 2003-04 regular season, the Vipers are 80-60-16-1-4 vs Salmon Arm
- The Snakes looked a little slow to start the 2nd period, were getting beat to the puck, had trouble getting out of their own end as the Silverbacks were the better team early. The Vipers catch a huge break after Salmon Arm's first goal was waived off due to a high stick, seemed to re-group and play much better for the remainder of the period. The Vipers were the better team in the second half, had more puck possession, more zone time, more shots on goal and scored three goals
- Vernon went 2-5 on the power play
- Including the preseason, the Vipers have played nine games, five of those games have been against Salmon Arm. The Vipers will play a home and home series vs the Silverbacks in two weeks
- The Snakes played a very disciplined hockey game
- I noticed Cohen Handby announced in the player introductions at the home opener, is on the teams lineup tonight, but no word has been mentioned of the team signing him or how he got here?
- I can't believe how well this team is playing after only five games. A very fun and exciting team to watch
- Tonight's the second game of a five game home stand
- Vernon didn't get any highlight reel goals this evening, had to work hard for their goals and earn them. The Snakes played hard and competed for most of tonight's game
- With a 4-0 lead heading into the 3rd I think Vernon took their foot off the gas and played a little more defensive hockey. The Silverbacks carried the play a lot more, generating some good looks/chances
- With the win, Vernon improves to 4-1-0-0 sits 2nd in the Interior West Division
Salmon Arm Silverbacks Top Performers:
Luca DeCubellis I thought was steady on Salmon Arm's backend
Jared Rothman Was the Silverbacks best player in the loss. Rothman played with a lot of jump/energy, was engaged and involved in the play
Antonio Cazac Was another kid who played well, played with some jump, was involved in the play
Game Thought's: Salmon Arm Silverbacks
- The Silverbacks went 0-2 with the man advantage
- Salmon Arm's next game is Friday in Sherwood Park
- The Silverbacks played a very good 1st period in a period where both teams were very even. Both teams didn't get a lot of opportunities in a back and fourth game
- Starting goaltender Noah Mavin was pulled in the 2nd period after giving up four goals on twenty seven shots
- The Silverbacks are 0-2-0-0 on the road this season
- The games turning point come in the 2nd period after Jack Toogood looked to have tied the game at 1-1 but the goal was waived off due to a high stick
- The Apes got off to a good start in the 2nd period, were the better team early. SA with an aggressive forecheck, were outskating and outworking the Vipers early. After Jack Toogood's goal was waived off due to a high stick, the Vipers would strike on the PP before adding two more as Vernon was the better team in the second half. The S'Backs couldn't keep up the same pace for the entire period, were down four goals
- Salmon Arm had lots of odd man rushes through out the hockey game
- Including the preseason, the Silverbacks are 3-2-0-0 vs the Vipers
- Tonight's the first game of a two game road trip
- The Gorillas had some good looks/quality chances tonight, couldn't capitalize on their opportunities
- Salmon Arm played Friday, while the Vipers had Friday off
- Down 4-0 heading into the 3rd, SA was the better team, carried the play, but only managed one goal
- You have to wonder if Salmon Arms first goal wasn’t waived off, would have this changed the flow and momentum?
- A good turnout of Silverbacks fans tonight
- With the loss, Salmon Arm falls to 3-3-0-0 sits 3rd in the Interior West Division
Scratches:
Vernon Vipers:
Jude Martin
Aaron Zulinick
Cohen Handby
Salmon Arm Silverbacks:
Tate O'Brien
Ville Oksanen
Matthew Dabrowski
Kasey Fuson
Boxscore-Game Summary,
Game Report,
Text Box Score,
Vernon Junior Hockey History,
7 comments:
Another good win. The Vipers played well I think the Vipers gel really good together defensively & offensively. Keep up the good work boys.
A small suggestion if I may...I love you write ups... But I don't need to see the same pictures of the arena every game. One or two is fine, but you have pictures of every feature in the arena except for the washrooms and mini donuts. Otherwise, keep up the good work.
Go Vipers!
Another impressive game by the Vipers, their skill level allows them to play a very fast/entertaining game. I am especially impressed with the support they have for each other, there is always another player there to help out. This year the Vipers appear to be playing as a 5 man unit instead of the individual efforts we have seen in past years, the 2 Goalies have been excellent. After 6 years of losing/frustrating hockey it appears as if we have a competitive, exciting team to watch. Early congrats to Cooke and his group, and especially the ownership who have stayed away and trusted him to do his job.
Note: Lavery was dressed, not a scratch.
Very entertaining game. Should the coaches keep this team together and let us fans get to know this team and continue to watch the players improve and get better individualy and as a team I think we will be watching a new era of success and excitement for the fans of the vipers. go,vipers,go.
if you don’t like the images don’t look at them
Oh good Vipers won as did my Warriors
It's hard to avoid them when you have to scroll through 70 pictures ( yes I counted) to get to the comments.
It's just a suggestion, I'm not against pictures, but 70 is a bit excessive.
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