Was at the Vipers home opener tonight as Vernon defeated Salmon Arm 3-2 in front of 2,463 fans at the Wesbild Centre.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon: Graeme Gordon
Salmon Arm: Tony Ierfino
Before tonights game the Vipers raised their 2009 RBC Cup Banner to the rafters.
1st Period: The Vipers would get the first scoring chance of the game as Mike Collins wired a shot from the slot, Tony Ierfino made the big pad save kicking out a huge rebound, Jonathan Milhouse was all alone in front but fanned on the shot. The Vipers would get the first powerplay of the night just a minute into the game, Bryce Kakoske with the lone chance wired a shot from the circle that just missed the far corner, Salmon Arm would kill off the minor. Vernon looked very strong most of the period getting all kinds of scoring chances. Dylan Walchuk and Drew George went in two on one as Ierfino stopped George. Mike Collins was robbed in front by the glove of Ierfino. Tony Ierfino coughed the puck up inbehind his own net, Ierfino's bad clearing attempt landed on the stick of Braden Pimm who fed Mike Collins out front who beat Ierfino putting the Vipers up 1-0 at 6:59 with Braden Pimm collecting the lone assist. The Silverbacks would get their first powerplay of the night but couldnt muster much of an attack as Vernon killed off the minor. Vernon looked very strong in the first 20 minutes of play, having the edge in play. Ierfino was sharp making several key saves as the Vipers carried the play in the Backs zone for most of the second half, as Salmon Arm recorded just two shots in the second half of the period. Salmon Arms best scoring chance came after Nick Amies laid out a huge check at centre ice and couldnt back into the play, Charlie Vasaturo carried the puck in over the line, making a nice move at the blueline, cutting towards the goal and then got a quick shot off from in close, before Graeme Gordon made the save, with a few Silverbacks banging away down low on the rebound. Late in the 1st the Vipers would lose the draw in their own end, Greg Noyes shot from the point beat Gordon to tie the game at 18:57 Chris Hoe picked up the lone assist. Vernon carried most of the play getting all kinds of scoring chances but were tied 1-1 after 20 minutes of play. The Vipers outshot the Silverbacks 12-4.
2nd Period: Just 1:29 into the 2nd period, Braden Pimm setup Mike Collins in front who went high blocker side over Ierfino putting Vernon up 2-1. Pimm & Jonathan Milhouse added the assists. Shortly after the Backs would get an early powerplay getting a few good chances, but Vernon would kill off the minor. Salmon Arm with some good early pressure were buzzing in and around the Vipers net, creating all kinds of chances. The Vipers coughed up the puck a few times in their own zone. Vernon would get caught on a bad line change Zac Rasmussen, Brett Knowles & Devin Gannon stormed in over the line three on one, Gordon stopped Rasmussen's long shot from the circle before having to cover up the rebound as Gannon & Knowles crashed the crease looking for a rebound. Salmon Arm come up with several solid scoring chances but couldnt find the back of the net. After weathering the storm Kellen Jones was robbed in front by Ierfino and then on the same shift, Connor Jones was stopped in front by Ierfino who looked very solid. On the next shift Jonathan Milhouse was stopped in close as the Vipers now got some good pressure of their own going. Both teams coughed up the puck with the puck on edge all night, as players were having troubles with the bouncing puck. Matt Cassidy shorthanded on the breakaway was stopped by Gordon but hauled down on the play resulting in a penalty shot. Cassidy was stopped by Gordon on the penalty shot. Just minutes later Bryce Kakoske was rewarded a penalty shot after a mad scramble in front of Ierfino, a Backs player covered the puck in the crease with his hand. Kakoske was stopped by Ierfino on the penalty shot. The Vipers with two powerplays in the middle frame really struggled with the man advantage having all kinds of trouble moving the puck. Steve Weinstein coughed up the puck on the PP wich just about resulted in a breakaway for the Silverbacks. Late in the period with Salmon Arm on the powerplay Charlie Vasaturo's shot from the point just squeeked behind Gordon at 17:36 as the Backs once again tied the game late at the end of the period. Jagger Dirk & Chris Hoe collected the assists. Both teams had chances with turnovers happening at both ends of the rink. It was tied 2-2 after 40 minutes of play. Vernon outshot Salmon Arm 14-8.
3rd Period: A wild and very exciting 3rd period as both teams really opened up creating all kinds of scoring chances. Vernon would get three early great chances as Cory Kane and Connor Jones had two great chances. Kane & Connor couldnt beat Ierfino in close and then shortly after Kane & Connor Jones went in again this time two on one, Kane made a nice pass over to Connor who was stopped by Ierfino who played a heck of a game tonight. Devon Roeszler carried the puck in over the line, made a nice move in close, cut towards the goal and then just slide the puck through the crease as the Backs come very close to taking their first lead of the game. David Killip with a nice move at the blueline was stopped by Gordon. For the first game of the season fans were in for a treat with some great back and forth action in the final period. Braden Pimm with some hard work down low, come out from behind the goal but was stopped in close. Kevin Kraus played a solid game and come up with a huge defensive play in the 3rd showing good hustle to come back and break up a scoring chance. The Silverbacks put some good pressure on late buzzing in and around the net, coming very close to taking the lead. As the game went on the Backs seemed to gain a little confidence and really picked up their game. The Silverbacks come very close to scoring as the Vipers defence looked a little nervous with Salmon Arm putting on some good pressure. The puck come very close to crossing the goal line on two different scoring chances. Mark Zengerle with a nice play at the blueline come very close to giving the Backs the lead, but was stopped by Gordon. Vernon who struggled on the man advantage all night had a great chance to take the lead with a powerplay late in the 3rd. With some good puckmovement the Vipers once again couldnt capitalize, as the minor was coming to an end, Garrett Noonon's blast from the point was blocked, the puck come out over the line right on the stick of Corey Chakeen who just stepped out of the penalty box, Chakeen went in all alone on the breakaway but was stopped by Gordon who had to look behind him but did have the puck. On the next shift Dylan Walchuk with some hard work down low, made an unreal play to keep the puck, feeding Rob Short who setup Cole Ikkala who beat Ierfino down low at 17:23 giving the Vipers the 3-2 lead. Short & Walchuk collected the assists. The Silverbacks would get the puck in deep and with a minute remaining Ierfino would head to the bench for the extra attacker, with Salmon Arm in control of the play deep in the Vernon zone, Ierfino was giving it to his team on the bench. The Backs couldnt keep the puck in as the Vipers forecheck of Mike Collins and Jonathan Milhouse forced the Silverbacks deep back into their own end, Collins on two plays tried for his hat trick but couldnt hit the empty net. As the clock was winding down the Backs couldnt get the puck in deep as the buzzer sounded as Vernon defeated Salmon Arm 3-2 in the first of a home and home series. The Vipers outshot the Silverbacks 16-11.
Top Players: (Vernon)
Mike Collins (2 goals) Had a real solid game for Vernon. Collins had several chances for his hat trick but was robbed by Ierfino on several plays. Collins looked like he has bulked up over the summer, wasnt afriad of the corners and the physical play, laid out a huge check in the 1st period.
Dylan Walchuk (1 assist) This kid is a treat to watch, has some soft hands, a real playmaker who had several scoring chances. Made an unreal play to keep the puck alive down low, wich resulted in setting up the game winner late in the 3rd.
The line of Connor Jones, Kellen Jones & Cory Kane was very dangerous all night. With speed and skill these three players had all kinds of chances.
Braden Pimm (2 assists) Pimm looked very solid and game ready tonight, looked very dangerous down low and in and around the net, was very hard to knock off the puck.
Drew George had some good chances but couldnt find the back of the net. Took a high stick (non call) late in the game but stayed in the game.
Kevin Kraus played a very strong game on the Vipers blueline, made several heads up plays. Looked very solid defensively.
Sawyer Mick looked very impressive, plays with alot of energy, adds that physical presence. Played physical, mucked it up in front of the net.
Adam Thompson was another kid who played and looked very strong tonight on the Vipers blueline. Played very strong defensively, made a few nice plays to keep the puck in at the line.
Graeme Gordon (21 saves) didnt have alot of action until the 3rd but played well making some key saves to give his team the victory.
Top Players: (Salmon Arm)
Jagger Dirk (1 assist) looked impressive tonight, likes to jump up into the play. Really reads and see's the ice well.
Chris Hoe (2 assists) Made some strong heads up play to setup both SA goals. Always seemed to be involved on any scoring chances.
Greg Noyes (1 goal) Played and looked very solid on the Backs blueline. Noyes was solid for Salmon Arm all night.
Charlie Vasaturo (1 goal) Was very impressive, very strong skater, likes to get involved in the play, likes to carry the puck alot. Solid defensively in front of the net, didnt back down from the rough stuff.
David Killip saw lots of icetime, especially in the 3rd period. Had some solid chances in the 3rd.
Tony Ierfino (39 saves) Was by far Salmon Arm's best player, kept the Backs in the game, giving them a chance to win. A backup last yr really played strong, was hard to beat up high, has a very strong glove hand, robbing Mike Collins twice with the glove. Had troubles handling the puck, wich cost the Backs the games first goal but was solid in close. Wearing #41 you would think Bryan Gillis was in goal tonight, the way Ierfino played. Tony is wearing former Silverbacks goaltender Bryan Gillis's old #41 who also played and looked very strong against the Vipers last season. If the Silverbacks win tonights game, Ierfino deserves #1 star.
Game Thoughts: (Vernon)
I know its very very early and this was game 1 of the season but so far after watching training camp, the blue and white game and three out of the teams four exibition games I am very impressed with this years version of the Vernon Vipers. Mark Ferner, Jason Williamson and the scouting staff have put together a very solid looking team so far. This club is very quick with lots of depth and firepower up front. The Vipers have four lines that can play at any time of the game. Sure their was some bad passes, turnovers and the odd mistake here and their but overall I really like the make of this yrs team. The team needs some work on the powerplay, after struggling tonight going 0-5. If both teams come to play like this tomorrow night, the SA fans are in for a heck of a hockey game. Going back to last years BCHLs Playoffs the Vipers have now won 16 straight (last loss was to Powell River in Game 5 of the BCHL Finals)
Game Thoughts: (Salmon Arm)
Salmon Arm got off to a bit of a slow start getting out played for most of the first period, but as the game went on, the Backs seemed to gain a little confidence, getting better and better each period. The team was outshot bigtime after the first two periods but still managed to stay tied 2-2. Had many chances in the second half of the 3rd to score the winner coming very close. The Silverbacks battled hard, this isnt your run and gun team like in previous season's, Matt Hughes, Rylan Ferster and Randy Quakenbush have more of a gritty-hard working club. Its early and still lots of hockey left, dont count out Salmon Arm. A very entertaining game with lots of action.
Scratches:
Vernon:
Eric Soderlund
Darrin Robak
Bredan Persley
Patrick McGillis
Salmon Arm:
Levi Hantula
Josh Manson
Rick Soo
Josh Monk
3 Stars:
1st Star: Mike Collins (2 goals)
2nd Star: Tony Ierfino (39 saves)
3rd Star: Cole Ikkala (1 goal)
Starting Goaltenders:
