Stapley Listed On Hitmen Prospects List:

Alan Caldwell over at small thoughts at large (WHL Blog) has posted every Western Hockey League team's 2015-16 prospects list. This only include players who were not WHL regulars last year. If a kid played more than 20-30 games or so in the WHL last year, he's not on these lists.

The WHL Calgary Hitmen have Vernon Vipers forward Brett Stapley as one of fourty five players listed on their 2015-16 prospects list.  Stapley missed the first part of the Vipers Training Camp this year, after attending the Hitmen Training Camp. Stapley would return to Vernon to catch the end of the Vipers Training Camp-exhibirion games. In 15 games this season with the Vipers Stapley has (1-goal-3-assists-4-points).

Brett Stapley's Player Profile:

http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=201696

Viper Alumni Zaba Retires-Named Rampage Goalie Coach:

Former Vernon Vipers goaltender Matt Zaba has retired from professional hockey has been named the new goalie coach for the U18 Colorado Rampage. 

Zaba spent past three the seasons with the Erste Bank Hockey League (EBHL) Vienna Capitals.  The Capitals are an Austrian professional ice hockey club that play in Vienna, Austria.  Zaba left the Capitals last season, retired after rehabbing an injury last season that he didn't think he'd be healthy to start the 2015-16 season, so left the team at the end of the season.

Zaba spent past three the seasons with the Capitals.  After four years at Colorado College Zaba went on to play three seasons in the American Hockey League, East Coast Hockey League & National Hockey League playing with four different teams (Charlotte, Idaho, Hartford & New York Rangers).  Zaba has spent the past five years playing in Austria & Italy with (Vienna & Bolzano HC).  

Zaba played one season in Vernon (2002-03) after coming over in a trade with the Penticton Panthers.  On September 6th 2002 the Panthers traded Zaba to the Vipers for Thomas Veilleux & Nick Binder.  Zaba went 34-9 during the regular season picking up two shutouts and a 2.21 GAA.  Zaba was drafted by the Los Angeles Kings In round 8, 231 overall at the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. Zaba made his NHL debut on January 23, 2010 with the New York Rangers vs the Montreal Canadiens, his only game played in the NHL.

Matt Zaba's Player Profile:

http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=11801

This was in the Colorado Gazette Newspaper:

Former Tiger netminder will coach goalies for Colorado Rampage

By: Joe Paisley  

July 26, 2015 

Former Colorado College goalie Matt Zaba is the new goalie coach for the Colorado Rampage hockey club in Monument. 


The former 2003 Kings draft pick enjoyed an eight-year pro career that included an NHL game with the Rangers, and five years in Europe, most recently for the Vienna Capitals.

Salmon Arm 6 Vernon 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 Vipers-Silverbacks game as Salmon Arm defeated Vernon 6-2 in front of 1,605 fans at Kal Tire Place.

Starting Goaltenders:

Vernon: Andrew Shortridge
Salmon Arm: Angus Redmond

1st Period: The Silverbacks would jump on an early powerplay just ten seconds into the game and capitalize. Carson Bolduc setup Nick Hutchison in front beat Andrew Shortridge giving Salmon Arm an early 1-0 lead at 1:32 Bolduc with the assist. Two minutes later Taro Hirose & Ross Heidt lead the Salmon Arm attack with a two on one, Heidt kept and wired a rocket of a shot from in close went high and over the net on a missed opportunity. The Vipers needed just over three minutes to record their first shot of the night. The Backs would get their second PP of the frame and were not even six minutes into the 1st period. Vernon with a good penalty kill did a good job at keeping the Silverbacks powerplay to the outside. Jagger Williamson on a two on one shorthanded rush was denied by Angus Redmond who made a nice save. The Backs with not alot of pressure on the man advantage would get a great look at the net in the dying seconds but it was Andrew Shortridge who come up with the big save as the Vipers would kill off the minor. A few shifts later Josh Blanchard would get stopped in close as the Silverbacks had the better of the chances in the first half. Bo Pellah took advantage of two Salmon Arm defencemen bumping into one another before hitting the ice, made room for the veteran twenty year old defenceman who dangled his way into the SA zone before setting up Jimmy Lambert who looked to score to tie the game at 9:34 but the goal was waived off after Angus Redmond had slid across the blue paint to stop Lambert, knocked the net off it's mourings. The referee's had a little discussion before calling the goal off. The Backs were outshooting Vernon 7-4 at the halfway mark. Just past the midway mark the Vipers would get their first of back to back powerplays. Peter Tufto, Steven Jandric & Joe Sacco all with great chances couldnt solve Redmond who come up with some big saves on the penalty kill. The Vipers with several good chances couldnt capitalize. Just as the penalty expired former Vipers d-man Ryley Booth would crosscheck Viper captain Colton McCarthy in the face-mouth and get tossed from the game, giving the Vipers a five minute PP. But just seconds into the man advantage Vernon would take a penalty, as both teams played four on four. Four on four Salmon Arm looked hungry, were strong on the forecheck, played with alot of jump as Vernon couldnt get much of anything going. Just as the Vipers went back on the five minute major, Jimmy Lambert who was playing defence coughed up the puck twice in his own end and the second time it cost him, veteran Josh Blanchard pounced on the opportunity stole the puck from Lambert before beating Andrew Shortridge down low giving Salmon Arm a 2-0 lead at 17:43 Blanchard's goal was unassisted. But just thirty four seconds later Riley Brandt spotted Colton McCarthy in front who beat Angus Redmond on the PP cutting the Salmon Arm lead to 2-1 at 18:17 Brandt & Darren Rizzolo collected the helpers. The Vipers would get a few good chances late managed just one powerplay goal on the five minute major. Salmon Arm was up 2-1 after 20 minutes of play. The Backs capitalized on an early powerplay, got the games first goal were the better of the two teams in the first ten minutes before the Vipers come back, had some real good scoring chances in the second half, only managed one goal, gave up a shorthanded goal. The Vipers outshot the Silverbacks 16-13.

2nd Period: Just fifty five seconds into the second period the Vipers would get an early powerplay after Salmon Arm would lose Cam Coutre who was tossed from the game after a check from behind on Bo Pellah. Pellah would be ok and stay in the game. The Vipers with an early man advantage struggled with the PP couldnt capitalize. A very slow-scrambled period with not alot of flow. Neither team was getting pucks to the net or getting any real scoring chances. Joe Sacco would get the Vipers best opportunity of the period, just six and a half minutes into the frame Sacco couldnt beat Silverbacks starting goaltender Angus Redmond on a nice feed from the slot. Salmon Arm needed nine minutes to get their first shot of the period on the PP. The Backs with not alot of pressure with the man advantage couldnt capitalize. Chase Zieky would get the Silverbacks best chance of the period ripped a quick shot from the slot was topped by Andrew Shortridge, on the following play Mac Ferner's shot from the point was kicked out by Angus Redmond who made a nice toe save off the Viper d-man. A very slow non exciting first half before SA would capitalize on another Viper turnover. Mac Ferner coughed up the puck beind his own goal, allowed Ross Heidt to give Salmon Arm a 3-1 lead at 13:32 Taro Hirose picked up the assist. Just over a minute later Zach Andrusiak would collide with Angus Redmond before a minor scrum broke loose. Brett Stapley and Josh Blanchard would drop the gloves as both players would get tossed from the game for fighting. Both teams would exchange powerplay's to finish the period. Salmon Arm was up 3-1 after 40 minutes of play. Very little scoring chances at either ends of the rink, with not alot of action coming from both teams. The first ten minutes was pretty scrambled with not alot of flow. Salmon Arm with a very aggresive forecheck were forcing the Vipers into making that play-first pass in a hurry, forcing the Vipers into several turnovers. The Backs with a big goal on a turnover behind the Vernon net, gives SA a two goal lead heading into the 3rd. Salmon Arm outshot Vernon 11-9.

3rd Period: Just thirty three seconds into the final frame Vernon would get an early man advantage. The Vipers passed the puck and passed the puck, would get just one shot in the dying seconds struggled with the PP once again, couldnt capitalize. About two minutes later the Silverbacks would get an early powerplay, getting a few looks at the net, didnt get bodies in front wich allowed Vipers starting goaltender Andrew Shortridge to see and make the routine saves. The Vipers would kill off the minor. Riley Brandt took one for the team, blocking a shot while on the penalty kill, looked to be in some discomfort, would stay in the hockey game. SA come out hitting and were hitting everyone in sight as the Backs were laying out some big hits in the final twenty minutes. With the Backs up by two goals, Salmon Arm carried alot of the play, as the Vipers couldnt generate much for offence. Vernon would get a second shot with the man advantage but again struggled. Getting just one shot the Vipers couldnt capitalize. Vernon responded with a few hard working shifts after the PP but didnt generate any real quality chances. Shortly after Marcus Mitchell would beat Shortridge on the wrap around to put Salmon Arm up 4-1 at 15:55 Mitch Newsome and Jared Turcotte picked up the helpers. There would be a very lengthy delay after the goal as the goal light did not come on, but one referee behind the net was calling it a goal. After several minutes the referees got together to say the puck did go in and the goal would stand. Another lengthy delay took place after Mark Ferner wanted to talk with the officials about the goal. But just thirty one seconds later Riley Brandt would get the Vipers to within two goals at 16:21 after Jagger Williamson with a nice feed from in close. Williamson & Mitchell Oliver picked up the assists. On the following play Salmon Arm would get a late powerplay and make the Vipers pay. Colton Thibault at 17:37 gave Salmon Arm a 5-2 lead. Thibault's goal was unassisted. And less then a minute later Chase Zieky added some salt into the Viper wounds put Salmon Arm up 6-2 at 18:23 Nick Hutchison with the assist. With the game out of reach, the Vipers showed signs of frustration took another penalty to finish the game. Riley Brandt would leave the Viper bench and head to the dressing room with the trainer in the final seconds. The Backs on the man advantage, moved the puck around had some great chances couldnt beat Andrew Shortridge before the final buzzer would sound as Salmon Arm defeated Vernon 6-2. In a period where the Vipers were down two goals heading into the third, Vernon showed very little jump, energy or emotion for any kind of a comeback as the Vipers struggled offensively to get much of anything going this period. Up by two goals the Silverbacks plastered the Vipers in the physical department, laying out some of the biggest hits all night in the 3rd. The Backs played with the puck most of the first half before getting that all important three goal lead that seemed to seal the victory. The Vipers with a late push, would get back to within two goals but it was by far too little, too late. The Backs with three goals in the final four minutes made a statement. Salmon Arm outshot Vernon 15-14.

Top Player's: (Vernon)

Bo Pellah other then two turnovers, I thought was one of very few Vipers that stood out tonight. Pellah showing his talent, was going in and around several Salmon Arm defenders made some real slick moves with the puck offensively.

Riley Brandt (1 goal & 1 assist) I dont think played a full sixty minutes but was the only Viper that showed any kind of compete and hard work tonight. Played a hard fought game.

Game Thought's: (Vernon)

Something has happened with the Vipers over the past few weeks and Im not sure what it is, but this is a totally different hockey team after the past few weeks. Vernon had won three straight and playing pretty good hockey has now dropped three straight and playing their worst hockey of the season. I will give the Vipers a little credit and say they played somewhat better tonight compared to losses to West Kelowna & Victoria last weekend but still arent the same team from just a few weeks ago. I thought the Vipers got off to a bit of a slow start, found themselves in the hole early after giving up an early powerplay goal, rallied and played much better in the second half of the opening period. The Vipers best scoring chances come in that 1st period, after that Vernon didnt get a hole lot of quality chances in the 2nd and 3rd periods. The Vipers had troubles getting to the front of the net, Salmon Arm has a fairly big team that boxed out the much smaller Viper forwards. Vernon fired 39 shots at Angus Redmond but didnt get alot of Grade A scoring chances in the 2nd and 3rd periods. The Vipers dont seem to have that intensity, that jump, no real emotion, that drive. There seems to be no life on the bench, everyone seems to be playing for themselves at times. The chemistry on the ice dosnt seem to be there, the powerplay is almost useless. They waist more time off the clock on the man advantage passing the puck around then they do getting pucks and shots on goal. This team is giving up way too many turnovers in their own end, for the first time in about three games didnt give up over 40 shots on goal, atleast could get the puck out of their own end tonight. I dont see much from the veteran players, in regards to stepping up and leading this team. This team needs a shakeup and better turn things around in a hurry. 

Top Player's: (Salmon Arm)

Phil Middleton had a solid game on the Silverbacks backend.

Mitch Newsome (1 assist) I thought played with some jump, was hustling, playing hard picked up one assist.

Nick Hutchison (1 goal & 1 assist) Had a good game, was going to the net, looking for opportunities, took a high check or stick to the face in the 3rd was bleeding, stayed in the game.

Carson Bolduc (1 assist) What can you say about this kid, after losing his baby daughter early in the season, this kid shows alot of character and dosnt quit. Had a good game this evening.

Josh Laframboise played a physical game, laid out some huge hits in the 3rd, played with an edge.

Josh Blanchard (1 goal) Was another Salmon Arm forward who played hard, battled, dosnt quit, dropped the gloves in the 2nd period with Brett Stapley.

Taro Hirose (1 assist) Didnt get the puck luck but battled hard, was going to the net all night, was in on atleast one maybe two odd man rushes, played well.

Ross Heidt (1 goal) I thought played a strong game for the Backs, another kid who was moving his feet, going to the net, creating and generating chances.

Angus Redmond (37 saves) Made some big saves in the 1st period, to keep the game close. Dosnt give up alot of rebounds or second opportunities played very well between the pipes. A bigger goaltender, covers alot of the net, plays his position well.

Game Thought's: (Salmon Arm)

The Silverbacks looked very good, this team has a ton of veteran players back from last season, is big, plays physical, lays the body, moves the puck well, good transition game, have a solid defence, solid goaltending and can put the puck in the net. The Silverbacks capitalized on their chances, took advantage of a few Viper turnovers and forced the Vipers into turnovers with a very aggresive forecheck. Specialty teams played a big part in tonight's game. Salmon Arm went 2-8 with a shorthanded goal while Vernon went 1-7 with the man advantage. Give Salmon Arm's penalty kill full credit for only giving up one goal while killing off a five minute major. The Backs defence did a great job at boxing out Vernon's smaller forwards, keeping them to the outsides while Angus Redmond was able to see alot of the Viper shots. The Backs lost two players during tonight's game (Ryley Booth and Cam Coutre) even with a short bench, didnt panic, stuck to the game plan and come away with the win. The Salmon Arm has now won five in a row and lost just once on the road. The Silverbacks are 3-0 vs Vernon this year if you include the two pre-season games back in August. Penticton Vees Head Coach Fred Harbinson and members of his hockey club along with Vees play by play man Fraser Rodgers were in attendance tonight. 

Scratches:

Vernon:

Christian Cakebread (Injured)
Callum Volpe

Salmon Arm:

Elijiah Barriga
Sam DeMelo

Energy Player of the Game:

Bo Pellah

Three Star's:

1st Star: Cameron Trott
2nd Star: Riley Brandt (1 goal & 1 assist)
3rd Star: Carson Bolduc (1 assist)

BCHL Boxscore,

http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=1477182&link=bchl

Ian Douglas's Salmon Arm Silverbacks blog

http://backstalk.wordpress.com/

Game Preview: Salmon Arm @ Vernon:

Salmon Arm (10-3-2-0) @ Vernon (8-8-0-1) 7pm

Tonight is the first of seven regular season meetings between the Vernon Vipers & Salmon Arm Silverbacks. The Vipers went 4-3-1-0 vs Salmon Arm last season

Last Game:

Saturday, October 24th Victoria defeated Vernon 2-0
Sunday, October 25th Salmon Arm defeated Merritt 5-4

Next Game:

Friday, October 30th Trail @ Vernon
Friday, October 30th West Kelowna @ Salmon Arm

Since the 2003-04 regular season Vernon is 439-243-20-21

Since the 2003-04 regular season Vernon is 241-99-11-11 at home

Since the 2003-04 regular season Vernon is 198-134-9-10 on the road

Since the 2002-03 regular season Vernon is 47-34-4-11 vs. Salmon Arm

Since the 2002-03 regular season Vernon has outscored Salmon Arm 318-313

Since the 2003-04 regular season Vernon is 20-14-1-6 at home vs. Salmon Arm

Since the 2003-04 regular season Vernon is 21-17-2-6 in Salmon Arm

Vernon is 2-7-0-1 in its last 10 regular season visits at the Shaw Centre

Vernon is 4-2-1-3 in its last 10 regular season home games vs Salmon Arm

Vernon is 5-3-1-1 in its last 10 regular season games vs. Salmon Arm

The Vipers last regular season win at home vs Salmon Arm was a 2-1 victory on Friday, October 13th 2015

The Silverbacks last regular season win at Kal Tire Place was a 3-0 victory on Friday, January 30th 2015

The Vipers last regular season win at the Shaw Centre was a 7-5 victory on Friday, November 28th 2014

The Silverbacks last regular season win at the Shaw Centre vs Vernon was a 4-2 win on Saturday, February 21st 2015

The Vipers went 4-3-1-0 vs Salmon Arm last season

Lets take a look at the Vernon Vipers:

The Vipers continue their four game home stand tonight hosting the 2nd place Salmon Arm Silverbacks. The Vipers are coming off a 2-0 loss to the visiting Victoria Grizzlies Saturday have lost back to back games. The Vipers & Backs will meet nine times this season, Salmon Arm took back to back pre-season games over the Vipers in August with a 6-1 win in Salmon Arm and a 4-3 overtime victory here in Vernon. The Vipers have won three of their last five games and are 5-5 in their last ten games. The Vipers have lost three of their last five home games sit 4th in the Interior Division are four points up on Merritt but three points back of West Kelowna and five points back of Salmon Arm.

Odeen Tufto (7-13-20) leads the the team in goals with seven & in points with twenty.

Graham Turnbull's Vernon Vipers Venom Blog

http://vipersvenom1.blogspot.ca/

Vernon Vipers 2015-16 regular season Stats:

Games Played: 17
Wins: 8
Losses: 8
Ties: 0
Overtime Losses: 1
Home Record: 5-4-0-1
Road Record: 3-4-0-0
Overtime Record: 1-1
Record vs Interior Division: 4-4-0-0
Record vs Island & Mainland Divisions: 4-4-0-1
When the Vipers score first: 5-3-0-1
When the opponents score first: 3-5-0-0
Leading after 1st Period: 4-2-0-0
Tied after 1st Period: 2-2-0-0
Trailing after 1st Period: 2-4-0-1
Leading after 2nd Period: 6-0-0-0
Tied after 2nd Period: 1-2-0-0
Trailing after 2nd Period: 1-6-0-0
Out shooting Opponents: 4-2-0-1
Out shot by Opponents: 4-6-0-0
One goal games: 1-4-0-1
Longest winning streak this year: Three games
Longest losing streak this year: Two games
Goals For: 57
Goals Against: 47
Place: 4th Place
Streak: Two game losing streak

Vernon Vipers Returning Players:

Liam Finlay (97)
Jagger Williamson (98)
Colton McCarthy (96)
Riley Brandt (96)
Mitchell Oliver (97)

Vernon Vipers Departing & traded players from last years team:

Liam Coughlin (94)
Anthony Latina (94)
Blaine Caton (97)
Nicholas Rasovic (96)
Linden Hora (96)
TJ Dumonceaux (94)
Jarrod Schamerhorn (95)
Luke Shiplo (95)
Luke Voltin (95)
Brandon Egli (94)
Mitch Meek (96)
Johhny Coughlin (95)
Kenny Citron (95)
Riley Guenther (94)
Mackenzie Bauer (96)
Danny Todosychuk (94)

Vernon’s Home record vs Salmon Arm last season:

2-1-1-0

Vernon’s Road record vs Salmon Arm last season:

1-3-0-0

Vernon’s scoring leaders vs Salmon Arm last season:

TJ Dumonceaux (4-3-7)
Thomas Aldworth (3-3-6)
Liam Coughlin (2-3-5)
Anthony Latina (3-1-4)
Jagger Williamson (1-3-4)
Luke Voltin (0-3-3)
Mitch Meek (2-1-3)
Luke Shiplo (0-3-3)
Riley Guenther (0-3-3)
Liam Finlay (2-1-3)
Johnny Coughlin (0-2-2)
Mitchell Oliver (0-1-1)
Riley Brandt (0-1-1)
Colton McCarthy (1-0-1)
Brandon Egli (0-1-1)
Kenny Citron (0-1-1)
Mackenzie Bauer (0-1-1)

Jarrod Schamerhorn (1-2-1 Record)
Danny Todosychuk (2-2 Record)

-Vernon has the leagues 11th best powerplay

-The Vipers have the leagues 7th best penalty kill

Lets take a look at the Salmon Arm Silverbacks: 

The Salmon Arm Silverbacks make their second of five visits to Kal Tire Place, swept the home & home exhibition series with the Vipers back in August.  The Backs are coming off a 5-4 victory in Merritt Sunday, have lost eight of their last ten games in Vernon. Tonight is the second game of a two game road trip as Salmon Arm has won four straight. The Backs have won three straight on the road, are 4-1 away from home & 7-2-1-0 in their last ten games. Salmon Arm sits second in the Division are two points up on West Kelowna and eight points back of Division leading Penticton. 

Carson Bolduc (19-25-44) lead the Silverbacks lead in goals last season with nineteen while Taro Hirose (18-32-50) lead the team in points with fifty.

Ryley Booth played in 10 games last season with the Vipers before being traded to Salmon Arm on October 28th 2014

Troy Mick played with the Vernon Lakers and was an Assistant Coach-Head Coach & GM with the Vernon Vipers before joining the Salmon Arm Silverbacks.

Ian Douglas's Salmon Arm Silverbacks blog

http://backstalk.wordpress.com/

Salmon Arm Silverbacks 2015-16 regular season Stats:

Games Played: 15
Wins: 10
Losses: 3
Ties: 2
Overtime Losses: 0
Home Record: 6-2-2-0
Road Record: 4-1-0-0
Goals For: 66
Goals Against: 41
Place: 2nd Place
Streak: Four game winning streak

Salmon Arm Silverbacks Returning Players:

Josh Blanchard (96)
Carson Bolduc (96)
Ryley Booth (96)
Damian Chrcek (96)
Ross Heidt (96)
Taro Hirose (96)
Nick Hutchison (95)
Joshua Laframboise (96)
Phil Middleton (95)
Colton Thibault (95)
Angus Redmond (95)

Salmon Arm Silverbacks  Departing & traded players from last years team:

Andrew Farny (95)
Shane Danyluk (94)
Logan Mick (96)
Bryden Marsh (94)
Thomas Plese (94)
Jordan Burns (95)
Branden Wagner (96)
Chase Priskie (96)
Taylor Maruya (95)
Anthony Gardner (95)
Zach Dyment (96)
Jack Berezan (95)

Salmon Arm's Home record vs. Vernon last season:

3-1-0-0

Salmon Arm's Road record vs. Vernon last season:

1-2-1-0

Salmon Arm's scoring leaders vs. Vernon last season:

Carson Bolduc (3-4-7)
Taro Hirose (3-3-6)
Shane Danyluk (1-5-6)
Taylor Maruya (2-4-6)
Phil Midleton (2-3-5)
Thomas Plese (2-2-4)
Chase Priskie (1-2-3)
Ross Heidt (1-2-3)
Karl El-Mir (1-1-2)
Andrew Farny (0-2-2)
Bryden Marsh (1-1-2)
Damian Chrcek (0-2-2)
Josh Blanchard (1-1-2)
Colton Thibault (0-2-2)
Joshua Laframboise (2-0-2)
Logan Mick (1-0-1)
Ryley Booth (0-1-1)

Angus Redmond (4-3-1 Record)

-Salmon Arm has the leagues 5th best powerplay

-The Silverbacks have the league's 3rd best penalty kill

Here's a look at both teams rosters:

Vernon Vipers:

http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/stats_1team.cfm?leagueID=2393&clientID=1413&teamid=224096

Salmon Arm Silverbacks:

http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/stats_1team.cfm?leagueID=2393&clientID=1413&teamid=224097

Vipers Mix Up Seating Chart:

This is in todays Morning Star Newspaper:

Vipers mix up seating chart
                     
by  Kevin Mitchell - Vernon Morning Star

Oct 28, 2015

Mark Ferner turned off the video machine and did some old fashioned teaching Sunday at Kal Tire Place.

The Vernon Vipers head coach/GM, bewildered after “our worst weekend of the season,” changed the seating plan in the B.C. Hockey League team’s dressing room.

“I can’t let them come to the rink and look at the same people and have the same result,” said Ferner. “This way, they see the room from a different perspective. It’s a little thing and we’ll see if it works.”

After yielding almost 50 shots in a 3-2 loss to the West Kelowna Warriors Friday night, the Vipers allowed 50 against the league basement-dwelling Victoria Grizzlies in a 2-0 loss Saturday night at The Big Wheel.

“Our goalie’s (Andrew Shortridge) good,” deadpanned Ferner, when asked if there were any positives from falling to the Grizz (3-11-0-2). “Give them (Grizzlies) credit. Obviously, we didn’t generate enough defence or offence. We were thinking offence instead of thinking defence. We’re too easy to play against right now.

“There was no urgency, not enough compete, same thing as Friday night. We need to get past some things and get to the root of the problem. From top to bottom, it’s frustrating. We, as coaches, need to find a way to make them better. Today’s (Monday) practice was good. This group is looking for someone to lead them and that starts with myself.”

Ferner told the players in a four-hour get-it-all-out meeting early Sunday morning that he has been patient through 16 games, but is ready to make some changes. He has four open cards available and wants to get a little older and tougher.

Ferner and assistants Kevin Kraus and Kevin Pedersen will be demanding some push back tonight when the Snakes entertain the Salmon Arm Silverbacks (10-3-2). The Gorillas have won four straight and have the bulk of last year’s club back.

Salmon Arm stopped the Merritt Centennials 5-4 Sunday at Nicola Valley Arena with Vernon’s Brett Jewell registering his fourth of the season for the Cents. The Silverbacks, ranked No. 18 in the country, improved to 6-1-0-0 versus Interior Division opponents.

Nick Hutchison leads the Silverbacks with seven goals and 19 points in 15 games. The 20-year-old Hicksville, N.Y. product announced Sunday his commitment to the NCAA Division 1 Canisius College Golden Griffins of the Atlantic Hockey Conference.

The Grizzlies, who lost 4-2 to the West Kelowna Warriors Sunday afternoon, are last in the 17-team circuit with the least goals for record at 34.

Nick Guiney put Victoria ahead at 12:55 of the first period with his fifth of the season, assists going to Tyler Welsh and Cody Van Lierop before 1,670 fans.

Third-year veteran Cole Pickup (5th) added insurance at 7:26 of the third period. PJ Conlon and Mitchell Barker had helpers.

Victoria outshot Vernon 50-31, including a 21-8 margin in the third period. Matthew Galajda recorded his first shutout of the season, while Shortridge was sensational again for the Vipers (8-8-0-1).

Liam Finlay was named the Fortis B.C. Energy Player of the Game for the Vipers, who host the Trail Smoke Eaters (6-9) Friday night.

The Penticton Vees, meanwhile, are runaway leaders in the BCHL at 15-1. They are ranked No. 1 in Canada ahead of Northern Ontario’s Powassan Voodoos (12-0).

The Vees got even stronger Saturday by acquiring the rights to forward Nick Jones in a three-team deal.

To get Jones, the Vees sent forward Jason Lavallee and future considerations to the Saskatchwan Junior Hockey League’s Flin Flon Bombers for the playing rights of D Joel Webb. The Vees then flipped Webb, plus future considerations, to the Alberta Junior Hockey League’s Sherwood Park Crusaders for Jones’ rights.

Jones, 19, was in his sophomore season with Ohio State Buckeyes in the Big Ten Conference. The Edmonton native played in 29 games for the Buckeyes over parts of two seasons scoring once and collecting five assists. Prior to joining Ohio State, Jones had a decorated junior career with the Crusaders, compiling 52 goals and 96 points in 100 career games.