(Pre Season) Vernon 3 Salmon Arm 2

(Pre Season) Vernon 3 Salmon Arm 2

Was at tonights pre season game as Vernon defeated Salmon Arm 3-2 at the Sunwave Center. (They didnt announce tonights attendance)

1st Period: The Silverbacks got the early jump having the better of the play in the Vipers zone within the first few mins. Some good puck movement by the Backs but not many shots fired towards the net. Ryan Farghar made a real nice save in the early goings. Vernons best scoring chance came when John Digness got a good shot off coming off the wing, but Brian Gillis made the nice save. Vernon would open the scoring just under 6 mins into the opening period. Steve Tresierra with some good hard work to keep the puck in at the line, got the puck into the corners, Braden Pimm then got the puck back to the slot where Tresierra got off a backhand, beating Gillis putting the Vipers up 1-0. This goal seemed to give the Vipers some life as Vernon carried the better of the play over the next few mins. Just over 3 mins later Braden Pimm made a nice pass over to Captain Chris Crowell, Crowell stepped over the blueline and fired a shot wich beat Gillis blocker side as Vernon went up 2-0. This goal seemed to take the life out of the Silverbacks, Salmon Arm quit skating as Vernon now was in control having the better of the play for the final 10 mins of the 1st. Vernon put some good pressure on getting some shots towards Gillis but didnt get many great scoring chances. The Vipers looked very good up front putting some nice moves cutting through the neutral zone. Gillis looked a little shaky at times, having troubles handling the puck as well as holding onto rebounds. Vernon was up 2-0 after 20 mins of play. Vipers outshot the Silverbacks 10-7.

2nd Period: The Backs come out skating hard, looking much better in the early going. Once again the first few mins was played in the Vernon zone. Farghar made two nice saves early in the 2nd. A very entertaining 2nd period with some good flow and back & forth play at both ends of the rink. Colin Lidster played a physical game all night, laying out some solid checks. Vernons best scoring chance came when Cory Kane went in all alone on the breakaway but was stopped by the blocker of Gillis. Salmon Arm would get on the board midway through the period when Mike Puddifant beat a screened Ryan Farghar. The shot was taken from the point and then deflected on its way towards the net. Midway through the 2nd both teams switched goaltenders. Gillis allowed 2 Goals on 20 shots as Tony Ierfino come into the Backs net. & Ryan Farghar allowed 1 Goal on 16 shots, as Anthony Manfredi come into the Vipers net. Manfredi looked sharpe a few times, coming up with two big saves. Ierfino looked good at the other end of the rink looking very confident between the pipes. Late in the 2nd Greg Noyes left the game after taking a hit close to the Silverbacks bench. Noyes sat on the bench for a few mins before heading to the dressing room and not returning. Late in the period with just 39 seconds remaining, Chris Crowell took a check from Zac Rasmussen along the side boards, Crowell then hit Rasmussen in the back of the head. As Crowell was skating away, two Backs skated towards Crowell trying to drop the gloves. Then everyone on the ice got involved as almost everyone on the ice was fighting. A minor melay took place, Kevin Kraus & Brian Elser were both tossed from the game for the Vipers. Elser was given an extra game misconduct. Jason Beattie & Bobby Lipsett were both tossed for the Silverbacks, Lipsett was also given the extra game misconduct. The Vipers were up 2-1 after 40 mins of play. Vernon outshot Salmon Arm 15-11.

3rd Period: Salmon Arm would start the 3rd on the PP, with some good puck movement the Backs couldnt get off any quality shots as Vernon would kill off the minor. The Silverbacks carried the better of the play early getting some chances but couldnt find the back of the net. Vipers looked a little sloppy at times in there own end having troubles clearing the puck. The Vipers seemed to get the offence going, as both teams had some nice rushes with some good flow at both ends of the rink. Salmon Arm would tie the game after Cody Ikkala tried getting a shot off at the blueline, the puck was blocked as the Silverbacks went in three on one, some nice tic tac toe passing, as Conor Morrison & Chris Hoe made a nice pass back & forth and then fed a wide open Mark Zengerle who beat Manfredi who was down and out. Salmon Arm had a great scoring chance to take the lead as Colin Lidster went in on the parcial breakaway but was stopped by Manfredi. In the 2nd half of the 3rd both teams got a little careless at times, but recovered without coughing up a goal. Braden Pimm gave the Vipers a 3-2 lead scoring on the PP, after some good hustle and hard work in the corner. Pimm beat Ierfino fivehole. The Backs would get a great chance with under 4 mins left in the game going on a powerplay but Vernons PK was solid doing a great job not giving the Silverbacks any room to move or get a quality shot off. The Vipers would kill off the minor and then with 1:47 remaining Salmon Arm was called for too many men as Vernon would finish the game on the PP. The Vipers didnt get too fancy as they kept the puck low and in the corners ragging off the final min & a half to get the win, defeating the Backs 3-2. Vernon is now 1-0 in pre season action, as Salmon Arm now falls to 1-2 in the pre season. Vernon outshot Salmon Arm 10-7.

Top Players: (Vernon)

Cory Kane looks very good up front for the Vipers. A big kid who can skate and stick handle. Had some great scoring chances, reads & see's the ice very well. Reminds me alot of former Viper Captain Mike Ullrich.

The line of Chris Crowell (1 Goal & 1 Assist) Braden Pimm (1 Goal & 2 Assists) & Brian Elser all played very well tonight.

Steve Tresierra (1 Goal) Looked very solid on the point.

John Digness played well all night.

Brett Switzer looked good on the PK, quick skater who has some skill up front.

Top Players: (Salmon Arm)

Mike Puddifant (1 Goal) Played very well on the backend for the Backs.

Keenan Desmet is quick and has some skill up front. Had some good chances.

Zac Rasmussen was the Silverbacks best player. Always involved in the play, skated well all night.

Colin Lidster played a physical game, laying out some big hits.

Game Thoughts: (Vernon)

I was impressed with the Vipers tonight. For this being there first game of the pre season and having 11 scratches not playing tonight, Im really looking forward to the season. Vernon had the shots on goal, but couldnt get the offence rolling. The 4th line saw very limited ice time late in the 2nd and for most of the 3rd. I think once you get some of the kids that didnt play tonight, into the mix the Vipers will be alright. Vipers looked good on the PK.

Game Thoughts: (Salmon Arm)

The Silverbacks played well, once falling behind 2-0 in the 1st they sat back and quit skating but seemed to turn things around the 2nd & 3rd. Really liked the PP, good puck movement, some good speed and skill up front. Looks like the Backs have there team picked, everyone had there names on there jerseys. Saw alot of veterans from last years team. Wasnt much of a crowd tonight, great to see a good 30-40 Vernon fans.

They didnt announce tonights scratches but did reconise most of Vernons other then two players.

Vernon:

Kyle Bigos
Kellen Jones
Connor Jones
Mike Collins
Andrew Hammond
Dallas Goodrunning
Ryan Santana
Richard Jodoin
Steven Weinstein

Vernons Roster:

Kevin Kraus
Cody Ikkala
Adam Thompson
Steve Tresierra
Mike Wieste
Layne Stopanski
Brett Switzer
Cory Kane
Cole Ikkala
Braden Pimm
Sawyer Mick
Chris Crowell
John Digness
Rob Short
Trent Dorais
Kory Roy
Brian Elser
Jeremy Wiebe
Anthony Manfredi
Ryan Farghar

Salmon Arms Roster:

Mike Puddifant
Matt Grassi
Levi Hantula
Matt Walters
Keenan Desmet
Greg Noyes
Jason Beattie
Mitch Chapman
Chris Hoe
Sam Micthell
Travis Briard
Bree Knowles
Colin Lidster
Bobby Lipsett
Zac Rasmussen
Mark Zengerle
Travis Statchuk
Conor Morrison
Tony Ierfino
Brian Gillis