I was at tonights BCHL game as Vernon defeated Salmon Arm 4-1 in front of 1,356 fans at the Sunwave Centre.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon: Blake Voth
Salmon Arm: Tony Ierfino
1st Period: The Vipers got off to a strong start, getting the puck in deep. With a strong forecheck and cycle down low Vernon with all kinds of sustained pressure early but couldnt get any pucks towards the goal. Vernon controlled the play early before the Silverbacks got the puck in deep and on their first action in the Vipers zone, Corey Chakeen found Mark Zengerle in front who had two cracks at the puck finally getting his second shot past Blake Voth at 4:43 Steve Weinstein couldnt hold off Zengerle who was stopped by Voth on the first shot but scored on his second shot giving Salmon Arm the 1-0 lead. Both shots were the Backs first two of the game and wouldnt record another shot on goal until very late in the period. Chakeen with the lone assist. Just under two minutes later Vernon come back on a nice passing play, Rob Short & Cory Kane did all the work to setup Dan Nycholat who beat Tony Ierfino at 6:34 tying the game 1-1. Short & Kane with the helpers. The Vipers would keep the pressure on for most of the remainder of the period. It was all Vernon as the Vipers looked like they were men playing against boys. Steve Weinstein had a great chance with traffic in front and Ierfino down and out, Weinstein missed the open net firing wide. Salmon Arm was having all kinds of trouble with Vernons cycle and strong forecheck down low as the Vipers dominated the play in and around the boards. Braden Pimm was stopped by Ierfino, Patrick McGillis who was in tonights lineup and played very well had a chance at the side of the net. Vernon dominated the opening period as the play was deep in the Backs end the entire 1st. Mike Collins with an unreal no look behind the back pass out front to Cole Ikkala, who was also stopped in close. The Vipers with the games first powerplay went to work. Cole Ikkala setup Mike Collins in front who beat Ierfino at 13:15 putting Vernon up 2-1. Ikkala & Braden Pimm with the assists. The Vipers kept coming, Adam Thompsons big blast from the point beat Ierfino but hit the post, come back hitting Ierfino from behind as the Backs goaltender was forced to stop the play making the save. Cory Kane with a quick shot from the slot was stopped by Tony Ierfino. Another nice three way passing play resulted in a goal, Patrick McGillis & Cory Kane setup Rob Short at 17:55 giving the Vipers a 3-1 lead. Vernon won all battles and races to the puck, as Salmon Arm had several chances to clear the zone but couldnt, wich forced a turnover and resulted in a Viper scoring chance. Very late in the period Travis Statchuks quick shot from the circle handcuffed Blake Voth as he had troubles in making the save. Vernon was by far the better team dominating the opening period up 3-1 after 20 minutes of play. The Vipers outshot the Silverbacks 17-4.
2nd Period: The Vipers would get an early powerplay but struggle in the early going looking very lack luster before late in the man advantage David Robinson scored putting Vernon up 4-1 at 3:40 Kellen & Connor Jones with the assists. The Vipers didnt seem to have that drive they had in the 1st period, the Silverbacks on the other hand stepped up their play a little in the 2nd period getting some chances. The Backs with a few decent chances in the first half of the period generated some offence at times. This wasnt all that entertaining of a period with some sloppy play at both ends of the rink, both teams making mistakes at times. Salmon Arm did step up the physical play in the second frame laying out some decent checks, Charlie Vasaturo was hitting everything in site. Vasaturo was really trying to get under the skin of the Vipers, taking an extra shot or shove after a play. The Silverbacks best chance come on a nice three way passing odd man rush as the puck ended up on the stick of leading scorer Mark Zengerle who was stopped in close by Voth. On the same play the Vipers couldnt clear the zone, a screened shot from the point was tipped in front by who else, Mark Zengerle. The puck beat Blake Voth fivehole but somehow come out the other end missing the net. The Backs would get their first powerplay of the night but struggled getting very little shots on goal as the Vipers penalty kill did a great job at clogging up the middle, keeping the Backs to the outside as Vernon would kill off the minor. Shortly after the Silverbacks went back on the man advantage but it didnt last too long as the Vipers were rewarded a powerplay wich resulted in some four on four hockey. The Vipers didnt play their best period getting very few and little scoring chances as the Silverbacks had the edge in play. Blake Voth played very well making 12 saves. In the final minute of play Tony Ierfino come out of his net to collect the puck, David Robinson with some good hustle stole the puck from Ierfino, throwing it out front to Connor Jones who had an empty net but couldnt hit the net after a diving Kyle Pedan & Jayson Reardon slide through the crease to stop Jones in close as the Backs with a huge defensive play. Vernon was up 4-1 after 40 minutes of play. The Silverbacks outshot the Vipers 12-6.
3rd Period: Josh Manson with a great chance early to start the period was stopped by Voth in the slot. Vernon would get an early powerplay but couldnt convert as the Silverbacks had the best chance shorthanded. Travis Statchuk with a quick shot from the circle was stopped by Voth. Shortly after Salmon Arm would get a crack at the powerplay but it was the Vipers shorthanded who had the best chance. Cory Kane & Rob Short went in two on one, Kane setup Short who was stopped by Ierfino. As the 3rd period got going the play really opened up at both ends of the rink with some great chances for both teams. Brett Knowles was stopped by Voth who played very well. Cory Kane with a quick shot from the slot couldnt beat Ierfino who made a nice toe save. Patrick McGillis was stopped in close. The Vipers had the better of the chances but couldnt beat Ierfino who kept his hockey club in the hockey game. Mike Collins and Braden Pimm in two on one, but Pimm couldnt beat Ierfino who made a huge pad save coming across the crease. Steve Weinstein then was robbed at the side of the goal after a diving Ierfino covered up on the rebound. Kevin Kraus with the biggest hit of the night levelled Josh Manson. Manson then come back with a big hit on Connor Jones. Devin Gannon with a great chance was stopped by Voth. Both goaltenders played very well this evening. Late in the game Connor & Kellen Jones on a two on one but Kellen couldnt beat Ierfino. Vernon would get a late powerplay wich ended any hopes of any comeback by the Silverbacks. In the end the Vipers would defeat Salmon Arm 4-1 and clinch top spot in the entire BCHL and clinch the Interior Division Pennant for the second straight season. Vernon outshot Salmon Arm 13-9.
Top Players: (Vernon)
The line of Connor Jones (1 assist), Kellen Jones (1 assist) & David Robinson (1 goal) looked very good up front. Both Jones Twins were really skating tonight, when these kids get that cycle and strong forecheck going down low, they are almost untouchable.
I was very impressed with the line of Cory Kane (2 assists), Rob Short (1 goal & 1 assist) & Patrick McGillis (1 assist). Cory Kane has looked very good his last two games and been playing some good hockey as of late, Kane is really skating hard now, and using his shot & stick handling to his advantage. Rob Short another kid who has been playing very well down the stretch here. Short was physical tonight, and was very good with and without the puck. Again very strong on the penalty kill. Nice to see Patrick McGillis get into the lineup. I really like this kid and think hes going to be very good for the Vipers next season. McGillis worked hard all night, was skating hard, showed lots of hustle. Had some good chances, won several one on one battles down low. Had a real strong game.
Mike Collins (1 goal) Played a strong game for Vernon up front. Collins seemed to know where everyone was tonight, made some real nice plays through out tonights game.
Jonathan Milhouse played very well, showed lots of hustle. Was skating hard.
Blake Voth (24 saves) Improves to 20-2 and still remains the leagues #1 goaltender. What can you say about Voth who has really come into his own and played extremely well since Graeme Gordon went down with his injury. Voth looked very sharp, showed lots of confidence, played his position well, didnt give up many of any rebounds. Made some big saves in the 3rd period.
Garrett Noonan played a very strong game for the Vipers on the blueline.
Kevin Kraus played a strong game as well on the backend. Kraus made some real nice heads up plays. Had some good hits, but none bigger then on Josh Manson in the 3rd.
Steve Weinstein another d-man who played a heck of a game on the Vipers blueline. Weinstein jumped up into the play on several occasions, really played well at both ends of the rink. Looked very confident carrying the puck tonight, had a few good scoring chances.
Top Players: (Salmon Arm)
Tony Ierfino (30 saves) I was suprised Ierfino didnt get a star tonight. I thought Ierfino played very well, made some big saves in the opening period and then come up huge with some big saves in the 3rd to keep his team in the game and give them a chance to make a comeback. If it wasnt for Ierfino this could have been a much different score. Ierfino has seemed to play the Vipers very well this season, except for maybe the exceptions of one game. Other then that Ierfino has played very well vs Vernon but now is 2-5 against the Vipers.
Charlie Vasaturo was trying to get under the skin of the Vipers most of the night, laid out some good hits, was always in the face of several Vernon players, even tried taking a few extra shots or shoves after a play or end of a line change.
Brett Knowles. Don Klepp was right Knowles played a very physical game, was by far the most physical Silverback tonight.
Mark Zengerle (1 goal) Zengerle now has 4 goals & 5 assists in seven games vs Vernon this season. This kid is a treat to watch, one heck of a skater, and always seems to know where everyone is, by making thos sweet no look passes. Zengerle had most of Salmon Arms best scoring chances but only managed to put one past Blake Voth.
Game Thoughts: (Vernon)
First off Id like to take this time to congratulate the Vernon Vipers on clinching top spot in the BCHL and the Interior Division Pennant for the second straight season. This is the seventh time in team history the Vipers have clinched top spot in the BCHL. (1970,1972,1976,1988,1999,2003 & 2010) This is the 14th time the Vipers have won the Interior Division Pennant in team history. (1988,1989,1990,1991,1992,1997,1999,2000,2002,2003,2005,2007,2009 & 2010) Vernon started out this three game road trip knowing they were in for a battle playing three of the top teams in the Interior Division and so far have won the first two games of this trip. Tonight was a huge win as Penticton defeated Westside 5-4 in overtime wich means a Viper loss tonight and Vernon would need to knock off either Westside or Surrey in their final two games of the season. Putting that much more pressure on the Vipers. Vernon can now rest any players that may have some minor bumps or bruises. I was very impressed with the Vipers tonight, other then a so so 2nd period Vernon played extremely well coming up with the 4-1 win. This could also be a 2nd round Playoff matchup so the Vipers wanted to send a message and say look this is what your going to see come Playoff time. Vernon looked very good at both ends of the rink. The Vipers cycle and strong forecheck was almost unstopable in the 1st period, when the Vipers play the cycle and forecheck down low they are very hard to play against. The Vipers defence played very well, really shutdown some of Salmon Arms more skilled players. Vernon has now won six straight games and seem to be getting primmed up for the Playoffs playing some very good hockey as of late.
Game Thoughts: (Salmon Arm)
How times have changed in Salmon Arm. This use to be one of the best rivalries in the BCHL, It didnt matter if the game was played in Vernon or Salmon Arm you could expect a huge playoff type crowd in attendance. Most of the Vernon-Salmon Arm games in Salmon Arm were jammed packed, several empty seats tonight, very little noise and atmosphere at the Sunwave Centre tonight. With the Silverbacks just above 500 and playing incosistant hockey all season these games havnt been the same. The Silverbacks have been very incosistant against Vernon all season, you just never know what Salmon Arm team your going to see. The Backs come out flat and were outplayed the entire 1st period, the team played a little better in the 2nd and really tried opening it up against Vernon in the 3rd but still in the end they couldnt compete with the Vipers. These are two different hockey teams and tonight Vernon was the better of the two. The Vipers won all the races and battles for loose pucks. The Backs with several turnovers and blind passes in their own end couldnt seem to get much going. Several missed shots through out tonights game, dont forget the missed opportunities with not shooting the puck on the powerplay. Alot of indivdual work by several players, at times the Backs looked disorganised and frustrated. You can also see the fans of Salmon Arm are frustrated. Heres a team that hasnt won a hockey game since January 30th and may not get out of the first round of the Playoffs.
Scratches:
Vernon:
Curtis Gedig
Dylan Walchuk
Salmon Arm:
Levi Hantula
Matt Ridley
Christopher Hoe
3 Stars:
1st Star: Garrett Noonan
2nd Star: Rob Short (1 goal & 1 assist)
3rd Star: Brett Knowles
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