I was at tonights BCHL exibition game as Vernon defeated Salmon Arm 3-0 at the Wesbild Centre.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon: Bryton Udy
Salmon Arm: Kurt Williams
1st Period: Just over a minute into the game Vipers goaltender, Bryton Udy misshandled the puck inbehind the goal, the puck come out front to a wide open net but Vernon was lucky enough no Silverbacks were in sight as the Vipers cleared the puck from the front of the crease, coming away with a close call. For an exibition game this was a pretty quick, hard hitting opening period, as the Vipers were the more physical team. Charlie Vasaturo & Bryce Kakoske had words & even exchanged a few wacks, on several occasions in the opening few shifts. Vasaturo was in the face of many Vipers all night. The Vipers got a bit of a scare just a few minutes into the 1st when Charlie Vasaturo hit Adam Thompson from behind, Thompson went awkardly into the corner boards and was slow to get up. Vasaturo was given two minutes for boarding, and Thompson would manage to skate to the Vernon bench but wouldnt return to the game. No real good chances for the Vipers on the powerplay as Salmon Arm would kill off the minor. A good fast pace, hard hitting 1st period made for a fairly entertaining period, but very little shots & scoring chances at either ends of the rink. Vernon on its second man advantage of the night, didnt take long to find the back of the net. Brett Corkeys low point shot was tipped in front by second year forward Patrick McGillis at 11:23 giving the Vipers a 1-0 lead. Corkey and newcomer Todd Skirving with the assists. Both teams with three powerplays, the Vipers with the lone powerplay goal. The Backs looked very strong on the man advantage, moving the puck around well, but were unable to really generate much offence, getting very little shots on the powerplay. Both goaltenders, Kurt Williams and Bryton Udy wernt really tested in the opening period. Late in the period John Knisley went in on the breakaway but was stopped by the quick glove of Williams. In the dying 30 seconds with the Backs on the man advantage, a shot from the corner went off newcomer Elliott Richardsons skate, wich just about went into his own net before Brett Corkey cleared the puck from going in. A fairly even played period by both teams. Vernon was up 1-0 after 20 minutes of play. The Vipers outshot the Silverbacks 9-7.
2nd Period: With the Silverbacks still on the powerplay wich was carried over from the 1st period, the Backs got the puck in deep off the opening draw, but would lose the puck at the blueline, allowing Marcus Basara & David Robinson to go in on the breakaway shorthanded. Basara would shoot but get stopped by Williams who made a big pad save, Basara would get a second chance on the rebound but shot wide of the net. On the scoring chance the penalty expired. Salmon Arm would get an early powerplay, but once again the Vipers looked good on the pebalty kill killing off the minor. Brett Corkey with a great chance wired a quick shot from the point but couldnt beat Williams. Not nearly as physical as the opening period as Vernon carried the better of the play for most of the period. The Silverbacks would get a two man advantage, just after the first minor expired, the Vipers striked shorthanded once again, Todd Skirving setup Patrick McGillis in front, who was left all alone but McGillis couldnt handle the pass on a great scoring chance, Vernon would kill off both minors. Just past the halfway mark Vernon product Tyler Steel would replace Bryton Udy who stopped all 10 Salmon Arm shots. With about four minutes remaining the Backs finally got their best scoring chance of the game, Justin Krabben with a shot from the point found its way through traffic, but somehow Tyler Steel made the save as a Salmon Arm player knocked him over. The Backs didnt quit getting a few good chances late in the period. In the final two minutes Matt Cassidy was robbed in front after Steel made a huge pad save to keep the Silverbacks off the board. The Vipers were the better of the two teams in the middle frame. The Vipers were up 1-0 after 40 minutes of play. Vernon outshot Salmon Arm 10-6.
3rd Period: Salmon Arm come out hard really forcing the Vipers deep in their own end, creating some chances down low. Vernons defence was having all kinds of trouble clearing the zone, getting caught running around in circles. The Backs with some hard forecheck down low, couldnt get anything towards the goal, before finally getting a few good hard shots towards the net, but missed the goal. Tyler Steel looked a little off on a few of those shots, its a good thing they missed the net because those may have gone in. Steel looked a little shaky in the first five or so minutes but seemed to settle down as the period went on. Salmon Arm really had the Vipers hemmed in there own end at times in the first ten minutes as it was all Silverbacks. Salmon Arms biggest problem was having trouble getting pucks towards the net, getting just five shots all 3rd period. After some good presure the Vipers excaped and with one chance they burried it. Bryce Kakoske made a very nice pass to a wide open Steve Weinstein who put an unreal move on Kurt Williams to slide the puck past the second year goaltender giving Vernon a 2-0 lead at 9:38 Kakoske & Aaron Hadley collected the helpers. As the Vipers were celebrating Clinton Atkinson punched Vernon captain David Robinson in the face, Atkinson was given a ten minute misconduct as well as a two minute minor. This was the end of the night for Clinton Atkinson as he headed to the Salmon Arm dressing room. This goal seemed to turn the tables a little as the Vipers now were the ones who come back with a little attack of there own. Elliott Richardson with a nice pass setup Gus Correale who was stopped by Williams who played well between the pipes for the Backs. Shortly after newcomer Marcus Basara on the parcial breakaway went high and over Williams glove giving Vernon a 3-0 lead at 12:10 Basaras goal was unassisted. In the final six or seven minutes Vernon didnt really allow the Silverbacks much of a chance to get anything going. The Vipers seemed to control the better of the play late in the period. The Vipers would get a late powerplay but were unable to capitalize. In the end Vernon would defeat Salmon Arm 3-0 and improve to 3-0 in exibition play while Salmon Arm falls to 1-2 in exibition play. The Vipers outshot the Silverbacks 11-5.
Top Players: (Vernon)
Taylor Love played a fairly good game on the Vernon blueline. Love impressed me during the teams blue & white game on opening night.
Brett Corkey (1 assist) looked very impressive on the backend. Corkey who played a few games as an "AP" with the AJHL Calgary Canucks last year looked very good tonight. Played a solid game defensively, broke up a few nice Silverbacks scoring chances, as well as makes that nice crisp long stretch pass up to the forward.
Elliott Richardson made his Vipers debut tonight and didnt look out of place. The 19 yr old veteran d-man played a strong game at both ends of the rink. Richardson has some size, skates well and likes to move the puck. Jumped up into the play on several occasions. Made a few nice defensive plays as well.
Marcus Basara (1 goal) looked very good tonight. This kid can skate, handle the puck, and has a wicked wrist shot. A very smooth skater. I think Viper fans will see alot of goals from this kid this coming season.
David Robinson saw lots of icetime, played his first preseason game of the year and didnt look out of place one bit. Robinson looked ready to go and played very well up front.
Todd Skirving (1 assist) Also looked very good up front for the Vipers. Made some nice heads up plays, good skater, didnt get involved in the physical play or go into the corners but looked very good with the puck.
Steve Weinstein (1 goal) Played a strong game on the Vipers blueline. Weinstein scored a highlight real 3rd period goal.
Bryce Kakoske (1 assist) Played fairly well up front for the Vipers, looks to be in great shape, showed some good hustle. Exchanged words and a few shots back and forth with Charlie Vasaturo.
Patrick McGillis (1 goal) Played well up front for the Vipers. Showed some speed and hustle through out tonights game.
Top Players: (Salmon Arm)
Justin Krabben played a strong game on the Backs blueline. Got involved in the play on several occasions.
David Killip I thought looked good up front for Salmon Arm. Showed some good hustle, didnt back away from the corners or grey areas.
Matt Cassidy another Silverbacks player that looked impressive up front.
Kurt Williams (27 saves) Williams looked very strong between the pipes for the Silverbacks. Made a nice glove save off a breakaway from John Knisley, and then stopped Marcus Basara on the breakaway with David Robinson. Played his position well, didnt allow many rebounds.
Game Thoughts: (Vernon)
This being the first exibition game I have seen this team play, I must say I was very impressed. I thought the Vipers did alot of good things tonight, they have alot of speed, skill and good strong skaters up front, with several kids that look like they can put the puck in the net. As well as have some good young defenceman who so far look very good on the backend. They also have three very good goaltenders, its too bad one of these kids has to go because all three could easily make the team. Mark Ferner & Jason Williamson have some very tough choices to make after this weekends games. I saw three kids tonight that didnt show much. I really liked the Vipers penalty kill, very aggressive, had several shorthanded chances. It got a little scary in the first ten minutes of the 3rd but the boys settled down and got back to basics. Once the coaching staff work on some systems and get some lines going, this team will be ok. Im really looking forward to this season and excited to see what Mark & Willie can do with this group of young men.
Game Thoughts: (Salmon Arm)
I could be wrong but it looks to me that the Silverbacks have a possible 15 returning players from last year coming back, and it looked like 11 played tonight. I thought for an exibition game, it was well worth the $10. A fairly entertaining hockey game. I thought Salmon Arm looked pretty good at times, but couldnt play a full 60 minutes. The Backs didnt really generate much offence, and shots. I was very impressed with the teams powerplay, it looks like they have already been working on a few systems. The Silverbacks gave up way too many chances shorthanded, Tim Kehler & the coaching staff wont be pleased with that. Its still very early and way too early to make predictions but I think with Tim Kehler behind the bench and a possible 15 returning players, the Backs will be right back in the hunt. Both these same teams will face off against one another tomorrow night in Salmon Arm.
Vernon's Lineup:
Taylor Love D 92
Brett Corkey D 92
Austin Sture D 92
Elliott Richardson D 91
Adriano Munglioni F 93
John Knisley F 92
Marcus Basara F 93
Aaron Hadley F 93
Tanner Cochrane F 93
Gus Correale F 93
David Robinson F 90
Colton Sparrow F 93
Todd Skirving F 92
Steve Weinstein D 90
Trevor Fitzgerald F 92
Bryce Kakoske F 90
Adam Thompson D 90
Patrick McGillis F 91
Bryton Udy G 93
Tyler Steel G 93
Salmon Arm's Lineup:
Dustin Cave D 94
Jayson Reardon D 90
Clinton Atkinson D 91
Chris Hoe F 90
Spencer Samuel F 92
Charlie Vasaturo D 90
Jarryd Ten Vaanholt F 91
Justin Krabben D 91
Morgan Zulinick F 94
Rick Soo F 91
David Killip F 91
Devin Gannon F 91
Brandon Mistal F 92
Josh Monk D 92
Taylor Fauchoux F 92
Devin Muller F 92
Matt Cassidy F 90
Kurt Williams G 91
Kris Moore G 90
Scratches:
Vernon:
Malcolm Lyles
Phillip Patenaude
Darren Nowick
Dylan Walchuk
Bennett Hambrook
Mike Zalewski
Kyle Murphy
Blake Voth
Salmon Arm:
They didnt announce any scratches
3 Stars:
1st Star: Patrick McGillis (1 goal)
2nd Star: Steve Weinstein (1 goal)
3rd Star:
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