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 5-1 in front of 1,270 fans at the Shaw Centre.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon: Brendan Barry
Salmon Arm: Angus Redmond
1st Period: The Backs come out of the gates strong, taking it to the Vipers early and often. Salmon Arm had lots of jump & energy off the opening faceoff were firing pucks on goal, got the early jump on Vernon. The Silverbacks with four quick shots just two minutes into the period would also come close to opening the scoring. Just over two minutes into the 1st Brendan Barry was made a save, giving out a big rebound before the puck took a bounce or hit someone in front before a goal mouth scramble. The Vipers somehow were able to clear the puck from the front of the net and dodge an early bullet. But just a minute and a half later SA would open the scoring. Veteran Taro Hirose with a nice lengthy pass from the sidewall setup a streaking Ross Heidt going hard to the net beat Barry giving Salmon Arm the early 1-0 lead at 3:38 Hirose & Josh Laframboise collected the assists. The Vipers would respond with a good pushback shift. Charley Michalowski alone in front couldnt beat Angus Redmond in close on the Vipers first shot of the period and first scoring attempt. On the following shift Vernon would get the games first powerplay and capitalize. Christian Cakebread in front beat Redmond tying the game at 5:03 Bo Pellah and Liam Finlay with the helpers. About a minute and a half later Carson Bolduc with a nice rush would get a parcial breakaway before being stopped by Barry. On the following play SA would get their first look with the man advantage. Carson Bolduc's shot was stopped before Chase Zieky burried the rebound giving Salmon Arm a 2-1 lead at 9:16 Bolduc and Elijiah Barriga picked up the assists. The Backs werent done there, less then a minute later Ross Heidt with a nice rush blew by Mitchell Oliver before beating Brendan Barry giving Salmon Arm a 3-1 lead at 10:10 Josh Laframboise & Ryley Booth collected the helpers. It was all Silverbacks as the Vipers were badly outplayed. Vernon with very little zone time played most of the period in their own end. The Backs were flying, moving the puck, getting some good opportunities. Vernon was being outshot 17-4 at this point and not in the hockey game. Christian Cakebread and Michael Winnitoy were exchanging words heading back to the bench. With five minutes remaining Carson Bolduc with a great scoring play, couldnt beat Barry. The Silverbacks would get a late powerplay. Jagger Williamson couldnt get the puck out at the blueline and it cost Vernon. SA kept the puck inside, kept the play alive and made the Vipers pay. Josh Laframboise found the back of the net from the slot gave Salmon Arm a 4-1 lead at 17:35 Josh Blanchard and Colton Thibault with the assists. The Backs would head back to the powerplay less then a minute later and for a third time this evening find the back of the net with the man advantage. Damian Chrcek gave Salmon Arm a 5-1 lead at 19:23 Kodi Schwarz & Chase Zieky picked up the assists. Vernon now showing their frustration took some undisaplined penalites on the following play. The Vipers coming unglued in the final minute, were trying to get under the skin of the Silverbacks, exchanging words, getting the gloves in the face, doing whatever it takes to get under the skin. SA would head back for another powerplay with just seconds left. Salmon Arm was up 5-1 after 20 minutes of play. It was all Silverbacks who totally outplayed and dominated the opening frame scoring five times, three times with the man advantage. The Backs were flying off the openinh faceoff, had lots of jump and energy played most of the period in the offensive zone. SA with several good opportunities looked good with and without the puck. The Vipers on the other hand, got off to a very poor start. Vernon looked like they didnt show up and it showed on the scoreboard. The Vipers with very little pressure or attack had troubles getting through the neutral zone and getting any real zone time. Vernon with just one scoring chance couldnt muster much of anything this period. Salmon Arm outshot Vernon 24-11.
2nd Period: The Silverbacks started the period with the PP that was carried over from the end of the 1st period. With almost a full powerplay to work with Salmon Arm had decent pressure but couldnt muster many chances until the final end of the powerplay. A goal mouth scramble in close but somehow the puck stayed out with Vipers starting goaltender Brendan Barry down and out, the Vipers managed to clear the puck from the front of the net and kill off the penalty. Just less then two minutes later Vernon would get an early powerplay, with good control of the play the Vipers were unable to get any real shots towards the goal as the Backs with a strong penalty kill would block the shooting lanes, giving the Vipers no time or space. SA would kill off the minor. About a minute and a half later Josh Laframboise with a shot from well outside the circle would get tipped in front by Ross Heidt looking for the hat trick was stopped by Brendan Barry who made a quick save off the deflection in front. About a minute later Carson Bolduc with a nice move inside the Vernon blueline went around the Viper d-man before going for the wrap around come very close to giving Salmon Arm a 6-1 lead but it was a Viper defenceaman who got his stick in the way to stop Bolduc on the wrap around on a close call. Shortly after the Vipers would get their second man advantage of the middle frame. Once again the Vipers were unable to get any real scoring chances, as the Backs were doing a great job at blocking the shooting lanes, had the Vipers boxed out couldnt get any kind of offence going. The Silverbacks would kill off the minor. Vernon with a much better period really stepped up their game this period, picked up their skating, were moving the puck, getting lots of zone time but didnt get alot of grade "A" chances. During the radio timeout SA backup goaltender Brandon Kegler was giving it to Vipers goaltender Brendan Barry as he made his way back to the net after the stopage in play. Both goaltenders were exchanging words before the puck drop. The Vipers carried a slight edge in play, couldnt get much going other then just that, carrying the better of the play at times. Salmon Arm had their fare chances and edge in play but other then two chances in the first six or seven minutes that was about it, as both teams really tightened up defensively. with just over four minutes to go, Mitchell Oliver's point shot was quickly snagged by the glove of Silverbacks starting goaltender Angus Redmond who made a nice glove save in the final few minutes of the period. It was 5-1 Salmon Arm after 40 minutes of play. The Backs with three good opportunities in the first six to seven minutes didnt generate much didnt get nearly as many chances as the 1st period. Vernon really picked up their game after a very poor start and played much better. The Vipers controlled alot of the play, having a slight edge in play but didnt generate much for offence getting just one maybe two good chances. The Viper defence played much better this period, really limited the Backs scoring chances. Brendan Barry also seemed to settle down and looked more confident between the pipes. The Vipers needed to try and capitalize on one if not both powerplays this period. Salmon Arm outshot Vernon 12-9.
3rd Period: The Backs would get an early powerplay but didnt really generate much for chances as the Vipers with a big penalty kill early to start the final frame. Shortly after Jimmy Lambert would turn on the wheels going one on one with a Salmon Arm defender waited for Charley Michalowski to join the play tried setting up the Viper newconmer couldnt connect on the pass, on a miss opportunity. Both teams got a little chippy in the 3rd taking shots at one another through out the period. Jagger Williamson and Damian Chrcek got tangled up in the corner, Chrcek had a good hold of Williamson's stick before giving Williamson a shot to the head but it was both players that would head to the penalty box. Both teams went back and fourth with not alot of great scoring chances. Both teams looked to have a few opportunities off the rush but couldnt connect on the pass. Vernon would lose veteran defenceman Bo Pellah just past the midway mark. Pellah took a good slash across the wrist coming across the blueline, with no call on the play Pellah started beaking with the official. While the play continued Pellah skated towards the referee giving him a mouthful before given a ten minute misconduct and tossed from the game. Mark Ferner wasnt too pleased, let both officials know about the missed slashing call on that play. A few minutes later the Vipers would get a shot with the PP. Joe Sacco with a tip in front couldnt beat Angus Redmond who made a quick save off the Viper rookie as SA would kill off the remainder of the penalty. Tempers heated up in the final minutes as both teams were going after one another after the whistle. The Vipers picked up the physical play in the final few minutes, trying to send a message for tomorrow's re-match in Vernon. The Vipers would take a few undisaplined minors giving the Silverbacks a late powerplay. Brendan Barry with a few good saves as the Vipers would kill off the minor before the final buzzer. Salmon Arm would come away with the 5-1 victory. Both teams had control of the play at times in a fairly even period. For a second straight period not alot of good opportunities. The Vipers with another good period didnt give up a goal, didnt get alot of chances had control of the play at times but didnt generate much for offence. A fairly chippy period with alot of crap going on after the whistles. Vernon outshot Salmon Arm 8-7.
Top Player's: (Vernon)
Jimmy Lambert was really flying this evening, showed alot of hustle and hard work, had a great two on one opportunity couldnt get his pass to connect with Charley Michalowski. I thought Lambert played with lots of jump and energy was one of the better-more consistant Vipers.
Game Thought's; (Vernon)
The Vipers didnt show up for the start of the game and it cost them the game. The Vipers just like the 3rd period in Penticton Wednesday were totally outplayed and dominated the entire 1st period. Vernon gave up 24 shots, five goals, three were on the powerplay were down 5-1 after just the opening period. The Vipers played most of the period in their own end, had very little zone time, had troubles getting through the neutral zone. Whatever was said between periods worked as the Vipers come ready to play, really stepped up their game and played much better from here until the end of the game. I thought Vernon played fairly well in the 2nd and 3rd periods other then the odd undisaplined penalty didnt give up a goal after the 1st period, limited the Silverbacks opportunities and played much better defensively. Brendan Barry who hasnt looked very good in a Viper uniform this season, seemed to settle down after the opening period, gained some confidence and played much better in the final two periods. Ive said it all season, this team is very inconsistent from game to game, period to period. You just dont know what Viper team is going to show up each night. The Vipers seem to be getting better from period to period lately but in Penticton that wasnt the case. The Vipers played very well in the first two periods before totally getting outplayed in the 3rd. Tonight, it was the 1st where the Vipers looked their worst but picked it up and turned the game around in the 2nd and 3rd periods. If it wasnt for that bad 1st period, you have to wonder what may have been the outcome-score? The Vipers need to be more consistant and play a full sixty minutes vs the top teams like Salmon Arm, Penticton, West Kelowna etc if they want beat these teams. They cant expect to play a period or two and expect to beat the top teams in the league, let alone the teams below them. The Vipers have lost three straight in Salmon Arm and have just two wins in their last ten games at the Shaw Centre.
Top Player's: (Salmon Arm)
Phil Middleton had a solid night on the backend. Here's a kid who seems to play very well against the Vipers close to every game.
Michael Winnitoy played with a bit of an edge, was in the face of the Vipers all night, didnt back down, played with alot of intensity.
Cameron Trott was another SA defenceman that I thought played very well.
Carson Bolduc (1 assist) Was all over the ice tonight, the veteran forward had a strong game up front for the Backs was hard to contain and defend against all night. Had several good opportunities, was driving to the net, really moving his feet, skating hard, competed and played well.
Chase Zieky (1 goal & 1 assist) I thought played very well, collecting two points. Was in and around the net, worked hard.
Josh Laframboise (1 goal & 2 assists) Was another Silverback who had a strong game up front. A bigger body, was also going to the net, worked and competed hard all night, quick on his feet, a good skater, gave the Vipers troubles.
Ross Heidt (2 goals) Come close to getting a hat trick had a big game for the Backs.
Game Thought's: (Salmon Arm)
The Silverbacks improve to 2-0 vs Vernon this season have won all three games this season over the Vipers (pre-season & regular season) outscoring the Vipers 21-7 in those three games. After a 4-3 loss in Prince George Saturday, the Backs were ready for tonight and come ready to play. SA jumped out to a 5-1 lead after just one period, fired twenty four shots towards Brendan Barry. Salmon Arm played with lots of jump and energy took it too the Vipers most of the opening period. Once Vernon stepped up their game in the 2nd and 3rd the Silverbacks didnt get as many scoring chances as they had in the 1st. The Vipers did a good job at limiting Salmon Arm's opportunities. Salmon Arm's defence was strong all night, took away alot of time and space from the Vipers, limited their opportunities and cleared the front of the net, allowing Angus Redmond to see almost every Vernon shot. The Backs defence did a great job at clogging up the shooting lanes, keeping the Vipers to the outside. I thought SA still played well in the final two periods were also up by four goals may have took their foot off the gas just a little. Specialty teams was a difference, the Backs went 3-6 with the man advantage, while the Vipers went 1-4. Salmon Arm stayed out of the penalty box, didnt get caught up in the after the whistle altercations. What kind of game are we in for tomorrow night? I really like the looks of this team, a veteran team with lots of veteran leadership, an older-bigger team, that has skill and good defence as well as a solid goaltender in veteran Angus Redmond. Brandon West & Troy Mick have done a great job with this team so far this season, have the team to make a good playoff run. A great crowd out for tonight's game.
Scratches:
Vernon:
Darren Rizzolo
Ben Butcher
Salmon Arm:
Nick Hutchison (Injured)
Sam De Melo
BCHL Boxscore,
http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=1477273&link=bchl
Ian Douglas's Salmon Arm Silverbacks Blog,
https://backstalk.wordpress.com/
Graham Turnbull's Vernon Vipers Blog,
http://vipersvenom1.blogspot.ca/
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