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 5-2 in front of 1,602 fans at Kal Tire Place.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon: Andrew Shortridge
Salmon Arm: Brandon Kegler
1st Period: The Silverbacks would get two quick shots on Andrew Shortridge off the opening faceoff but it was Bo Pellah who would get a real clear shot from just inside the blueline 1:05 into the game couldnt beat the quick glove of Salmon Arm Silverbacks backup goaltender Brandon Kegler. On the following shift Riley Brandt come out flying, laying out three solid hits trying to set a physical tone early. Vernon would get the games first powerplay, just less then three minutes in, Odeen Tufto with a backhand opportunity in close couldnt beat Kegler who made a nice pad save as the Vipers with not alot of pressure, managed just two shots while the Silverbacks would kill off the minor. Both teams looked fairly even as the play was back and fourth with not alot of chances early before the Silverbacks would open the scoring. Carson Bolduc beat Andrew Shortridge giving Salmon Arm a 1-0 lead at 8:50 Josh Laframboise collected the helper. Off the following faceoff the Backs would get their first look with the man advantage. The Silverbacks peppered Shortridge with six shots as the Viper goaltender was busy, the Vipers would get some key saves and kill off the penalty. Just as the penalty expired Jared Turcotte redirected a point shot was stopped by Andrew Shortridge before being denied on the rebound, two great scoring chances by Turcotte couldnt beat the Viper goaltender in close. Just past the halfway mark Jagger Williamson got a parcial breakaway, had two SA defencemen right on his trail, didnt get off a good shot was stopped by Brandon Kegler who made a quick mad-toe save. A few minutes later Cam Coutre was stopped by Shortridge in close. For a second time this period the Vipers stepped up their physical play, laying out two or three big checks on one shift. Vernon looked to get their second PP of the night, but just fourty six seconds into the man advantage the Vipers would take a penalty as both teams played a little four on four before Salmon Arm would get a late but shortened powerplay. The Vipers would kill off the final few seconds of the penalty before Mitchell Oliver jumped up into the play couldnt burry an open cage in the final few minutes after Kodi Schwarz come up with a huge defensive play, lifting Oliver's stick at the last second, stopping Oliver from the tap in goal. SA stepped up their play late and slowly started to take over. The Backs with a good push to finish the opening period, had lots of pressure late in the final minutes. Vernon back on their heels, were caught skating in circles as the Silverbacks were all over Vernon. Andrew Shortridge come up with a few big saves before the Viper defence got caught. Josh Laframboise with a nice pass setup a wide open Ross Heidt who found the back of the net, giving Salmon Arm a 2-0 lead at 19:03 Laframboise & Taro Hirose with the assists. This was a backbreaker for the Vipers. It was 2-0 Salmon Arm after 20 minutes of play. Even though the Backs were up two goals, this was a hard fought period as both teams played well. A few turnovers-mental lapses cost Vernon but overall had to be happy with their play after twenty minutes of play. Vernon missed on two nice passing plays, come very close to putting the puck home then couldnt catch a break on Oliver's missed open net late in the period. The Vipers played a hard hitting-physical frame, Riley Brandt looked to be on a mission, was hitting almost anyone in a Black jersey. Andrew Shortridge played very well. Salmon Arm didnt let the physical play get in their way, dosnt give up alot of chances, moves the puck well, were firing everything on net scored a huge goal late to finish the period, giving them the 2-0 lead. Salmon Arm outshot Vernon 19-10.
2nd Period: The Vipers with two early powerplays within the first five minutes couldnt capitalize. The Backs jumped on Vernon early and often as the Vipers had all kinds of defensive issues, as the Silverbacks were all over the Vipers. The Viper defence with several turnovers, couldnt get out of their own end. SA didnt get alot of great chances did carry the play for most of the first half. Carson Bolduc come very close to giving the Silverbacks a 3-0 lead after ripping a wicked shot from the circle beat Vipers starting goaltender Andrew Shortridge but not the post. Vernon product Colton Thibault lead the charge on a three on one rush couldnt beat Shortridge down low, on a big save by the Vernon goaltender. Just a few minutes later Phil Middleton's shot from the point was redirected in front by Elijiah Barriga giving Salmon Arm a 3-0 lead at 8:54 Middleton with the lone assist. But on the following shift, Jagger Williamson on the turnover would finally get the Vipers on the board, after a hard shot low along the ice beat Brandon Kegler at 9:57 cutting the Salmon Arm lead to 3-1. Williamson's goal was unassisted. A few minutes later the Backs would jump on the powerplay and come close, Taro Hirose with the tip in front beat Shortridge before going off the post on a close call. The Silverbacks would eventually make the Vipers pay, Chase Zieky gave Salmon Arm a 4-1 lead at 13:28 Kodi Schwarz & Elijiah Barriga collected the helpers.. Just as the penalty expired the Backs went back to work on another powerplay, Vernon would get into penalty trouble going down two players giving the Silverbacks a lengthy two man advantage. Moving the puck around SA was firing everything on net, but missed the net on several occasions. The Vipers PK did a good job at keeping the Silverbacks to the outside would kill off the first minor before killing off the second minor. Salmon Arm did manage to get a few good looks at the net but unable to beat Andrew Shortridge. A big penalty kill by Vernon. Just over a minute later Mitchell Oliver and Marcus Mitchell dropped the gloves late in the period, as both players were tossed from the hockey game. It was 4-1 Salmon Arm after 40 minutes of play. The Silverbacks with a pretty dominate period, carried the better of the play, outplayed the Vipers for most of the period. Jumping out to a 3-0 lead basically put the game away at that point but give the Vipers credit for getting to within two before the Silverbacks regained their three goal lead. Vernon couldnt muster much of anything for offence, didnt get any real sustained pressure or quality scoring chances all period. The Backs jumped on a shaky Viper blueline that was coughing up/turning over pucks lots this period, had troubles getting out of their own end-through the neutral zone. Vernon outshot Salmon Arm 13-12.
3rd Period: For a team down three goals heading into the 3rd the Vipers sure didnt come out with alot of energy early. It wasnt until a broken play that Jimmy Lambert setup Odeen Tufto with a nice pass to get Vernon within two goals at 3:39 on the Vipers first shot of the period. Lambert with the lone helper. This seemed to get the crowd back into the game, the Viper bench back into the game and give the Vipers some life with still lots of time left. Vernon come on and looked like a different team, the Vipers striking with speed, looked to have some jump/energy something that seemed to be missing since the 1st period. The Vipers with some great rushes just didnt couldnt seem to generate much for offence. The Vipers slowly started to take over the edge in play but didnt get alot of real great chances. Callum Volpe with a quick shot from just inside the blueline was stopped by the quick glove of Brandon Kegler. Kegler was seeing most of the Viper shots wasnt really forced into making any real big saves this period. Just past the midway mark Riley Brandt and Cam Coutre dropped the gloves, as both players were tossed from the game. This hurt the Vipers as Brandt was their best player on the ice this evening and was now on his way to the dressing room for an early shower. On the following shift the Backs put the game away after Elijiah Barriga used the defenceman as a screen ripped a wicked shot that looked to go post and in beating Andrew Shortridge at 11:42 giving Salmon Arm a 5-2 lead. Kodi Schwarz with the only assist as the fans starting making their way for the exits. A few plays later the Vipers come very close to getting back within two goals after a shot from the point come off the back glass went off the back of Brandon Kegler before coming down into the crease where the Silverbacks netminder was there to cover the loose puck. This puck goes in and off Keglers back, we have the Vipers to within two goals. As the period went on the Silverbacks now sitting back, took their foot off the gas were playing a more defensive style. The final eight minutes or so was more like watching a beer league/pond hockey not alot of action as both teams looked to just wanting to run down the clock. Tempers seemed to heat up on a few occasions late in the final frame after both teams exchanged in a few one on one scrums. The Silverbacks would call a late timeout before coming away with the 5-2 victory. The Vipers got an early goal to get within two goals, got some life, turned up the energy and really come on but couldnt generate much for offence. Vernon carried most of the play but the Silverbacks took their foot off the gas. Vernon needed to get more bodies in front of the net, go hard to the net and work for their goals this period, especially down three goals but didnt. Salmon Arm with a good defensive 3rd period, allowed Kegler to see most of Vernon's shots. Vernon outshot Salmon Arm 9-7.
Top Player's: (Vernon)
Jagger Williamson (1 goal) Played with a little jump in his game, had some opportunities, was skating hard all night.
Riley Brandt who comes to play and plays hard every night, once again showed his heart and determination was flying all over the rink, hitting any Salmon Arm player in sight. Brandt with a monsterous opening period, played very physical levelling three different Silverbacks on once shift. One of if not the hardest working kid on the team. Played with a ton of jump and lots of intensity.
Andrew Shortridge (33 saves) Didnt get alot of help from his defence, once again bailed out his team on several plays. Shortridge played well, epecially in the 1st making 17 saves.
Game Thought's: (Vernon)
Once again the Vipers cant play a full sixty minutes or for that matter, play close to sixty minutes. I thought the Vipers played very well in a hard fought opening period were down 2-0. Vernon missed on atleast two great chances in front, couldnt hit the open cage. A defensive breakdown in the final few minutes of the 1st costs them the second goal, wich was huge. Instead of being down just a goal heading into the 2nd now your down two goals vs a very good Salmon Arm team that has your number all season. In the 2nd period the Vipers were outplayed pretty good for most of the period. I didnt think Vernon generated much for offence, were basically just getting shots on goal. A very poor defensive game turning over pucks, had troubles getting out of their own end/through the neutral zone. Down 4-1 heading into the 3rd is pretty tough when the Vipers are not a comeback team. Vernon gets an early goal to start the 3rd, gets the crowd back into the game, gets the bench up and going but cant do much after this. The Vipers carried alot of the play, but with no traffic going to the net, getting shots from way out, any goaltender is going to make those saves. Once again the Vipers struggled offensively. This team is still having troubles defensively, making good passes and scoring goals. Vernon needs to play with a little more grit, go hard to the net, get traffic in front, make the goaltender earn that save. The Vipers didnt have alot of jump or intensity after the 1st period. This team has had troubles scoring all season, you dont get alot of opportunities against some of the leagues best, so the Vipers are going to have to try and capitalize on their chances when they get them. Just one win in their last seven games are really struggling. It dosnt get any easier with a game in Langley Saturday, Penticton here Tuesday and then in Trail the following night. If Trails gets some wins this weekend and the Vipers dont win the next two games, the Smokies could be ahead of Vernon for the final playoff spot come next Wednesday.
Top Player's: (Salmon Arm)
Phil Middleton (1 assist) A veteran defenceman really plays well on the backend, game in and game out. Was steady all night.
Michael Winnitoy has been a thorn in the Vipers side all season and he got under the skin of several Vipers tonight. Plays with a bit of an edge, is a real pest.
Kodi Schwarz (2 assists) Had a great game on the Salmon Arm blueline, picked up two helpers, was involved in the play all night. A good skater, can move the puck, jumped up into the rush on a few occasions.
Carson Bolduc (1 goal) I thought played well tonight, has played well against Vernon this season. Opening the scoring, rang a shot off the post in the 2nd period plays hard and competes. Hard to knock off the puck, a good skater with a strong shot.
Cam Coutre I thought played well, played hard, was going to the net, had a good opportunity in the 1st.
Josh Laframboise (2 assists) Is another Backs player that seems to do well vs the Vipers this season. Picked up two assists on the first two Salmon Arm goals. Played well.
Jared Turcotte I thought was skating, moving the puck, creating chances in front, played well.
Elijiah Barriga (2 goals & 1 assist) Had a heck of a game, picked up three points was all over the rink tonight. Gave the Vipers trouble through out the game.
Brandon Kegler (30 saves) Saw his first action vs Vernon this season, improves to 5-3 with the victory made thirty saves in a night where he wasnt overly tested. I thought played well, gave up several rebounds, has a quick glove, quick on his feet, made the saves when needed but didnt face alot of action.
Game Thought's: (Salmon Arm)
Meeting for a third time in less then two weeks the Silverbacks snap a two game losing streak with the win tonight. I thought both teams played very well in the 1st obviously the Silverbacks were a little better, having the 2-0 lead but SA seemed to get better as the game went on and slowly pulled away from the Vipers in the 2nd period. Two big goals in the middle frame gave Salmon Arm a 4-1 lead heading into the 3rd. This is a veteran team, that has some size, dosnt make alot of mistakes, can move the puck, isnt afraid to back down from the rough stuff, can put the puck in the net and have two good goaltenders that can keep them in the games when called apon. The Backs scored some big goals at key times tonight, the 2nd goal late in the 1st period was huge and may have been a killer. Then jumping out to a 3-0 lead in the 2nd period after killing off two earl penalties basically puts this game away. The Salmon Arm Silverbacks improve to 4-0 against the Vipers this season, 6-0 if you include the pre-season and have now won five straight over Vernon going back to last year. The Backs have lost just twice to Vernon in their last eleven meetings with the Vipers. The Silverbacks could give Penticton a good run if they meet in the playoffs. Speaking of the Vees, Fred Harbinson and his coaching staff were in attendance tonight.
Scratches:
Vernon:
Griffin James (Injured)
Liam Finlay
Mac Ferner (Injured)
Salmon Arm:
Nick Hutchison (Injured)
Sam DeMelo
Energy Player of the Game:
Riley Brandt
Three Star's:
1st Star: Elijiah Barriga (2 goals & 1 assist)
2nd Star: Josh Laframboise (2 assists)
3rd Star: Jagger Williamson (1 goal)
BCHL Boxscore,
http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=1477308&link=bchl
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