I was at tonight's pre-season game as Salmon Arm defeated Vernon 1-0 in front of a small crowd at the Shaw Centre. (No attendance announced)
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon: Ty Taylor
Salmon Arm: Trevin Zozlowski
1st Period: The Silverbacks come out hitting and hitting hard were laying the body off the opening faceoff and early into the game. Salmon Arm would get the games first powerplay just a few minutes into the opening frame. Cameron Trott's blast from the point forced Ty Taylor into making a big glove save on the penalty kill, keeping this game scoreless. This was the Backs only real good quality chance on the man advantage as Vernon was able to kill off the minor. The Silverbacks were the better of the teams early and often, carried the better of the play as
the Vipers were having all kinds of trouble getting through the neutral zone, played most of the first half in their own end. Ty Taylor had to be sharp was forced into making several stops early. Eight and a half minutes into the game Carson Bolduc looked to have an open cage but couldn't hit the back of the net after his shot was blocked in front on a missed opportunity. Salmon Arm was all over the Vipers in the first half were outshooting Vernon 7-0 before Vernon would get their first shot of the night, ten minutes into the 1st period. The Vipers would get their first look with the man advantage but struggled getting just a single shot as the Backs easily killed off the two minutes. Vernon struggled offensively had just three shots would finally get their best look of the period. Niko Karamanis and Steven Jandric would break loose for the two on one, Karamanis would break free, go in for the breakaway with a Backs defenceman chasing him down, couldn't beat Trevin Zozlowski fivehole who shut the door closed, making a big save keeping this game 0-0. About two minutes later former West Kelowna Warriors forward Hunter Zandee ripped a quick low shot from the high slot couldn't beat Zozlowski who made a quick pad save as the Vipers now with back to back scoring chances. Hunter Zandee was working hard, played a physical period as the Vipers slowly stepped up the physical play late to finish the frame. The Vipers looked a little better late in the 1st. It was 0-0 after 20 minutes of play. The Silverbacks were the better of the two teams, carried most of the play, had a ton of zone time generated some chances, most of wich were in and around the net as the Backs were buzzing. SA was moving the puck well, played a very physical opening period took it to the Vipers. Ty Taylor played well between the pipes made some good stops, was giving his team a chance to stay in the game. Vernon struggled offensively and it showed. The Vipers needed ten minutes to record their first shot on goal had troubles getting through the neutral zone, getting any kind of attack or pressure going in the SA zone. Salmon Arm outshot Vernon 11-7.
the Vipers were having all kinds of trouble getting through the neutral zone, played most of the first half in their own end. Ty Taylor had to be sharp was forced into making several stops early. Eight and a half minutes into the game Carson Bolduc looked to have an open cage but couldn't hit the back of the net after his shot was blocked in front on a missed opportunity. Salmon Arm was all over the Vipers in the first half were outshooting Vernon 7-0 before Vernon would get their first shot of the night, ten minutes into the 1st period. The Vipers would get their first look with the man advantage but struggled getting just a single shot as the Backs easily killed off the two minutes. Vernon struggled offensively had just three shots would finally get their best look of the period. Niko Karamanis and Steven Jandric would break loose for the two on one, Karamanis would break free, go in for the breakaway with a Backs defenceman chasing him down, couldn't beat Trevin Zozlowski fivehole who shut the door closed, making a big save keeping this game 0-0. About two minutes later former West Kelowna Warriors forward Hunter Zandee ripped a quick low shot from the high slot couldn't beat Zozlowski who made a quick pad save as the Vipers now with back to back scoring chances. Hunter Zandee was working hard, played a physical period as the Vipers slowly stepped up the physical play late to finish the frame. The Vipers looked a little better late in the 1st. It was 0-0 after 20 minutes of play. The Silverbacks were the better of the two teams, carried most of the play, had a ton of zone time generated some chances, most of wich were in and around the net as the Backs were buzzing. SA was moving the puck well, played a very physical opening period took it to the Vipers. Ty Taylor played well between the pipes made some good stops, was giving his team a chance to stay in the game. Vernon struggled offensively and it showed. The Vipers needed ten minutes to record their first shot on goal had troubles getting through the neutral zone, getting any kind of attack or pressure going in the SA zone. Salmon Arm outshot Vernon 11-7.
2nd Period: The Silverbacks would get an early powerplay, had atleast two good looks but couldn't capitalize. Shortly after the Vipers would get an early powerplay after Carson Bolduc took a good run-high head shot along the boards to Niko Karamanis who went down hard and was slow to get up. Karamanis was looked at by the team trainer but stayed in the game, didn't see a single shift for most of the remainder of the period. Vernon struggled couldn't get much going with the PP were now 0-2 with the man advantage. For a second straight period the Silverbacks carried the better of the play, Vernon still struggling offensively couldn't get much generated for offence. Not a lot of scoring chances at either ends of the rink in the first half before the Vipers would switch goaltenders halfway though the middle frame. Backup goaltender Cole Demers replaced starting goaltender Ty Taylor who stopped at fifteen Salmon Arm shots. On the following play, Ben Evanish undressed the Viper defence and Cole Demers facing his first shot of the night, sliding the puck in and around Demers giving Salmon Arm a 1-0 lead at 10:15 Marcus Mitchell collected the helper. Demers who was an affiliated player "AP" last season with the Vipers looked a little shaky off the start, was having troubles grasping the puck, controlling his rebounds early. Salmon Arm's first few shots on Demers handcuffed the young goaltender. This goal seemed to give the Backs a little boost as Salmon Arm stepped up the play and come on strong. The Silverbacks come back with a series of hard working shifts, had some good pressure in the offensive zone looked to be firing everything towards Demers. The Backs come very close to grabbing a 2-0 lead after a quick shot from the point was redirected on its way to the net just went over the top crossbar on a close call with about seven and a half minutes remaining. Vernon once again playing most of the period in their own end, had just three shots in the first ten minutes, would go the next seven minutes without a single shot. Newly acquired Austin Adamson ripped a quick hard backhand from the top of the circle beat Silverbacks starting goaltender Trevin Zozlowski but hit the crossbar on a close call with four and a half minutes to go in the 2nd period. About a minute and a half later third year Viper forward Riley Brandt with some speed come down the right wing, snapped a quick shot that also beat Zozlowski but hit the post as the Vipers with back to back great chances couldn't solve the iron. Vernon with a late push had a few good shifts to finish the period. SA would get a late powerplay that would carry into the 3rd period. It was still 1-0 Salmon Arm after 40 minutes of play. The Backs were again the better team, didn't generate as many opportunities as in the opening frame, still carried the better of the play. The Salmon Arm defence was solid, did a great job at keeping the Vipers to the outside and away from the front of the net. The Vipers for a second straight period couldn't get much going at all until late in the frame. Vernon with just three shots in the first half hit the post-crossbar twice couldn't buy a goal. Salmon Arm outshot Vernon 9-6.
3rd Period: The Backs started the final frame on the man advantage that was carried over from the end of the 2nd period. Salmon Arm with a flurry of chances early couldn't beat Cole Demers who played very well in the final twenty minutes made some big saves keeping this a one goal game. Vernon was able to kill off the minor. Shortly after the Vipers would get an early PP but it was the Silverbacks penalty kill that took over. Elijiah Barriga and Marcus Mitchell with two good quality chances couldn't beat Demers who was forced to be sharp on the PK. Vernon struggled with the powerplay as the Backs were dangerous shorthanded killed off the penalty. Shortly after Carson Bolduc with a good chance in front couldn't find the back of the net. Just before the midway mark Steven Jandric in tight couldn't solve Zozlowski who come up big down low, as it was still a one goal game. Salmon Arm carried the better of the play as the Vipers couldn't seem to get any real pressure deep in the Silverbacks zone. The Backs were winning most of the races and battles along the boards. Vernon going with a young lineup played their three young kids most of the 3rd, almost every second shift. Both teams played physical at times. Both teams would exchange powerplays, both coming up short. As time ticked down the Backs with a strong forecheck killed a lot of the clock. The Vipers were finally getting pucks to the net, but not a lot of grade A chances. With time winding down the Vipers couldn't get the puck out of their own end, before Mark Ferner called a late timeout. Cole Demers would get to the bench with 1:16 remaining. Vernon with a few late looks in the final minute couldn't find the back of the net. At the buzzer both teams got tangled up deep in the Salmon Arm end, with some pushing and shoving, players exchanged words before the minor scrum was broken up. Salmon Arm would pick up their first win of the pre-season with the 1-0 victory. Both teams had two powerplays couldn't capitalize with the man advantage. The Backs penalty kill was solid, created-generated some chances in the 3rd. Other then the shorthanded opportunities, not a lot of chances at both ends of the rink. Both teams played hard, but it was the Silverbacks defence and strong forecheck that got the better of the Vipers. Vernon was finally able to outshot their opponent in a period but lacked the offence, didn't generate much for chances. Vernon outshot Salmon Arm 13-11.
Top Player's: (Vernon)
Ty Taylor and Cole Demers played well between the pipes for the Vipers. Taylor started the game, stopped all fifteen Salmon Arm shots, was steady in goal. Demers gave up the lone goal of the night on his first shot he faced, looked a little shaky early but seemed to settle down as the game went on. Demers played well, made some good saves in the 3rd on the penalty kill and through out the final twenty minutes.
Niko Karamanis took a big hit-check to the head in the 2nd period, didn't see a single shift until the 3rd was one of the Vipers more offensive minded forwards. Played well through out the game.
Hunter Zandee come to play, played hard, competed and worked his tail off for the full sixty minutes. Played physical laid out several checks through out the night. I thought was the hardest working Viper.
Austin Adamson made his Vipers debut after being acquired Tuesday from the Chilliwack Chiefs took a few shifts to get going but played fairly well for the remainder of the game. Not the biggest kid but battles-competes, won a ton of draws, hard to knock off the puck and a good skater. Created-generated most of Vernon's chances. Come close to getting Vernon on the board late in the 2nd period rang a shot off the crossbar. Once this kid gets into a few games and feels comfortable, you can see he has some skill-hockey sense.
Game Thought's: (Vernon)
The Vipers fall to 0-5 in the pre-season have been shutout twice, & outscored 16-6 in five exhibition games. The Vipers were outplayed most of the night. Vernon has been outshot in all five pre-season games is lacking scoring-skill up front. From what I have seen so far the Vipers don't have a proven goal scorer-a kid that's going to get you thirty goals this season. Vernon is going to have trouble scoring goals this year. The Vipers have worked hard and competed in most exhibition games but that dosnt get you goals. The Vipers struggled offensively tonight creating-generating chances. Vernon has had troubles getting pucks to the net-shots on goal and it showed again tonight. The Vipers needed ten minutes in the 1st period to get their first shot of the night, then went almost fifteen minutes in the 2nd period with just three shots on goal. Your not going to win many hockey games like this. The Vipers relied heavenly on the rookie line up Ethan Scardina, John Ludvig and Jessie Young who saw a ton of ice, especially in the 3rd were double shifted at times, were almost on the ice every second shift in the 3rd. Young made his Vipers debut tonight. For a team that was losing and needed a goal to tie the game, I was a little surprised they relied on three sixteen yr olds for goals. The Vipers worked hard and played hard but were outplayed for most of the night. The Vipers saw a lot of the play in their own end, didn't get any sustained pressure in the offensive zone, had very little zone time through out the game. Vernon struggled to get any real cycle going, it was one play in deep and then right back out again. The Vipers looked to have sixteen scratches-players sitting in the stands. With one exhibition game remaining and a week away from the regular season, you think the team would be almost picked?
Top Player's: (Salmon Arm)
Cameron Trott played well on the blueline. Was getting pucks to the net, looked good on the powerplay.
Jared Turcotte I thought played well through out the game, was quick on his feet, moved the puck well.
Carson Bolduc played a hard hitting-physical game all night. Really used his size and weight to knock a few Vipers around. Had atleast two, maybe three good chances, played well.
Elijiah Barriga was another Salmon Arm forward that looked-played well in the win.
Carter Cochrane had a strong night on defence. Was steady all night.
Marcus Mitchell (1 assist) Played well tonight, was really skating hard, buzzing in and around the net.
Game Thought's: (Salmon Arm)
The Silverbacks picked up their first win of the pre-season travel to Vernon tomorrow before opening the regular season next weekend at home vs the Vipers. Salmon Arm carried the better of the play in all three periods, have a strong forecheck, are hard to knock off the puck, work hard, battle and compete. The Backs move the puck well, have a solid defence that was very strong tonight. Did a great job at keeping the Vernon forwards to the outside and away from the front of the net. The Vipers didn't get many if any second opportunities in and around the net. Until the 3rd period Salmon Arm only gave up 13 shots on goal and limited the Vipers scoring chances. For a second straight season it looks like the Backs have added some size, going with a bigger hockey club. SA has several kids with good size that like to play physical-take the body. I thought both goaltenders look to have some size as well, look to cover a lot of the net. Trevin Zozlowski picked up the shutout-win but didn't see a lot of action. Made a few saves when needed too but wasn't tested much overall. The Silverbacks went with a more veteran lineup tonight, looked-played like a veteran team. These two teams will face each other the following three games so tempers may get a little heated come the next week.
Scratches:
No scratches for either team were announced
Vernon:
I counted sixteen scratches-players sitting in the stands
Salmon Arm:
I counted three scratches-players standing in the crowd
Three Stars:
No three stars were announced
Three Stars:
No three stars were announced
Here is a look at both teams lineup's-rosters:
Vernon:
Cole Demers (99) G
Ty Taylor (99) G
Chris Jandric (98) D
Sol Seibel (99) D
Carter Stephenson (98) D
Shane Kelly (97) D
Ethan Scardina (00) D
Niko Karamanis (98) F
Levi Johnson (97) F
Riley Brandt (96) F
Julian Benner (98)
Josh Prokop (00) F
Derek Osik (98) F
Hunter Zandee (96) F
Jessie Young (00) F
Hayden Dick (99) F
Austin Adamson (96) F
Callum Volpe (98) D
John Ludvig (00) F
Steven Jandric (97) F
Salmon Arm:
Michael Botiz (98) G
Trevin Zozlowski (97) G
Julian Timba (98) D
Cameron Trott (97) D
Jake Heerspink (98) D
Max Wutzke (99)
Spencer Hora (99) D
Mitch Skapski (96) F
Ben Evanish (98) F
Akito Hirose (99) F
Justin Wilson (98) F
Connor Sundquist (97) F
Josh Blanchard (96) F
Jared Turcotte (97) F
Carson Bolduc (96) F
Elijiah Barriga (96) F
Carter Cochrane (96) D
Nathan Iannone (98) F
Marcus Mitchell (98) F
Grayson Constable (98) F
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