I have had season tickets for the past 28 years and been following Junior hockey in Vernon for well over thirty years. Ive missed only three home games since 1998-99 season. 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 pre-season game as Salmon Arm defeated Vernon 2-1 in double overtime in front of a small crowd at Kal Tire Place. (No attendance announced)
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon: Ty Taylor
Salmon Arm: Bo Didur
1st Period: Both teams used the opening few minutes to feel each other out with no real action early. Both teams were laying the body early with the Silverbacks the more physical of the team hockey teams. Salmon Arm needed just over three minutes to record their first shot of the night, and on the play the Backs would get the games first powerplay. SA with just a single shot with the man advantage, couldn't muster much for offence as the Vipers would kill off the minor. The Snakes needed six minutes to record their first shot of the game. A good pace to the first half of the opening frame but very little scoring chances at both ends of the rink. Just before the midway mark Grayson Constable with a shot from the high slot looked to handcuff Vipers starting goaltender Ty Taylor, who had troubles holding onto the puck, before being forced into making a save off the rebound. A good chance for the Silverbacks. SA seemed to gain some momentum and slowly started coming on a bit with good pressure for the next few minutes-shifts. The Backs with several good shifts, had good pressure, didn't really create/generate much for opportunities before former Langley Rivermen goaltender Bo Didur was forced to make his first big stop of the evening. Returning defenceman Sol Seibel with a quick low shot from the point forced the Backs goaltender into making a quick pad save before Vernon would get a flurry of chances in close couldn't find the back of the net. Shortly after New recruit Josh Prokop carried the play into the Salmon Arm zone had Quinton Ong going to the net, was denied by Bo Didur. The Snakes would get their first powerplay with just under five minutes left in the 1st but it was Grayson Constable who stole the puck at the blueline on a Viper turnover. With Sol Seibel chasing the play down, Constable would get stopped by Ty Taylor on the parcial breakaway. Vernon would settle down, moving the puck around would get several shots off from the point but no real quality chances as Salmon Arm would kill off the minor. Just as the penalty expired Hudson Schandor from the side wall, through the puck towards the front of the net hit Ty Taylor in front and found its way to the back of the net, giving Salmon Arm a 1-0 lead at 16:58 Marcus Mitchell with the lone helper. I think Taylor was watching for the pass out front, as the puck hit him stead and made its way through his legs and into the goal. Tempers heated up in the dying seconds after some pushing and shoving at the buzzer would give the Silverbacks a powerplay to start the middle frame. It was 1-0 Salmon Arm after 20 minutes of play. I thought both teams were fairly even at times, but I give a slight edge in play to Salmon Arm. I thought the Snakes had the better of the scoring chances. Overall a pretty entertaining 1st period. Vernon outshot Salmon Arm 12-8.
2nd Period: The Silverbacks started the middle frame on the man advantage, their second of the night. Off the opening faceoff Trevor Adams with a quality chance in front was denied by Ty Taylor who made his biggest save of the night. Ryan Brushett back for another season, used his wheels shorthanded to break out on the two on one rush. Brushett used Michael Ufberg as the decoy before shooting high on Silverbacks starting goaltender Bo Didur who just got a piece of Brushett's shot with his glove. The Vipers would stick with the play and get a second opportunity on the rebound but were stopped in close on the second chance. Two quality chances shorthanded for Vernon. SA with just one shot on the powerplay as the Vipers would kill off the penalty. The Silverbacks would jump back on the powerplay just thirty four seconds later. Salmon Arm unable to capitalize after back to back powerplay's to start the 2nd period. Just less then two minutes later the Snakes would jump on their second powerplay of the evening. The Backs would lose Grayson Constable for most of the remainder of the period after his checking to the head penalty (automatic ten minute misconduct). Vernon with a ton of pressure, were firing everything towards the goal, had several quality chances but it was Bo Didur who was stealing the show tonight, coming up with some solid saves, keeping his team in the contest. With the Silverbacks back on their heels and the Vipers pressing, Vernon couldn't solve Didur as SA would get some great goaltending and kill off the minor. Shortly after Michael Ufberg with a nice rush, carried the play up ice before cutting hard towards the goal, was stopped in close. Around the halfway mark The Vipers would switch goaltenders. Connor Webb replaced Ty Taylor who allowed one goal on thirteen Salmon Arm shots. Webb supporting his new all white goal pads-new goal equipment. The Vipers would head back to the PP on the following shift for their second powerplay of the period. Again the Snakes with good pressure, had some excellent opportunities couldn't get one past Bo Didur. Salmon Arm heavily relying on their goaltender were being outplayed at this point in the hockey game. Veteran defenceman Akito Hirose with a solid defensive play, stopped the Vipers on an odd man rush. SA having all kinds of problems getting out of their own end, saw very limited zone time in the Vernon end. With about four minutes remaining Brody Dale setup Adam Panacci who was alone in front couldn't raise the puck, was robbed down low after Bo Didur made a huge pad save keeping this a one goal game. The Snakes would get a late powerplay inside the final minute but couldn't capitalize before the buzzer. It was 1-0 Salmon Arm after 40 minutes of play. The Silverbacks started the second period with back to back powerplay's couldn't convert. After their second powerplay Salmon Arm would get just one shot in the final fifteen minutes. Spencer Hora with the biggest hit of the night, in this period, levelled a Viper in the neutral zone in front of the benches. The Vipers excaped two early powerplay's, would build off the penalty kill and take over the remainder of the period. It was all Vernon other then the opening few minutes. The Vipers were really skating well, creating/generating some solid chances, couldn't solve Silverbacks netminder Bo Didur. The veteran goaltender kept his club in the contest and up 1-0 heading into the 3rd. The Vipers were by far the better of the two teams this period. Vernon outshot Salmon Arm 15-6.
3rd Period: The Snakes started the third on the man advantage. Just as the penalty expired TJ Sagissor (younger brother to Viper forward Simon Sagissor) was stopped in close as the Vipers kept with the play before Nicholas Cherkowski banged home a rebound in front, tying the game 1-1 at 1:16 Ryan Brushett & Jack Judson collected the assists. Off the following faceoff Brody Dale returning for a second season with the Vipers ripped a hard high shot from the top of the faceoff circle was denied by Bo Didur who made a big blocker save. Minutes later Demetri Kambeitz with a rare opportunity for the Backs, couldn't solve Connor Webb down low, ade a tough save with bodies going to the goal. On the play the Snakes come out with the man advantage. This was the first of back to back powerplay's for Vernon. The Vipers really using their defence, were getting lots of rubber towards the goal from the point once again ran into a hot goaltender. Bo Didur was solid on the penalty kill, again making several big stops. Former Victoria Grizzlies forward Keyvan Mokhtari looked to have Didur beat but looked to ring his shot off the far post/crossbar as the Vipers come very close to grabbing their first lead of the game. The Silverbacks would kill off both minors getting some solid goaltending. With about five minutes remaining Nick Unruh looked to give Salmon Arm a 2-1 lead but was somehow stopped by Connor Webb who was forced to make his biggest save of the night on the wrap around. I thought for sure this puck had crossed the goal line. No goal light come on and the referee was right there on a very close play. With about three and a half minutes to play, Vernon come very close to grabbing the lead after a shot from in the slot went up in the air and come down in the Silverbacks crease, the puck looked to go behind Bo Didur somehow bounced in the blue paint and stayed out of the back of the net on a strange play. Two real good chances at both ends of the rink. SA who struggled offensively the entire third had just two shots on goal and very limited zone time, was having all kinds of trouble getting through the neutral zone. But it was the Backs who dug deep and come on strong in the final four to five minutes. The Silverbacks with their best hockey of the period had some good pressure late. It was tied 1-1 after 60 minutes of play. For a second straight period it was all Snakes as Vernon carried most of the play. The Vipers had plenty of great chances couldn't capitalize-solve Bo Didur. The Vipers played hard-created/generated some quality chances looked very good. The Silverbacks were outplayed most of the frame, other then a late attack in the final minutes, Salmon Arm played most of the 3rd in the defensive zone. Once again Bo Didur kept his team in the game, giving them a chance to make it to overtime. Vernon outshot Salmon Arm 14-5.
Overtime: Both teams with a bit of a slow start before Ryan Brushett dangled his way through the Silverbacks zone, weaving in and out of several defenders before losing the puck. Brushett would get a second chance with the puck, again couldn't get the puck towards the goal after a lengthy shift. The Backs defence played Brushett and the Viper attack well before getting a late surge of their own. Salmon Arm with late pressure in OT didn't really generate much as it stayed tied 1-1 after 65 minutes of play. Salmon Arm outshot Vernon 2-0.
Double Overtime: Jack Judson with a quick low shot from outside the circle forced Bo Didur into making a quick glove save. The Silverbacks come back the other way, Akito Hirose's shot was stopped in front before veteran Marcus Mitchell banged home the rebound, giving Salmon Arm a 2-1 double overtime victory as the Silverbacks bench erupted onto the ice. Mitchell at 0:56 with Hirose and Hudson Schandor picking up the assists. The second overtime didn't last very long on a nice heads up play by Mitchell. A tough goal for Connor Webb to give up-swallow taking the loss. No shots on goal were announced in the second overtime.
Top Player's (Vernon)
Michael Ufberg I thought really got his game going as the game went on. Didn't stand out at first but got better-stronger as the game went along. Like last season, loves to carry the puck, a quick skater, can get up ice in a hurry. Really sees/reads the ice, a very smooth skating d-man. Excited to see him back for another season.
Kyler Shmigelsky Who I didn't really notice during training camp, actually played fairly well in his first pre-season game with the Vipers. Didn't stand out but made things happen with the puck, played well on the blueline, was getting pucks to the net. Was pretty impressed.
Ryan Brushett Who I didn't think was coming back for a second season, looked good at different times through out the evening. Had a great chance shorthanded on a two on one rush, also looked very strong with the puck in the first overtime. Really used his wheels weaving in and out of traffic, was hard to contain at times.
Nicholas Cherkowski (1 goal) Scored the lone Viper goal, is another player that didn't really stand out-do much during training camp this past week. I was pretty impressed in what I saw from this young kid tonight, was going to the net on almost every shift, really played hard in front of the net-at the top of the crease. Was hard to move away from the front of the goal. Played very well in the loss.
Adam Panacci Had a few strong shifts, worked hard.
Simon Sagissor Was another forward that had some strong shifts at times. Looked good at times.
Keyvan Mokhtari Is very quick, I noticed that right away in training camp. This kid has some wheels and can really move. Pretty small but hard to contain. A real buzzsaw type player. Really opens up the ice in a hurry.
Jordan Sandhu Was very strong on the draw tonight, won most of his faceoffs, is also quick. Played very well along side Keyvan Mokhtari. The two look to have some chemistry together.
Josh Prokop Really impressed me. I liked this kid during training camp, as he played very well tonight. Had some quality chances, works hard, plays hard, created-generates opportunities. This kid is going to be fun to watch.
Game Thought's: (Vernon)
I really like what I saw during training camp and again this evening. It looks like Mark Ferner and the Vipers coaching staff have a strong core group of returning players and have recruited-brought in several skilled players. The Vipers playing their first exhibition game of the season, looked pretty impressive. The Snakes don't have a big team, but have a ton of speed and skill up front. I really like the mix of young kids/veteran players. I know its real early, but I really like the looks of this years team so far. The Vipers have thirteen players returning from last year, five new recruits that have committed for this season and three players acquired over the summer in trades. That puts the Vipers roster at twenty one, meaning they only have two roster spots open. Will they go with those twenty one? It will be interesting. Mark Ferner and the coaching staff have some very tough decisions to make before the start of the regular season. Overall I thought Vernon was the better of the two teams. I thought both teams were fairly even in the 1st with the Silverbacks having a slight edge in play but the Vipers had the better of the scoring chances. Other then a few minutes here and there, I thought the Snakes dominated most of the 2nd and 3rd periods, carried the better of the play, had a ton of quality opportunities, couldn't solve Silverbacks goaltender Bo Didur. For the teams first pre-season game, they played very well as a team, looked to have chemistry and didn't look out of sink. I was impressed with how well they moved the puck, passed the puck and skill up front. If Vernon could have buried a few of their opportunities, this would have been a different outcome-difference in the final score. You have to feel bad for backup goaltender Connor Webb who replaced Ty Taylor halfway through the 2nd period. Coming in the Vipers were down 1-0. Webb faces very limited action-shots takes the loss in double overtime. Webb only faces eight Salmon Arm shots. A tough night for a any goaltender in that situation. Give the Vipers full credit for playing hard, playing so well in their first game of the season and battling till the end. Overall this was a pretty entertaining hockey game for the first exhibition game. A pretty small crowd on hand, I would guess 500-650 people on hand tonight? With construction of the new arena outback of Kal Tire Place, parking-getting in and out of Kal Tire Place will be very difficult this hockey season.
Top Player's: (Salmon Arm)
Spencer Hora I thought was the Silverbacks best d-man in the win. Played physical, was good at both ends of the rink.
Ryan Hogg Not the biggest kid but quick on his feet. Has some wheels and can move in a hurry. Gave the Viper defenders trouble at times in the offensive zone. Very shifty with the puck.
Grayson Constable Had his share of scoring chances, created-generated some opportunities, played hard all night. Was one of the more offensive minded forwards for Salmon Arm.
Akito Hirose Was another blueliner that played well on the backend. Made a solid defensive play in the 2nd period to break up a Viper attack.
Aidan Casey Recently acquired from Thunder Bay on Tuesday, played his best hockey come the 3rd period. Didn't really notice him in the first two periods but had some decent shifts at times in the 3rd.
Demetri Kambeitz Played very well for the Backs. I thought showed a lot of hustle getting back into position-the play, worked hard all night.
Logan Mostat A Salmon Arm product was acquired from the West Kelowna Warriors over the off season. Had a strong game. Played very well at both ends of the rink.
Trevor Adams Had some solid shifts now and again, was another kid who played hard for Scott Atkinson.
Marcus Mitchell (1 goal-overtime winner-1 assist) Was Salmon Arm's best forward, the veteran played hard, played with an edge, really used his size in and around the net. Went to the net in double overtime, before banging home Akito Hirose's point shot for the overtime winner.
Bo Didur (40 saves) Was by far the difference and the Silverbacks best player. Was acquired over the off season from the Langley Rivermen for former Vipers defenceman Carter Stephenson kept his hockey club in the game, giving them a chance to win. Without the veteran goaltender, this game would have been over in the 2nd period. The Vipers could have easily won by six or seven goals if it wasn't for the play of Didur. Plays his position well, very calm between the pipes, doesn't give up many if any rebounds, makes the big saves when called apon.
Game Thought's: (Salmon Arm)
Playing their second pre-season game the Backs pick up their first exhibition victory after suffering a 7-4 loss in Merritt Wednesday. I thought the Silverbacks played very well in the opening frame, were hitting, being physical, didn't generate a lot of offence but opened the scoring, before falling apart in the 2nd and 3rd periods. The Backs with a great opportunity to grab a two or three goal lead get back to back powerplay's to start the middle frame, unable to capitalize then are outplayed for most of the remainder of the hockey game. SA had all kinds of trouble getting through the neutral zone, getting into the attacking zone and getting pucks on goal. Salmon Arm saw a lot of time in their own end, heavily relied on their goaltender to bail them out on several plays. Troy Mick and Scott Atkinson both wont be happy playing the 2nd and 3rd periods in their own end, giving up over 40 shots and having to rely on your goaltender in just your exhibition game of the season. Give the Silverbacks credit, they relied on their goaltender but also clawed back at several points in the contest, tried taking some of the pressure off Bo Didur and the Backs defence. The Silverbacks went the final fifteen minutes of the 2nd period with just one shot and then went a good twelve minutes or more with no shots in the 3rd. I know it's only exhibition but give SA some credit for picking up their game late in the 3rd and in overtime, coming away with the OT win. The one thing I liked and caught my attention was the Silverbacks like to hit and finish their checks. Not afraid of going into the corners and laying the body. It looks like the Backs have a solid one two punch between the pipes. Bo Didur and Nic Tallarico are two proven goaltenders that will give you a chance to win. Tallarico gave the Snakes troubles last season. These two teams will meet again tomorrow night in Salmon Arm for the second game of a home and home series. It will be interesting to see both teams rosters-lineups tomorrow night. The Vipers & Silverbacks will meet eight times this season. A group of about three-five Silverbacks fans made the trip, well worth the drive wasn't it?
Scratches:
Vernon:
No scratches were announced
I counted fourteen Vipers-players sitting in the stands.
Salmon Arm:
No Scratches were announced
I counted nine Silverbacks-players sitting in the stands
Three Stars:
No stars were given tonight
1st Star:
2ns Star:
3rd Star:
Game Summary-Boxscore
The league website doesn't give any stats during pre-season games.
Here are both teams rosters-lineup
Vernon:
Ty Taylor G (99)
Connor Webb G (99)
Michael Ufberg D
Kyler Shmigelsky D (00)
Mitch Andres D (98)
Sol Seibel D (99)
Will Dow-Kenny D (00)
Ryan Brushett F (98)
TJ Sagissor F (99)
Nicholas Cherkowski F (00)
Adam Panacci F (99)
Simon Sagissor F (97)
Coleton Bilodeau F (00)
Quinton Ong F (99)
Connor Marritt F (99)
Keyvan Mokhtari F (98)
Jordan Sandhu F (99)
Josh Prokop F (00)
Brody Dale F (99)
Jack Judson D (00)
Salmon Arm:
Nic Tallarico G (98)
Bo Didur G (97)
Julian Timba D (98)
Jesse Pomeroy D (99)
Stephon Perreault D (98)
Spencer Hora D (99)
Mitch Stapley D (97)
Jonathan Krahn F (01)
Ryan Hogg F (98)
Grayson Constable F (98)
Akito Hirose D (99)
Aidan Casey F (98)
Connor Sundquist F (97)
Colton Thomas F (98)
Demetri Kambeitz F (98)
Logan Mostat F (97)
Trevor Adams F (99)
Nick Unruh F (00)
Hudson Schandor F (00)
Marcus Mitchell F (98)
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