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 exhibition game as Vernon defeated Salmon Arm 4-3 in front of a small crowd at the Shaw Centre.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon: Ty Taylor
Salmon Arm: Nic Tallarico
1st Period: The Silverbacks jumped on the Vipers early, carried the play almost from the drop of the puck before getting some good pressure-zone time in the offensive zone. For a second night both teams were laying the body early. The Backs would get the games first quality chance of the night. Justin Wilson with a quick shot from the high slot about three and a half minutes in forced Ty Taylor to make difficult save up high before being quick, stopping the rebound on the second chance at the side of the net. Two minutes later Taylor had to be sharp making a quick pad save off Riley Hayles point shot. About a minute later Salmon Arm would get the games first powerplay, but with just one shot on the man advantage the Silverbacks couldn't convert. Just as the penalty expired on a delayed penalty Trevor Adams setup Grayson Constable in the high slot who's shot got through traffic and beat Vipers starting goaltender Ty Taylor who looked to be screened on the play, giving Salmon Arm a 1-0 lead at 8:33 Adams & Stephon Perreault drew the assists. A minor delay after the goal, with the two referee's and linesmen talking things over with the Vipers bench and the time keepers before sending Sol Seibel to the box. Seibel was the player that was given the penalty on the play-Silverbacks goal, due to a double minor for high sticking, the first two minutes comes off while Seibel still has to sit for two minutes, sending SA back to the powerplay. The Backs with a few looks didn't really generate much for offence on the PP as Vernon would kill off the minor. The Snakes playing most of the first half in their own end, needed eleven minutes to record their first shot on goal as it was all Salmon Arm. The Backs outshooting the Vipers 9-1 at this point. With about six minutes left the Vipers come close to putting the puck in their own goal. The Backs dump the puck into the Vernon zone, the lone Viper defenceman retrieving the puck, tried passing the puck back to Ty Taylor who wasn't ready for the puck, was forced to stumble making an awkward save as the two team mates kinda ran into each other, as the puck took a funny bounce somehow stayed out of the net on a lucky play. Shortly after Michael Young caught a Silverbacks player with a high stick, this turned into a big scrum as a Salmon Arm player rushed towards Young, before everyone got involved. Tempers heated up in a hurry as lots of pushing and shoving going on in the corner before Sol Seibel & Jesse Lansdell got mixed up with Josh Latta & Austin Chorney as several punches were thrown. The scrum was eventually broken up with the Backs getting their third powerplay of the period. Moving the puck around Ty Taylor making his second straight start of the pre-season made some big stops, keeping his team in the contest. The Snakes would get some strong goaltending and kill off the minor. Jesse Lansdell took a run at Mitch Stapley, the older brother of Vipers forward Brett Stapley was slow leaving the ice, needed some attention from the trainer, looked to take a cut to his head, went down the tunnel for repairs. Stapley looked to be ok would return to the game in the 2nd period. In the dying seconds the Vipers sprung veteran Jimmy Lambert for the breakaway was stopped in close by Nic Tallarico who made a huge blocker save with just nine seconds remaining. It was 1-0 Salmon Arm after 20 minutes of play. The Silverbacks with a strong start, jumped on the Snakes early and often dominated the play. Salmon Arm was by far the better of the two teams, controlled and carried the play for most of the opening frame. SA had some good looks-opportunities, only managed one goal in a period they owned. Vernon was lucky they were only down a goal heading into the 2nd period. The Vipers were out played most of if not the entire 1st period. Vernon struggled offensively, played most of the frame in their own end. Both teams were hitting-being physical but the Vipers were just a little too aggressive, took way too many undisciplined penalties. A very chippy period as the Vipers had troubles keeping their sticks down. Ty Taylor kept the Vipers in the game, or Salmon Arm could have easily been up three or four goals. Salmon Arm outshot Vernon 21-5.
2nd Period: The Snakes took control of the play early, generated some good pressure in the opening few minutes. Alex Swetlikoff couldn't redirect a pass in front, looked to have an open cage on a missed opportunity early. Jagger Williamson and Niko Karamanis both with great looks at the net, missed the net. The Vipers with several shots early, had troubles hitting the net before getting an early powerplay, their first of the night. Vernon didn't waist time, Jimmy Lambert setup Michael Young who's flutter shot from the blueline had eyes, finding its way to the back of the goal, tying the game 1-1 at 3:18 on a shot I don't think Silverbacks starting goaltender Nic Tallarico saw. Lambert & Alex Swetlikoff collected the helpers. The Snakes went back to the powerplay, just over three minutes later. But shorthanded Rhett Kingston used his speed come down the left wing, before driving to the net was denied by Ty Taylor. The Backs would kill off the penalty. Then both teams went several minutes going back and fourth but neither team couldn't generate any offence. Both teams went a good five minutes or longer with no shots on goal. The play become a little sluggish before getting back to tempo. The Snakes would switch goaltenders just before the halfway mark. Johnny Derrick replaced Ty Taylor who gave up one goal on twenty six Salmon Arm shots. On the second shift, Derrick had troubles handling a shot from well out, as the shot-puck looked to handcuff the young goaltender, just about squeezed through his legs and into the back of the net. Derrick looked a little shaky early on. Just past the midway mark the Vipers would get their third powerplay of the period. Salmon Arm with a good penalty kill, killed off the minor. The Snakes come close to catching a break, after Silverbacks starting goaltender Nic Tallarico come out to play the puck, fired the puck up ice where a Viper was in position but couldn't convert on the giveaway. Late in the middle frame new recruit Connor Marritt's shot was stopped by Nic Tallarcio with Christian Sanda going hard to the net. Sanda on his bottom would somehow swipe at the loose puck that was lying in the crease, banged home the rebound from his bottom, giving Vernon a 2-1 lead at 16:50 Marritt and Cale Cripps picked up the assists. Tallacrico looked to have lost sight of the puck, after making the initial save. On the following play the Vipers would lose Shane Kelly for the remainder of the period and half of the 3rd, after taking a checking to the head penalty (automatic two minute minor and a ten minute misconduct) after another minor scrum in front of the Viper goal. Salmon Arm with a late powerplay, couldn't concert with the man advantage. It was 2-1 Vernon after 40 minutes of play. The Vipers with a much better effort and performance after a horrendous opening period. Vernon with good pressure early, had several quality looks-chances couldn't capitalize, before tying the game early on the man advantage. The Vipers settled down a little this period, didn't seem to be overly aggressive as much as the opening period. I thought the Snakes were the better of the two teams for most of the first half before both teams, still playing well, neither team could muster much for offence-opportunities. Both teams had some good looks-chances but I thought Vernon had a bit of an edge in overall play. The Silverbacks got into a little penalty trouble in the first half, giving the Vipers three powerplays.The Backs didn't have as much offensive zone time, were checked well only managing a select few scoring chances. Vernon outshot Salmon Arm 12-9.
3rd Period: The Vipers would get an early powerplay, had good pressure early, had some looks. Nik Tallarico made two saves as the Silverbacks would kill off the minor. Shortly after Chris Jandric made a huge defensive play, breaking up a Salmon Arm attack. Minutes later the Snakes would jump back on the PP and capitalize. Michael Young's point shot found the back of the net, giving Vernon a 3-1 lead at 7:23 Chris Jandric & Jagger Williamson with the helpers. But minutes later SA would get to within a goal. Trevor Adam's shot from the corner somehow found its way into the back of the goal. Adam's shot looked to go in and off Johnny Derrick from a bad angle, cutting Vernon's lead to 3-2 at 10:43 Adam's goal was unassisted. From here on in Vernon's defence was solid, did a great job at shutting down the Silverback's offence. The Snakes had a great opportunity to re-take a two goal lead after Adam Panacci setup Quinton Ong on a three on one rush, before being robbed by Nic Tallarico who come across the blue paint to make a huge pad-leg save, keeping this a one goal game. Shortly after Tallarico went behind his goal to play the puck, got tangled up with a Viper fore checker who slightly bumped the SA goaltender, with no call on the play Tallarico lost his cool, charged at the Vernon forward, taking him to the ice as Austin Chorney jumped in. Chorney and Tallarico were both on top of the Snakes forward, ended up giving the Vipers a late powerplay. On the man advantage, Chris Jandric's point shot beat Tallarico giving Vernon a 4-2 lead at 16:31 Alex Swetlikoff and Jimmy Lambert picked up the assists. Salmon Arm would try going for a late push, but had troubles getting any real sustained pressure. The Backs would eventually get Nic Tallarico to the bench for the extra attacker with about 1:50 to go, SA would move the puck around before Riley Hayles spotted Trevor Adams in front, beat Johnny Derrick cutting the Vernon lead to 4-3 at 19:33 Hayles with the lone helper. Salmon Arm would get Tallarico back to the bench for the extra attacker. The Snakes would get the puck in deep, before Jimmy Lambert showing good hustle, just missed the open cage, couldn't get full control of the puck at the side of the net. The Vipers would play very well defensively to preserve the win and hold onto the 4-3 victory. The Vipers played very well in the final frame, especially defensively. The Snakes defence shutdown the Silverbacks offence, even limited the Backs to just one shot for a good six to seven minutes. I thought the Snakes really used their speed at times to open up the ice in the 3rd, generating a few odd man rushes. Mark Ferner shortened his bench in the 3rd, going with more veterans over the youngsters. Vernon battled and played hard down the stretch, got the huge 3rd goal to grab that two goal lead and never looked back. SA also played hard, couldn't seem to generate any real flow-offence. They had a few looks-opportunities but not a lot of real sustained pressure. I thought for a second straight period the Snakes once again had a slight edge in play. Sure at times the play was back and fourth and the Silverbacks managed some chances but overall I thought Vernon was just a bit better in the final twenty minutes. Vernon outshot Salmon Arm 10-9.
Top Player's: (Vernon)
Ty Taylor (25 saves) Started his second straight game, played half the night before being replaced by Johnny Derrick. Taylor had to be sharp saw a lot of rubber in that opening period, was forced into making some big stops, keeping his team in the game.
Michael Young (2 goals) Made his pre-season debut scored twice, played very well on the Viper blueline. Young looked very strong at both ends of the rink, was good defensively but also likes to get involved in the scoring.
Wyatt Light I thought looked pretty good at times in the Vipers intersquad game Wednesday, made his pre-season debut in the victory tonight, played hard, showed a lot of hustle and determination. One of the smaller kids on the roster, plays big, wasn't afraid to lay the body, get involved in the play. Really worked hard and competed.
Jesse Lansdell Played well at times, looked good on different shifts through out the game.
Jimmy Lambert seemed to get going and pick up his game as the game went along. Was denied on a breakaway in the dying seconds of the opening frame, slowly started coming on midway through the 2nd period, come on in the 3rd. Created/generated a few looks-opportunities.
Chris Jandric (1 goal) Here's another kid who didn't do much in the 1st but seemed to get better as the game carried on. I really liked Jandric's game in the 3rd. I thought he really stepped up his defensive play in the final frame, also jumped up into the rush-play offensively. Scored the game winner on the powerplay.
Hayden Dick Was an affiliated "AP" player with the Snakes last season, didn't see a lot of ice time but when he did, I thought he played fairly well. Another youngster that worked-played hard with his opportunities.
Game Thought's: (Vernon)
The Vipers didn't get off to the start they wanted, were badly outplayed in the 1st were very lucky to only be down a goal heading into the middle frame. The Snakes playing a little too aggressive and with a lot of emotion, got a little carried away, taking some undisciplined penalties in that 1st period. The Vipers played most of if not the entire 1st in their own end. Give Vernon credit, they re-grouped and played much much better in the 2nd and 3rd periods. Played with more composure, seemed to settle down and not be so aggressive after the whistle. After the horrendous 1st period, overall I thought the Snakes played very well for most of the 2nd and 3rd periods. I really liked the Snakes defensive play in the 2nd and 3rd periods, limiting Salmon Arm to just nine shots each period after giving up twenty one in the 1st. At one point the Vipers held Salmon Arm to just one shot for a good six to seven minutes in the 3rd period. Vernon didn't have as many quality chances tonight, compared to last night, I thought looked a little more sharp-played with a little more chemistry Friday night. Shane Kelly played with an edge, had a mean streak in him tonight. Mitch Andres who looked so good in training camp, doesn't stand out as much during the pre-season. Johnny Derrick who also played well-looked sharp in the Vipers inter squad game, looked shaky at times tonight. This was a good road game-character win for the boys, especially the rookies playing their first exhibition game on the road, beating a team that just beat you the night before. The Vipers were wearing their old two toned blue road jerseys they once wore a few seasons back. The Snakes had been wearing the red and navy blue jerseys away from home the past two seasons. A decent turnout of Viper fans in attendance tonight.
Top Player's: (Salmon Arm)
Justin Wilson I thought looked good at times.
Trevor Adams (2 goals & 1 assist) Was one of if not the best player for the Backs. Scored twice in the 3rd to get Salmon Arm to within a goal, was very dangerous at times with the puck. A good skater, was all over the ice in the loss.
Trey Thomas Not the biggest kid, but played hard. Really battled/competed and earned his ice time. Was impressed with his play tonight.
Rhett Kingston Was another kid who had a strong game for the Silverbacks. Created/generated several quality chances for the Backs, was involved in the play, hard to knock off the puck.
Riley Hayles (1 assist) I thought was one of the better Salmon Arm d-men. Was getting pucks to the net, played well at both ends of the rink.
Game Thought's: (Salmon Arm)
After a big 2-1 double overtime win in Vernon last night, SA seemed to build off the win, jumping on the Snakes early and often. The Silverbacks with a great start, were very good with and without the puck. Laying the body, had a ton of pressure, created/generated several good opportunities, racked up twenty one shots on Ty Taylor, but only managed one goal in a 1st period they dominated. The Backs needed that second goal and put the Vipers away when they had the opportunity. I thought Salmon Arm played well at times in the 2nd and 3rd didn't generate as many scoring chances as they did in the opening twenty minutes. I thought the Silverbacks didn't have the same tempo they played with in the 1st. SA was just a step behind Vernon at times. I thought Salmon Arm did a great job at shutting down the Viper offence in the 1st clogged up the neutral zone, looked to have trouble with Vernon's speed in the following two periods. The Silverbacks went several minutes in both the 2nd and 3rd periods without getting a single shot. Johnny Derrick looked a little shaky early, if the Backs had tried firing more rubber towards the youngster, maybe try and get some bodies in and around the Viper crease, they could have popped a few in. I think this was a missed opportunity. Take advantage of a young-inexperienced goaltender. Overall a very feisty/chippy game with lots of hitting and several scrums after the whistle. Both teams took several undisciplined penalties. They didn't announce the attendance but I would guess around 400 people were at tonight's game. These two teams will open the regular season with a home & home series starting September 8th in Salmon Arm.
Scratches:
No scratches were announced
I counted fifteen Vipers-players sitting in the stands.
Salmon Arm:
No Scratches were announced
I counted seven Silverbacks-players sitting in the stands
Three Stars:
1st Star: Trevor Adams (2 goals & 1 assist)
2ns Star: Michael Young (2 goals)
3rd Star: Ty Taylor (25 saves)
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)
Johnny Derrick G (01)
Michael Young D (98)
Mitch Andres D (98)
Cale Cripps D (99)
Sol Seibel D (99)
Brett Stapley F (99)
Alex Swetlikoff F (01)
Jagger Williamson F (98)
Connor Marritt F (99)
Wyatt Light F (98)
Adam Panacci F (99)
Christian Sanda F (98)
Niko Karamanis F (98)
Jesse Lansdell F (98)
Jimmy Lambert F (97)
Chris Jandric D (98)
Shane Kelly D (97)
Hayden Dick F (99)
Quinton Ong F (99)
Salmon Arm:
Nic Tallarico G (98)
Bo Didur G (97)
Julian Timba D (98)
Stephon Perreault D (98)
Austin Chorney D (00)
Max Wutzke D (99)
Mitch Stapley D (97)
Jonathan Krahn F (01)
Grayson Constable F (98)
Justin Wilson F (98)
Tanner Campbell F (97)
Connor Sundquist F (97)
Trevor Adams F (99)
Trey Thomas F (99)
Josh Latta F (98)
Aidan Casey F (98)
Rhett Kingston F (97)
Riley Hayles D (98)
Hudson Schandor F (00)
Marcus Mitchell F (98)
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