Season Opener: Vernon 5 Salmon Arm 1

I have had season tickets for the past 28 years and been following Junior hockey in Vernon for close to thirty five years. I've 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 season opener as Vernon defeated Salmon Arm 5-1 in front of 913 fans at the Shaw Centre.

Starting Goaltenders:

Vernon: Anthony Yamnitsky
Salmon Arm: Bo Didur

1st Period: The Vipers with a strong start jumped on the Silverbacks early. With good pressure early, allowed Niko Karamanis to get in close, couldn't beat former Langley Rivermen goaltender Bo Didur down low, who made a big stop about a minute and a half later. Shortly after Sol Seibel left the game and never returned. Just over a minute later Jagger Williamson alone in the slot, just missed the far corner as Vernon with back to back quality opportunities just minutes into the game. Shortly after the Vipers would open the scoring, Jagger Williamson stepped over the blueline, fooled Bo Didur after his rolling puck looked to handcuff the Backs goaltender going under the blocker and into the back of the net, giving Vernon a 1-0 lead at 3:30 Michael Ufberg and Jesse Lansdell picked up the assists. On the following play the Snakes would get the games first powerplay. Vernon struggled with the man advantage, didn't do much with the PP as Salmon Arm would kill off the minor. Vernon outshooting the Silverbacks 7-2 early into the season opener. The Snakes with a ton of early pressure, controlled and carried the better of the play in the first half. The Backs with very little zone time, would eventually get a few good shifts around the midway mark but not before the Vipers would get their second man advantage of the frame. Vernon with several good looks, Shane Kelly's low point shot couldn't beat Bo Didur who made a late pad save, on a quick reaction save. Just before the penalty expired, the Snakes fired the puck in, as the puck took a awkward bounce off the glass, come right out front, before Bo Didur had to be alert to smother the puck and stop play. The Vipers only managed three shots as SA killed off the double minor. A huge penalty kill and momentum changer. But just as the penalty expired Jagger Williamson spotted former Chilliwack Chief Jesse Lansdell in the slot who went post and in beating Bo Didur giving Vernon a 2-0 lead at 16:15 Williamson & Michael Ufberg with the helpers. Off the following faceoff, Josh Latta broke free for the breakaway would be denied by former Wenatchee Wild goaltender Anthony Yamnitsky who stayed with the play the entire way, making the big stop, keeping this a two goal lead. At the buzzer former Western Hockey League veteran forward Tanner Wishnowski got his stick up on the final play of the period, giving the Silverbacks their first powerplay of the night. It was 2-0 Vernon after 20 minutes of play. Other then a couple of shifts by Salmon Arm the Snakes controlled and carried the play for most of the entire opeing period. Vernon with a quick start, jumped on SA early had lots of early pressure, opened the scoring just minutes into the contest on a lucky bounce, were the better of the two teams. The Snakes speed and skill really opened up the ice. I didn't think Vernon had a whole lot of great chances but definitely had more puck possession. The Silverbacks played much of the opening frame in their own end, didn't get much zone time-pressure on the Vipers. Other then a few shifts around the half way mark, the Backs were outplayed. Vernon outshot Salmon Arm 11-6.

2nd Period: Salmon Arm started the middle frame on the man advantage, that was carried over from the end of the 1st period. The Backs with good pressure, had some good looks, Marcus Mitchell was denied on the doorstep after a big save off Anthony Yamnitsky in close. The Silverbacks couldn't capitalize on the PP as the Vipers killed off the early powerplay. Just as Tanner Wishnowski stepped out of the box, Jimmy Lambert lead the rush went in for the two on one with Wishnowski but it was Akito Hirose who made the strong defensive play, breaking up Lambert's pass, taking away the Snakes scoring chance. Just a few shifts later the Silverbacks went back to the powerplay, their second of the period. SA moving the puck around, looked good, again had some good looks. Josh Latta's quick shot from the circle forced Vipers starting goaltender Anthony Yamnitski into making a quick glove save. Towards the end of the powerplay, the Backs caught the Vipers pinching broke in on the four on one, but failed to register a shot on goal after one too many passes, missing on a great opportunity. Salmon Arm with a much better performance in the 2nd turned the tables in a hurry, looked good early carried much of the play in the first half. The Snakes needed close to six minutes to record their first shot of the 2nd period. Vernon would get a PP just before the midway mark but a good penalty kill from the Backs. SA would kill off the minor. Just as the penalty expired, Finn Evans alone at the side of the goal couldn't get all of his shot, was stopped by Silverbacks starting goaltender Bo Didur before Jesse Lansdell wearing Dean Strong's old #14 pounced on the rebound, hitting the open cage, giving Vernon a 3-0 lead at 12:32 Jagger Williamson & Finn Evans collected the assists. The Vipers picked up a bit of slack had troubles in the 2nd period. Minutes later the Snakes went back to the man advantage. Shane Kelly leaned into one, beating Bo Didur before ringing his shot off the post. Josh Latta with a huge shot block from the point, would later leave the game in need of some repairs. Latta was heading to the dressing room, being attended by the trainer, looked to be bleeding from his face area and looked a little in stable. Latta would be ok and return for the 3rd period. The Silverbacks with another big kill, would kill off the minor. It was 3-0 Vernon after 40 minutes of play. The Backs started the frame with basically back to back powerplays couldn't capitalize with the man advantage. This was a big blow and a great opportunity to get back in the hockey game, instead Salmon Arm was still down two goals. I thought the Silverbacks looked much better after being outplayed in the opening period. SA with a strong period had several good looks-opportunities, had troubles finding the back of the net. The Backs carried a lot of the play, were the better of the two teams. Salmon Arm couldn't seem to catch a break tonight. Both teams penalty kills were solid. The Vipers had troubles finding their game, couldn't seem to get much of anything going. Unlike the first twenty minutes, Vernon didn't see much zone time. Jesse Lansdell with a huge goal this period, gives Vernon a three goal lead heading into the 3rd. Vernon outshot Salmon Arm 9-8.

3rd Period: The Vipers with a strong start, jumped on Salmon Arm off the opening faceoff. With good pressure the Snakes moved the puck around, had some good looks early. Just over two minutes in Vernon setup former Victoria Grizzlies forward Keyvan Mokhtari at the top of the blue paint, ripped a high shot just past the far corner, on a missed opportunity. Former Kelowna Rockets forward Tanner Wishnowski with a strong forecheck, won the battle down low, before setting up Jack Judson wearing Brent Dodginghorse's old #22 wired a lazer of a shot from the point beat Bo Didur giving Vernon a 4-0 lead at 4:47 Wishnowski with the lone helper. Judson's first BCHL goal-point. A huge cheer from the Vernon bench as Judson was mobbed making his way back to the bench. On the following shift-play the Silverbacks would get an early powerplay but struggle. Salmon Arm looking very disorganised had all kinds of problems setting up as fans at the Shaw Centre were jumping on the home team. Vernon would easily kill off the penalty. Just as the penalty expired, Josh Prokop's shot would be stopped by Bo Didur before Kelowna product Alex Swetlikoff jumped all over the big juicy rebound, giving Vernon a commanding 5-0 lead at 7:19 Prokop and Coleton Bilodeau picked up the assists. Swetlikoff with his first BCHL goal-point got a big cheer from the bench, as he was mobbed making his way to the bench. Just seventeen seconds later the PA announcer hadn't even finished announcing the Viper goal before Justin Wilson beat Anthony Yamnitsky cutting the Vernon lead to 5-1 at 7:36 Max Wutzke and Mitchell Stapley with the helpers. Yamnitsky looked to be screened on the play, didn't have a chance. The Snakes basically played keep away for the next several minutes, up by four goals. Vernon would rag a lot of time off the clock, by just standing behind their own goal with the puck, with no Salmon Arm players going anywhere near the puck. Again the crowd at the Shaw Centre was getting restless. Minutes past the halfway mark with the Backs on a delayed powerplay, tempers heated up a bit on the next stoppage in play. One Viper was given a shot to the back of the head, before Shane Kelly sucker punched a Salmon Arm player, as both teams started pushing and shoving, before the linesmen jumped in. The Silverbacks would come out with the man advantage. On the PP Anthony Yamnitsky who wasn't tested much was forced to make two big saves on the penalty kill, as SA struggled with the powerplay. Vernon would kill off the minor. The Snakes would get control of the play late and get some late pressure-zone time to finish off most of the remainder of the period. With about three and a half minutes remaining the Backs fired the puck in on a dump in play, as the puck took a funny bounce off the side glass, caught Anthony Yamnitsky going the other way, luckily for the Vipers the puck missed the open cage, going into the corner. Several fans slowly started making their way to the exists with just over three minutes left. Vernon would eventually come away with the 5-1 victory spoiling the Silverbacks home opener. Vernon with another strong start to the period, jumped on Salmon Arm early and often. Two back to back goals in the first half, basically put this game away. The Snakes looked good for most of the first half, ragged a lot of time off the clock in the second half, basically playing keep away. The Silverbacks struggled most of the final frame, were not on the same page. Salmon Arm looked very disorganised with and without the puck, had troubles passing, waiting for players to get into position, didn't look very good in the final twenty minutes. The Backs with very little zone time, didn't generate/create much for offence, managed only seven shots. Vernon outshot Salmon Arm 9-7.

Top Player's: (Vernon)

Michael Ufberg (2 assists) Wearing Kevin McElroy's old #2 had a very strong game on the blueline. Ufberg was one of if not the Snakes best d-man last season, looked ready to go tonight. Carried a lot of the play up ice, was getting shots off from the point on the powerplay. A very smooth skating defenceman, can really see-read the play, opens up the ice.

Shane Kelly I thought was another defenceman who played very well on the backend. Was getting pucks to the net, looked good on the powerplay. Was hard to beat one on one and made life tough for the opposition coming towards the net.

Tanner Wishnowski (1 assist) Made his Vipers debut tonight, I thought looked good-played well. I thought the veteran forward got off to a bit of a slow start, but picked up his game as the game went on. I thought was at his best down low, battling along the wall, won some key battles down low, was finishing his checks, was strong on the puck down low-in and around the net. Did all the work on Josh Prokop's goal in the 3rd. Played a heck of a role in the final frame.

Jagger Williamson (1 goal & 2 assists) Opened the scoring on a lucky bounce just minutes into the season opener. Wearing an "A" on his jersey played well through out the game.

Jesse Lansdell (2 goals & 1 assist) Was very solid in the victory. Scored twice, was all over the rink this evening, generate/creating plays, made things happen. Competed and played well-hard all night.

Niko Karamanis Didn't record a point but had a very strong game. Was ready to go tonight and it showed. Played with a lot of determination, was winning the battles, going to the net, did a lot of little things.

Chris Jandric I thought played well on the backend. The second year Viper was really skating hard, moving the puck well, made some very strong plays coming out of his own end. Looked a little more confident tonight.

Anthony Yamnitsky (20 saves) Wasn't tested much, was forced to make a few big stops. I thought played his position very well, let out a few big rebounds but overall was sound positionally between the pipes.

Game Thought's: (Vernon)

After going 3-0-0-1 during the pre-season the Vipers opened the 2017-18 regular season with a pretty impressive 5-1 victory in Salmon Arm. Other then the 2nd period I thought the Snakes looked very good and were by far the better of the two teams. In the 1st and 3rd periods Vernon jumped on the Backs early, had a ton of pressure-zone time, really moved the puck around, created/generated some good looks-quality chances. I liked the Vipers penalty kill tonight, other then having trouble clearing the zone twice, I thought the PK was very strong. One thing I really liked was the Vipers work ethic, the Snakes never stopped skating. The Vipers have a lot of speed, not the biggest team but can really fly-move the puck in a hurry. The Snakes have a few players with size I thought looked very good defensively. The Viper defence showing a lot of confidence breaking out of their own end, made several slick plays cutting across the front of the goal. With Sol Seibel leaving the game just minutes in, the defence had to step up and play a man down, did a heck of a job. I saw a lot of interaction between the kids on the bench and excitement in their eyes when they scored. Lots of chatter on the bench, as it looks like the teams already bonding early into the new season. A big win on the road to start the new season, is a huge confidence booster and a great way to start off the new season. Getting off to a good start in September is key for the Snakes. Last season they struggled at the start of the season and they fell short for home ice come playoffs. Vernon plays nine of their first ten games on the road, this is a big test for this team and will show what this team is made of. This stretch of games away from home will tell-show what kind of players/team you have. Mark Ferner said in the post game show, that Ty Taylor will get the start in goal tomorrow. The Vipers wearing their red-navy blue road jerseys tonight saw Jagger Williamson and Jimmy Lambert with "A"s on their jerseys. The Vipers have yet to announce their captain-assistant captains for this coming season. The radio said today the team will announce their captain next weekend. Brett Corkey's parents were in attendance tonight. Corkey a former Viper defenceman-captain played three seasons with the Vipers (2010-2013). A big shoutout to the Corkey's who are avid readers of this blog. A decent number of Viper fans in attendance tonight.

Top Player's: (Salmon Arm)

Josh Latta I thought was one of if not the Silverbacks best player in the loss. Latta showed a lot of hustle and compete in his game tonight. Seemed to be always in and around the Viper goal, left the game late in the middle frame, needed some repairs before returning for the start of the 3rd period.

Hudson Schandor was another forward who played well through out the contest.

Game Thought's: (Salmon Arm)

The Silverbacks struggled for most of the night, couldn't catch a break at times. Other then the 2nd period Salmon Arm was outplayed most of the night. The Backs fell behind early and couldn't seem to recover. SA couldn't seem to match Vernon's speed and compete level. The Silverbacks didn't generate or create much for offensive chances, had just a select few quality opportunities. It seemed on plays where they should have passed, they shot and then when they should have shot, they passed. The Backs didn't seem to be on the same page tonight, struggled offensively, looked disorganised for most of the game. I did like SA's penalty kill, I thought both teams played well on the PK. The middle frame was Salmon Arm's lone bright spot. Down 2-0 heading into the 2nd the Silverbacks jumped on the Snakes early, couldn't get the next goal, to get back in the game. I thought the Backs looked much better in their 2-1 double overtime victory in Vernon during the pre-season. Bo Didur also didn't look sharp, I didn't think had a strong game. Several fans showed up late for tonight's game, as it wasn't an overall big crowd for the home opener but 913 I would say is a pretty good crowd for the Silverbacks for a game in September. The Silverbacks have lost three of their last four home openers to the Vipers. These two teams will meet again tomorrow night in Vernon, in the second game of a home and home series. The Backs and Vipers split the pre-season, each winning on the road. Whoever is in charge of tickets/ticket sales, I wasn't very pleased with your service for trying to get tickets for tonight's game. I tried purchasing my tickets for tonight's game at the last Vipers-Silverbacks exhibition game in Salmon Arm but was told the tickets weren't printed-ready. I tried calling everyday this week and was once again told the tickets weren't printed-ready. One day I couldn't get anyone to answer the phone before finally talking to someone-getting my tickets yesterday. You think you would have the tickets printed-ready to go well before the season opener.

2017-18 Salmon Arm Silverbacks Intro

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_OTAY7Dfq8

Scratches:

Vernon:

Connor Marritt
Adam Panacci
Mitch Andres

Salmon Arm:

None

Energy Player of the Game:

Austin Chorney

Three Star's:

1st Star: Jesse Lansdell (2 goals & 1 assist)
2nd Star: Jagger Williamson (1 goal & 2 assists)
3rd Star: Niko Karamanis

Boxscore-Game Summary,

http://bchl.ca/stats/game-summary/7855

Game Report,

https://lscluster.hockeytech.com/game_reports/official-game-report.php?client_code=bchl&game_id=7855

Text Boxscore,

https://lscluster.hockeytech.com/game_reports/text-game-report.php?client_code=bchl&game_id=7855