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 game as Vernon defeated Salmon Arm 6-3 in front of 2,464 fans at Kal Tire Place.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon: Ty Taylor
Salmon Arm: Kyle Dumba
Before tonight's game the Vipers honoured all first responders and thanked everyone involved for all their help through out the past year.
1st Period: The Vipers won the draw, got the play into the offensive zone but unable to generate any real threat before the Silverbacks come back the other way. Spencer Hora setup Logan Mostat in the high slot who beat Ty Taylor high under the bar giving Salmon Arm a 1-0 leadt at 1:10 on the Backs first shot of the evening. Hora & Demetri Kambeitz drew the assists. The Snakes needed four minutes to record their first shot of the game. Fifty seconds later Salmon Arm would get caught with too many men, giving the Vipers the games first powerplay. Jimmy Lambert with a nice pass setup Jordan Sandhu beating Kyle Dumba tied the game 1-1 at 5:28 Lambert and Brett Stapley collected the helpers. About a minute later Nick Unruh with a hard working shift in front of the Viper goal, battled off a defender before getting in the clear forced Ty Taylor to close the five hole, making a tough save off the backhand from just outside the crease. A minute later-on the following shift Mitch Andres with a shot from the blueline forced former Western Hockey League goaltender Kyle Dumba into making a save on a good opportunity. Just past the midway mark Brett Stapley all alone in the high slot forced Kyle Dumba into coming way out of the blue paint, squeezed the pads tight, stoned Stapley on a great stop. On the following play Vernon would get their second PP of the evening, didn't really muster much offence as SA killed off the minor. Less then a minute later Noah Wakeford got around his defender before sliding the puck along the ice, in and under the pads of Ty Taylor, giving Salmon Arm a 2-1 lead at 14:05 Rhett Kingston with the lone helper. Wakeford looked to be going around the goal, instead shot and scored on a goal I think Taylor would like back. The Silverbacks with two goals on just six shots. A few minutes later the Snakes with some nice passing, come in on a three on two, Jimmy Lambert tried feeding Brett Stapley going to the net, couldn't connect on the pass. With about three and a half minutes remaining the Vipers spotted Jack Judson alone in the high slot, wired a rocket of a shot missed the net on a missed opportunity. Inside the final minute Noah Wakeford battling hard in front, was denied by Ty Taylor. It was 2-1 Salmon Arm after 20 minutes of play. The Backs jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead before the Vipers tied the game just minutes later on the man advantage. I thought both teams played hard-looked strong. The Snakes had good pressure-looks while getting some opportunities and at the other end of the rink I thought the Silverbacks had their own zone time-chances. Ty Taylor looked to be fighting the puck a bit, was back in his net, didn't look very confident on some shots. Both teams each had their moments when carrying the better of the play but overall I thought both teams looked pretty evenly matched in a back and fourth period. Vernon outshot Salmon Arm 11-9.
2nd Period: Salmon Arm with a strong start had the Snakes back on their heels as Vernon was having all kinds of troubles breaking out of their own end-through the neutral zone. The Silverbacks with an aggressive forecheck, looked good early. Just over four minutes in SA would take their first of three straight penalties. Vernon moving the puck around setup Kelowna Rockets draft pick Jordan Sandhu in front who was robbed by Silverbacks starting goaltender Kyle Dumba who somehow got the glove up at the last second to make a hueg save off Sandhu at the top of the blue paint. The Silverbacks would re-group and not give up another quality chance, killing off the first minor. Less then a minute later Vernon back on the powerplay but this time it was Trevor Adams shorthanded on the parcial breakaway forced Vipers starting goaltender Ty Taylor to make the save, but in the meantime slid back into the goal, before the play was blown dead. Taylor with a large save on the poweplay may have got lucky as it looked like Taylor was fully in the back of his own net before sliding out with the puck. The Salmon Arm bench up in arms were yelling from the bench, as they thought Taylor and the puck crossed the goal line. The officials never stopped to talk about the play, as the play resumed. Vernon may have caught a big break, went back to work on the man advantage. Rookie Connor Marritt with a great look in front was stopped by Kyle Dumba in close with bodies going to the goal. Dumba with a huge stop on the PK keeping this a one goal game. SA would eventually kill off the remainder of the penalty. Just fifteen seconds later the Backs caught with too many men for a second time tonight, went back to the penalty kill. Just over a minute in Niko Karamanis spotted former Victoria Grizzlies forward Keyvan Mokhtari who beat Kyle Dumba tying the game 2-2 at 10:27 their first lead of the night. Karamanis drew the lone assist. Two minutes later Salmon Arm would get their first powerplay of the game. But shorthanded former Chilliwack Chief Jesse Lansdell did all the work made a nice play in the neutral zone before setting up a wide open Jagger Williamson in front, Williamson with a little tip-redirect in front went upstairs on Kyle Dumba giving Vernon a 3-2 lead at 13:04 Lansdell with the helper. The Backs unable to really generate much with the remainder of the man advantage, as the Snakes killed off the minor. Just as the penalty expired Vernon tried springing Brett Stapley fresh out of the penalty box for the breakaway, but Stapley couldn't catch the puck in time. Stapley stuck with the play, eventually got to the puck tried setting up a Viper in front who couldn't corral the pass before the puck come back to Stapley who beat former Calgary Hitmen goaltender Kyle Dumba ringing a shot off the post. The Silverbacks quick on the transition fired up the puck up ice, sending Rhett Kingston in for the breakaway who wired a shot beat Ty Taylor cranking his shot off the post. Two close chances at both ends of the rink. Salmon Arm would get into more penalty trouble giving Vernon a short two man advantage late in the middle frame. The Snakes with several looks, couldn't finish in close on some great chances on the powerplay. The Backs would escape pressure from the Vernon PP and kill off both minors. The Vipers could have easily had two or three more goals on some close calls in and around the net. It was 3-2 Vernon after 40 minutes of play. After a pretty solid opening period, the Vipers struggled off the opening faceoff. Vernon having all kinds of troubles early getting out of their own end-getting through the neutral zone. The Snakes quit skating, were almost standing still at times. Salmon Arm hard on the puck-body, were aggressive on the forecheck, jumped on the Vipers early but unable to really generate/create any kind of quality chances. Salmon Arm would get into penalty trouble, giving the Vipers three straight powerplays. This changed the momentum and tilted the ice in favor of Vernon. The Snakes went 1-5 with the man advantage but scored shorthanded, took some advantage of specialty teams to grab a 3-2 lead heading into the final frame. You have to wonder if the Backs didn't get into penalty trouble, would this be a 3-2 Vernon lead after fourty minutes? Vernon outshot Salmon Arm 16-8.
3rd Period: Just over two minutes into the final frame SA would get just their second PP of the game. The Silverbacks having troubles getting the puck through after the Snakes with several big blocks before Jimmy Lambert carried the play out of his own end before springing Brett Stapley in alone for the breakaway. Stapley beats Kyle Dumba with a second left on the penalty, giving Vernon a 4-2 lead at 4:26 Lambert with the lone assist on Vernon's second shorthanded goal of the game. Just over a minute later the Backs went back to the man advantage. But shorthanded Keyvan Mokhtari drove wide before going around his defender cut hard to the front of the net, was stopped in close by Kyle Dumba. Big stop from the Backs netminder. Salmon Arm would take a penalty on the powerplay, sending both teams to four on four. The Vipers with an odd man rush, tried setting up Jordan Sandhu who couldn't corral the puck driving hard to the net. Jesse Lansdell would leave the Viper bench with the trainer, making his way to the dressing room. Lansdell was gone for several minutes before returning. On the other side Grayson Constable was in the tunnel getting some attention from the Silverbacks trainer. Noah Wakeford going hard for a puck behind the Vernon goal, was rubbed out, went hard into the side of the net, went down was a little slow getting up, went to the tunnel was checked out by the team trainer, but stayed in the game. Just before the halfway mark SA would get a powerplay. The Snakes would go down two men, giving the Silverbacks a lengthy five on three. Mitch Stapley the older brother of Brett Stapley setup Austin Chorney who ripped a hot shot from the blueline beat Ty Taylor top shelf, cutting the Vernon lead to 4-3 at 10:08 Stapley & Rhett Kingston drew the assists. Still on the man advantage Jesse Lansdell with a solo individual effort down low, cut hard along the goal line, beat his defender one on one before patiently outwaiting Kyle Dumba to make his move, went bar and under, giving Vernon a 5-3 lead at 10:48 the Snakes third shorthanded goal of the evening. Lansdell's goal was unassisted. The Vipers would kill off the remainder of the minor. About a minute and a half later Jesse Lansdell with a huge open ice hit in the corner rocked a Salmon Arm player to the ice. Austin Chorney didn't like the hit, went right after Lansdell giving the Viper forward several crosschecks before dropping the gloves. Chorney ready to fight, was grabbing onto Lansdell who was standing their watching. With no whistle on the play and the game in progress Lansdell decided to drop the mits. Lansdell with one punch before Chorney went hard to the ice. Both players were tossed from the game. Twenty seven seconds later Jimmy Lambert, Brett Stapley and Jordan Sandhu with some crisp tic tac toe passing setup Sandhu at the side of the net, giving Vernon a 6-3 lead at 13:53 Stapley and Lambert picked up the helpers. This basically put the game away or very close to it at this point. Inside the final minute Akito Hirose or Grayson Constable dished out a late hit after the whistle along the boards, wich right away drew attention. Viper captain Jagger Williamson jumped in pushing some bodies around before everyone jumped in. Lots of pushing and shoving, with some punches thrown in amongst the scrum. Williamson very heated was pulled away was still chirping back and fourth with a Salmon Arm player. After the players were pulled apart and Williamson lined up for the faceoff, more pushing and shoving occurred along the side wall. Demetri Kambeitz was in the mix of it all, throwing punches at a few Vipers while chirping severl players. Josh Prokop got involved in the scrum as tempers heating up late in the final thirty something seconds in a 6-3 game. The referee looked to toss Prokop and Kambeitz but the announcement over the PA system saw Kambeitz and Williamson given ten minute misconducts. The Vipers would eventually just run out the clock coming away with the 6-3 victory. A penalty filled period saw the Snakes score twice shorthanded run the table in the final frame. Vernon using their speed and skill, took over control of the 3rd created/generated several looks-opportunities. The Vipers with three 3rd period goals, sealed the win. The Backs scored once on the powerplay, for a second straight period got into penalty trouble-gave up a shorthanded goal-goals. SA didn't have a lot of zone time, didn't really generate/create much for offence. I thought the Vipers were the better of the two teams, had a ton more opportunities-looks. Vernon outshot Salmon Arm 17-10.
Top Player's: (Vernon)
The line of Brett Stapley (1 goal & 2 assists), Jimmy Lambert (3 assists) & Jordan Sandhu (2 goals) were very dangerous through out the night. I may sound like a broken record but the past three or four home games, this line has been Vernon's go to unit. Their speed, skill and chemistry haunt other teams who are having all kinds of troubles defending this line. This line alone created/generated some highlight reel goals-plays.
Jagger Williamson (1 goal) The Viper captain come to play and lead by example. I thought the Lumby product blocked several shots on the penalty kill, sacrificed his body on several plays tonight, was a work horse at both ends of the rink. Was ingaged in the play through out the game, played hard-battled, scored a highlight reel shorthanded goal in the middle frame. Great to see Williamson get involved and stick up for his team mate late in the 3rd after a late hit.
Connor Marritt I thought played very well. Didn't see a ton of ice time due to all the specialty teams, but when on the ice, made plays, had at least two looks-opportunities.
Jesse Lansdell (1 goal & 1 assist) Had a strong night. Vipers got a bit of a scare when he left the bench early into the 3rd returned and stayed in the game. A tough customer, plays with an edge, plays physical, finishes his checks, battles-competes and also can make things happen. Carried the play through the neutral zone shorthanded, to open some ice, before setting up Jagger Williamson in front for the Vipers 3rd goal. Lansdell then with a solo individual effort in the 3rd scored shorthanded himself, before dropping the gloves. I took some slack on here last year after commenting on the play of Lansdell. Several readers-posters commented saying he shouldn't be on the team. I have to disagree.
Elan Bar-Lev-Wise Was called up from the Burnaby Winter Club this weekend, I thought didn't look out of place at times. Held his own, had two good looks in close, couldn't finish. Didn't see a lot of ice time due to playing on the 4th line and all the specialty teams, but when playing, played well at times. Bar-Lev-Wise has committed to the Vipers for next season.
Keyvan Mokhtari (1 goal) Used his speed/quickness to open the ice, makes things happen in a hurry. This kid can really fly when with the puck, is dangerous and hard to defend against. Had a strong night.
Jack Judson I thought played well on the blueline.
Mitch Andres was another defenceman I thought played well on the backend. Another kid who didn't get to see a lot of ice time due to the specialty teams. I really liked this kid in training camp-exhibition but once the regular season started, he wasn't the same. Didn't stand out like he did in camp-pre season games. Sitting out several games early in the year, has been put into action with a short bench. I have really noticed an improvement in his game the past few weeks.
Game Thought's: (Vernon)
After giving up the games first goal just 1:10 into the opening frame on the Silverbacks first shot of the night, the Vipers trailed by a goal heading into the 2nd period. In a period where I thought they played well, had some looks-opportunities. The Snakes didn't get off to a great start in the middle frame, needed three straight powerplay's to change the momentum-tilt the ice. The Vipers lucky Salmon Arm got into penalty trouble in that 2nd period, saw a lot of the frame on the man advantage. Going 1-5 in the 2nd it was the Vipers who had some looks-opportunities could have easily been up by a few more goals and not just one, heading into the 3rd. Wednesday night in Chilliwack Vernon blew a 4-1 lead heading into the 3rd, didn't sit back in tonight's 3rd period. The Vipers with three 3rd period goals kept their foot on the gas and buried the Backs. Overall I thought the Snakes played very well-looked very dangerous with and without the puck. Vernon's speed and skill gave the Silverbacks all kinds of trouble tonight, forcing turnovers, losing battles etc. Other then a few minor blemishes I thought the Vipers were the better of the two teams. Give the Vipers credit for playing disciplined and not getting into penalty trouble. I thought Vernon stayed out of the box for most of the night, up until some penalties in the 3rd. Both teams were fairly evenly matched in the opening frame but the Vipers seemed to take over the edge in play in the final two periods. The Snakes score five of their six goals on specialty teams (2 powerplay & three shorthanded). I don't think I have ever seen that before. One thing I have noticed and it has cost the Vipers points-wins in at least three games this season. Vernon seems to lack that killer instinct in games when playing with a lead. For example the 3-2 loss in Wenatchee October 11, the 5-4 loss to Surrey at home October 21 and then the game Wednesday in Chilliwack. The Vipers blew a 2-0 lead in Wenatchee, a two goal lead vs the Eagles and a 4-1 lead to the Chiefs. These were three games I thought the Vipers should have won. That's why I really liked tonight's 3rd period. The Vipers with three 3rd period goals, didn't sit back. Vernon is now undefeated in five games, have won six of their last eight games. Vernon improves to 3-0 vs Salmon Arm this year. With the win the Vipers improve to 13-4-0-3 sit 2nd in the Interior Division are tied in points with Trail, with the Smokies atop the Division due to more wins. A great crowd tonight, one of the biggest crowds of the season I think. Tomorrow will be a good challenge for the Snakes, playing their third game in four nights face a West Kelowna team who defeated Penticton tonight. Brendan O'Reilly who left the Chiefs bench Wednesday to fight Shane Kelly has been suspended six games by the league today. Did anyone else notice something different about their game ticket tonight? It said Vernon Vipers vs Salmon Arm Silverbacks but had the Trail Smoke Eaters logo on it.
Top Player's: (Salmon Arm)
Rhett Kingston (1 assist) Rang a shot off the post in the 2nd period, played hard. Very strong-aggressive on the penalty kill, created/generated opportunities on the PK, was dangerous with and without then puck. Didn't quit working, always moving his feet, played very well in the loss.
Noah Wakeford (1 goal) The smallest kid on the ice, played big. This kid was always first in on the puck, played hard through out the night. Quick on his feet, really reads/sees the ice well, always seemed to be involved in the play-know where the puck was going. Was going to the net-looking for chances. One of the Silverbacks better players tonight.
Trevor Adams Was another kid who didn't stop working. Was another kid who was dangerous on the PK. Had a strong game up front for Salmon Arm. Played hard-battled, had some looks-opportunities.
Kyle Dumba (38 saves) Playing in just his third game with the Silverbacks, made just his second start with Salmon Arm after coming over in a trade October 26th. Dumba gave up six goals but I don't think could be blamed on the loss. I usually don't say a goaltender played well in a game where he gave up six goals but I thought Dumba played well, made some big stops in the 1st and 2nd periods or else this could have been a different outcome. The former Calgary Hitmen netminder is with his fourth organization this season. I saw Dumba play with the Kamloops Blazers twice back in September before he was released. Very quick on his feet, likes to handle-play the puck, comes out of his net/crease often.
Game Thought's: (Salmon Arm)
The Backs come into tonight having just two wins on the road, were a game above 500 and playing the Vipers for the first time since opening weekend. I didn't know what to expect/what kind of team the Snakes were facing. Second from last in the Division give Salmon Arm credit for getting off to a quick start-playing very well in the 1st period. Salmon Arm was wearing their third jerseys tonight, I thought the Silverbacks were just as good as Vernon in the opening twenty minutes, were up 2-1 heading into the middle frame. SA got into penalty trouble, gave up a powerplay & shorthanded goal in the 2nd were now down a goal heading into the 3rd. If it wasn't for some strong goaltending and the Vipers just missing/not connecting on some plays, this could have been a different score going into the 3rd. Salmon Arm caught with too many men on the ice, twice took way too many penalties tonight and then struggled with the man advantage. Giving up three shorthanded goals, were very close to almost giving up a fourth shorthanded marker in the 3rd. After the 1st period I didn't think the Backs created/generated much for offensive chances, couldn't contain the Vipers speed/skill, especially the top unit of Brett Stapley, Jordan Sandhu and Jimmy Lambert. Ty Taylor looked didn't look very confident, looked to be fighting the puck at times, especially in the opening frame. I thought the Silverbacks would have tried getting more traffic-pucks to the net, drive to the net a little more, try and get Taylor off his game or get his mind off the game. The Silverbacks needed to build off a strong 1st instead put themselves in a huge hole, playing shorthanded most of the 2nd period. A great turnout of Silverbacks fans who made a ton of noise. Heard the Backs had a fan bus as well as several other fans who made the winter drive up on their own. SA playing with a short bench, were missing several key veterans. At least five key players out of the lineup tonight. Some big holes to fill for the young kids. Tough night defensively for Salmon Arm. The Backs have lost five of their last seven games, have just two wins away from home. The Backs are winless in their last ten meetings vs the Vipers, last regular season win in Vernon was a 5-2 victory December 9th 2015. With the loss the Silverbacks drop to 9-9-2-0 sit 6th in the Division, two points back of Penticton.
Scratches:
Vernon:
Shane Kelly
Sol Seibel (Injured)
Tanner Wishnowski (Injured)
Salmon Arm:
Julian Timba
Tanner Campbell
Josh Latta
Hudson Schandor
Justin Wilson
Marcus Mitchell
Energy Player of the Game:
Jimmy Lambert (3 assists)
1st Star: Jesse Lansdell (1 goal & 1 assist)
Keyvan Mokhtari (1 goal)
Jordan Sandhu (2 goals)
Boxscore-Game Summary,
http://bchl.ca/stats/game-summary/8007
Game Report,
https://lscluster.hockeytech.com/game_reports/official-game-report.php?lang_id=1&client_code=bchl&game_id=8007
Text Boxscore,
https://lscluster.hockeytech.com/game_reports/text-game-report.php?lang_id=1&client_code=bchl&game_id=8007
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