I have had season tickets for the past 28 years and been following Junior hockey in Vernon for close to thirty five years. I have missed only three home games since the 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 4 of the opening round of the playoffs, as Vernon defeated Salmon Arm 1-0 in overtime in front of 686 fans at the Shaw Centre winning the best of seven 1st round series 4-0.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon: Ty Taylor
Salmon Arm: Kyle Dumba
1st Period: The Silverbacks jumped on the Vipers early and often before getting the games first powerplay just over four minutes in. SA couldn't seem to muster much offence with the man advantage before the Backs would get a two man advantage. Salmon Arm would get a flurry of chances, none better then ex Viper forward Brandon Whistle at the side of the net, would be stoned by Ty Taylor. Taylor had to be sharp made at least three or four good saves as Vernon killed off both minors. Just after killing off both penalties, on the following play/shift the Snakes would get their first PP of the night. The Vipers couldn't get much of anything going as the Gorillas would kill off the penalty. Minutes later Vernon went back to the powerplay, but again no real quality chances and the Silverbacks would kill off back to back penalties. With two and a half minutes remaining Jimmy Lambert from the high slot couldn't beat Kyle Dumba who made a big pad save late in the opening frame. The Vipers pressing late, would setup Jesse Lansdell down low in the dying seconds couldn't solve Kyle Dumba at the top of the crease just seconds before the buzzer. It was 0-0 after 20 minutes of play. The Backs were the better of the two teams, carried most of the play, had a ton of puck possession, didn't create/generate many looks/or chances had the better of the play for most of the 1st. The Silverbacks looked/played like a team playing for their season, playing with desperation and looking more hungry. The Vipers were a step behind SA for most of the period, looked a little flat/out of sink at times, had troubles getting any rythem going. The Vipers had troubles controlling Salmon Arm's speed and skill, didn't get a lot of offensive zone time. The Snakes come on strong late, in the final two-three minutes, their best pressure of the opening period. Neither team had many quality chances. Vernon outshot Salmon Arm 14-9.
2nd Period: Salmon Arm would get an early powerplay, just 1:51 into the second period. Justin Wilson with two grade a chances couldn't beat Vipers starting goaltender Ty Taylor. Taylor once again had to be sharp as SA had some good pressure on the PP but couldn't capitalize. Shortly after the powerplay, about five and a half minutes into the middle frame, Rhett Kingston setup Noah Wakeford on an odd man rush. Wakeford alone at the side of the goal, looked to have a yawning cage, somehow would be robbed by Ty Taylor. Taylor somehow come up with the puck in his glove. A large save on wich looked like a sure goal, had everyone in the rink stunned. Wakeford left shaking his head on his way to the bench. The game was still scoreless. Minutes later Salmon Arm would head back to the powerplay, but shorthanded the Snakes tried springing captain Jagger Williamson who tried going inside out on Tanner Campbell who stayed with Williamson, making a solid defensive play. The Backs a little too patient, waisted several good looks, decided to pass instead of shooting, didn't get many shots with the man advantage as Vernon kills off the minor. Julian Timba took a high hit in the corner, was very slow getting up, looked a little woozy on his way to the bench, went straight to the SA dressing room, didn't return. A minute later the Gorillas go back to the PP as from here on in the officials seemed to be calling a penalty every few minutes. The Silverbacks once again couldn't capitalize with the man advantage. The Vipers would eventually get a shortened powerplay. Former Vipers defenceman Sol Seibel didn't back down from Cameron Trott's one timer. Seibel blocked two of Trott's slappers from the point, looked to be in some discomfort, managed to stay in the game, was given several pats on the back, once getting back to the bench. Jimmy Lambert would get inbehind the Salmon Arm defence, looked to have Silverbacks starting netminder Kyle Dumba leaning to his right, couldn't beat Dumba in close after making a large pad save off Lambert in tight. Just seconds before the penalty expired, Jimmy Lamber showing frustration said something to an official on his way to the bench, would be given a ten minute misconduct. Inside the final minute Vernon would get a late double minor just fifteen seconds before the buzzer. It was 0-0 after 40 minutes of play. For a second straight period it was all Salmon Arm. The Gorillas carried the better of the play, had a ton more puck possession, played a lot of the frame in the Vernon zone, were the better team. The Backs had some good looks and at least three or four grade a opportunities couldn't capitalize on their chances. The Silverbacks waisted several opportunities looked to have an open lane, decided to pass-not shoot. Fans in the building showing their frustration, yelling shoot the puck, shoot the puck. The Backs need a win tonight and needed to capitalize on some of their opportunities. The Vipers were outplayed, saw a lot of that period in their own end. The Snakes with very little offensive zone time, were hemmed in their own end on several occasions. Ty Taylor was solid between the pipes, made some large saves keeping this a scoreless game. Vernon outshot Salmon Arm 13-9.
3rd Period: The Snakes started the third with the man advantage that was carried over from the second period. Captain Jagger Williamson gets behind the defence off the opening draw cant beat Kyle Dumba in close. Dumba with a huge save off the opening faceoff. The Vipers setup Derek Brown at the circle, ripped a wicked shot high that beat Kyle Dumba but not the crossbar, as Vernon comes within inches of opening the scoring. The Backs would kill off the first minor, were still on the penalty kill. Cameron Trott leaned into one from the top of the circle, beat Kyle Dumba but not the post as the Snakes with back to back posts/crossbars on this powerplay. Salmon Arm catches a break and kills off the double minor. Just as the penalty expired Jack Judson levelled Tanner Campbell with a elbow/shot to the head. Campbell goes down in a hurry as the play continued up ice, before the officials blow the play down. With no call on the play the fans erupt, letting the officials know they missed a penalty. The officials gathered near the penalty box, took a minute or two before giving Judson a five minute major for a check to the head and a game misconduct. Judson was done for the night, while Campbell looked ok and stayed in the hockey game. Just over two minutes into the major penalty, after a quick whistle, Rhett Kingston charged towards the official, letting him know about the blown call. Kingston would be given a ten minute misconduct. Salmon Arm with just four shots on the powerplay, unable to create/generate much for offence as Vernon escapes and kills off the five minute major. A huge kill early to start the 3rd. With about eight minutes left Derek Brown and Jordan Sandhu break in on a two on one rush, Brown decides to keep and shoot, forces Kyle Dumba to make another big stop. Minutes later Brett Stapley one on one leans into a shot from the circle that forces Kyle Dumba into making another big pad save. The Snakes slowly take over the edge in play and change momentum. With about five minutes remaining, Jagger Williamson alone in the slot, cant solve Kyle Dumba on a quality chance in close. Dumba making some large saves in the second half with Vernon pressing, keeping this game scoreless. The Snakes with a goal mouth scramble inside the final minutes cant beat a sprawled out Kyle Dumba. The Silverbacks would take an undisciplined penalty with just three seconds left in the final frame. It was 0-0 after 60 minutes of play. Vernon starts the third with a four minute powerplay, has several good looks/chances, none better then hitting the post and a crossbar on the same man advantage. SA then gets a five minute major and only musters four shots, struggles with the man advantage, cant capitalize. I thought both teams were fairly even in the first half before the Vipers slowly took over the game and the second half. The Snakes with a ton of pressure and quality opportunities, had their most pressure of the night in the second half of this period. Vernon with several grade a scoring chances in that second half, couldn't solve Kyle Dumba who was keeping his hockey club in the contest forced overtime. The Vipers with their best performance and period of the game. Vernon outshot Salmon Arm 14-13.
Overtime: Vernon starts the extra frame with the man advantage that was carried over from the 3rd. Silverbacks netminder Kyle Dumba forced into making three big stops early on the penalty kill. The Vipers with a ton of pressure early couldn't capitalize with the PP to start overtime. A huge PK for the Silverbacks. The Snakes don't quit, keep the momentum going and all the pressure in the Salmon Arm zone. The Vipers with several looks in and around the goal before Jagger Williamson looked to put the game away just minutes in rang a shot off the far post. Niko Karamanis stayed with the play, got the puck out of the corner, come back towards the front of the net. With Jesse Lansdell at the side of the goal, Karamanis went to the front of the goal, beat Kyle Dumba fivehole as the Vipers bench erupts off the bench onto the ice ending the series in four games. Karamanis at 3:23 was unassisted. The Silverbacks devastated were hunched over with their heads down and the Vipers celebrating in the near corner. It was all Snakes early and often. The Vipers with lots of pressure on the powerplay and after the powerplay, just kept coming. Vernon buzzing in and around the net, had several quality looks/chances down low and in close were finally able to end the game early. It was all Vipers as they dominated overtime. Vernon outshot Salmon Arm 9-0.
Top Player's: (Vernon)
The line of Jimmy Lambert, Brett Stapley and Keyvan Mokhtari were skating hard, really used their speed and skill to cause havoc at times in the offensive zone.
Jagger Williamson I thought was the Vipers best forward/player in the victory. The Lumby product was a work horse, was going hard in on pucks, battled/competed, had several quality opportunities.
Mitch Andres I thought had a heck of a game on the blueline in his first season with the Snakes. Played with some confidence, was moving the puck up ice, played well through out the game.
Ty Taylor (31 saves-Shutout) Had to be sharp through out the first two periods with the Silverbacks pressing. Made some big stops on a first period penalty kill, was forced into making several key saves in the middle frame. Taylor with back to back saves off Justin Wilson on a 2nd period penalty kill and then somehow robbing Noah Wakeford on wich looked like a wide open cage.
Game Thought's: (Vernon)
The Vipers didn't get off to a great start, looked a little flat off the opening draw, seemed to be a step behind Salmon Arm for most of the 1st and 2nd periods. The Snakes looked to be off in their passing and breakout, didn't look like the Vipers we know and have seen play all season. Vernon saw a lot of the play in their own end for a lot of the 1st and 2nd periods. Give the Vipers credit, they took away a lot of time and space from the Backs, limiting the Gorillas opportunities. The Vipers didn't have a lot of puck possession in the first two frames, didn't create/generate much for chances in the first two periods. Give Vernon credit as they didn't fold the tents, managed to get some very good looks/chances on an early 3rd period powerplay, would have to kill off a five minute major before turning the tables and changing momentum in the second half of the third. The Vipers held their own vs SA in the first half of the 3rd before taking over the game in the second half. The Snakes with several grade a chances in that second half, couldn't solve Kyle Dumba. The Vipers jumped on the Silverbacks in overtime, couldn't capitalize with an early powerplay, kept pressing, pouring on the pressure before Niko Karamanis's overtime winner. A very nerve racking-intense game to watch live. They say the final game to win in a seven game series is the hardest and tonight just proved that. Going back to the regular season, the Vipers have now won six straight in Salmon Arm. The Vipers have won eight straight and twelve of their last thirteen games. Vernon will now move onto the second round and host the Wenatchee Wild who eliminated the Merritt Centennials tonight in four games. The seven game series will start March 16th in Vernon. The two teams split their regular season meeting, going 3-3 vs each other. A large amount of Viper fans were in attendance tonight.
Top Player's: (Salmon Arm)
Austin Chorney Played a strong game on the backend. I thought was one of the better Salmon Arm defencemen.
Sol Seibel facing his former team played with an edge this series, played well defensively in the loss tonight. Blocked two shots on the penalty kill in the 3rd.
Rhett Kingston opened up a lot of ice when with the puck. Created/generated several quality chances tonight. Gave Vernon trouble all series.
Akito Hirose I thought played a strong game. Another kid who generated/created chances through out the hockey game. Played with a lot of energy, was skating hard, going to the net.
Noah Wakeford somehow missed an open cage early to start the 2nd period, played well. His line was dangerous with the puck.
Justin Wilson Was a work horse down low, used his size and skill to create/generate some opportunities. Had several looks-chances. None better then his back to back opportunities on a second period powerplay. Was hard to defend against-hard to contain.
Kyle Dumba (49 saves) Was by far the busier of the two goaltenders, fought/battled hard in the loss this evening. The veteran netminder was forced into making several large saves through out the night, keeping his team in the game. Especially in the 3rd period and again in overtime. Played well in Games 3 & 4 was very emotional after the loss tonight.
Game Thought's: (Salmon Arm)
With their season on the line, the Backs emptied their tanks and left everything on the ice in their final game of 2017-18 season. Salmon Arm with a good start, jumped on Vernon early and often, was the better of the two teams, outplayed the Vipers for most of the first two periods. The Gorillas didn't generate much for offence in the opening frame, really carried a lot of the play, had more puck possession, had the Vipers reeling at times. The 2nd period is when SA had their best opportunities of the night. The Silverbacks will look back and look at some of their opportunities they didn't capitalize on when needed too. Go back to Noah Wakeford early into the 2nd somehow misses an open cage on an odd man rush. Everyone in the building was stunned the puck didn't go in. I'm sure the Vipers were even in shock. Look at the missed opportunities. SA goes 0-7 with the man advantage, none bigger then a five minute major early into the 3rd. Salmon Arm musters just three shots and struggles to open the scoring on a great opportunity. You could also look back and look at how many opportunities the Backs had with the puck, an open lane or a good look at the net, decided to pass/not shoot. Salmon Arm should never have lost this game. They outplayed Vernon for the first two periods, blew a five minute major powerplay in the 3rd needed their offence to step up. Kyle Dumba stands on his head, giving his team a chance to win on a must win and the offence struggles. The Backs were the better team for two out of the first three periods but were outshot and this is why. I thought the Gorillas didn't get enough pucks to the net, were looking for that special play instead of just getting pucks to the net/looking for second opportunities. The Silverbacks had their best game of the series last night in a 4-2 loss at home, looked much stronger tonight. I think tonight was the Backs best game I have seen them play vs Vernon this season. Going back to the regular season, Salmon Arm has just one win in their last seventeen games vs the Vipers. The Backs finish the regular season/playoffs losing twelve of their final seventeen games. Give SA full credit, even down 3-0 in the series the Silverbacks could have easily folded the tents, handing Vernon the win. The Gorillas played one heck of a hockey game, didn't catch a break in a must win game. The Backs really needed a win last night, to get back in this series and try and keep it close. This series was over in four games but Salmon Arm didn't go away easy, battled-fought hard, gave the Vipers a good run. The Silverbacks went 1-9 vs the Vipers this season (regular season/playoffs). I would like to take this time to congratulate the Salmon Arm Silverbacks and their organization on a tough 2017-18 season. Wishing all the graduating players all the best in their hockey/life careers and the players returning the best for next season.
Scratches:
Vernon:
Shane Kelly (Injured)
Josh Prokop (Injured-Out for the season)
Salmon Arm:
Max Wutzke
Logan Mostat
Energy Player of the Game:
Kyle Dumba (49 saves)
Three Star's:
1st Star: Kyle Dumba (49 saves)
2nd Star: Ty Taylor (31 saves-Shutout)
3rd Star: Niko Karamanis (Overtime winner)
Boxscore-Game Summary,
http://bchl.ca/stats/game-summary/8407
Game Report,
https://lscluster.hockeytech.com/game_reports/official-game-report.php?lang_id=1&client_code=bchl&game_id=8407
Text Boxscore,
https://lscluster.hockeytech.com/game_reports/text-game-report.php?lang_id=1&client_code=bchl&game_id=8407
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