Vernon 3 Salmon Arm 2 Shootout

I have had season tickets for 29 years and been following junior hockey in Vernon for over thirty five years. I haven't missed a Vipers home game in nine years and only missed three Vipers home games since the 1998-99 season. For anyone who could not attend or watch tonight's Vipers game here are my thought's and view's from tonight's game. You may agree or disagree but we all our own view and opinion on any game we watch. This is my opinion and thought's on how I saw tonight's game. I try to be unbiased and give a fare recap on both sides. Thank you for stopping by and visiting my blog.

I was at tonight's Vipers-Silverbacks game as Vernon defeated Salmon Arm 3-2 in a shootout at Kal Tire Place. No attendance was announced for tonight's game.

Starting Goaltenders:

Vernon: Aidan Hosein
Salmon Arm: Andrew Slobiski

1st Period: Just thirty four seconds in the Silverbacks would jump on an early powerplay. With good puck control SA didn't get many pucks to the net as the Vipers kept the Salmon Arm PP to the outside. The Snakes with a good defensive penalty kill would kill off the minor. Within a minute or so after the penalty expired the Backs with a goal mouth scramble couldn't put home the loose puck as everyone gathered near the top of the Viper crease before Aidan Hosein was able to smother the puck and get a whistle. On the following play former Salmon Arm Silverbacks defenceman Austin Chorney with a shot from the side wall just about got lucky and banked his shot in and off the Silverbacks netminder on a close call. About minutes in Austin Chorney hit Jon Krahn from behind into the end boards, Krahn went down hard and laid motionless on the ice just to the left of the Vipers goal. Veteran forward Demetri Kambeitz jumped in going after Chorney as the two dropped the gloves. Kambeitz & Chorney were both tossed from the hockey game, while Jon Krahn was very slow getting up, needed help off the ice from a trainer and didn't return to the game. Minutes later Second year Viper Connor Marritt took a hit in front of the S'Backs bench went down on one leg awkwardly was slow getting up, looked to be in some discomfort. Marritt skated to the Viper bench putting no pressure on his one leg, made his way to the dressing room with the trainer. Marritt would later return to the game. At the halfway mark veteran Justin Wilson got in deep couldn't beat Aidan Hosein who flashed the leather, making a glove save, keeping this game scoreless. With about six minutes left Connor Marritt with a great opportunity at the side of the net couldn't beat Andrew Slobiski. On the following play former Powell River Kings defenceman walked in from the point, ripped a heavy shot from the high slot but missed the goal. Two good chances at both ends of the rink. Minutes later Nicholas Wildgoose lead the Viper odd man rush tried throwing the puck out front, as the puck went through the goal crease before Andrew Slobiski was able to make a quick reaction save, smothering the puck. Shortly after Vernon with some nice three way passing couldn't open the scoring after Slobiski come across making a big stop off the Viper attack. The Snakes would get their first look with the powerplay, towards the end of the opening frame. It didn't take long before the Vipers would take a penalty of their own, sending both teams to four on four. Just as the penalty expired and the Apes on the PP Andy Stevens beat Aidan Hosein giving Salmon Arm a 1-0 lead at 17:41 Stevens goal was unassisted. About a minute later Jesse Lansdell slashed Olsen Werenka in front of the SA net, before giving him a crosscheck. With a penalty coming to the Vipers, Werenka went after Lansdell as the two dropped their mits. Both players would get tossed from the contest. It was 1-0 Salmon Arm after 20 minutes of play. I thought both teams were fairly even for most of the 1st. The S'Backs may have carried the puck a little more but both teams had some good looks/opportunities. Salmon Arm outshot Vernon 12-10.

2nd Period: The Silverbacks had lots of energy/jump to start the middle frame. Just over a minute in Logan Shaw couldn't beat Vipers starting goaltender Aidan Hosein on a wrap around. Minutes later with the Apes pressing Nick Unruh jumped in from the slot beat Aidan Hosein but not the post before getting the rebound would be stoned by Hosein in front. SA coming on had the early jump and some early chances. About six and a half minutes in Vernon would get their second look on the man advantage. It didn't take long before the Snakes spotted Michael Young who's shot beat Andrew Slobiski tying the game 1-1 at 6:59 Trey Taylor and Teddy Wooding picked up the helpers. Minutes later both teams would switch goaltenders around the midway mark. Aidan Porter replaced Aidan Hosein while Zach Wickson replaced Andrew Slobiski. Just as the teams changed netminders SA would jump on the powerplay. But shorthanded Coleton Bilodeau with a burst of speed went up and over the goal on a missed opportunity. Vernon was able to kill off the minor. The Backs with a flurry of opportunities couldn't solve Aidan Porter who had to be sharp was the busier of the two goaltenders in the second half. Inside the final minute the Snakes would get a late powerplay but shorthanded allowed veteran forward Hudson Schandor break free for the breakaway. Schandor would be denied by Aidan Porter. Vernon couldn't capitalize on the PP before the buzzer. It was tied 1-1 after 40 minutes of play. Salmon Arm took over the game in the second frame and carried the better of the play. The S'Backs with good puck movement had several good looks/chances couldn't capitalize on their opportunities. The Vipers struggled in their own end and offensively. Vernon didn't see much offensive zone time, played a lot of the middle frame in their own end. The Vipers went at least eight or nine minutes without a shot on goal. SA was by far the better of the two teams. Salmon Arm outshot Vernon 18-10.

3rd Period: The Snakes started the third on the man advantage that was carried over from the 2nd period. The Vipers struggled offensively couldnt capitalize as Salmon Arm killed off the remainder of the penalty. Three minutes in the Backs on a three on one were stopped on a strong defensive play before the puck somehow come out front. Aidan Jenner pounced on the loose puck but couldn't beat Aidan Porter. On the following play on another odd man rush, Nick Unruh couldn't solve Aidan Porter who flashed the leather, making a glove save. The Silverbacks with full control of the period had a ton of pressure inside the Vernon zone had a flurry of chances couldn't find the back of the net. Just past the halfway mark Justin Wilson setup Hudson Schandor at the side of the goal, giving Salmon Arm a 2-1 lead at 13:30 Wilson & Trevor Adams collected the assists. You could see this goal coming as the Backs were due for a goal after all the opportunities they had leading up to this goal. But just over two minutes later the Vipers with some speed and nice passing setup Teddy Wooding in front tying the game 2-2 at 15:57 Raj Sangha & Connor Marritt drew the helpers. Minutes later the Silverbacks would get a late powerplay but unable to put the game away before the buzzer. It was tied 2-2 after 60 minutes of play. For a second straight period it was all SA. The Apes controlled the 2nd and 3rd periods, dominated the third period. If it wasn't for the Vipers goaltender this game should have been over. The Silverbacks didn't have a lot of great chances but had several flurries-good looks. Aidan Porter had to be sharp with the S'Backs in full control of the hockey game. The Snakes were very lucky to make it to overtime. For a second straight period the Vipers had troubles in their own end, clearing the zone and were offensively challenged. Vernon went at least six minutes if not longer at one point without a shot. Salmon Arm outshot Vernon 13-7.

Overtime: This year the BCHL is going with a new overtime format. Both teams will play three on three for five minutes. If the game is still tied, teams will go to a shootout. The Backs started OT on the powerplay, that was carried over from the 3rd period. Vernon with a huge penalty kill, would stay alive. In overtime Elan Bar-Lev-Wise took his second straight and fourth penalty of the night, sending Salmon Arm back to the powerplay. The Vipers with another huge PK would escape. Aidan Porter was again sharp. The Snakes with an odd man rush couldn't capitalize. It was tied 2-2 after 65 minutes of play. The Silverbacks played most of the extra frame on the powerplay but didn't really get any grade a chances. A missed opportunity by Salmon Arm. Salmon Arm outshot Vernon 3-1.

Shootout:

Vernon Shooters:

Josh Prokop (Scored)
Ben Helgeson (Scored)

Salmon Arm:

Justin Wilson (Stopped)
Nick Unruh (Stopped)

Wilson & Unruh both hit the post in the shootout.

Top Player's: (Vernon)

Ben Helgeson (1 Goal) I thought played very well. Making his Vipers debut last night in Salmon Arm had at least five or six shots on goal in the shootout loss Friday. Tonight I thought he was more active in the play. A good skater, involved in the play, really sees/reads the ice well. I didn't really notice him much last night, but he caught my eye tonight.

Coleton Bilodeau I thought was one of the better Vipers tonight. Was skating, going into the corners, going to the net, working hard down low, come to play and worked hard.

Aidan Hosein & Aidan Porter both played very well between the pipes. Hosein started before being replaced midway through the 2nd period. I thought Porter saw a little more rubber in the second half of the game. Had to be alert/sharp, made some key saves keeping the Snakes in the contest. Goaltending was a difference tonight.

Game Thought's: (Vernon)

I thought the Vipers played fairly well in the 1st had some good chances, held their own for most of the opening period. Just like last night the Vipers were outplayed most of the 2nd and 3rd periods. Vernon playing with a young defence was having all kinds of trouble clearing the zone, chipping pucks out and were offensively challenged. After the 1st the Snakes didn't get many scoring opportunities. Nor did they have control of the puck in the offensive zone. The Vipers saw a lot of action in their own end for most of the 2nd and 3rd periods. The Snakes had troubles getting pucks to the net, getting into the offensive zone and getting control of the puck. The Vipers went with a young lineup tonight and it showed. A lot of the younger kids tonight struggled through out the game. Nicolas Ardanaz who has impressed me all camp-preseason looked nervous, was making all kinds of mistakes tonight. Had a rough game on the Viper blueline. Austin Chorney made his Vipers debut was tossed from the game five minutes in. Chorney was acquired from Langley earlier this week. Mark Ferner gave the young kids a chance to play and see what they had as they all saw a lot of ice time. Vernon was very lucky to come away with the victory. A nuch smaller crowd on hand tonight compared to last weekends game vs Merritt. I counted ten scratches/Vipers sitting in the stands. The Vipers said they were making their final cuts after the two games this weekend. I would guess 600 people at the game tonight. The Vipers finish the pre-season with a 3-0-1 record will open the 2018-19 regular season at home Friday vs the defending BCHL Champion Wenatchee Wild. The Wild eliminated the Vipers in the second round of the playoffs in six games back in March. A lot of rumors going around the rink tonight to due with the new ownership group.

Top Player's: (Salmon Arm)

The line of Hudson Schandor (1 goal), Justin Wilson (1 assist) & Trevor Adams (1 assist) Was one of the more effective lines for the Silverbacks. All three were involved in the play, played very well in the loss.

The line of Nick Unruh, Aidan Jenner and Noah Wakeford was another line that played very well for Salmon Arm. Nick Unruh and Aidan Jenner had some looks/opportunities.

Andy Stevens (1 goal) Was the S'Backs best d-man scored the opening goal. A bigger kid, can skate, move the puck and plays at both ends of the rink. Was involved in the play offensively. Had a strong game.

Game Thought's: (Salmon Arm)

The Salmon Arm Silverbacks were the better of the two teams in the home & home series. I thought the Silverbacks had a little more size on Vernon in both games over the weekend, played with a lot of speed and were physical. The Apes took over the play in the 2nd and 3rd periods and carried most of the play for most of the night, minus the opening frame. I thought SA was strong on the puck, hard to knock off the puck, won the battles down low and were creating/generating chances. Salmon Arm was throwing pucks to the net, going to the grey area, looking for opportunities. The Backs didn't get much puck luck. A bounce here or there and this was a different outcome. Both teams scored once on the powerplay but it was the Silverbacks who had two great opportunities to win the game on the man advantage. The Apes with a late powerplay to finish the 3rd and start overtime couldn't capitalize before getting another PP in overtime and no result. I think this is a game Salmon Arm will be disappointed in, a game they should have won. Both Salmon Arm goaltenders weren't tested often weren't as busy as the two Vernon netminders. These two teams will meet six more times in the regular season. The next time the Backs and Vipers meet will be October 21st in Salmon Arm.

Scratches:

No scratches were announced

Three Star's:

1st Star: Teddy Wooding (1 goal & 1 assist)
2nd Star: Andy Stevens (1 goal)
3rd Star: Michael Young (1 goal)

Here are both team's rosters/lineup's

Vernon:

Nicolas Ardanaz D 02
Michael Young D 98
Austin Chorney D 00
Trey Taylor D 02
Nick Bolin F 01
Josh Prokop F 00
Ben Helgeson F 00
Nicholas Wildgoose F 99
Connor Marritt F 99
Jesse Lansdell F 98
Nick Teale F 02
Nick Cherkowski F 00
Teddy Wooding F 99
Brendan Kim D 00
Adojayi Ajayi F 01
Raj Sangha D 01
Coleton Bilodeau F 00
Elan Bar-Lev-Wise F 01
Aidan Porter G 99
Aidan Hosein G 99

Salmon Arm:

Julian Timba D 98
Cole Nisse D 01
Sam MacBean D 98
Ethan McLaughlin D 00
Olsen Werenka D 99
Aidan Jenner F 00
Yewta Plamondon F 01
Nick Unruh F 00
Tyson Gayfer F 00
Jon Krahn F 01
Trey Thomas F 99
Hudson Schandor F 00
Noah Wakeford F 00
Justin Wilson F 98
Logan Shaw F 00
Trevor Adams F 99
Andy Stevens D 98
Demetri Kambeitz F 98
Andrew Slobiski G 00
Zach Wickson G 99