Wednesday, October 31, 2018

Salmon Arm 4 Vernon 3 Shooutout

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 couldn't 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 have our own opinion on the game. I try to be unbiased and give a fare game recap from both sides. Thank you for stopping by and visiting my blog.

I was at tonight's Vipers-Silverbacks game as Salmon Arm defeated Vernon 4-3 in a shootout in front of 1,605 fans at Kal Tire Place.

Starting Goaltenders:

Vernon: Aidan Porter
Salmon Arm: Matthew Armitage

1st Period: Just over two minutes in the Vipers would get caught with too many men on the ice, giving the visiting Salmon Arm Silverbacks an early powerplay. The Silverbacks couldn't get control of the puck long enough to get any sustained pressure on the man advantage. In the dying seconds of the minor Elan Bar-Lev-Wise lead a two on one attack, tried setting up Sebastain Stru who couldn't connect on the pass on a missed opportunity. The Apes would get their first shot of the PP in the final few seconds as Vernon with a strong PK killed off the penalty. SA gained a little momentum off the powerplay and come back with a strong push back. The Silverbacks with good pressure in the offensive zone after the powerplay, had the Snakes hemmed in their own end in spurts before Matthew Verboon from behind the net setup Trevor Adams in front who snuck the puck between Aidan Porter's glove and the post, giving Salmon Arm a 1-0 lead at 6:23 Porter looked a little confused on how the puck ended up in the back of the goal. Verboon & Hudson Schandor collected the assists. Twenty seconds later the Apes went back to the powerplay. Another strong penalty kill from the Vipers, who took a lot of time and space away from the Silverbacks as Vernon killed off the minor. Salmon Arm had an edge in play in the first half but didn't really create/or generate much for offence. Early into the second half the Snakes would get a few flurries in and around the Gorillas goal but couldn't beat Matthew Armitage. Armitage looked a little shaky early on, allowed some big rebounds, had troubles handling/controlling the puck managed to make the initial first stop. With about five and a half minutes remaining Viper captain Jagger Williamson skated into the offensive zone ripped a shot from just over the blueline almost fooled Matthew Armitage. Armitage come way out of his crease to clear the puck as the puck took a bounce over his stick was forced to stick out his leg to make a quick reaction save with his left pad on a strange play that just about cost the Silverbacks a goal. On the following play the Backs would get their third powerplay of the evening. Once again another solid penalty kill from Vernon. SA had a few looks but the Vipers would kill off the penalty. The Snakes seemed to gain a little momentum off the PK and would slowly take over the edge in play towards the end of the period. The Vipers with late pressure would jump on a late powerplay, their first of the night. Just fifteen seconds in Carver Watson's shot from the blueline beat Matthew Armitage five hole tying the game 1-1 at 19:27 Jack Judson and Jagger Williamson drew the helpers. It was 1-1 after 20 minutes of play. I thought the Silverbacks had a bit of an edge in the first half, while the Vipers seemed to generate a little more puck possession and edge in play in the second half. Both teams didn't create/or generate any real quality opportunities in a tight checking game. The Snakes had a few flurries in and around the goal, didn't have any puck luck. Salmon Arm went 0-3 with the PP struggled with the man advantage. The Vipers penalty kill was very sharp. Matthew Armitage who had no name bar on the back of his jersey, looked shaky early, was having troubles controlling his rebounds. Vernon outshot Salmon Arm 15-7.

2nd Period: Just 1:30 into the middle frame the Vipers looked to be going on an early powerplay. Olson Werenka with a late hit inside in the Viper blueline was being called for interference before former Salmon Arm Silverbacks defenceman Landon Fuller raced after Werenka dropping his gloves, starting throwing bombs towards Werenka before a linesmen jumped in between. Fuller would get tossed from the hockey game, was given two minutes for instigating, five minutes for fighting and a game misconduct, while Werenka was given his original interference call, this putting Salmon Arm on an early five minute powerplay. Once again the Vipers PK was solid. The Apes with just four shots didn't really have any sustained pressure or quality chances couldn't capitalize. The Snakes with a great opportunity shorthanded. Kjell Kjemhus lead a two on one rush, took a shot that was stopped by Matthew Armitage but Teddy Wooding was a step behind the rebound as Vernon with a monster PK killed off the major, getting a loud cheer from the Viper faithful at Kal Tire Place. This was a huge boost for the Snakes who built off this and slowly took over the edge in play and game. With the Vipers pressing, just minutes later the Snakes would get just their second powerplay of the game. The Vipers struggled and couldn't get much of anything going as the Gorillas would kill off the minor. Just seconds after the penalty expired, The Vipers would head back to the PP. Olson Werenka with his third minor of the evening was hearing from the hecklers behind the sin bin. Werenka was being razzed all night from the Viper faithful. Vernon with a flurry of chances in and around the goal couldn't take the lead. Late in the man advantage, Josh Latta couldn't get the puck to go in on a goal mouth scramble in the dying seconds. The Silverbacks get some solid goaltending from Matthew Armitage. Mitch Andres would leave the Vipers bench with the team trainer and make his way down to the dressing room, would later return several minutes later but seemed to be ok and stayed in the hockey game. Vernon product Nick Cherkowski took a big check in front of the Viper bench and was a little slow/woozy getting up. Cherkowski was looked at on the bench, was also sent to the dressing room for some attention but would return a minute later and stayed in the game. Just over two minutes after killing off a penalty the Backs would head back to the sin bin as Vernon would get a lengthy five on three. Olson Werenka would get his fourth penalty of the night and sit out the remainder of the period after picking up a ten misconduct on the play as well. SA would kill off the first minor but couldn't hold the Snakes off the board on the second minor. Jagger Williamson setup Sebastian Stru who wired a lazer of a shot high top shelf past Silverbacks starting goaltender Matthew Armitage, giving Vernon a 2-1 lead at 17:01 Williamson with the lone assist. Just seconds after the goal, the Vipers would take a late penalty, sending the Backs to a late powerplay. The Vipers with a big penalty kill late would escape. It was 2-1 Vernon after 40 minutes of play. After killing off a five minute major early to start the middle frame the Vipers seemed to build off the PK and carried the better of the period. I thought Vernon was the better of the two teams, didn't get a lot of clean/quality chances had a ton of flurries and looks in and around the goal, managed a ton of puck possession and pressure in the offensive zone. The Silverbacks didn't have a lot of zone time, saw a lot of time in their own end, for a second straight period didn't generate enough quality opportunities. Lots of penalties in the 2nd period as specialty teams were busy in the middle frame. I thought both teams penalty kill was very good. The Gorillas with several big shot blocks on the PK. Matthew Armitage may have been lucky at times was good between the pipes for the Backs. Vernon outshot Salmon Arm 11-9.

3rd Period: The Silverbacks jumped on the Vipers early and often as Salmon Arm was first in on pucks, winning the battles/races, had a ton of jump/energy early. The Apes on a goal mouth scramble inside the opening minute come close to tying the game. It was all Salmon Arm early until Mitch Andres with a heavy shot from the point about seven minutes in forced Matthew Armitage into making a tough save with traffic in front. On the following shift Jagger Williamson wired a quick shot from just inside the blueline forced Matthew Armitage into making another big stop. Two back to back chances for Vernon. On the following play the Backs would head to the powerplay but unable to capitalize. Just seconds after the penalty expired the Silverbacks went back to the powerplay after the Snakes would lose Mitch Andres for the remainder of the period after picking up a blow to the head minor and an automatic ten minute misconduct. Salmon Arm with some looks couldn't capitalize again as the Snakes killed off the minor. With just over five minutes left the Vipers setup Teddy Wooding in front would be robbed by Matthew Armitage who made a quick pad save from in close, keeping this a one goal game. Back come SA the other way, on an odd man rush John Little through the puck out front from the corner, Jonathan Krahn redirected the puck past Aidan Porter tying the game 2-2 at 15:05 This was a goal I think Porter would like back. Little with the lone helper. Just over two minutes later Michael Young's shot looked to fool Matthew Armitage gave Vernon a 3-2 lead at 17:40 Elan Bar-Lev-Wise picked up the assist. Shortly after Hudson Schandor with a slick move breaking into the offensive zone, got behind the Vernon defence but was denied in close by Vipers starting goaltender Aidan Porter who come up with one of his biggest saves of the game. Mark Ferner and the Vipers would call a late timeout, before the Silverbacks tried getting Matthew Armitage to the bench for the extra attacker. Armitage was over halfway to the bench before quickly turning around dove towards the goal after Connor Marritt fired and somehow missed the open cage. Armitage would quickly make his way back to the bench for a second time, sending an extra man over the boards. I think it was Jagger Williamson but not 100% sure took a long shot from his own end missed the open cage, iced the puck forcing a faceoff deep in the Viper zone. With time winding down the Vipers back on their heels had troubles clearing the zone. SA with a ton of pressure had a flurry of chances in and around the top of the crease couldn't solve Aidan Porter who was forced to make at least two or three big stops in close before Matthew Verboon found the back of the net tying the game with just ten seconds left on the clock, as the Salmon Arm bench erupts. Verboon's goal was unassisted at 19:50 Aidan Porter quickly got up storming towards one official looking for goaltender interference. The two officials chatted in front of the penalty box but the goal stood as Porter was really giving it too one linesmen and one of the officials. It was tied 3-3 after 60 minutes of play. Down a goal heading into the final frame the Gorillas come out strong, jumped on the Vipers early and often looking for the game tying goal. The Silverbacks carried the play and had the edge in the game for most of the 3rd period. SA with a ton of jump/energy had a lot of pressure/zone time, had some good looks/chances at times were on the doorstep knocking. With just over five minutes left the Backs would tie the game late and it didn't look good for Vernon who eventually re-gained the lead minutes later, looked to come away with the victory. But after missing two open nets and not able to clear the front of the net/zone the Backs tied the game with just ten seconds left forcing overtime. The Vipers didn't look like the same team that played in the 2nd period. The Snakes had a few quality chances but no real sustained pressure all 3rd period. Shots were 11-11.

Overtime: Both teams went back and fourth early but neither team could spot a guy open. Just two minutes in former Vernon Vipers defenceman Sol Seibel cut towards the goal stretched out Aidan Porter looked to have a wide open cage but somehow the Viper netminder was able to stretch across and make a huge stop keeping this game tied. On the following play Trevor Adams walked in from the slot beat Aidan Porter but not the post as Salmon Arm come within inches of ending the hockey game. The Apes started to take over overtime before heading to the powerplay. SA would finish the extra frame on the man advantage had some good looks and a few opportunities couldn't put the Snakes away. It was tied 3-3 after 65 minutes of play. Salmon Arm outshot Vernon 4-2.

Shootout:

Vernon's Shooters:

1. Sebastian Streu (Stopped)
2. Jagger Williamson (Missed the net)

Williamson shot twice. On his first attempt the puck stopped before he regained control. On his way to the net the one official blew the play dead. As Williamson made his way back to the bench the officials awarded Williamson a second opportunity. Scott Atkinson wasn't too pleased with this call wanted an explination from the official. Williamson would miss the net on his second opportunity would hear it from the Salmon Arm bench as he skated by.

Salmon Arm Shooters:

1. Nick Unruh (Scored)
2. Matthew Verboon (Scored)

Top Player's: (Vernon)

Josh Latta I thought played with a lot of jump, facing his former team had some looks/chances, was skating hard, played hard all night.

Teddy Wooding I thought had some good looks-opportunities, played very well in the loss.

Jack Judson (1 assist) Had a strong night on the Viper blueline.

Elan Bar-Lev-Wise (1 assist) Made some plays happen, was strong on the puck, had some looks at times.

Game Thought's: (Vernon)

I thought the Vipers needed some time to get going, started rolling towards the end of the 1st period and continued their strong play into the 2nd period. A huge PK just 1:30 into the middle frame saw the Snakes kill off a five minute major, were the better team in the 2nd period but didn't look like the same team come the 3rd. Vernon didn't have that jump/energy were back on their heels a bit holding onto a one goal game. As Salmon Arm pressed you could see the tying goal coming. The Snakes aren't very good playing with a lead in the 3rd period. The Vipers give up the game tying goal with about five minutes left, regain the lead just minutes later and still cant hold onto the lead. I didn't think the Vipers played poorly they just cant score goals and its shown all season. I really liked Vernon's penalty kill and the powerplay looked ok at times. The Vipers didn't create/or generate many clean quality chances. Both teams didn't get many opportunities. The Snakes fired thirty nine shots towards Matthew Armitage, had a lot of flurries and ugly plays in front of the net, didn't get no puck luck tonight. Vernon with two shots at the open cage, both missing, would have sealed the victory. If the Snakes don't get someone in who can score goals or get the kids they have to start scoring more then two or three goals a game, this team wont go very far in the playoffs. Vernon cant score goals, they cant hold a lead and cant play sixty minutes. On paper this team looks pretty good but so far all I'm seeing this year is an average hockey team. They work and compete hard but the goals just aren't there. The Vipers are giving away these second points in overtime and the shootout wich will bite them in the end. Vernon is now 0-4 in overtime and 0-2 in the shootout. This is the second game this season the Vipers have given up a late tying goal in the dying seconds to force overtime. Since the 2016-17 regular season the Vipers are 10-1-2-1-1 vs Salmon Arm. Who picked to have a Vipers game on Halloween? Not the greatest night to have a hockey game. What's up with all the Wednesday games this year? The Vipers have another game next Wednesday. In all my years watching junior hockey in Vernon, I have never seen so many games on a Wednesday. The Vipers play ten games on Wednesday night's this year. The Vipers have at least a point in six straight games. Vernon has lost three of their last five games and six of their last ten have just five wins in their last fifteen games. With the shootout loss the Vipers fall to 7-5-4-2 move up to 5th place in the Interior Division are tied in points with Wenatchee & Penticton are two points up on Trail and three points back of West Kelowna & Salmon Arm. The Vipers are lucky the rest of the division is struggling-inconsistent or they may find them selves way worse then they are now. Things don't get any easier for the Vipers as they travel to Coquitlam Friday to face the 2nd place 13-6-1-0 Express. The Vipers play six of their next seven games on the road. This will be a huge test for this team and will really see what their made of.

Top Player's: (Salmon Arm)

Matthew Verboon (2 goals-1 assist) Tied the game with ten seconds remaining before once in the shootout. Played very well through out the night. Seems to find open ice and make the best of it.

Aiden Jenner I thought played a strong game for the Apes. This kid has some wheels, can move the puck and makes things happen. Played well.

Yewta Plamondon I thought played well for Salmon Arm. Didn't do anything fancy but did all the little things most fans don't see. Was very good most of the night.

Trevor Adams (1 goal) Didn't stand out the entire night but noticed him in spurts through out the game. Always dangerous with and without the puck. Plays very well against the Vipers. Quick and shifty with the puck. Very good skater.

Matthew Armitage (36 saves) Has no name bar on his jersey, looked a little shaky early but seemed to settle down as the game went on. Had troubles handling/controlling the puck, gave up a lot of second opportunities, is quick on his feet, very good handling the puck outside the crease. Isn't the biggest goaltender but battles and competes all night. Got some puck luck, made some big stops in the 2nd period with Vernon pressing.

Game Thought's: (Salmon Arm)

I thought the Silverbacks were good early on, carried the play at times didn't create/or generate much for offensive chances through out the night. The Gorillas played well for most of the first half of the opening period, were outplayed at times in the 2nd period didn't see a lot of offensive zone time. Down a goal heading into the 3rd give SA credit for stepping up their play. The Apes jumped on the Snakes early and often were strong on pucks, winning the battles/races looked hungry, playing with a ton of jump/energy. I thought Salmon Arm was the better team in the 3rd fully deserved the extra point. I thought the Backs struggled with the man advantage, were 0-7 on the powerplay. If the PP was clicking this game may have been over before going to overtime. I thought SA's penalty kill was good in the middle frame, blocked several shots. Both teams didn't get a ton of clean shots/grade a chances. This was a tight checking game as both teams had to earn their way to the front of the goal, and work hard for their goals. Salmon Arm was outshot in three of the four periods. Tonight was just the Silverbacks second win in Vernon in their last nine visits. Tonight was just Salmon Arm's second win on the road this season. The Backs are 2-6 away from home but 9-1-1-0 at home. The Apes have won three straight and six of their last ten games. With the victory the Silverbacks improve to 11-7-1-0 sit in 2nd place are tied in points with West Kelowna are one point back of Division leading Merritt. These two teams will meet again November 10th in Salmon Arm.

Scratches:

Vernon:

Jesse Lansdell (Suspended)
Brendan Kim
Logan Cash (Injured)
Trey Taylor

Salmon Arm:

Tyson Gayfer
Justin Wilson

Energy Player of the Game:

Carver Watson (1 goal)

Three Star's:

1st Star: Matthew Verboon (2 goals & 1 assist)
2nd Star: Michael Young (1 goal)
3rd Star: Trevor Adams (1 goal)

Boxscore-Game Summary,

https://bchl.ca/stats/game-summary/8648   

Game Report,

https://lscluster.hockeytech.com/game_reports/official-game-report.php?lang_id=1&client_code=bchl&game_id=8648

Text Boxscore,

https://lscluster.hockeytech.com/game_reports/text-game-report.php?lang_id=1&client_code=bchl&game_id=8648

Derrick Joins Vipers:

Goaltender Johnny Derrick has joined the Vernon Vipers.

Derrick attended the Vernon Vipers spring camp & training camp the past two years also played in some exhibition games before being cut/released.

Johnny Derrick's Player Profile:


This is posted on the Morning Star website:

Kevin Mitchell

Oct. 31, 2018 

Sports

The Vipers announced that 18-year-old Max Palaga has joined the Western League Everett Silvertips after his playing rights were moved from Kamloops to Everett in a trade. Palaga put up solid numbers in five starts with the Vipers, posting a 1.77 goals against average and a .943 save percentage with one shutout. He went 2-2-1.

Palaga, a Kamloops product, was 5-7-1 with the WHL Kamloops Blazers last year.

The Vipers have summoned Johnny Derrick, 16, from the West Vancouver Academy Prep team to back up starting goalie Aidan Porter.
Derrick, a 6-foot-2, 174-pounder, has a 2.58 GAA and .931 save percentage through seven games in the Canadian school academy league.




Midweek Matchup ‘Backs vs. Vipers:

This is posted on the BCHL website:

‘Backs vs. Vipers

October 31, 2018

Tonight – Salmon Arm Silverbacks (10-7-1-0) at Vernon Vipers (7-5-4-1)
7 p.m. at Kal Tire Place in Vernon
Presented by the BCIHL



Previous Meetings

Nick Unruh had a pair of goals and Hudson Schandor scored three minutes into the extra frame as the Silverbacks beat the Vipers 4-3 in overtime on Oct. 21. Vernon jumped out to a 2-0 lead on first-period goals from Alex Swetlikoff and Connor Marritt, but Trevor Adams replied for Salmon Arm before the intermission. Ben Helgeson put the Vipers up 3-1, but Unruh replied with one in the second and another with less than five minutes left in the third to force overtime. Silverbacks goalie Ethan Langenegger stopped 24 of 27 shots to earn the win.

Who’s Hot

Vernon’s Jagger Williamson has points in five straight games, piling up five goals and five assists over that stretch. His 11 points in 12 games this season are second-most on the team. Defenceman Jack Judson leads the Vipers in scoring with 14 points (3-11-14) and is tied for fifth in scoring among all BCHL defencemen. Vernon goalie Aidan Porter is tied for the ninth-best goals-against average in the league 2.69 and has a save percentage of .905 with two shutouts.

Salmon Arm forward Hudson Schandor has a point in four straight games. He’s tied for second in team scoring with 13 points along with Trevor Adams, Noah Wakeford and Akito Hirose. Matthew Verboon is the top scorer on the Silverbacks with 15 points (7-8-15) in 18 games. Salmon Arm goalie Ethan Langenegger has a record of 7-7-0 and is tied for ninth in the league with a .915 save percentage and has a 2.97 goals-against average.

What’s at Stake

Salmon Arm is tied with the West Kelowna Warriors for second place in the crowded Interior Division with 21 points. They are three back of the division-leading Merritt Centennials with two games in hand and are one point up on the Penticton Vees and the Wenatchee Wild.

Vernon is alone in sixth place with 19 points. They’re one up on the seventh-place Trail Smoke Eaters and only two points out of second.

From the broadcast booth:

Salmon Arm Silverbacks play-by-play broadcaster Ryan Lepper on goaltender Ethan Langenegger:

“18 games into the season, I would have to say he is an early front runner for team MVP. He has kept the team in every game he’s played and, just this weekend, made a number of highlight-reel saves.”

Lepper on the Silverbacks 4-3 OT win over the Vipers on Oct. 21:

“The Silverbacks were extremely resilient in the first game between the teams. Nick Unruh led the attack that night scoring the second and third goals of the game. It was a tight game and, with the chances Vernon had in the game, I would have to imagine they felt they missed out on what should have been two points.”

Lepper on the Silverbacks success so far this year, despite not having anyone in the top-40 in BCHL scoring:

“It has been a scoring-by-committee group this season for a very young forward core. Goaltender Ethan Langenegger has kept this team in so many games. The team has scored just 14 goals in 18 first periods this year, so Langenegger has had to be good in order to prevent them from getting down early. On defence, they have a relatively older group and I think that helps give them and their goalie a sense of calm on the ice. There is a good mix of gritty and skilled players on the back which gives the coaches a number of options to work with.”

Vernon Vipers play-by-play broadcaster Graham Turnbull on the Vipers strong defensive play so far this year:

“Head coach Mark Ferner’s teams have been notoriously stingy in previous years. They generally have a higher time of possession than the other team, the forwards are defensively responsible, the defenders have to move the puck quickly and they have good goaltending. When these things are applied, the goals against slow immensely and this has been a constant trend with the Vipers over the last handful of seasons.”

Turnbull on the Vipers slow start offensively:

“Health has been a big factor. This team has yet to ice its complete roster all year. When they have had good looks, they’ve tried to be too precise which causes them to miss the net. Also, this is a group that features rookies who are still learning the ropes at this level. The big focus has been to make the goalie make a save. When they put a strong focus on that, the pucks will start going in.”

Turnbull on tonight’s matchup against Interior Division rival Salmon Arm:

“Whether it’s September or February, division games are crucial. The Vipers have done a nice job of getting points, even in losing efforts, which has been important early on. With how tight the division is right now, every win is important, especially at home. These teams played 10 days ago and it was a feisty affair. That bodes well for the fans on Halloween.”


Game Preview: Salmon Arm @ Vernon:

Salmon Arm (10-7-1-0) @ Vernon (7-5-4-1) 7pm

Tonight is the second of six regular season meetings vs the Salmon Arm Silverbacks. The Silverbacks lead the season series 1-0

Last Game:

Saturday, October 27th Vernon defeated Alberni Valley 4-0
Sunday, October 28th Salmon Arm defeated Prince George 2-1

Next Game:

Friday, November 2nd Vernon @ Coquitlam
Saturday, November 3rd Salmon Arm @ Chilliwack

Vernon's record & stats vs the Silverbacks since 2002

Since the 2002-03 regular season Vernon is 58-40-12-6 vs Salmon Arm

Since the 2003-04 regular season Vernon is 26-18-6-2 at home vs. Salmon Arm

Since the 2003-04 regular season Vernon is 26-19-7-3 in Salmon Arm

The Silverbacks are 3-6-0-1 in their last ten games in Vernon

The Vipers are 6-2-1-1 in their last ten games in Salmon Arm

The Vipers last regular season win at home vs. Salmon Arm was a 6-3 victory on Friday, November 3rd 2017

The Silverbacks last regular season win in Vernon was a 4-3 victory on Saturday, December 30th 2017

The Vipers last regular season win in Salmon Arm was a 4-0 victory on Friday, December 29th 2017

The Silverbacks last regular season win at home vs. Vernon was a 4-3 overtime victory Sunday, October 21st 2018

Here's a look at this year's regular season series vs Salmon Arm

October 21st Vernon @ Salmon Arm: Silverbacks won 4-3 overtime
October 31st Salmon Arm @ Vernon
November 10th Vernon @ Salmon Arm
November 23rd Salmon Arm @ Vernon
December 16th Vernon @ Salmon Arm
January 11th Salmon Arm @ Vernon


Let's take a look at the Vernon Vipers: 

The 7-5-4-1 Vernon Vipers are coming off a 4-0 victory Saturday in Alberni Valley return home from a three game road trip. The Vipers went 1-0-1-1 collecting at least a point in all three games. The Vipers play six of their next eight games away from home. Vernon has won their last two home games, have lost three of their last five games on home ice. These two teams met just ten days ago in Salmon Arm. The Silverbacks won 4-3 in overtime October 21st in their first regular season meeting of the season. These two teams will meet again November 10th in Salmon Arm. Since the 2016-17 regular season the Vipers are 10-1-2-1 vs Salmon Arm. Jesse Lansdell is serving his third game of an eight game suspension. The Snakes enter tonight having at least a single point in five straight games. The Vipers have won three of their last five, have lost six of their last ten games. The Snakes have just five wins in their last fourteen games. Vernon sits 6th in the Interior Division are a point up on 7th place Trail are a single point back of Wenatchee & Penticton & only two points back of Salmon Arm.

Vernon Vipers Roster:


Jesse Lansdell (6-4-10) leads the team in goals with six, while Jack Judson (3-11-14) leads the team in points with fourteen

Austin Chorney played 72 games with the Salmon Arm Silverbacks (2017-2018) was traded to Vernon August 28 2018

Josh Latta played in 64 games with the Salmon Arm Silverbacks (2015-2017) was traded to Vernon December 29 2017

Landon Fuller played 25 games with the 2016-17 Salmon Arm Silverbacks

Kevin Kraus was an Assistant Coach with the 2013-14 Salmon Arm Silverbacks

Vernon Vipers 2018-19 regular season stats:

Games Played: 17
Wins: 7
Losses: 5
Overtime Wins: 0
Overtime Losses: 4
Shootout Wins: 0
Shootout Losses: 1
Home Record: 5-3-3-0
Road Record: 2-2-1-1
Overtime Record: 0-4
Record vs Interior Division: 5-4-1-0
Record vs Island & Mainland Divisions: 2-1-3-1
When the Vipers score first: 6-3-3-0
When the opponents score first: 1-2-1-1
Leading after the 1st period: 3-2-2-0
Tied after the 1st period: 4-2-2-0
Trailing after the 1st period: 0-1-0-1
Leading after the 2nd period: 6-2-4-0
Tied after the 2nd period: 1-1-0-1
Trailing after the 2nd period: 0-2-0-0
Out shooting opponents: 5-3-3-0
Out shot by opponents: 1-2-1-1
One goal games: 1-1-4-1
Goals for: 48
Goals against: 45
Standings: 6th Place (Interior Division)
Win-loss Streak: One game winning streak
Longest winning streak: Two games
Longest losing streak: Three games

Vernon Vipers Returning Players:

Jagger Williamson (98)
Connor Marritt (99)
Jesse Lansdell (98)
Alex Swetlikoff (01)
Coleton Bilodeau (00)
Josh Latta (98)
Michael Young (98)
Jack Judson (00)
Mitch Andres (98)

Vernon Vipers departed & traded players from last years team:

Brett Stapley (99)
Derek Brown (97)
Keyvan Mokhtari (98)
Josh Prokop (00)
Jordan Sandhu (99)
Niko Karamanis (98)
Jimmy Lambert (97)
Michael Ufberg (97)
Cameron Trott (97)
Shane Kelly (97)
Chris Jandric (98)
Anthony Yamnitsky (97)
Ty Taylor (99)

Vernon's home record vs Salmon Arm this year:

0-0-0-0

Vernon's road record vs Salmon Arm this year:

0-0-1-0

Vernon's scoring leaders vs Salmon Arm this year:

Ben Helgeson (1-1-2)
Alex Swetlikoff (1-1-2)
Jagger Williamson (0-1-1)
Connor Marritt (1-0-1)
Jack Judson (0-1-1)
Brendan Kim (0-1-1)
Coleton Bilodeau (0-1-1)

Aidan Porter (0-1 Record)



Let's take a look at the Salmon Arm Silverbacks:

The 10-7-1-0 Salmon Arm Silverbacks make their first of three regular season visits to Kal Tire Place are coming off a 2-1 victory Sunday over the visiting Prince George Spruce Kings. The Apes have just one win in Vernon in their last eight games at Kal Tire Place. The Silverbacks lost 3-2 in Vernon in a shootout during the preseason September 1st split a home and home exhibition series vs the Vipers. The Silverbacks return to Vernon November 23rd. Tonight's the first game of a three game road trip, where the Backs have just one win on the road this season, are 1-6 away from home. The Backs only win on the road this year was a 6-3 victory over Victoria September 21st in Chilliwack at the BCHL Showcase. Salmon Arm has won back to back games, have won four of their last five and won six of their last ten games. Salmon Arm sits 2nd in the Interior Division are a point up on Penticton & Wenatchee are two points back of West Kelowna & three points back of division leading Merritt.

Salmon Arm Silverbacks Roster:


Trevor Adams (8-5-13) leads the team in goals with eight, while Matthew Verboon (7-8-15) leads the team in points with fifteen

Sol Seibel played in 76 games with the Vernon Vipers (2015-2018) was traded to Salmon Arm January 8 2018

Salmon Arm Silverbacks 2018-19 regular season stats:

Games Played: 18
Wins: 10
Losses: 7
Overtime Losses: 1
Home Record: 9-1-1-0
Road Record: 1-6-0-0
Goals for: 53
Goals against: 56
Standings: 2nd Place (Interior Division)

Salmon Arm Silverbacks Returning Players:

Nick Unruh (00)
Hudson Schandor (00)
Noah Wakeford (00)
Justin Wilson (98)
Trevor Adams (99)
Sol Seibel (99)
Akito Hirose (99)

Salmon Arm Silverbacks departed and traded players from last years team:

Julian Timba (98)
Rhett Kingston (97)
Grayson Constable (98)
Tanner Campbell (97)
Logan Mostat (97)
Trey Thomas (99)
Brandon Whistle (97)
Demetri Kambeitz (98)
Austin Chorney (00)
Max Wutzke (99)
Joseph Leahy (97)
Riley Hayles (98)
Ryan Hogg (98)
Reid Cooper (98)
Kyle Dumba (98)

Salmon Arm's home record vs Vernon this year:

1-0-0-0

Salmon Arm's road record vs Vernon this year:

0-0-0-0

Salmon Arm Silverbacks scoring leaders vs Vernon this year:

Akito Hirose (0-3-3)

Nick Unruh (2-0-2)

Trevor Adams (1-1-2)

Olson Werenka (0-1-1)
Matthew Verboon (0-1-1)
Aiden Jenner (0-1-1)
Hudson Schandor (1-0-1)
Andy Stevens (0-1-1)

Ethan Langenegger (1-0 Record)

Vipers Scare Up Surging Silverbacks Tonight:

This is in todays Morning Star Newspaper:

Vipers scare up surging Silverbacks tonight

Kevin Mitchell

Oct. 31, 2018

Local Sports

The Vernon Vipers have pocketed points in their last five B.C. Hockey League games, setting up a key Hallowe’en spooktacular game with the Salmon Arm Silverbacks at Kal Tire Place.

The Vipers lost 3-2 in a shootout to the Powell River Kings Friday night and finished their short road trek by shutting down the Alberni Valley Bulldogs 4-0 Saturday night.

Vernon is 7-5-4 and sixth in the crazy tight Interior Division, two points back of the Silverbacks and West Kelowna Warriors and one point behind the Penticton Vees and Wenatchee Wild. The Trail Smoke Eaters are last, one point back of the Vipers.

Teddy Wooding scored his fourth of the season as he poked a loose puck home at the side of the Bulldog goal at 2:42 of the second period before 1,107 fans at Weyerhaeuser Arena. Just 65 seconds later, Nick Cherkowski tipped in a Coleton Bilodeau shot for his first BCHL goal. Both players are Vernon minor hockey graduates.

Captain Jagger Williamson kept the puck on a 2-on-1 and ripped home his fifth of the year to make it 3-0 two minutes later, assisted by Josh Latta. Williamson’s snipe chased starter Cole Demers, who was replaced by John Hawthorne.

Newbie Ben Sanderson hung on to the puck on another odd-man rush and scored his first goal as a Viper to make it 4-with 44 seconds left in the second stanza. D Michael Young earned the assist.

Things got chippy in the third as Alex Swetlikoff tangled with Spencer Hora of the Dawgs 3:52 into the period.

The Vipers killed off four Bulldog powerplays in the period. Vernon outshot Alberni Valley 42-26 with Aidan Porter recording his second shutout of the season. The Dawgs fell to 7-10-1, third in the Island Division.

On the Sunshine Coast, Williamson (8th) beat Hayden Missler with 23 seconds left in regulation to force overtime. Vernon goalie Max Palaga was on the bench for a sixth attacker.

Mitch Williams and Nathan Fawcett scored for the Kings in the shootout, while Williamson and Sebastian Streu missed on their attempts.

The Kings won their first shootout of the season, the last team in the BCHL to do so, while Vernon fell to 0-5 in the shootout before 950 fans at Hap Parker Arena.

Former Viper Ryan Brushett earned the first star with his eighth goal of the year and one assist for Powell River. Brushett pulled the hat trick and the first star last season in a win with the Surrey Eagles, shortly after he was traded by the Vipers.

Fawcett also converted in regulation as the Kings improved to 11-6 and second spot in the Island Division.

Streu rang up his second of the year for the Vipers, who were outshot 35-26. Vernon played the weekend without sniper and alternate captain Jesse Lansdell (suspended).

The Chilliwack Chiefs brushed back the Cowichan Valley Capitals 3-2 Sunday and are No. 1 in the league at 15-6.

In other Sunday play, the Silverbacks upended the Prince George Spruce Kings 3-2, while the Victoria Grizzlies dispatched the Eagles 6-2.

In Saturday tilts, West Kelowna stopped Penticton 5-3 before 3,141 fans at the South Okanagan Events Centre, Salmon Arm bottled up Trail 4-2, Powell River defeated Nanaimo 4-1, Merritt stuffed Victoria 4-2, Coquitlam Express toppled the Caps 5-2, Prince George beat Wenatchee 4-1 and Chilliwack shaded Langley 5-4.

In Friday action, West Kelowna grounded the Silverbacks 4-1, Wenatchee ambushed the Caps 8-1, Alberni Valley blanked the Nanaimo Clippers 8-0, the Penticton Vees mauled the Cents 6-1, Surrey doubled the Langley Rivermen 4-2 and Prince George iced the Smokies 5-2.