Salmon Arm 4 Vernon 3 Overtime

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 games since the 1998-99 season. For anyone who couldn't attend or watch today's Vipers game, here are my thought's and view's from today's game. You may agree or disagree but we all have our own view and 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 this afternoon's Vipers-Silverbacks game as Salmon Arm defeated Vernon 4-3 in overtime in front of 1,015 fans at the Shaw Centre.

Starting Goaltenders:

Vernon: Aidan Porter
Salmon Arm: Ethan Langenegger

1st Period: The Vipers with a strong start to the game jumped on the Silverbacks off the opening faceoff. Just twenty seconds in Jagger Williamson tried getting in and around the Salmon Arm defence before driving to the net would be stopped in close before Connor Marritt would be denied in close on the rebound. Two good chances for Vernon and two big stops early from Ethan Langenegger. The Vipers with pressure early were physical laying out some solid checks in the opening few shifts. Four minutes in Noah Wakeford on a goal mouth scramble couldn't beat Aidan Porter in close on the Silverbacks first opportunity of the afternoon. Minutes later Ben Helgeson from behind the goal setup Alex Swetlikoff in front giving Vernon a 1-0 lead at 6:31 Helgeson drew the lone assist. Just over a minute later Jesse Lansdell laid out a big check just inside the Viper blueline would get an automatic ten minute misconduct and a blow to the head for the hit on Tyson Gayfer. Gayfer was down and stayed down until attended too by the trainer, looked a little woozy heading off the ice, went to the Silverbacks dressing room and didn't return to the game. The Vipers would kill off the penalty. Just after the penalty expired Ethan Langenegger was forced to make a quick reaction save with his right leg/pad off a shot from the point. Minutes later the Snakes would get their first powerplay of the game and capitalize. Connor Marritt gave Vernon a 2-0 lead at 14:55 Jagger Williamson collected the helper. On the following play Jonathan Krahn with a good look/opportunity couldn't solve Aidan Porter before John Little was stopped on the rebound. Two quality chances for the Gorillas. Inside the final two minutes Aidan Porter went down to make a save, looked to get either his blocker or goal stick caught on the net or up against a Viper defenceman. With Porter down Matthew Verboon spotted Trevor Adams alone in front cutting the Vernon lead to 2-1 at 18:26 Verboon & Hudson Schandor picked up the helpers. On the following shift Adams would be sent to the sin bin, giving the Vipers a late powerplay. Vernon with good pressure, had some good looks couldn't capitalize before the buzzer. It was 2-1 Vernon after 20 minutes of play. Like I said earlier the Vipers jumped on SA off the opening faceoff, were the more physical team early. Both teams were very evenly matched for most of the first half as the play went back and fourth. The Silverbacks responded and would eventually get some puck possession and have a bit of an edge in play but overall I thought both teams were very evenly matched. Salmon Arm outshot Vernon 14-9.

2nd Period: The Snakes started the middle frame on the man advantage that was carried over from the end of the 1st period. With not much time left on the PP the Backs would kill off the minor. Salmon Arm would catch the Vipers napping, sprung Trevor Adams out of the penalty box in for the breakaway but be denied by Vipers starting goaltender Aidan Porter. A big stop keeping this a one goal game. Shortly after Akito Hirose with a shot from just outside the circle forced Aidan Porter to squeeze the pads tight and hold on, made a tough save on a shot that just about got through the pads of Porter. A minute later Alex Swetlikoff would break in for the parcial breakaway couldn't beat Silverbacks starting netminder Ethan Langenegger. Not long after Viper captain Jagger Williamson would come in one on one would get a quality chance but Ethan Langenegger would come up with another big stop. The Vipers with back to back quality chances before jumping on an early powerplay. The Snakes couldn't capitalize as the Apes killed off the minor. About a minute after the penalty Ben Helgeson gives Vernon a 3-1 lead at 6:37 Coleton Bilodeau with the assist. With about seven minutes remaining Mitch Andres turned over the puck allowing Nick Unruh to steal the loose puck and go in for the parcial breakaway couldn't solve Aidan Porter. Minutes later Vernon would get into penalty trouble and give SA a lengthy two man advantage. It didn't take long for the Backs to reply. Aidan Porter made the first save couldn't handle the puck/shot with traffic in front the puck somehow found it's way into the back of the goal cutting the Vernon lead to 3-2 at 17:45 Nick Unruh would be credited with the goal. Unruh's goal was unassisted. The Vipers were forced to kill off the remainder of the second minor with the Silverbacks pressing for the game tying goal. Salmon Arm with some good looks/chances couldn't tie the game as the Snakes killed off the second penalty. It was 3-2 Vernon after 40 minutes of play. I thought the Vipers were the better team, carried the better of the play, had more puck possession and more quality chances. Vernon gives up another late goal to finish the period. Two late penalties cost the Vipers a goal late, allow SA to get back in the game and within a goal heading into the 3rd. The Gorillas couldn't score on two breakaways didn't get a lot of zone time. The Salmon Arm bench wasn't happy with the officiating as Scott Atkinson was chirping the officials all period. The Backs coaching staff had their arms up often letting the officials know. A very lively Salmon Arm bench. Shots were even 8-8.

3rd Period: The Snakes with a good start to the 3rd. Forty five seconds in, Jesse Lansdell spotted Alex Swetlikoff on the doorstep on an odd man rush. Swetlikoff couldn't get the puck up and over the right pad of Ethan Legenegger who made a huge save inside the opening minute. Minutes later Jesse Lansdell setup Connor Marritt on another Viper odd man rush but once again Ethan Legenegger with another big stop in close. The Snakes with two great chances to grab an early two goal lead. Shortly after Jagger Williamson with a good look/opportunity couldn't beat Ethan Legenegger. Vernon with good pressure looked good early. With about eight minutes left Teddy Wooding on an odd man rush. Wooding would be denied in close before Kjell Kjemhus couldn't bury the rebound on a goal mouth scramble. Ethan Lagenegger with another big stop, keeping the Apes in the hockey game. Minutes later Connor Marritt with a quality chance couldn't solve the Silverbacks goaltender. With just over five minutes remaining Salmon Arm would jump on the powerplay and capitalize. Nick Unruh's second goal of the afternoon tied the game 3-3 at 15:38 Aidan Jenner & Sam MacBean collected the assists. This was a big goal, bringing the crowd to their feet, brought some energy into the building and gave SA momentum. The Silverbacks seemed to build off this goal and took over the edge in play kept coming in waves. The Backs with several good rushes, lead the attack had some good looks late in the 3rd. With 2:13 left Jesse Lansdell would be penalized for interference on a call I don't agree with. With the Apes in control of the puck/play Lansdell was in front of Ethan Legenegger while the Salmon Arm defender was behind the goal with the puck. The Silverbacks goaltender looked to be lifting Lansdell's stick trying to knock it out of his hands. Lansdell turned his stick around got tangled up with Lagenegger's stick. It looked like the Salmon Arm goaltender through his stick in the air sending Lansdell to the box giving the Gorillas a late powerplay. The Backs with a ton of pressure either missed the goal or couldn't beat Aidan Porter. Jagger Williamson with two huge defensive plays cleared the puck out of the zone as the Vipers managed to escape and kill off the penalty just as the period ended. It was 3-3 after 60 minutes of play. I thought Vernon was the better team in the first half had several quality chances couldn't bury their opportunities. The Snakes had some great chances to jump ahead by two and couldn't capitalize, wich allowed the Apes back in the game. Ethan Langenegger was solid between the pipes keeping his club in the game. The Snakes really needed that fourth goal but couldn't capitalize on their chances. SA got some solid goaltending, didn't get a lot of quality chances, had some looks this period capitalized on a late powerplay to force overtime. I thought Vernon was the better team in the first half, but Salmon Arm was the better team in the second half. The Silverbacks gained a ton of momentum after tying the goal, fed off the crowd and energy in the rink. The Vipers looked to be out of gas late in the 3rd. Vernon outshot Salmon Arm 9-8.

Overtime: Off the opening puck drop the Vipers got a little careless with the puck, allowing Trevor Adams to steal the puck inside the Vernon blueline had a great chance to end the game couldn't beat Aidan Porter who made a huge stop just seconds into overtime. Both teams went back and fourth with no real chances. Both teams had puck possession but couldn't really get setup or find an open man to try and create/generate an opportunity. The Vipers would catch the Apes napping sprung Alex Swetlikoff in for the breakaway with two other Vipers following behind. Swetlikoff tried to deke out Ethan Lagenegger who made a solid stop on the breakaway keeping this game tied. Olson Werenka quickly turned the play around broke out on the two on one, setting up Hudson Schandor going to the net, giving Salmon Arm the 4-3 overtime win as a Viper went crashing hard into Porter and the Viper goal while the Backs bench erupted onto the ice. A big stop at one end of the rink, before the game winner right back the other way at the other end of the rink. Ethan Lagenegger skating up ice joining his team mates was taunting the Viper bench waving his arms in the air as he skated by. With the Vipers still sitting on the bench the Silverbacks skated towards centre ice to raise their sticks and salute the crowd, were taunting the Viper bench. Jagger Williamson looked to be chirping back while Trey Taylor took a good run towards the Backs bench before being stopped by a linesmen. Salmon Arm outshot Vernon 2-1.

Top Player's: (Vernon)

The line of Jagger Williamson (1 assist), Jesse Lansdell & Connor Marritt (1 goal) Played/looked very strong this afternoon. I thought this was one of the more dangerous lines for the Snakes.

Alex Swetlikoff (1 goal) Was also dangerous through out the contest, played very well. Had several good looks/chances. None better then his breakaway in overtime.

Elan Bar-Lev-Wise Also played well/looked good for most of the hockey game. Was strong in on the puck, strong on the forecheck and created/generated some plays inside the offensive zone.

Aidan Porter (28 saves) I thought played well through out the game. Had troubles controlling the puck, gave up some fairly big rebounds/second opportunities but otherwise was good. Made some big stops through out the game.

Game Thought's: (Vernon)

I thought the Vipers played very well for most of todays game. The Snakes had lots of puck possession and carried the play at times, had two goal leads twice blowing both teams couldn't get that much needed third goal. Vernon had more quality chances couldn't capitalize on their opportunities. Once again scoring was a problem for the Vipers. Vernon had several opportunities to put this game away and couldn't. The Vipers allowed the Gorillas back in the game and it cost them. Giving up the goal late towards the end of the 1st period and the goal late towards the end of the 2nd period as well as the late powerplay goal towards the end of the 3rd were all killers. These goals give the other team life heading into the next period. The Snakes played with the lead all afternoon, couldn't close the game out. This has been a big problem for the Vipers this season, holding onto leads and trying to close teams out with the lead. Even though Vernon lost the Vipers are looking & playing with a ton of more confidence, all four lines seem to be more involved in the games and the team is playing with more consistency the last three or four games. A big change from just a few weeks ago. I don't think the Vipers have had a full-healthy lineup yet this season, cant seem to shake off the injury bug. Landon Fuller returned to the lineup today after serving his five game suspension. Today's loss snaps the Vipers two game winning streak. The Snakes are 0-4 in overtime this season. Vernon has lost three of their last five games are 4-6 in their last ten games. Vernon has just one win away from home this season. With the loss the Vipers drop to 6-5-4-0 sit last in the division are tied in points with Wenatchee.

Top Player's: (Salmon Arm)

Olson Werenka (1 assist) I thought was one of if not Salmon Arm's better d-man today. Was involved in the play, carried the puck, was getting pucks to the net. Played well in the win. Saw a ton of ice time.

Nick Unruh (2 goals) Scored three goals in the win over Alberni Valley Friday was very good in the victory this afternoon.

Trevor Adams (1 goal) I thought was dangerous with the puck, played with a lot of jump/energy, was good through out the contest.

Ethan Legenegger (24 saves) Was the difference this afternoon. The Silverbacks goaltender kept his team in the hockey game, making several big stops through out the game. The Vipers had several quality chances could have easily put this game away if it wasn't for Legenegger. A bigger goaltender, covers a lot of the net, doesn't give up many if any second opportunities.

Game Thought's: (Salmon Arm)

This was a very exciting-entertaining hockey game this afternoon. Both teams looked even at times, but at times I thought the Vipers carried the edge in play, had more puck possession. The Silverbacks had spurts where they carried the play and looked good with the puck. I thought the Apes played very well at times, had trouble with Vernon's speed and skill against the rush. Ethan Lagenegger made several big stops keeping the Gorillas in the hockey game. Scott Atkinson and the Silverbacks bench weren't happy with the officiating were complaining to the referee's often in the 2nd and 3rd periods. When it looked like the Snakes may have had the Backs on the ropes Salmon Arm would get within a goal, getting back in the hockey game. SA would get a big goal late towards the end of each period to get back within a goal or the game tying goal in the 3rd. Salmon Arm had some quality chances but I didn't think nearly as many as Vernon. The Backs didn't have as much puck possession or offensive zone time as the Vipers, seemed to capitalize on their opportunities. The Backs had last night off, while the Vipers played at home, had the quick turn around this afternoon. Give the Apes credit, they hung around and didn't let Vernon pull away, managed to fight back and get the come from behind win. A very good turnout of Vipers fans today and a very good crowd for a Sunday afternoon game. I was very surprised to see that many people at the game today. The Silverbacks are an impressive 7-1-1-0 at home this season but 1-5-0-0 on the road. These two teams split a home and home pre-season series will meet again on Halloween in Vernon. With the win Salmon Arm improves to 8-6-1-0 move to 3rd in the Interior Division are tied in points with Penticton, West Kelowna & Trail.

Scratches:

Vernon:

Josh Latta
Logan Cash (Injured)
Sebastian Streu
Carver Watson

Salmon Arm:

Sol Seibel (Suspended)
Justin Wilson
Yewta Plamondon
Jarrod Semchuk

Energy Player of the Game:

Olson Werenka (1 assist)

Three Star's:

1st Star: Hudson Schandor (1 goal & 1 assist)
2nd Star: Ethan Langenegger (24 saves)
3rd Star: Alex Swetlikoff (1 goal)

Boxscore-Game Summary,

https://bchl.ca/stats/game-summary/8622

Game Report,

https://lscluster.hockeytech.com/game_reports/official-game-report.php?lang_id=1&client_code=bchl&game_id=8622

Text Boxscore,

https://lscluster.hockeytech.com/game_reports/text-game-report.php?lang_id=1&client_code=bchl&game_id=8622