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