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 two home games since the 2002-03 season. For anyone who couldn't attend or watch tonight's game online, 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 overtime in front of 1,169 fans at the Shaw Centre.

Starting Goaltenders:

Vernon: Aidan Porter
Salmon Arm: Ethan Langenegger

1st Period: The Silverbacks had some good jump off the opening faceoff. A minute into the frame Trevor Adams beat Aidan Porter but not the post as the Backs come within inches of opening the scoring before Matthew Verboon would be stopped in close on the second opportunity. The Silverbacks with two good chances in the opening minute of play. The Vipers pushed right back. Alex Swetlikoff with Vernon's first shot on goal on a shot from the circle, got the play in deep before the Vipers worked the puck around back to the point. Michael Young's shot beat Ethan Lagenegger giving Vernon an early lead at 1:27 Elan Bar-Lev-Wise and Alex Swetlikoff collected the assists. The Snakes continued to push after the goal and kept coming in waves with a ton of pressure in the offensive zone as it was all Vipers early. Five and a half minutes in, Nick Unruh beat Aidan Porter but rang his shot off the bottom of the post before Josh Latta come back the other way would be stopped in close before setting up Brendan Kim who's shot along the ice just missed the far corner. Chances at both ends of the rink. About two minutes later Vernon would get the games first powerplay but the Vipers struggled getting just a single shot as Salmon Arm killed off the minor. It was all Vipers the first half as the Snakes were outshooting the Apes 10-2 at the halfway mark. Just past the midway mark the S'Backs would get their first look with the man advantage and capitalize. Olson Werenka's point shot beat Aidan Porter five hole with traffic in front as the puck slowly trickled across the goal line, tying the game 1-1 at 11:54 Sol Seibel & Trevor Adams drew the helpers. Less then a minute later the Vipers would jump on the PP. Just seconds into the powerplay, Sebastian Streu rang his shot off the post. The Silverbacks with a fairly good penalty kill, looked to have most of the penalty killed off before Michael Young's blast from the blueline, found the back of the goal, giving Vernon a 2-1 lead with two seconds left in the powerplay at 14:32 Josh Latta and Mitch Andres picked up the assists. The Snakes went back to the powerplay about a minute and a half later couldn't capitalize with the man advantage, didn't record a single shot on goal as SA killed off the penalty. Just inside the final minute Coleton Bilodeau redirected a pass in front just missed the far corner as the Vipers with a quality chance late in the period. It was 2-1 Vernon after 20 minutes of play. The Apes come very close to opening the scoring a minute into the hockey game but the Vipers responded with a strong push back, never looked back as I thought Vernon was the better team for most of the opening frame. I thought the Vipers outplayed the Silverbacks the first half and had the better of the play in the second half. The Silverbacks had a little more puck possession in the second half but no real quality chances. The Vipers with just one shot in the second half of the period didn't get a lot of quality chances, did have good pressure in the offensive zone. Vernon outshot Salmon Arm 11-7.

2nd Period: The Vipers would jump on an early powerplay just thirteen seconds into the middle frame. But shorthanded the Backs lead the attack on an odd man rush setting up Noah Wakeford going hard to the goal forced Vernon Vipers starting goaltender Aidan Porter into making a highlight reel save with his goal stick, somehow managed to keep the puck out. Salmon Arm would kill off the minor. Minutes later Hudson Schandor alone in the high slot would be denied by Aidan Porter who made a difficult save, keeping this a one goal game. As the period continued the Silverbacks slowly started to carry the play. Aidan Porter had to be alert making several saves in the first half as the Gorillas had several good looks. Around the halfway mark SA would get just their second powerplay of the evening. A good PK from Vernon as the Snakes killed off the minor. With two minutes remaining Teddy Wooding on an odd man rush fired just wide of the goal on a missed opportunity, the Backs pushed back the other way, quickly turned the puck up ice forcing Aidan Porter into making a big stop before the Vipers quickly responded back the other way. This time Sebastian Streu lead an odd man rush would be denied by Silverbacks starting goaltender Ethan Langenegger. It was 2-1 Vernon after 40 minutes of play. I thought the Apes carried the better of the play and had more puck possession in the first half, while the Vipers responded and played a little better in the second half. I thought Salmon Arm had more looks-opportunities as Aidan Porter was solid between the pipes for the Vipers. The Backs really had their feet moving, were quick on the transition game, gave Vernon's defence troubles inside the offensive zone. Vernon outshot Salmon Arm 13-11.

3rd Period: Off the opening faceoff Mitch Andres lost the battle with the puck at the Salmon Arm blueline, giving the Backs an odd man rush back the other way. Jonathan Krahn kept and fired beat Aidan Porter short side, tying the game 2-2 at 0:27 Matthew Verboon and Sol Seibel picked up the assists. The Vipers responded quickly, Ben Helgeson come very close to giving Vernon the lead hit the post down low. Shortly after Josh Latta on a wrap around couldn't get enough on his shot was stopped by Ethan Langenegger. On another odd man rush Hudson Schandor gives Salmon Arm their first lead of the contest at 4:30 Matthew Verboon & Trevor Adams drew the helpers as the Shaw Centre came to life. SA with two quick goals early in the frame got the crowd into the game and gained some momentum. Minutes later Teddy Wooding in the slot fired high and wide of the goal on a missed opportunity. The Vipers now having all kinds of trouble getting through the neutral zone as the Silverbacks defence really stepped up their play shutting down Vernon's offence. Shortly after the Snakes would jump on the PP but struggled as the Apes killed off the minor. A minute later the Gorillas would head to the powerplay but the Vipers would kill off the penalty. Salmon Arm had several looks-opportunities couldn't capitalize. With two and a half minutes remaining the Snakes would get a late powerplay and get Aidan Porter to the bench with 1:20 left. Vernon would get the puck to the front of the net but couldn't beat Ethan Langenegger who come across the blue paint to make a large pad save before the Snakes had several cracks at the loose puck before former Salmon Arm Silverbacks forward Josh Latta put home the rebound at the side of the net tying the game 3-3 at 18:52 Alex Swetlikoff and Ben Sanderson drew the helpers. The Backs with some pressure late had some looks but no real quality chances before the buzzer. It was 3-3 after 60 minutes of play. The Silverbacks with two quick goals less then five minutes in tied the game before taking the lead as I thought Salmon Arm was the better team. The Gorillas carried the better of the play for most of the period. SA's defence was solid did a good job at boxing the Vipers to the outside, limiting their time and space. The Snakes with just a few opportunities had troubles getting through the neutral zone and generating/creating chances. The Apes playing with a ton of jump/energy looked hungry and quicker, had the momentum. Give the Vipers credit, they didn't quit, battled hard at the end to tie the game and earn at least a point. Salmon Arm outshot Vernon 14-10.

Overtime: Just seconds into overtime Nick Unruh on an odd man rush forced Aidan Porter into making a huge save early. Matthew Verboon with some slick hands went inside out on his defender before going in for the breakaway would be robbed in close after Aidan Porter was forced to stretch out his right pad to make the stop. Nick Unruh on his second chance of overtime couldn't solve Aidan Porter as the Backs were all over Vernon, skating circles around the Vipers. Vernon only managed to get out of their own end twice before Nick Unruh setup Olson Werenka on the overtime winner as the Silverbacks bench erupted onto the ice. Werenka at 4:29 of overtime gives Salmon Arm the 4-3 overtime victory. The Gorillas dominated overtime were all over the Snakes getting a ton of chances. Aidan Porter had to stand on his head making some large saves in the extra frame, keeping his team in the game. You could just feel the OT winner coming as Salmon Arm was swarming around the Viper goal. Salmon Arm outshot Vernon 6-2.

Top Player's: (Vernon)

Michael Young (2 goals) I thought played very well on the Vernon backend. Scored the Vipers first two goals was very strong at both ends of the rink.

Ben Helgeson Was announced in the building for scoring the Vipers game tying goal but it was clearly Josh Latta who scored the Vipers third goal. I thought Helgeson had a strong night, was hard in on pucks, fighting his way through traffic, worked/competed hard all evening, had some looks/chances. Hit the post just two minutes into the 3rd. One of the Vipers better forwards.

Josh Latta (1 goal & 1 assist) The former Salmon Arm Silverback had a strong night up front. I thought created/generated several quality chances, was making things happen. Skated hard, was generating chances through out the game.

Jack Judson Played well on the blueline. Very skilled with the puck, does a great job at holding onto the puck, waiting for his team mates to get setup before making that next pass/or play. A smart player who sees the ice well.

Aidan Porter (34 saves) Kept his team in the game at times and gave his team a chance to win. I thought was the busier of the two netminders in the 2nd period and obviously in overtime. Porter with a highlight reel save shorthanded in the 2nd period and then made several large saves in overtime.

Game Thought's: (Vernon)

I thought the Vipers were by far the better team in the opening frame, outplayed Salmon Arm. The Vipers played well in the second period but only in the second half before being outplayed in the 3rd. Vernon once again needs to be more consistent and play a sixty minute game. This could have easily been anyone's game and the Vipers could have easily won this game if they could have got that third goal to grab a two goal lead. Leading 2-1 the Snakes had several chances to pull away but once again struggled offensively. The Vipers seem to get a lot of chances but cant bury or capitalize on those opportunities. On most night's Vernon cant seem to score more then two or three goals a game. Lately it seems the Snakes have been leading hockey games most of the way, cant pull away, wich allows the opponents to come back to tie the game and then win the game. The Vipers really needed an insurance goal in the middle frame took a one goal lead into the 3rd and couldn't hold on. Giving up two back to back goals less then five minutes into the final frame. Give the Vipers credit, they battled back late to tie the game on the powerplay with the goaltender pulled for the extra attacker and gained at least a point. The Vipers haven't been very good this year playing with the lead in the 3rd period. Give the Snakes credit for playing disciplined and staying out of the penalty box. On the other hand the Viper powerplay struggled going 2-6. Vernon's powerplay has struggled all season. The Vipers scoring troubles continued tonight as Vernon has scored three goals or less in sixteen of their twenty three games this year. Vernon played with four regulars out of the lineup have played with a short bench most of this season. Injuries and suspensions have played a key role in the Vipers season so far. The Snakes have at least a point in nine of their last eleven games. The Vipers are 0-6 in overtime this year and 0-2 in the shootout. Vernon has just three wins on the road this year. With the loss tonight the Vipers have just two wins in their last nine games and six wins in their last twenty games. Vernon falls to 8-7-6-2 are 6th in the division two points up on Trail who they play Wednesday. A pretty good turnout of Vipers fans at tonight's game.

Top Player's: (Salmon Arm)

Olson Werenka (2 goals) I thought had a heck of a game on the Silverbacks blueline. Very steady through out the night, played well at both ends of the rink. Likes to get involved in the play.

Jonathan Krahn (1 goal) Played with some speed and energy, never quit skating.

Nick Unruh (1 assist) Played very well, played well against Vernon almost every time. Seemed to get better as the game continued. Had some looks through out the contest, was very dominate in overtime.

Matthew Verboon (2 assists) I really like this kid. Playing his first season with Salmon Arm is very dangerous. Can skate, move the puck and has some skill. Very hard to defend against. Goes to the net, works hard and never gives up. Always in and around the net.

Hudson Schandor (1 goal) Seems to always play hard against the Vipers. Had some looks/chances tonight, gave Salmon Arm their first lead of the game early in the 3rd.

Noah Wakeford (1 assist) Played well through out the hockey game. Not the biggest kid but played hard, goes to the net, can create/generate opportunities. Was robbed in the 2nd period on a shorthanded odd man rush.

Trevor Adams (2 assists) Another Silverback who seems to do well-play well against the Snakes. A veteran kid who hit the post just a minute into the hockey game, setup two goals, played well all night.

Andy Stevens played very well on the Backs blueline. The former Powell River Kings d-man was solid all night in the win.

Ethan Lagenegger (33 saves) Improves to 2-0 vs Vernon Played well between the pipes. Was sharp/played with confidence. A bigger goaltender, who covers a lot of the net, is hard to beat.

Game Thought's: (Salmon Arm)

The Silverbacks were outplayed for most of the 1st period managed to only be down a goal heading into the middle frame. Salmon Arm responded with a much better effort/performance in the 2nd period had several good looks/opportunities couldn't solve Aidan Porter. The Apes seemed to get better as the game went on and played very well defensively. SA's defence did a great job at shutting down Vernon's offence in the 2nd and 3rd periods, limited their time and space, kept the Vipers to the outside and away from the front of the net. Just like Vernon the Backs needed that insurance goal in the 3rd gave up a late powerplay goal to force overtime, managed to get the extra point in overtime with the victory. I thought Salmon Arm's veteran players come to play and played very well, were the Silverbacks better players and lead by example. The Apes played with speed, were clicking on their passes, played well on the penalty kill. Salmon Arm is 3-0 vs Vernon this year. Including the preseason, all five games with the Silverbacks and Vipers have either gone to overtime or the shootout. A great crowd turned out for tonight's game. Didn't make a lot of noise early but got into the game in the 3rd and then overtime. The S'Backs are now an impressive 10-1-1-0 at home. The Silverbacks have won six straight at home and eight of their last nine home games. Salmon Arm has been one of the hotter teams as of late, won five of their last six and seven of their last nine games. With the win Salmon Arm improves to 13-8-1-0 sit 4th in the Interior Division are one point up on Wenatchee and two points back of Penticton, Merritt & West Kelowna.

Scratches:

Vernon:

Jagger Williamson (Injured)
Jesse Lansdell (Suspended)
Logan Cash (Injured)
Carver Watson (Injured)

Salmon Arm:

Max Wutzke
Tyson Gayfer
Nikolas Sombrowski
Justin Wilson
Devin Chapman

Energy Player of the Game:

Wyatt Marlow

Three Star's:

1st Star: Olson Werenka (2 goals)
2nd Star: Hudson Schandor (1 goal)
3rd Star: Michael Young (2 goals)

Boxscore-Game Summary,

https://bchl.ca/stats/game-summary/8680

Game Report,

https://lscluster.hockeytech.com/game_reports/official-game-report.php?lang_id=1&client_code=bchl&game_id=8680

Text Boxscore,

https://lscluster.hockeytech.com/game_reports/text-game-report.php?lang_id=1&client_code=bchl&game_id=8680