I was born and raised in Vernon and been following/watching Junior hockey in Vernon my entire life. I have had season tickets since 1990 and only missed four Vipers home games since 2004. In the past thirty year's I have only missed 45 home games. 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 professional and 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 exhibition game as Salmon Arm defeated Vernon 4-2 in front of about 450-500 fans at Kal Tire Place. No final attendance was announced.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon: Dawson Pelletier
Salmon Arm: Dylan Kruss
1st Period: The Vipers with a strong opening shift off the faceoff were up 2-0 in shots early before Holden Knights spotted Coalson Wolford who cut across the middle of the hash marks before ripping a quick shot short side past Dawson Pelletier on the Silverbacks first shot of the night, giving Salmon Arm a 1-0 lead at 2:09 Knights & Logan Shaw drew the assists. Two minutes later Connor Sleeth alone at the side of the goal, just missed the far corner on a quality chance from the Snakes. Vernon now in full control are dominating the game early in puck possession before tying the game. Connor Sleeth ties the game at 1-1 at 6:51 Landon Fuller and Logan Cash picked up the helpers. Off the following faceoff Jo Jo Tanaka-Campbell tried setting up Nick Cherkowski driving up the middle, couldn't connect on the pass. Just before the halfway mark a shot from the circle handcuffed Dawson Pelletier who couldn't control the puck before losing sight of the puck as it rolled through the blue paint and out the other side, luckily for Pelletier no Salmon Arm Silverbacks forward was near or this could have been an easy tap in. On the following play/shift Vernon product Nick Cherkowski with two quality chances, couldn't beat Dylan Kruss. The Snakes kept pressing and on a goal mouth scramble couldn't solve Kruss at the midway mark. The Vipers with several good looks/chances. With about seven minutes remaining Landon Fuller coughed up the puck at his own blueline, allowing Holden Knights in for the breakaway but would be stopped in close by Dawson Pelletier. On the following shift/play the Vipers gave up an odd man rush, allowing Daniel Rybarik to beat Dawson Pelletier short side on a shot I think Pelletier would like to have back. Salmon Arm was up 2-1 at 14:27 Antonio Andreozzi collected the lone helper. Minutes later Vernon would jump on the games first power play but couldn't capitalize with the man advantage. The Silverbacks would get a late PP there first of the evening. The Backs would run out of time before the final buzzer. It was 2-1 Salmon Arm after 20 minutes of play. I Apes may hold a one goal lead but the Vipers were by far the better of the two teams and dominated most of the play this period. Vernon carried the better of the play for most of the opening twenty minutes. The Snakes had a ton of looks/opportunities but only managed one goal. The Gorillas didn't see a lot of time in the offensive zone, but when they did manage to get into the Vipers end, they scored on there chances. The Silverbacks saw a lot of action in their own end, were chasing the puck/Vipers and had trouble with Vernon's aggressive forecheck. Vernon outshot Salmon Arm 14-7.
2nd Period: The Backs started the middle frame on the man advantage that was carried over from the 1st period. The Vipers would kill off the remainder of the penalty. Shortly after the penalty expired, about three minutes in, SA on an odd man rush, couldn't beat Vernon Vipers starting goaltender Dawson Pelletier on a chance in front with several bodies driving to the goal. Just over two minutes later, Daniel Rybarik on an odd man rush, couldn't solve Dawson Pelletier. Two back to back stops for the Snakes netminder early into the 2nd period. Shortly after the Apes would get into penalty trouble. The Vipers would get a shortened two man advantage. Jason McKee and the Snakes would call a timeout. Salmon Arm would kill off the first power play, before returning forward Ben Helgeson looked to tie the game 2-2 on the power play. Helgeson's shot from the low circle beat Salmon Arm Silverbacks starting netminder Dylan Kruss looked to go off the post and under the crossbar before coming back out. The goal light come on, but the referee waived off the goal as play continued. Viper fans were irate as was the goal judge, who was waving his arms. The Gorillas managed to escape and kill off the remainder of the minor, would kill off the two man advantage, keeping this a one goal game. Minutes later Brendan Kim on an odd man rush couldn't get enough on the pass, on what looked like a sure goal on a missed opportunity. On the following play/shift Vernon would head back to the PP, there third of the period. Connor Sleeth's quick shot from the circle would be snagged out of mid air after Dylan Kruss flashed the leather, making a nice glove save. On the same power play Nick Kent with a shot from the backend got through traffic, beat Dylan Kruss but not the crossbar as the Vipers come very close to tying the game. Salmon Arm would escape and kill off the minor. Minutes later towards the end of the frame, Coalson Wolford tripped Logan Cash who went hard into the end boards, and stayed down. Cash looked to be in discomfort holding his one leg. Cash needed help off the ice from the Vipers trainer and didn't return. The Snakes went back to the power play but again couldn't capitalize as SA killed off there fourth minor of the period. In the dying seconds returning forward Noah Wakeford on a parcial breakaway would be denied by Dawson Pelletier. Off the following faceoff Zach Gabruch setup Akito Hirose, giving Salmon Arm a 3-1 lead at 19:57 Gabruch picked up the assist. It was 3-1 Salmon Arm after 40 minutes of play. For a second straight period Vernon was the better of the two teams. The Snakes carried the better of the play, once again had several good looks/chances, didn't get any puck luck. The Vipers with a goal that looked like was in but was waived off, also hit the crossbar. Vernon goes 0-4 on the PP this period. The Apes for a second straight period didn't have a ton of puck possession or zone time but did manage a few good looks/quality opportunities. The Silverbacks caught some breaks but give credit to the PK and Dylan Kruss who were solid. The Gorillas with a huge goal in the dying seconds, gives them a two goal lead on the road. A back breaker for the Vipers. Vernon outshot Salmon Arm 19-10.
3rd Period: The Vipers started the final frame with Ross Hawryluk between the pipes who replaced Dawson Pelletier. Pelletier gave up three goals on seventeen Salmon Arm shots after two periods of play. The Backs jumped on Hawryluk and the Snakes off the opening faceoff. Noah Wakeford with a ton of hustle, caught Hawryluk out of position and the Vipers defence standing still. Wakeford had all day to score on the wrap around, hitting the open cage, giving Salmon Arm a 4-1 lead at 0:16 Wakeford's goal was unassisted. This goal took the life out of Vernon who was caught standing around. Shortly after the Vipers tried setting up returning forward Ben Sanderson going to the net, shot high and over the goal, on a missed opportunity. Five minutes into the final frame the Silverbacks would get an early power play, just there second of the contest. Salmon Arm with a few good looks couldn't capitalize with the man advantage. About a minute after killing off the minor, the Snakes got to within two goals after Jo Jo Tanaka-Campbell beat Dylan Kruss down low, cutting Salmon Arm's lead to 4-2 at 8:13 Kruss and the Backs complained about goaltender interference as Tanaka-Campbell was at the top of or inside the blue paint, was very close to bumping the Silverbacks netminder, but the goal stood. Just before the halfway mark tempers heated up in a scrum inside the SA blueline, with everyone getting involved. Dylan Kruss didn't like traffic in and around his crease, took a shot at a Viper player tied up in the scrum. Lots of pushing and shoving as the teams went to four on four with each team getting a minor penalty. Shortly after the Vipers with a quick shot from the blueline, found it's way through traffic grazed the crossbar and up into the netting as Vernon come within inches of getting to within a goal. With time winding down and no a factor in the game, the Vipers had troubles getting Ross Hawryluk to the bench for the extra attacker as Salmon Arm with an aggressive forecheck held the Snakes inside their own blueline. Vernon having all kinds of trouble getting out of there own end as the Backs with a solid defensive game late in the contest. The Vipers were finally able to get the puck deep into the Apes end, getting a stoppage in play and getting Ross Hawryluk to the bench for the extra attacker with about fifty two seconds left. Vernon couldn't really muster any quality chances as SA kept the Snakes to the outside winding down the clock. With a long shot from well inside their own end, the Gorillas tried a shot towards the open cage before the final buzzer. Salmon Arm would come away with the 4-2 victory. Giving up a late goal with just seconds left in the 2nd period, and then giving up an early goal, just sixteen seconds into the 3rd cost the Vipers. The Backs fourth goal took the life out of the Snakes and Vernon didn't have the same jump/drive they played with in the first two periods. Up by three goals it looked more like a pond hockey game at times. The Silverbacks with a solid defensive game in the final twenty minutes, played well. Neither team really had many chances or a ton of pressure. Vernon outshot Salmon Arm 8-7.
Top Player's: (Vernon)
Ryan Shostak Didn't put up any points but played with a lot of hustle, didn't quit skating and played hard all game. Very quick on his feet, likes to get involved.
Ben Sanderson Was another Viper forward who played with a lot of jump/energy, didn't get on the score sheet but had a strong game. Was aggressive, trying to create/& or generate chances, quick on his feet, was hard to defend against. Gave Salmon Arm's defence troubles.
Jo Jo Tanaka-Campbell (1 goal) I thought played well and had a strong game.
Nick Cherkowski Was another kid who played hard, had lots of jump/energy. I thought was the best Viper in the 1st period, had lots of looks/chances in that first twenty minutes.
Connor Sleeth (1 goal) Has some speed and skill, and showed it tonight. Was dangerous with the puck.
Game Thought's: (Vernon)
I thought the Vipers were by far the better team tonight. Maybe not so much in the 3rd period but dominated the first two periods. The scoreboard may not have shown that but it was all Vernon in the 1st and 2nd periods. The Snakes had all kinds of chances, didn't have any puck luck. Vernon had a ton of puck possession and offensive zone time in the first two periods. The Vipers are quick this year and showed it tonight. I was very impressed with there passing tonight, with only playing there third pre-season game. I liked there breakout and aggressive forecheck. It seemed like the Vipers would carry the play for several minutes, get all kinds of shots & opportunities but couldn't score. Back come Salmon Arm and score on one shot/one opportunity. Vernon needed to capitalize on the powerplay in that second period. The Apes got into penalty trouble and the Vipers didn't capitalize. The Snakes ran into a hot goaltender but also giving up the 3rd goal in the dying seconds of the 2nd period and the 4th goal sixteen seconds into the 3rd period were back breakers. Both goals took the life out of the team and they just couldn't recover afterwards. Vernon didn't look like the same team after giving up the 4th goal early into the 3rd. I thought both Vipers goaltenders looked average tonight. I heard the Vipers will be making there final three cuts after tonight's game. One goaltender and two forwards will be cut and the Vipers will be down to 23 players heading into Sunday's game vs Brooks. The Vipers & Silverbacks will meet six more times during the regular season. With the loss Vernon falls to 1-2-0-0 and will play there final pre-season game Sunday afternoon vs the Alberta Junior Hockey League Brooks Bandits.
Top Player's: (Salmon Arm)
Holden Knight's (1 assist) I thought was very good. Very quick, had to contain, was good at both ends of the rink. Gave the Snakes troubles most of the night.
Akito Hirose (1 goal) I thought played very well. Was involved in the play, was one of the stronger players.
Jayden Price Played hard, Played very well in the win.
Dylan Kruss (40 saves) Was the difference in the hockey game. Was very good through out the first two periods. Got some bounces go his way but was solid between the pipes. Gave his team a chance to win. Not the biggest goaltender but played big. Didn't allow many rebounds.
Game Thought's: (Salmon Arm)
The Silverbacks played/and looked much better Wednesday night at home in a 5-4 overtime loss to the Vipers. The Backs were outplayed and outworked for the first two periods. The Apes saw a lot of action in there own end most of the 1st period. The Silverbacks had all kinds of trouble with Vernon's speed and aggressive forecheck. SA heavily relied on goaltender Dylan Kruss in the first two periods. The Backs didnt have a lot of puck possession or zone time in the 1st and 2nd periods but capitalize on there chances. Give credit to Salmon Arm who got two huge timely goals late in the 2nd period and early into the 3rd. The Apes defence played very well in the final frame, shutting down the Snakes offence, taking away there speed and hemming Vernon in there own end at times. The Gorillas didn't deserve to be in this game, but they were and took advantage of some solid goaltending and key goals. I was also impressed with the Silverbacks PK. Salmon Arm caught the breaks and had the puck luck going there way. I was surprised not too see more Silverbacks fans in attendance tonight. Only saw the odd one here and there. One of the linesmen tonight was a female. I counted five Salmon Arm players sitting in the crowd. With the win Salmon Arm finishes the pre-season at 2-0-2-0 and will open the 2019-20 regular season September 8th vs the visiting West Kelowna Warriors.
Scratches:
Vernon:
No scratches were announced
Salmon Arm:
No scratches were announced
Energy Player of the Game:
No player was announced
Three Star's:
No three stars were handed out
Boxscore/Game Summary,
No boxscore/or game summary was available
Here are both teams rosters/lineups,
Vernon:
Goaltenders:
Dawson Pelletier 01
Ross Hawryluk 01
Defence:
Trey Taylor 02 (Returning from last season)
Keigo Hachisuka 01 (Recruited/Committed)
Nick Kent 01 (Acquired in an off season trade with the Buffalo Jr. Sabres)
Christian Felton 00 (Recruited/Committed)
Brendan Kim 00 (Returning from last season)
Landon Fuller 99 (Returning from last season)
Forwards:
Connor Marritt 99 (Captain/Returning from last season)
Ryan Shostak 01 (Recruited/Committed)
Curtis Hammond 01
Jack Glen 01 (Owner's son)
Hudson Foley 02
Ben Helgeson 00 (Returning from last season)
Ben Sanderson 00 (Returning from last season)
Jo Jo Tanaka-Campbell 01 (Recruited/Committed)
Nick Cherkowski 00 (Returning from last season)
Colby Feist 02
Connor Sleeth 99 (Acquired in an off season trade with Kanata Lasers)
Logan Cash 00 (Returning from last season)
Salmon Arm:
Goaltenders:
Ethan Langenegger 00 (Returning from last season)
Dylan Kruss 01
Defence:
Kieran Ruscheinski 01
Hunter Sansbury 00
Noah Lugli 99
Akito Hirose 99 (Returning from last season)
Zach Gabruch 01
Forwards:
Holden Knights 01
Drew Bennett 00
Simon Tassy 01
Logan Shaw 00 (Returning from last season)
Trevor Adams 99 (Returning from last season)
Josh Zinger 01
Antonio Andreozzi 00
Daniel Rybarik 99
Coalson Wolford 01
Noah Wakeford 00 (Returning from last season)
Sam Schofield 02
Jarod Semchuk 02 (Returning from last season)
Jayden Price 01
Please feel free to leave a suggestion or comment below, in the comment box at the bottom of this post. I always enjoy and will post all comments. Thank you for your comments and visiting my blog.
Here are some photo's I took from tonight's game,
2 comments:
This is posted on the Vipers website:
Vipers Drop 4-2 Decision To Salmon Arm
August 30, 2019
Vernon, BC: The Vipers had a lot of good looks and plenty of shots at the Salmon Arm goal, but could only find the back of the net twice as they fell 4-2 in game 3 of preseason action.
The Backs struck first on their first shot of the game as Coalson Wolford cut across the slot and released it just inside the near post on Dawson Pelletiers glove side to make it 1-0. Connor Sleeth drew the game even with his second consecutive goal dating back to the OT winner of Wednesday night. Daniel Rybarik gave the Backs the lead back with 5 minutes and change remaining in the first period making it 2-1 after 1 period. The shots favoured the Vipers 14-7.
The Vipers dominated the time of possession in the second period. Most of that was from the powerplay opportunities which counted at 4. The powerplay looked dangerous but had some misfortune as they clanked a pair of goal posts. The Vipers peppered the Salmon Arm net with 19 shots, but couldn’t find the mesh. Akito Hirose rifled home a goal with just seconds left in the period to give the Backs a 3-1 lead after 2 periods.
Just 16 seconds into the third period Noah Wakeford made it 4-1 after a wrap around. JoJo Tanaka-Campbell scored 8 minutes into the period to make it 4-2 after poking home a loose puck in front of the net. Despite the 41 shots at the goal, it would be the Backs earning the split of the home and home set with the final buzzer sounding.
“There were some missed opportunities tonight offensively that I would have liked our group to finish,” says Head Coach and GM of the Vipers Jason McKee. “I didn’t think we engaged enough in the hard areas of the ice and we need to be more committed and competitive in battle situations.
The Vipers roster now sits at 25 with one preseason game remaining.
The defending National Champion Brooks Bandits make a visit to Kal Tire Place on Sunday afternoon at 2pm.
This is posted on the Silverbacks website:
Backs Finish Off Pre-Season By Doubling Up Vipers
August 31, 2019
Salmon Arm B.C. — The Salmon Arm Silverbacks edged the Vernon Vipers 4-2 on Friday night at Kal Tire Place in their final exhibition game. They finish the pre-season with a record of 2-0-2.
GAME SUMMARY
Just like Wednesday, it didn’t take long for the Silverbacks to find the back of the net. This time, on his first shift of the pre-season, forward Coalson Wolford ripped a wrist shot perfectly into the top corner right from the slot just over two minutes into the game. Logan Shaw dropped the pass for Wolford, while Holden Knights also drew an assist on the play.
A few minutes later, Viper forward Connor Sleeth made good on a second opportunity from the slot after his first one was blocked. He beat Backs’ goaltender Dylan Kruss over the glove to tie the game 1-1.
Not long after the game was all knotted up, Daniel Rybarik made good on an odd-man rush by firing a shot short-side from the face-off dot that beat Dawson Pelletier. Rybarik’s third of the pre-season was unassisted. The Backs’ went into the intermission up 2-1, despite trailing in shots on goal 14-7.
The second period was filled with Silverbacks penalties, as they killed off four in total, including a 19-second 5-on-3. Kruss was busy in the crease, making 19 saves in the second period. With 3.3 seconds to go in the middle frame, Akito Hirose went to work, getting free in the slot area for a top-corner snipe that gave Salmon Arm some much-needed insurance. Tony Andreozzi got the lone assist on the goal. After two periods, the Backs led 3-1, but trailed in shots 33-17.
Noah Wakeford kept the Silverback’s momentum going to start the third period, converting on a wrap-around just 16 seconds in. Saskatoon native Zach Gabruch picked up an assist on the tally. The Vipers got one goal back eight minutes later after JoJo Tanaka-Campbell stuffed one in right from the crease to make it a 4-2 game. Following that, the final period wasn’t too eventful other than your usual shenanigans following some crease scrambles, and the Backs’ held on for a 4-2 win.
STANDOUT PERFORMANCES
Dylan Kruss, SA Silverbacks: The Thornhill, Ont. native made quite the first impression, making 39 saves on 41 shots, including 31 saves in the first two periods alone. The refs also didn’t make it easy on him, not only putting the Silverbacks short-handed six times, but also by allowing the Vipers to run fairly freely around the crease area. Kruss stood his ground, making for a memorable debut.
Connor Sleeth, Vernon Vipers: Sleeth scored the first goal of the game for the Vipers and also had a few other Grade-A scoring chances in this one. The Markham, Ont. native also had the OT winner on Wednesday. His finishing ability has been evident the past two games.
Akito Hirose, SA Silverbacks: While Hirose’s puck skills are on display each and every game, it was the timing of his goal tonight that gets him a ‘standout performance’ nod. Not only did it hold up as the game-winner, but it was scored with 3.3 seconds to go in the period and doubled the Backs’ lead. Scoring that close to the intermission had to have been a tough pill for the Vipers to swallow, especially after they outshot Salmon Arm 19-10 in the period.
STAT OF THE GAME
Silverbacks PK 6-for-6: The second period was particularly rough in the penalty department, with the Backs’ having to kill off four straight, including a brief 5-on-3. But time after time, the PK units were up for the challenge. Vernon had trouble setting up in many instances, and when they did settle down in the offensive zone, either Kruss was there to make the save, or the Backs were able to apply pressure at the right time and clear the puck.
WHAT’S NEXT
With the pre-season now all wrapped up, the Silverbacks have nine days off before their regular season opener, set for Sunday, Sept. 8 at 3 p.m. at the Shaw Centre against the West Kelowna Warriors. Fans can stream the game on HockeyTV, tune in on 91.5 EZ Rock or come on out to the Shaw Centre.
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