I was at tonight's Vipers-Silverbacks game as Vernon defeated Salmon Arm 2-1 in a shootout in front of 2,993 fans at Kal Tire Place.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon: Reilly Herbst
Salmon Arm: Ethan Langenegger
Before tonight's game the Vipers honoured all the first responders through out the North Okanagan.
1st Period: Playing there first home game in thirty four days, the Vipers jumped on the visiting Silverbacks early. Vernon with a quick start to the hockey game, had some good jump and early pressure on the Backs. The Snakes would get the games first good chance about two minutes in, after Jo Jo Tanaka-Campbell took a quick shot from the high slot that caught Ethan Langenegger up high, just below the mask, was forced to make a tough save early into the contest. About a minute later, Brett Fudger on a two on one, couldn't make the pass as the Salmon Arm defender played the odd man rush perfectly. Fudger was forced to keep and shoot, forcing Ethan Langenegger into making the stop on another Vipers opportunity just minutes into the game. On the following shift/play Cameron MacDonald on a border line trip would be sent to the sin bin, giving SA the games first power play 3:56 into the opening period. The Apes had a few good looks but only managed two shots on the man advantage as Vernon killed off the minor. Just before the halfway mark, the Gorillas on an odd man rush, dropped the puck for Coalson Wolford who was trailing the play, Wolford's shot from the circle forced Reilly Herbst into making a big stop, keeping this game scoreless. Just over a minute or so later back come the Snakes on an odd man rush of there own. Cameron MacDonald lead the rush into the offensive zone, setup Dawson Holt who setup Viper captain Connor Marritt in front who would be stoned in front by Ethan Langenegger on a solid stop from the Backs goaltender on some nice three way passing from the hometown Vipers. Minutes later the Silverbacks would open the scoring. Noah Wakeford setup Drew Bennett who put a slick move around his defender before beating Reilly Herbst downlow at the top of the crease, giving Salmon Arm a 1-0 lead at 12:08 on a highlight reel goal. Domenic Garozzo & Noah Wakeford collected the assists. This goal seemed to give the Apes some life and a little momentum as Vernon was outshooting Salmon Arm 7-4 at one point in the first half of the 1st period, before the Silverbacks were now in the lead in shots with a 8-7 edge. It was 1-0 Salmon Arm after 20 minutes of play. This wasn't the most exciting period of hockey in a period where both teams didn't look/or play there best. At times both teams looked a little disorganized and scrambled. I really liked the Snakes start and thought Vernon jumped on the Gorillas off the opening faceoff. I thought the Vipers had some strong opening shifts, had some good looks and quickly jumped out to a 3-0 lead in shots. The Snakes with two good chances in the first few minutes couldn't bury there opportunities. It seemed like SA gained some life and momentum after opening the scoring, as I thought the Silverbacks were the better team in the second half. Both teams didn't create/or generate a lot of opportunities in a period where there wasn't a lot of action. Vernon must have iced the puck at least six or seven times. Shots were 10-10.
2nd Period: Dawson Holt scooped up the puck on a Silverbacks turnover just outside the Apes blueline. The former Regina Pats forward setup Matt Kowalski who put a nice move on Silverbacks starting goaltender Ethan Langenegger, tying the hockey game 1-1 at 1:02 Holt and Jackson Caller drew the helpers. The Snakes had a ton of jump and energy to start the middle frame would eventually get there first power play of the evening just over six minutes into the 2nd period. Just seconds into the man advantage, Ethan Langenegger had to be sharp was forced into making several saves while on his stomach on a goal mouth scramble as the Vipers couldn't bang home the loose puck in the blue paint. The Snakes would get some good looks and a few chances but couldn't capitalize with the PP as the Silverbacks killed off the minor. Eleven seconds after killing off the penalty, Zach Gabruch would head back to the sin bin was given two minutes for hooking. Vernon would once again get some good looks and a few opportunities at the side of the goal, couldn't solve Ethan Langenegger. Shorthanded Luke Mylymok broke down the left wing, ripped a shot from the circle that beat Vipers starting goaltender Reilly Herbst but not the crossbar as Salmon Arm was inches away from re-taking the lead. It looked like Herbst thought Mylymok's shot was going wide as the Viper netminder looked to play this shot a little too casually. The Snakes escape a bullet shorthanded, get nine shots on back to back power plays but cant capitalize with the man advantage. Ethan Langenegger was the Backs best penalty killer. With about three minutes left in the middle frame, Landon Fuller's shot would be stopped by Ethan Langenegger who made a quick glove save with Brett Fudger sniffing around the blue paint for the rebound. It was 1-1 after 40 minutes of play. The Vipers with another strong start to start the period, tied the game just over a minute in on Matt Kowalski's eleventh goal of the season. The Snakes were the better team and carried a lot of the play. Vernon had more puck possession and zone time. The Vipers did struggle breaking out of there own end and making a pass. The Silverbacks had a few looks but other then Luke Mylymok's shot off the crossbar shorthanded, didn't really create/generate much offence. Vernon outshot Salmon Arm 17-8.
3rd Period: The Vipers were having technical difficulties with the one set of goal lights to start the period. The red and green lights were blinking on and off for the first few minutes before finally stopping. The Apes with a strong start to the final frame, had early puck possession and a lot more zone time. Just over five minutes in, a Viper defender fell, allowing Sam Schofield alone in front who couldn't beat Reilly Herbst who made a big stop keeping this game tied. About a minute and a half later the Vipers setup Dawson Holt who would be denied by Ethan Langenegger. About a minute or two later William Poirier and Domenic Garozzo with back to back chances in front couldn't solve Reilly Herbst. With about nine minutes remaining Dawson Holt with his second chance of the period, couldn't find the back of the net, was once again stopped by Ethan Langenegger. With six minutes to go in the 3rd, a quick shot from the high slot was redirected on it's way to the net, just sailed over the crossbar with the Vipers pressing. Vernon kept the play alive, spotting Jackson Caller who got around one defender before ripping a shot from the point that just went up and over the glove of Ethan Langenegger and over the net. With four minutes remaining, the Vipers setup local product Colby Feist in the slot couldn't beat Ethan Langenegger who flashed the leather with a large glove save, keeping this a 1-1 game. It was 1-1 after 60 minutes of play. The Gorillas with a good start, carried the play early and often, had some looks and good pressure in the opening few minutes. As the period continued the play really opened up and the pace picked up as both teams were going back and fourth with some very good opportunities at both ends of the rink. I thought the Snakes carried a bit of edge in play in the second half, had some quality chances towards the end of the period, couldn't solve Salmon Arm's netminder. Both goaltenders were the difference in the 3rd and the main reason this game was going to overtime. This was the most entertaining and exciting period. Salmon Arm outshot Vernon 10-7.
Overtime: The Vipers would win the draw and get a good look/chance off the opening faceoff before setting up Logan Cash on a two on one rush about two minutes into the extra period. Cash's shot looked to be stopped by Ethan Langenegger but no shot was credited on the shot clock, so I'm guessing Cash missed the net. It looked like Ethan Langenegger made a large save off Cash who was all alone in front. SA had a few looks but no real quality chances. The Silverbacks come very close to getting by a Vernon defender and the Salmon Arm player would have been in all alone but couldn't get by the Viper defender on more then once occasion. I would have to say Nick Unruh looked to have the Backs best look/opportunity but somehow couldn't get a shot off before losing the puck on a play, he waited too long to make. It was 1-1 after 65 minutes of play. I think the Snakes had the better of the opportunities but both teams played hard in an exciting three on three overtime. Vernon outshot Salmon Arm 4-3.
Shootout:
Vernon Shooters:
Cameron MacDonald (Stopped)
Connor Marritt (Scored)
Logan Cash (Scored)
Salmon Arm Shooters:
Nick Unruh (Scored)
William Poirier (Stopped)
Akito Hirose (Stopped)
Logan Cash scored the game winner, saluted the Salmon Arm bench before the Vipers bench erupted onto the ice to celebrate the 2-1 shootout victory.
Top Player's: (Vernon)
The Vipers top line of Connor Marritt, Dawson Holt and Cameron MacDonald were by far the Snakes best unit and players. This line was very dangerous and hard to contain, had several good looks/quality chances through out the hockey game.
Reilly Herbst (30 saves) Improves to 10-2 in 14 games with Vernon this season. One of the main reasons why the Vipers are where they are today. I thought Herbst was good but also looked to be fighting the puck through out the night. Tonight is the first time since joining the Vipers where I think Herbst has fought the puck and didn't look his normal self. Don't get me wrong, he played very well tonight just didn't look as solid as normal.
Game Thought's: (Vernon)
The Vipers returned home after an eleven game road trip, that saw them play eleven games in twenty three days. The Snakes were playing there first home game in thirty four days, and first since a 3-2 overtime win over the visiting Trail Smoke Eaters October 19th. Until the 3rd period I didn't think much of tonight's game. I didn't think either team looked/or played all that great in the 1st period. Both teams were making mistakes, looked disorganized at times and didn't have much flow to the game. The play was very scrambled at times. Vernon must have iced the puck at least six or seven times in the opening frame alone. The Vipers iced the puck a lot tonight. I thought the Snakes played better in the 2nd & 3rd periods and were the better team. The Vipers seemed to get a little better as the game went on. Both teams really opened up the ice in the 3rd in the most entertaining and exciting period of the game. The goaltenders put on a show in the 3rd as both teams had some very good scoring chances. I thought Vernon struggled breaking out of there own end and struggled with there passing. The pass was either two soft or missed the targeted player by a mile. Even though the Snakes went 0-2 with the PP I liked our power play, the Vipers recorded nine shots on back to back power plays, had some good looks and quality chances. Other then giving up a shorthanded opportunity, the PP was there just wasn't capitalizing. The Viper power play has struggled this season. The Snakes improve to 5-1 in the shootout this season, also pick up there first win of the season after trailing after the 1st period. This was a big win for the Snakes who had just one win in there last five games coming into tonight. This years Viper team reminds me a lot in ways of last years team. In that I mean by all of the injuries and having troubles putting the puck in the net. After not playing at home in the last thirty three days, a huge thanks to all the fans who showed up in droves tonight, to support the Vipers and the first responders in one of the bigger regular season crowds in recent years. Former Vernon Vipers forward/captain David Robinson (2009-2011) was at tonight's game. With the win the Vipers snapped a two game losing streak. The Snakes have lost three of there last five games and lost six of there last ten games. With the win Vernon improves to 14-10-1-1 sit 4th in the Interior division are tied in points with Wenatchee and seven points back of 3rd place Trail.
The Vipers wore special tribute jerseys for first responders night tonight. The jerseys will be auctioned off after tonight's game.
Top Player's: (Salmon Arm)
Ethan Langenegger (37 saves) Suffers just his third loss of the season in a game where he was forced into making some very big saves in a tied hockey game. Langenegger was almost unbeatable vs the Vipers during last years regular season, is one of the leagues top netminders. A bigger goaltender who covers a lot of the net, plays his position very well, doesn't give up many rebounds or second opportunities. Has a quick glove hand.
Game Thought's: (Salmon Arm)
I don't think the Silverbacks were at there best tonight. After a 3-1 loss to the visiting Wenatchee Wild last night, the Backs are playing back to back games will travel to West Kelowna tomorrow. The Apes looked good at times during different parts of the hockey game, but looking at there record I didn't think they were all that impressive. Salmon Arm is very quick, can move the puck and have some skilled players, but the hometown Vipers held there own against the Gorillas for most of the night. The Silverbacks like the Vipers looked good at times but also not good. Both teams I don't think will be overly thrilled with there overall performance. You can give the excuse that the Vipers are returning home from an eleven game road trip and teams normally don't play well in the first home game after a long road trip, while the Silverbacks played last night are playing in back to back games. Either way both teams could improve. Overall I thought Vernon was the better team in the 2nd period and had the better of opportunities in the 2nd and 3rd periods. Salmon Arm is like two different teams playing on the road compared to at home. At home the Silverbacks are 13-3-0-0 and on the road are 6-4-1-1 This is a big loss for Salmon Arm who gained a single point but after the Penticton Vees fell 4-0 to Chilliwack tonight, the Silverbacks could have used the extra point to try and get within two points of Penticton. Vernon & Salmon Arm met twice in the preseason with both teams winning once. It's a quick turn around for these two teams as the Snakes will be in Salmon Arm next weekend (Saturday). It's hard to believe that were nearing the end of November and the Backs and Vipers were meeting for the first time this regular season tonight. The Silverbacks were wearing there third set original Silverbacks jerseys with there original logo and colors. I thought tonight's game was very well officiated as the officials let both teams play hockey. Nice to see a small turnout of Silverbacks fans in attendance. Salmon Arm has lost back to back games, have lost three of there last five games, are 5-5 in there last ten games. With the loss Salmon Arm falls to 19-7-1-1 sit 2nd in the Interior division are ten points up on Vernon and three points back of division leading Penticton.
Scratches:
Vernon:
Ben Sanderson
Brendan Kim
Keigo Hachisuka
Ryan Shostak (Injured)
Max Palaga (Injured)
Salmon Arm:
Hunter Sansbury
Logan Shaw
Jarrod Semchuk
Energy Player of the Game:
Nicholas Kent
Three Star's:
1st Star: Logan Cash (Game winner)
2nd Star: Ethan Langenegger (37 saves)
3rd Star: Reilly Herbst (30 saves)
I have picked a victory song for the Vernon Vipers this season. After every Vipers victory this season, I will play Tarzan Boy by Baltimora
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_r0n9Dv6XnY
Boxscore-Game Summary,
https://bchl.ca/stats/game-summary/9411
Game Report,
https://lscluster.hockeytech.com/game_reports/official-game-report.php?lang_id=1&client_code=bchl&game_id=9411
Text Boxscore,
https://lscluster.hockeytech.com/game_reports/text-game-report.php?lang_id=1&client_code=bchl&game_id=9411
Please feel free to leave a suggestion or comment below, in the comment box at the bottom of this post. I always enjoy and post all comments. Thank you for your comments and visiting my blog.
Here are some photo's I took before and during tonight's Vipers-Silverbacks game.
4 comments:
This is posted on the Vipers website:
After the Buzzer – Vipers Win Shootout Thriller on First Responders Night
November 23, 2019
Vernon, BC: Reilly Herbst stopped 30 of 31 shots and Logan Cash scored the shootout winner as the Vipers sent the 2993 fans home happy with a 2-1 shootout win over the Salmon Arm Silverbacks.
The Vipers had a couple of chances early on in the game as JoJo Tanaka-Campbell tested Ethan Langenegger. The Vipers were able to generate another look shortly after that, but a 2 on 1 just misfired. Salmon Arm would get the games first man advantage, but the Vipers penalty kill was solid surrendering just 1 shot on goal. The Silverbacks would open the scoring as Drew Bennett made a nice move to the middle and sniped it five-hole on Herbst to make it 1-0. Shots in the period finished 10-10.
In the second period the Vipers jumped on the attack. Jackson Caller spotted Matt Kowalski in behind the defence as they were changing and finished the play off with a nice move on Langenegger to make it 1-1 just 62 seconds into the period. The Vipers momentum would continue thanks to a couple of consecutive powerplays. They didn’t convert on them, but did test the Salmon Arm goalie 9 times combined. The Backs weren’t without their chances as Luke Mylymok beat Herbst with a wrist shot, but hit the goal post. The Vipers peppered the Backs net with 17 shots total and it was all square at 1 after 2.
In the third, both teams traded chances and the quality goaltending was put on display. With the game starting to wind down, the chances wound up as both Herbst and Langenegger made solid saves to ensure their respective teams were able to earn a single point.
Nothing was solved in overtime, not for a lack of effort. There were a combined 7 shots in the extra time, but again the goaltending was stellar.
In the shootout, Nick Unruh scored first for the Backs after a nice move to the backhand. Cam MacDonald would shoot next for the Vipers and just missed the far post. Will Poirier shot next for Salmon Arm, but Herbst didn’t bite on the deke and was able to shut the door. Connor Marritt was up next for the Vipers and snapped a low shot past the blocker of Langenegger to even it up at 1 after 2 rounds. Akito Hirose shot next and was stopped by Herbst. Logan Cash would get the opportunity to win it and made no mistake with a nice deke in close before roofing it under the bar to give the Vipers a 2-1 win in the shootout.
Next up for the Vipers is a Saturday night affair when the Langley Rivermen make their only visit.
This is posted on the Silverbacks website:
Silverbacks Edged by Vipers in Shootout
November 22, 2019
Salmon Arm, B.C. — The Salmon Arm Silverbacks came up just short on Friday night, falling 2-1 in a shootout to the Vernon Vipers.
It was the first meeting of the season between the bitter rivals and turned out to be a goaltending duel between Ethan Langenegger and Riley Herbst, with a combined 69 shots on goal and just two goals, not including shootout markers.
GAME SUMMARY
Fans were treated to some A+ entertainment despite the low score, with plenty of opportunities for both sides.
The Backs opened the scoring 12:08 into the opening period on a highlight reel goal from Drew Bennett, who dangled defenceman Trey Taylor and snuck a puck through the five hole of Herbst.
Salmon Arm had the better opening period overall, but couldn’t add to their lead, going into the first intermission up 1-0. The shots after the first were 10 apiece.
Just 1:02 into the second period, a bad change from the Silverbacks defence led to a breakaway for Vipers leading goal scorer Matt Kowalski, who beat Langenegger through the five hole to tie the game 1-1.
The Backs would then take consecutive penalties but came away unscathed thanks to some key shots blocks and saves from Langenegger. No one would score for the rest of the period, despite Vernon firing 17 shots on Langenegger.
Chances continued to flow for both sides in the final period, but Langenegger and Herbst continued to match one another save for save, meaning the game would go to overtime.
In the extra frame, the goalies still wouldn’t budge, making countless stops, many with the glove.
To the shootout things went, where Nick Unruh went first for the Backs and converted on the backhand to give the Backs a 1-0 lead.
Cameron McDonald went first for the Vipers and missed. Second for the Backs was William Poirier, who was stopped by Herbst. Next up for Vernon was captain Connor Marritt, who beat Langenegger over the blocker to tie the game 1-1.
Silverbacks captain Akito Hirose went third and tried to go high glove, but was stopped by Herbst. With the game on the line, Logan Cash cashed in for the Vipers, beating Langenegger over the blocker as well, this time from the short side, to give the home side the 2-1 victory.
STANDOUT PERFORMANCES
Ethan Langenegger, Salmon Arm Silverbacks: Not only did Langenegger face 17 shots in the second period, but he saved his best for when it mattered most, making a crucial glove save with under five minutes to go in regulation and then making several more point-blank saves in the 3-on-3 overtime. Despite the loss, Langenegger has a .928 SV% on the season, the highest for goaltenders that have played 1,200 or more minutes this season.
Riley Herbst, Vernon Vipers: Herbst stopped two of three Backs in the shootout to pick up his 10th win of the season. Just like Langenegger, he too made a few key saves in the overtime — one with the glove on Akito Hirose, one in tight on Noah Wakeford and another with his mask on Daniel Rybarik. He also kept the game at 1-0 in the first period by coming up big on some Silverbacks chances. If he hadn’t the game may have gone in a different direction.
Drew Bennett, Salmon Arm Silverbacks: Bennett’s goal was simply outstanding, but he continued to generate other chances with Noah Wakeford and Dom Garozzo throughout the game. Bennett now has seven points in his last nine games. All six of his goals have come at even strength.
STAT OF THE GAME
Langenegger 37/38: The Silverbacks gave up a rather high number of odd-man rushes in this one and if not for Langenegger, the game wouldn’t have gone to overtime.
WHAT’S NEXT
The Silverbacks head to West Kelowna for a game against the Warriors on Saturday at 6 p.m. to finish off their 3-in-3.
The game can be heard on 91.5 EZ Rock with the pre-game show starting at 5:30 p.m. Fans can also stream the game on HockeyTV.
While it was nice to see the boys play again, I wasn't very impressed with either team. It was a fairly boring game and very little happening to get the very large crowd excited.
Very inconsistent play and few good scoring opportunities.
It was nice to get the shootout win for the crowd.
I think our coach Jason Mckee got it right when he said after a long road trip the type of play the vipers had shown was to be expected. Meaning it was not the hockey as fans we wanted to see subpar. It felt like watching a junior B hockey game with the grand forks border bruins It was tough to get into the game and wasn't truly excited about watching it. I am sure our Jason our coach will let the players know that he expects a better effort tonight. GO,VIPER,GO.
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