Salmon Arm 5 Vernon 2

I was born and raised in Vernon, BC and been watching/following 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 years I have only missed 45 home games. I'm not a sports journalist, writer, reporter or work for the Vernon Vipers. I do not get paid for this blog and do this blog on my own personal time. I started and created this blog in November 2008 and have over 1.7 million viewers. For anyone who couldn't attend or watch tonight's Vipers game, here are my thought's and views 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 give a fare game recap from both sides. Thank you for visiting my blog.

I was at tonight's Vipers-Silverbacks game as Salmon Arm defeated Vernon 5-2 in front of 2,652 fans at Kal Tire Place.

Starting Goaltenders:

Vernon: Reilly Herbst
Salmon Arm: Ethan Langenegger

1st Period: The Silverbacks got off to a quick start. Zach Gabruch's point shot was stopped by Reilly Herbst who couldn't control the rebound, before Lucas Breault buried the puck in front of the blue paint, giving Salmon Arm an early 1-0 lead at 0:23 Gabruch collected the lone assist. The Vipers responded with a quick push back shift and continued to press with a ton of pressure. Thirty or so seconds after the goal, Ethan Langenegger had to be sharp, was forced to make several stops on a goal mouth scramble. A minute later Viper forward/captain Connor Marritt alone at the side of the net, couldn't solve Ethan Langenegger who made a big stop. On the following play/shift Vernon with another opportunity couldn't bury the loose puck on a goal mouth scramble. Vernon product Matt Kowalski with a quick shot from the slot would be denied by Ethan Langenegger who had to be alert with the Snakes pouring on the pressure. The Vipers left Luke Mylymok alone in the slot five minutes in. Mylymok with a quick release/shot would be stopped by Reilly Herbst who made a large save, keeping this a one goal game. Just before the midway mark, Hunter Donohoe's point shot would be redirected on it's way to the goal, by Ben Helgeson, tying the game 1-1 at 7:46 Donohoe and Connor Sleeth picked up the helpers. Less then a minute later, the Vipers would get the games first power play. Cameron MacDonald with a shot from the slot couldn't beat Ethan Langenegger. Vernon with several looks, had some good chances but couldn't capitalize with the man advantage. Ethan Langenegger was solid on the Backs PK. Just as the penalty expired, Lucas Breault couldn't beat Reilly Herbst on the wrap around. Shots were 10-3 for the Snakes at this point. Two minutes later, Christian Felton setup Trey Taylor who's shot from the blueline found it's way through traffic would be stopped by the right pad of Ethan Langenegger on a shot I don't think the Salmon Arm goaltender saw. The Vipers not getting the bounces in the 1st period. The Apes slowly started to come on with about six minutes left in the opening frame, before getting there first PP of the evening. SA with several good looks, either couldn't hit the net or would be stopped by Reilly Herbst. The Gorillas with a ton of pressure on the man advantage, had the Snakes hemmed in there own end, couldn't capitalize with the PP. The Vipers struggled clearing the zone, had at least two if not three opportunities to get the puck out of the zone but couldn't. It was 1-1 after 20 minutes of play. The Backs with a quick start, opened the scoring twenty three seconds in, but it was mostly all Vipers for a lot of the 1st period. Vernon responded with a good push back shift after giving up the games first goal, had a ton of looks/quality chances, only managed one goal. The Snakes carried most of the play until about the final five minutes looked very good with the puck, were unable to bury there opportunities. Vernon was the better team for most of the period, had a ton of offensive zone time, carried the play and had a ton of quality chances. The Silverbacks saw a lot of time in there own end. The Vipers didn't look very good in there own end. Turned over the puck on several occasions. The S'Backs come back in the final five to six minutes, would generate several looks/opportunities with a late power play, couldn't take a lead into the dressing room. At one point shots were 10-3 for the Vipers halfway through the period, before SA rallied back in shots. Vernon outshot Salmon Arm 13-12.

2nd Period: About a minute and a half into the middle frame, Matt Kowalski on an odd man rush setup Jo Jo Tanaka-Campbell looked to be in the clear before being hauled down going to the net. Antonio Andreozzi would get called for hooking, sending Vernon to an early PP. The Vipers with several looks and a goal mouth scramble couldn't convert with the man advantage as SA killed off the minor. Shortly after with the Snakes pressing, Ethan Langenegger had to be sharp made at least two big stops on a goal mouth scramble. Six minutes in, Hunter Sansbury's shot from the blueline got through traffic in front, somehow stayed out of the net. Sansbury's shot hit someone or something in front of the blue paint, that forced the puck not going into the goal. About a minute later, Salmon Arm would jump on the power play and capitalize. Akito Hirose setup Noah Wakeford alone at the side of the goal, Wakefore waited for Vipers starting goaltender Reilly Herbst to go down, before going high, giving Salmon Arm a 2-1 lead at 7:48 Hirose & Lucas Breault drew the assists. Six minutes later Noah Wakeford won the draw, spotted Daniel Rybarik in front, beat Reilly Herbst down low at the top of the crease, giving Salmon Arm a 3-1 lead at 14:11 Wakeford collected the helper. This was a big goal for the Apes, that took the wind out of the sails of the hometown Vipers. Vernon couldn't respond before taking a late penalty, giving the Silverbacks a late power play to finish the period. SA had some looks but no real quality chances, couldn't capitalize with the man advantage. It was 3-1 Salmon Arm after 40 minutes of play. The Vipers had a good start and were the better team early but once again couldn't capitalize on there opportunities. After being outplayed early, the Silverbacks got a timely goal on the PP to take the lead in a period they didn't deserve the lead. The Apes with two big goals took a 3-1 lead into the 3rd period in a game where I thought the Vipers were the better team. Salmon Arm's third goal was a turning point. The Snakes couldn't respond had the wind taken out of there sail. Vernon wasn't the same team and looked very disorganized to finish the period. Give the Silverbacks credit for capitalizing on there chances and getting some solid goaltending early in the period. The Snakes looked good early but couldn't play a full twenty minutes. The S'Backs were the better team in the second half and had Vernon on there heels to finish the period. Vernon outshot Salmon Arm 10-8.

3rd Period: The Vipers with a strong start, got back to within a goal off the opening faceoff. Connor Marritt with what looked to be a no look pass from behind the goal, spotted Dawson Holt in front, beat Ethan Langenegger high, cutting Salmon Arm's lead to 3-2 at 0:31 Marritt and Jackson Caller with the assists. Holt and the Vipers with a big goal early, got the team and the crowd back into the game. Less then a minute later Landon Fuller would be called for interference on a questionable call, sending the Gorillas to an early power play. Akito Hirose spotted Lucas Breault for his second of the night, gave Salmon Arm a 4-2 lead at 2:28 Hirose and Daniel Rybarik collected the helpers. On the play/goal a scrum broke out in the crease as everyone jumped in. The officials had to jump in to break up the melay. The Snakes would come out of the altercation with the man advantage. While the the officials were sorting out the penalties, Vipers defenceman Nicholas Kent collapsed at the Viper bench. Several players and coaches all rushed in, took Kent to the dressing room where he wouldn't return. I didn't see what happened to Kent, but was told he was one of the players involved in the scrum after the Salmon Arm goal. This goal was a killer, not only did Vernon get to within a goal to start the period, but on a questionable call the Snakes are now back down two goals. Two minutes later just as the penalty expired, the Vipers turned over the puck behind the net, which allowed Coalson Wolford to scoop up the loose puck and score a between the legs highlight reel goal, giving Salmon Arm a commanding 5-2 lead at 4:27 Wolford's goal was unassisted. This was a very bad turnover inside there own end, basically putting the game away. On the following play/shift the Vipers come out down two players. Trey Taylor would pick up a ten minute misconduct while Jackson Caller would get called for holding, sending the Silverbacks to the man advantage. The Backs couldn't capitalize with the man advantage. Just as the penalty expired, the Vipers sprung Matt Kowalski in for the partial breakaway, would be denied in close by Silverbacks starting goaltender Ethan Langenegger, Shortly after tempers heated up with Vernon losing there composure. Everyone jumped in with some pushing and shoving before the altercation was broken up. The Snakes would come out of the after the whistle altercation. The Vipers would have some looks but unable to capitalize with the PP. The Vipers would carry a lot of the play to finish the period but didn't really generate or create a lot of opportunities, looked disorganised. Salmon Arm would come away with the 3-1 victory. The Vipers had a great start, scored early to get within a goal before the table and momentum changed in a hurry. SA with two quick back to back goals two minutes apart basically put the game away. The Vipers lost there cool, composure and looked disorganized after Salmon Arm's fifth goal. For lots of the remainder of the period, was more like a pond hockey game. The Vipers carried a lot of the play but the Silverbacks were sitting back with a three goal lead. The Snakes may have had a lot of the play at times but had troubles getting pucks to the net, didn't really generate or create much for offense. This was a disaster of a third period for Vernon who didn't look good in the final frame. Give credit to the Apes. After giving up an early goal, Salmon Arm scored a huge goal on the power play, to regain the two goal lead and then made the Vipers pay on a bad turnover inside there own end, to put the game away. It looked like tempers may carry over and the game get ugly but both teams settled down as the period went on. Salmon Arm outshot Vernon 9-5.

Top Player's: (Vernon)

Matt Kowalski Was the only Viper who I saw that really did anything offensively. Played with the most jump/energy, was able to create and generate several opportunities. The local kid had some good looks/opportunities couldn't find the back of the net, when the team needed him.

Game Thought's: (Vernon)

The Vipers didn't get off to the start they wanted but I really liked there push back shift after giving up the games first goal twenty three seconds into tonight's contest. I thought Vernon was the better team for the first period and early to start the middle frame. I thought the game changed after Salmon Arm's third and fourth goals. The Snakes were down 2-1 but still in the game, gave up a goal towards the end of the 2nd period which took the life out of the team. Vernon couldn't respond and wasn't the same team after the Silverbacks third goal. Dawson Holt scores thirty one seconds into the 3rd to get within a goal, but on a questionable call, the Silverbacks capitalize with the man advantage to regain there two goal lead. The Vipers come out of a scrum after Salmon Arm's goal with the PP but struggle with the man advantage before coughing up the puck as the penalty expires allowing Coalson Wolford to give Salmon Arm a 5-2 lead and basically put the game away. The Vipers lost there cool and composure and looked very disorganised for most of the remainder of the 3rd period. The Snakes didn't get any puck luck or bounces go there way tonight but needed to bury some of there opportunities in that 1st period when they were all over Salmon Arm. Shots were 10-3 in favor of Vernon but it was tied 1-1. If the Snakes could have buried a few of there opportunities in the 1st period, maybe this is a different hockey game? Scoring has been this teams problem from day one and it showed again tonight. The Vipers weren't very good defensively, had troubles clearing the zone. Several turnovers inside there own blueline. These little mistakes cant be happening at this time of the year. The Vipers looked very good at times but then didn't look very good at times. Little mistakes and details shouldn't be happening at this time of year. The Vipers have not played a full sixty minutes in there last five games and haven't been the same team since almost blowing a 7-2 lead in Merritt December 8th. Since that 3rd period collapse in Merritt the Vipers haven't played very well. This is the fourth straight home game where the Snakes haven't played sixty minutes and let down the fans. I said this several times before, I thought the Vipers should have pulled off a blockbuster trade way back in mid October-early November while on there eleven game road trip. This team needed a shakeup. Another big loss to a division rival. Back to back games the Vipers have blown a chance to try and climb the standings, gave up points to both Trail and Salmon Arm. With a win tonight the Snakes could have tied both Salmon Arm and Wenatchee in points and got to within eight points of 2nd place Trail. Instead the Silverbacks move four points ahead of Vernon. The game vs Trail before the holidays and this weekends home and home series with Salmon Arm were and are big games in the standings. How big is tomorrow's game in Salmon Arm? The Vipers played most of there games on the road in the first half of the season, play most of there remaining games on home ice and they need to take advantage of playing at home. The Snakes look to be a better team on the road and struggle at Kal Tire Place. A large crowd was on hand for tonight's game. Why do the Snakes salute the crowd after the game when they lose? I don't like this time of year as several teams seem to struggle in games leading up to the Christmas break and games returning after the holidays. In the Vipers case, they lost 4-1 to Trail in there final game before the holidays and lost tonight in there first game back from Christmas. If fans were wondering why the Vipers were wearing there away jerseys tonight, all teams switch jerseys after Christmas. Home teams will wear there away or third set jerseys at home while wearing there home white jerseys on the road. Teams will switch back come playoffs. The Vipers have lost three straight are 5-5 in there last ten games. With the loss Vernon falls to 19-15-1-1 remain 5th in the Interior Division are two points back of Wenatchee and four points back of Salmon Arm.

Top Player's: (Salmon Arm)

Hunter Sansbury I thought played a steady game on the Silverbacks backend.

Lucas Breault (2 goals & 1 assist) Was Salmon Arm's most dangerous player this evening. Breault opened the scoring twenty three seconds into the hockey game, scored a huge power play goal early in the 3rd giving Salmon Arm a 4-2 lead. Has some wheels, was hard to contain and defend against.

Coalson Wolford (1 goal) Had some looks/chances through out the game, scored a highlight reel between the legs goal early into the 3rd period on a Viper turnover. I thought played very well for the Backs.

Noah Wakeford (1 goal & 1 assist) The veteran forward setup Salmon Arm's third goal, which was a key goal of the hockey game. Was very shifty, good on the draw and played well through out the game.

Akito Hirose (2 assists) Played very well on the Silverbacks blueline.

Ethan Langenegger (26 saves) Was the difference in the 1st period. After Salmon Arm jumped out to an early lead, the veteran netminder had to be sharp with Vernon on the attack. The Vipers had several quality chances and opportunities in the 1st and 2nd periods. A big goaltender, covers a lot of the net, doesn't give up any second or third opportunities, is very well positionally.

Game Thought's: (Salmon Arm)

The Silverbacks with a strong start, opened the scoring inside the opening minute but then fell apart. SA was lucky Vernon did get a couple of goals, managed to come out of the opening frame tied. The Apes saw a lot of action for most of the 1st period inside there own blueline, heavily relied on there goaltender to bail them out. I thought the Silverbacks were outplayed for a lot of the 1st period, were outshot 10-3 at one point, turned the game around towards the end of the opening frame. The Silverbacks dodged a bullet or two early into the middle frame with the Snakes pressing, would score a big goal on the power play to take a 2nd period lead at the time had no business to be ahead by a goal after being outplayed early. SA would get a huge goal towards the end of the period, getting Vernon off there game and down two goals heading into the final twenty minutes. The Gorillas gave up an early goal thirty one seconds into the 3rd but responded very well with two quick back to back goals two minutes apart to basically put the game away. In a game where the Backs were outplayed for lengthy periods of time, scored some timely goals in a game they may have not deserved to be leading at. Give full credit to the Backs for changing the momentum at key times in the game. How big was the third and fourth goals? Two plays/goals I thought were turning points in the hockey game. Give Salmon Arm credit, they were outplayed at times but got some solid goaltending from Ethan Langenegger, scored some timely goals, shutdown the Vipers in the third period, snapping an eight game losing streak on the road. The Silverbacks with a huge win, move two points ahead of Wenatchee and four points up on Vernon. The Backs have won back to back games after losing nine straight. Salmon Arm has only four wins in there last fifteen games. Head Coach Scott Atkinson wasn't on the bench as the Silverbacks pick up a greasy road win with two fairly rookie assistant coaches behind the bench. A small turnout of Silverbacks fans made the trip to Vernon. Penticton Vees Head Coach/GM & President Fred Harbinson was in attendance while Alberni Valley Bulldogs President David Michaud was also in attendance. Michaud use to work with the Penticton Vees before joining the Bulldogs. The Silverbacks pick up there first win over the Vipers this season as the Snakes lead the season series 2-1. These two teams will meet again tomorrow afternoon in Salmon Arm. With the win Salmon Arm improves to 21-14-1-1 are six points back of 2nd place Trail.

Scratches:

Vernon:

Brett Fudger
Keigo Hachisuka
Elan Bar-Lev-Wise
Max Palaga (Injured-Out for the season)

Salmon Arm:

Kieran Ruscheninski
Devan Newhook
Drew Bennett
Brett Balas

Energy Player of the Game:

Matt Kowalski

Three Star's:

1st Star: Lucas Breault (2 goals & 1 assist)
2nd Star: Coalson Wolford (1 goal)
3rd Star: Dawson Holt (1 goal)

Boxscore-Game Summary,

https://bchl.ca/stats/game-summary/9501

Game Report,

https://lscluster.hockeytech.com/game_reports/official-game-report.php?lang_id=1&client_code=bchl&game_id=9501

Text Boxscore,

https://lscluster.hockeytech.com/game_reports/text-game-report.php?lang_id=1&client_code=bchl&game_id=9501

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Here are some photo's I took before and during tonight's Vipers-Silverbacks game.