Vernon 5 Salmon Arm 4 Overtime

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 missed four Vipers home games since 2004. In the past thirty years I have missed 45 home games. I'm not a sports journalist, writer, reporter or work for the Vernon Vipers. I do not get paid for doing 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 today's Vipers game, here are my thought's and views from today'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 today's Vipers-Silverbacks game as Vernon defeated Salmon Arm 5-4 in overtime in front of 1,783 fans at Kal Tire Place.

Starting Goaltenders:

Vernon: Reilly Herbst
Salmon Arm: Grant Adams

1st Period: The Silverbacks jumped on the Vipers early, had the hometown Snakes running around. Nick Unruh spotted a wide open William Poirier in the slot, Poirier's knuckleball shot somehow eluted Reilly Herbst, going up and over his glove as it fluttered into the back of the net, giving Salmon Arm an early 1-0 lead at 3:38 Unruh and Luke Mylymok collected the assists. Just over a minute later the Apes would get an early power play, the first of the afternoon. The Backs would get a few looks, Reilly Herbst was forced to make a big stop off a low shot from the circle as Vernon was good on the PK, killed off the minor. The Gorillas were up in shots, outshooting the Snakes 5-0 early. Vernon needed eight and a half minutes to record there first shot of the day. Shortly after two good chances at both ends of the rink. Luke Mylymok would be denied by Reilly Herbst on a quality chance for SA, while the Vipers setup Max Bulawka in the slot, would be robbed by the glove of Grant Adams who made a large save, keeping this a one goal hockey game. Around the midway mark Salmon Arm would get there second man advantage, but couldn't capitalize as the Vipers killed off the penalty. Jarrod Semchuk took a big hit along the end wall, was down and slow getting up, went straight to the Backs bench in a little discomfort. Semchuk seemed to be ok and stayed in the hockey game. With about two minutes remaining, a shot from the point, forced Grant Adams to flash the leather, making a glove save. On the following shift/play tempers heated up as some pushing and shoving occurred in front of Grant Adams and the Salmon Arm Silverbacks. It was 1-0 Salmon Arm after 20 minutes of play. The visiting Silverbacks jumped on the hometown Vipers early and often as it was all Backs for most of the period. Salmon Arm was the better of the two teams. The Gorillas carried a lot of the play, especially early on in the first half. SA had a few looks and a few good chances had the Vipers hemmed in there own end for a lot of the first half. The Snakes didn't get off to a good start, looked flat, sluggish and showed no emotion for a lot of that period. For a team having last night off, facing a Salmon Arm team who played in Penticton Saturday, you wouldn't have guessed. Vernon did get there legs going a little in the second half, played a little better towards the end of the 1st period. Salmon Arm outshot Vernon 11-9.

2nd Period: For a second straight period the Vipers didn't show up and were outplayed early and it cost them. The S'Backs with two quick back to back goals opened the game open. With the Snakes hemmed in there own end, Vernon left William Poirier all alone at the side of the goal. A shot went off the back boards, right on the stick of Poirier who beat Vipers starting goaltender Reilly Herbst down low, giving Salmon Arm an early 2-0 lead at 1:50 Devan Newhook and Luke Mylymok drew the helpers. Thirty nine seconds later the Silverbacks struck again. Sam Schofield setup Logan Shaw who was left alone in front, giving Salmon Arm an early 3-0 lead at 2:29 Schofield with the only assist. Two quick SA goals that the Viper defence left both Poirier & Shaw alone in front. Poor defensive coverage from the Snakes who were down three goals less then three minutes into the middle frame. About two minutes later the Vipers couldn't corral a loose puck in front on a goal mouth scramble at the top of the crease. Grant Adams was on his belly trying to smother the puck with bodies in and around the blue paint. The Snakes come close but couldn't get on the board. On the following play, Vernon would get there first PP of the afternoon. About halfway through the man advantage, the Vipers couldn't capitalize on a goal mouth scramble. Just as the power play ended, Jo Jo Tanaka-Campbell with some slick moves, went in and around at least two Salmon Arm defenders setup Jackson Caller who joined the play coming out of the sin bin, but the Viper d-man somehow fired up and over the goal, missing a wide open cage, on a missed opportunity. Minutes later with the Snakes on an odd man rush, Ryan Shostak's shot would be stopped by Silverbacks starting goaltender Grant Adams. Ben Sanderson buried the rebound in front, on a puck Adams couldn't control the rebound, cutting Salmon Arm's lead to 3-1 at 8:14 Shostak & Hunter Donohoe picked up the helpers. I thought Jack Glen touched the puck, not Donohoe. The Vipers get on the board and get the crowd back into the game and get some energy in the building. Two minutes later Brett Fudger & Jarrod Semchuk dropped the gloves at centre ice in a spirited fight. Both players were given five minutes for fighting and tossed from the contest. With about five or six minutes remaining the Vipers with some nice three way passing, just missed the net on at least two of those plays, while Connor Sleeth couldn't find the net on another passing play. The Snakes were buzzing in and around the goal, had some looks and chances. The Vipers kept pressing and it paid off. Jackson Caller's point shot along the ice, beat Grant Adams five hole, cutting Salmon Arm's lead to 3-2 at 16:44 Ben Helgeson and Connor Sleeth with the assists. Off the following faceoff, Vernon with a good push back. Landon Fuller with a good look/chance forced Grant Adams into making a large pad save, as Vernon was close to tying the game. It was 3-2 Salmon Arm after 40 minutes of play. The Vipers with another poor start to a period, cost them two quick goals. Vernon's poor defensive coverage cost them two goals and put them down 3-0 less then three minutes into the 2nd period. I thought the Snakes played much better, weren't hemmed in there own end as often and were able to create/& generate some opportunities, finally managed some offensive zone time for the first time today. A strong start for SA who for a second straight period, jumped on Vernon. The Gorillas with two big early goals, allowed the Snakes back into the game giving up several late chances and a goal. The Silverbacks slouched a little towards the end of the period, were caught running around in there own end, gave up too many looks/opportunities. Both teams were fairly even, but the Vipers did generate a few more looks/opportunities. Vernon outshot Salmon Arm 9-7.

3rd Period: The Vipers were able to create a play on something that looked like nothing. Matt Kowalski on an odd man rush, looked to lose an edge or fall somehow managed to still get the pass across the ice setting up Jo Jo Tanaka-Campbell going to the goal, tying the game 3-3 at 3:19 getting the crowd up and off there feet.  Kowalski and Colby Feist collected the helpers. The momentum didn't last long as the Silverbacks with a strong push back off the following faceoff. The Snakes couldn't clear the zone, turned over the puck that allowed Akito Hirose to setup Nick Unruh who spotted William Poirier in front, for his third goal of the game, giving Salmon Arm a 4-3 lead at 3:55 Unruh & Hirose with the assists. Minutes later the Apes went to the man advantage. SA had some good looks but no real quality chances as the Snakes killed off the minor. Shortly after Landon Fuller through the puck up the middle, landed on the stick of Lucas Breault who just fired low and wide of the goal as Vernon catches a huge break, could have easily fell behind two goals on a brutal turnover. Shortly after the Vipers would get only there second PP of the afternoon. Vernon looked very sloppy/disorganized were hemmed in there own end, almost coughed up the puck twice trying to get out of there own end as the Viper faithful were getting on the hometown team. The Snakes who hadn't recorded a shot on goal in at least five minutes or longer, were struggling with the man advantage, until late in the PP Landon Fuller parked in front banged away at the loose puck in the blue paint, before finally getting it to go in and behind Grand Adams who had no help in front, as Vernon tied the game 4-4 at 12:37 Fuller's big body and presence in front paid off. Trey Taylor and Cameron MacDonald with the assists. Shortly after Christian Felton jumped into the play, forced Grant Adams into making a big left pad save, keeping this game tied. The time clock was stuck at 4:24 and not moving, while the fans were yelling "the clock isn't moving" "the clock isn't moving" before the officials blew the play down. The clock was dropped to 3:34 and the game continued. Inside the final three minutes with the S'Backs pressing, the Vipers turned over the puck on numerous occasions, almost costing them the game, were very lucky Salmon Arm didn't bury one of these chances. The Backs with a few close calls, come very close to putting the game away late. The Snakes escape and force overtime. It was tied 4-4 after 60 minutes of play. The Vipers may have rallied to tie the game twice, looked very disorganised and sloppy in the final twenty minutes. Vernon turned over several pucks in there own end, were very luck SA didn't capitalize on the opportunity. The Vipers looked very bad in there own end, didn't get a lot of zone time, or puck possession. Vernon went a good five or six minutes without a single shot. The Vipers were hanging on at times. Salmon Arm gave up an early game tying goal, pushed back to re-take the lead thirty four seconds later. It looked as if the Apes may hang on for the win, but gave up a power play goal, that forced overtime. The Silverbacks carried a lot of the play, had more zone time and puck possession, didn't get many pucks to the net, had a few looks and some chances. None better then on the Vernon turnovers towards the end of the frame. Salmon Arm outshot Vernon 9-7.

Overtime: Off the opening faceoff, Lucas Breault and Luke Mylymok onan odd man rush. Breault couldn't make a move on a solid defensive play from the Snakes, broke up the odd man rush. SA looked strong early, had the Vipers hemmed in there own end, were skating circled around the Snakes but unable to create/generate any kind of opportunities. The Vipers didn't see the puck much in the early goings as it was all Salmon Arm. As the extra frame continued Vernon would finally get control of the puck and get across the blueline. The Vipers setup Jo Jo Tanaka-Campbell who fired high and over the goal, missed an open cage with about two minutes remaining. As the period continued the Snakes took over the edge in play and dominated the remainder of the overtime. The Vipers couldn't get a shot off on a two on one as Jo Jo Tanaka-Campbell's pass was way off, missed his man. In the dying seconds Vernon comes very close to turning over the puck at the blueline. Cameron MacDonald steps onto the ice, carries into the zone, before ripping a quick shot short side, giving Vernon the 5-4 overtime win as the Vipers bench erupts onto the ice. Christian Felton with the lone assist. Vernon outshot Salmon Arm 2-1.

Top Player's: (Vernon)

Jackson Caller (1 goal) Played well on the Vernon backend. I thought was one of if not the Vipers best d-man this afternoon. Played very well at both ends of the rink, was jumping into the play and joining the rush.

Jo Jo Tanaka-Campbell (1 goal) Has really stepped up his play this month and playing with a lot more confidence. Made a very nice play in the opening frame, just as a penalty expired, went in and around at least two Salmon Arm defenders, before setting up Jackson Caller who joined the rush after coming out of the penalty box. Caller missed the open cage but Tanaka-Campbell started the play to setup Caller which created a glorious opportunity. Tanaka-Campbell was by far the best Viper on the ice. Played with a ton of jump, loads of energy and was dangerous.

Game Thought's: (Vernon)

The Vipers didn't look very good this afternoon, only looked good in one out of the first three periods. The Snakes were very luck to win today in a game they didn't look or play all that great in. The Vipers didn't look ready to go off the opening faceoff, were outplayed and hemmed in there own end for most of the first half of the 1st period. The Vipers struggled off the opening faceoff to start the middle frame. Two poor defensive plays, cost them two goals were down 3-0 less then three minutes into the 2nd period. I thought Vernon played better as the middle frame went on, but again struggled in the 3rd period. Sure the Vipers rallied to tie the game twice in the 3rd but were hanging on other wise. The Snakes went five or six minutes without a shot on goal in the 3rd, were turning over pucks inside the blueline, were very lucky Salmon Arm didn't capitalize on the amount of turnovers. Vernon's defensive play and coverage was terrible today. The team was struggling to clear the zone and break out of there own end. The Vipers didn't have a lot of puck possession or zone time in the 1st and 3rd periods, didn't create/or generate enough chances in periods one and two. The Snakes looked very disorganized and sloppy at times. The team looked lost at times in that first ten minutes. The Vipers looked sluggish, tired, played with very little emotion through out the game. I didn't see a lot of energy/or urgency in the Vipers today. I thought the Vipers really missed Dawson Holt today. I think Holt adds a lot to the team/roster. For a team who had last night off, had dropped back to back games and didn't play very good in either game, you think would be ready to play in a big game vs Salmon Arm, a team who was only a point behind Vernon in the standings. The Silverbacks played Saturday in Penticton, had the quick turnaround and travel day this morning, looked more ready, focused, quicker and sharper through out the game. This is now the third straight game where the Vipers have played very poorly, haven't looked good in either of the three games. A very disappointing last three games. At this time of year, you shouldn't struggle and play that poorly three straight games in a row vs three of the top teams in the division. The loss to Penticton Wednesday, loss Friday in Trail and today's game vs Salmon Arm. You think your team should be ready and primed to go. Three very disappointing games. At this point in the season, I don't see any improvement from the start of the season. The team has had troubles scoring all season, that's one thing that cant be taught. But the in consistency and amount of turnovers in the defensive zone, especially at this time of the season is very concerning. The poor defensive coverage, turnovers and poor breakout should be fixed at this point in the season. This years Vipers have rarely played a full sixty minutes and put together a string of good hockey. With most of the remaining regular season played on home ice, this team has struggled at home all year. I'm no hockey expert and I think everybody sees the game differently but I was in shock listening to the post game show on the drive home today, when Jason McKee said he was very pleased with the teams effort, compete and overall game today, saying this was one of if not there best game they have played all season. I couldn't believe what I had heard. You could hear fans moaning and groaning between periods complaining about how bad the Vipers looked today. Give the team credit, they battled back down 3-0 and hung on to win in overtime, but were very very lucky to get not only one point but two. With thirteen games remaining, I'm very curious to see how the team plays and finishes the season. Former Vipers head coach/gm Mark Ferner was in attendance today. What's up with the Vipers schedule this year? What's up with four Sunday afternoon games in a row? I didn't like the Vipers schedule the past two years and I don't like this years schedule either. The Vipers have won three of five are 5-5 in there last ten. With the win Vernon improves to 24-18-2-1 remain 3rd in the Interior division are three points ahead of Wenatchee, two points ahead of Salmon Arm and eleven points back of 2nd place Trail.

Top Player's: (Salmon Arm)

The line of Nick Unruh (2 assists), Luke Mylymok (2 assists) & William Poirier (3 goals) Was Salmon Arm's top unit. This line was dangerous all afternoon. The Vipers had no answer for this line.

Logan Shaw (1 goal) I thought played well in the loss.

Akito Hirose (1 assist) It seems like this kid plays well almost every game vs Vernon. Drew one assist was very good at both ends of the rink. A very good skater. Sees and reads the ice very well.

Grant Adams (22 saves) Wasn't tested often but was forced to make a few big stops through out the day.

Game Thought's: (Salmon Arm)

For a team who played last night in Penticton, had a quick turnaround today with travel and early game time, the Salmon Arm Silverbacks impressed me a lot. The Backs jumped on the hometown Vipers early and often. SA opened the scoring early in all three periods. The Apes were by far the better of the two teams, carried a lot of the play, had more puck possession and zone time. Both teams had in and around the same amount of shots on goal in each period but the Silverbacks generated and created a little more chances through out the hockey game. I thought Salmon Arm looked ready to go off the opening faceoff. The Gorillas looked fresh, sharp, quick and competed hard. The S'Backs kept things simple, had the Snakes hemmed in there own end often, forced Vernon into coughing up the puck/turnovers throughout the afternoon. The Apes jumped out to a 3-0 lead let things get away from them on a few shifts and it cost them a goal or two and allowed the Vipers back in the contest. A Silverback bounce here or there and this may have been a different outcome. Even though the Backs allowed Vernon back in the game and blew a three goal lead, I liked Salmon Arm's push back after every goal. SA played most of the afternoon with the lead, once behind it didn't take long to tie things up or re-take the lead. The Silverbacks had the Snakes on there heels in overtime, couldn't generate anything early, before allowing Vernon to settle in and take over the play for the remainder of OT. A tough loss for Salmon Arm who wont be happy blowing a 3-0 lead. The Silverbacks finish 1-5 vs Vernon this season. I spotted a few Silverbacks fans in attendance today. With Church, NFL playoffs and crappy weather conditions outside, a smaller crowd today. The Silverbacks have lost back to back games, have lost three of there last five have four wins in there last nineteen games.

Scratches:

Vernon:

Dawson Holt (Injured)
Logan Cash
Nicholas Kent (Injured)
Max Palaga (Injured-Out for the season)

Salmon Arm:

Kieran Ruscheinski
Simon Tassy

Energy Player of the Game:

Jackson Caller (1 goal)

Three Star's:

1st Star: William Poirier (3 goals)
2nd Star: Cameron MacDonald (Overtime winner)
3rd Star: Jo Jo Tanaka-Campbell (1 goal)

I have picked a victory song for the Vipers this season. After every win, I will play Tarzan Boy by Baltimora

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_r0n9Dv6XnY

Boxscore-Game Summary,

https://bchl.ca/stats/game-summary/9565

Game Report,

https://lscluster.hockeytech.com/game_reports/official-game-report.php?lang_id=1&client_code=bchl&game_id=9565

Text Boxscore,

https://lscluster.hockeytech.com/game_reports/text-game-report.php?lang_id=1&client_code=bchl&game_id=9565

Please feel free to leave a suggestion or comment in the comment box below. I always enjoy and post all comments, as long as there tasteful. Thank you for your comments and visiting my blog.

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