Salmon Arm 3 Vernon 0

I was born and raised in Vernon, BC and been watching/following Junior hockey in Vernon my entire life. My family watched Senior mens hockey in the 1950's and has been watching Junior hockey in Vernon since it started in 1961. I have two family members that played Junior hockey in Vernon. I have had season tickets since 1990 and missed 5 home games since 2004 and 46 home games since 1990. I'm not a journalist, writer, reporter or work for the Vernon Vipers. I do this blog in my own personal time. I started and created this blog in November 2008 and have over 2.1 million viewers. For anyone who couldn't watch or attend 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 hockey game. I try to be professional and give a fare game recap from both sides. Thank you for visiting my blog.

I was at this afternoon's Vipers-Silverbacks game as Salmon Arm defeated Vernon 3-0 in front of 1,444 fans at Kal Tire Place.

Starting Goaltenders:

Vernon Vipers: Ethan David
Salmon Arm Silverbacks: Owen Say

1st Period: The Silverbacks got the early jump off the opening faceoff but just before the three minute mark, Lynden Hanvold laid a big elbow/check to the head to affiliated player Gavin Garland making his Vipers debut this afternoon. Garland went down and was down shaking off the hit, while Lynden Hanvold was given two minutes for checking to the head and an automatic ten minute misconduct. Gavin Garland went to the dressing room, was checked out by the trainer but remained in the hockey game. Viper fans not happy with the call, wanted a five minute major. The Vipers struggled with the man advantage only registered one shot as Salmon Arm killed off the minor. Just over two minutes later, on a defensive breakdown at the side of Vernon's net, Silverbacks captain Daniel Panetta was able to skate out front untouched beating Ethan David in close, giving Salmon Arm an earl 1-0 lead at 7:18 Brandon Santa Juana & Simon Tassy drew the helpers. Twenty six seconds later, Daniel Pannetta beat Ethan David at the top of the crease, giving Salmon Arm a 2-0 lead at 7:44 Ethan Ullrick and Michael Ladyman with the assists. On the following shift the Apes would get their first power play of the afternoon. Shorthanded JoJo Tanaka-Campbell and Zack Tonelli lead an odd man rush. Tanaka-Campbell decided to keep and shoot would be denied by Owen Say before getting his own rebound, stopped again as the Silverbacks get two big stops by their goaltender, keeping this a two goal game. Lucas Matta joined the play couldn't connect on a pass through the slot on SA's only real quality chance with the man advantage. The Gorillas struggled with the PP as Vernon kills off the minor. The Silverbacks went back to the power play about three minutes later. The Vipers with a very good PK shutdown Salmon Arm's skilled forwards as the Snakes kill off back to back minors. Towards the end of the period Vernon would get a late PP. Cameron MacDonald looked to have an open cage but fired high and over the goal, on a missed opportunity. The Snakes would test Owen Say who had to be sharp, was forced to make several key stops as Vernon gets a good three or four looks/chances but can't capitalize with the man advantage. It was 2-0 Salmon Arm after 20 minutes of play. I thought the Backs were the better team. The Silverbacks played with a lot of jump/energy, were moving the puck and carried the better of the play. Both teams didn't get a lot of chances but Salmon Arm scored on their opportunities. The Backs were physical and played with a bit of an edge. The Vipers penalty kill was very good but the team couldn't generate much for offence. Vernon's only real quality chances come shorthanded and on their second power play. Vernon outshot Salmon Arm 10-7.

2nd Period: Just about three minutes into the middle frame Adam Bourgeois hit Daniel Panetta into the corner boards. Panetta went into the boards awkwardly and didn't get up. The Apes captain struggled to get up was in some discomfort and looked to be holding his left arm as he skated off the ice with the trainer. Panetta went down the tunnel into the dressing room but would later return. Adam Bourgeois was given five minutes and a game misconduct for boarding. Viper fans didn't like this call and let the officials hear about it. There was a lengthy delay after Vipers Head Coach/GM Jason McKee talked to the officials for several minutes before the play resumed. The Gorillas struggled with the PP couldn't gain any kind of traction. Vernon held the Backs to just three shots as the Snakes kill off the major. Just as the penalty ends the Vipers would head to the man advantage. Shorthanded Simon Tassy lead the rush would get a very good look but unable to beat Vernon Vipers starting goaltender Ethan David who come up large. The Vipers quickly turned the puck back up ice, as Vernon went across the line with a three on two that lead to Griffen Barr being stopped in close by Owen Say. Back to back chances at both ends of the rink on Vernon's power play. The Snakes had trouble getting any kind of momentum going as Salmon Arm killed off the minor. Towards the end of the 2nd period the Silverbacks would get a late PP. SA with no real chances as Vernon kills off the minor. With about 1:20 remaining, the Apes moved the puck around setting up Lian Gayfer in the high slot, forced Ethan David into making a quick snag with the glove. It was 2-0 Salmon Arm after 40 minutes of play. The period didn't start well for the Vipers who not only started the period killing off a five minute major, was down a defenceman after Adam Bourgeois was tossed from the contest. The Snakes PK was very good as Salmon Arm struggled with the PP. I thought the Vipers had a bit of an edge in play, seemed to have more puck possession and zone time but for a second straight period struggled offensively. Vernon with very little scoring chances. The Apes struggled with the man advantage, could have easily blown the gates open, instead allowed the Snakes to hang around. Salmon Arm had troubles gaining traction, didn't see a lot of time in the offensive zone. Vernon outshot Salmon Arm 8-6.

3rd Period: The Backs would get an early power play about a minute and a half into the final frame. Jack Glen leaves his man un covered which is Daniel Panetta who scored his third goal of the afternoon, gave Salmon Arm a 3-0 lead at 2:55 Simon Tassy & Michael Ladyman picked up the assists. This basically put the game away. Minutes before the halfway mark, the Vipers looked to have got on the score board after a shot from the point went off the back boards, come out front hitting Salmon Arm Silverbacks starting goaltender Owen Say. As Say turned around to look for the puck, the puck got behind the goaltender and may have crossed the goal line while under Say's pads. The play was blown down as a few Vipers had their arms in the air. The goal light didn't come on and the play continued. It was still 3-0 Salmon Arm. Just before the midway mark, the Apes spotted Nathan Morin in front would be denied by Ethan David. With about eight minutes left in the game, Kjell Kjemhus would be called for boarding. As the play continued up ice, Kjemhus was giving it to the officials. Once the play was blown dead and Kjemhus was going to the penalty box, Kjemhus was given a misconduct and tossed from the hockey game. Viper fans once again upset with the call, let the officials hear about it. Kjemhus was very irate and giving it to the officials as he made his way to the dressing room. For a veteran 20 yr old wearing an "A" on his jersey, Kjemhus needs to show better leadership and not take a selfish and undisciplined penalty. SA had a few looks but no real quality chances as Vernon killed off the minor. Towards the end of the period and the Vipers under siege the Silverbacks with several good looks, forced Ethan David into making several stops late in the hockey game. With about three and a half minutes left Max Borovinskiy snapped a shot from the high slot, forced Owen Say into flashing the glove. With 1:15 left the Snakes would finish the game on the man advantage. Vernon would get some pressure and get one or two looks before the final buzzer as Salmon Arm comes away with the 3-0 victory and takes a 5-1 lead in the regular season series. It was all Silverbacks in the 3rd period as the Gorillas were the better team and took it to Vernon in the final twenty minutes. At times the Backs went several minutes with full control of the play/puck. I thought the game may get out of hand as both teams got a little chippy at times. Salmon Arm once again physical and laying the body on Vernon. The Snakes played a lot of the final twenty minutes in their own end. The Vipers needed almost the first six minutes to record a shot on goal. Ethan David had to be sharp, kept the score respectible as SA could have blown this game wide open. Salmon Arm outshot Vernon 19-8. 

Top Player's: Vernon Vipers

JoJo Tanaka-Campbell made his return to the Vipers lineup after missing the past few games due to injury. Tanaka-Campbell played with some jump, was one of Vernon's more energetic forwards.

Ethan David (29 saves) Making back to back starts gave up two early goals in the opening frame, stayed focused and battled hard through out the afternoon, giving his team a chance to hang around and stick in the game.

Game Thought's: Vernon Vipers

The Vipers were outplayed in the 1st and 3rd periods and struggled offensively. Vernon played well in the 2nd period and had a slight edge in play at times but struggled offensively the entire game. The Snakes had a limited amount of scoring opportunities and when they did generate some chances, couldn't capitalize. Your not going to win many hockey games when you struggle offensively and have troubles scoring. This has been Vernon's problem all season. The Vipers just don't have the same skill as teams like Salmon Arm. You have to really look at Vernon's recruiting and blame it on who's scouting and picking these kids? Take away some positives and I really liked the Vipers penalty kill. To not only limit Salmon Arm to three shots on a five minute major but also kill off the major was huge. The Snakes really needed a goal in the middle frame when they played their best. If Vernon could have at least scored once, a 2-1 game heading to the 3rd is better then down 2-0. The Vipers have trailed in most games this season and aren't a come from behind team, so any time a team like Vernon goes down two or more goals, it doesn't look good. This team has struggled all season, making the same mistakes from the first preseason game and haven't shown signs of much improvement. My question is why have the Vipers only made two trades to try and improve the lineup? What are they waiting for? When the team was struggled in early November this is when they should have been making several moves to try and improve the roster. With a week away from the trade deadline and you only have seven wins, what kind of trades will help you now? Looking at the record and the standings, Vernon has to be sellers come the deadline? right? Jack Glen and Kjell Kjemhus are two twenty year olds that have done nothing and should have never made it past training camp. Why these two kids are still here, taking up a valuable roster spot and 20 yr old spot is beyond me. Get rid of both kids and bring in two 20 yr olds that will improve your team, put up points and do something on the ice. The Vipers are now 0-2 playing on New Year's Day. Penticton won 3-1 in Vernon on New Year's Day January 1st 2020. The Vipers have four wins in their last twenty one games. With the loss Vernon falls to 7-13-3-3 and sit 8th in the Interior Conference. Only Coquitlam & Merritt have equal or fewer losses then Vernon.

Top Player's: Salmon Arm Silverbacks

Lucas Matta always seems to play a steady game on Salmon Arm's backend. Played very well today.

Simon Tassy (2 assists) The Silverbacks leading scorer picked up two helpers was dangerous with the puck, was skating circles around the Viper defenders. One of the more skilled players in the league. This kid can hurt you on almost every shift. Very hard to contain, defend against and play against.

Daniel Panetta (3 goals) The Backs captain lead the way and was Salmon Arm's best player this afternoon. This kid has played very good vs the Vipers this season and a treat to watch. The Apes can move the puck well and it starts with players like Simon Tassy and Dainel Panetta.

Lian Gayfer I thought didn't look out of place and kept up to the play as well as getting involved in the play. I'm assuming he's an "AP" was wearing a cage and no name bar on his jersey. 

Ethan Ullrick (1 assist) Was another forward who played very well. Hard to contain and defend against. This kid can skate and move the puck, is involved in the play and goes to the net.

Michael Ladyman (2 assists) Salmon Arm played very well defensively but also saw their d-men join the rush/play and Ladyman was one of those defenders. 

Brandon Santa Juana (1 assist) Is another player that has played well vs the Snakes this season. I thought played and battled all afternoon.

Owen Say (26 saves) Didn't see a lot of action today but when tested was solid between the pipes. This kid is quick on his feet, plays his position well and doesn't give up a lot of second or third opportunities. Has played very well vs Vernon this year.

Game Thought's: Salmon Arm Silverbacks

I don't think the Gorillas played a complete sixty minutes today but having to play an afternoon game out of town on New Years Day can't be easy for any young hockey player. The Silverbacks capitalized on two chances in the first half of the opening period, took the crowd out of the game early. Salmon Arm didn't generate or create a lot of chances in the first two periods, ramped up the offence in the 3rd pounding nineteen shots towards Vernon's goal. The Backs may have let Vernon hang around for two periods but an early goal to start the 3rd on the PP basically put the game away. The Silverbacks can move the puck up ice in a hurry, have three lines that can hurt you and some very skilled forwards. The Apes defence shut down Vernon's forwards, limiting their opportunities. SA's power play wasn't clicking today but if it was, this game could have gotten ugly early. A great turnout of Silverbacks fans attending today's game, made a lot of noise. Salmon Arm is 5-1 vs the Vipers this season and host Vernon tomorrow afternoon. Salmon Arm has won ten straight road games are 11-1 away from home with their only road loss coming in the Vipers home opener October 16th. Salmon Arm has won twelve of their past fourteen games. With the win Salmon Arm improves to 21-4-1-0 move into 1st place in the Interior Conference and second best in the league.

Scratches:

Vernon Vipers:

Talon Zakall (Injured)
Liam Cavan (Injured)
Luke Buss (Injured)
Seiya Tanaka-Campbell (Injured)
Ryan Shostak (Injured)

Salmon Arm Silverbacks:

Gabriel Murrells Allaway
Kieran Ruscheinski
Owen Desilets
Mathieu Cobetto-Roy
Aidan Linblad
Owen Beckner
Isaac Lambert

Three Star's:

1st Star: Daniel Panetta (3 goals)
2nd Star: Owen Say (26 saves-Shutout)
3rd Star: Michael Ladyman (2 assists)

Energy Player of the Game:

Cameron MacDonald

Boxscore-Game Summary,

| BCHL League Site

Game Report,

Game Report (hockeytech.com)

Text Box Score,

Official statistics powered by LeagueStat.com (hockeytech.com)

Please feel free to leave comments or suggestions in the comment box below. I always enjoy and post all comments as long as there tasteful.

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