Vernon 4 Salmon Arm 3 Overtime

I was born and raised in Vernon, BC and been watching/following Junior hockey in Vernon my entire life. My family watched Senior men's hockey in Vernon 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 only 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 as a hobby and 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 tonight's Vipers game, here are my thought's and views from tonight's 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 tonight's Vipers-Silverbacks game as Vernon defeated Salmon Arm 4-3 in overtime in front of 1,500 fans at Kal Tire Place. (Due to Covid-19, Maximum capacity is 1,500)

Starting Goaltenders:

Vernon Vipers: Roan Clarke
Salmon Arm Silverbacks: Owen Say

1st Period: Just over two minutes into the hockey game, the visiting Salmon Arm Silverbacks come close to opening the scoring on a shot from the goal line. A Salmon Arm forward took a shot from the goal line that almost caughty Roan Clarke off guard, was forced into making a difficult save and then try and control the rebound with traffic going to the front of the crease. A few minutes later, Nathan Morin with a good look/opporunity in front couldn't solve Roan Clarke. The second year Viper netminder with two key stops early to start the contest. Just over five minutes in, the Silverbacks would get the games first power play. SA would get one some pressure, recorded three shots on goal and had one real good look/chance but couldn't solve Roan Clarke as Vernon would kill off the minor. The Vipers without a shot on goal at this point, needed just over seven minutes to record their first shot of the period shortly after the penalty expired. Nineteen seconds after the penalty expired, newly acquired defenceman Cade McNelly received a ten minute misconduct in his Vipers debut. 1:38 later Noah Serdachny beat Roan Clarke off the faceoff, giving Salmon Arm a 1-0 lead at 9:35 Tucker Hartmann & Mathieu Bourgault drew the helpers. The Apes were outshooting the Snakes 9-1 just past the halfway mark. With just over five minutes remaining, Ryan Shostak carried the puck up ice, before ripping a quick shot through Owen Say, tying the game 1-1 at 14:36 Cameron MacDonald with the lone assist. Shortly after Nicholas Kent with a good offensive play, would get hauled down driving to the net, unable to get a shot off, wouldn't get the call as the play continued. In the final ten seconds, Nicholas Kent would get called for hooking on a play in front of the Vernon goal. On his way to the penalty box, Kent was given a ten minute misconduct and as Kent entered the penalty box, Kent was thrown out of the hockey game. Kent was given two minutes for hooking, a ten minute misconduct and a game misconduct as the Viper faithful and the Viper bench erupted. Vipers Head Coach/GM Jason McKee got down to ice level, wanting an explination from the officials. The Gorillas with a very late power play to end the period. It was 1-1 after 20 minutes of play. The Snakes had a good opening shift before SA took control of the play early. The Silverbacks were the better team early, carried a lot of the play, were physical, had more puck possession, and zone time but didn't generate much for opportunities. The Apes may have had two or three good looks/chances. Vernon saw a lot of the first half in their own end as Salmon Arm was the better team in the first half. The Vipers responded and played much better in the second half, and had the better of the play in the final eight to nine minutes. The Snakes didn't really get any quality chances other then Ryan Shostak's goal. The Backs were up in shots 9-1 just past the halfway mark, outshot Vernon 10-7.

2nd Period: The Backs started the middle frame on the man advantage that was carried over from the 1st period. Salmon Arm started the period with 1:50 remaining on the PP. Off the opening faceoff, Michael Ladyman setup Brandon Santa Juana who come across the Viper blueline, beat a Viper defender that didn't even move, before spotting leading scorer Simon Tassy going to the goal, tapped in the puck into the open cage, giving Salmon Arm a 2-1 lead at 0:25 Brandon Santa Juana and Michael Ladyman collected the assists. This was poor defensive coverage by Vernon as not one Viper attempted to take out Santa Juana on the play, was allowed to skate into the zone and setup the leading goal. About a minute and a half later, Daniel Panetta with a good look/opporunity was denied by Vernon Vipers starting goaltender Roan Clarke. Clarke with a big stop, keeping this a one goal game. Just over three minutes later, the Snakes would get their first power play of the evening. Vernon's power play was awful as the Silverbacks with a strong penalty kill were very aggresive didn't allow the Vipers in across the line on too many rushes, killed off the penalty. Just over two minutes later, the Backs went back to the PP. Owen Beckner setup Mathieu Bourgault, who ripped a high shot over Roan Clarke, giving Salmon Arm a 3-1 lead at 11:11 Owen Beckner and Tucker Hartmann picking up the assists. Just over two minutes later, the Vipers would get just their second PP of the night and period. Twenty three seconds into the man advantage, Cameron MacDonald snapped home a puck past Salmon Arm Silverbacks starting goaltender Owen Say, cutting Salmon Arm's lead to 3-2 at 13:39 Ryan Shostak and Matthew Culling collected the assists. About a minute and a half later, Cade McNelly with a huge hit/check to the head, levelled a Salmon Arm player with a high hit to the face/head. The officials arms went up almost instantly, sending the Apes to the man advantage. Several Salmon Arm players tried to rush McNelly who was on his way to the penalty box. McNelly was given five minutes for a blow to the head and a game misconduct. The S'Backs struggled with the man advantage as the Vipers with a very good PK early. Still on the power play and a minute remaining in the period, the Apes take a penalty of their own, sending the play to four on four to finish the period. It was 3-2 Salmon Arm after 40 minutes of play. The Silverbacks were the better team and carried the better of the play for a lot of the period. SA had more puck possession, zone time and shots. For a second straight period, the Apes didn't generate a whole lot of quality chances. The Snakes only had two shots on goal in the first half, saw a lot of play in their own end, were very good on the PK. For a second straight period, Vernon had troubles generating offence, didn't get any quality chances other then Cameron MacDonald's goal. Salmon Arm outshot Vernon 10-6.

3rd Period: Both teams started four on four. Inside the opening minute, the Vipers sprung Ryan Shostak in for the breakaway, would be denied by Owen Say. Say with a big stop early into the final frame. Shortly after, Simon Tassy found some open ice, dangled in and around several Vipers before looking to have Roan Clarke down and out, somehow Clarke stayed with the play, making a large save, keeping this a one goal game. As both teams went back to five on five, Luke Pakulak with a heavy but clean check on Michael Ladyman behind the Gorillas goal, sent Ladyman to the ice who didn't get up. The officials arm went up almost instantly as several Silverbacks tried to rush at Pakulak. Pakulak was given five minutes for charging and a game misconduct as the Viper faithful let the officials have it. Ladyman needed help off the ice was attended to by a trainer, went to the Silverbacks dressing room but would later return to the contest. Salmon Arm on their second five minute major of the hockey game. Early into the major, Jake Lammens with a very good look/chance in the slot, would be stopped by Roan Clarke. Clarke with a large save on the PK, keeping this a one goal game. About two minutes into the power play, Simon Tassy hits Cameron MacDonald up high. MacDoanld goes to the ice, while Tassy goes to the penalty box. This sending the play to four on four. Ryan Shostak would get a quality chance four on four but unable to solve Owen Say. Both teams would go back to four on four, but not for long as Vernon would head to the power play. About a minute into the man advantage, Zack Tonelli the son of former NHL legend John Tonelli beat Owen Say high, tying the game 3-3 at 8:19 Cameron MacDonald with the lone helper. Less then a minute later, the Apes would go on the PP. The Snakes with a very good PK would kill off the minor. About two and a half minutes later, Vernon would jump on a late power play after a huge scrum took over as everyone on the ice got involved at the side of the Viper goal. Griffen Barr was sent to the Vipers dressing room but later returned. The crowd was into the game at this point. The Vipers with some looks, couldn't capitalize with the man advantage. Towards the end of the period, Griffen Barr with some slick moves, went in and out of several players looked to have Owen Say beat but rang his shot off the crossbar. With a minute remaining, Daniel Panetta with not one but two quality chances from the high slot, forced Roan Clarke to make two big stops, keeping this game tied at three. It was 3-3 after 60 minutes of play. What a wild and crazy 3rd period. Most of the period was either four on four or on the power play. I thought the S'Backs had the early edge in play, had some very grade A chances but Roan Clarke made some large saves early. The Vipers didn't get a lot of zone time or chances early but eventually created some chances and had some pressure on and off in the second half. Both teams having troubles staying out of the sin bin. At times Salmon Arm had an edge in play, then it was fairly even then the Snakes had a bit of the edge in play. The Vipers stepping up the physical play. Vernon outshot Salmon Arm 13-10.

Overtime: The Silverbacks won the draw and had first puck possession, come down the ice with an odd man rush but couldn't hit the goal. Vernon quickly moved the puck up ice, tried to setup Ryan Shostak going to the front of the goal, but unable to make a connection on the pass. The Vipers would eventually get the play back, Talon Zakall's shot found it's way through Owen Say, before Cameron MacDonald jammed home the loose puck in the blue paint, giving Vernon the 4-3 overtime victory at 0:40 as the Viper bench erupted onto the ice as Kal Tire Place went into a frenzy. Vernon outshot Salmon Arm 1-0.

Top Player's: Vernon Vipers

Cameron MacDonald (2 goals & 2 assists) Lead the Vipers offence and carried the team on his back this evening. MacDonald was named Assistant Captain today played with a ton of jump/energy was the Vipers best player.

Ryan Shostak (1 goal & 1 assist) Was the Vipers best play in Wednesday's shootout win over Trail had another strong game tonight. Shostak was involved in the play, had some looks/chances, played very well in the offensive zone.

Anthony Cliche I thought used his size, playing a very good defensive game.

Roan Clarke (27 saves) Looks like he has taken over the #1 job as the Snakes haven't had a #1 this season as the two 18 yr old goaltenders have been splitting the work load. Clarke who was solid between the pipes and kept Vernon in the hockey game on Wednesday vs Trail, was very good in goal vs Salmon Arm. Clarke made some big stops on the PK and five on five, giving his team a chance to win. 

Game Thought's: Vernon Vipers

The Vipers didn't get off to a good start, were outplayed and outshot early and for the first half of the opening frame. Vernon played much better in the second half of the 1st period. The Vipers were outplayed in the 2nd period but stepped up their game in the 3rd. I thought Salmon Arm had the early edge in play as the Snakes couldn't seem to gain puck possession or zone time. As the 3rd period went along, Vernon held their own vs the Silverbacks. The Vipers were outplayed for at least half the game but manage to hold their own and do a fairly good job at keeping the Ape's #1 unit in check. The Vipers have had trouble all season containing and defending agsinst Salmon Arm's top two lines, but did a good job at keeping them in check tonight. Vernon was up against the officials most of the night, lost three players all to game misconducts (Cade McNelly, Luke Pakulak & Nicholas Kent). Will we see any suspensions? Give the Vipers credit, after a flat and sluggish start vs Trail on Wednesday, the Snakes played with a ton of jump/energy tonight, were outplayed at times, out hit at times, and outskilled at times but never quit. For the first time in a very long time this team showed a lot of character after losing three players, clawed their way back after being down 3-1. The Vipers haven't been a very good come from behind team, but they pulled out the comeback tonight. How big of a confidence boost will this game be? Sometime's it takes games like these to turn around a teams season. What can you say about the penalty kill? Having to kill off two five minute majors. Vernon's PK was very good. Salmon Arm was very physical in the first two periods and I would have liked the Snakes to play with a little more edge and physicality in the first two periods, but they did step up the physical play in the 3rd. I didn't like the amount of turnovers and coughing up the puck in their own end. In the 2nd and 3rd periods, the Vipers gave up the puck way too many times, were lucky it didn't cost them a goal. How big was this three game home stand for a team that has been dismal and struggled all season? This short three game winning streak come at the right time, as the Vipers hit the road for a seven game road trip, starting Tuesday in Merritt. Vernon has lost ten straight games on the road, is 2-14 away from home. For just the second time this season, Vernon has won three straight. The Vipers had previously won three straight in mid October. The Vipers have won three of their past five games, and four of their past six games. I know your not going to win every game, but in the games you lose, compete and give the fans an honest and full effort. We can take a hard fought 3-2 loss much more then a 5-1 loss in a game where the team wasn't there. I have been very frustrated, critical and hard on this team all season and for good reason. The team has been very dismal, not fun to watch and near the bottom of the standings. Continue to string together some wins, improve, play with a little more consistancy each game and compete and you'll win me back. For the first time in a long time, there was actually a buzz in the rink tonight. Due to Covid-19 and maximum capacity restrictions, the game was sold out at 1,500 but those 1,500 fans were treated to a wild and crazy game. The atmosphere in the rink tonight made it like a playoff game from the good ol days. The officating has been fairly consistant and pretty good this season but tonight was awful. Could we see these two teams meet in the opening round of the playoffs? With the win Vernon improves to 10-14-3-3 sit 8th in the Interior Conference. 

Top Players: Salmon Arm Silverbacks

Tucker Hartmann (2 assists) I thought played very well for the Backs on the blueline. Chipped in with two assists, was good at both ends of the rink.

Lucas Matta Has always played well against the Snakes this season, had himself a strong game in the loss tonight.

Daniel Panetta I thought was the Silverbacks most dangerous player this evening. Had several quality chances, couldn't get on the score sheet. Was hard to contain and defend against.

Mathieu Bourgault (1 goal & 1 assist) Played very well other then taking two minors. 

Michael Ladyman (1 assist) Is another SA defender who has played Vernon well this season. Took a big hit behind the goal in the 3rd period, was slow getting up but managed to stay in the hockey game. 

Brandon Santa Juana (1 assist) Another Silverback that has had his way with the Vipers this year. Played well tonight. A very good skater, can move the puck and is always involved in the play. 

Owen Say (23 saves) Wasn't nearly as tested as Roan Clarke at the other end of the rink. The Vipers didn't create or generate a whole lot of grade A chances. Vernon did get some quality chances but just not a lot. Say was forced to make a few key stops through out the game.

Game Thought's: Salmon Arm Silverbacks

I thought the Silverbacks were the better team the first half of the opening frame, the 2nd period and now and again in the 3rd period. Overall the Gorillas had the better of the play offensively, had more puck possession and zone time. The Apes had a 3-1 lead in the 2nd period could have put this game away on the power play (two five minute majors) struggled with the man advantage, didn't get one goal on either of the two major penalties. This was the back breaker. Both teams struggled with the man advantage, both teams went 2-6 on the PP. Salmon Arm's top line has been dominate vs the Snakes this year but wasn't tonight. Give the Vipers full credit for not allowing Simon Tassy or Noah Serdachny to run the table. Tassy and Serdachny had a few looks/opportunities but weren't the dominate force they have been in the previous meetings vs Vernon. SA had several chances to blow the game open and didn't, allowed the Vipers to hang around & stay in the game. The Backs have a very good transition game, move the puck up ice in a hurry, can pass the puck, and have a lot of skill. The Silverbacks are very hard to contain, defend against and keep off the scoreboard. A small group of Silverbacks fans made the trip down to watch tonight's game. These two teams won't meet again unless the playoffs. Salmon Arm went 2-0 vs Vernon during the preseason and 6-2 vs Vernon during the regular season. Prior to tonight, the Backs had won eleven straight road games are 12-0-2-0 on the road. Salmon Arm's only two losses away from home, have been in Vernon and both games in overtime. The Vipers snapped the Silverbacks seven game winning streak. Prior to tonight, Salmon Arm had won twelve of their past thirteen games. With the loss Salmon Arm falls to 23-4-2-0 and sit atop the league standings.

Scratches:

Vernon Vipers:

Liam Cavan
Jack Glen
Reagan Milburn
Tyler Chan

Salmon Arm Silverbacks:

Kieran Ruscheinski
Lynden Hanvold

Three Star's:

1st Star: Cameron MacDonald (2 goals & 2 assists)
2nd Star: Ryan Shostak (1 goal & 1 assist)
3rd Star: Mathieu Bourgault (1 goal & 1 assist)

Energy Player of the Game:

Zack Tonelli (1 goal)

Boxscore-Game Summary,

| BCHL League Site

Game Report,

Game Report (hockeytech.com)

Text Box Score,

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

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