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 missed 5 home games since 2004 and 46 home games since 1990. I started and created this blog in November 2008 and have over 2.2 million viewers. For anyone who couldn't watch or attend today'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 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 exhibition game as Salmon Arm defeated Vernon 6-3 in front of a decent sized crowd at the Shaw Centre.
Vernon Vipers: Ethan David
Salmon Arm Silverbacks: Carter Richardson
Salmon Arm Silverbacks: Carter Richardson
1st Period: Inside the opening minute, Hank Cleaves with a hard working shift, used his speed to come down the left wing before setting up Julian Facchinelli who beat Carter Richardson but not the far goal post just thirty one seconds into the first preseason game of the year. One minute later Mark Rechan was left alone in the slot, somehow missed the net on a good look from in close. On the following play the Vipers couldn't stuff home the puck from under Carter Richardson who had to smother the puck under his pads on a goal mouth scramble at the top of the crease. Vernon with a few strong shifts early to start the hockey game. The Silverbacks needed two and a half minutes to record their first shot of the game before Ethan David robbed veteran forward Brandon Santa Juana with a glove save. David had to be alert minutes later stopping Hayden Stavroff on a wrap around before making a difficult save off a goal mouth scramble. Justin Chaput took a big hit along the end wall went down and didn't get up, eventually was able to get to his feet and was ok-stayed in the contest. Ludovik Tardif was alone at the top of the crease, couldn't hit the net, went high and over the goal on a missed opportunity from Vernon. The Snakes were outshooting Salmon Arm 2-0 minutes into the hockey game but at the midway mark, the Backs were up 8-3 in shots as the tide turned. On a defensive coverage breakdown, Owen Beckner snapped the puck past Ethan David, giving Salmon Arm a 1-0 lead at 11:26 Beckner's goal was unassisted on a goal I think Ethan David would like back. The Apes would get the games first power play less then a minute later. Early into the PP a quick shot from the point, beat Ethan David but not the crossbar as the Silverbacks come close to taking a 2-0 lead. SA had some pressure on the man advantage but couldn't capitalize as the Vipers killed off the minor. Twenty six seconds later Vernon would get their first look with the PP. The Snakes didn't get much pressure as SA killed off the minor. Inside the final minute, the S'Backs sprung Maddux Martin in for the partial breakaway but Ethan David stood tall, making the stop, keeping this a one goal game. This was a big save with fifty seconds remaining after Ethan Merner beat Carter Richardson who was down and out tying the game 1-1 at 19:46 Dylan Compton & Isaac Tremblay collected the helpers. It was 1-1 after 20 minutes of play. The Vipers with a great start, had some early pressure/zone time and a few good looks/chances before the Silverbacks slowly took over the edge in the play. I thought Salmon Arm had a slight edge in play for a lot of the period. The Apes hit two crossbars. Ethan David was good between the pipes. Vernon responded with a better effort late in the period. Shots were 11-11.
2nd Period: Early into the middle frame, Julian Facchinelli with a quality chance in front would be denied by Salmon Arm Silverbacks starting goaltender Carter Richardson. About five minutes later, Brandon Santa Juana with a crisp pass through the middle, spotted Owen Beckner who ripped home his second goal of the evening, giving Salmon Arm a 2-1 lead at 7:16 Brandon Santa Juana & Connor Welsh drew the assists. Just before the halfway mark, Connor Chalmers with a slick move near the hashmarks couldn't solve Carter Richardson on a high save, keeping this a one goal game. About a minute later, the puck took a funny bounce over Dylan Compton's stick, allowing Connor Welsh in for the breakaway but Vernon Vipers starting netminder Ethan David with a solid stop. Minutes later Hank Cleaves setup Mark Rechan on an odd man rush. Rechan tried to connect on the pass but got his stick into the chest of Carter Richardson. Rechan would be charged with goaltender interference, giving SA the only power play of the period. Nathan Mackie on the PP behind the goal, caught Ethan David cheating and just snuck the puck between David's pad and the goal post, giving Salmon Arm a 3-1 lead at 15:38 Brandon Santa Juana and Owen Beckner with the assists. This goal seemed to give the Apes some life and momentum as Salmon Arm poured on the attack for the remainder of the period. Just over two minutes later, Dylan Compton turned over the puck inside the blueline, that allowed Nic Leggett to beat Ethan David, giving Salmon Arm a 4-1 lead at 17:45 Aidan Lindblad and Owen Desilets picked up the helpers. Less then two minutes later and Vernon having all kinds of trouble in their own end, allow Connor Welsh to beat Ethan David down low, giving Salmon Arm a commanding 5-1 lead at 19:33 as the wheels fell off for the visiting Vernon Vipers. A little pushing and shoving at the buzzer that didn't materialize into much. It was 5-1 Salmon Arm after 40 minutes of play. This was a fairly evenly played period until the final five minutes. The Backs with three goals in the final five minutes, blow the doors open and basically put the game away. The Snakes give up a power play goal and some costly turnovers in their own end and puck ends up in the back of the net. The returning players for the Silverbacks really cranked it up late in the period and took over the hockey game. Salmon Arm outshot Vernon 15-8.
3rd Period: Inside the opening minute, Ethan David and the Snakes almost get caught as David gets caught out of his crease but manages to get back on time. Shortly after Ethan David comes out to the play after a dump in but the puck takes a weird bounce off the end glass, coming right out front where Jayden Grier can't connect missing a wide open cage. Ethan David and the Vipers catch a break. Vernon with an early PP has two quality chances at the side of the net but Carter Richardson robs two Vipers on back to back saves before Ethan Merner bats down the puck out of mid air and into the net, but the goal was waived off immediately due to a high stick. It wasn't long after when Ludovik Tardif capitalizes on the man advantage, cutting Salmon Arm's lead to 5-2 at 7:19 Hank Cleaves with the lone assist. 1:13 later Ethan David comes out of the blue paint to play the puck off a dump in. The puck looks to deflect off David's stick, right out front to Nathan Mackie for the open cage, giving Salmon Arm a commanding 6-2 lead at 8:32 Mackie with his second of the hockey game was unassisted. Three and a half minutes later the S'Backs get their third PP of the contest. Salmon Arm with two scrambles at the top of the crease, couldn't jam the puck home as Ethan David had to be sharp on both plays. The Silverbacks with pressure couldn't capitalize with the man advantage. Less then two minutes later, SA went back to the power play. Vernon with a better penalty kill, kills off the minor penalty. Thirty seconds after killing off the penalty, Dane Weston scores late, cutting Salmon Arm's lead to 6-3 at 18:13 Isaac Tremblay & Erik Pastro picked up the helpers. Salmon Arm opens the preseason with a 6-3 victory. I thought both teams were fairly even but Salmon Arm did get the better of the scoring chances that period. Vernon outshot Salmon Arm 14-12.
Top Player's: Vernon Vipers
The line of Kurt Gurkan, Hank Cleaves and Julian Facchinelli was the Vipers best unit. I thought these three kids looked/played very well and stood out for most of the hockey game. Gurkan isn't the biggest kid but quick on his feet, has some wheels, very shifty, hard to check and contain. Cleaves also has some speed and liked setting up Facchinelli. Julian Facchinelli looked good. Has some size, goes to the net, makes plays/things happen and created/generated some opportunities. I liked the looks of this kid.
Max Seguin caught my eye at times. Worked/battled hard, was involved in the play/dirty area's. Didn't back down and played in the trenches.
Game Thought's: Vernon Vipers
- Other then Ethan David & Roan Clarke the Vipers dressed all rookie skaters.
- Vernon has 11 players returning from last season. I counted ten players dressed in suites watching the game from the stands.
- Ethan David was good at times but also would like to have a few goals back
- This wasn't a 6-3 hockey game. The final score didn't indicate the outcome of the game. The wheels fell off in the final five minutes of the 2nd period. In a 2-1 game, Salmon Arm scores three goals in the final five minutes to take a 5-1 lead into the 3rd period. You eliminate that final five minutes and it's 2-1 heading into the 3rd.
- Tonight was the Vipers first of six preseason games
- For being the first game of the preseason, going with a rookie lineup, I thought the Vipers played better then I expected. Sure they made some mistakes, turned over pucks, gave up a couple of soft goals, were outplayed or out chanced at times, but going with a rookie lineup vs a veteran Salmon Arm lineup, it's hard to compare. This was also the first game these kids have played together.
- The Vipers went with Colton Sparrow and Lukas Lomicky behind the bench, while Jason McKee and Eric Morrissette were watching from the stands.
- The Vipers wore their navy blue road jerseys with no names/name bars
- The Vipers & Silverbacks meet seven times during the regular season
- The Vipers have lost six straight games in Salmon Arm (preseason & regular season). Vernon's last win in Salmon Arm was a 5-3 victory on January 12th 2020
- The Snakes have some size and speed
- Roan Clarke sported his new equipment. New pads with the Vipers colours and new painted mask with the Vipers logo
- The Snakes rookies/new recruits had troubles defending against Salmon Arm's veteran/returning players
- I spotted about ten or more Viper fans in attendance
Top Player's: Salmon Arm Silverbacks
Carter Richardson (30 saves) Played well in goal for the Apes in his Silverbacks debut. Not the biggest netminder but played big. Didn't give up any rebounds/or second opportunities.
Owen Desilets (1 assist) Returning for a second season with the Silverbacks, was good on the blueline.
Nic Leggett (1 goal) Entering his second season in Salmon Arm, was another strong piece on the Backs blueline.
Brandon Santa Juana (3 assists) Entering his second season with the Backs, played very well against Vernon last season, had another strong game vs the Vipers this evening. Was one of Salmon Arm's dominate forwards tonight. Had a strong game in the win.
Owen Beckner (2 goals & 1 assist) Back for a second season in Salmon Arm, opened the scoring and scored Salmon Arm's first two goals of the hockey game. Was another forward that stood out and played very well.
Connor Welsh (1 goal & 1 assist) Making his Silverbacks debut collected two points, played very well in the victory.
Game Thought's: Salmon Arm Silverbacks
- The Silverbacks dressed eight returning players
- The Silverbacks wore a grey practice Salmon Arm Pro-Am hockey school jersey tonight with no names or name bar. I know it's only the preseason but wear your actual team jersey and not some practice jersey from the summer pro-am. This isn't a beer league!
- The Apes opened the scoring and played with the lead through out the entire game
- Salmon Arm's veteran/returning players stood out and were a step above Vernon's rookies
- The S'Backs have fifteen players returning from last season
- Tonight was the first preseason game for both teams. Other then the normal mistakes etc This was an entertaining game. If it wasn't for three 2nd period goals late in the 2nd period, this game was closer then the final score
- The S'Backs had the bounces go their way tonight, resulting in a couple of goals/opportunities
- I was very impressed with tonight's crowd. Not only are we just into September, but with a long weekend and the IPE give the folks of Salmon Arm a big pat on the back for coming out on a Sunday evening on the last long weekend of the summer to support their Silverbacks. No attendance was announced but I would say easily 400 maybe a little more were in attendance.
- The difference in tonight's exhibition game was Salmon Arm's veteran lineup/roster over Vernon going with all rookie/newcomer skaters. The Silverbacks veterans outplayed the Vipers rookies/new recruits.
- These two teams will play again, Tuesday in Vernon
Vernon Vipers Roster:
Goaltenders:
Roan Clarke 03
Ethan David 03
Defence:
Justin Chaput 03
Dylan Compton 05
Kalan Anderlini 06
Dane Weston 03
David Brandes 04
Connor Chalmers 03
Forwards:
Kurt Gurkan 04
Hank Cleaves 03
Jack Sears 06
Max Seguin 04
Erik Pastro 05
Julian Facchinelli 04
Mark Rechan 04
Revy Mack 02
Ludovik Tardif 04
Ethan Merner 06
Will Blackburn 03
Isaac Tremblay 04
Vernon Vipers Scratches:
Max Borovinskiy 04
Brock Krulicki 02
Luke Lavery 04
Reagan Milburn 03
Luke Pakulak 03
Seiya Tanaka-Campbell 03
Luke Ashton 05
Griffen Barr 02
Anthony Cliche 03
Ayden Third 02
Salmon Arm Silverbacks Roster:
Goaltenders:
Carter Richardson 05
Rhys Nethertoin 04
Defence:
Lynden Hanvold 04
CJ Foley 04
Owen Desilets 04
Nic Leggett 05
Ryan Buckley 04
William Paterson 07
Forwards:
Brandon Santa Juana 02
Owen Beckner 05
Connor Welsh 04
Aidan Lindblad 04
Reid Varkonyi 06
Nathan Mackie 04
Maddux Martin 05
Mathieu Cobetto-Roy 03
Hayden Stavroff 04
Jayden Grier 03
Bobby Landry 04
Lian Gayfer 05
Salmon Arm Silverbacks Scratches:
Mathieu Bourgault 03
Ethan Ullrick 03
Isaac Lambert 03
Ryan Gillespe 03
Barret Joynt 03
William Lavigne 02
Jake Lammens 02
Liam Vanderkooi 03
Matthew Tovell 02
Three Star's:
No three stars were announced
Boxscore-Game Summary,
Here is the game recap from the Vernon Vipers website,
Game Report,
Text Boxscore,
Vernon Junior Hockey History website,
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 photo's I took before and during today's Vipers-Silverbacks game.
The good thing for our club is the fact that non of the Vipers looked out of place!
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