I was born and raised in Vernon, BC and been watching/following Junior hockey in Vernon my whole life. My family watched Senior mens 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 2.1 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. You may agree or disagree but we all have our own opinion on the hockey game and see things differently. 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 4-1 in front of 2,118 fans at Kal Tire Place.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon Vipers: Ethan David
Salmon Arm Silverbacks: Matthew Tovell
1st Period: About a minute and a half into the opening period the Vipers come very close to opening the scoring on a goal mouth scramble at the top of the crease. Matthew Tovell had to be alert, somehow managed to keep the puck out with bodies in and around the blue paint, digging for the loose puck. Shortly after CJ Foley setup Nathan Morin who beat Ethan David giving Salmon Arm an early 1-0 lead at 3:05 CJ Foley and Maddux Martin collected the assists. This took the crowd out of the game early. About seven minutes later, Nathan Morin would be denied by Ethan David before Owen Beckner looked to bat the puck out of midair, giving Salmon Arm a 2-0 lead at 10:45 With just under seven minutes remaining, Owen Desilets ripped a shot from the high slot that beat Ethan David but not the post. Shortly after the Silverbacks would get the game's first power play. Ryan Gillespie and Nathan Morin both with quality chances but the Vipers would kill off the penalty. Just seconds after the penalty expired, the Apes would head back to the PP. Vernon would struggle with the man advantage before Owen Beckner would hit Julian Facchinelli from behind in front of the Salmon Arm bench. Facchinelli would be ok, but Owen Beckner would be given two minutes for checking from behind and a game misconuct. SA would lose their power play as both teams went to four on four. The Snakes would finish the period on the power play but generate very little offence. It was 2-0 Salmon Arm after 20 minutes of play. The Silverbacks were by far the better team as the Gorillas outskated, outworked and out chanced the Snakes for the majority of the 1st period. The S'Backs carried the better of the play, had a ton of zone time/puck possession. The Silverbacks were strong on the boards, hard to knock off the puck, hard to defend against and have a very strong work ethic. Aidan Lindblad went to the ice with a Viper player and was a little slow getting to his feet. Lindblad went straight to the Silverbacks bench but seemed to be ok and stayed in the hockey game. The Vipers didn't record a single shot in the second half of the period. Vernon had troubles getting pucks to the net, weren't skating and didn't play with any jump/energy. Vernon struggled offensively, saw a lot of action in their own end. A very disappointing period by the Vipers. Salmon Arm outshot Vernon 15-4.
2nd Period: The Vipers started the middle frame on the PP that was carried over from the opening period. Off the opening faceoff, Luke Lavery would be denied on a breakaway inside the opening minute of play. A big stop from Salmon Arm Silverbacks starting netminder Matthew Tovell. Salmon Arm would kill off the minor. Early into the period, the Backs couldn't sneak a puck at the side of the goal past Vernon Vipers starting goaltender Ethan David who almost lost his footing, had to struggled to get back to his feet and manage to stay tight against the post to keep the puck out with traffic at the side of the net. Shortly after it looked like the Silverbacks were getting an early power play but seconds into the man advantage, Salmon Arm would take a penalty, sending the play to four on four. Eight seconds later the Snakes get caught giving up an odd man rush. CJ Foley led the attack on a two on one, decided to keep and shot, beating Ethan David glove side, giving Salmon Arm an early 3-0 lead at 4:37 Owen Desilets drew the helper. This was a goal I think Ethan David wants back. 1:13 later the Vipers lose the battle along the wall, turn over the puck. William Lavigne setup Silverbacks forward/captain Nathan Mackie, giving Salmon Arm a 4-0 lead at 5:50 William Lavigne and Brandon Santa Juana collected the assists. Viper fans started getting a little restless, let their team know how they felt. On the following play, Reagan Milburn with a good look/opportunity would be denied by Matthew Tovell. Shortly after the Apes would head to the power play. The Silverbacks with a few good looks couldn't capitalize as Vernon kills off the minor. About a minute later the Snakes would get just their second man advantage of the evening. The Vipers had a look or two but that was it as SA killed off the penalty. With about seven minutes left in the 2nd period, Nathan Morin couldn't convert on a odd man rush after Ethan David made a big left pad save. Late in the period, Kurt Gurkan with a very solid shift, did all the work to setup Julian Facchinelli who deked out Matthew Tovell, cutting Salmon Arm's lead to 4-1 at 17:49 Kurt Gurkan picked up the lone assist. Inside the final minute of play, Jake Lammens beat Ethan David but hit the post. Lammens then tried to beat Ethan David at the buzzer to end the period. It was 4-1 Salmon Arm after 40 minutes of play. The S'Backs were the better of the two teams. Salmon Arm carried a lot of the play, were much quicker, outskated the Vipers, were winning the races/battles for pucks, making plays, creating/generating chances and played with a ton of jump/energy. Brandon Santa Juana blocked a shot during the period, was in some discomfort but stayed in the game. The Vipers looked a wee bit better but still didn't play or look very good. Vernon was outskated for a second straight period, were losing a lot of the puck battles and races to the puck. The Snakes were able to get more pucks to the net but didn't get a whole lot of opportunities. Shots were 10-10.
3rd Period: Vernon started the period on a very short PP that was carried over from the 2nd period. I think the Vipers had eleven seconds to play with on the man advantage. Off the puck drop, Reagan Milburn got into the offensive zone and ripped a high shot that beat Matthew Tovell, going off the crossbar as the Snakes come close to scoring early. Salmon Arm would kill off the shortened penalty. Shortly after Brandon Santa Juana thought he gave Salmon Arm a 5-1 lead early into the 3rd but the net was knocked off way earlier then the puck going in, as the goal was waived off immediately. Shortly after Barret Joynt took a high stick from Kurt Gurkan. Gurkan was given a double minor for high sticking, Joynt went to the dressing room with the trainer for some repairs but returned to the Backs bench. SA couldn't get much of anything going with the lengthy power play. I think the Silverbacks only managed two shots on goal? While a very good penalty kill from the hometown Vipers as Vernon killed off the double minor. Just before the halfway mark, Julian Facchinelli with a very good opportunity couldn't solve Matthew Tovell. On the following play, Isaac Lambert would come back the other way on an odd man rush but be denied by Ethan David. Minutes past the midway mark, Julian Facchinelli fooled the crowd after ringing a shot off the far post as most Viper fans in the building thought the puck went in. On the following play, Nathan Mackie come back the other way but couldn't beat Ethan David who made a big stop. The Vipers would finish the hockey game with back to back power plays. Vernon had a couple of looks but unable to capitalize. Inside the final minute of play, Vernon turned over the puck, allowing Salmon Arm an odd man rush back the other way. William Lavigne would beat Ethan David from the slot but not the goal post. Salmon Arm would sweep the home & home series with a 4-1 victory. With a three goal lead heading into the final frame, the Gorillas took their foot off the gas for a lot of the period. The Vipers carried a lot of the play, had their best scoring chances all in the 3rd period. Vernon seemed to get their legs going and were able to get some zone time and puck possession and create/generate some opportunities, something they didn't do much of in the two previous periods. The Silverbacks were ahead by three goals, sitting back on a decent lead. The Apes weren't pressing or gunning for more goals, were playing a more cautious/defensive style of game in the final period. Vernon outshot Salmon Arm 9-6.
Vernon Vipers Top Player's:
Julian Facchinelli (1 goal) Scored the Vipers lone goal, was one of the better players in the loss. I thought really stood out in the 3rd period with a handful of looks/opportunities.
Kurt Gurkan (1 assist) Not the biggest kid but was one of the more consistent Vipers tonight. I thought played hard, competed, battled and never gave up. It was Gurkan's shift/hard work that started/created Vernon's only goal of the game.
Game Thought's: Vernon Vipers
- A very disappointing performance from the Vipers
- The Vipers didn't show up and looked dreadful for most of the hockey game
- A large crowd on hand for the Vipers home opener
- Vernon showed very little emotion, didn't play with any jump or energy through out the game
- The Snakes were outskated, outworked, outplayed, outcoached, out skilled and outshot
- The Vipers are lacking scoring and it's showed during the preseason and now into the regular season
- A handful of Vernon Junior hockey alumni were on hand for tonight's home opener
- The Vipers didn't look good defensively
- Jason McKee and the coaching staff have to be blamed for not having these kids/team ready to go. Tonight, was ugly and very disappointing
- Ethan David looked off tonight and didn't have a lot of confidence
- Isn't Roan Clarke the #1 goaltender? Why wasn't he playing tonight?
- The Vipers are 0-4 vs Salmon Arm this season (preseason/regular season)
- This was a completely different Viper team I saw play tonight over the Viper team I watched in Salmon Arm last night
- Great to see the Vernon Junior hockey alumni more involved with the team and a group of them at tonight's home opener
- Watching the Vipers tonight, reminded me a lot of the Vipers team from last year
- There wasn't much to cheer about tonight, the Vipers looked pretty bad
- A lot of upset and disappointed Viper fans leaving the game tonight
- The Vipers were wearing their navy blue road jerseys tonight
- Jason McKee was completely outcoached tonight
- The Vipers took way too many penalties
- With the loss, Vernon falls to 0-2-0-0
- The Vipers play back to back games in Prince George next weekend
Top Player's: Salmon Arm Silverbacks
CJ Foley (1 goal & 1 assist) Played very well in both games vs the Vipers this weekend. This kid can skate, sees the ice and plays well at both ends of the rink. A very good defender.
Nathan Morin (1 goal & 1 assist) Opened the scoring tonight, picked up two points, I thought was one of the better Silverbacks. Had some looks/chances, played very well at both ends of the rink.
Aidan Lindblad I thought battled and competed, played hard, went to the grey areas and didn't stop skating. Finished his checks, was hard to play against.
Isaac Lambert Was another forward who played well in the home & home series. Competed and played very well in the win this evening.
Jake Lammens Was solid on the Silverbacks blueline. Played well at both ends of the rink, joined the rush occasionally, had a few looks as well. Played well in both games vs the Snakes this weekend.
Matthew Tovell (22 saves) Wasn't tested much but made the saves when called upon. Played well between the pipes this weekend.
Game Thought's: Salmon Arm Silverbacks
- The Silverbacks were by far the better team
- Salmon Arm is very quick, has some skill and very well rounded team
- These two teams will meet again, October 7th in Vernon
- I spotted about fifteen-twenty Silverbacks fans in attendance tonight
- The Silverbacks outskated Vernon all night, won most of the races/puck battles
- The Apes have a very strong work ethic and compete level
- The Silverbacks were hard to defend against
- Salmon Arm took advantage of Vernon's mistakes
- Salmon Arm's recruits/committed players were much better then Vernon's recruits/committed players
- The Gorillas play three of their next five games on the road
- With a three goal lead heading into the 3rd period, SA took their foot off the gas
- Salmon Arm & Vernon meet seven times this season
- With the win, Salmon Arm improves to 2-0-0-0
- The Silverbacks host Penticton & Wenatchee next weekend
Scratches:
Vernon Vipers:
Revy Mack
Will Blackburn
Will Blackburn
Anthony Cliche
Salmon Arm Silverbacks:
Nic Leggett
Mathieu Bourgault
Lian Gayfer
Hayden Stavroff
Jayden Grier
Energy Player of the Game:
Ethan Merner
Three Star's:
1st Star: CJ Foley (1 goal & 1 assist)
2nd Star: Nathan Morin (1 goal & 1 assist)
3rd Star: Julian Faccjinelli (1 goal)
Boxscore-Game Summary,
Game Report,
Text Box Score,
Vernon Junior Hockey History website,
Please feel free to leave comments or suggestions in the comment box below. Please be respectful when leaving comments.
Here are some photo's I took before and during tonight's Vipers-Silverbacks game.
we have got alot to work on. The two defenders on one technic that the silver backs use when we have the puck I found to be very effective. We also need more work on our systems especially organized passing to a fellow team mate. I realize this will take time as to players getting to know each other and hopefully this upcoming road trip will help. Finally the Vipes need to put more effort into there fore check. Practice,practice and the hope that this group of guys believe in to behave as a team not try and do it all on there own. Time will Tell, GO,VIPERS,GO.
ReplyDeleteSame ol same ol! The owners have to wake up and can their old buddy Jason, he doesnt have a clue what he is doing and it reflects on his players, they get no direction. No wonder good players parents send their kids to Penticton.
ReplyDeleteIf I have said it once, I’ve said it a million times , if you can’t get 3-4 goals in a game you’re not going too win very many. One goal in six periods, give me a break, piss poor effort to say the least and a good ol ass kicking by Salmon Arm.
ReplyDeleteThere was one HEAVILY INEBRIATED fellow trying to get some cheers going for the Vipers alas, not too many fans followed his lead, just too much negative energy in the building with the Vipers giving us nothing to cheer about.
Looking forward at the schedule and it doesn’t get any better for the Vipers, in fact, they could just have a start to the season similar too last years, WE DO NOT WANT THAT!!
Someone one says to me, “why don’t you be more positive towards the team”, I says to him “I’M POSITIVE THEY SUCKED, BIG TIME!”
The first of hopefully several new players has arrived in town from the AJHL.
ReplyDeleteI am hoping some of these AJHL players will provide some leadership and experience to our new players because right now Pakaluk just not making the grade or the other leaders on this team. I have seen leadership from the past such as the Jones boys, Robinson, Gare, Krause,Williamson and others. We need to go down a different road for this to happen as it is quite evident leadership is a problem. GO,vipers,GO.
ReplyDeleteBingo you make a great point about leadership but there is one BIG PROBLEM. All the names you mentioned were a product of Mark Ferner. He was a GM and coach who could recruit and bring quality players to Vernon because of his reputation and relationships in the hockey community. This is now the 4th year that this once proud franchise has been going down the drain, and it's not getting better its only going to get worse with the so called recruiting and GM Jason Mckee and his new flunky Pat Loyer. Amazing crowd last night for the home opener with the 2nd highest attendance of the opening weekend in the BCHL and this is the crap we had to witness. Did anyone listen to the post game show cause it was the same old excuses he's been saying for four years now,can't skate,can't pass,can't break out of their own end and the PP sucks. Can't wait for the "FERNER " chant to start again!
ReplyDeleteRight on Bobby C you said what I have been saying all long, get rid of McKee! Bingo is already questioning Jason's recruiting, they are already bringing in players from the AJHL and they are only 2 games into the season. Just goes to show you what you get when the team is run by 2 used car salesmen....lol. They should give Jason a job selling used cars he's a pretty good at BS as heard on the post-game interviews.
ReplyDelete