"Teddy Bear Toss" Vernon 4 Salmon Arm 3 Overtime

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 2.2 million viewers. For anyone who couldn't watch or attend tonight's Vipers game, here are my thoughts 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 Vernon defeated Salmon Arm 4-3 overtime in front of 1,640 fans at the Shaw Centre.

Starting Goaltenders:

Vernon Vipers: Ethan David

Salmon Arm Silverbacks: Matthew Tovell

1st Period: Fifteen seconds into the hockey game, Matthew Tovell got caught behind his net as the puck come out front where Lee Parks was tied up in front as the puck sat in the crease before being cleared as the Silverbacks escape and miss giving up an early game to start the hockey game. Three minutes into the period, Brandon Santa Juana with a heavy shot from the slot, would be denied by Ethan David. A few minutes later, the S'Backs would get the games first power play. Ten seconds into the man advantage, Ethan Ullrick's shot would be tipped in with a high stick, giving Salmon Arm a 1-0 lead at 7:10 as the stuffed animals hit the ice in the Silverbacks annual teddy bear toss. Ethan Ullrick and Owen Beckner with the assists. The Vipers bench complained about the high stick as the bench and fans in the rink were able to watch the replay on the video screen inside the Shaw Centre, but the goal stood. On the following shift, CJ Foley's quick low shot from the circle, forced Ethan David into making a large pad save. Shortly after, Reagan Milburn setup Luke Pakulak on a two on one, as Pakulak tied the game 1-1 at 10:45 Reagan Milburn and Lee Parks with the helpers. Towards the end of the period, the Apes would get a late PP. SA didn't get any real quality chances as the 1st period ended before the penalty expired. It was 1-1 after 20 minutes of play. The Vipers with a good start before Salmon Arm slowly started to gain some momentum and carry a bit of the play early in the first half. The Silverbacks were able to get lots of pucks towards Ethan David early but didn't generate a whole lot of grade A opportunities. The Snakes didn't generate a lot of quality chances either. Both teams were fairly even with the Gorillas with a slight edge in play at times. Salmon Arm outshot Vernon 15-11.

2nd Period: The Silverbacks started the period with a shortened power play that was carried over from the 1st period. The Vipers were able to kill it off. About four minutes into the middle frame, Lee Parks tried one timing the puck that come off the end boards on a dump in play. Parks didn't get much on his shot as Salmon Arm Silverbacks starting netminder Matthew Tovell made a stop in front. About two minutes later on an odd man rush, Isaac Lambert beat Ethan David but not the post as the Silverbacks were very close to taking an early lead. Just before the midway mark, Isaac Tremblay's shot from the goal line forced Matthew Tovell into making a big stop. Shortly after the Snakes would get their first PP of the evening. Reagan Milburn would be robbed with what looked to be an open cage but Matthew Tovell somehow come across to make the glove save. The Snakes would try to bang away at a loose puck on a goal mouth scramble with bodies in front, but Matthew Tovell was able to smother the puck. Salmon Arm killed off the minor. Just over two minutes later, the Apes would get a lengthy power play after Griffen Barr took a four minute double minor for spearing. The Backs moved the puck around and around, but didn't get any real good looks or pucks to the goal. The Gorillas were unable to really generate much with the man advantage as Vernon killed off the double minor. Inside the final minute, Reagan Milburn setup Luke Pakulak for his second of the contest, giving Vernon a late 2-1 lead at 19:37 Reagan Milburn and Seiya Tanaka-Campbell drew the assists. It was 2-1 Vernon after 40 minutes of play. Both teams were very evenly matched. Salmon Arm couldn't capitalize with a double minor towards the end of the period. This was a chippy period as the officials allowed both teams to get away with several obvious penalties. Vernon outshot Salmon Arm 12-7.

3rd Period: Twenty nine seconds into the 3rd Nathan Mackie's shot would be tipped in front by Ryan Gillespie, tying the game 2-2 at 0:29 Nathan Mackie & CJ Foley collected the assists. On the following play a minor scrum broke loose in the Silverbacks zone as the chippy play and tempers heated up early. About five minutes in, Jonathan Horn's snap shot from the circle forced Matthew Tovel into making a difficult save with traffic driving to the net as the Vipers come close to taking the lead. Shortly after the Silverbacks would get an early power play. The Apes would generate several flurries in and around the goal but Vernon Vipers starting goaltender Ethan David was sharp, keeping this game tied. The Snakes would get some key stops from David and kill off the minor. As the play continued, Salmon Arm gained some momentum and pressure and again had a flurry of chances in and around the net. Just past the halfway mark, Julian Facchinelli couldn't beat Matthew Tovell on a wrap around. Late in the frame, Thomas Tien setup Hank Cleaves on an odd man rush, giving Vernon a 3-2 lead at 16:06 Thomas Tien and Connor Elliott picked up the assists. Shortly after Salmon Arm would call a time out and get Matthew Tovell to the bench with about 2:34ish remaining for the extra attacker. The Backs had lots of zone time and pressure with the puck as the Snakes couldn't clear the zone. Inside the final minute of play, Ethan Ullrick's shot would be redirected in front by Nathan Mackie, tying the game 3-3 at 19:38 as the Shaw Centre erupted. Ethan Ullrick with the lone helper. After the goal, Brandon Santa Juana was given a ten minute misconduct. It was 3-3 after 60 minutes of play. The hometown Silverbacks had the better of the play and had the edge in play often. SA was getting lots of pucks to the net and generating opportunities. The Snakes saw a lot of time in their own end, didn't get a lot of zone time or quality chances. Salmon Arm outshot Vernon 16-7.

Overtime: Early into the extra frame, the Vipers tried setting up Luke Pakulak for his third goal of the game, but Pakulak was tied up driving to the goal. With about two minutes remaining Dylan Compton with some shifty moves, went around one defender before being denied in close by Matthew Tovell. Late in overtime, Jonathan Horn drove hard to the goal, deked out Matthew Tovell for the overtime winner, giving Vernon a 4-3 overtime victory at 3:23 as the Vipers bench erupted onto the ice. Jonatahan Horn's goal was unassisted. Both teams had early possession but it was the Snakes who had the better scoring opportunities. Vernon outshot Salmon Arm 2-1.

Vernon Vipers Top Player's:

Ayden Third had another strong night on the Viper backend. Played very well in the home & home series this weekend

Jonathan Horn (overtime winning goal) Had some looks, scored the overtime winner has scored three goals in four games since being acquired from the Wenatchee Wild. Could Horn be the goal scorer the Vipers have been looking for all season? 

Gavin Schmidt Played with some jump/energy

The line of Reagan Milburn (2 assists), Luke Pakulak (2 goals) & Lee Parks (1 assist) was the Snakes best unit tonight. These three played very well together, generated and created some opportunities.

Ethan David (40 saves) Played very well tonight. Made some big saves and was solid on the PK.

Game Thought's: Vernon Vipers

- The Vipers have won three straight for a second time this season

- This is a much different and much better Viper team from just three or four weeks ago. These recent trades look to be paying off as Vernon has improved and playing their best hockey this season

- I spotted a few Viper fans at tonight's game, but not many

- How good has the Snakes goaltending been this year? Two of the best goaltenders in the league and one of the best one/two tandem in the league

- What can you say about the Snakes penalty kill? Vernon's penalty kill has been awesome all year and was strong again this evening

- The Vipers snap a seven game road losing streak, pick up just their third road win of the season

- Vernon played a very disciplined game Friday in the 5-2 win over Salmon Arm, took too many penalties tonight

- I have noticed a huge improvement with the Vipers passing

- This was an entertaining hockey game

- How big were these two wins this weekend? Vernon is only three points back of Salmon Arm 

- Vernon is still making mistakes and turning over pucks but not nearly as many as a month ago

- Vipers went 0-1 with the power play

- The Snakes played very well for most of tonight's game. They were outplayed at times in the 3rd but held their own at times

- The Vipers have won three straight, won four of their last five are 5-5 in their last ten games

- With the win, Vernon improves to 12-10-0-4 sit 6th in the Interior Division

Salmon Arm Silverbacks Top Player's:

CJ Foley (1 assist) Played well on the SA blueline

Ethan Ullrick (2 assists) Was dangerous, hard to contain and played well

Nathan Mackie (2 goals & 1 assist) I really liked this kids game. Thought he was the Backs best player in the loss

Isaac Lambert Played very well in the loss Friday in Vernon, played well tonight. Lambert hit two goal posts last night and one tonight

Matthew Tovell (28 saves) Played well and was forced to make some big stops through out the contest

Game Thought's: Salmon Arm Silverbacks

- This was a very exciting and entertaining home & home series

- One of the biggest crowds I have seen in Salmon Arm in a long time

- The Silverbacks played very well as did Vernon. Both teams were fairly even through out the game until the Apes took over the edge in play in the 3rd period

- Salmon Arm played a very disciplined hockey game

- The Silverbacks went 1-4 with the man advantage

- The Apes really activate their defence and allow them to get lots of pucks from the point

- This is a very fast, skilled and dangerous Backs team that can explode at anytime in a hockey game. The Silverbacks have a very good team

- The Silverbacks were wearing their "ugly christmas sweater" jerseys tonight. They were sure ugly and hard to read the names and numbers

- Tonight was the Silverbacks only home game in the month of Decemeber

- The Silverbacks are 2-2 vs Vernon and will host the Vipers again January 6th 

- The Silverbacks have lost three of their last five games and lost seven of their last ten games

- With the win, Salmon Arm falls to 14-10-2-1 sit 4th in the Interior Division

Scratches:

Vernon Vipers:

Ethan Merner

Ethan Sundar

Anthony Cliche (Injured)

Salmon Arm Silverbacks:

Jake Lammens

Liam Steele

Casy Laylin

Luke Cozens

Lian Gayfer

Energy Player of the Game:

Ryan Gillespie (1 goal)

Three Star's:

1st Star: Luke Pakulak (2 goals)

2nd Star: Nathan Mackie (2 goals & 1 assist)

3rd Star: Owen Beckner (1 assist)

Boxscore-Game Summary,

Vernon Vipers @ Salmon Arm Silverbacks Saturday, December 10, 2022 | BCHL League Site

Game Report,

Game Report (hockeytech.com)

Text Box Score,

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

Vernon Junior Hockey History website,

VernonJrAHockey.CA

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.