I was born and raised in Vernon, BC and been watching/following Junior hockey in Vernon my whole 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 2.3 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 Vernon Vipers-Salmon Arm Silverbacks Game 2 of the Interior Conference Semifinals as Salmon Arm defeated Vernon 5-2 in front of 1,815 fans at the Shaw Centre.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon Vipers: Ethan David
Salmon Arm Silverbacks: Matthew Tovell
1st Period: Inside the opening minute of play, the Vipers setup Seiya Tanaka-Campbell for the breakaway but the Viper captain couldn't reach the puck about forty five seconds into the hockey game. Just before the halfway mark, Casy Laylin's shot handcuffed Ethan David who kind of fumbled the puck but managed to stay focused and keep the puck out on a shot from well out. Shortly after the Silverbacks couldn't find the back of the net on a goal mouth scramble. It wasn't long after when the Gorillas would get the games first power play. Salmon Arm had a couple of looks but no real threat with the man advantage as the Vipers killed off the minor. Shortly after Ryan Gillespie with a quick shot from the slot rang a shot off the post. Late in the period, Owen Beckner opened the scoring on a scramble in the crease, giving Salmon Arm a late 1-0 lead at 17:59 Ethan Ullrick with the lone helper. It was 1-0 Salmon Arm after 20 minutes of play. Both teams were fairly even for the first six to seven minutes in a tight checking period with no real scoring chances before the Silverbacks slowly started to take over and were the better team for the remainder of the 1st period. The Apes were physical for a second straight night, outhit the Snakes, carried the better of the play, had more puck possession, zone time and created/generated some chances as well as hitting the post. SA used their speed/quickness to win the races/puck battles and overall just the better team. The Vipers held their own for the first six to seven minutes before turning over the puck, struggled in their own end, had troubles clearing the zone, getting through the neutral zone and getting pucks to the net. Vernon also struggled offensively, didn't create any opportunities other then trying to send Seiya Tanaka-Campbell in for a breakaway inside the opening minute of play. Isaac Tremblay went hard into the back of the Silverbacks net and seemed to be in some discomfort holding his shoulder as he made his way to the dressing room, but returned to the ice later and finished the game. Salmon Arm outshot Vernon 12-4.
2nd Period: About two minutes into the middle frame, Griffen Barr ripped a low shot from the dot, forcing Salmon Arm Silverbacks starting goaltender Matthew Tovell into making a quick right pad save on a quality chance early into the period on a shot that wasn't registered on the shot clock. Shortly after the Snakes would jump on an early power play, their first of the evening and first of the series. Vernon only managed three shots with no real opportunities as SA killed off the penalty. About two minutes later, former Wenatchee Wild forward Jonathan Horn and Julian Facchinelli on a two on one. Horn decided to keep and shoot, had Matthew Tovell beat but rang his shot off the far post. About two minutes later, the Snakes turned the puck over in the neutral zone, allowing Ryan Gillespie to walk in and beat Ethan David, giving Salmon Arm a 2-0 lead at 8:07 Gillespie's goal was unassisted. 1:10 later Anthony Cliche went for the big hit along the boards, allowing some open ice and an odd man rush. Owen Beckner setup Isaac Lambert who ripped a shot high over Ethan David's glove, giving Salmon Arm a 3-0 lead at 9:17 Owen Beckner with the assist. Two quick goals and the wheels fell off as the S'Backs gained a ton of momentum and took over the play. Within the following few minutes the Silverbacks poured on the pressure. Vernon Vipers starting netminder Ethan David had to be sharp, was forced to take a shot off his mask from Ryan Gillespie's shot from the high slot then Nathan Mackie and Hayden Stavroff with back to back chances couldn't solve Ethan David. Towards the end of the period, the Backs would get their second PP of the evening. The Apes with a few looks as Vernon killed off the minor. Inside the final minute, the Snakes would jump on a late PP but unable to capitalize before the buzzer. It was 3-0 Salmon Arm after 40 minutes of play. The Vipers held their own and played well for the first six minutes before the Gorillas with two quick back to back goals 1:10 apart took a three goal lead. From here on in it was all Salmon Arm as the Backs were the better team for the remainder of the period. SA once again used their speed and generated some chances, had more puck possession, zone time and winning a lot of the battles. The Vipers struggled offensively, had troubles getting through the neutral zone, again coughing up pucks, turning pucks over, couldn't gain any kind of traction. Shots were 13-6 for Salmon Arm.
3rd Period: Vernon started the frame on the man advantage that was carried over from the 2nd period. Off the opening faceoff, captain Nathan Mackie would be denied by Ethan David on a quality chance inside the opening minute of play. The Snakes struggled with the PP as SA killed off the minor. Shortly after Tristan Allen with some nice stick work was able to get in and around a couple of Vernon defenders before being stopped in close on a great rush/opportunity. Just past the midway mark, the Vipers catch a lucky bounce as the puck goes off a Salmon Arm defenders stick onto the stick of former Salmon Arm Silverbacks forward Connor Welsh who spots Seiya Tanaka-Campbell who hits the open net, getting the Snakes on the scoreboard, cutting Salmon Arm's lead to 3-1 at 11:37 Connor Welsh picking up the assist. Just over three minutes later, Jonathan Horn cut Salmon Arm's lead to 3-2 at 14:55 Dylan Compton collected the lone helper. On the following play, Anson McMaster with what looked like a check from behind or boarding hit Brandon Santa Juana into the side wall taking an undisciplined penalty, sending the S'Backs to the man advantage. Santa Juana would need help off the ice, went to the dressing room and I didn't see him return. This play/penalty cost Vernon as Nathan Mackie regained Salmon Arm's two goal lead, giving Salmon Arm a 4-2 lead at 15:31 Ethan Ullrick with the assist. With just over two minutes remaining, the Snakes would get Ethan David to the bench for the extra attacker. The Apes missed twice at the open cage after two lengthy shots from well inside the neutral zone. Jason McKee and the Vipers would call a timeout before Nathan Mackie added an empty netter, giving Salmon Arm a 5-2 lead at 19:40 Hayden Stavroff with the assist. This goal sealed the win as Salmon Arm evened the series with a 5-2 victory. Neither team really took over early possession of the game to start the period but the Silverbacks did generate two quality chances just a few minutes into the final frame. The Snakes finally managed to generate a little offence and get some puck possession midway through the period as Vernon would get two goals a few minutes apart to make things interesting before the Vipers with an undisciplined penalty on the next shift following their second goal cost them as the Silverbacks would capitalize on the PP and basically put the game away. Vernon had a few good shifts and a little bit of pressure but not enough to mount a comeback for a second straight night. Shots were 13-6 for Vernon.
Vernon Vipers Top Performers:
Jonathan Horn (1 goal) Was one of the lone forwards that showed a little bit of jump/energy in his game tonight. Horn rang a shot off the post in the 2nd period had a few good shifts.
Ethan David (26 saves) Suffers his first loss of these playoffs is now 5-1 in the playoffs this year. Played well, was forced to make some big stops through out the game.
Game Thought's: Vernon Vipers
- For a second straight game the Vipers don't show up and didn't play even close enough to win
- Games 3 & 4 go Tuesday and Wednesday in Vernon
- The Snakes with another very disappointing effort for a second straight game
- Lot's of Viper fans in attendance tonight
- Vernon struggled offensively, didn't generate or create many opportunities
- The Vipers struggled in their own end
- Vernon is lucky to be heading home with the series tied and not coming home down 2-0
- The Snakes went 0-2 with the power play
- The Snakes are making mistakes and playing like they did earlier in the season
- The Vipers haven't looked or played good and need to be much better in Game 3
- The Vipers went 4-3 vs the Silverbacks during the regular season
- The Snakes didn't show much life through out the game, played with very little to no energy/jump in their game
- Very few Vipers stood out tonight
- If the Snakes don't improve and play much better, this will be a short series
- Vipers forward Connor Welsh played 18 games with Salmon Arm this season, was traded to Vernon November 29th 2022
- The Vipers with a ton of turnovers, were turning over or coughing up pucks all night long. Two Viper turnovers resulted in Salmon Arm goals
- The Vipers left Ethan David hung out to dry often
- Vernon has played one solid/good period in the first two games of this series and that was the 3rd period in Game 1
- This isn't the same Viper team that just knocked off the West Kelowna Warriors in six games
- The Vipers had troubles getting through the neutral zone and getting any kind of zone time or pressure all night
- Your not going to win many if any hockey games with under 10 or less shots a period. The Vipers with only six shots in the 1st and 2nd periods in Game 1 had just four shots in the 1st period & six shots in the 2nd period tonight
- The Vipers went 0-2 vs Salmon Arm during the preseason
- The Vipers need to play close to sixty minutes and more consistency
Salmon Arm Silverbacks Top Performers:
Casy Laylin I thought played well for the Backs. Not the biggest kid but can skate, move the puck and quick on his feet. Created a few opportunities tonight
Nathan Mackie (2 goals) The Silverbacks captain looked good in Game 1 played very well in Game 2. Scored the Silverbacks last two goals of the hockey game, is hard to defend, contain and play against
Ryan Gillespie (1 goal) Was another Apes forward who played well, had the puck on his stick several times, was dangerous with and without the puck
Game Thought's: Salmon Arm Silverbacks
- The Silverbacks are 4-2 at home vs the Vipers this season (preseason, regular season & playoffs)
- Salmon Arm has been the better of the two teams in the first two games and it shows
- The Silverbacks are quick on their feet, move the puck well, play with pace, win puck battles, carried the better of the play tonight
- The S'Backs went 1-3 with the man advantage
- The Silverbacks have won three of four playoff home games
- Game 5 will go Friday in Salmon Arm
- The Apes have several forwards that are skilled, dangerous with the puck, hard to contain and defend against
- The Silverbacks forwards have outplayed the Vipers forwards in this series
- Tonight's game wasn't even close
- If it wasn't for a 3rd period collapse in Game 1, the Silverbacks should have a 2-0 series lead
- Salmon Arm with several quality chances, could have easily blown this game open
- Another big crowd tonight with tonight's attendance announced at 1,815
- Salmon Arm has won nine of their last thirteen home games
- The winner of this series will move on to the Interior Conference Finals vs the winner of the Penticton/Wenatchee series
Scratches:
Vernon Vipers:
Ethan Sundar (Injured)
Luke Ashton
Luke Pakulak (Injured)
Salmon Arm Silverbacks:
Ryan Buckley
Jayden Grier
Jake Lammes
Energy Player of the Game:
Liam Steele
Three Star's:
1st Star: Nathan Mackie (2 goals)
2nd Star: Isaac Lambert (1 goal & 1 assist)
3rd Star: Seiya Tanaka-Campbell (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.
Jason McKee , coaching ???. Return next year as head coach???. In three to four years since he has started a best the vipers have been a 500 team. The owners of this team have a tough decision to make. The question they have to ask themselves is do we continue with what we know with a coach which has not produced like they had hoped or do we make a change. The coaching style of Jason has been different as a style of aggression and yelling at his players for not performing they way he would like and perhaps that style works with some players but as a rule you will not get much out of your players. Why?? We as fans who have experienced 6 national championships know this because the Love and kindness Mark Ferner and Duncan Wrap showed his team players showed results of players wanting to show up for work and do what ever it took to win because they wanted to not because they had to. There is a difference like any other job. This team and the way it has been coached based on what I have observed in the last two games in salmon arm clearly shows from offense to defense a team that is clearly frustrated as there play last night showed a team that was scrambling for any kind of result and showed very little structure. If you look at the shots on goal over the first two periods in both friday and saturdays game this has a tell all of what coaching has done for this team. Again management has a tough decision to make and as fans I hope it is the right won because over the last three to four years sorry not seeing it. GO,VIPERS,GO.
ReplyDeleteThe management has a tough decision? I disagree! Common sense dictates that a change MUST be made. There is no place for mediocre coaches who get mediocre results. This year was not just disappointing, the past 3 - 4 years has been disappointing. Any one can look no farther than the disgraceful way the recruiting was done and handled once the committed players arrived. The coach/management made no commitment to the players, gave them very little time to settle in/adapt to a new team & new league before they sent most of them packing. It is refreshing to see the majority of the cast off players are thriving with their new teams. In my 25+ years of supporting Viper hockey I have never witnessed such a disrespect for players. It is time for Tom Glen to bring in a proper/qualified hockey mind and give that person full control.
ReplyDeleteNot 1 player likes the coach! You won't have many returning if he is back which is sad as the teams best players can all return! I fear we will see them ask for trades or just leave to the USHL!
ReplyDeleteyou know this first hand right? You have talked to all of the players personally and your a fly on the wall in the dressing room. These comments are not about the game or how the players are playing the game , these types of comments are disrespectful and unfounded, just makes you sound like you don’t know what your talking about. Nothing is ever good enough.
DeleteI have heard the same mention that the majority can't stand Mckee and no matter what happens in the playoffs a large number of players will be wanting out of Vernon if there is not a coaching change and that came directly from a Parent and a billet family.
ReplyDeleteBooooby C...
ReplyDeleteYou are the Best, No matter how the Vipers play, you Always find something Negative to post on this board. Unless your a Billet or a parent, how would you know about any players wanting out ?
Exactly...More Negative "Hearsay".
Seems the players are playing hard,for a coach the majority of players don't like ? Obvious to most, the Vipers maybe don't have the skill of W.K. or S.A.,but they certainly seem to have the Will, which is hard to imagine,playing for this Hated coach !
Sorry Negative Boooooby.....Math doesnt add up !
Go Vipers !!!! ( IN Spite of Boooooby)
Bobby C... I am neither a parent nor a billet but I know 2 billets and both say the same as you have commented. It is time for change.
DeleteMF... you say " the Vipers maybe don't have the skill of WK or SA ..." And certainly not Penticton. CORRECT.. now, ask yourself WHY. We used to be one of the elite organizations in Canada, not only the BCHL and now we are merely mediocre. Our recruiting, retention of good players & coaching is sub-par. YOU do the math.
I have heard these rumors for the past couple of years. I have a friend that billets one player and recently told me the players don't Jason McKee. I have another friend that has season tickets that sits near billets that have told him the same thing last year and again this year. My friend also recently talked to one of the players parents just a few weeks ago and was told the players don't like Jason McKee. This friend has talked to billets and was told Jason McKee does not have a contract for next season.
ReplyDeleteMy concern is have any parents, billets or players told this to the owners? Something needs to be done.