Interior Conference Semifinals: Game 5 Salmon Arm 4 Vernon 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 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 5 of the Interior Conference Semifinals as Salmon Arm defeated Vernon 4-3 in overtime in front of 2,150 fans at the Shaw Centre, winning the series 4-1 and moving on to the Interior Conference Finals.

Starting Goaltenders:

Vernon Vipers: Ethan David

Salmon Arm Silverbacks: Matthew Tovell

1st Period: Just over five minutes into the period, Maddux Martin with a quick release forced Ethan David into making a difficult looking stop, high to the chest and having to hold on tight. Shortly after on a delayed penalty, Ethan David was forced to make back to back saves before the play was stopped and the Silverbacks would get the games first power play. Early into the PP Tristan Allen's point shot was stopped by Ethan David with bodies in front. Former Surrey Eagles forward Brandon Santa Juana with a quality chance late in the man advantage would be denied by Ethan David. The Vipers netminder with a couple of big stops as Vernon killed off the minor. Just as the penalty expired, Lee Parks come out of the penalty box, would go in for the breakaway and deke out Matthew Tovell high, giving Vernon a 1-0 lead at 8:08 Parks goal was unassisted. 1:33 later on an odd man rush, Hayden Stavroff decided to keep and shoot, beat Ethan David on a play that looked to be offside as Salmon Arm ties the game 1-1 at 9:41 Stavroff's goal was unassisted. It looked like the net come off before the puck went in but the goal stood. With about six and a half minutes remaining, Hank Cleaves redirected a pass driving towards the front of the goal, would be denied by Matthew Tovell's quick pad save before Luke Pakulak would get an opportunity on the following play as the Snakes with back to back quality chances. With about three and a half minutes left in the 1st period, Reagan Milburn would be robbed at the side of the goal after Matthew Tovell come across the crease to flash the leather with a glove save off Milburn, keeping this game tied. Shortly after Casy Laylin missed the net on an odd man rush, before Maddux Martin buried the rebound off the end wall, giving Salmon Arm a 2-1 lead at 17:18 Casy Laylin & Raoul Boilard with the helpers. It was 2-1 Salmon Arm after 20 minutes of play. This was a fairly even period with both teams going back and forth. The Silverbacks had a slight edge late in period, had a little more possession. Both goaltenders were good. Salmon Arm outshot Vernon 15-14.

2nd Period: About two minutes into the middle frame, Walker Erickson with back to back opportunities, couldn't solve Salmon Arm Silverbacks starting goaltender Matthew Tovell. Tovell with two big saves early to start the period. Shortly after Julian Facchinelli from the goal line somehow beat Matthew Tovell tying game 2-2 at 3:16 Isaac Tremblay and Connor Welsh picking up the assists. The Apes needed almost eight minutes to record their first shot of the 2nd period as shots were 10-1 Vernon at this point. Not long after the Gorillas would get their second PP of the hockey game. Captain Nathan Mackie with a look in front would be stopped by Ethan David as the Snakes killed off the minor. The Vipers would get their first power play, late in the period and capitalize. Dylan Compton's point shot somehow got through Matthew Tovell with traffic in front, giving Vernon a late 3-2 lead at 17:22 Isaac Tremblay with the assist. It was 3-2 Vernon after 40 minutes of play. The Vipers were the better team, outplayed Salmon Arm most of the period. The Snakes with a good start, had some early looks/opportunities, had more puck possession, zone time and shots on goal. Vernon was buzzing in the offensive zone, generating chances. The Vipers also played very well defensively, limited the Silverbacks opportunities. The S'Backs needed almost eight minutes to get their first shot of the period. SA saw a lot of time in their own end as Matthew Tovell had to be sharp. Shots were 13-7 Vernon.

3rd Period: The Backs would get a couple of looks in the first half but about seven and a half minutes into the period, Brandon Santa Juana on a scramble in front of the goal with a quality chance, couldn't find the back of the net. Just past the midway mark on a turnover, Nic Leggett walked into the slot and beat what looked like a screened Ethan David, tying the game 3-3 at 8:53 sending the Shaw Centre into a frenzy. Nathan Mackie and William Lavigne collected the assists. The Apes with a couple of flurries in and around the goal shortly after as the Backs slowly started to take over the edge in play. With about six minutes remaining Brandon Santa Juana with an opportunity would be denied by Ethan David. With about four and a half minutes left Lee Parks couldn't solve Matthew Tovell. It was 3-3 after 60 minutes of play. Salmon Arm was the better team and controlled most of the final frame. The Apes had more puck possession, zone time and chances through out the period. The Silverbacks really forced the play, used their speed and transition game to quickly move the puck up ice and generate a lot of flurries in and around the goal. The Snakes looked ok early but as the period continued, Vernon struggled offensively and went lengthy periods at a time without a shot on goal but also not generating any kind of traction or opportunities. The Vipers had troubles containing the S'Backs speed and attack. Shots were 10-8 Salmon Arm.

Overtime: Off the opening draw, the Gorillas got the play in deep before Matthieu Bourgault comes out of a scrum and beat Ethan David on a wrap around, giving Salmon Arm a 4-3 overtime victory, sending the Shaw Centre into a frenzy as the Silverbacks erupted onto the ice. Reid Varkonyi drew the lone helper. The Vipers gathered in and around Ethan David looked devistated as Salmon Arm wins the series 4-1 and moves onto the Interior Conference Finals vs the Penticton Vees. Salmon Arm outshot Vernon 1-0.

Vernon Vipers Top Performers:

Julian Facchinelli (1 goal) I thought played well in Game 5

Jonathan Horn didn't do much with the puck but played with a lot of jump/energy

Connor Elliott played well on the Viper blueline

Lee Parks (1 goal) Opened the scoring for the Snakes for the first time in this series, played with a lot of step in his game, had a couple of looks/chances was hard to contain at times

Anson McMaster Was another defencemen that played well in the loss

Ethan David (29 saves) Played well between the pipes, was forced to make some big stops at different times in the hockey game. 

Game Thought's: Vernon Vipers

- The Vipers season comes to an end as Salmon Arm wins the series in five games. Vernon finished 6th in the Interior Conference with a 27-21-2-4 regular season record and went 5-6 in the playoffs

- The Vipers played their best game of the series 

- Vernon opened the scoring tonight for the first time in this series 

- The Vipers went 1-1 with the man advantage

- After winning Game 1 4-3 in overtime, the Snakes lost the next four straight games

- The turning point in the series was losing Game 3 in overtime in a game where they were down 2-0 tied the game late with the goaltender on the bench to force overtime but couldn't capitalize on two power play's in OT also missed several quality chances and open nets in overtime before losing

- Several Viper fans at tonight's game but no where near as many as in Games 1 & 2 in Salmon Arm

- I thought the Vipers played well vs the Silverbacks during the regular season and was expecting this series to go much further then five games

- Jason McKee shook hands after the game but was the only Vipers coach to not to shake hands with Salmon Arm's coaching staff after the game during the hand shake

- Tonight was just the second time the Vipers scored a goal in either the 1st or 2nd period the entire series

- Lets face it, the Snakes needed to play better, much much better and didn't play good enough to win this series. Salmon Arm was by far the better team in the series

- Vipers forward Connor Welsh played 18 games with the 2022-23 Salmon Arm Silverbacks before being traded to Vernon November 29th 2022

- Vernon played with a lead tonight for the first time in the series

- The Snakes really needed that next goal in the 3rd to grab a two goal lead, didn't generate much for offence in the 3rd

- The Vipers went 0-2 vs Salmon Arm during the preseason but 4-3 vs Salmon Arm during the regular season

- A very disappointing series as the Vipers didn't play very well in the first four games. Vernon was very inconsistent and didn't play anywhere near sixty minutes in the first four games of this series

- West Kelowna Warriors Head Coach/GM Simon Ferguson was at tonight's game

- The Snakes cleaned up their play with not nearly as many mistakes or turnovers as they had in the first four games of this series

- It will be interesting to see who returns for next season

- This was not the same Viper team I watched take out the West Kelowna Warriors in six games in the 1st round

- For the first time this series, Vernon played much more consistent and close to sixty minutes

- You have to ask yourself, where was this Vipers team we saw play tonight in the first four games of this series? 

- I don't think many fans saw Vernon going this far at the start of the season

- I would like to wish all the graduating Vipers who won't be back next season and wish you all the best in your future 

- This is the sixth time in franchise history Salmon Arm and Vernon have met in the playoffs

2005-06 Interior Division Semifinals: Silverbacks won series 4-1

2008-09 Interior Division Finals: Vipers won seroes 4-2

2010-11 Interior Division Finals: Vipers won series 4-2

2017-18 1st Round: Vipers won series 4-0

2018-19 1st Round: Vipers won series 4-1

- Another very disappointing Vipers season. After losing to Prince George in the League Finals in 2019 the Vipers have been an average hockey team at best since with a 500 or so record each year. The 2022-23 start to the season was a disaster with the team struggling from the start of the season. A ton of roster moves/trades as the Vipers roster was like a revolving door with new players coming and going consistently. Lots of new recruits/committed players were let go before the regular season even started and then many recruits/committed players were traded early into the season. The team didn't look good and wasn't winning many games early. After a ton of roster moves/trades the team would eventually improve late November, maybe early December and finally started to gel, win some games, be a little more competitive and made going to the games fun again for the first time in a long time. The Vipers played well at times in the second half of the season and were in the mix and had a chance to finish as high as 3rd place in the division but still not good enough at the end of the day. Even though the team improved, they still were making the same mistakes from day 1 and that's all on the coach/Jason McKee. The Vipers would finish 6th but knock off the 3rd place West Kelowna Warriors in six games in the 1st round of the playoffs. Lets hope Vernon does a much better job at recruiting and putting together a much stronger and more competitive team for next season. I think a coaching change is much needed as Jason McKee in four years has struggled to not only put together a good hockey team but has had the Vipers in and around the 500 mark and the middle or below the middle of the standings for four seasons. This is not good enough and changes need to be made. McKee has yet to put together a good team in Vernon, has been a 500 coach with the Vipers in four years and it's time for him to go. I know lots of long time season ticket holders that didn't renew their season tickets at the end of last season due to ownership and Jason McKee and have heard rumors some long time season ticket holders won't be back next season if Mckee is back behind the bench. The Vipers management and coaching staff need to be better and put together a much more competitive team for next season. 

A big thank you to all the fans and supporters for visiting and supporting my blog through out the season. Go Vipers Go!

Salmon Arm Silverbacks Top Performers:

Liam Steele had a strong game on the Apes blueline

Maddux Martin (1 goal) I thought played hard, was competing and going to the net as well as generating some offence

Brandon Santa Juana Had several looks/opportunities, played with a lot of jump, was hard to contain/defend against, played very well in Game 5

Matthew Tovell (32 saves) May have wanted back the Vipers second goal but otherwise played very well in goal for the Backs. Started in all five games improves to 8-1 in the playoffs

Game Thought's: Salmon Arm Silverbacks

- The Salmon Arm Silverbacks finished 4th in the Interior Conference with a 27-20-4-3 record are now 8-1 in the playoffs

- The Salmon Arm Silverbacks move on to the Interior Conference Finals vs the Penticton Vees

- For the first time in this series, the S'Backs trailed in a hockey game

- A large/rowdy crowd tonight as tonight's attendance was 2,150 (sellout)

- Down 3-2 heading into the 3rd the Gorillas played very well defensively, didn't give up much for opportunities as Vernon struggled to generate opportunities

- The S'Backs are an impressive 8-1 in the playoffs 

- The Silverbacks went 0-2 with the power play

- This was a very entertaining and exciting hockey game

- The Silverbacks lone weakness is playing with/holding leads but otherwise a very good hockey team

- The Apes are quick, can move the puck, have a good transition game and some very skilled forwards are hard to contain/defend against

- Tonight's game could have gone either way

- Both goaltenders played very well tonight

- The Backs have a very good team that doesn't make a lot of mistakes 

- I thought both teams were fairly evenly matched in the 1st period. Vernon was the better team in the 2nd period and Salmon Arm was the better team in the 3rd

- The last time the Silverbacks advanced to the Interior Division/Conference Finals was during the 2010-11 season losing to Vernon in six games

- A great crowd and atmosphere in Salmon Arm tonight. There was almost no atmosphere at both of the two home games in Vernon other then the noise and chants mostly coming from the Salmon Arm fans. The building was rocking all night

- Give Salmon Arm credit for not allowing Vernon to pull away tonight and stayed within a goal until tying the game in the 3rd to force overtime

- The Silverbacks outscored Vernon 22-14 in the series

- The Silverbacks top players outplayed and outscored Vernon's top players in this series

- The Gorillas are 4-1 at home in the playoffs

- Salmon Arm was by far the better team in this series 

Scratches:

Vernon Vipers:

Thomas Tien

Ethan Merner

Ethan Sundar

Salmon Arm Silverbacks:

Lynden Hanvold

Jayden Grier

Jules Boilard

Jake Lammes

Energy Player of the Game:

Brandon Santa Juana

Three Star's:

1st Star: Mathieu Bourgault (overtime winner)

2nd Star: Nic Leggett (1 goal)

3rd Star: Matthew Tovell (32 saves)

Boscore-Game Summary,

Vernon Vipers @ Salmon Arm Silverbacks Friday, April 21, 2023 | 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

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Here are some photo's I took before and during tonight's Vernon Vipers-Salmon Arm Silverbacks game.