Game Recap - Vernon 5 Salmon Arm 3

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 2.6 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 as the Vipers defeated the Silverbacks 5-3 in front of 2,132 fans at Kal Tire Place.

Starting Goaltenders:

Vernon Vipers: Ethan David

Salmon Arm Silverbacks: Eli Pulver

1st Period: The Vipers jumped on Salmon Arm early and often, before the Silverbacks found their legs and got their game going. The Snakes controlled and carried the play for about the first five or so minutes before the Silverbacks erased a 3-0 deficit in shots, were now ahead 7-4 in shots. Both teams were evenly matched at times as the play went back and fourth but the Apes also had a little more zone time and puck possession at times in a very fast paced 1st period. Both teams with some good looks/chances. Casy Laylin with the lone goal of the period at 9:24 The Gorillas had a slight edge in play in an entertaining opening frame. The Snakes went 0-1 with the power play. It was 1-0 Salmon Arm after 20 minutes of play. Shots were 10-9 for the Silverbacks. 

2nd Period: The S'Backs with a couple of missed opportunities early before Vernon would score three goals in about eight minutes to take a 3-1 lead. The hometown Vipers played very well and looked good, were the better of the two teams. Vernon had more zone time and puck possession. The Silverbacks had a couple of opportunities early to start the period, didn't generate a whole lot of offence for the remainder of the period. Ethan David with two big back to back saves early to start the 2nd period. Another entertaining period. SA scored their only goal towards the end of the period, seemed to build off the momentum and finish the period strong. The Apes go 0-1 with the man advantage. It was 3-2 Vernon after 40 minutes of play. Vernon outshot Salmon Arm 13-7.

3rd Period: The Snakes with a good start, played well and carried a lot of the play early before taking the only penalty of the period. A big kill from Vernon but the Silverbacks seemed to gain some momentum off the PP and slowly change the tide for a bit. Salmon Arm closed the gap and didn't give the Vipers a lot of time or space but Vernon's defence played very well for the remainder of the hockey game. The Vipers kept the Backs to the outside, limited their time and space and didn't show any signs of panic on the backend. The pace really slowed down in the final six or seven minutes as both teams were playing cautious in a one goal game. Salmon Arm called a timeout with 2:25 remaining, would get starting goaltender Eli Pulver to the bench for the extra attacker before Luke Pakulak & Julian Facchinelli hit two open nets, giving the Snakes a three goal lead late. The Vipers would win their fifth straight after a 5-3 victory over the visiting Salmon Arm Silverbacks. The Gorillas went 0-1 with the PP. Vernon outshot Salmon Arm 12-9.

Vernon Vipers Top Performers:

Jordin Palmer (1 assist) I thought played very well at both ends of the rink. Other then one mistake at the blueline, Palmer was steady and looked very confident all night. 

Georgios Stavrianeas (1 assist) I have said it many times this season, I really like this kid and thought he played a solid game up front for the Snakes this evening. This kid caught my eye during the pre-season and has played very well for a rookie so far. I like this kid's energy, hustle, determination and his compete. Never takes a shift off, always finishes his checks, plays a two way game.

Luke Buss didn't do a whole lot with the puck but I thought brought a lot of energy and really used his speed to open up ice.

Erik Pastro (1 assist) Has impressed me this young season and has looked good so far. Coming off 3rd star of the week, had a couple of looks/opportunities, played well in the victory.

Owen Kim Was denied on a 3rd period shorthanded breakaway, played hard, was involved in the play, never stops skating and competes. One of the hardest working Vipers so far this season.

Lukas McCloskey (1 assist) The former Wenatchee Wild defenceman played well, making some big plays tonight at both ends of the rink. Played with a lot of confidence, jumped into the rush/play and brought some experience to a young Vernon blueline.

Luke Pakulak (2 goals) Played his best game this season. Had a physical 2nd period, laying out several big checks, competed, battled hard in front of the net and added two goals.

Ethan David (23 saves) Played well and made the big saves when called upon. Looked a little shaky outside of the blue paint, almost coughed up the puck on a couple of occasions wandering outside of his crease.

Game Thought's: Vernon Vipers

- The Vipers have won five straight games

- A good sized crowd on hand tonight. Tonight's attendance was announced at 2,132

- The Vipers went 0-1 with the power play

- This was a very exciting and entertaining hockey game

- The Vipers have played six games this season, after six games last season Vernon was 3-3-0-0

- The Vipers are 2-0 vs Salmon Arm at home this pre-season/regular season

- The Snakes next game is Saturday in Cranbrook

- Vernon made some mistakes but looked and played very well in a very fast pace hockey game

- I said this before, and I know it's early but this is the best Viper team the Glens/Jason McKee have put together since coming to Vernon in 2018

- The Viper PK was very good

- The Vipers were the better of the two teams in the 2nd and 3rd periods

- The Snakes are 3-0 at home this season

- The Vipers didn't get a lot of puck luck or bounces go their way tonight

- The Snakes played very well defensively in the 3rd, limiting the Backs and keeping Salmon Arm to the outside and not giving up a whole lot of chances

- I know it's early but I like the looks of our team this season and have from the start of pre-season

- The Vipers play six of their next seven games on the road

- I was really impressed with Vernon's defence this evening. Sure they made some mistakes and coughed up the puck a few times but overall played and looked very well through out the game. 

- Vernon's only loss this season was a 3-2 loss September 22nd on opening night in Salmon Arm

- The Vipers are 1-1 vs Salmon Arm this season

- The Vipers have some size, skill and solid goaltending and haven't played or looked this good this early in how long?

- The Vipers next home game is October 20th vs West Kelowna

- The Snakes went 2-0 vs Salmon Arm during the pre-season

- Give Vernon credit for shutting down a few of Salmon Arm's top players. Ryan Gillespie, Isaac Lambert, Nathan Mackie and Reid Varkonyi were kept in check a lot of the night or not given the time and space 

- No 50/50 tonight

- I thought the officials called a real good game and let both teams play

- The main concession was still closed and has been closed all season

- With the win, the Vipers improve to 5-1-0-0 and sit 2nd in the Interior Division

Salmon Arm Silverbacks Top Performers:

Casy Laylin (1 goal & 1 assist) Played hard, used his speed to open ice and make plays

Ty Paisley I thought was involved in the play and played well in the loss

Eli Pulver (29 saves) Was the busier of the two netminders, played big, covered a lot of the net, didn't give up a whole lot of rebounds/second opportunities, gave his team a chance to win, while making several big stops through out the game with the game in reach

Game Thought's: Salmon Arm Silverbacks

- I thought the Apes played well but overall the Snakes were the better team

- A good turnout of Silverbacks fans in attendance this evening

- Salmon Arm is 0-2 in Vernon this pre-season/regular season

- The Silverbacks went 0-3 with the man advantage

- Salmon Arm plays six of their next eight games away from home

- The Gorillas missed on several opportunities in at least the 1st and 2nd periods, where they had some quality chances to either grab a two goal lead or tie the game at 3-3 but couldn't capitalize on their chances

- These two teams will meet again November 11th in Salmon Arm

- The Apes eliminated the Vipers in 5 games during last years BCHL 2nd round playoffs

- The S'Backs have lost three of their last five games

- Salmon Arm didn't generate a whole lot of quality chances in the 2nd and 3rd period, were limited offensively

- The Vipers & Silverbacks will play nine times this regular season

- SA's top players didn't stand out as much as in games past. Isaac Lambert, Ryan Gillespie, Reid Varkonyi and Nathan Mackie had some good shifts from time to time but didn't take over the game or a period like they have in games past vs the Vipers

- The Silverbacks next game is October 20th in Prince George

- Tonight's the second game of a four game road trip

- Salmon Arm is 0-3-0-0 on the road 

- The Silverbacks went 3-3-1-0 vs Vernon last season

- The Silverbacks unveiled new jerseys this season. I don't like the Backs new road jerseys

- With the loss, the Silverbacks fall to 4-3-0-0 sit 5th in the Interior Division

Scratches:

Vernon Vipers:

Owen King

Isaac Fecteau

Salmon Arm Silverbacks:

Matthew Gillard

Marcus Broberg

Cole Cooksey

Ryan Grout

Energy Player of the Game:

Wasn't announced

Three Star's:

1st Star: Luke Pakulak (2 goals)

2nd Star: Casy Laylin (1 goal & 1 assist)

3rd Star: Isaac Tremblay (1 goal)

Boxscore-Game Summary,

Salmon Arm Silverbacks @ Vernon Vipers Friday, October 13, 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.