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 2.7 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 2-0 at the Shaw Centre. (No attendance announced)
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon Vipers: Ethan David
Salmon Arm Silverbacks: Eli Pulver
2nd Period: The hometown Silverbacks were the better team and outplayed the visiting Vipers for most of the entire middle frame. The Backs had lengthy periods of time in the offensive zone with the Snakes on their heels but unable to capitalize. SA couldn't convert on two power plays, didn't get any puck luck as Ethan David got lucky at times. Shots were 9-1 Salmon Arm eight minutes into the period. The Gorillas dominated the play at times, had the puck on their stick most of the period, controlled and carried the play, had the Vipers skating in circles. I didn't think the S'Backs had many quality chances more so shots from well out. Vernon struggled defensively in their own end, had troubles clearing the zone, were turning over pucks, flat footed, had troubles getting through the neutral zone, getting pucks to the net and generating offence. Recently acquired Carson McGinley gave Vernon a 2-0 lead on the Vipers second shot of the period. The Snakes had a few good shifts towards the end of the period. It was 2-0 Vernon after 40 minutes of play. The Apes went 0-2 with the man advantage. The Silverbacks outshot the Vipers 13-5.
3rd Period: The Gorillas couldn't convert on an early PP were the better team early and often. Salmon Arm had the Vipers back on their heels early as Ethan David got lucky but also made some large saves, keeping the Snakes in the hockey game. SA had the edge in play for a lot of the period. The Snakes did manage to get some play and zone time but a lot of the period was in the Vipers zone. Ethan David may have been lucky at times was the difference. The Backs would get Eli Pulver to the bench with well over two minutes remaining. Vernon missed the open cage on several occasions but managed to hang on for the 2-0 win. Both teams went 0-1 with the power play. The Silverbacks outshot the Vipers 14-8.
Vernon Vipers Top Performers:
Luke Bibby I thought played well for the Vipers. Competed, was strong in on the forecheck, battled along the wall, created/generated a couple of looks, played with a lot of energy.
Erik Pastro I thought played a hard fought game, was involved in the play often, made a few plays, was hard in on the forecheck and had a couple of looks.
Isaac Tremblay (1 goal) Was really going this evening. I was actually thinking the last Viper game, where has Isaac Tremblay been? I haven't really noticed him lately, but he come to play tonight and was the Snakes best player
Ethan David (39 saves-shutout) Was the difference, stopping all thirty nine shots for the win/shutout, his second shutout over the Silverbacks this season. David was on his game, got lucky on a few occasions but was quick on his feet, played his position well and come up with some large saves keeping his team in the hockey game
Game Thought's: Vernon Vipers
- Tonight's the first game of a three game road trip
- I thought Salmon Arm was the better team to start the hockey game and were the better team in the first half but Vernon responded and played well in the second half. Both teams had some good looks/opportunities in that opening frame. Both teams could have had a couple of goals as both goaltenders played well
- The last time the Vipers and Silverbacks met, the Snakes won 5-2 in Vernon December 29th
- The Vipers went 0-4 with the man advantage
- The Snakes are 9-7-0-0 on the road this season
- I spotted a small handful of Vipers fans at tonight's game
- The Vipers are three points back of 3rd place Salmon Arm
- The Vipers were totally outplayed and outworked in the 2nd period. Ethan David had some puck luck go his way as well as made some big stops got some help from Carson McGinley who spotted the Vipers a 2-0 lead on just their second shot of the period. Vernon was being outshit 9-1 about eight minutes into the middle frame. The Snakes looked flat footed, had troubles clearing the zone, getting through the neutral zone, getting pucks to the net and had trouble generating some offence. Vernon's defence turned over the puck way too many times, saw a lot time in their own end for a lot of the period. Vipers were lucky to be ahead going into the 3rd
- The Vipers next game is Saturday in Trail
- The Snakes PK was very good
- Vernon is 4-3 vs Salmon Arm this season
- The Snakes defence struggled often, either clearning the zone, turning over pucks or caught flat footed/skating in circles
- The Vipers didn't get ten shots in any of the three periods
- Noah Dorey returned to the lineup after being out for a lengthy period of time with an injury
- Ethan David has shutout Salmon Arm twice this season
- I thought the Silverbacks were the better team in the 3rd, had an edge in play but as the period continued the Vipers did respond with some play in the offensive zone, get some looks and played a little better then the 2nd period. Ethan David was lucky again for a second straight period, was forced to make some big stops
- The Vipers have won four of their last five games are 5-5 in their last ten games
- Ethan David records his ninth career BCHL shutout
- The Snakes play five of their next six games on the road
- Vernon struggled to get shots on goal, get any kind of sustained pressure in the offensive zone and go lengthy periods of time with the edge in play
- Vernon is the only team to beat Salmon Arm at home in regulation and the Vipers have done that twice this season
- The Vipers had the past ten days off due to the All-Star weekend and you could tell the team showed signs of rust, played no where near sixty minutes
- Tonight was Vernon's fourth and final regular season visit to Salmon Arm
- The Vipers struggled with the power play
- I have missed only two Vipers games in Salmon Arm, since the Silverbacks joined the BCHL in 2001
- The Vipers looked good at times, but weren't consistent through out the hockey game
- Vernon had the bounces go their way, and relied on Ethan David often
- With the win, Vernon improves to 21-12-1-0 sit 4th in the Interior Conference
Salmon Arm Silverbacks Top Performers:
Tristan Allen This kid isn't the biggest kid but can move the puck, make plays happen in a hurry and plays well at both ends of the rink
Cole Cooksey I thought was one of Salmon Arm's better forwards
Riley Ashe played physical, was in the face of the Vipers, played hard
Eli Pulver (22 saves) Has played well against the Snakes this season, played well in the loss this evening. Wasn't tested nearly as much as Ethan David but both goaltenders played well
Game Thought's: Salmon Arm Silverbacks
- The Silverbacks have lost back to back games to the Vipers
- The Apes were the better team didn't get any puck luck or the bounces go their way
- Salmon Arm went 0-5 with the power play
- Both goaltenders played very well
- A good size crowd for a midweek game. No attendance was announced
- The Silverbacks and Vipers play twice more this regular season, with both games in Vernon
- The S'Backs couldn't buy a goal tonight. Several very close calls/plays where the puck just didn't roll or bounce the right way
- Salmon Arm is three points back of 2nd place West Kelowna
- The Gorillas PK was very good. Blocked several shots, closed the shooting lanes and kept Vernon to the outside
- The Silverbacks next game is Friday in Prince George
- Casy Laylin left the 1st period with an injury
- Salmon Arm with a good start was the better team in the first half of the opening period. The Backs had some good looks/opportunities, couldn't capitalize or solve Ethan David
- Nathan Mackie hit the post late in the 2nd period
- I didn't think Salmon Arm's top forwards stood out or looked great
- The Silverbacks have lost only three home games this season, two of those losses are to Vernon
- The Silverbacks play five of their next seven games on the road
- The Apes dominated the 2nd period, had lengthy periods of time with the puck and the Vipers back on their heels but didn't generate or create a ton of quality chances in the middle frame. Not only did Salmon Arm not score in a period where they were by far the better team, they gave up a goal to fall behind 2-0
- If the Silverbacks get a couple of pucks/bounces go their way, I think the momentum changes and Salmon Arm wins this game
- The Silverbacks have won three of their last five games and won six of their last ten games
- Salmon Arm's defence was very good. Was good on the PK, blocking shots as well as blocking shots five on five
- Specialty teams was a difference for both teams as both teams couldn't capitalize with the man advantage
- With the loss, Salmon Arm falls to 22-10-0-2 sit 3rd in the Interior Conference
Scratches:
Vernon Vipers:
Payton Struck
Bronson Ross
Anthony Cliche
Salmon Arm Silverbacks:
Matthew Gillard
Ryan DeAngelis
Nicholas Wolfenberg
Jacob Bonkowski
Nick Wellenreiter
Ryan Grout
Energy Player of the Game:
Nathan Mackie
Three Star's:
1st Star: Ethan David (39 saves-shutout)
2nd Star: Carson McGinley (1 goal)
3rd Star: Isaac Tremblay (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.
4 comments:
Why does SA have 6 scratches when BCHL states there is supposed to be "a maximum of 25 active roster spots"? That makes 27 players by my calculation. Any thoughts?
Salmon arm has three goalies so they are allowed 26. One defenseman has been placed on long term injury. They will have to eliminate one to being the injured player back to stay at 26.
Gutsy win by the Vipers. Heard multiple players were battling the flu this week and a couple still out with injury. Wins like this when you're not at your best pays dividends in the standings later in the season.
Any player who is on injured reserve, and Salmon Arm has at least one, can replace that player until the injured player is cleared to play. Also, players who are away for international tournaments (doubtful in the case of the BCHL), or away on a recruitment visit to an NCAA school can be replaced for a game or two.
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