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 Salmon Arm defeated Vernon 3-0 in front 1,825 fans at the Shaw Centre. (Biggest crowd in ten years)
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon Vipers: Ethan David
Salmon Arm Silverbacks: Matthew Tovell
2nd Period: Roan Clarke started the period replacing Ethan David who allowed three goals on eleven Salmon Arm shots during the 1st period. The Vipers started the period on the PP that was carried over from the end of the opening frame. Vernon didn't generate much as Salmon Arm killed off the penalty. Just as the penalty expired, Hayden Stavroff got control of the puck after coming out of the penalty box and forced Roan Clarke into making a big stop early into the period. Minutes before the halfway mark, the Silverbacks would jump on the PP. Nathan Mackie with a great look/shot couldn't solve Roan Clarke as the Snakes killed off the minor. Shortly after the Pk Griffen Barr with a shot from the point, got through traffic but not Matthew Tovell. Somehow the Silverbacks starting goaltender managed to make the stop with bodies in front. Shortly after the Apes went back to the man advantage. SA had several looks but none better then Ethan Ullrick's quick shot from the slot, would be denied by Roan Clarke as Vernon killed off the minor. With about five and a half minutes remaining in the period, Jayden Grier got behind the Vernon defender but would be stopped in close by Roan Clarke on a large save late in the period. It was 3-0 Salmon Arm after 40 minutes of play. The Silverbacks were the better team and carried a lot of the period. SA was getting pucks to the net and created/generated some opportunities. Roan Clarke was very solid between the pipes. The Vipers didn't get a lot of zone time, got some pucks to the net but not a whole lot of quality chances. Salmon Arm outshot Vernon 12-11.
3rd Period: About five minutes into the 3rd, Seiya Tanaka-Campbell got behind the Silverbacks defence would be denied by Matthew Tovell. A big stop early into the period, keeping this a three goal game. Shortly after Reagan Milburn was clipped in the mouth with a high stick. Owen Beckner would get four minutes for high sticking. The Snakes had some looks but not a whole lot of quality opportunities. It looked like Jonathan Horn may have hit the post on a quick shot from the low circle with a body or two in front as Salmon Arm with a very good PK killed off the double minor. With about six minutes remaining Ethan Sundar with a good look/opportunity would be stopped by Matthew Tovell. With about four minutes left in the hockey game, a shot from the point would be redircted in front by former Salmon Arm Silverbacks forward Connor Welsh as the puck rang off the crossbar. The Vipers couldn't buy a goal. Salmon Arm would come away with the 3-0 victory. I thought the first half was a little more even with the play going back and fourth but the Vipers poured it on in the second half, would get a lot of zone time and some very good looks/opportunities but couldn't beat Matthew Tovell. Vernon outshot Salmon Arm 17-7.
Vernon Vipers Top Player's:
Roan Clarke (19 saves) Replaced Ethan David after the 1st period. Clarke was solid between the pipes, keeping the Snakes in the game, stopping all nineteen Salmon Arm shots.
Game Thought's: Vernon Vipers
- The Vipers have one win in their last ten road games. Vernon with only three wins on the road this season
- The Snakes go 0-3 with the man advantage
- I liked Vernon's first eight to nine minutes of the 1st and the final ten minutes of the 3rd
- The Vipers couldn't capitalize on their opportunities and it cost them
- Vernon is the second lowest scoring team in the BCHL with 80 goals
- The Snakes were outhit and outworked for a lot of the game
- The Vipers were a single point back of Salmon Arm in the standings before tonight's game
- Vernon didn't generate enough zone time or take enough shots from the point
- Vernon is 3-3 vs Salmon Arm this season
- The Vipers & Silverbacks meet once more March 10th in Vernon
- The Snakes didn't play as a team and looked out of sink at times
- If Vernon capitalizes on some of their chances, this is a different hockey game
- A good turnout of Viper fans at tonight's game
- The Vipers have lost three of their last five games are 5-5 in their last ten games
- With the win, Vernon falls to 14-14-0-4 sit 7th in the Interior Division
Here are some photo's I took before and during tonight's Vipers-Silverbacks game.
Salmon Arm Silverbacks Top Player's:
Lynden Hanvold I thought played a hard, physical steady game on the blueline
Owen Beckner (1 goal) Was dangerous and played very well for the Silverbacks
Jules Boilard (1 assist) Recently acquired from the Alberni Valley Bulldogs played a strong game, was involved in the play
Nathan Mackie (1 assist) A kid with size, was hard to defend and contain, created some plays
Matthew Tovell (37 saves) Played very well in goal for Salmon Arm. Made some big stops at key times through out the game, to keep it a 3-0 score. Was seeing the puck all night, looked focused and played his position well
Game Thought's: Salmon Arm Silverbacks
- The last time these two teams met, Vernon won 4-3 in overtime December 10th in Salmon Arm
- The Silverbacks went 0-3 with the power play
- I thought the Gorillas played very well, battled and competed and seemed to want it more then the Vipers
- Salmon Arm capitalized on some early chances, got some big saves from Matthew Tovell
- A large crowd on hand tonight. Not many empty seats. Tonight's attendance was announced at 1,825 (biggest crowd in ten years)
- How big was tonight's game regarding the standings? With the win Salmon Arm moves three points ahead of Vernon and goes from 5th to 4th in the Division
- The Backs were the more physical team, won a lot of the battles and outworked Vernon often
- The Silverbacks kept the Snakes to the outside, blocked a lot of shots
- The Apes have won nine of their last eleven home games
- Tonight was the first home game since the Vipers won 4-3 in overtime December 10th
- The Silverbacks were the better team tonight
- Salmon Arm has played eight of their last ten games on the road
- The Silverbacks have lost three of their last five games and lost six of their last ten games
- With the win, Salmon Arm improves to 16-12-2-1 sit 4th in the Interior Division
Scratches:
Vernon Vipers:
Ethan Merner
Luke Ashton
Luke Pakulak (Injured)
Salmon Arm Silverbacks:
Jake Lammens
CJ Foley
Casy Laylin
Mathieu Bourgault
Liam Gayfer
Energy Player of the Game:
Jayden Grier
Three Star's:
1st Star: Matthew Tovell (37 saves)
2nd Star: Owen Beckner (1 goal)
3rd Star: Brandon Santa Juana (1 goal)
Boxscore-Game Summary,
Game Report,
Text Box Score,
Vernon Junior Hockey History website,
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