I was born and raised in Vernon and been following/watching Junior hockey in Vernon my entire life. I have had season tickets since 1990 and only missed four Vipers home games since 2009. In the past thirty year's I have only missed 45 home games. For anyone who couldn't attend or watch tonight's Vipers game, Here are my thought's and view's from tonight's game. You may agree or disagree but we all have our own opinion on the game. I try to be professional and unbiased and give a fare game recap from both sides. Thank you for stopping by and visiting my blog.
I was at tonight's Vipers/Silverbacks exhibition game as Salmon Arm defeated Vernon 4-2 in front of about 450-500 fans at Kal Tire Place. No final attendance was announced.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon: Dawson Pelletier
Salmon Arm: Dylan Kruss
1st Period: The Vipers with a strong opening shift off the faceoff were up 2-0 in shots early before Holden Knights spotted Coalson Wolford who cut across the middle of the hash marks before ripping a quick shot short side past Dawson Pelletier on the Silverbacks first shot of the night, giving Salmon Arm a 1-0 lead at 2:09 Knights & Logan Shaw drew the assists. Two minutes later Connor Sleeth alone at the side of the goal, just missed the far corner on a quality chance from the Snakes. Vernon now in full control are dominating the game early in puck possession before tying the game. Connor Sleeth ties the game at 1-1 at 6:51 Landon Fuller and Logan Cash picked up the helpers. Off the following faceoff Jo Jo Tanaka-Campbell tried setting up Nick Cherkowski driving up the middle, couldn't connect on the pass. Just before the halfway mark a shot from the circle handcuffed Dawson Pelletier who couldn't control the puck before losing sight of the puck as it rolled through the blue paint and out the other side, luckily for Pelletier no Salmon Arm Silverbacks forward was near or this could have been an easy tap in. On the following play/shift Vernon product Nick Cherkowski with two quality chances, couldn't beat Dylan Kruss. The Snakes kept pressing and on a goal mouth scramble couldn't solve Kruss at the midway mark. The Vipers with several good looks/chances. With about seven minutes remaining Landon Fuller coughed up the puck at his own blueline, allowing Holden Knights in for the breakaway but would be stopped in close by Dawson Pelletier. On the following shift/play the Vipers gave up an odd man rush, allowing Daniel Rybarik to beat Dawson Pelletier short side on a shot I think Pelletier would like to have back. Salmon Arm was up 2-1 at 14:27 Antonio Andreozzi collected the lone helper. Minutes later Vernon would jump on the games first power play but couldn't capitalize with the man advantage. The Silverbacks would get a late PP there first of the evening. The Backs would run out of time before the final buzzer. It was 2-1 Salmon Arm after 20 minutes of play. I Apes may hold a one goal lead but the Vipers were by far the better of the two teams and dominated most of the play this period. Vernon carried the better of the play for most of the opening twenty minutes. The Snakes had a ton of looks/opportunities but only managed one goal. The Gorillas didn't see a lot of time in the offensive zone, but when they did manage to get into the Vipers end, they scored on there chances. The Silverbacks saw a lot of action in their own end, were chasing the puck/Vipers and had trouble with Vernon's aggressive forecheck. Vernon outshot Salmon Arm 14-7.
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2nd Period: The Backs started the middle frame on the man advantage that was carried over from the 1st period. The Vipers would kill off the remainder of the penalty. Shortly after the penalty expired, about three minutes in, SA on an odd man rush, couldn't beat Vernon Vipers starting goaltender Dawson Pelletier on a chance in front with several bodies driving to the goal. Just over two minutes later, Daniel Rybarik on an odd man rush, couldn't solve Dawson Pelletier. Two back to back stops for the Snakes netminder early into the 2nd period. Shortly after the Apes would get into penalty trouble. The Vipers would get a shortened two man advantage. Jason McKee and the Snakes would call a timeout. Salmon Arm would kill off the first power play, before returning forward Ben Helgeson looked to tie the game 2-2 on the power play. Helgeson's shot from the low circle beat Salmon Arm Silverbacks starting netminder Dylan Kruss looked to go off the post and under the crossbar before coming back out. The goal light come on, but the referee waived off the goal as play continued. Viper fans were irate as was the goal judge, who was waving his arms. The Gorillas managed to escape and kill off the remainder of the minor, would kill off the two man advantage, keeping this a one goal game. Minutes later Brendan Kim on an odd man rush couldn't get enough on the pass, on what looked like a sure goal on a missed opportunity. On the following play/shift Vernon would head back to the PP, there third of the period. Connor Sleeth's quick shot from the circle would be snagged out of mid air after Dylan Kruss flashed the leather, making a nice glove save. On the same power play Nick Kent with a shot from the backend got through traffic, beat Dylan Kruss but not the crossbar as the Vipers come very close to tying the game. Salmon Arm would escape and kill off the minor. Minutes later towards the end of the frame, Coalson Wolford tripped Logan Cash who went hard into the end boards, and stayed down. Cash looked to be in discomfort holding his one leg. Cash needed help off the ice from the Vipers trainer and didn't return. The Snakes went back to the power play but again couldn't capitalize as SA killed off there fourth minor of the period. In the dying seconds returning forward Noah Wakeford on a parcial breakaway would be denied by Dawson Pelletier. Off the following faceoff Zach Gabruch setup Akito Hirose, giving Salmon Arm a 3-1 lead at 19:57 Gabruch picked up the assist. It was 3-1 Salmon Arm after 40 minutes of play. For a second straight period Vernon was the better of the two teams. The Snakes carried the better of the play, once again had several good looks/chances, didn't get any puck luck. The Vipers with a goal that looked like was in but was waived off, also hit the crossbar. Vernon goes 0-4 on the PP this period. The Apes for a second straight period didn't have a ton of puck possession or zone time but did manage a few good looks/quality opportunities. The Silverbacks caught some breaks but give credit to the PK and Dylan Kruss who were solid. The Gorillas with a huge goal in the dying seconds, gives them a two goal lead on the road. A back breaker for the Vipers. Vernon outshot Salmon Arm 19-10.
3rd Period: The Vipers started the final frame with Ross Hawryluk between the pipes who replaced Dawson Pelletier. Pelletier gave up three goals on seventeen Salmon Arm shots after two periods of play. The Backs jumped on Hawryluk and the Snakes off the opening faceoff. Noah Wakeford with a ton of hustle, caught Hawryluk out of position and the Vipers defence standing still. Wakeford had all day to score on the wrap around, hitting the open cage, giving Salmon Arm a 4-1 lead at 0:16 Wakeford's goal was unassisted. This goal took the life out of Vernon who was caught standing around. Shortly after the Vipers tried setting up returning forward Ben Sanderson going to the net, shot high and over the goal, on a missed opportunity. Five minutes into the final frame the Silverbacks would get an early power play, just there second of the contest. Salmon Arm with a few good looks couldn't capitalize with the man advantage. About a minute after killing off the minor, the Snakes got to within two goals after Jo Jo Tanaka-Campbell beat Dylan Kruss down low, cutting Salmon Arm's lead to 4-2 at 8:13 Kruss and the Backs complained about goaltender interference as Tanaka-Campbell was at the top of or inside the blue paint, was very close to bumping the Silverbacks netminder, but the goal stood. Just before the halfway mark tempers heated up in a scrum inside the SA blueline, with everyone getting involved. Dylan Kruss didn't like traffic in and around his crease, took a shot at a Viper player tied up in the scrum. Lots of pushing and shoving as the teams went to four on four with each team getting a minor penalty. Shortly after the Vipers with a quick shot from the blueline, found it's way through traffic grazed the crossbar and up into the netting as Vernon come within inches of getting to within a goal. With time winding down and no a factor in the game, the Vipers had troubles getting Ross Hawryluk to the bench for the extra attacker as Salmon Arm with an aggressive forecheck held the Snakes inside their own blueline. Vernon having all kinds of trouble getting out of there own end as the Backs with a solid defensive game late in the contest. The Vipers were finally able to get the puck deep into the Apes end, getting a stoppage in play and getting Ross Hawryluk to the bench for the extra attacker with about fifty two seconds left. Vernon couldn't really muster any quality chances as SA kept the Snakes to the outside winding down the clock. With a long shot from well inside their own end, the Gorillas tried a shot towards the open cage before the final buzzer. Salmon Arm would come away with the 4-2 victory. Giving up a late goal with just seconds left in the 2nd period, and then giving up an early goal, just sixteen seconds into the 3rd cost the Vipers. The Backs fourth goal took the life out of the Snakes and Vernon didn't have the same jump/drive they played with in the first two periods. Up by three goals it looked more like a pond hockey game at times. The Silverbacks with a solid defensive game in the final twenty minutes, played well. Neither team really had many chances or a ton of pressure. Vernon outshot Salmon Arm 8-7.
Top Player's: (Vernon)
Ryan Shostak Didn't put up any points but played with a lot of hustle, didn't quit skating and played hard all game. Very quick on his feet, likes to get involved.
Ben Sanderson Was another Viper forward who played with a lot of jump/energy, didn't get on the score sheet but had a strong game. Was aggressive, trying to create/& or generate chances, quick on his feet, was hard to defend against. Gave Salmon Arm's defence troubles.
Jo Jo Tanaka-Campbell (1 goal) I thought played well and had a strong game.
Nick Cherkowski Was another kid who played hard, had lots of jump/energy. I thought was the best Viper in the 1st period, had lots of looks/chances in that first twenty minutes.
Connor Sleeth (1 goal) Has some speed and skill, and showed it tonight. Was dangerous with the puck.
Game Thought's: (Vernon)
I thought the Vipers were by far the better team tonight. Maybe not so much in the 3rd period but dominated the first two periods. The scoreboard may not have shown that but it was all Vernon in the 1st and 2nd periods. The Snakes had all kinds of chances, didn't have any puck luck. The Vipers are quick this year and showed it tonight. I was very impressed with there passing tonight, with only playing there third pre-season game. I liked there breakout and aggressive forecheck. It seemed like the Vipers would carry the play for several minutes, get all kinds of opportunities but couldn't score. Back come Salmon Arm and score on one shot/one opportunity. Vernon needed to capitalize on the powerplay in that second period. The Apes got into penalty trouble and the Vipers didn't capitalize. The Snakes ran into a hot goaltender but also giving up the 3rd goal in the dying seconds of the 2nd period and the 4th goal sixteen seconds into the 3rd period were back breakers. Both goals took the life out of the team and they just couldn't recover afterwards. Vernon didn't look like the same team after giving up the 4th goal early into the 3rd. I thought both Vipers goaltenders looked average tonight. I heard the Vipers will be making there final three cuts after tonight's game. One goaltender and two forwards will be cut and the Vipers will be down to 23 players heading into Sunday's game vs Brooks. The Vipers & Silverbacks will meet six more times during the regular season. With the loss Vernon falls to 1-2-0-0 and will play there final pre-season game Sunday afternoon vs the Alberta Junior Hockey League Brooks Bandits.
Top Player's: (Salmon Arm)
Holden Knight's (1 assist) I thought was very good. Very quick, had to contain, was good at both ends of the rink. Gave the Snakes troubles most of the night.
Akito Hirose (1 goal) I thought played very well. Was involved in the play, was one of the stronger players.
Jayden Price Played hard, Played very well in the win.
Dylan Kruss (40 saves) Was the difference in the hockey game. Was very good through out the first two periods. Got some bounces go his way but was solid between the pipes. Gave his team a chance to win. Not the biggest goaltender but played big. Didn't allow many rebounds.
Game Thought's: (Salmon Arm)
The Silverbacks played/and looked much better Wednesday night at home in a 5-4 overtime loss to the Vipers. The Backs were outplayed and outworked for the first two periods. The Apes saw a lot of action in there own end most of the 1st period. The Silverbacks had all kinds of trouble with Vernon's speed and aggressive forecheck. SA heavily relied on goaltender Dylan Kruss in the first two periods. The Backs didnt have a lot of puck possession or zone time in the 1st and 2nd periods but capitalize on there chances. Give credit to Salmon Arm who got two huge timely goals late in the 2nd period and early into the 3rd. The Apes defence played very well in the final frame, shutting down the Snakes offence, taking away there speed and hemming Vernon in there own end at times. The Gorillas didn't deserve to be in this game, but they were and took advantage of some solid goaltending and key goals. I was also impressed with the Silverbacks PK. Salmon Arm caught the breaks and had the puck luck going there way. I was surprised not too see more Silverbacks fans in attendance tonight. Only saw the odd one here and there. One of the linesmen tonight was a female. I counted five Salmon Arm players sitting in the crowd. With the win Salmon Arm finishes the pre-season at 2-0-2-0 and will open the 2019-20 regular season September 8th vs the visiting West Kelowna Warriors.
Scratches:
Vernon:
No scratches were announced
Salmon Arm:
No scratches were announced
Energy Player of the Game:
No player was announced
Three Star's:
No three stars were handed out
Boxscore/Game Summary,
No boxscore/or game summary was available
Here are both teams rosters/lineups,
Vernon:
Goaltenders:
Dawson Pelletier 01
Ross Hawryluk 01
Defence:
Trey Taylor 02 (Returning from last season)
Keigo Hachisuka 01 (Recruited/Committed)
Nick Kent 01 (Acquired in an off season trade with the Buffalo Jr. Sabres)
Christian Felton 00 (Recruited/Committed)
Brendan Kim 00 (Returning from last season)
Landon Fuller 99 (Returning from last season)
Forwards:
Connor Marritt 99 (Captain/Returning from last season)
Ryan Shostak 01 (Recruited/Committed)
Curtis Hammond 01
Jack Glen 01 (Owner's son)
Hudson Foley 02
Ben Helgeson 00 (Returning from last season)
Ben Sanderson 00 (Returning from last season)
Jo Jo Tanaka-Campbell 01 (Recruited/Committed)
Nick Cherkowski 00 (Returning from last season)
Colby Feist 02
Connor Sleeth 99 (Acquired in an off season trade with Kanata Lasers)
Logan Cash 00 (Returning from last season)
Salmon Arm:
Goaltenders:
Ethan Langenegger 00 (Returning from last season)
Dylan Kruss 01
Defence:
Kieran Ruscheinski 01
Hunter Sansbury 00
Noah Lugli 99
Akito Hirose 99 (Returning from last season)
Zach Gabruch 01
Forwards:
Holden Knights 01
Drew Bennett 00
Simon Tassy 01
Logan Shaw 00 (Returning from last season)
Trevor Adams 99 (Returning from last season)
Josh Zinger 01
Antonio Andreozzi 00
Daniel Rybarik 99
Coalson Wolford 01
Noah Wakeford 00 (Returning from last season)
Sam Schofield 02
Jarod Semchuk 02 (Returning from last season)
Jayden Price 01
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Here are some photo's I took from tonight's game,
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