I was at tonight's exhibition Vipers-Silverbacks game as Vernon defeated Salmon Arm 5-4 in overtime in front of around 300-400 fans at the Shaw Centre.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon: Max Palaga
Salmon Arm: Ethan Langenegger
1st Period: The Silverbacks jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead in shots early before the Vipers would get the games first power play just 1:30 into the opening period. The man advantage lasted only forty four seconds before Vernon took a penalty of their own. Four on four Holden Knight's shot would be redirected on it's way to the goal, by Drew Bennett giving Salmon Arm an early 1-0 lead at 2:26 Knights & Josh Zinger collected the assists. Still four on four, Akito Hirose on a chance in front couldn't solve former Everett Silvertips goaltender Max Palaga in close. Still four on four, back come the Snakes, Colby Feist one on one with a quality look/chance couldn't beat Ethan Langenegger. Two big stops at both ends of the rink. The Silverbacks would eventually get a shortened power play. Zach Gabruch left alone at the side of the goal, looked to have an open cage but would be robbed after Max Palaga managed to get across the crease to make a highlight reel save, keeping this a one goal game. The Vipers would kill off the minor. Shortly after the penalty expired, Max Palaga would get caught out of his crease as the Vipers goaltender and two defencemen got bunched up at the side of the goal, where Daniel Rybarik tried poking at the loose puck couldn't coral the puck and shoot it into the open cage, as Vernon would catch a bit of a break. The Vipers would get their second power play of the period just before the five minute mark. The Gorilla's would kill off the minor penalty. Just as the penalty expired, Brett Meerman couldn't solve Max Palaga on an odd man rush just before the Apes would get into penalty trouble, sending the Snakes to a two man advantage. The Vipers looked to tie the game on a shot from the slot, that looked to beat Ethan Langenegger low to the right pad. The play was blown down, while the Vipers were celebrating as Langenegger quickly pulled his pad/puck out from the net. The referee waived off the goal, saying the puck didn't cross the goal line. No argument from Jason McKee and the Vernon Vipers bench. With the Snakes still on the two man advantage, Trey Taylor's point shot had eyes, finding the back of the goal, tying the game 1-1 at 7:23 Elan Bar-Lev-Wise drew the lone helper. Minutes later Connor Marritt setup Curtis Hammond giving Vernon a 2-1 lead at 11:55 Marritt with the only assist. Shortly after the Backs looked to tie the game, after a Silverbacks forward bumped Max Palaga before someone buried the rebound in front. While the Silverbacks were celebrating, the referee immediately waived off the goal. The goal was waived off due to contact with the goaltender. I don't know why there wasn't a penalty on the play? Devon Newhook looked to be in some discomfort leaving the ice, went to the Backs dressing room and didn't return. With just over five minutes remaining Salmon Arm would get their second look on the PP. Shorthanded Nick Cherkowski on the breakaway couldn't beat Ethan Langenegger on a big stop, keeping this a one goal game. The Backs unable to capitalize with the man advantage. With just over two minutes to go, Landon Fuller was forced to haul his man down in front, while crashing into Max Palaga and the net, as the puck also went into the goal. SA thought they scored as the red light come on, but the goal was waived off and Antonio Andreozzi was rewarded a penalty shot. The crowd at the Shaw Centre wasn't pleased with this call, letting the officials know about it. Antonio Andreozzi come in at an angle slow, forcing Max Palaga to shut the door, keeping this a 2-1 hockey game with 2:22 remaining. With just over a minute to go, Max Palaga was forced to make at least two or three saves in close on a mad scramble in and around the Snakes net. Inside the final minute, Palaga was forced to make another big stop off Antonio Andreozzi. The Vipers getting outworked and outplayed in the final few minutes were up 2-1 after 20 minutes of play. The Silverbacks were the better of the two teams for most of the first twenty minutes. The Snakes didn't look too bad at times in the first half but struggled in the second half. Vernon's defence was having all kinds of troubles in their own end, were turning over the puck, making poor passes and several mistakes inside their blueline. The Apes had the better of the chances, had several quality opportunities couldn't beat Max Palaga who played well between the pipes for Vernon. The Vipers had a goal waived off, while the Backs had two goals called back. Lots of penalties taken in the first period. The Gorillas outplayed the Vipers in the second half, saw a lot of action in the offensive zone. Salmon Arm outshot Vernon 13-6.
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2nd Period: The Snakes with a strong start to the middle frame, would get off to a quick start. Colby Feist gave Vernon a 3-1 lead at 3:19 Trey Taylor and Jack Glen picked up the assists. Just twenty three seconds later, Vernon product Nick Cherkowski gave Vernon a 4-1 lead at 3:47 I had troubles hearing the PA announcer, so I didn't hear who collected the assists. The Snakes with two goals on three shots. Just past the halfway mark SA would get the first power play of the 2nd period. The Backs moved the puck around before Akito Hirose setup a wide open Sam Schofield in the slot, beating Vernon Vipers starting goaltender Max Palaga, cutting Vernon's lead to 4-2 at 12:29 Schofield drew the lone helper. Off the following faceoff, Brett Fudger come within inches of giving the Snakes a three goal lead, beat Silverbacks starting goaltender Ethan Langenegger but not the crossbar. Just over two minutes later with the Apes pressing, Max Palaga had to be sharp, was forced to stop Antonio Andreozzi and Jarod Semchuk both had quality chances. The Backs would get a late power play, that only lasted just over thirty seconds before taking a minor of their own. The teams would finish the second period four on four. It was 4-2 Vernon after 40 minutes of play. The Vipers with a strong start, scored two quick back to back goals, to take a three goal lead before Salmon Arm got within a goal. I thought Vernon was the better team and carried the better of the play for a lot of the middle frame. The Vipers were using their speed and quickness to win the races. The Apes saw a lot of action in their own end. SA did manage to put together a few solid shifts, had two great back to back opportunities with about six minutes left, couldn't bury their opportunities to try and get within a goal. Vernon outshot Salmon Arm 15-8.
3rd Period: Max Palaga started the 3rd period on the bench after backup netminder Dawson Pelletier started in goal. Palaga allowed two goals on 21 Salmon Arm shots after two periods. Pelletier making his Vipers debut on the road with a two goal lead. About a minute and a half into the 3rd period, Brett Fudger tried setting up Connor Sleeth on an odd man rush, couldn't connect on the pass on a missed opportunity. Minutes later on a scramble at the top of the Viper crease, it looked like Dawson Pelletier looked to have the puck smothered on two separate occasions, with no whistle on the play, the puck got loose, ending up at the side of the net, where Antonio Andreozzi buried home the rebound, cutting Vernon's lead to 4-3 at 4:08 Noah Wakeford & Trevor Adams with the assists. About two minutes later a Viper defender coming out of his own end was hauled down, with no call on the play, the Backs recovered setting up veteran forward Trevor Adams who beat Dawson Pelletier five hole tying the game 4-4 at 6:00 on a goal I think Pelletier would like to have back. Adams goal was unassisted. Adams goal got the crowd at the Shaw Centre fired up in a hurry, bringing some life into the building. Just past the midway mark, Sam Schofield with a great look/opportunity would be denied by Dawson Pelletier who somehow managed to get across the blue paint to make the large save, and keep this game tied. On the following shift, at the other end of the rink, Vipers owner Tom Glen's son Jack Glen would be stopped in close from the slot after second year goaltender, Ethan Langenegger made a big stop. Shortly after Brendan Kim coughed up the puck allowing, Noah Wakeford and Daniel Rybarik in for the breakway, Wakeford tried setting up Rybarik who couldn't get enough on his shot for a good enough chance on a missed opportunity. The play now really beginning to open up as both teams are looking for the game winner. SA would take a costly penalty with 21.8 seconds left in the hockey game. The Snakes unable to capitalize before the final buzzer. It was 4-4 after 60 minutes of play. Vernon allows the Gorillas to get within a goal early before tying the game just six minutes into the final frame. This was a fairly exciting period as both teams went back and fourth getting chances at both ends of the rink. The referee's let the teams play, only called one penalty which was called inside the final minute of play. Both teams were fairly evenly matched but it was the Apes who scored the only two goals of the 3rd. Salmon Arm outshot Vernon 19-15.
Overtime: The Snakes started the extra frame on the man advantage, that was carried over from the 3rd period. It would take only nineteen seconds after Connor Sleeth scored the OT winner at 0:19 sending the Vipers bench over the boards as they piled onto one another for their first victory of the pre-season. The PA announcer didn't announce the game winning goal. Vernon outshot Salmon Arm 1-0.
Top Player's: (Vernon)
Landon Fuller made a few mistakes but I thought still played well on the Vipers blueline. Fuller was one of three Vipers named assistant captain this morning. The veteran 20 yr old I thought was hard on pucks, physical and hard to play against.
Colby Feist (1 goal) I thought had a strong game in the Vipers only road game of the pre-season. Was in on pucks, created/generated chances through out the evening, was making plays, looked very good up front.
Brett Fudger Was a Vipers recruit/committed player who caught my attention tonight. I thought was one of the better forwards in the lineup. Was driving to the net all game, looking for loose pucks, making plays happen, created/and generated opportunities through out the contest.
Max Palaga (21 saves) Returning for a second season after leaving the Snakes for the Everett Silvertips last season, made his pre-season debut tonight. I thought gave his team a chance to win and made some big stops, especially in the 1st period when the Silverbacks were pressing. I was surprised to see him on the bench to start the 3rd period. Is he sick or maybe tweaked something? Or was it the team was up by two goals and figured they would give Dawson Pelletier a chance to make his Viper debut?
Game Thought's: (Vernon)
I thought the Snakes didn't play all that bad in the first half of the opening frame, but didn't look very good either. I thought Salmon Arm was the better of the two teams in the 1st period, the Vipers gave up way too many opportunities and shots on goal that first twenty minutes. I think Vernon was lucky to be up a goal heading to the dressing room. I thought the Vipers looked & played much better in the 2nd and 3rd periods. Sure they coughed up the puck, made some defensive mistakes and let the goaltenders out to dry on at least one or two goals but overall I didn't think the Snakes played all that bad in the final two periods. Actually I thought Vernon played very well and was the better team in the middle frame. Both teams combined for seven minor penalties in the 1st period. Elan Bar-Lev-Wise with three minor penalties tonight. The Vipers with two quick back to back goals early into the 2nd period, looked like they may run away with this one, blew a 4-1 lead before pulling out the win in overtime. I don't think the Vipers and their coaching staff will be happy blowing a 4-1 lead, even though it is only pre-season. I also don't think Vernon's coaching staff and management will be happy giving up forty shots. Vipers recruit/committed defenceman Christian Felton made his Vipers debut tonight, didn't attend the Vipers training camp and was not in the lineup in the Vipers first exhibition game last weekend vs Grande Prairie. The Vipers were wearing their navy blue third set jerseys from last season. I have been told these will be the Vipers away jersey's this season. The Vipers wont be bringing back last year's red away jersey's. The Vipers had their name bars on there jerseys minus any kids trying out. All returning players from last season and all new recruits/committed players had a name bar. I spotted a very small group of Viper fans in attendance. First year Head Coach/GM Jason McKee made his Vipers debut behind the bench, earned his first win with the Vernon Vipers. Both owners, John & Tom Glen were in attendance. With the win Vernon improves to 1-1-0-0 in the pre-season will host the Silverbacks Friday night. The Snakes with two exhibition games remaining.
Top Player's: (Salmon Arm)
Ethan Langenegger (30 saves) Returning for a second season made thirty saves in the loss. Was very good between the pipes for SA making some solid saves through out the evening.
Drew Bennett (1 goal) This kid caught my attention as I thought was one of the better players on the ice for Salmon Arm. Quick on his feet, always involved in the play, reads/sees the ice very well, a good skater, creates/generates chances, was hard to defend against.
Akito Hirose (1 assist) Returning from last season, Played very well on the Silverbacks backend. Was involved in the play, generated/ & created opportunities, made things happen in a hurry. Always tough to play against and defend against.
Antonio Andreozzi (1 goal) Was stopped on a 1st period penalty shot, Played very very well in the overtime loss. I thought was another kid who played very well and one of the better Silverbacks tonight. Andreozzi and Drew Bennett were probably the two top players for the Backs. This kid was another kid who was hard to defend against and contain. Was all over the ice.
Daniel Rybarik Had several quality chances through out the night, couldn't buy any puck luck, played very well up front for the Apes.
Noah Wakeford (1 assist) Was dangerous at times, hard to contain and defend against. Not the biggest kid, but quick on his feet, moves the puck up ice in a hurry.
Game Thought's: (Salmon Arm)
I thought the Silverbacks played very well in the 1st and 3rd periods. It was the 2nd period where the Gorillas gave up two early back to back goals just twenty three seconds apart, that put them down three goals. For the second straight home game the Backs were forced to battle back, force overtime before falling in both overtimes. SA was down 4-1 to the visiting West Kelowna Warriors Saturday, battled back to force OT before losing in the extra frame. The Apes were getting a lot of rubber towards the goal, ened up with forty shots on goal at the end of the evening. The Silverbacks had more quality chances through out the night. Both teams struggled at times, turned over pucks, made some poor decisions/mistakes but overall it was a fairly entertaining and exciting exhibition hockey game. I spotted lots of NCAA scouts at tonight's game as well as former Vernon Viking and current Detroit Red Wings scout Marty Stein was also at tonight's game. The Silverbacks were wearing their grey third set jerseys from last year tonight. I would guess between 300-400 fans were at tonight's game. I had troubles hearing the PA announcer. It was difficult at times to hear who scored or what time the goal was at etc. Tonight was the Silverbacks second and final pre-season home game. The Backs with just one exhibition game left, which is Friday in Vernon. These two teams will meet six more times in the regular season. Salmon Arm falls to 1-0-2-0 in pre-season action.
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 star's were announced
Boxscore/Game summary,
The BCHL doesn't post boxscore's/or game summary's for exhibition games
Here are both team's rosters/lineups
Vernon:
Goaltenders:
Max Palaga 00 (Returning from last season)
Dawson Pelletier 00
Defence:
Graham Skinner 02
Trey Taylor 02 (Returning from last season)
Brendan Kim 00 (Returning from last season)
Landon Fuller 99 (Returning from last season)
Christian Felton 00 (Recruited/Committed)
Ryan MacLean 01 (Recruited/Committed)
Forwards:
Ben Sanderson 00 (Returning from last season)
Jack Glen 01 (Vipers owner's son)
Brett Fudger 01 (Recruited/Committed)
Connor Marritt 99 (Captain/Returning from last season)
Elan Bar-Lev-Wise 01 (Returning from last season)
Hudson Foley 02
Connor Sleeth 99 (Acquired In a trade over the summer with the Kanata Lasers)
Ben Helgeson 00 (Returning from last season)
Cameron MacDonald 02 (Recruited/Committed)
Nick Cherkowski 00 (Returning from last season)
Colby Feist 02
Curtis Hammond 01
Salmon Arm:
Goaltenders:
Ethan Langenegger 00 (Returning from last season)
Dylan Kruss 01
Defence:
Kieran Ruscheinski 01
Antonio Andreozzi 00
Zach Gabruch 01
Devon Newhook 00
Akito Hirose 99 (Returning from last season)
Hunter Sansbury 00
Forwards:
Josh Zinger 01
Holden Knights 01
Brett Meerman 02
Daniel Rybarik 99
Drew Bennett 00
Simon Tassy 01
Trevor Adams 99 (Returning from last season)
Sam Schofield 02
Ben Hamilton 01
Logan Shaw 00 (Returning from last season)
Jarod Semchuk 02 (Returning from last season)
Noah Wakeford 00 (Returning from last season)
I spotted both teams scratches sitting in the crowd tonight. One group of seven were sitting near the top of the isle above the Vipers bench and another group of six players sitting in the far corner to the right of the Silverbacks goal.
Please feel free to leave a suggestion or comment below, in the comment box at the bottom of this post. I always enjoy and will post all comments. Thank you for your comments and visiting my blog.
Here are some photo's I took from tonight's game,
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