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 2.5 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 pre-season game as Vernon defeated Salmon Arm 1-0 in front of 550 fans at the Shaw Centre.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon Vipers: Colin Reay
Salmon Arm Silverbacks: Ryan Grout
To continue reading, please click the "read more" button below,
1st Period: The Silverbacks playing their first game of the 2023 pre-season got off to a quick start and jumped on the visiting Vernon Vipers early. The Snakes were ahead 2-0 in shots minutes in but the Silverbacks carried the play early and often. The Apes needed four and a half minutes to record their first shot of the period, but controlled the play with loads of pressure/zone time. SA looked quick, was using their speed, had a good transition game going for a lot of the 1st. The Backs were the more physical team laying out at least three or four good checks. The S'Backs didn't get a whole lot of chances but had the better of the play for the first eight minutes and the final six or so minutes. Vernon had trouble getting their legs going early, were standing still, watching the puck and saw a lot of the play in their own end. The Vipers struggled early but finally got their legs going just before the midway mark. About eight minutes into the opening frame, Adam Csabi rang a shot off the post as the Snakes got their game going and played very well in the middle part of the period. Vernon had at least four good looks/chances, had the better of the opportunities between both teams. The Vipers played well defensively, blocked several shots from in close. I thought Salmon Arm had a slight edge in play overall. It was 0-0 after 20 minutes of play. Shots were 9-9.
2nd Period: The Gorillas got off with a good start before Vernon would get the games first power play of the evening, just over three minutes into the middle frame. The Snakes with four shots on the man advantage, couldn't capitalize as Salmon Arm killed off the minor. The Silverbacks needed five and a half minutes to get their first shot of the period. Jordin Palmer with his first pre-season goal, gave Vernon a 1-0 lead on the power play at 9:05 During the radio timeout, the Vipers switched goaltenders. Colin Reay was replaced by Dylan Adams. Reay was forced to make two big saves this period, stopped all thirteen Salmon Arm shots. In the second half, JJ Monteiro rang a shot from in close off the crossbar. The Vipers looked very well and played very well, were the better of the two teams. The Snakes carried a lot of the play, getting several quality looks/opportunities. Vernon went at least four or more minutes towards the end of the period without a shot on goal. The Backs would get a late push and come on strong in the final five minutes, had a few looks but couldn't capitalize. Other then that SA was outplayed most of the period. Ryan Grout was very lucky on at least two plays, played well in goal. Vernon outshot Salmon Arm 13-8.
3rd Period: The Vipers played very well in the 3rd carried a lot of the play, were looking for that insurance marker. Vernon with some good looks/chances. The Snakes were the better team. The Silverbacks were chasing the play, saw a lot of time in their own end, struggled to generate pressure and zone time. The Apes with several odd man rushes, couldn't finish in and around the net. Salmon Arm seemed to finally get their game going towards the end of the period. The Gorillas would get their first and only man advantage late in the period, managed only one shot on goal. The Backs would call a timeout with 1:56 remaining and get Ryan Grout out of the net for the extra attacker. SA pressed hard to finish the game, but unable to get pucks through or towards the net. The Snakes played very well defensively to end the hockey game. Vernon outshot Salmon Arm 9-8.
Vernon Vipers Top Performers:
Isaac Fecteau Was one of Vernon's better players and best defenceman. Looked very strong at both ends of the rink. Carried the puck often, joined the rush and made things look easy. A smooth skater that can move the puck up ice, reads and sees the ice very well. Was very impressed with his play and game tonight.
Nick Larkin Was another d-man that caught my eye and thought played very well on the blueline.
Shea Busch didn't stand out in the first two periods but played well in the 3rd period.
Adam Csabi Played very well in the win, rang a shot off the post in the opening frame, was involved in the play and made plays through out the hockey game.
Liam Payne was by far the Snakes hardest worker. Payne played one heck of a game this evening. This kid never stopped, was all over the Shaw Centre. Was physical, finished his checks, was aggressive, in your face, worked his tail off the entire night. Was very impressed with this kids work ethic and game tonight.
Isaac Tremblay didn't really stand out in the first two periods but I thought played better and stood out in the 3rd.
Julian Facchinelli looked good in his pre-season debut and played very well through out the contest.
Colin Reay/Dylan Adams combined for the win/shutout both played well between the pipes. Reay wasn't tested often in a period and a half, was still forced to make at least two big stops keeping the Silverbacks off the scoreboard. I wasn't overly impressed with Reay at training camp last weekend. Adams doesn't leave the crease, finished tonight's hockey game, made the saves when called upon.
Game Thought's: Vernon Vipers
- The Vipers didn't get off to a good start, were outplayed early and often but got better as the game went on
- Tonight was the Snakes second of five pre-season games before opening the regular season September 22nd in Salmon Arm
- The Vipers went 1-4 with the man advantage
- I thought overall Vernon was the better team tonight
- Not a whole lot of Viper fans in Salmon Arm. I spotted between 15-20 Viper fans tonight
- Vernon was very disciplined tonight, only taking two minors
- The Snakes have seven players returning from last season
- With the win, the Vipers improve to 2-0 during the pre-season
- The Vipers went 1-2-0-0 in Salmon Arm during last season's regular season
- Vernon dressed only four veterans tonight
- The Vipers carried the better of the play, having more zone time in the final two periods
- The Snakes played very well defensively
- I have been impressed with the Vipers passing, skill level and speed this pre-season
- Vernon and Salmon Arm will meet eleven times this pre-season/regular season
- I really liked the Vipers 2nd and 3rd periods. I thought the Snakes were the better team in the 2nd and 3rd periods
- These two teams will meet again Saturday in Vernon
- I know it's early and this is only exhibition but after watching both pre-season games I really like what I have seen so far
Salmon Arm Silverbacks Top Performers:
Chris Kobelka made his Silverbacks debut after playing the 2021-22 season with the Trail Smoke Eaters. Kobelka was Salmon Arm's better d-man and played well through out the loss.
Nick Wellenreiter has some speed, made some plays and was involved in the play often. I thought was one of the Silverbacks better forwards.
Ryan Grout (21 saves) Was very lucky at times but sometimes you have to be lucky to be good. Grout definitely got some bounces go his way, catching a few breaks this evening but also made some good saves through out the night.
Game Thought's: Salmon Arm Silverbacks
- The Silverbacks went with seven regulars from last season in the lineup
- I really liked Salmon Arm's 1st period. The Apes with a good start, looked very good and played very well, had a slight edge in play over Vernon in the opening frame
- The Gorillas went 0-1 with the power play
- A pretty good crowd for a pre-season game
- The Silverbacks eliminated the Vipers in five games in the 2nd round of the playoffs last season
- Salmon Arm was outplayed in the 2nd and 3rd periods, weren't the same team after the 1st period
- The Silverbacks unveiled their new home jerseys this evening
- Overall this was an entertaining hockey game
- The Apes went 2-0-1-0 vs Vernon at home during last years regular season
- Tonight was the S'Backs first of four exhibition games
- The Gorillas didn't generate much pressure or offensive zone time in either the 2nd or 3rd periods
- The Backs had some good looks/chances but couldn't finish
- After a very good 1st period, SA couldn't seem to place with the same pace and weren't the same team in the final two periods
- I don't like the Silverbacks new jerseys. I like the colors but I think they need a logo on the front
- The officials now have their names on the back of their jerseys
- SA has nine players returning from last season
Here are the Silverbacks new jerseys for the 2023-24 season,
Vernon Vipers Exhibition Roster:
Goaltenders:
Colin Reay 05
Dylan Adams 06
Defencemen:
Isaac Fecteau 05
Russell Weatherhead 06
Jordin Palmer 04
Fritz Berback-Rosengreen 06
Nick Larkin 05
Maks Percic 04
Linden Burrett 06
Forwards:
Shea Busch 07
Hank Cleaves 03
Luke Buss 03
Adam Csabi 05
Erik Pastro 05
Liam Payne 06
Isaac Tremblay 04
Bronson Ross 06
Julian Facchinelli 04
Jiri Duda 05
Marcello Giorgi 05
Salmon Arm Silverbacks Exhibition Roster:
Goaltenders:
Ryan Grout 07
Ryan Tamelin 06
Defencemen:
Aidan Souligny 06
Marcus Broberg 03
Adam Boatter 07
Nathaniel Davis 04
Chris Kobelka 03
Tristan Allen 03
Ryan Buckley 04
Forwards:
Lorin Froidevaux 05
Nick Wellenreiter 06
Casy Laylin 04
Reid Varkonyi 06
Lian Gayfer 05
Zach Nicolas 04
Christian Kim 05
Riley Ashe 06
JJ Monteiro 06
Maddux Martin 05
Jacob Bonkowski 03
Ryan Gillespie 03
Scratches:
Vernon Vipers:
No scratches announced
Salmon Arm Silverbacks:
No scratches announced
Energy Player of the Game:
Marcus Broberg
Three Star's:
1st Star: Jordin Palmer (1 goal)
2nd Star: Ryan Grout (21 saves)
3rd Star: Adam Csabi (1 assist)
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.
Here are some photo's I took before and during today's Vernon Vipers-Salmon Arm Silverbacks game.
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