Game 18 - Silverbacks 6 Vipers 2

It was a better effort Wednesday night, but unfortunately for the Vipers it was a similar result as the Snakes would drop their third straight game by a score of 6-2 to the rival Salmon Arm Silverbacks.  Coming into the game the team needed to play with more intensity, more physicality and more passion.  It was evident that the team played to that standard, but an early powerplay goal against, a disallowed goal and a shorthanded goal against kept the Vipers behind and it was a whole they battled to get out of, but couldn't get the breaks they needed.

The Vipers came out throwing their weight around in the first shift, unfortunately it resulted in an elbowing penalty and the Silverbacks would take advantage just 92 seconds into the game as Nick Hutchison finished off a nice 2 on 1 to give the visitors a quick lead.  A few minutes later, the Vipers thought they tied the game as Jimmy Lambert would flip a puck up over Redmond.  The goal was disallowed when Redmond pushed off the post, the net came off its moorings and the goal waved off.  It was unclear if the puck crossed the line first, the referees conversed and the no goal stood to keep the game 1-0.  The Vipers caught a break late in the period when Ryley Booth took a 5 minute major penalty for a Blow to the Head.  It was the Silverbacks who would score first on that PP as Josh Blanchard outworked two Vipers and drove the net and slid home a shorthanded goal to make it 2-0 SA.  The Vipers would get one right back as Colton McCarthy put home a rebound off a point shot to make it 2-1 Backs after 1 period.

It was a pretty evenly matched second period with both sides playing hard and generating chances.  Play got a little chippy when Cam Coutre was ejected for a check from behind on Bo Pellah, then there was a scrap as Brett Stapley dropped the gloves with Josh Blanchard behind the Viper goal in a spirited tilt for the youngest player on the ice.  The Silverbacks would get the only goal of the period as Mac Ferner tried to rim a puck up the wall, but it deflected off Taro Hirose right in front of the net where Ross Heidt would score to make it 3-1.  It was a tough play for Ferner as he made the right decision, but the ricochet couldn't have gone to a worse spot than it did.

The Vipers trailed by 2 goals to start the third period and didn't play poorly.  The Silverbacks play a smothering defense and they really clogged up the neutral zone keeping the Vipers speed to a minimum.  Marcus Mitchell would score a back breaker for the Backs as he wrapped a puck around and it found its way through Shortridge to make it 4-1.  There was a cause for argument from the Vipers who argued that the play should've been blown dead because the ref would've lost sight of the puck before it crossed the line, but the goal would stand and the Vipers were in an even bigger hole. Bo Pellah would set up a beautiful one timer from Riley Brandt just 26 seconds later that beat Redmond to make it 4-2.  The Vipers found themselves shorthanded right after that though and Colton Thibault restored the Backs 3 goal lead before Chase Zieky put the game away finishing off a nice 3 on 2 rush to make the final score 6-2.

Here is the official box score:

SCORING SUMMARY

PERIOD 1

1-0 Salmon Arm Silverbacks at 1:32 (PP) - Nick Hutchison from Carson Bolduc

2-0 Salmon Arm Silverbacks at 17:43 (SH) - Josh Blanchard (unassisted)

2-1 Vernon Vipers at 18:17 (PP) - Colton McCarthy from Riley Brandt and Darren Rizzolo

PERIOD 2

3-1 Salmon Arm Silverbacks at 13:42 - Ross Heidt from Taro Hirose

PERIOD 3

4-1 Salmon Arm Silverbacks at 15:55 - Marcus Mitchell from Mitch Newsome and Jared Turcotte

4-2 Vernon Vipers at 16:21 - Riley Brandt from Jagger Williamson and Mitchell Oliver

5-2 Salmon Arm Silverbacks at 17:37 - Colton Thibault (unassisted)

6-2 Salmon Arm Silverbacks at 18:23 - Chase Zieky from Nick Hutchison

STARS OF THE GAME
1st STAR	2nd STAR	3rd STAR
Salmon Arm Silverbacks Cameron Trott	Vernon Vipers Riley Brandt	Salmon Arm Silverbacks Carson Bolduc

SCORING	1	2	3	TOTAL
Salmon Arm Silverbacks	2	1	3	6
Vernon Vipers	1	0	1	2

SHOTS	1	2	3	TOTAL
Salmon Arm Silverbacks	13	11	13	37
Vernon Vipers	16	9	14	39

POWER PLAYS
Salmon Arm Silverbacks	1 for 8 (12.5%)
Vernon Vipers	1 for 7 (14.3%)

Its a tough go right now for a young Vipers team who are struggling with their confidence.  This has been an opportunity with so many home games, for the Vipers to make hay in the division and they've dropped a three in a row now.  Still no need for the dreaded panic button.  This team just needs to keep the work ethic up.  The Silverbacks are a very good, veteran club and played like one.  The Vipers at time played like a young team who are still trying to find themselves.

Mark Ferner has said that it seems to be coming down to trust.  This team has the potential to put it all together, but must trust the system and structures.

The Vipers will get another opportunity to put it all together Friday night as they welcome the Trail Smoke Eaters for the third and final time this season.  Its an internet only game and you can catch it on the Vipers MixLR and Fasthockey starting at 6:45

Game 17 - Grizzlies 2 Vipers 0

Coming off the heels of a tough loss in which the team was outplayed, the Vipers came into Saturday nights game looking to get back to their winning ways against a team with only 2 wins on the season.  Now of course that far from guarantees a victory as the Vipers had dropped a decision at home to Prince George earlier who only had 1 win.  The night proved to be one of those nights where anyone can beat anyone no matter the record.  The Grizzlies played a very well rounded game, had some timely scoring and would leave KTP with a 2-0 win.

The first period didn't feature much in the way of scoring chances as both teams played a pretty spirited first 10 minutes.  Both goalies had a chance to feel the puck heading into the radio timeout.  The Grizzlies would open the scoring as Nick Guiney would tap home a rebound off a power rush from Tyler Welsh.  Not much happened after that, the Grizzlies picked up the pace and would finish the period up by a goal and outshooting the Vipers 16-9.

The second period was a more balanced period that saw the shots even, but no goals up on the board.  The only real thing of note was a fight between Nick Guiney and Mac Ferner.  It was a good scrap that one would call a draw.

The Grizzlies would add to their lead when Cole Pickup would get a breakaway and after 2 great saves from Shortridge, the third time was the charm and Pickup tapped it home to make it 2-0.  The Grizzlies shut it down from there, not giving up much and thanks to some late powerplays didn't feel overly threatened as they spent most of it on the powerplay.  When the horn sounded it was the visiting Grizzlies shutting out the Vipers 2-0.

Here is the official scoring summary:

SCORING SUMMARY

PERIOD 1

1-0 Victoria Grizzlies at 12:55 - Nick Guiney from Tyler Welsh and Cody Van Lierop

PERIOD 2

No Scoring

PERIOD 3

2-0 Victoria Grizzlies at 7:26 - Cole Pickup from PJ Conlon and Mitchell Barker

STARS OF THE GAME
1st STAR	2nd STAR	3rd STAR
Victoria Grizzlies Matthew Galajda	Vernon Vipers Andrew Shortridge	Victoria Grizzlies Nick Guiney

SCORING	1	2	3	TOTAL
Victoria Grizzlies	1	0	1	2
Vernon Vipers	0	0	0	0

SHOTS	1	2	3	TOTAL
Victoria Grizzlies	16	13	21	50
Vernon Vipers	9	14	8	31

POWER PLAYS
Victoria Grizzlies	0 for 9 (00.0%)
Vernon Vipers	0 for 6 (00.0%)

After 3 games that saw the Vipers get 6 points and play some pretty good hockey, the weekend was very surprising.  Friday night seemed to carry into Saturday night in terms of energy level and compete level.  I think it left the players and coaching staff scratching their heads a little.  Getting outscored 5-2 wasn't so much the issue, but systems and structures just weren't executed the way they are drawn up.

They gave up 98 shots in 2 nights and Andrew Shortridge stopped 93 of them.  That number is way to high and needs to be addressed.

The next game doesn't get any easier as the rival Salmon Arm Silverbacks make their first trip to KTP on Wednesday night.  You can hear all the action on 107.5 KissFM starting at 6:45.  Or watch on FastHockey.

Game 16 - Warriors 3 Vipers 2

The Vernon Vipers carried a 3 game winning streak into Friday night's game against the West Kelowna Warriors, but it was the Warriors who aside from 3 minutes in the game, came out hustling and skated off with a 3-2 victory at Kal Tire Place.

The Vipers had the perfect start to the game as they were skating hard and putting pucks at the net.  That game plan proved effective as they scored two goals on the first two shots of the game.  Jimmy Lambert found himself open at the side of the net to make it 1-0.  Just 16 seconds later Colton McCarthy jammed home a puck at the right post to make it 2-0 early on.  The Warriors picked up momentum after that and really took the game over.  Garrett Forster would score 3 minutes later to make it 2-1 Vernon after 1.  The Warriors peppered the Viper goal with 21 shots in the first period and had it not been for Andrew Shortridge, the Vipers wouldn't be leading after 1 period.

It was more of the same in the second as the Vipers had trouble moving the puck and had sustained portions of the game when they were hemmed in their own zone.  The Warriors really picked up the physicality and that caused some turnovers, one led directly to the tying goal that saw Liam Blackburn rip shot high over the glove of Shortride to make it 2-2 midway through the second.  A late powerplay for the Tribe had Jonathan Desbiens give his team the lead off a shot from the bottom of the circle up under the bar and after 2 it was 3-2 West Kelowna.

The Vipers tried to get something going, but really couldn't generate a whole lot in terms of quality scoring chances.  It was a pretty defensive period, but in the end with the goalie pulled, the Vipers just couldn't get one by Stephen Heslop and the Vipers would fall 3-2.

Here is the official box score:

SCORING SUMMARY

PERIOD 1

1-0 Vernon Vipers at 1:45 - Jimmy Lambert from Colton McCarthy and Bo Pellah

2-0 Vernon Vipers at 2:01 - Colton McCarthy from Riley Brandt and Jimmy Lambert

2-1 West Kelowna Warriors at 5:40 - Garrett Forster from Connor Sodergren

PERIOD 2

2-2 West Kelowna Warriors at 10:29 - Liam Blackburn from Tanner Campbell

3-2 West Kelowna Warriors at 19:27 (PP) - Jonathan Desbiens from Tanner Campbell

PERIOD 3

No Scoring

SCORING 1 2 3 TOTAL West Kelowna Warriors 1 2 0 3 Vernon Vipers 2 0 0 2 SHOTS 1 2 3 TOTAL West Kelowna Warriors 21 16 11 48 Vernon Vipers 10 8 8 26 POWER PLAYS West Kelowna Warriors 1 for 3 (33.3%) Vernon Vipers 0 for 3 (00.0%)

Aside from the first two minutes of the game, and the final minute when they were trying to tie the game up, this was a performance to forget for the Vipers.  They looked flat and really overmatched for much of this game.

Again, Andrew Shortridge was spectacular stopping 45 of 48 in the loss.

The Vipers will look for a much better effort tomorrow night when they take on the Victoria Grizzlies at Kal Tire Place.

Game 15 - Vipers 5 Centennials 3

The Vernon Vipers hadn't played a road game in nearly 2 weeks and heading into the unfriendly confines of the Nicola Valley Memorial Arena is a tough place to break that 14 day stretch.  The Vipers were coming off a 3-0 win the night before over Merritt, and went in looking for the weekend sweep.  The game was essentially decided on powerplay goals as each team had 3, but the Vipers would get the game winner on a man advantage late in regulation and take the game 5-3, extending their win streak to a tidy 3 games.

There was a lot of pace and action in the first period.  Both teams came out skating and throwing their weight around.  Intially it appeared some of the Vipers had trouble adjusting to the smaller ice surface and were hesitant with the puck.  A few defensive zone turnovers later and the Vipers started to move the puck a lot faster and with more effectiveness against the Merritt forecheck.  The Vipers had to kill off 3 minor penalties in the frame, but it was a late powerplay for Merritt that saw Nick Jermain pot home a rebound to make it 1-0 for the home team after 1 period.

The Vipers would use a powerplay of their own to tie the game up early in the second period as just after  a Nick Fiorentino penalty expired, Bo Pellah would rifle home a shot from the slot.  Two minutes later a nifty steal from Jagger Williamson had him snap a wrist shot through Cole Kehler to make it 2-1 Vipers.  The momentum was in the Vipers favour now and they extended their lead with a PP goal from Mitchell Oliver who used a seeing eye wrister from the center point to elude the goaltender and make it 3-1.  The Cents then had 5 consecutive powerplays to end the period and after a few unsuccessful attempts, Michael Faulkner would jam home his first BCHL goal to make it 3-2 after 2 periods.

The Cents came out firing in the third period and again it was their powerplay that would aid them in getting the game tied as Nick Fiorentino's point shot got through a maze of bodies, including Andrew Shortridge, to make it 3-3.  The Vipers didn't have very many PP's in comparison to the opposition, but they made theirs count as Liam Finlay would score the eventual game winner on a rebound with his team up a man late in the third period.  The decks were stacked against the Vipers again as they would be shorthanded 6 on 3 in the final minute, but were able to block a shot and as Colton McCarthy came out of the box was able to seal the game into an empty net to give the Vipers a 5-3 win.

Here is the official scoring summary:

SCORING SUMMARY

PERIOD 1

1-0 Merritt Centennials at 18:25 (PP) - Nick Jermain from Michael Regush and Mitch Lipon

PERIOD 2

1-1 Vernon Vipers at 3:28 - Bo Pellah from Jimmy Lambert and Odeen Tufto

2-1 Vernon Vipers at 5:43 - Jagger Williamson (unassisted)

3-1 Vernon Vipers at 11:20 (PP) - Mitchell Oliver (unassisted)

3-2 Merritt Centennials at 18:02 (PP) - Michael Faulkner from Brett Jewell and Michael Regush

PERIOD 3

3-3 Merritt Centennials at 5:51 (PP) - Nick Fiorentino from Michael Faulkner and Michael Regush

4-3 Vernon Vipers at 15:30 (PP) - Liam Finlay from Odeen Tufto

5-3 Vernon Vipers at 19:52 (SH) (EN)- Colton McCarthy (unassisted)

STARS OF THE GAME
1st STAR	2nd STAR	3rd STAR
Vernon Vipers Joe Sacco	Vernon Vipers Andrew Shortridge	Merritt Centennials Nick Jermain

SHOTS	1	2	3	TOTAL
Vernon Vipers	13	15	9	37
Merritt Centennials	13	12	13	38

POWER PLAYS
Vernon Vipers	2 for 4 (50.0%)
Merritt Centennials	3 for 9 (33.3%)

This game really was a battle all night long, but also a well played road game by the Vipers.  In a place that is tough to play in if not properly prepared, the Vipers made the necessary adjustments to avoid issues.  The games momentum was really slowed by penalties, but the Viper PK deserves a lot of credit for kills at key times.  

Again Andrew Shortridge was very good turning aside 35 of 38 for his 7th win of the season.  The Viper PP was extremely impressive, narrowly missing going 3 for 4 on the night.  It was nice to see a couple of Vipers get their first goals of the season in Jagger Williamson and Mitchell Oliver.

This team has won 5 of 6 and appears to be catching fire at a good time with 4 more games this month, all at Kal Tire Place, a place they play very good hockey.

The Vipers will now wait until Friday night for the first of 7 matchups against the West Kelowna Warriors at Kal Tire Place.  You can hear game on 107.5 KissFM or watch on FastHockey starting at 6:45.

Game 14 - Vipers 3 Centennials 0

It was the Andrew Shortridge show on Friday night at Kal Tire Place as he turned aside all 46 shots he faced as the Vipers took on the Merritt Centennials in front of 1786 fans.  The Vipers would score 3 hard working goals, their penalty kill shone bright and despite a valiant attempt from the Centennials, the Vipers would take the game 3-0.

It was a very tight first period in regards to a high number of scoring chances.  The Centennials very rarely get outworked and that was the case again here tonight.  The Vipers however were able to match the intensity at times.  Shots were 14 a piece after 1 period with each team getting 4 scoring chances.

The second period has been the Vipers Achilles heel this season, and the Centennials didn't help that by really pushing the pace, getting pucks deep and forechecking with tenacity.  The Vipers were hemmed in their own zone a number of times.  Against the flow of momentum, Joe Sacco would open the scoring as a shot from redline would elude Cole Kehler to make it 1-0.  Then the Vipers found themselves in penalty trouble as Riley Brandt was assessed a 5 minute major for charging.  The Cents had a number of chances on the man advantage, but had their shots blocked, or stopped by Andrew Shortridge.  The Cents would get 2 more powerplays late in the period and again the Viper PK was up to the challenge.  The shots were 32-23 in favour of Merritt after 40 minutes, but the Vipers led 1-0.

The Vipers would keep it simple in the third as Joe Sacco would wire a low shot at the far pad of Kehler to have the rebound kicked right to Hunter Zandee who made no mistake and the Vipers led 2-0.  The Cents continued to push hard down by 2, but again couldn't get anything through Andrew Shortridge.  The Vipers would get another one 8 minutes later as Odeen Tufto put home a rebound to make it 3-0.  The Cents did everything in their power to try break the shutout bid, by Shortridge, including getting a late powerplay in the final minutes, but could crack Shortridge and the Vipers would hold on for a 3-0 win.

Here is the official scoring summary:

SCORING SUMMARY

PERIOD 1

No Scoring

PERIOD 2

1-0 Vernon Vipers at 9:47 - Joe Sacco from Hunter Zandee and Jimmy Lambert

PERIOD 3

2-0 Vernon Vipers at 3:37 - Hunter Zandee from Joe Sacco and Darren Rizzolo

3-0 Vernon Vipers at 11:24 - Odeen Tufto from Steven Jandric and Liam Finlay

STARS OF THE GAME
1st STAR	2nd STAR	3rd STAR
Vernon Vipers Andrew Shortridge	Vernon Vipers Hunter Zandee	Vernon Vipers Joe Sacco

SHOTS	1	2	3	TOTAL
Merritt Centennials	14	18	14	46
Vernon Vipers	14	9	8	31

POWER PLAYS
Merritt Centennials	0 for 5 (00.0%)
Vernon Vipers	0 for 2 (00.0%)

There is no secret to the Vipers success right now, Andrew Shortridge.  He has stopped 87 of 88 shots and had it not been for an ill advised 4 on 2 rush that hung Shortirdge out to dry at the other end, he could've had back to back shutouts.  He's an interesting character on the ice.  Super competitive, but calm, collected and extremely confident in his ability.  At times it looked like he was challenging the Cents to try and beat him.  He is instilling a ton of confidence in his team who now know they can rely on the goaltender to bail them out if they make mistakes.

Hunter Zandee and Joe Sacco had their best games in Viper uniforms getting a goal and an assist.  They play a simple game, but sometimes simple it the best plan of attack for success.

The Vipers will now head to Merritt for the back half of a home and home set.  You can catch the game on 107.5 KissFM or on Fast Hockey starting at 7:15

Game 13 - Vipers 5 Smokies 1

The Vernon Vipers were coming off a very disappointing effort against the Prince George Spruce Kings a few games before.  How would they respond?  To answer that question one who have to look to the goal crease.  Andrew Shortridge has been playing some of his best hockey in his last 4 starts and continued that hot play into Wednesday Nights matchup.  Also, three new look forward groups would get a chance to generate some chemistry and for the most part was successful, before being jumbled back to normal for the third period.  In the end the Vipers were able to capitalize on their scoring chances and with the great play of Shortridge, win 5-1 over the Smokies.

The first period was very balanced.  The Smokies had 15 shots, but a good number of them were slow rollers from center or shots from the outside.  Each team had 4 scoring chances in the frame and both goaltenders were spot on.  The Vipers have tried to simplify their game on multiple occasions, but at times aren't able to do that.  Joe Sacco would change that as he shot a puck from the red line and the rebound bounced right in front to Colton McCarthy and he slapped home the loose puck to make it 1-0 late in the first.  That would be the score after 20 minutes.

The Smokies continued to up the ante in terms of skating and their physical play.  At times the Vipers seemed to lack energy.  They would get some thanks to a nifty powerplay goal from Joe Sacco who redirected a point shot from Mitch Oliver to make it 2-0.  Both teams had a couple of powerplays and couldn't convert and again the goaltending was very solid.  Overall, the Vipers were doing just enough to hold onto a 2 goal lead.  The Smokies still looked as if they were going to give the Snakes some trouble after 40 minutes.

Nick Deschenes said his team has been playing pretty well, but at times have small breakdowns that result in goals.  Unfortunately for the Smokies, thats exactly what happened as Riley Brandt would steal a puck and score to make it 3-0.  Just 14 seconds later the Vipers would get a 3 on 1 and Liam Finlay would score a strange spin-o-rama goal to amek it 4-0.  The Smokies would get one back after a misplayed 4 on 2 for the Vipers, led to a 2 on 1 for the Smokies and Cooper Leitch would finish off a nice pass from John Laurito.  Jimmy Lambert scored with 2 seconds left to seal it 5-1.

Here is the official scoring summary:

SCORING SUMMARY

PERIOD 1

1-0 Vernon Vipers at 16:56 - Colton McCarthy from Joe Sacco

PERIOD 2

2-0 Vernon Vipers at 7:07 (PP) - Joe Sacco from Mitchell Oliver and Riley Brandt

PERIOD 3

3-0 Vernon Vipers at 8:41 - Riley Brandt from Darren Rizzolo

4-0 Vernon Vipers at 8:55 - Liam Finlay from Odeen Tufto and Steven Jandric

4-1 Trail Smoke Eaters at 13:57 - Cooper Leitch from John Laurito and Rhett Willcox

5-1 Vernon Vipers at 19:58 - Jimmy Lambert from Colton McCarthy

STARS OF THE GAME
1st STAR	2nd STAR	3rd STAR
Vernon Vipers Riley Brandt	Vernon Vipers Andrew Shortridge	Vernon Vipers Joe Sacco

SHOTS	1	2	3	TOTAL
Trail Smoke Eaters	15	13	14	42
Vernon Vipers	10	11	13	34

POWER PLAYS
Trail Smoke Eaters	0 for 2 (00.0%)
Vernon Vipers	1 for 3 (33.3%)

For the Vipers they'd be happy with the win.  However the wins cover up some issues with the club.  There was a real lack of intensity through a good chuck of this game.  Had it not been for the play of Shortridge, the Smokies very well could've had this game closer.  The Vipers lost quite a few puck battles in their own zone, but a bright spot was the way they moved the puck out of their own end.  No easy task with the two man forecheck Trail was sending.

Overall a win is a win, but with a big month full of home games, the intensity has to be picked up.

Next up for the Vipers is a home date with the Merritt Centennials on Friday night.