Game 20 - Bulldogs 6 Vipers 3

Some new faces, an increase in size and a veteran presence, but it wasn't enough as the Alberni Valley Bulldogs capitalized on almost every opportunity they were given and the Vipers would fall short 6-3 in Alberni Valley.

The new Vipers didn't take long to make their mark as both Ben Butcher and Latrell Charleson used their size to bump a few Bulldogs.  Butcher wasn't done there as he would score his first as a Viper after walking out from behind the goal and snapping a low shot through Carson Schamerhorn.  The Bulldogs would respond on a powerplay as Chris Schutz would snap a shot from the left circle past Brendan Barry to tie the game up at 1.  Dingmann would pounce on a loose puck off a scramble in front of the Viper goal to make it 2-1 Alberni after 1 period.

Another net front scramble saw Chris Schutz score his second goal of the game to make it 3-1 Bulldogs.  A nice response from the Vipers after that as the top line would score for the first time in four games as Liam Finlay scored on a one timer from the right circle.  The Vipers doubled the Bulldogs in shots on goal, but would find themselves trailing by 1 after 2 periods.

The Bulldogs increased their lead on a Powerplay goal off the stick of Marshall Skapski would let a point shot go that deflected off a Viper defender and past Barry to make it 4-2.  Chris Schutz made it 5-2 a few minutes later with his hattrick goal.  Riley Brandt finished off a nice 2 on 1 rush to make it 5-3, but that was all she wrote as Cayden Kraus would seal it into an empty net.

Here is the official box score:

SCORING SUMMARY

PERIOD 1

1-0 Vernon Vipers at 6:14 - Ben Butcher from Jimmy Lambert and Brett Stapley

1-1 Alberni Valley Bulldogs at 15:43 (PP) - Chris Schutz from Paul Meyer and Nathan Dingmann

2-1 Alberni Valley Bulldogs at 18:58 - Nathan Dingmann from Quinn Syrydiuk and Chris Schutz

PERIOD 2

3-1 Alberni Valley Bulldogs at 3:06 - Chris Schutz from Quinn Syrydiuk and Nathan Dingmann

3-2 Vernon Vipers at 8:33 - Liam Finlay from Odeen Tufto and Christian Cakebread

PERIOD 3

4-2 Alberni Valley Bulldogs at 5:46 (PP) - Marshall Skapski from Josh Adkins and Quinn Syrydiuk

5-2 Alberni Valley Bulldogs at 10:22 - Chris Schutz from Nathan Dingmann and Quinn Syrydiuk

5-3 Vernon Vipers at 14:40 - Riley Brandt from Bo Pellah and Ben Butcher

6-3 Alberni Valley Bulldogs at 18:30 (EN)- Cayden Kraus from Chris Schutz

STARS OF THE GAME
1st STAR	2nd STAR	3rd STAR
Alberni Valley Bulldogs Chris Schutz	Alberni Valley Bulldogs Nathan Dingmann	Alberni Valley Bulldogs Quinn Syrydiuk

SCORING	1	2	3	TOTAL
Vernon Vipers	1	1	1	3
Alberni Valley Bulldogs	2	1	3	6

SHOTS	1	2	3	TOTAL
Vernon Vipers	15	16	9	40
Alberni Valley Bulldogs	13	7	8	28

POWER PLAYS
Vernon Vipers	0 for 4 (00.0%)
Alberni Valley Bulldogs	2 for 3 (66.7%)

The Vipers played a good game and did a lot of things well, but their defensive mistakes came back to bite them as a few times they didn't clear the front of net very well and that directly led to goals.  The big difference was the PP conversion rate as the Bulldogs went 2 for 3 on the PP and the Vipers went 0 for 4.

The two new faces in the Viper lineup looked very comfortable and will continue to make this team better.  It was also good to see the Viper top line get on the score sheet.  The addition of Christian Cakebread to that line will only make life easier for Tufto and Finlay as he's a big puck moving body, but also knows where to go to get open.

Brendan Barry was good on Friday night, but didn't have much help when it came to rebounds.  Too many second and in some cases third and fourth chances found their way to the back of the net.  

It doesn't get any easier for the Vipers as they head to Duncan to face the Island Division leading Cowichan Valley Capitals.  You can catch all the action on 107.5 KissFM starting at 6:45.

Game 19 - Vipers 5 Smokies 2

After 3 straight losses, the Vernon Vipers came to play Friday night against the Trail Smoke Eaters.  Main focuses were attention to deal, playing with a high compete level and simplifying the game.  They were able to do all 3 of those things and with the help of one line and some fantastic goaltending the Vipers were able to snap a 3 game losing streak with a 5-2 victory.

It was a pretty even first ten minutes with a lot of flow and back and forth play.  The Vipers would open the scoring when Riley Brandt tipped in a point shot from Jagger Williamson.  Just over 2 minutes later, Colton McCarthy would score a highlight reel goal from his knees as he would wrist a shot off the cross bar off the back of MacBurnie then into the back of the net.  McCarthy would add another one a few minutes later as Jagger Williamson would drive the net from the corner and McCarthy would re-direct a puck in the crease to make it 3-0 after 1 period.

The second was pretty even with both teams still playing well.  The Vipers at time this season when they have a lead early have taken their foot off the gas.  This game was different as they went shift for shift with the Smokies who kept moving their feet trying to get back into the game.  Both goalies were perfect in the frame and it remained 3-0 after 2.

The scoring continued in the third as the Vipers were able to simplify their PP and would make it 4-0 after a hard point shot from Callum Volpe, his first in the BCHL.  Five minutes later Colton McCarthy would get his hat trick goal with a bit of hand eye coordination batting a rebound out of mid air to make it 5-0.  The Smokies refused to go away despite being shorthanded as the Smokies slapped a puck out to centre off a faceoff and the speedy Nick Halloran skated on to it and snapped it low blocker on Shortridge to make it 5-1.  Kurt Black would make it 5-2 a few minutes later from a shot from the left circle.  That was as close as the Smokies would get and the horn sounded to make it 5-2 Vipers.

Here is the official box score:

SCORING SUMMARY

PERIOD 1

1-0 Vernon Vipers at 13:10 - Riley Brandt from Jagger Williamson and Callum Volpe

2-0 Vernon Vipers at 15:17 - Colton McCarthy from Riley Brandt and Bo Pellah

3-0 Vernon Vipers at 18:24 - Colton McCarthy from Jagger Williamson and Bo Pellah

PERIOD 2

No Scoring

PERIOD 3

4-0 Vernon Vipers at 5:20 (PP) - Callum Volpe from Jagger Williamson and Bo Pellah

5-0 Vernon Vipers at 10:40 (PP) - Colton McCarthy from Riley Brandt and Jagger Williamson

5-1 Trail Smoke Eaters at 13:57 (SH) - Nick Halloran from Ross Armour

5-2 Trail Smoke Eaters at 16:51 - Kurt Black from Max Newton

STARS OF THE GAME
1st STAR	2nd STAR	3rd STAR
Vernon Vipers Colton McCarthy	Vernon Vipers Jagger Williamson	Vernon Vipers Riley Brandt

SCORING	1	2	3	TOTAL
Trail Smoke Eaters	0	0	2	2
Vernon Vipers	3	0	2	5

SHOTS	1	2	3	TOTAL
Trail Smoke Eaters	11	12	19	42
Vernon Vipers	17	14	11	42

POWER PLAYS
Trail Smoke Eaters	0 for 5 (00.0%)
Vernon Vipers	2 for 6 (33.3%)

The Vipers leadership group really seemed to respond after a tough loss on Wednesday, with the second line of McCarthy, Brandt and Williamson being in on all of the Viper goals.  The Smokies just didn't seem to have an answer for the combination of speed and skill this line possesses.

Andrew Shortridge responded nicely after giving up 6 goals the game previous.  He stopped 40 of 42 for his 8th win of the season and really forced the Smokies to be really accurate and at times they missed the net trying to get the perfect shot.

This was a nice game to wrap up the month of October, a month which saw them play 8 of 12 at home.

The Snakes now embark on a 3 game in 3 day road trip starting in Alberni Valley on Friday night.  You can hear all the action on FastHockey or 107.5 KissFM

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.