Vipers Game Day – Vipers Battle Against Backs To Kick Off Home Stand
Vernon Vipers
GM & Head Coach: Jason McKee
2022-23: GP 48 – 22-20-2-4, 7th Interior Division
Home: 14-6-1-2
Away: 8-14-1-2
Goals For: 130
Goals Against: 153
Powerplay: 33 for 156 – 21.2% (7th in BCHL)
Penalty Kill: 165 of 194 – 85.1% (1st in BCHL)
Season Series:
Sept. 23 @ Salmon Arm, 3-0 L
Sept. 24 vs Salmon Arm, 4-1 L
Oct. 7 vs Salmon Arm, 6-5 W
Dec. 9 vs Salmon Arm, 5-2 W
Dec. 10 @ Salmon Arm, 4-3 OTW
Jan. 6 @ Salmon Arm, 3-0 L
March 10 vs Salmon Arm, 7PM
Last Game: The Vipers had a near perfect road effort last Saturday in Prince George, defeating the Spruce Kings 3-0. Luke Pakulak, Thomas Tien and Reagan Milburn had goals, while Ethan David made 27 saves for the victory. The Viper powerplay was 2 for 2, while the PK was a perfect 3 for 3.
Tonight’s Game: It’s the seventh and final meeting of the regular season between these two teams. They haven’t seen each other in over 3 months. The Vipers are 5-3-2 in their last 10 games. Leading after 1 period has been of the utmost importance for Vernon this season. They are 12-1-0-2 if they lead after 1. They are also extremely comfortable in 1-goal games. They are 10-4-2-4 in those games.
Salmon Arm Silverbacks
Head Coach: Tyler Shattock
2022-23: GP 47 – 25-16-4-2, 4th Interior Conference
Home: 17-4-2-1
Away: 8-12-2-1
Goals For: 156
Goals Against: 134
Powerplay: 35 for 168 – 20.8% (9th in BCHL)
Penalty Kill: 139 of 179 – 77.7% (11th in BCHL)
Last Game: Salmon Arm had a two-goal rally in the third period to force extra time, but they would fall 4-3 in a shootout to the Cranbrook Bucks. Owen Beckner had two goals, while Reid Varkonyi had a single. Matthew Tovell stopped 27 of 30 in the shootout loss. The Backs powerplay was 1 for 4, while the PK was 1 of 2.
Today’s Game: This is the first game of back to back games this weekend for Salmon Arm. They’ll host Wenatchee Saturday night. The Backs have 4 players who have done the bulk of the damage against Vernon. Nathan Mackie has 5 goals and 2 assists, while Owen Beckner and Brandon Santa Juana also have 7 points. Salmon Arm is unbeaten in regulation in their last 4 games. They are 6-2-1-1 in their last 10 games.
Tonight’s game will be broadcast on 107.5 Beach Radio and HockeyTV, starting with the pregame show at 6:45 pm PST.