It sure is a rivalry.
Two fights in the first period and four plays led to some crazy moments in the Kal Tire Place with Vernon coming out with a 3-2 shootout victory.
Trey Thomas would draw an early power play for the Silverbacks, but the visitors were unable to capitalize. Shortly after the power play expired, former Silverback Austin Chorney hit Jon Krahn from behind into the boards 3:47 into the games. Demetri Kambeitz took exception and dropped the gloves with Chorney who answered the call.
Late in the period while shorthanded, it was again Trey Thomas generating chances for the Backs. He stole the puck behind the net, and while in front of the net tried to score with a shot from between his legs. Aidan Hosein stopped the puck, and defenceman Michael Young stopped Thomas in his tracks with a big hit. It would up being called a penalty for high sticking, which ended the Vipers power play.
After four on four expired, it was new d-man Andy Stevens charging from his own blueline. He gained an edge on the Vipers defender, and going around him took the puck to his forehand and squeaked a shot in for the 1-0 lead.
The second period saw Salmon Arm nearly double their lead early on, but Nick Unruh was denied by a pair of unbelievable saves by Aidan Hosein. A minute later it was Vernon coming back the other way with a great opportunity of their own. Having scored a goal the night before, Elan Bar-Lev-Wise took the shot on a two on one. Slobiski made the original save, and was able to stick his right leg out immediately after to stone Raj Sangha.
Vernon would eventually break through on a power play goal of their own. 20 year old defenceman Michael Young took a point shot and the goal was awarded to him, but based on the reaction in front of the net (including Young) it appeared Teddy Wooding had tipped the puck in to tie the game at one. The Vipers would draw a late power play with thirty seconds to go, but after a defenceman blew a tire at the blue line, Hudson Schandor took advantage racing down on a shorthanded breakaway. Aidan Porter who came in at the halfway mark of the period came up with his biggest save sticking out the right pad to keep the game tied.
Schandor would redeem himself in the third period as he took a backdoor feed from Justin Wilson and fired home his first of the pre-season to make it 2-1 with 6:30 on the clock. Vernon tied the game less than three minutes later as Woodling found a loose puck at the side of the crease and was able to chip it home to tie the game. Bar-Lev-Wise would take a late penalty but Vernon was able to kill off a minute of five on four time, and a minute of four on three in the overtime. The rookie forward would go to the box again with a minute left in OT, but the Silverbacks couldn’t capitalize.
For the second night in a row the game would require a shootout. After going two for two the night before, and stopping both shots against, the Silverbacks luck was reversed Friday. Justin Wilson and Nick Unruh both hit posts while Josh Prokop and Ben Helgeson were both successful for Vernon going five hole.
Salmon Arm finished the game with a depleted bench as Julian Timba (unknown), Demetri Kambeitz (game misconduct), Olson Werenka (game misconduct), and Jon Krahn (injury) were all done after the first period.
The game was the final for the Silverbacks pre-season with the team finishing 1-1-1-1. They will open their season at home Friday September 7th as they play host to the Merritt Centennials.
