Vernon, BC – The Vernon Vipers took down the Salmon Arm Silverbacks 5-2 on Friday night to even the season series up a two games a piece.
For the fourth time this season it was the Salmon Arm Silverbacks (14-9-1-1) and the Vernon Vipers (10-10-0-4) renewing their Highway 97 Rivalry as the two teams were set to embark on a home-and-home set. Game one of the weekend took place at Kal Tire Place on Friday night. The game was the final game of the Silverbacks five game road swing, they went 2-1-1-0 through the first four games, and most recently a 5-2 victory over the Cowichan Valley Capitals. While the Vipers are coming off a 4-2 victory over the Wenatchee Wild on Saturday night.
Matthew Tovell (10-8-0-1, 2.78 GAA, .921 S%) got the start for the ‘Backs while it was Roan Clarke (5-6-0-2, 3.16 GAA, .911 S%) getting the start for Vernon.
The first period started off with some quick pace as both teams were looking to open the scoring in the first period of back-to-back games. The first whistle didn’t come until just under the five minute mark of the period. The Silverbacks were able to open the scoring as Ethan Ullrick (13) notched his third goal in just two games following a slick feed from Brandon Santa Juana. The lead only lasted for about eight minutes as former Silverback, Connor Welsh (2) was able to get things tied up. Late in the period it was the Vipers taking the lead as Luke Pakulak (7) was able to beat Matthew Tovell on the man advantage to give the Vipers their first lead of the game. Shots in the opening frame were 11-10 in favor of the Vipers.
Period number two started off in a different fashion to the opening twenty as there was plenty of stoppages to kick off the period. Vernon continued the momentum that they picked up late in the first as they scored two goals in the first five minutes, as Luke Pakulak (8) got his second of the game, while Jonathan Horn (8) extended the Vipers lead to three goals. Salmon Arm was able to cut into the Vipers lead late in the period as Will Lavigne (4) was able to bury one with a shot from the blueline as he beat Clarke to get the Silverbacks on the board in the middle frame. Shots in the middle frame were 9-5 in favor of Vernon.
The Vipers were able to shut things down in period number three as they were looking to move above .500 on the season. The ‘Backs had three powerplay opportunities in the final frame, but the leagues top penalty-kill was able to keep Salmon Arm off the board in the final frame. Hank Cleaves (4) was able to add an empty netter as the Vipers took down the Silverbacks 5-2. Shots ended up 26-25 in favor of Salmon Arm.
Next up for the Silverbacks will be the second half of the back-to-back as Salmon Arm will welcome the Vernon Vipers into town for Annual Teddy Bear Toss! Puck drop will be at 5:00PM from the Shaw Centre.
