PHOTO: LISA MAZUREK PHOTOGRAPHY
Salmon Arm, B.C. — The Salmon Arm Silverbacks and Vernon Vipers will battle for valuable points in the Okanagan Cup standings this weekend, playing their final home-and-home against one another.
The first of a double-header goes this evening at the Shaw Centre at 6:30 p.m., while the rematch is set for tomorrow at 6 p.m. at the Kal Tire Place in Vernon.
The Backs are 2-5-1 so far in the Okanagan Cup exhibition tournament, while the Vipers are 2-4-2. With just four games remaining until the semifinals and just one point separating Salmon Arm and Vernon in the standings, both games should be tightly contested and fast paced.
3 Things of Note
1) BUILDING OFF OF LAST WEEKEND
The Silverbacks defeated the Penticton Vees 4-2 last Saturday, bringing their nine-game win streak to a halt in the process. It was another step forward after coming very close the night before, falling 3-2 on a late goal in regulation.
A strong start was a big part of the Backs’ success Saturday, with them jumping out to a 3-0 lead on goals from Drew Bennett (2) and Carter Loney. The Silverbacks also did a decent job of keeping Penticton to the perimeter when they had the puck in the offensive zone.
Going into the third with a one-goal lead at 3-2, the Backs got an insurance marker from Joaquim Lemay on a power play with just under five minutes to go, which was enough to propel them to victory. The only other game Salmon Arm has entered the third with a lead was on Oct. 9 against West Kelowna, when the Warriors scored twice to turn a 5-2 deficit into a 5-4 one, so this was progress by the Backs for sure.
The question is: can they keep their momentum from last weekend going into tonight?
2) QUICK START?
The last time these two clubs played, the Silverbacks tied the game on three separate occasions, but ended up falling 4-3 in overtime. This time, getting on the board first, like they did last Saturday (times three) would be huge.
Vernon is a structurally sound defensive team, which means they are forced to play a different style if they are playing catch up. Getting on the Vipers early and often, especially by making their ‘D’ go back for pucks again and again and taking away time and space, will yield good results for the Backs.
3) VIPERS ADD TRIO TO ROSTER
Two weekends ago one of the biggest storylines for the Vipers was injuries, and while that hasn’t necessarily changed, there are a few additions to the roster since then, all three of whom come from the Western Hockey League.
First and foremost is former Viper Josh Prokop, who played last season for the Calgary Hitmen, where he scored 15 goals and added 21 assists for 36 points in 57 games. The 20-year-old played for the Vipers in 2017-18 and for six games at the very beginning of the 2018-19 season.
The second addition is goaltender Koen MacInnes, who spent last season with the Saskatoon Blades, posting a 2.84 goals-against-average and .901 save percentage in 24 games played.
Lastly is Tyler Carpendale, who played with the Kamloops Blazers last season, but was limited to only eight games due to injury. The year before, Carpendale recorded 22 points in 60 games with the Seattle Thunderbirds.
Players to Watch
SILVERBACKS: RILEY KOHONICK
The Saskatchewan native made 30 stops last Saturday in the club’s 4-2 win over the Vees and was awarded the game’s second star for his performance.
He also was solid in the previous night’s 3-2 defeat, making 23 saves (in a building where they are very stingy on what constitutes a ‘shot on goal’). After a tough first weekend in Penticton, Kohonick now has a .914 save percentage in his last two starts and has made 30 or more saves in two of his last three starts.
VEES: HUNTER DONOHOE
Donohoe was an absolute horse the last weekend these teams met, eating up minutes in both contests when the Vipers could only dress five defencemen. For someone listed as 6-foot-5 and 210 lbs., he moves extremely well and with plenty of experience under his belt, he rarely makes a bad play with the puck.
He has recorded four points in eight Okanagan Cup games.
Tune In
As always, all games will be streamed live on HockeyTV. Tonight’s game will also be on Shaw Spotlight, which is channel 105 if you have Shaw local cable (BlueCurve TV) and channel 295 if you have Shaw Direct satellite.
Additionally, if you want to catch the game on the big screen and get the full viewing experience, Salmar Classic Theatre is showing the game tonight! Tickets must be purchased beforehand, so call the Maximum Edge Hockey Shop or head there between 12 and 4 p.m.! Kids tickets are just $5!
