Salmon Arm, BC: Van Martin scored his first BCHL goal and Sammy DiBlasi delivered a solid performance between the pipes, but the Vernon Vipers opened the 2026–27 season with a 4-1 loss to the Salmon Arm Silverbacks on Friday night.
Martin, a Raymond, New Hampshire product and St. Lawrence University commit, supplied Vernon’s offence with a power-play goal. Mykolas Skadauskas picked up the assist.
DiBlasi was the busier of the two goaltenders, turning aside 27 of the 31 shots he faced.
Salmon Arm spread its scoring across four players, receiving goals from Brady Logue, Jared Rothman, Cash Olson and Alexis Beaulieu.
Noah Mavin stopped 20 of 21 shots in the Silverbacks’ crease to record his first BCHL victory.
Vernon’s penalty kill provided one of the bright spots, shutting down all four Salmon Arm power-play opportunities.
“It was a short training camp and a short preseason, so we’re going to take it one step at a time—being more connected and playing as a group of five in all three zones,” said Vipers Associate Coach Mike Sommer. “We’ll get to work on the video and try to iron some things out for tomorrow night.”
The Vipers continue their season-opening road trip Saturday night when they visit the Trail Smoke Eaters. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m.
