Vernon, BC: The Vernon Vipers look to keep their playoff hopes alive as they square off with the Salmon Arm Silverbacks in a home-and-home set beginning tonight at Rogers Rink.
With the regular season entering its final stretch, the margin for error is slim for Vernon. The Vipers remain mathematically alive in the playoff race but will need a strong finish over the final weeks of the season to close the gap.
Last Game – Vernon
It was a difficult way to close out a tough weekend for the Vipers last Saturday in Cranbrook, falling 4-1 to the Bucks.
Thomas Duhamel provided the lone bright spot offensively, scoring his first BCHL goal while shorthanded. Vernon generated opportunities but couldn’t find the equalizer after falling behind early.
Special teams played a significant role in the game. The Vipers went 0-for-8 on the power play but were perfect on the penalty kill, successfully killing all five Cranbrook opportunities.
Jesse Sanche finished with 12 saves on 15 shots as Vernon tightened things up defensively after falling behind 2-0.
Last Game – Salmon Arm
The Silverbacks mounted a strong comeback effort Saturday night in Trail but ultimately fell 6-4 to the Smoke Eaters.
Salmon Arm fired 53 shots on goal but couldn’t overcome an early first-period deficit. The loss extended the Silverbacks’ winless streak to eight games.
Landon Mackie led the offense with two goals, while Jared Rothman and Jack Toogood also found the back of the net.
Mikkel Christensen made eight saves on 12 shots before Daniel Dirracolo came in relief and stopped 12 of the 13 shots he faced.
Salmon Arm finished the game 0-for-2 on the power play while killing off two of three Trail man advantages.
By the Numbers
Vernon
Record: 13-27-7-0
Away Record: 7-14-2-0
Streak: L2
Last 10: 5-5-0-0
Power Play: 18.6% (17th BCHL)
Penalty Kill: 76.3% (11th BCHL)
Goals For: 150 (16th BCHL)
Goals Against: 193 (16th BCHL)
Goal Differential: -43 (16th BCHL)
Salmon Arm
Record: 20-23-3-2
Home Record: 9-11-1-2
Streak: L8
Last 10: 2-8-0-0
Power Play: 23.8% (11th BCHL)
Penalty Kill: 75.4% (14th BCHL)
Goals For: 137 (19th BCHL)
Goals Against: 159 (7th BCHL)
Goal Differential: -22 (15th BCHL)
Scoring Leaders
Vernon
Dmitrii Kubantsev — 13G, 34A, 47 Pts
Deagan McMillan — 20G, 18A, 38 Pts
Christian Maro — 17G, 20A, 37 Pts
Salmon Arm
Landon Mackie — 23G, 28A, 51 Pts
Luke Lepper — 8G, 29A, 37 Pts
Goaltending
Vernon
Oliver Kanat — 24 GP | 5-12-5-0 | 3.57 GAA | .889 SV%
Lane Maarhuis — 7 GP | 3-3-0-0 | 3.85 GAA | .892 SV%
Jesse Sanche — 5 GP | 0-3-0-0 | 4.46 GAA | .852 SV%
Salmon Arm
Daniel Dirracolo — 32 GP | 13-15-2-2 | 3.01 GAA | .899 SV%
Mikkel Christensen — 17 GP | 5-7-1-0 | 3.13 GAA | .893 SV%
Head-to-Head
Tonight marks the sixth of seven meetings between the two teams this season and the first game of a home-and-home set.
The season series has been tightly contested so far.
Oct. 17 — Vernon 3, Salmon Arm 2 (OT) — Rogers Rink
Nov. 21 — Salmon Arm 3, Vernon 2 (OT) — Kal Tire Place
Jan. 2 — Salmon Arm 7, Vernon 5 — Kal Tire Place
Jan. 23 — Salmon Arm 3, Vernon 1 — Rogers Rink
Feb. 28 — Vernon 5, Salmon Arm 3 — Kal Tire Place
Through the first five games, Salmon Arm holds a slight edge in total goals, outscoring Vernon 18-16.
What’s At Stake
Vernon
The playoffs remain mathematically possible for the Vipers, but the margin for error is slim. Vernon sits eight points behind the Cranbrook Bucks for the final playoff spot with two games in hand.
With only 14 possible points remaining in the season, tonight’s matchup is a must-win situation.
Salmon Arm
While the Silverbacks are currently in third place in the Interior Division, an eight-game winless streak has tightened the race behind them. Cranbrook sits four points back with a game in hand, putting pressure on Salmon Arm to secure points down the stretch.
What’s Next
Vernon
The Vipers return home Saturday night to complete the home-and-home set with the Silverbacks at Kal Tire Place. Puck drop is scheduled for 6:00 PM.
Salmon Arm
The Silverbacks will wrap up the season series with Vernon Saturday night in Vernon.
Broadcast Information
🕖 Puck Drop: 7:00 PM
🕡 Pregame: 6:45 PM
📻 107.5 Beach Radio
🎧 Vernon Matters (audio stream)
📺 FloHockey
#TimeToStrike
