Salmon Arm/Vernon Series Preview

The Salmon Arm Silverbacks went 7-1 against the Vernon Vipers this season and collected 14 of a possible 16 points: (4-1 on both September 10th & 11th, 3-2 & 4-3 on Novemeber 12th & 13th, 3-6 & 3-2 OT on Decemember 29th & 30th, 3-0 on January 25th, and 5-4 on February 9th. The Vipers went 1-6-0-1 and collected three points. The Apes outscored the Snakes 29-19 including 12-5 in the second period. Vernon outshot Salmon Arm 34.3 to 24.9 including 12.4 to 7.6 in the opening frame. Special teams wise the Silverbacks went 21.6% on the powerplay whereas the Vipers went 9.1%. The Apes scored first in five games and won all three contests when Vernon scored first. The Silverbacks are also responsible for the only game the Snakes lost in regulation when leading after the first period. Half of the games were decided by one-goal and Salmon Arm won all four of those games. The Apes led for 4:43:55, trailed for 1:19:26, and were tied for 2:04:32 during eight games totalling 8:07:53 in minutes. The Silverbacks took all four games played in Vernon.

Players wise Brett Knowles led the way with ten points, Dave Killip had eight points, Jarryd Ten Vaanholt had seven points in seven games, Mike Hammond had two points in two games along with two points in two games with Cowichan Valley against Vernon, Devin Gannon recorded seven points, and Brad Reid had two points in three games.

For Vernon Kyle Murphy had nine points in six games, Max Mowat had five points in six games, and Dylan Walchuk posted four points in six contests.

In goal Kris Moore led the way with a 5-1 record along with 2.13 goals against average and .936 save percentage for Salmon Arm. Kirby Halcrow started the last four games in the season series but was pulled after two periods in the last meeting while putting up a 1-3 record along with a 3.70 and .868. Earlier this season with Quesnel Halcrow went 0-3 against the Apes with a 6.43 and .817. Blake Voth meanwhile went 0-3 with a 3.82 and .804. Chase Martin and Bryton Udy also saw time in net and overall Salmon Arm's goaltenders posted a 2.22 and .934 while Vernon's posted a 3.60 and .854.

During the regular season the Silverbacks finished with the third most goals for per game and ninth best goals against while Vernon finished 11th and 2nd respectively. In the playoffs Salmon Arm has average the second most goals for and fourth fewest against while the Vipers have the fourth most for and third fewest against. The Apes led the regular season in powerplay percentage while the Snakes finished 12th but have posted a 26% on the man-advantage in their last 24 games. Vernon took the fewest penatlies resulting in powerplay against and also scored nine shorthanded goals while the Silverbacks took the third fewest powerplays against and potted six shorties. Salmon Arm's best period is the first outscoring thier opponents 97-52 while the Vipers' best period is the second with a 81-51 advantage. Salmon Arm features seven 20 goal scorers and 11 players in double-digits in ginos while the Snakes have two 20 goal marksmen and eight with double-digits in goals.

The Silverbacks have played three more games in the playoffs but factoring in overtime Vernon has played in only 1:49:01 less than Salmon Arm all season.

Coming in Jayson Reardon has 28 points in his last 35 games, Kevin Mills has four points in his last six contests, Josh Manson has 47 points in 54 games as a defenceman, Brett Knowles has 20 points in his last 13 contests, Paul de Jersey has 14 points in his last 20 games, Devin Muller has 14 points in his last 19 games, and Mike Hammond has 20 points in his last 12 contests. For Vernon Malcolm Lyles has 11 points in his last 15 games, Darren Nowick has 22 points in his last 31 contests, Marcus Basara has nine points in his last 12 games, Patrick McGillis has 22 points in his last 28 games, Colton Sparrow has six points in his last nine games, and Trevor Fitzgerald has five points in his last six contests.

These two franchises have met in the playoffs twice back in 2005/2006 with the Silverbacks winning the second round series in five games and in 2008/2009 with the Vipers winning the Interior Conference Finals in six contests.