Game 4 – Vernon Vipers vs. Salmon Arm Silverbacks – Pregame Report

Vernon, BC:  The Vernon Vipers hit the road tonight in search of their first win of the season as they face off against the Salmon Arm Silverbacks in their home opener at Rogers Rink.

The Vipers come into the game with a record of 0-3-1-0, looking to bounce back from a heartbreaking 4-3 overtime loss to West Kelowna last Saturday. Will Schumacher, George Stavrianeas, and Charlie Kresl found the back of the net in that contest, while goaltender Colin Reay made 31 saves in the loss.

Salmon Arm, on the other hand, has enjoyed a strong start to their season with a 2-1-1 record. The Silverbacks are coming off a weekend split in Northern Alberta, where they most recently dominated the Spruce Grove Saints in an 8-2 victory. Roenick Jodoin and Ryan Philbrick both tallied 3 points in the win, while Ryan Grout stopped 36 of 38 shots.

Key Players:

• For the Vipers, Will Schumacher and Lucas Brennan are leading the charge offensively, each with 4 points (2 goals, 2 assists).
• On the Silverbacks’ side, Patrick Raftery has been a standout, leading the team with 6 points.

Special Teams:

• The Vipers’ powerplay has been heating up, scoring in 3 of their last 4 games for a success rate of 21.4%. Their penalty kill was perfect last weekend, going 6 for 6, including a shorthanded goal.
• Salmon Arm’s powerplay sits at 17.6% (3 for 17), while their penalty kill, though not often tested, has managed to stop 72.7% of the opposition’s chances. The Silverbacks have been shorthanded a league-low 11 times.

Game Info:

• Puck Drop: 7:00 PM
• Location: Rogers Rink, Salmon Arm
• Broadcast: Catch the pregame show starting at 6:45 PM on 107.5 Beach Radio, Vernon Matters, or stream it live on FloHockey.