This is in todays Morning Star Newspaper:Crowell sparks Vipers’ attack
In four seasons with the Vernon Vipers, Chris Crowell went from a raw teenage project player to a polished 21-year-old man worthy of a NCAA Division I scholarship.
The classy captain played his 250th career game in the B.C. Hockey League Saturday night, and sensing urgency, led the Vipers with two big goals and one assist, a grocery list of bodychecks and relentless defensive work in a 5-1 Vernon victory over the Penticton Vees before 1,689 fans at Wesbild Centre.
Game 3 in the best-of-seven Interior Conference semifinal series went Tuesday night in Penticton. Game 4 is tonight, also at the South Okanagan Events Centre.
“Tonight, we just wanted to play simple and outwork the other team, and we figured if we did that, we could get success,” said Crowell, moments after his 37th career playoff game and first-star skate.
The Vipers recorded a season-high 41 hits as they slowed down the speedy Vees, who took the series opener in overtime 24 hours earlier, at every turn. The hit totals were 15-3 Snakes after the first period.
“We talked about taking time and space away from them,” said Crowell, who went scoreless in 10 post-season games last season. “They’re a skilled team so it’s important for us to finish every check on them. That’s going to pay dividends in a long series.”
Andrew Hammond made a handful of stellar saves in the first period, but cruised through the final two periods, making an easy stop on Garrett Milan when he tried to deke Hammond on a second-period penalty shot awarded when Connor Jones hooked the Conference’s rookie-of-the-year on a breakaway.
Crowell credited the Vipers’ defence for limiting the Vees to limited scoring chances.
“All six guys back there are all hard to play against. I wouldn’t wanna play against our dee. They did a great job for us.”
The Vipers, who played most of the first period shorthanded Friday night, only gave the Vees two powerplay chances Saturday. The 6-foot-2, 205-pound Crowell figures the loss made the Snakes more aware it’s playoff time.
“Facing a little adversity, it sucks at the time, but sometimes a little adversity is good for a hockey team in the playoffs. We didn’t think we were gonna to win 12 straight and win the league so it’s good for some of the younger guys to realize what it actually takes to win in the playoffs.”
Californian Ryan Santana loved his first taste of the Vernon-Penticton playoff rivalry. He felt the Vipers were a calmer bunch in Game 2.
“We were moving our feet,” said Santana, who drew an assist on Cole Ikkala’s wicked wrister goal late in the third period. “In the first game, we had so much tension going and we just wanted to get after it so badly, and we kind of got away from our game-plan a little bit just because we had so much pent-up energy inside. Today, we played our game and good things happen for us because we play our game.
“After the first game, everyone was pretty hard on themselves. We all expect a lot out of ourselves. All the older guys, including myself, we just knew the next game, you gotta bring it, you got to come after it that much harder. We knew what was at stake this game, after being down 1-0. We just came out relaxed and played our game.”
The Vipers headed to Penticton owning one of the league’s best regular-season road records at 18-9-1-2. The Vees had a regular-season home record of 24-4-0-2.
“I think a lot of teams are a lot different at home,” said Santana. “I think a lot of teams play a little more comfortable at home, but we’ve been a really good road team so we’re comfortable going into any building and we know we can beat anybody.”
Vees’ forward Curtis McKenzie expected the Vees to show more jump at home after fizzling in what was their seventh game in nine nights.
“Tonight, all the games all in a row there caught up to us: we just didn’t have our legs like we normally do. Prince George really came to play and it was a very physical series. We have a very good record at home so hopefully we can use it to our advantage.
“We all, including myself, have to work at getting more pucks at the net.”
Crowell scored goals 2:48 apart early in the second period to put Vernon ahead 3-0. His sweetest snipe was on a quick give-and-go with Braden Pimm. Crowell and Collins drew helpers on Pimm’s goal 35 seconds into the third period, giving the line a seven-point night.
Kellen Jones opened the offence late in the first period on a rebound. Matt Paltridge’s slow, low wrister from the high slot briefly put Hammond to sleep four minutes into the final period.
In four seasons with the Vernon Vipers, Chris Crowell went from a raw teenage project player to a polished 21-year-old man worthy of a NCAA Division I scholarship.
The classy captain played his 250th career game in the B.C. Hockey League Saturday night, and sensing urgency, led the Vipers with two big goals and one assist, a grocery list of bodychecks and relentless defensive work in a 5-1 Vernon victory over the Penticton Vees before 1,689 fans at Wesbild Centre.
Game 3 in the best-of-seven Interior Conference semifinal series went Tuesday night in Penticton. Game 4 is tonight, also at the South Okanagan Events Centre.
“Tonight, we just wanted to play simple and outwork the other team, and we figured if we did that, we could get success,” said Crowell, moments after his 37th career playoff game and first-star skate.
The Vipers recorded a season-high 41 hits as they slowed down the speedy Vees, who took the series opener in overtime 24 hours earlier, at every turn. The hit totals were 15-3 Snakes after the first period.
“We talked about taking time and space away from them,” said Crowell, who went scoreless in 10 post-season games last season. “They’re a skilled team so it’s important for us to finish every check on them. That’s going to pay dividends in a long series.”
Andrew Hammond made a handful of stellar saves in the first period, but cruised through the final two periods, making an easy stop on Garrett Milan when he tried to deke Hammond on a second-period penalty shot awarded when Connor Jones hooked the Conference’s rookie-of-the-year on a breakaway.
Crowell credited the Vipers’ defence for limiting the Vees to limited scoring chances.
“All six guys back there are all hard to play against. I wouldn’t wanna play against our dee. They did a great job for us.”
The Vipers, who played most of the first period shorthanded Friday night, only gave the Vees two powerplay chances Saturday. The 6-foot-2, 205-pound Crowell figures the loss made the Snakes more aware it’s playoff time.
“Facing a little adversity, it sucks at the time, but sometimes a little adversity is good for a hockey team in the playoffs. We didn’t think we were gonna to win 12 straight and win the league so it’s good for some of the younger guys to realize what it actually takes to win in the playoffs.”
Californian Ryan Santana loved his first taste of the Vernon-Penticton playoff rivalry. He felt the Vipers were a calmer bunch in Game 2.
“We were moving our feet,” said Santana, who drew an assist on Cole Ikkala’s wicked wrister goal late in the third period. “In the first game, we had so much tension going and we just wanted to get after it so badly, and we kind of got away from our game-plan a little bit just because we had so much pent-up energy inside. Today, we played our game and good things happen for us because we play our game.
“After the first game, everyone was pretty hard on themselves. We all expect a lot out of ourselves. All the older guys, including myself, we just knew the next game, you gotta bring it, you got to come after it that much harder. We knew what was at stake this game, after being down 1-0. We just came out relaxed and played our game.”
The Vipers headed to Penticton owning one of the league’s best regular-season road records at 18-9-1-2. The Vees had a regular-season home record of 24-4-0-2.
“I think a lot of teams are a lot different at home,” said Santana. “I think a lot of teams play a little more comfortable at home, but we’ve been a really good road team so we’re comfortable going into any building and we know we can beat anybody.”
Vees’ forward Curtis McKenzie expected the Vees to show more jump at home after fizzling in what was their seventh game in nine nights.
“Tonight, all the games all in a row there caught up to us: we just didn’t have our legs like we normally do. Prince George really came to play and it was a very physical series. We have a very good record at home so hopefully we can use it to our advantage.
“We all, including myself, have to work at getting more pucks at the net.”
Crowell scored goals 2:48 apart early in the second period to put Vernon ahead 3-0. His sweetest snipe was on a quick give-and-go with Braden Pimm. Crowell and Collins drew helpers on Pimm’s goal 35 seconds into the third period, giving the line a seven-point night.
Kellen Jones opened the offence late in the first period on a rebound. Matt Paltridge’s slow, low wrister from the high slot briefly put Hammond to sleep four minutes into the final period.
SNAKE BITES: The Vipers outshot the Vees 45-25...Veteran winger Rob Short stepped back into the Viper lineup after serving the final game of a three-game suspension. Kory Roy, who turned 19 on Tuesday, Nick Amies and Steve Weinstein were the Viper scratches...Injured Denver Manderson and Kare Odegaard joined Joey Holka in the Vees’ side of the press box...Game 5 returns to Vernon Friday night..
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