Was at tonights game as Vernon defeated Salmon Arm 4-3 in Overtime in front of 1,284 fans at the Sunwave Centre.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon: Graeme Gordon
Salmon Arm: Tony Ierfino
1st Period: Some physical play in the first opening minutes coming from both teams. The Silverbacks come very close to scoring early as just three minutes into the game a long shot fired in from the point, took a funny bounce off the end boards, coming back out front of Graeme Gordon almost bouncing off Gordons pads as the puck lied in the crease before Gordon covered it up. Salmon Arm would get the first powerplay of the night early into the period but some strong penalty kill and the Vipers excaped killing off the minor. Vernon would get back to back powerplays, the Jones-Kane line looked very solid down low with some strong cycle down low, the Vipers would get some good chances but couldnt beat Ierfino as the Backs would kill off both minors. Vernon looked strong with good speed as the Vipers carried the edge in play for most of the period. Braden Pimm made an unreal pass through traffic to setup Mike Collins, as Ierfino robbed Collins in front with a big save. The Backs come very close to taking the lead after a shot from the point was tipped just wide of Gordon. Salmon Arm had just the two real good chances as they couldnt generate much offence in the first 20 minutes. Vernon was really moving the puck well, generating all kinds of chanes as for the second straight night Tony Ierfino had to be alert making some key saves. Mike Puddifant played very aggressive, especially after the whistle. Puddifant was in the face of many Vipers after each stopage in play. The Vipers would open the scoring at 13:51 after Mike Collins beat Ierfino putting Vernon up 1-0, Braden Pimm & Jonathan Milhouse collected the assists. Vernon had the better of the play and were up 1-0 after 20 minutes of play. The Vipers outshot the Silverbacks 11-4. (some shots wernt counted)
2nd Period: With the Vipers on the man advantage wich carried over from the end of the 1st period, Cory Kane with a wrap around come very close to putting Vernon up 2-0 but was stopped by the Ierfino down low. The Backs would kill off the minor. Vernon would then get into penalty trouble taking six straight minors. The Vipers who played very aggressive most of the night, may have went too far by getting involved in the after the whistle pushing and shoving. The Vipers penalty kill looked very solid not giving the Silverbacks much time or space to create any kind of an attack. The Backs were forced to move the puck around, getting very little shots as the Vipers killed off both minors. Shortly after killing off both minors Jonathan Milhouse turned on the jets flying down the wing, then cutting towards the net and getting off a quick shot from a bad angle wich beat Ierfino at 11:24 (unassisted) Vernon was up 2-0. Vernon would take the next four straight minors as most of the play was in the Vipers end as once again the Backs went back to the man advantage. At one point Salmon Arm would have a shortended two man advantage but once again the Vipers strong penalty kill killed off all four minors. Vernon had one great scoring chance just after killing off one penalty, as Sawyer Mick, Dan Nycholat and Jonathan Milhouse went in three on one, Nycholat was stopped by Ierfino. Salmon Arm with some good pressure on the PP moved the puck well, getting some good chances in close but former Silverback Graeme Gordon was solid down low keeping the puck out. Gordon made three straight saves down low keeping his team in the game. Captain Kevin Kraus also was very strong on the penalty kill blocking one shot and then playing very strong defensively in front of the net. Vernon played most of the period in their own end due to all the penalties. Salmon Arm had some chances but couldnt beat Gordon. The Vipers were up 2-0 after 40 minutes of play. The Silverbacks outshot the Vipers 11-7.
3rd Period: Connor Jones would get called for being over aggressive taking a undisaplined penalty. This would cost the Vipers as 50 seconds into the final period Travis Statchuk would beat Gordon (unassisted). Just after the goal Vernon would get back to back powerplays but fail to take advantage after some good penalty kill by the Backs. Vernon was having all kinds of trouble getting the puck out of their own end, as the strong forecheck by Salmon Arm really caused trouble for Vernons powerplay unit. Shortly after Dylan Walchuk would beat Ierfino at 7:22 putting Vernon up 3-1. Drew George & Adam Thompson recorded the assists. The Vipers original shot just got through Ierfino as the puck was laying in the crease before Walchuk slide the puck home. Brendan Persley would be ejected for boarding shortly after the Vernon goal after laying out Brett Knowles with a huge check along the side boards. Knowles was a little woozy as he headed to the Backs dressing room, but did return to the ice for the remainder of the 3rd. Persley was given five minutes & a game misconduct for boarding. Once again the Vipers penalty kill was very solid not giving up much space in front, Salmon Arm would record just two shots while on the five minute major before Mark Zengerles screened point shot beat Gordon high at 12:37 cutting the lead to 3-2 with just 13 seconds remaining on the major. Salmon Arm kept the pressure on and just under two minutes later would tie the game. Mark Zenergle with a great chance at the side of the net was stopped by Gordon who slide over to make the huge save, Zengerle went around the net, throwing it out front to Travis Statchuk who beat Gordon at 14:08 for his 2nd goal of the night, sending the crowd at the Sunwave Centre into a frenzy. Zenergle and Cory Chakeen picked up the assists. Like last night, the Silverbacks looked very strong in the final period, as the Backs had some good chances in the final six minutes. Travis Statchuk had a glorious chance to put the Silverbacks ahead and record his 3rd goal of the night, but missed a wide open net at the side of the net. Tempers started to heat up in the 3rd after Kevin Kraus went for a hip check on Josh Manson, Kraus missed and clipped Mansons knee. Manson slowly got up before yelling at Kraus, as both players had words. Vernon come close to re-taking the lead after Braden Pimm carried the puck in over the blueline, drove towards the net and then ran over Tony Ierfino. Pushing and shoving started as tempers flaired up again, as the Vipers played very aggressive tonight. The game was tied 3-3 after 60 minutes of play, Vernon outshot Salmon Arm 11-8.
Overtime: The Vipers would go with three forwards and just one d-man, Vernon got the puck in deep early and dominated the extra period. Cory Kane with a wicked wrist shot from the slot was stopped by Ierfino who made a quick glove save but couldnt hold on to the puck as it sailed high and over the glass. Mike Collins was robbed in front after a nice save by Ierfino. Connor Jones cut towards the net but was stopped by Ierfino who looked very strong. After winning the draw the play would go into the corner, when the puck come back out to the slot where Adam Thompson wired a shot wich beat Ierfino at 2:37 giving Vernon the Overtime win as the Vipers poured onto the ice in celebration. Connor Jones & Cory Kane collected the assists. Vernon outshot Salmon Arm 6-0.
Top Players: (Vernon)
Braden Pimm (1 assist) Played his second straight good game. Pimm really dominated down low and on the penalty kill. Made several heads up plays tonight.
Mike Collins (1 goal) Played another strong game vs Salmon Arm. Collins seems to play his best hockey vs the Silverbacks. Was very hard to knock off the puck down low.
The line of Connor (1 assist), & Kellen Jones & Cory Kane (1 assit) looked very good, had several chances on the powerplay. Really moved the puck well, created all kinds of chances in and around the net, cycled the puck down low, The Backs had trouble stopping this line all night.
Grame Gordon (20 saves) played well, was one of Vernons best penalty killers. Gordon had to be alert as the Backs come very close to scoring with some good chances in close. Gordon also got lucky just getting a piece of the puck, as it just went wide of the net. Gordon did seem to have a little trouble tonight with his glove hand.
Adam Thompson (1 goal & 1 assist) Thompson was very solid on the Vipers blueline tonight, nice to see this kid chip in with an assist and score the OT winner. Played very well defensively.
Garrett Noonan also looked very steady on the backend. Ive been very impressed with Noonans play, really stood out tonight.
Kevin Kraus played a solid defensive game, was very physical in the first two periods laying out some big checks. Kraus played his best hockey in the first two periods.
Jonathan Milhouse (1 goal & 1 assist) Looked very good up front tonight. Was really skating hard all game, this kid has some wheels and showed it tonight scoring Vernons 2nd goal of the night. Milhouse had a few good chances.
Top Players: (Salmon Arm)
Tony Ierfino (31 saves) Didnt have to make as many big saves like last night, but still come up big when called apon. Ierfino made several big saves at key times of the game to give the Backs a chance to win. This kid is very good in close, and quick. Needs work on his puck handling, almost got caught twice outside of his net tonight.
Travis Statchuk (2 goals) Really stepped up his game along with the rest of his mates in the 3rd period. Statchuk was all over the ice in the final period getting all kinds of chances. Missed an open net with under six minutes to go on a great rush up ice.
Mark Zenergle (1 goal & 1 assist) I didnt really notice much of Zengerle until the 3rd period. Last year Mark was a Viper killer recording almost a point if not more each game he faced Vernon, once again he looked very dangerous in the 3rd.
Greg Noyes & Charlie Vasaturo both looked very solid on the Silverbacks blueline.
Mike Puddifant played with lots of energy, was very aggressive tonight, giving guys extra shots after the whistle, getting in guys faces, trying to get under their skin. Was beaking all night.
Game Thoughts: (Vernon)
The Vipers wore their new home jerseys tonight, because the Silverbacks were wearing their new road jerseys tonight. The Vipers played very well in the 1st, having the better of the play but got into penalty trouble in the 2nd and 3rd periods. I really liked they physical play and aggressive play but it may have been a little more then needed. I was very impressed with the strong play on the penalty kill (Salmon Arm went 2-12) & without veteran Rob Short. Vernon didnt give up much time and space, forcing the Silverbacks to the outside and not giving up many shots, Salmon Arm moved the puck around well but didnt have much open ice to get any quality shots or chances. The powerplay was a different story (0-6) The Vipers have yet to score on the man advantage yet, but did get a few good chances on the first few powerplays. Vernon blew two two goal leads but didnt quit, showing confidence in the Overtime, really dominating the play. Nice to see the guys gut one out and come home with the two points. This team has alot of speed, it really showed tonight.
Game Thoughts: (Salmon Arm)
For the second straight night the Silverbacks were outplayed for most of the 1st period. Going 0-6 on the powerplay in the 2nd period really hurt the team, heres a chance when they could have really burried the Vipers, Salmon Arm dosnt score and shortly after one powerplay, the Vipers come down the ice and make it 2-0. A five minute major in the 3rd and just three shots on net, also wont help you win hockey games. Salmon Arm did get their chances but didnt get much puck luck. After trading away Colin Lidster and Matt Wray the Silverbacks dont have much toughness, after tonight on a few plays-hits you have to wonder if they will try and aquire some toughness. No players went after Persley, Kraus or Pimm for their hits. I thought for sure someone would come to the rescue.
Scratches:
Vernon:
Eric Soderlund
Darrin Robak
Rob Short
Patrick McGillis
Salmon Arm:
Devin Gannon
Josh Monk
Levi Hantula
3 Stars:
1st Star: Braden Pimm (1 assist)
2nd Star: Tony Ierfino (31 saves)
3rd Star: Adam Thompson (1 goal & 1 assist)
No comments:
Post a Comment