Vipers Conclude Exhibition Sweep:

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Vipers conclude exhibition sweep

by Don Klepp | Added 2010-09-05

In the second half of a home and home weekend, the Vipers edged the Salmon Arm Silverbacks 4-3. They have won all four of their exhibition games as they prepare for next weekend’s season opener against their North Okanagan rivals.

As in the previous night’s game, the early action featured hitting. An early exchange of unpleasantries between David Robinson and Cody Michelle initiated the opening physical play.

After that opening attempt to impose physical supremacy, the play opened up for several minutes. The 439 fans enjoyed end-to-end action as the teams played a high tempo style.

Neither team could gain an advantage until the Vipers were assessed back to back roughing penalties. The Silverbacks peppered Blake Voth with shots on the 5 on 3 power play. Voth was spectacular, but the ‘Backs finally capitalized when hard work by Morgan Zulinick and Brett Knowles freed the puck for Charlie Vasaturo to roar in from the point. His hard low shot beat a sprawled Voth at 17:00.

The Vipers equalized 98 seconds later. Elliot Richardson rushed into the Salmon Arm zone and got the puck deep. In the right corner, Darren Nowick saw Tanner Cochrane and Gus Correale in front. Nowick’s pass went off Cochrane and then Correale, past a helpless Kris Moore.

The Silverbacks were credited with 20 shots in the period, largely because of their barrage during their two-man advantage.

The second and third periods were a tale of two cities. The Vipers dominated the second and converted three of their chances. The Silverbacks responded with a strong third that brought them close to tying the Vipers.

The line of Trevor Fitzgerald, Aaron Hadley, and Mike Zalewski played a spirited second, with Zalewski pulling the trigger at 3:22 and 13:58. In between those goals, David Robinson scored off the rush on a crisp feed from Dylan Walchuk at 8:17.

Zalewski’s first goal came from 5 feet after Fitzgerald had won the puck in the corner and Hadley rifled a pass across the goalmouth. The second came from a tight angle after Fitzgerald had won a draw.

The Viper speed was definitely a factor in the second period as the visitors won races and went wide on the big Silverback defencemen. That speed was less on display in the third, however.

The ‘Backs came out of the dressing room with fire in their eyes, dominating the first two shifts. Their pressure paid off with a goal at 0:58 when a Brett Knowles point shot slid in off Chris Hoe and Jarryd TenVaanholt.

Buoyed by the goal, the ‘Backs kept on coming. They scored again at 4:34 when Cody Michelle ripped a slap shot past Voth.

From that point on, however, Voth shut the door. He robbed Jayson Reardon from 15 feet and stoned Taylor Fauchoux on a breakaway. He closed with numerous saves as the Silverbacks pressed in the last two minutes.

At the other end, Kris Moore also played very well. The 20-year-old who started last year for the Camrose Kodiaks made a huge pad save late in the third to deny Mike Zalewski’s hat trick goal. It seems that Salmon Arm has found a strong replacement for Tony Ierfino.

Two 16-year-old players also shone for the Silverbacks. Dustin Cave, a hard-nosed defenceman from Alberta, has endeared himself to the home fans with some big hits. Morgan Zulinick is a slick centre man from Kamloops whom Coach Tim Kehler sufficiently trusts to place him on the point man for the power play.

Game Notes:

• The Vipers sat defencemen Adam Thompson, Brett Corkey, and Austin Sture as Phil Patenaude, Malcolm Lyles, and Bennett Hambrook came back into the lineup. Forwards Pat McGillis, John Knisley, and Kyle Murphy also got the night off, along with goalie Bryton Udy.

• The Silverbacks, who are close to their final lineup, rested Bryce Gervais, Josh Manson, and Rick Soo.

• Final shots favoured the Silverbacks, 38 to 29.