I was at tonight's Game 1 of the Interior Conference Final as Salmon Arm defeated Vernon 5-3 in front of 2,215 fans at the Wesbild Centre.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon: Kirby Halcrow
Salmon Arm: Kris Moore
1st Period: Salmon Arm and Vernon met for the third time in playoff history tonight with the league going with two referees for the first time in history. The Vipers getting off to a good start. Vernon would get the play in deep off the opening draw and get a few good chances early. Kyle Murphy with a wrap around would be stopped by Kris Moore. David Robinson then with a high hard shot that hit Moore high in the shoulder stunned the Backs goaltender but Moore hung on for the save as Vernon was outshooting the Silverbacks 5-0 just 1:20 into the opening period. On the next shift Salmon Arm would get the games first powerplay of the night and the Backs would capitalize early. Steve Weinstein couldnt clear the zone before Veteran Brett Knowles picked up the puck, feeding Bryce Gervais who waited for Kirby Halcrow to make the first move and then with Halcrow down and out, Gervais roofed the puck over the Vernon goaltender at 3:20 giving the Silverbacks the all important 1-0 lead. Knowles and David Killip collected the helpers. Salmon Arm is 8-0 in these playoffs when scoring the games first goal. On the other side, Vernon is 0-2 when giving up the first goal in the playoffs. Just over a minute later the Vipers would get their first man advantage of the night but it was the Salmon Arm penalty kill that was very good not allowing the Vipers a single shot as the Silverbacks killed off the minor. Shortly after the penalty kill the Silverbacks caught the Vernon defence off gaurd sending in former Coquitlam Express, Paul De Jersey for the breakaway. Vernon would get lucky as De Jersey was just a step behind the puck before catching up and getting off a pretty weak shot that was easily stopped by Kirby Halcrow. Dylan Walchuk and Marcus Basara would get a two on one, Walchuk would hold and keep before Lumby product, Jayson Reardon with a nice defensive play broke up the play as Walchuk couldnt get a shot off on a good scoring opportunity. From here on in, there wasnt a whole lot of real good scoring chances as both teams played very well defensively shutting down each others offence. This wasnt a very exciting or entertaining period. Vernon would get their second powerplay of the night but would only manage three shots that were easily stopped by Moore as Salmon Arm killed off the minor. With just over three minutes remaining Malcolm Lyles with a nice rush through the neutral zone, skated in over the Silverbacks blueline and then ripped a hard shot that beat Kris Moore but hit the post as Vernon come close to tying the game. On the same play back come Salmon Arm on a good rush up ice, creating a three on two setting up Bryce Gervais whos shot was stopped by Steve Weinstein who just turned and blocked the shot with his skate stopping a real good scoring chance. Just before the final minute some hard work down low by the Vipers, allowed John Knisley to get a shot from in close that Moore couldnt handle before Knisley poked at the rebound and got the puck through Kris Moores legs tying the game 1-1 at 18:51 Darren Nowick and Mike Zalewski with the assists. You can bet Moore would like to have this one back. In the final minute the Vipers would get their third powerplay of the game, that would carry over into the second period. A fairly even played period with the game tied 1-1. Vernon outshot Salmon Arm 14-7.
2nd Period: The Vipers started the middle frame with a short powerplay that was carried over from the end of the 1st period. Salmon Arm would kill off the man advantage before the Backs come out hard and really took it to the Vipers early and often. In the opening few minutes Malcolm Lyles got caught on the pinch allowing, Bryce Gervais and Devin Gannon in on the two on one, Gervais kept and shot but was stopped by Kirby Halcrow. Josh Manson with a hard shot from the blueline was stopped by the stick of Halcrow who I dont think know he made the save. Kyle Murphy would get a great chance in the opening few minutes with a low shot from the high slot that beat Kris Moore fivehole but as the puck come out the other end, it just skidded past the far corner missing the net on a close call. This was Vernon's only real good opportunity as back come Salmon Arm with some good pressure deep in the Vipers zone. The Silverbacks with a few flurries had Vernon back on their heels at times. Five minutes into the 2nd and the Backs were outshooting the Vipers 6-1. Salmon Arm who had lots of jump and good speed breaking out of their own end really moved the puck well getting several odd man rushes. The Backs breaking out from their own end on a nice rush setup Josh Manson who beat Halcrow upstairs at 6:44 giving the Silverbacks a 2-1 lead. Brett Knowles and James Friedel with the assists. Salmon Arm was the better team and carried the edge in play early and often in the first half of the period. Just under two minutes later Vernon would get its fourth powerplay of the night and would finally get some chances. The Vipers moved the puck around, getting some good chances. Vernon's best chance was a Steve Weinstein shot from the blueline that was tipped in front beating Kris Moore but hit the post as the Vipers with their second post of the night. A much better man advantage but once again the Vipers couldnt capitalize as the Backs killed off the minor. Vernon slowly started to get going and looked and played much better in the second half of the period getting some real good chances. Dylan Walchuk at the side of the net with a great chance couldnt hold control of the puck as a Silverback d-man knocked Walchuk down. Darren Nowick with some good hustle had a good shot but couldnt beat Moore. Veteran Devin Gannon was getting under the skin of the Vipers especially in the middle frame, as Gannon seemed to always be involved in the play after the whistle, as a few little scrums occured in and around the net with Gannon the main attraction. Salmon Arm would get just their second powerplay of the night and only get one real good chance. Josh Manson with a shot from the point was stopped after Kirby Halcrow made a nice glove save through traffic as the Vipers killed off the minor. In the final minute of play Moore come up with one of his biggest saves of the game, making a huge pad save while down and out as two Vipers were pushing for the game tying goal but couldnt beat the former Camrose Kodiak. Vernon captain David Robinson in the final twenty or thirty seconds somehow missed an open net at the side of the net as the Vipers with two good chances late. The Silverbacks were the better team and carried the play in the first half, but Vernon come back getting some real good chances and was the better team in the second half as Salmon Arm was up 2-1 after 40 minutes of play. The Vipers outshot the Backs 16-14.
3rd Period: Both teams started the 3rd four on four as each team took a penalty late in the final seconds of the 2nd period. Vernon would get off to a good start, getting the play in deep and controlling the early edge in play before the Silverbacks would get an early powerplay. Moving the puck around, the Silverbacks setup Bryce Gervais in front who was stoned by Kirby Halcrow, on the same play they worked the puck to the side of the net allowing David Killip to get a shot from in close but Killip couldnt beat Halcrow as the Vipers killed off the early man advantage. The Vipers slowly took over the play as it looked like Salmon Arm was sitting on a one goal lead. Vernon controlled the play before their hard work paid off for the second time tonight. Patrick McGillis driving hard towards the net somehow got the puck past Moore down low at 9:28 tying the game 2-2. Dylan Walchuk with the lone helper on the goal. Another goal I think Moore would like to have back. Moore didnt have his best game tonight, allowing some big rebounds and having troubles controlling the puck at times. The Vipers didnt quit, getting the play in deep as Moore come out to play the puck coughing it up to Marcus Basara who got a quick shot off from behind the goal line and just about beat Moore as the puck was very close to the goal line on a close call as Vernon come close to taking their first lead of the night. But shortly after on a play where the Silverbacks were getting a powerplay, Vernon had yet to touch the puck before Paul De Jersey beat Halcrow at 13:32 putting Salmon Arm ahead 3-2. Charlie Vasaturo with the lone assist. Just two minutes later Malcolm Lyles got beat along the boards allowing a Silverbacks odd man rush as Paul De Jersey with a nice feed to the BCHL's regular season scoring leader, Mike Hammond who beat Kirby Halcrow at 15:34 giving the Backs a 4-2 lead. De Jersey getting the only helper. Viper fans thinking this game was all done, well hold on as the Vipers would get a late powerplay. With some good pressure David Robinson with a nice move found Kyle Murphy who was all alone in front beating Moore at 17:34 making this a one goal game. Robinson and Malcolm Lyles with the assists. Vernon would get the play in deep but unable to get control made a line change and at the sametime Kirby Halcrow went to the Vipers bench for the extra attacker with 1:22 remaining and the Silverbacks in control of the puck. Salmon Arm with two chances at the empty cage were unable to hit the empty net and the Vipers having all kinds of trouble getting control of the play and getting the puck in deep allowed Jayson Reardon from his own end to seal the game with an empty netter at 19:25 giving the Backs a 5-3 lead. Kris Moore with the only assist. Vernon carried most of the play but couldnt hold off the Silverbacks offence as Salmon Arm took Game 1 5-3. The Vipers outshot the Silverbacks 11-9.
Top Players: (Vernon)
Darren Nowick (1 assist) I thought Darren Nowick played with alot of energy and played very well up front for the Vipers. Come up with a few chances.
Kyle Murphy (1 goal) I thought Murphy was the Vipers best player this evening, had lots of energy, battled and competed hard all night. Took a few solid big checks and kept going.
Steve Weinstein I thought played well on Vernon's backend. Was one of the Vipers better d-men tonight.
Adam Thompson was another Viper defenceman who played very well on the Vipers blueline. Thompson looked to have tweaked his knee-leg in the final few minutes, but seemed ok staying in the game.
Top Players: (Salmon Arm)
Jayson Reardon (1 goal) The Lumby product played a very strong game on the Silverbacks backend. Reardon made a nice defensive play in the 1st breaking up a Dylan Walchuk-Marcus Basara two on one. Saw alot of icetime and was one of Salmon Arm's better d-men tonight.
Josh Manson (1 goal) I really like this kid, has played very well against the Vipers all season. Had a few chances tonight, scored a real nice goal in the 2nd to give the Backs a 2-1 lead.
Brett Knowles (2 assists) Knowles played very well up front for Salmon Arm. Another player that has played and done very well (points wise) against the Vipers this season.
Devin Gannon did a great job at getting under the skin of the Vipers, especially in the 2nd period. Gannon who plays his role very well battled and competed hard all night.
Bryce Gervais (1 goal) I thought Gervais was the Backs best player tonight, had several good scoring opportunities, a nice skater and is very dangerous with the puck.
Game Thoughts: (Vernon)
The Vipers defeated the Silverbacks in both meetings during the exibition season, but since then have just one win (6-3 victory back on December, 29th) in nine games vs Salmon Arm. For whatever reason Vernon just cant beat Salmon Arm. I thought the Vipers played well tonight getting lots of good chances but again didnt capitalize. Viper fans have seen this all season, Vernon outshoots the other team by a wide margin almost every game but dosnt have the sniper-goal scorer to put the pucks in the net. All season the Vipers have needed a true sniper-goal scorer. Vernon with two posts and lots of good chances worked hard for all three goals. I thought the powerplay struggled early but got better as the game went on. I thought the Vipers looked a little slow tonight, didnt seem to have a whole lot of jump-energy. I think Vernon needs to play physical against Salmon Arm and really missed Colton Sparrow tonight. On a night when Kris Moore didnt have one of his better games, I thought here's a chance for Vernon to pull one out. Coming out strong, getting some good chances and outshooting the Backs 5-0 in the first 1:20 and then giving up the first goal just a few minutes later didnt help. Vernon is now 0-3 in the playoffs when giving up the first goal of the game. The Vipers need some confidence against Salmon Arm and needed that first goal of the game. The Vipers played catchup hockey all night and then when they tied the game, they couldnt stop the Silverbacks offence giving up two back to back goals just two minutes apart. The Vipers have to forget about tonight, regroup and almost need a must win tomorrow night. They dont want to head to Salmon Arm down 2-0 in the series.
Game Thoughts: (Salmon Arm)
For whatever reason the Silverbacks just cant lose to the Vernon Vipers. Right now Salmon Arm has a ton of confidence playing against Vernon and improves to 9-1 in these playoffs. Outshot 5-0 within the first minute, Kris Moore come up with a few good saves early before Salmon Arm got the first goal of the game (now 9-0 when scoring first in the playoffs) wich gave them some confidence and made Vernon have to battle back all night. I thought the Silverbacks played well, especially defensively. The Backs defence did a great job at not allowing Vernon to get the forecheck going and kept the Vipers to the outside most of the night. Even though Kris Moore didnt have to stand on his head like in some previous games vs Vernon, you have to be lucky to be good and good to be lucky and luck was on Mr. Moore's side tonight. The Vipers with two posts and a few close calls in close still couldnt get the puck past Moore. Each time the Vipers battled back to tie the game, Salmon Arm come right back re-taking the lead. Salmon Arm capitalized on their chances. A veteran team that is very well coached played a solid road game tonight, picking up a big win in Game 1 now having a great chance to go home up 2-0 in the series.
Scratches:
Vernon:
Max Mowat
Dane Muench
Colton Sparrow
Salmon Arm:
Justin Elliott
Josh McKissock
Brandon Mistal
3 Stars:
1st Star: Paul De Jersey (1 goal & 1 assist)
2nd Star: Brett Knowles (2 assists)
3rd Star: Patrick McGillis (1 goal)
For more on tonight's game check out the boxscore,
http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=935591&link=bchl
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