Interior Conference Finals-Game 4-Preview: Vernon @ Salmon Arm:

Interior Conference Finals-Game 4 Preview: Vernon (5-4) @ Salmon Arm (10-2)

Tonight is Game 4 of the Interior Conference Finals between the Salmon Arm Silverbacks and the defending National Champion Vernon Vipers. The Vipers head into tonight's game coming off a must win in Game 3 with a pretty convincing 5-1 victory. You can listen to tonights game live with Todd Miller on 107.5 Kiss FM starting at 6:45pm

Here's a look at the Vipers-Silverbacks Playoff Schedule:

(Interior Conference Finals)

#1 Vernon Vipers vs. #3 Salmon Arm Silverbacks

Game 1: Friday, March 18th @ Vernon (Salmon Arm won 5-3)
Game 2: Saturday, March 19th @ Vernon (Salmon Arm won 6-0)
Game 3: Monday, March 21st @ Salmon Arm (Vernon wins 5-1)
Game 4: Tuesday, March 22nd @ Salmon Arm
Game 5: Thursday, March 24th @ Vernon
Game 6: Friday, March 25th @ Salmon Arm
Game 7: Saturday, March 26th @ Vernon

Let's take a look at the Vernon Vipers: (Playoffs)

Games Played: 9
Wins: 5
Losses: 4
Home Record: 2-3
Road Record: 3-1
Streak: One game winning streak
Goals For: 29
Goals Against: 27

Returning Players:

Bryce Kakoske (90)
David Robinson (90)
Blake Voth (91)
Steve Weinstein (90)
Adam Thompson (90)
Dylan Walchuk (92)
Patrick McGillis (91)

Departing & traded players from last years team:

Connor Jones (90)
Mike Collins (90)
Braden Pimm (89)
Cory Kane (90)
Jonathan Milhouse (89)
Kellen Jones (90)
Rob Short (89)
Cole Ikkala (90)
Dan Nycholat (89)
Kevin Kraus (89)
Curtis Gedig (91)
Garrett Noonan (91)
Sahir Gill (92)
Darrin Robak (91)
Graeme Gordon (89)

Vernon’s Home record vs. Salmon Arm during the playoffs:

0-2

Vernon’s Road record vs. Salmon Arm during the playoffs:

1-0

Vernon’s Powerplay vs. Salmon Arm during the playoffs:

2-13

Vernon’s scoring leaders vs. Salmon Arm during the playoffs:

David Robinson (1-2-3)
Patrick McGillis (2-1-3)
Malcolm Lyles (0-2-2)
Dylan Walchuk (1-1-2)
John Knisley (1-1-2)
Mike Zalewski (1-1-2)
Marcus Basara (0-2-2)
Darren Nowick (0-2-2)
Kyle Murphy (1-0-1)
Bryce Kakoske (1-0-1)
Ryan Renz (0-1-1)

Kirby Halcrow (1-2 Record)

Key’s and Notes to tonight’s game:

-Tonight is a very crucial game for the Vipers, a win and the series is tied 2-2. A loss and Vernon heads home down 3-1

-Vernon needs to come ready to battle and keep things simple

-The Vipers need the same full 60 minute effort like in Game 3

-The Vipers need to try and score first and make the Silverbacks play catchup hockey like they did in Game 3

-The Vipers need to play physical and get the forecheck going down low, the Vipers are a much better club when they get the defence turned around and work the cycle

-Blake Voth is 1-3 in his career vs. Salmon Arm in the regular season

-Vernon is 0-4 in these playoffs when giving up the games first goal

-Kirby Halcrow has to be just as good as he was in the Westside series, Vernon needs some big saves when needed

-Getting off to a good start and a strong finish is key for Vernon

-The Vipers are 5-0 in these playoffs when scoring first

-The Vipers dont have a sniper-goal scorer so are going to have to work extra hard for their goals vs a tough defensive Salmon Arm club

-Experience and leadership is key for any team come playoff time, the Vipers seven returning players from last years RBC Cup team will have to lead the way and use their experience and leadership through these playoffs

-Vernon has to once again play shutdown hockey and shutdown the Silverbacks offensive players like in Game 3

-Vernon needs to stay out of the penalty box, facing off against one of the league’s best powerplay units

-Kirby Halcrow is 3-9 in his career vs. Salmon Arm during the regular season and playoffs

-Vernon has the 10th ranked powerplay in these playoffs

-The Vipers have the 11th ranked penalty kill in the playoffs

-Kris Moore hasnt looked all that great in this series. Vernon needs to get lots of shots and traffic towards the veteran goaltender and jump on the rebounds

Here’s a look at the previous Playoff meetings between these two teams:

2005-06 Salmon Arm defeated Vernon in five games
2008-09 Vernon defeated Salmon Arm in six games

The Vernon Lakers changed their name to the Vernon Vipers to start the 1995-96 season. Here’s a look at the Vipers all-time playoff record

Playoff Series Played: 45
Playoff Series Won: 35
Playoff Series Lost: 10

For more stats & former Vernon Junior Hockey Team rosters & lineups please visit Paul’s Vernon Junior Hockey History website,

http://members.shaw.ca/vernonfranchise/index.html

Let's take a look at the Salmon Arm Silverbacks: (Playoffs)

Games Played: 12
Wins: 10
Losses: 2
Home Record: 3-2
Road Record: 7-0
Streak: One game losing streak
Goals For: 48
Goals Against: 31

For more coverage and info on the Salmon Arm Silverbacks, please visit Patrick Haas’s Salmon Arm Silverbacks blog, http://haashub.blogspot.com/

Returning Players:

Devin Gannon (91)
David Killip (91)
Brett Knowles (91)
Justin Krabben (91)
Josh Manson (91)
Brandon Mistal (92)
Jayson Reardon (90)
Charlie Vasaturo (90)
Kurt Williams (91)

Departing & traded players from last years team:

Matt Ridley (90)
Christopher Hoe (90)
Josh Monk (92)
Mark Zengerle (89)
Corey Chakeen (89)
Tyler Gubb (89)
Travis Statchuk (90)
Bobby Lipsett (89)
Levi Hantula (90)
Kyle Peden (89)
Tony Ierfino (89)
Matt Cassidy (90)

Salmon Arm's Home record vs. Vernon during the playoffs:

0-1

Salmon Arm's Road record vs. Vernon during the playoffs:

2-0

Salmon Arm's Powerplay vs. Vernon during the playoffs:

5-12

Salmon Arm's scoring leaders vs. Vernon during the playoffs:

Brett Knowles (3-3-6)
Mike Hammond (1-3-4)
Jayson Reardon (1-2-3)
Paul De Jersey (1-1-2)
Jarryd Ten Vaanholt (2-0-2)
Brad Reid (1-1-2)
Charlie Vasaturo (0-2-2)
Josh Manson (1-1-2)
Bryce Gervais (1-1-2)
Clinton Atkinson (1-1-2)
James Friedel (0-1-1)
David Killip (0-1-1)
Morgan Zulinick (0-1-1)
Devin Gannon (0-1-1)

Kris Moore (2-1 Record)

Key’s and Notes to tonight’s game:

-Salmon Arm needs a better effort and performance in Game 4

-The Backs need more shots on Kirby Halcrow and need to try and generate more scoring opportunities tonight

-Josh McKissock & Colin O’Hara are facing their former team. McKissock attended the Vipers training camp last season but was cut before signing with Salmon Arm this year, and O’Hara was an Assistant Coach in Vernon for just one season three years ago before leaving for a head coaching job in the SJHL. O’Hara is in his first season with the Silverbacks.

-The Backs have outscored the Vipers 41-27 in eleven games this year

-Goaltending will be key for both teams

-Kris Moore who is 6-2 against Vernon this season stopping 291 out of 314 shots in eight games vs Vernon this season.

-The Silverbacks are 10-0 when scoring the first goal of the game in these playoffs

-Salmon Arm is 0-2 when giving up the first goal of the game in these playoffs

-The Backs need to try and slow down Vernon's speed and skill and not allow the Vipers to control the puck and play down low like they did in Games 1 & 2

-The Silverbacks need to capitalize on their chances

-Salmon Arm has the 2nd best powerplay in the playoffs

-The Silverbacks have the 4th best penalty kill in these playoffs

-Are the Silverbacks over convident after winning Games 1 & 2?

Here's a look at the playoff series between these two teams:

Interior Conference Finals-Game 1 @ Vernon: Salmon Arm wins 5-3

SCORING SUMMARY

PERIOD 1

Salmon Arm Silverbacks at 3:20 (PP) - Bryce Gervais from Brett Knowles and David Killip
Vernon Vipers at 18:51 - John Knisley from Darren Nowick and Michael Zalewski

PERIOD 2

Salmon Arm Silverbacks at 6:44 - Josh Manson from Brett Knowles and James Friedel

PERIOD 3

Vernon Vipers at 9:28 - Patrick McGillis from Dylan Walchuk
Salmon Arm Silverbacks at 13:32 - Paul De Jersey from Charlie Vasaturo
Salmon Arm Silverbacks at 15:34 - Mike Hammond from Paul De Jersey
Vernon Vipers at 17:34 (PP) - Kyle Murphy from David Robinson and Malcolm Lyles
Salmon Arm Silverbacks at 19:25 (EN) - Jayson Reardon from Kris Moore

Vernon outshot Salmon Arm 41-30. Kris Moore made 38 saves in the win, while Kirby Halcrow made 25 saves in the loss.

http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=935591&link=bchl

Interior Conference Finals-Game 2 @ Vernon: Salmon Arm wins 6-0

SCORING SUMMARY

PERIOD 1

Salmon Arm Silverbacks at 7:30 - Brad Reid from Brett Knowles and Mike Hammond
Salmon Arm Silverbacks at 11:09 - Clinton Atkinson from Brad Reid
Salmon Arm Silverbacks at 17:29 (PP) - Brett Knowles from Josh Manson and Jayson Reardon
Salmon Arm Silverbacks at 19:30 (PP) - Jarryd Ten Vaanholt from Morgan Zulinick and Mike Hammond
Salmon Arm Silverbacks at 19:55 - Brett Knowles from Charlie Vasaturo and Devin Gannon

PERIOD 2

Salmon Arm Silverbacks at 9:31 (PP) - Jarryd Ten Vaanholt from Mike Hammond and Jayson Reardon

PERIOD 3

No Scoring

Vernon outshoots Salmon Arm 34-17. Kris Moore makes 34 saves picking up the shutout, while Kirby Halcrow made 4 saves taking the loss.

http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=935592&link=bchl

Interior Conference Finals-Game 3 @ Salmon Arm: Vernon wins 5-1

SCORING SUMMARY

PERIOD 1

Vernon Vipers at 11:46 - David Robinson from Malcolm Lyles
Vernon Vipers at 14:29 - Bryce Kakoske from Ryan Renz
Salmon Arm Silverbacks at 15:32 (PP) - Brett Knowles from Clinton Atkinson and Bryce Gervais

PERIOD 2

Vernon Vipers at 15:15 - Michael Zalewski from Darren Nowick and John Knisley

PERIOD 3

Vernon Vipers at 6:18 (PP) - Patrick McGillis from Marcus Basara and David Robinson
Vernon Vipers at 9:07 - Dylan Walchuk from Marcus Basara and Patrick McGillis

Vernon outshot Salmon Arm 35-17. Kirby Halcrow made 16 saves for the win, while Kris Moore made 30 saves in the loss.

http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=935593&link=bchl

Here's a look at both teams playoff rosters-stats:

Vernon:

Patrick McGillis (5-4-9)
Dylan Walchuk (3-4-7)
Marcus Basara (2-4-6)
David Robinson (2-4-6)
Colton Sparrow (2-3-5)
Trevor Fitzgerald (2-3-5)
Bryce Kakoske (2-3-5)
Malcolm Lyles (2-3-5)
Aaron Hadley (1-3-4)
John Knisley (2-2-4)
Michael Zalewski (2-2-4)
Darren Nowick (1-3-4)
Adam Thompson (1-2-3)
Brett Corkey (0-2-2)
Kyle Murphy (1-1-2)
Dane Muench (1-0-1)
Max Mowat (0-1-1)
Ryan Renz (0-1-1)
Steven Weinstein (0-0-0)
Zach McPhee (0-0-0)
Philip Patenaude (0-0-0)

Kirby Halcrow (4-3 Record, 2.48 GAA)
Blake Voth (1-1, 3.74 GAA Record)

Salmon Arm:

Brett Knowles (8-12-20)
Mike Hammond (9-8-17)
Devin Gannon (5-6-11)
Jayson Reardon (1-8-9)
Josh Manson (2-6-8)
Clinton Atkinson (1-7-8)
Paul De Jersey (4-3-7)
Jarryd Ten Vaanholt (5-2-7)
Bryce Gervais (2-5-7)
Brad Reid (3-4-6)
Charlie Vasaturo (2-4-6)
David Killip (1-4-5)
Morgan Zulinick (1-4-5)
Devin Muller (1-3-4)
Kevin Mills (1-2-3)
Dustin Cave (2-0-2)
James Friedel (0-2-2)
Brandon Mistal (0-1-1)
Justin Elliott (0-1-1)
Cody Michelle (0-0-0)
Josh McKissock (0-0-0)

Kris Moore (10-2 Record, 1 Shutout, 2.56 GAA)
Kurt Williams (0-0 Record)