Vernon 5 Salmon Arm 4 (Overtime)

I was at the Salmon Arm Silverbacks home opener tonight as Vernon defeated Salmon Arm 5-4 in overtime at the Sunwave Centre.

Starting Goaltenders:

Vernon: Kirby Halcrow
Salmon Arm: Kurt Williams

1st Period: The Vipers got the play deep off the opening faceoff, setting up Darren Nowick who was all alone in front just thirty seconds into the game, but Nowick's shot hit someone in front and went wide on a great scoring opportunity early. Nowick opened the scoring in the Vipers home opener last night just thirty seconds into the hockey game. On the same play back come the Silverbacks as Salmon Arm captain, Brett Knowles and Stefan Nicholishen come in on a two on one but rookie d-man, Marc Hetnik made a solid defensive play blocking Knowles shot-pass to breakup the Backs scoring chance. Vernon would get the games first powerplay just shortly after and capitalize. Vipers captain, Patrick McGillis was stopped in close by Kurt Williams, but Williams couldnt control the rebound wich allowed rookie, Adam Tambellini from the goal line to hit the empty cage at 2:00 giving Vernon an early 1-0 lead. McGillis and Aaron Hadley collected the helpers. Just 1:46 later Salmon Arm tied the game on a bit of a lucky bounce. Vernon product, Alex Gillies on an odd man rush, tried throwing the puck out front but the puck went in and off a Viper d-man in front beating Kirby Halcrow who had no chance on the goal at 3:46. Gillies goal was unassisted. Just over two minutes later Klay Kachur beat wich looked like a screened Halcrow after a shot from the slot gave the Backs a 2-1 lead at 5:52, Devin Muller and Kody Dhaliwal picked up the assists. The Vipers would then get another shot with the man advantage, Max Mowat moved in from the point and ripped a quick shot from the circle but Kurt Williams made a tough save with traffic in front as this was the only real good scoring chance as Salmon Arm killed off the minor. The Backs would get a great chance on another odd man rush, Devin Muller and Bryce Gervais on a two on one, Muller decided to shoot but couldnt beat Halcrow. Marcus Basara back the other way was stopped by Williams who was sharp in the opening period and played much better tonight. The Silverbacks would get their first shot with the man advantage but before the penalty expired the Backs would take a minor as both teams played a little four on four. The Vipers would get a late but shortened powerplay but unable to capitalize. Late in the period with both teams four on four for a second time, the Backs struck quick after Sean Flanagan beat Kirby Halcrow blocker side at 17:56 giving Salmon Arm a 3-1 lead. Brendan Kennedy and Morgan Zulinick with the assists. I think this is a goal Halcrow would like to have back. Halcrow who was very solid in Vernon's 5-1 victory over Salmon Arm last night, didnt look very sharp in the opening period. The Silverbacks with a 3-1 lead after 20 minutes of play. Both teams with some chances, were fairly even with one another. Salmon Arm looked and played much better looking like a different team compared to last night's squad. Vernon outshot Salmon Arm 13-8.

2nd Period: Vernon would get into some penalty trouble in the middle frame. The Backs with an early powerplay moved the puck around but didnt get any real good quality shots as the Vipers killed off the minor. Mike Zalewski would get a parcial breakaway but Matt Brown with a great defensive play brokeup Zalewski's breakaway. Salmon Arm would get another shot on the powerplay and come very close to making it 4-1 after Klay Kachur's point shot beat Halcrow but hit the post, the puck bounced back out front towards the side of the goal where Morgan Zulinick shot high and over the wide open cage. John Knisley and Patrick McGillis then with a shorthanded two on one couldnt capitalize after former Vernon Vipers defenceman, Bennett Hambrook stayed with Knisley and forced the Vipers forward into shooting way too late. The Vipers would end up killing off the penalty. The Backs would get their third straight man advantage but once again Vernon's strong penalty kill forced the Silverbacks to move the puck around and didnt give Salmon Arm a whole lot of room to shoot as Vernon killed off yet another powerplay. Killing off three straight penalties seemed to give the Vipers some life as Vernon come back with a hard shift, really got their legs going and started using their speed outskating the Backs creating off offensive chances. The Vipers slowly started to carry the play and got a little stronger as the period went along. Jedd Soleway with a nice wrist shot down low beat Williams at 14:31 cutting the Salmon Arm lead to with in a goal. Geoff Crisfield with the lone assist. Just twenty six seconds later Mike Zalewsksi ripped a wicked shot from the circle beating Kurt Williams at 14:57 tying the hockey game getting the Vernon fans out of their seats as the Sunwave Centre was stunned. Zalewski's goal was unassisted. This was the end of the night for Kurt Williams who was yanked after giving up four goals, rookie goaltender, Adam Clark replaced Williams. This didnt seem to matter as Vernon kept up the pressure attacking the Backs. With Vernon on a late powerplay, Darren Nowick with a nice pass setup Mike Zalewski for his second of the night at 18:43 giving the Vipers a 4-3 lead. Nowick and Mar Hetnik with the helpers. The Vipers would once again get into penalty trouble in the final minute as Salmon Arm would get a late two man advantage but two big shot blocks by Darren Nowick and Max Mowat allowed Vernon to excape the 2nd period ahead a goal. Vernon with a 4-3 lead after 40 minutes of play. Salmon Arm couldnt put the Vipers away with three straight powerplay's, The Vipers didnt quit, battled back and scored three goals in just over four minutes. Vernon really took over the edge in play and was the better of the two teams in the second half of the period. The Vipers outshot the Silverbacks 14-8.

3rd Period: The Backs would start the final period still on the two man advantage that was carried over from the end of the 2nd period. Salmon Arm would also go back to Kurt Williams who started between the pipes for the Backs to start the 3rd. The Vipers penalty kill was solid all night and would kill off the two man advantage. This gave the Vipers some life and Vernon would take off right where they left the 2nd period. The Vipers carried the edge in play and were by far the better club. The Vipers speed, skill and forecheck downlow gave the Silverbacks troubles at times. Patrick McGillis with a wicked shot from the circle ripped a blast off the mask of Kurt Williams. Vernon with several great chances in close couldnt beat Williams. The Silverbacks who struggled only managed just three shots in the first ten minutes of play. Marcus Basara with a great chance in close was stoned by Williams who made a huge pad save off Basara. Williams kept the Backs in this hockey game making some big saves through out the 3rd period. On a broken play inside the Vipers zone, Bryce Gervais's shot went off Ryan Renz before Devin Muller picked up the rebound at the side of the Vernon goal and roofed the puck up high over a down and out Halcrow tying the game at 9:43. Gervais with the lone assist. This was the Silverbacks on real good scoring chance so far this period. Just shortly after "AP" Cole Sanford who looked very good in last night's season opener, worked hard down low, getting through three Silverback players along the side wall before dishing the puck out front to Connor Hartley who couldnt beat Kurt Williams who made another pad save. Williams then made his two biggest saves of the night robbing Aaron Hadley and Patrick McGillis in front making two huge pad saves keeping the game tied. The Vipers dominated the 3rd but couldnt seem to find a way to beat Williams. With just over three minutes remaining Kirby Halcrow made his two biggest saves of the evening, robbing Bryce Gervais and Devin Muller in close. Both teams with chances were forced to head to overtime tied 4-4. Vernon dominated the play and outplayed the Silverbacks the entire period getting lots of good chances. Vernon outshot Salmon Arm 14-8.

Overtime: Both teams playing four on four, the play really opened up early and often as both teams went back and forth really picking up the play. A few good chances at both ends of the rink, before Aaron Hadley couldnt clear the zone, Salmon Arm with some good pressure in deep couldnt get the puck through a maze of players before Marc Hetik setup Marcus Basara who used his wheels, going around the net for the wrap around before Darren Nowick who was driving hard to the goal beat Williams at 4:20 as the Vipers bench poured onto the ice picking up the OT win! Basara with the only assist on the overtime winner. Vernon outshot Salmon Arm 5-3. With the win the Vipers improve to 2-0 on this young season.

Top Players: (Vernon)

Brett Corkey for the second straight night looked very solid on the Vipers backend. Corkey who is entering his 2nd season in Vernon will be looked apon to lead the way on the Vernon blueline.

Max Mowat had a strong game for the Vipers. Mowat played well and looked very good in all area's. Come up with a huge shot block on the Silverbacks two man advantage as well as made some real smart heads up plays in his own end late in the 3rd and into overtime.

Mike Zalewski (2 goals) Looked very good for the second straight night. This kid is a work horse, come into training camp this year adding some muscle and has looked very dangerous through out the pre-season and early into the regular season. Very hard to knock off the puck, very good down low and in and around the net.

Darren Nowick (1 goal and 1 assist) Another Vernon player who has looked very strong in both opening games of the BCHL regular season. Nowick just like last night was really flying tonight, used his speed and quickness to his advantage. Driving hard to the net in overtime, was rewarded with the OT winner.

Marcus Basara (1 assist) I was very impressed with Basara's play tonight. Another kid who used his speed and quickness to his advantage. Was skating hard tonight, really reads and see's the ice well, made some smart heads up plays through out the game.

Patrick McGillis (1 assist) The Vipers captain was another kid who didnt quit working tonight, had several good scoring opportunties tonight.

Kirby Halcrow (23 saves) Didnt look very sharp in the opening period, but seemed to settle down as the game went along and come up with a few big saves, especially two late in the final few minutes of the 3rd.

Game Thoughts: (Vernon)

Were only two games into a new season so it's hard to get a good read-look at any of the teams around the league, but from the middle of the 2nd period on, the Vipers really picked up their play and were the better of the two teams. Vernon carried the better of the play scoring three goals in just over four minutes in the 2nd period before really dominating the 3rd. Give the boys credit, they didnt panic and battled back down 3-1 on the road coming back to take a 4-3 lead into the 3rd and then pull out a very exciting overtime victory late in the extra period. I really like the looks and make of this years Vipers team, sure they need a little work here and there but so far from what I can see this year will be a very fun year to watch. For the second straight game, the veterans stepped up their game and showed the younger kids, the ropes. Im very impressed with the Vipers penalty kill this year (havnt given up a powerplay goal in the first two games) Vernon's defence didnt look that great in the 1st period but settled down a bit as the game went on. The Vipers didnt seem to get the bounces early into the game, alot of shots or good scoring chances hit a player in front, went off a guy's stick etc as well as the Vipers missing the net on a few good chances. The Vipers just wernt getting pucks through to the net, especially in the 1st and first half of the 2nd periods. The Vipers have new away jerseys this season, gone are the baby blue away jerseys the team has worn the past three or four years. The Vipers will now be wearing there 3rd set jerseys from last season as the new away jerseys.

Top Players: (Salmon Arm)

Matt Brown played very well defensively for the Backs. Made a heck of a play to breakup and stop Mike Zalewski on a parcial breakaway in the 2nd period.

Bennett Hambrook played very solid on the Salmon Arm backend. The former Viper d-man played very well in all area's.

The line of Bryce Gervais (1 assist), Kody Dhaliwal (1 assist) and Devin Muller (1 goal & 1 assist) was very dangerous for the Silverbacks. Gervais and Muller with several good scoring opportunities.

Brett Knowles who wasnt really noticed in the season opener in Vernon, played a much better-stronger game tonight. Really worked and battled hard all game.

Alex Gillies (1 goal) Looked very good in the opening period, but wasnt really noticed in the 2nd and 3rd periods.

Kurt Williams (41 saves) who looked a little shaky at times in the Vipers home opener last night, played and looked much better this evening. Williams made some key saves in the opening period and then come up with his best saves for the 3rd period giving his team a chance to win.

Game Thoughts: (Salmon Arm)

This was a much better effort-performance tonight. Salmon Arm played with a little more jump tonight, gave Vernon a good run and come close to pulling out their first win of the young season. Specialty teams was the difference. The Backs with a 3-1 lead to start the 2nd period had three straight powerplays and could have burried the Vipers but couldnt capitalize giving Vernon a little momentum, inwich they scored three quick goals to take the lead. The Silverbacks offence wich wasnt really noticable last night, had several good scoring chances. I thought Salmon Arm's defence played fairly well (especially in the first two periods) The Silverbacks seemed to just get a stick, skate or body in front of alot of the Vernon shots, wich made it difficult for the Vipers shooters. Overall this was a very exciting-entertaining hockey game. The Silverbacks have new home jerseys, just like the teams new away jerseys. Last night in Vernon the Backs wore there 3rd set jerseys from last year wich I have heard are there new away jerseys. This years home jerseys are exactlly like those but white. They have got rid of the purple and grey and gone with black and silver as the main colours.

Scratches:

Vernon:

Riley Hunt (Injured)
Alex Hagen
Luke Juha (Injured)

Salmon Arm:

Joel Kipp

3 Stars:

1st Star: Darren Nowick (1 goal & 1 assist)
2nd Star: Kurt Williams (41 saves)
3rd Star: Devin Muller (1 goal & 1 assist)

For more on tonight's game check out the boxscore,

http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=977746&link=bchl