Rockafellow Frustrates Vipers:

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Rockafellow frustrates Vipers

by Don Klepp | Added 2012-01-07

Mike Zalewski had a strong game.

After dominating the Victoria Grizzlies in the first period, the Vipers relaxed in the second period and the Grizzlies took advantage, en route to a 4-3 road win.

Maybe it was the presence of Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban in the crowd. Perhaps it was simply Viper overconfidence after the home team out shot the Grizzlies 17-7 in the opening 20 minutes. Or perhaps the Grizzlies had recovered from their day long bus ride to Vernon.

Whatever the reason, Victoria stormed back in the middle frame to overcome a 2-1 deficit and take a 3-2 lead.

At 8:14 of the second period, while the Grizzlies enjoyed a two-man advantage, Wesley Myron’s one-timed slap shot tied the game. Then at 13:29, affiliated player Dayne Ellison got a loose puck past Viper goalie Kirby Halcrow after a rush had broken down in the Viper zone.

The Grizzlies deserved full credit for the lead because they competed harder than the Vipers and mounted a series of counter attacks when Viper offensive forays broke down.

After the Ellison goal, Jason Williamson called a Viper timeout that led to improved Viper commitment. Their improved play led to Aaron Hadley’s tying goal at 18:23. Hadley established a worrying presence at the edge of the Victoria crease and Mike Zalewski’s centering pass appeared to deflect off the big Viper winger.

Zalewski had a strong game for the Vipers as he figured in all three of his team’s goals. He got the Vipers rolling with a power play goal at 3:36 of the first period. Stationed in the right faceoff circle, he converted Brett Corkey’s diagonal pass with a one-timer.

He then set up Darren Nowick’s power play marker at 13:10, with Corkey drawing another assist. Nowick’s quick wrister went through Rockafellow’s pads.

In between the Viper goals, the Grizzlies notched a special team goal of their own. Viper castoff Jarryd Ten Vaanholt popped in a rebound after Aaron Hadley had taken an unsportsmanlike penalty.

The Vipers might well have scored five goals in that opening period, but Garrett Rockafellow was brilliant in the Victoria net. Then, with the score tied, he put on a show in the third period as the Vipers created chance after chance. His best save came against Adam Tambellini, who had an open net and plenty of time to put the Vipers ahead. In desperation, Rockafellow dived across the crease and smothered Tambellini’s rising shot.

Soon after, Wesley Myron blocked a Max Mowat pass at the Victoria blue line, which sent Alex Holland and Mike Moran down the ice with one Viper defender back. After Kirby Halcrow blocked Holland’s close-in shot, Moran bundled in the rebound at 15:11.

The Vipers subsequently created chances to tie the contest, but Rockafellow turned in a performance that left the Vipers and their 1999 fans shaking their heads.

The only negative for the Grizzlies in this contest was a knee injury that sidelined Jarryd Ten Vaanholt in the first period.