Saturday, February 2, 2013

Salmon Arm 3 Vernon 1

For anyone who could not attend or watch tonight’s Vipers game here are my thoughts and views from tonight’s game. You may agree or disagree but we all have our own view and opinion on any game we watch. This is my opinion and my thoughts on how I saw tonight’s game. I try to be unbiased and give a fare recap on both sides. Thanks for stopping by & visiting my blog. 

I was at tonight's BCHL game as Salmon Arm defeated Vernon 3-1 in front of 1,658 fans at the Wesbild Centre.

Starting Goaltenders:

Vernon:  Danny Todosychuk
Salmon Arm:  Adam Clark

1st Period:  Just thirty three seconds into the contest Mason Blacklock and Dexter Dancs would get a parcial two on one, Blacklock shot and beat Adam Clark on a goal Clark would like to have back giving Vernon the early 1-0 lead.  Andrew Tegeler & Ryan Renz with the helpers.  Just thirty seconds later the Silverbacks come back with a hard fought shift off the faceoff, former Penticton Vees forward Alex Jewell alone in front was stopped by Danny Todosychuk who stayed with Jewell making a big save on close.  Just a few minutes later Andrew Tegeler with a quick shot from the circle handcuffed Adam Clark who couldnt control the big rebound before the Backs defence cleared the loose puck from the zone.  A few minutes later Salmon Arm setup Ryan Schwalbe on a four on three rush but Danny Todosychuk made a quick pad save.  Some good back and fourth action in a very high tempo opening period as both teams were evenly matched.  Just before the midway mark the Vipers would get the games first powerplay, Viper captain Brett Corkey with a shot from the point was deflected in front forcing Silverbacks starting goaltender Adam Clark to make a tough save as the Backs would kill off the minor.  Salmon Arm would get their first powerplay just over a minute later and capitalize off the draw.  Vernon product Harlon Orr won the draw before Shane Hanna wired a blast from the point looked to beat a screened Viper goaltender Todosychuk tying the game 1-1 at 11:38 Orr & former Westside Warrior Brayden Sherbinin collected the assists.  About a minute and a half later the Silverbacks would head back to the man advantage but this time didnt capitalize after Vernon would kill off the minor.  The Vipers would then get a late powerplay with some pressure couldnt find the back of the net as Salmon Arm would kill off the penalty.  Just over two minutes later Vernon would get a five minute major powerplay after Vernon product Alex Jewell would get tossed from the game after checking Viper d-man Marc Hetnik from behind.  Hetnik would try and stay in the game but left and didnt return.  The Vipers with a long five minute major had two real good chances.  Brett Corkeys point shot was redirected on its way to the net but Adam Clark somehow saw the puck making the tough save.  Dexter Dancs with a point shot was also deflected in front but again Clark made the save as the Backs would get out of the period with time still left on the man advantage.  A very quick opening period as both teams went back and fourth in a very even matched period.  It was tied 1-1 after 20 minutes of play.  Vernon outshot Salmon Arm 12-11.

2nd Period:  The Vipers started the middle frame still on the five minute major powerplay.  Vernon with some pressure only managed two shots in about four minutes as Salmon Arm would excape killing off the major.  You would think this would be a momentum swing for the Backs but it was Vernon who carried the momentum from the man advantage and kept the pressure coming.  The Vipers with several good scoring chances in the first half.  Andrew Tegeler and Mason Blacklock on a parcial two on one, Tegeler kept and fired but went high missing the goal.  Tegeler who was the Vipers best player tonight played a strong game coming up with atleast five or six scoring opportunities.  The Silverbacks who couldnt get anything going didnt record their first shot of the period until the midway mark as it was all Vernon in the first ten minutes.  Just passed the halfway mark Salmon Arm would get a shot with the man advantage.  With a mad scramble in front and bodies everywhere the puck popped out into the crease before a Viper would clear the puck from the zone on a close call.  Vernon would take a penalty giving the Silverbacks a short two man advantage.  The puck would come to the side of the net to a wide open Brandon Mistal but Mistal couldnt connect on the pass on a glorious chance as Vernon would excape killing off the two man advantage.  This seemed to give the Backs some life and a little momentum as SA slowly started to get their game going and would carry the edge in play for the final four minutes.  Salmon Arm with all kinds of pressure late forced the Vipers into a few turnovers inside their own blueline before finally it costing them.  Salmon Arm with some hard work didnt quit scored late to take the first lead of the night.  Shane Hanna with his second of the game at 19:18 gave the Backs a 2-1 lead.  Brandon Mistal with the lone helper.  The Vipers caught with their fourth line on the ice in the final minute were behind heading into the third.  I thought the Vipers struggled with the five minute major to start the period, didnt get enough shots on goal or generate enough traffic in front of Adam Clark.  Vernon was the better of the two teams in the first ten minutes but the Silverbacks clawed back late and outplayed and outhustled the Vipers in the final four minutes.  Salmon Arm with a 2-1 lead after 40 minutes of play.  Vernon outshot Salmon Arm 11-7.

3rd Period:  The Silverbacks come out firing and really took it to the Vipers early and often.  Salmon Arm with a strong forecheck early looked hungry eager to put this game away.  The Backs would get an early powerplay about a minute and a half into the final frame.  A strong Vernon penalty kill would kill off the penalty before Harlon Orr gave Salmon Arm a two goal lead just a few minutes after the powerplay at 15:53 Steven Iacobellis & Brayden Sherbinin with the assists.  SA kept coming really outworking and outhustling the Vipers.  Moving the puck well the Backs looking for more come up with several good chances.  Danny Todosychuk made a nice quick glove save down low off Steven Iacobellis.  The Backs with two odd man rushes couldnt beat Todosychuk who played well between the pipes.  It was all Salmon Arm in the first half as Vernon with just a single shot in the first nine minutes.  The Vipers then slowly started to come back getting a few good chances.  Michael Robers tried setting up Braeden Russell in front who couldnt get off a shot with Adam Clark out of position before Andrew Tegeler with a great chance in front couldnt beat Clark who also played very well tonight.  Tegeler would then beat the SA defenceman, going in for the parcial breakaway but was stopped by Clark who come out to make a nice diving save on just the Vipers third shot of the period.  Salmon Arm would get the final powerplay of the night but couldnt capitalize after a good Vernon penalty kill.  The Vipers would get Todosychuk to the bench with 1:44 remaining for the extra attacker.  Both teams would call their timeouts in the final two minutes.  The Vipers with a flurry of chances in the final minute couldnt beat Adam Clark whos bigger body covered alot of the net making it hard for the Vipers to beat him.  Clark was solid in the third as the Vipers played well in the second half but couldnt pull out a late third period comeback for the second straight night as Salmon Arm would defeat the Vipers 3-1.  The Backs lead the season series 5-1.  Shots were even 12-12.

Top Players:  (Vernon)

Brett Corkey played well on the Vipers defence for the second straight night.  Corkey who didnt jump up into the play as much as last night played very well defensively tonight.

The line of Mason Blacklock (1 goal), Andrew Tegeler (1 assist) & Dexter Dancs was the Vipers best line tonight.  This line has been Vernon`s best line the last few weeks played very well tonight getting lots of good opportunities.  Andrew Tegeler with atleast five or six scoring opportunities.  Dexter Dancs saw some icetime on the point while on the powerplay.

Danny Todosychuk (27 saves)  Got his second straight start played very well again for the second straight game.  Todosychuk made several good saves through out tonight`s contest keeping the Vipers in the hockey game.

Game Thoughts:  (Vernon)

For the second straight night the Vipers played very well but tonight fell short in a 3-1 loss to Salmon Arm who pulls eleven points up on Vernon for the 4th and final playoff spot.  The Vipers who I think have been playing some of their best hockey of the season since a 6-0 loss to Powell River showed alot more energy, jump and seem to be playing like a team more since their Island road trip.  My turning point tonight would have to be not capitalizing on the five minute major when the score was tied 1-1 late in the 1st period.  I thought the Vipers looked good early with the man advantage to end the opening period but struggled on the five minute major to start the 2nd period.  Not scoring gave SA some confidence and momentum.  Even after not scoring with the man advantage I thought Vernon didnt quit, they kept coming and took it too Salmon Arm atleast for the first half of the second period getting some good chances.  They cant capitalize and then give up another late goal to end the second period.  And to give up a late goal like that at the end of the period with your fourth line on the ice.  Come the third the Vipers just couldnt handle the Backs forecheck and strong work ethic, as Salmon Arm really turned up their game really taking it too the Vipers.  Give Vernon credit they didnt quit, they come back and battled hard in the second half of the third but couldnt beat Adam Clark.  Overall a very good-entertaining hockey game.  The Vipers still have trouble getting out of their own end and still are making way too many turnovers in their own end for this time of year.  With the loss the Vipers are basically out of the playoffs, sure they still have a shot but with just twelve games remaining its going to take a miracle for the Vipers to win most of their games and for the Silverbacks to fold the tent.

Top Players:  (Salmon Arm)

Shane Hanna (2 goals)  Their seems to be atleast one player on each team that really sticks it to the other team.  Shane Hanna would be that player for the Backs.  Hanna who scored twice tonight has been a thorn in the Vipers side all season giving the Vipers trouble game after game.  Hanna played very well tonight.

Brayden Sherbinin (2 assists)  Played a solid game on the Backs blueline.  Im not sure what happened to the d-man but Sherbinin was seen walking-stretching in the Salmon Arm tunnel late in the 3rd and didnt return to the bench. 

Bryden Marsh didnt put up any points or do anything flashy but I thought played and competed hard all night.

Steven Iacobellis (1 assist) Aslo played very well tonight for SA.  Seemed to be in and around the net most of the net looking to capitalize on his opportunity.

Ryan Schwalbe played very well tonight.  Come up with some chances, was involved in the play and competed hard.

Harlon Orr (1 assist)  Played very well in front of his friends and family.  Was good down low, jumped up into the play often and created some chances.

Adam Clark (34 saves)  Gave up a soft goal to Mason Blacklock just thirty three seconds into the game looked a little off early on his first few saves but re grouped and played another solid game vs the Vipers.  Clark is now 5-0 vs Vernon this season.  One of the bigger goaltenders in the league dosnt give you alot of room to shoot at so the Vipers missed the goal on several shots looking for that top corner to shoot at.  If Clark can keep playing like the way he is, you have a hot goaltender come playoffs watchout!

Game Thoughts:  (Salmon Arm)

Tonight was a huge game for both clubs.  A win by the Vipers and Vernon is just seven points back of SA for the fourth and final playoff spot but a win by Salmon Arm and the Backs now put a strangle hold on the 4th spot going up by eleven points and climb to within a single point of 3rd place West Kelowna.  I thought the Silverbacks just like the Vipers played well.  A fairly even matched 1st period, with the Vipers the better team in the 2nd and the Backs the better team in the 3rd.  Salmon Arm moves the puck well, has a nice looking powerplay and a good overall team that is coached very well.  The Silverbacks are a hard working team that dosnt give up and competes hard all night.  Give credit to Troy Mick and Scott Robinson who turned around this SA team in just over five months.  Salmon Arm has improved this season and playing very well as of late.  This is a team that if playing well at the right time could make an upset or two come playoff time.  The Silverbacks are now 3-0 in Vernon this season dropping their only game to Vernon in Salmon Arm back in September in the teams first meeting of the season. 

Scratches:

Vernon:

Bryce Eviston

Salmon Arm:

Spencer Loverock
Jeff Kennedy

Energy Player Of The Game:

Brayden Sherbinin (2 assists)

Three Stars:

1st Star:  Shane Hanna (2 goals)
2nd Star:  Harlon Orr (1 assist)
3rd Star:  Brett Corkey

For more on tonight`s game visit the boxscore,

http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=1103112&link=bchl

For more on tonight`s game and the Salmon Arm Silverbacks visit Scott Campbell`s Salmon Arm Silverbacks Blog,

http://silverbacksmack.blogspot.ca/

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