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 3-2 in front of 1,531 fans at the Shaw Centre.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon: Danny Todosychuk
Salmon Arm: Adam Clark
1st Period: Both teams come ready to play tonight as the play went back and fourth early with very little scoring chances at either ends of the rink. Four and a half minutes into the game Ryan Renz dropped the gloves with Blake Box in the lone tilt of the game. The Silverbacks were firing everything at Danny Todosychuk early while it took the Vipers almost seven minutes to record their first shot on goal as Salmon Arm was outshooting Vernon 6-1 at one point. Just past the midway mark of the opening period the Backs would get the games first real good chance of the game after going for a wrap around the puck come back out to the point where Brett Fagerheim's blast from the blueline was stopped by the quick glove of Todosychuk. With a whistle-stopage in play off the next faceoff Blake Box's point shot got through traffic as Vipers starting goaltender Danny Todosychuk was forced to make another big save this time coming up with a quick right pad save as Salmon Arm with two back to back opportunities. Even though the Silverbacks were outshooting the Vipers the play was fairly even atleast in the first half before Salmon Arm slowly started to carry an edge in play in the final ten minutes. A very quick period with very little whistles and at one point both teams went atleast three or four minutes without getting a shot on goal. The Backs really forechecking the Vipers, were sending a player in deep on almost every play as the Vipers couldnt handle the pressure. With no real scoring chances Vernon would open the scoring after Mitch McAllister's shot hit Adam Clark, going in off the Backs goaltenders shoulder and into the back of the net giving the Vipers a 1-0 lead at 17:33 Ryan Renz and Craig Martin collected the helpers. But just thirty two seconds later off the following faceoff the Vipers left Vernon product Alex Gillies all alone at the side of the net, Gillies roofed his shot going off the crossbar and in past Todosychuk tying the game 1-1 at 18:05 Steven Iacobellis & Brandon Mistal picked up the assists. A fairly even played first ten minutes with no real good scoring opportunities, changed as the Silverbacks come back hard in the second half carrying the better of the play. It was 1-1 after 20 minutes of play. Salmon Arm outshot Vernon 12-5.
2nd Period: The Backs come out strong to start the middle frame once again forechecking the Vipers early as Vernon was back on there heels just about coughed up the puck atleast two or three times in their own end in the opening few minutes. But it would be the Vipers who would get a great chance just two minutes into the period after Craig Martin setup Colton Sparrow on a Vernon odd man rush, Sparrow with a quick low shot couldnt beat Silverbacks starting goaltender Adam Clark who made a quick right pad save. Just a few minutes later the Vipers setup a wide open Mason Blacklock who come in for the parcial breakaway but Adam Clark just got his glove on the puck before having to lay down and cover the puck. The puck wasnt totally covered as Vernon with a scramble in and around the Backs goal couldnt bang the puck home past Clark on a close call and a great opportunity. Vernon with a ton of jump was playing very well and really taking it too the Silverbacks for most of the 2nd period. Mason Blacklock setup Dexter Dancs in front on a Viper odd man rush but once again Clark come across the crease to make a huge right pad save off Dancs in front who was robbed in close. Vernon would get the games first powerplay, with traffic in front the Vipers would tee up two big shots from the point but Adam Clark who somehow saw the puck through traffic made two big saves early before the Vipers iced the puck and then couldnt generate any further shots with the man advantage as Salmon Arm would kill off the minor. Just as the penalty expired Mitch McAllister with a great chance in front tried banging home the loose puck but Adam Clark who was down and out somehow managed to cover the puck and play keeping this game tied. The Vipers didnt get off to a good start but took over the play and dominated the 2nd period. The Backs come very close to taking the lead after Ryan Renz coughed up the puck to Silverback captain Brandon Mistal who went in for the parcial breakaway was stopped by Danny Todosychuk before crashing into the Vernon netminder. The following faceoff Steven Iacobellis come very close to giving the Silverbacks the lead as his shot went through the crease after Danny Todosychuk and a Viper defenceman got mixed up behind the goal. Anthony Croston with a nice dangle in close couldnt beat Todosychuk with three minutes remaining. The Silverbacks with a strong forecheck late had the Vipers pinned deep in their own end in the final twenty-thirty seconds, with a mad scramble in and around the Vernon goal Salmon Arm with a flurry of chances couldnt find the back of the net. The Vipers didnt get off to a strong start but it didnt take them long to get going and come up with some solid chances. Adam Clark kept his team in the game as Vernon outplayed Salmon Arm. It was tied 1-1 after 40 minutes of play. The Vipers outshot the Backs 15-8.
3rd Period: Salmon Arm come out of the gates strong, taking it to Vernon early and often. The Silverbacks would get their first powerplay early into the final frame and capitalize early after Vernon product Harlon Orr snapped a quick low shot from the circle that beat Danny Todosychuk fivehole giving Salmon Arm their first lead of the night 2-1 at 4:55 Alex Gillies and Shane Hanna with the assists. Just thirty seven seconds later the Backs grabbed a two goal lead after a quick play developed down low resulting in Ryan Schwalbe scoring at 5:32 Jordan Levesque & Sebastian Barrette picked up the helpers. Jason Williamson would call a timeout to try and settle his group down. With the Vipers back on their heels the Silverbacks were pouring on the offensive attack. Just a few minutes later Harlon Orr on a two on one beat Danny Todosychuk but hit the crossbar coming close to giving the Backs a 4-1 lead. Just shortly after Anthony Croston with a nice indivdual effort in close put a nice dangle in the slot had Todosychuk beat but lost control of the puck missing a wide open cage. Salmon Arm all over Vernon was outshooting the Vipers 11-3 just six minutes into the third. Just past the midway mark Adam Clark made a huge save off Mason Blacklock but couldnt handle the rebound before Jason Bird hit the empty cage making this a one goal game at 12:35 Mason Blacklock and Dexter Dancs with the assists. This goal seemed to give Vernon some life as the Vipers played and looked much better from here on in. The momentum slowly changed as it was now the Vipers who were coming on and the Silverbacks a bit back on their heels. Vernon with a few flurry of chances couldnt beat Adam Clark who was solid all night. The Backs who were now turning over the puck and making a few mistakes had troubles with Vernon's forecheck. Late in the contest Andrew Tegeler looked to have Clark beat but the Backs goaltender got his left pad out at the last second to rob Tegeler at the side of the net with 1:32 remaining. The Vipers would pull Danny Todosychuk with 1:03 remaining getting the extra attacker out but were forced to put the goaltender back between the pipes before getting him back to the bench with just twelve seconds remaining. In the dying seconds a mad scramble in and around the Salmon Arm goal Mitch McAllister missed the open cage firing wide before a melay of punches were being thrown with several players pushing and shoving after the whistle as tempers heated up. Both teams were exchanging words. Mason Blacklock and Brendan Persley would get tossed from the game with just 4.7 seconds remaining while a fairly long stopage in play as both teams and the referee were trying to sort everything out. Jason Williamson was very fired up before the final faceoff really giving it too referee Brandon Liefke. The Vipers and the Vernon bench was very upset with something that happened on the final play of the game. The Silverbacks would win the final faceoff and kill off the final 4.7 seconds before more pushing and shoving took place deep in the Backs zone. Mitch McAllister and Colton Sparrpw picked up misconducts at the buzzer as Salmon Arm would come away with a huge 3-2 victory and take the season series 6-1. The Silverbacks outshot the Vipers 16-10.
Top Players: (Vernon)
Brett Corkey who I havnt thought has played very well the last month or so really stepped up his game tonight and played one of his better games in a long time. I thought the Vipers captain carried the play on several occassions as well as jumped up into the play on several occassions. Corkey was really skating and played very well at both ends of the rink.
Mitch McAllister (1 goal) Played a heck of a hockey game tonight. McAllister who has been one of the Vipers spark plugs all season once again played with a ton of jump and energy and was really working hard-playing with alot of heart looked very strong. Had a few good opportunties scoring once.
Mason Blacklock (1 assist) What can you say about Mason Blacklock, since coming to the Vipers from the Surrey Eagles at the BCHL trade deadline Blacklock has been the Vipers best player on most nights and he showed that again tonight. Blacklock seeing a ton of icetime was double shifting at times was very strong-persistant all night. Very skilled and hard to knock off the puck created and generated alot of Vernon's offence tonight.
Logan Mick didnt see alot of icetime after the first period but in the shifts I did see the youngster play I thought he played very well.
Jason Bird (1 goal) Played very well on the Vipers backend tonight.
Dexter Dancs (1 assist) Had some chances, played hard, competed and generated some offence in and around the net.
Danny Todosychuk (33 saves) Didnt have to make alot of big saves tonight but played very well this evening. It looks like the Vipers have been rotating goaltenders on and off the last month or so.
Game Thoughts: (Vernon)
Well tonight was a game the Vipers despertly needed and wanted to try and close the gap to within three points of the Silverbacks for the fourth and final playoff spot. A very entertaining and exciting hockey game but in the end a very tough yet dissapointing loss for the Vipers. The Vipers struggled against Salmon Arm this year and you have to wonder if a couple of wins vs the Silverbacks earlier in the season this could maybe have the Vipers ahead in the standings? There were atleast two maybe three games earlier in the year the Vipers had the lead, gave up the lead late in the game and then lost in overtime. I have said this before and will say this again. Something happened to this team after the BCHL trade deadline. After shipping out Aaron Hadley, Adam Tambellini and Pearce Eviston this team has been playing much better, more consistant hockey and much better hockey. The team has shown more energy, jump and excitement in their play and the boys on the ice seem to be playing more as a team since the big trade deadline. I know some fans will jump all over me and say yes but the team is still losing, ok your right. But they have won more games since the trade deadline then in previous months. They have been more consistant and in most of these games, having a chance to win right to the end. You have to wonder why? If these boys played like this from the start of the season who knows what place in the standings they would be in compared to now. All I have to say is after watching tonight's game these boys emptied the tank, they left everything on the ice until the final buzzer, in a heard fought game. Even though they lost I thought this was a great game and enjoyed it. These are the type of games where even though they lost, I saw a full team effort and wasnt dissapointed after the game with the loss. In previous games going back to September, October, November and December you went home pretty dissapointed with the style of hockey, the sloppyness and overall just how the team played and looked. Lets hope the Vipers can keep playing this well or even better for the remainder of the season. I know myself there is a little excitement back with the team chasing down Salmon Arm for the final playoff spot. It makes going to the games interesting and exciting again.
Top Players: (Salmon Arm)
Blake Box played a steady game on the Backs blueline.
Brandon Mistal (1 assist) Was one of if not the Silverbacks best player tonight. I thought the Salmon Arm captain played a very strong game. Played with alot of jump, worked hard and was always in and around the net. Showed alot of toughness and didnt back down after getting hit.
Brayden Sherbinin also played very well on the backend.
Alex Gillies (1 goal & 1 assist) I thought played very well for Salmon Arm. Was skating hard, involved in the play and created and generated some chances.
Anthony Croston had a strong game, played with alot of jump-energy. Had two great scoring plays in the second and third periods.
Steven Iacobellis (1 assist) One of if not the hardest working Silverback tonight. Iacobellis played very strong tonight, always involved in the play.
Adam Clark (28 saves) Improved to 6-0 against Vernon this season after making 28 saves tonight. Clark who has played the Vipers very well this season once again gave his team a chance to win and kept his team in the game, especially in the 2nd period coming up with some huge saves when the Backs were being outplayed.
Game Thoughts: (Salmon Arm)
Great to see one of the biggest crowds tonight!! Atleast the biggest crowd for a Vernon-Salmon Arm game this season. A great atmosphere and a great playoff like atmosphere on the ice in a very entertaining hockey game tonight. Both teams played very well in a hard fought game. Give credit to the Backs for coming right back to tie the game late in the opening period after Vernon opened the scoring and for hanging on in the 2nd period when the Vipers were all over the Silverbacks. Two quick back to back goals early into the third was the difference in a very quick paced game that went back and fourth. Salmon Arm now moves seven points up on Vernon for the fourth and final playoff spot have just five games remaining while the Vipers have six. The Silverbacks will finish the regular season on the road for their remaining five games.
Scratches:
Vernon:
Braeden Russell (Injured)
Salmon Arm:
Alex Jewell
Evan Anderson
Energy Player Of The Game:
Bryden Marsh
Three Stars:
1st Star: Adam Clark (28 saves)
2nd Star: Mason Blacklock (1 assist)
3rd Star: Anthony Croston
For more on tonight's game visit the BCHL boxscore,
http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=1103161&link=bchl
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