Was at tonights Game 2 of the Interior Conference Finals as Vernon defeated Salmon Arm 5-1 in front of 2,454 fans at the Wesbild Centre.
1st Period: The Silverbacks got off to another good start, having some good jump in the early minutes before the Vipers would get an early powerplay. Vernon struggled on the man advantage not recording a single shot as Salmon Arm killed off the minor. The Backs had the early edge in play but didnt get many real solid scoring chances. Kellen Jones had the Vipers best scoring chance cutting down the wing, just missing with a quick shot from the circle. For the second straight night the Silverbacks come out laying the body, playing another very physical game, punishing Vernon with some big hits. The Silverbacks would get into some penalty trouble taking back to back penalties and it cost them. Captain Chris Crowell would beat Bryan Gillis on the PP at 9:03 with Braden Pimm & Mike Collins collecting the assists. Just over two minutes later Mike Collins beat Gillis on another man advantage at 11:13 with Braden Pimm & Cameron Brodie picking up the assists. Both powerplay goals seemed to deflate the Backs as Vernon was playing a much more rounded hockey game tonight compared to last nights game. But just over two minutes after Vernons 2nd goal Mark Zengerle dished off to Keenan Desmet, who beat Andrew Hammond at 13:36 with Zengerle and Conor Morrison collecting the assists. The Vipers carried the edge in play in the second half of the period with some hard work down low. For the 2nd straight night Vernons top line of Sahir Gill, Connor & Kellen Jones were being checked real hard. Vernon had the better of the play and chances but were outhit up 2-1 after 20 minutes of play. Vernon outshot Salmon Arm 9-6.
2nd Period: The Vipers come out strong with some good jump, really moving the puck well creating some good scoring chances early. James Kerr & Cory Kane with a two on one, Kane kept and shot as Gillis made the save. Vernon carried the better of the play in the first half but couldnt find the back of the net. The Vipers had a second odd man rush but couldnt beat Gillis on their second two on one of the night. Vipers were really skating well, moving the puck well out of their own end with a good transition game. Around the midway mark Vernon would get into penalty trouble as the Backs would go on a two man advantage. The Vipers penalty kill was superb doing a great job at keeping the shots to the outside. Andrew Hammond had to be sharpe making two big saves off, Ashford McMaster & Max Grassi. Connor Jones with two huge shot blocks, as well as Braden Pimm with a big shot block as the Silverbacks couldnt hit the back of the net after some strong penalty kill by the Vipers, killing off both minors. The Backs still played physical laying out some big checks through out the period. The 2nd half of the period was very scrambly at times with very little flow, alot of whistles made for a very dull second half. Vernon excaped with a big penalty kill and were up 2-1 after 40 minutes of play. Shots were even 10 each.
3rd Period: The Vipers would get on the scoreboard just 4:34 into the final period. James Kerr with some hard work and good hustle down low beat Gillis in front with Bryce Kakoske getting the lone assist. Ryan Santana would crash into Bryan Gillis and the net after lossing an edge, Santana would hit the post with his shoulder and head. Santana would get up under his own strength but headed straight to the Vipers dressing room. It looked as if Santana's shoulder or neck may have been injured. Shortly after the Vipers would lose a 2nd man to injury after Kevin Kraus would leave the game with an injured leg-ankle. Kraus went to the ice after being checked and couldnt get up on his own two feet, Kraus had to hobble towards the Vipers bench before jumping over the boards. Salmon Arm played most of the 3rd shorthanded after taking some undisaplined penalties. The Backs were dishing out alot of high head shots all game. Vernon would cash in on one of the powerplays after some nice passing. Connor Jones would beat Gillis at 11:50 on the PP with assists going to, Kellen Jones & Sahir Gill. Zac Rasmussen would come flying in behind the net getting his stick up in the face of Connor Jones as Jones was celebrating the goal. This drew a crowd inbehind the Backs goal as the Silverbacks would end up with the man advantage. Salmon Arm couldnt generate much offence on the powerplay as the Vipers would kill off the minor. This 3rd period was all Vernon as the Vipers looked very strong with the puck really outworking the Silverbacks. Salmon Arm still didnt back down from the physical play, always seemed to be finishing their checks. Vernon had some troubles on the powerplay as the score could have been much worse if the Vipers PP was clicking. Salmon Arm would kill off the final two minors. Late in the game Connor Jones would score his 2nd of the night after a nice pass from brother Kellen Jones beating Bryan Gillis at 16:55 This was the end of the night for most of the Salmon Arm fans, as they started heading for the exits. Late in the game things got ugly as both benches were yapping back and forth, players on the ice were doing alot of chirpping as well. Keenan Desmet had a good chance with a blast from the circle just missing the net. Desmet had a few good rushes with the puck in the final minute of the hockey game. With the clock winding down Mike Collins was skating back into his own end with the puck, Zac Rasmussen gave Collins a shove, then pushed Collins into Andrew Hammond as tempers started to heat up. Everyone on the ice was trying to get a hold of one another, as a Viper come flying in from no where laying out a huge elbow to Zac Rasmussen. Rasmussen was right in the middle of the mini line brawl as Jason Beatie was manhandling the linesmen after he was being tossed. Beatie was pushing and shoving, trying to get away from the linesmen. The mini scrum was broken up as the Vipers would pick up the 5-1 victory and tying the series 1-1. Vernon outshot Salmon Arm 12-4.
Top Players: (Vernon)
Cody Ikkala played a very solid game on the Vipers blueline. Ikkala was solid at both ends of the rink playing a solid defensive game.
The line of Chris Crowell (1 goal), Mike Collins,(1 goal & 1 assist) & Braden Pimm (2 assists) played a good game up front. Crowell played physical for the second straight night, and was very noticable in front of the Backs net. Mike Collins looked good with the puck, and was creating some chances all game. Braden Pimm stepped up his play tonight, collecting two assists. Pimm made some nice passes to setup two Vernon goals.
The line of Sahir Gill (1 assist), Connor (2 goals) and Kellen Jones (2 assists) also played very well tonight. Once again this line took a beating with many head shots and high sticks. But unlike in Game 1 this line found a way to battle through the adversity, creating and making plays happen. Connor scored two real nice goals after two nice passes from his brother Kellen. The smallest line of the Vipers was the most physical line of the Vipers tonight, other then Chris Crowell. Both Connor and Kellen Jones played physical, laying out some checks of their own. Both Connor & Kellen Jones also looked very good on the penalty kill, coming up with some big shot blocks. This line worked extremly hard all night.
James Kerr (1 goal) looked very impressive tonight. Played with alot of hustle, really worked hard to score the Vipers 3rd goal. Was skating hard all game.
Cory Kane played well for the 2nd straight night. Kanes speed and skill was very hard for the Backs to control on many rushes.
Adam Thompson played a good game on the Vipers blueline. In Game 1 Thompson looked a little nervous but seemed to settle down playing very well at both ends of the rink.
Andrew Hammond didnt have a tough night between the pipes tonight but come up with the saves when called apon.
Top Players: (Salmon Arm)
Jason Beatie played very physical tonight, was very tough to play against.
Colin Lidster played very aggresive, laid out some big checks.
Game Thoughts (Vernon)
You could almost say tonight was a must win for the Vipers, they didnt want to go into Salmon Arm next week down 2-0 in the series. A much better and stronger performance from Vernon in a solid 5-1 victory. Vernon carried most of the play and outplayed the Backs for most of tonights contest. The Vipers were skating hard, really moving the puck well tonight and looked very good defensivly in their own end. Vipers defence did a great job at keeping the shots against down, and didnt give up many 2nd or 3rd rebound chances in front. Vipers did a great job at shutting down the Backs top lines. Vernon struggled on the powerplay at times, getting very few shots towards the net. I dont like having Bryce Kakoske out on the point with Kyle Bigos. Cameron brodie, Adam Thompson or Mike Leidl would be a much better fit. Anyone of these three young men get that quick release off from the point, really know how to handle the puck at the line. The turning point tonight was when the Vipers were down two men as the Backs were on the two man advantage but couldnt capitalize as the Vipers penalty kill looked very strong. The Vipers played too soft for the 2nd straight night, took alot of physical checks as well as head shots-high sticks from Salmon Arm, Vernon needs to play physical against a smaller team like the Silverbacks. They cant let guys like Zac Rasmussen and Mitch Chapman take cheap shots towards the Vernon players. I sure hope Ryan Santana and Kevin Kraus are ok, it sure didnt look good though. With Rob Short out of the lineup the Vipers could be down three players for Game 3.
Game Thoughts: (Salmon Arm)
This was a different Silverbacks team compared to last nights game. The Backs outhit the Vipers but that was about it, Salmon Arm played very undisaplined taking some very undisaplained penalties. The Backs didnt seem to have their legs going like last night. Salmon Arms defence didnt do as good as a job defensivley, allowing the Vipers to create chances in and around the net. Last night the Backs really shutdown the Vipers top two lines but tonight couldnt contain them at times. Had troubles creating chances, very few real good scoring chances. Even though the Silverbacks were outplayed for most of tonights game, they still had a chance at taking Game 2. Down 2-1 going into the 3rd, this could have been anyones game for the taking. Jason Beatie should be suspended for manhandling the linesmen in the altercation at the end of tonights game. No player is allowed to touch or make physical contact with the referee or linesmen. Tempers started heating up, should be a wild game 3 in Salmon Arm.
Scratches:
Vernon:
Rob Short
Steven Weinstein
Nick Amies
Salmon Arm:
Mike Puddifant
Levi Hantula
Christoper Hoe
3 Stars:
1st Star: Connor Jones (2 goals)
2nd Star: Mike Collins (1 goal & 1 assist)
3rd Star: Braden Pimm (2 assists)
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