Interior Conference Finals: Game 3 Vernon @ Salmon Arm: (Game Preview)

Vernon (5-2) @ Salmon Arm (5-2)


After tempers started heating up at the end of Game 2 fans at the Sunwave Centre could be in for a real war tonight as the Vipers & Silverbacks meet in Game 3. The Vipers are going to have to keep their emotions down and try and not get too carried away with the after the whistle activities that the Backs were bringing in Game 2. Vernon will have to play a solid road game and full 60 minutes if they want to win tonights Game 3. Specialty teams and goaltending is always a key come Playoff time, Vernon will once again have to keep a close eye on the line of Mark Zenergle, Conor Morrison and Keenan Desemt, a line that has killed the Vipers at times through out the regular season. Getting pucks towards the net with traffic in front of Bryan Gillis will also be key to Vernons game plan. Salmon Arm is going to have to come out with a much better effort tonight if they expect to beat Vernon. The Silverbacks were very undisaplined in Game 2 and it cost them. The Backs need to get keep up the physical play, but stay away from the after the whistle altercations. The Backs need to shadow the Vipers top line of Gill & the Jones Twins, something they did in Game 1 but were unsucssful in Game 2. If Salmon Arm can play like they did in Game 1 fans should be in for a heck of a hockey game. You can listen to tonights broadcast on 107.5 Kiss FM with Todd Miller, starting at 7:15pm

Heres a look at the series:

March 20th @ Vernon: Game 1: Salmon Arm wins 3-2 Overtime

The Silverbacks took it to the Vipers early and often but were down 1-0 after the 1st period outshooting the Vipers 10-3. Salmon Arm outplayed, outhit and outchanced the Vipers in the 2nd period but could only muster one goal, a later goal by Bobby Lipsett as the Backs could have easily been up 4-1. With the score tied 1-1 heading into the 3rd this was anyones game. Vernon finally started to get their legs going, playing their best hockey of the game as both teams had some good chances. Chris Crowell would score his 2nd of the night at 16:14 as the Vipers jumped ahead but hold on, the Backs didn’t fold the tents, superpest Zac Rasmussen would tie the game under 40 seconds later sending the game to Overtime. Braden Pimm with a two on one couldn’t score the OT winner and shortly after Zac Rasmussen would tip a shot past Andrew Hammond sending the Silverbacks home with the Game 1 victory.

http://www.bchl.bc.ca/leagues/hockey_boxScores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=678207

March 21st @ Vernon: Game 2: Vernon wins 5-1

The Vipers turned around a poor performance in Game 1 with a solid effort in a 501 victory in Game 2. Specialty teams was the difference in the 1st period with Chris Crowell & Mike Collins powerplay goals giving Vernon a 2-1 lead after 20 minutes of play. Vernon would kill off a huge two man advantage in the 2nd period wich was the turning point of tonights hockey game, as Vernon headed into the 3rd up 2-1. The Silverbacks couldn’t stay out of the penalty box as the Vipers would score three 3rd period goals on route to a 5-1 victory. Bryan Gillis took the loss making 26 saves. Andrew Hammond made 19 saves getting the win. Mike Collins, Connor Jones, Braden Pimm, & Kellen Jones all lead the Vipers scoring attack with two points each. In the dying seconds Zac Rasmussen pushed Mike Collins into Andrew Hammond wich erupted a mini line brawl as punches were throwen, as both teams tempers started to boil over. This should lead to a very entertaining Game 3 Tuesday night in Salmon Arm.

http://www.bchl.bc.ca/leagues/hockey_boxScores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=678208

Key Players To Watch:

Vernon:

Sahir Gill 10 pts
Kellen Jones 10 pts
Connor Jones 9 pts
Chris Crowell 8 pts
Mike Collins 8 pts
Cory Kane 7 pts
Braden Pimm 7 pts
Rob Short 6 pts
Cameron Brodie 2 pts
Andrew Hammond 5-2 Record 1.93 GAA

Salmon Arm:

Conor Morrison 12 pts
Justin Cseter 9 pts
Zac Rasmussen 7 pts
Ashford McMaster 6 pts
Keenan Desmet 5 pts
Brent Vandenberg 3 pts
Matt Grassi 3 pts
Mark Zengerle 3 pts
Bryan Gillis 5-2 Record 3.21 GAA