Interior Conference Finals: Game 4 Vernon @ Salmon Arm: (Game Preview)

Vernon (6-2) @ Salmon Arm (5-3)

You can say tonights Game 4 is a must win for the Salmon Arm Silverbacks. Salmon Arm dosnt want to head back to Vernon for Game 5 down 3-1. The Silverbacks are going to have to try and solve Andrew Hammond who shutout the Backs last night 3-0 in Game 3. The Backs are going to need the same full 60 minute effort like last night, tonight if they want to defeat Vernon. Once again playing physical, taking the body against the Vipers is key, and keep an eye on the Vipers top line of Gill and the Jones Twins. Salmon Arm is going to have to take advantage of specialty teams if they want to win, going 0-7 last night really hurt them. The Vipers are going to have to come out ready to face a tough Silverbacks squad who is going to be ready to battle. Vernon is going to have to play a much better game with efforts at both ends of the rink. Vernons defence was very solid last night but the offence had troubles generating offence all night. The Vipers need to take the body against the Backs and get pucks in deep, Vernon is a much better and strong hockey club when playing with that aggressive forecheck. 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

March 24th @ Salmon Arm: Game 3: Vernon wins 3-0

Cory Kanes 2nd period goal at 4:28 was the game winner as the Vipers defeated the Silverbacks 3-0. Andrew Hammond was the difference collecting 1st star along with 33 saves in the Vernon net. Vernons penalty kill was solid as the Backs went 0-7 with the man advantage. Salmon Arm outplayed and outworked the Vipers for most of the night but couldn’t buy a bounce falling 2-1 in the best of 7 series. Salmon Arm had many great scoring opportunities but couldn’t solve Hammond. Cole Ikkala and Connor Jones (empty net) would round out Vernons scoring in the 3rd period.

http://www.bchl.bc.ca/leagues/hockey_boxScores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=678209

Key Players To Watch:

Vernon:

Sahir Gill 10 pts
Kellen Jones 11 pts
Connor Jones 9 pts
Chris Crowell 8 pts
Mike Collins 8 pts
Cory Kane 8 pts
Braden Pimm 7 pts
Rob Short 6 pts
Cameron Brodie 2 pts
Andrew Hammond 6-2 Record 1.70 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 5-3 Record 3.08 GAA