Friday, March 27, 2009

Interior Conference Finals: Game 5 Salmon Arm @ Vernon: (Game Preview)

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

It now comes down to the best of three as the series is tied 2-2 after Salmon Arm picked up a huge 3-1 victory in Game 4. The Vipers now have home ice advantage with two of the final three games in Vernon. Salmon Arm played its best game of the series in Game 4 with a solid 60 minute effort at both ends of the rink. The Backs penalty kill was the difference holding the Vipers to 1-8 on the PP. Salmon Arm is going to have to stay out of the box tonight, they cant keep playing shorthanded like that. The Silverbacks need to keep up the physical play, as they seem to be wearing down the Vipers who are starting to lose a few players to injuries. Vernon is going to have to do much better on the man advantage if they want to beat the Backs. The Vipers are also going to have to try and get pucks towards the net and somehow try and fight their way through the Backs aggrsive forecheck. The first goal of the game will also be key tonight. Should be a very entertaining hockey game tonight. You can listen to tonights broadcast on 107.5 Kiss FM with Todd Miller, starting at 6:45pm

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

March 25th @ Salmon Arm: Game 4: Salmon Arm wins 3-1

Keenan Desmet with two and Max Grassi with a powerplay goal lead the scoring for the Silverbacks. Bryan Gillis made 23 saves getting the victory. Andrew Hammond made 22 saves in the loss. Braden Pimm scored the lone Viper goal. The Vipers would struggle with the man advantage going 1-8 on the powerplay. The Vipers were without Cameron Brodie who was out of the lineup. The Vipers did get some good news with the return of Kevin Kraus. Once again the Vipers were outhit for most of tonights game, as the Backs really forced the Vipers, clogging up the neutral zone and in front of the net as the Vipers shots were coming from the outside. The Vipers are going to have to get a little more emotion and intensity tonight, something that was lacking in Game 4.

http://www.bchl.bc.ca/leagues/hockey_boxScores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=678212

Key Players To Watch:

Vernon:

Sahir Gill 10 pts
Kellen Jones 10 pts
Connor Jones 10 pts
Chris Crowell 9 pts
Mike Collins 8 pts
Cory Kane 8 pts
Braden Pimm 8 pts
Rob Short 7 pts
Cameron Brodie 2 pts
Andrew Hammond 6-3 Record 1.84 GAA

Salmon Arm:

Conor Morrison 14 pts
Justin Cseter 10 pts
Zac Rasmussen 7 pts
Ashford McMaster 7 pts
Keenan Desmet 7 pts
Brent Vandenberg 3 pts
Matt Grassi 4 pts
Mark Zengerle 4 pts
Bryan Gillis 6-3 Record 2.85 GAA

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