Series Preview: Vipers vs Silverbacks:

Wednesday, March 18, 2009 - Submitted by BCHL Media

The Vernon Vipers and Salmon Arm SilverBacks will start their playoff series off Friday night in the snakes den, Wesbild Centre.

The routes that these two teams have taken to get to this point have been extremely similar. Both had a bye into the second round of playoffs and took their second round opponents in five games. This coming after a season where the Vipers and SilverBacks met 10 times and split games evenly each taking three wins at home and two on the road.

The Vipers finished regular season play just five points ahead of the SilverBacks after producing only two more wins and an extra overtime triumph.

“We had some really good games against them this year. Both teams work hard,” said SilverBacks head coach Rylan Ferster.

Both teams have grown to know each other better over the season and on top of that have equally taken the time to go over their opponents film and each have come to similar conclusions; turnovers and transitions are going to be the most dangerous territory on both ends.

“They’re a very defence orientated hockey club, that’s one thing about them. They’re very structured,” says Ferster of the Vipers. “They’re very good on turnovers and will wait for their chance. They’ll pounce on a turnover.

“They finished first in the regular season, which indicates they’re the best team in our conference. We certainly have a lot of respect for them and know that we are the underdogs.”

But Mark Ferner, the head coach of the Vipers, isn’t looking at the series as a case of underdogs versus a top ranked club.

“We’re preparing ourselves for a long series,” says Ferner. “We’re going to try and wear some of their top guys down.

“They’re an offensive minded hockey team with good goal tending and some older defensemen,” says Ferner who, like Ferster is concerning himself and his team with puck possession and making good choices with the puck. We have to make sure we’re looking after the puck and not turning it over. We have to fight for the red line. They’re an explosive team in transition.”

“This should be a very exciting series,” says Ferner. “We’ll have to play our best ever night, every shift could be the difference.”

Throughout playoffs so far the SilverBacks have won three at home and one away, giving up their only game while on the road facing off against the Westside Warriors, whereas the Vipers have had their only loss of the playoffs come on home ice.

Both teams also have two players as top 15 point getters so far in playoffs, Salmon Arm’s Conor Morrison is ranked fourth overall with 11 points, his teammate Justin Cseter isn’t too far behind with nine points. Vernon’s Sahir Gill also has nine points so far with fellow Viper Kellen Jones right on his heels with eight.

And with such similar stats, on paper it looks like the battle over top team in the interior will be a tight one.

Brent Mutis, SilverBack beat reporter for the Salmon Arm observer says that it’s tough to tell from the last few times these two teams went head to head what kind of series this is going to be since Salmon Arm didn’t have the best end of the season run.

“Salmon Arm builds up records based on skill,” says Mutis. “Vernon is a more grind it out physical team. It will be interesting to see how the series plays out.”

Playoffs are already taking a toll on some of the teams still playing and injuries could be a factor that plays into this match-up.

“Mark Zengerle didn’t play the last three games of the series against Westside and if he’s not able to play in this series, Salmon Arm will have a big hole to fill,” says Mutis.

Zengerle was the SilverBacks’ leading scorer during the regular season and played on the team’s number one forward line. For the last three games Justin Cseter has been filling the gap left behind, moving up to the SilverBacks’ top line and producing points.

Another big factor player who will make a difference in the series is one that Mutis doesn’t think gets too much attention, Vernon’s goaltender Andrew Hammond.

“Hammond is a seasoned goalie and a calm guy between the pipes,” says Mutis. “He’s really dependable and a source of confidence for Vernon.”

Vernon and Salmon Arm will be going into game one of their third round playoff bout Friday night, each trying to be the first to draw blood in what should be a very competitive series.