This is in todays Morning Star Newspaper:Vipers outlast ‘Backs in opener
By Graeme Corbett - Vernon Morning Star
Published: September 13, 2009
They haven't played together for four months, but Braden Pimm and Mike Collins clearly haven't missed a step. Pimm played the setup man on both of Collins' goals as the Snakes ousted the Salmon Arm SilverBacks 3-2 before 2,500 fans in their B.C. Hockey League season opener Friday night at Wesbild Centre.
The teams tangled again Saturday night at the Sunwave Centre.
Pimm, 20, connected with Collins, 19, from the corner on both goals. Salmon Arm netminder Tony Ierfino had a miscue with his defenceman on the first one, and Pimm pounced on the loose puck to set up an easy tap-in at 6:59 of the first period. The Boston product's second goal came early in the second period on another solid Vipers' forecheck.
"We're both feeling strong and we've still got that chemistry from last year. We could have talked a bit more out there, but things still worked out well," said Collins, who earned first star. "Pimm just feathered those passes through."
Aside from the minor brain cramp and some questionable rebound control, Ierfino (second star) was the main reason Salmon Arm was able to keep it a one-goal game. The Vipers, sporting their new Reebok jerseys, peppered the Montreal product with 42 shots, and overwhelmed the Gorillas' inexperienced defensive corps at times with their speed.
"Three mistakes, three goals – that says it all," said the 20-year-old keeper. "We'll learn from our mistakes.
"We're pretty young on the back end, but we've got some experience up front. We've got to work hard and not lose any battles. You're not going to win games unless you're outworking the other team."
Added Collins: "We've got to bare down and capitalize on our chances more. It was the first game, but that's no excuse."
Despite being outplayed, Salmon Arm wouldn't go away. Defenceman Greg Noyes curled in around the circle an snapped a shot through traffic to beat netminder Graeme Gordon with a minute left in the first frame.
Then, trailing again late in the second stanza, Salmon Arm defender Charlie Vasaturo got credit for a powerplay goal as a point shot got redirected twice past Gordon. David Killip appeared to get the final touch at the side of the net.
It wasn't until late in the third period that Vipers' forward Cole Ikkala iced the game on a goalmouth scramble.
"I just jumped on Shorty's (Robbie Short) rebound and got a greasy goal, right under his (Ierfino's) armpit," smiled the Philadelphia product, who played on a line with rookies Dylan Walchuk and Drew George.
"We had lots of chances and luckily we got one in. They're two good players. They both have lots of talent and they're always in the open areas."
Ikkala says it was a satisfying moment watching the Royal Bank Cup banner, the Vipers' fifth-ever national title, being raised to the Wesbild rafters during a pre-game ceremony.
"We worked so hard for it last year. Now to see it in our rink is just a good feeling.
"Surprisingly, there weren't too many nerves."
Vipers' head coach Mark Ferner credited Salmon Arm for not giving up.
"They just hung around and hung around. That's the way you want to play a road game.
"I was pretty happy with the effort that we had. We generated a lot, we just didn't finish. But we were able to get that one ugly goal. We just went to the net and tapped one in.
Midway through second period, the Vipers got sustained pressure in SilverBacks' zone for nearly two minutes, Collins spotted Connor Jones in front, who missed a one-timer in close. On the next go-around, Collins tried Jonathan Milhouse, who fired high.
Later in the period, SilverBacks’ forward Matt Cassidy was hauled down on breakaway after a neutral-zone turnover, causing referee Steve Papp to award a penalty shot.Gordon stuck with Cassidy on his attempt, denying him with right pad.
Papp called another penalty shot shortly after, this time against Salmon Arm for gloving the puck in the crease. Bryce Kakoske was unable to rip his shot by Ierfino.
Both teams started to open up in the third period, which resulted in numerous odd-man rushes each way. Salmon Arm had a chance to take their first lead when Travis Statchuk blocked a Vipers' point shot, which bounced straight out to Corey Chakeen, who was exiting penalty box for his third time on the night. Chakeen raced in on Gordon, who cut down the angle to swallow up his heavy shot.
Salmon Arm head coach Matt Hughes says it will be an adjustment for the fresh faces on the SilverBacks' blueline.
"We have five new guys on defence, and they got exposed a bit. It's difficult when you've got guys like the Jones boys (Connor and Kellen)... coming at you non-stop. There's no soft line to go against.
"I like our work ethic and our energy level, but there were some individual errors that cost us. You can't do that against the defending champs. I think we can learn to compete smarter."
By Graeme Corbett - Vernon Morning Star
Published: September 13, 2009
They haven't played together for four months, but Braden Pimm and Mike Collins clearly haven't missed a step. Pimm played the setup man on both of Collins' goals as the Snakes ousted the Salmon Arm SilverBacks 3-2 before 2,500 fans in their B.C. Hockey League season opener Friday night at Wesbild Centre.
The teams tangled again Saturday night at the Sunwave Centre.
Pimm, 20, connected with Collins, 19, from the corner on both goals. Salmon Arm netminder Tony Ierfino had a miscue with his defenceman on the first one, and Pimm pounced on the loose puck to set up an easy tap-in at 6:59 of the first period. The Boston product's second goal came early in the second period on another solid Vipers' forecheck.
"We're both feeling strong and we've still got that chemistry from last year. We could have talked a bit more out there, but things still worked out well," said Collins, who earned first star. "Pimm just feathered those passes through."
Aside from the minor brain cramp and some questionable rebound control, Ierfino (second star) was the main reason Salmon Arm was able to keep it a one-goal game. The Vipers, sporting their new Reebok jerseys, peppered the Montreal product with 42 shots, and overwhelmed the Gorillas' inexperienced defensive corps at times with their speed.
"Three mistakes, three goals – that says it all," said the 20-year-old keeper. "We'll learn from our mistakes.
"We're pretty young on the back end, but we've got some experience up front. We've got to work hard and not lose any battles. You're not going to win games unless you're outworking the other team."
Added Collins: "We've got to bare down and capitalize on our chances more. It was the first game, but that's no excuse."
Despite being outplayed, Salmon Arm wouldn't go away. Defenceman Greg Noyes curled in around the circle an snapped a shot through traffic to beat netminder Graeme Gordon with a minute left in the first frame.
Then, trailing again late in the second stanza, Salmon Arm defender Charlie Vasaturo got credit for a powerplay goal as a point shot got redirected twice past Gordon. David Killip appeared to get the final touch at the side of the net.
It wasn't until late in the third period that Vipers' forward Cole Ikkala iced the game on a goalmouth scramble.
"I just jumped on Shorty's (Robbie Short) rebound and got a greasy goal, right under his (Ierfino's) armpit," smiled the Philadelphia product, who played on a line with rookies Dylan Walchuk and Drew George.
"We had lots of chances and luckily we got one in. They're two good players. They both have lots of talent and they're always in the open areas."
Ikkala says it was a satisfying moment watching the Royal Bank Cup banner, the Vipers' fifth-ever national title, being raised to the Wesbild rafters during a pre-game ceremony.
"We worked so hard for it last year. Now to see it in our rink is just a good feeling.
"Surprisingly, there weren't too many nerves."
Vipers' head coach Mark Ferner credited Salmon Arm for not giving up.
"They just hung around and hung around. That's the way you want to play a road game.
"I was pretty happy with the effort that we had. We generated a lot, we just didn't finish. But we were able to get that one ugly goal. We just went to the net and tapped one in.
Midway through second period, the Vipers got sustained pressure in SilverBacks' zone for nearly two minutes, Collins spotted Connor Jones in front, who missed a one-timer in close. On the next go-around, Collins tried Jonathan Milhouse, who fired high.
Later in the period, SilverBacks’ forward Matt Cassidy was hauled down on breakaway after a neutral-zone turnover, causing referee Steve Papp to award a penalty shot.Gordon stuck with Cassidy on his attempt, denying him with right pad.
Papp called another penalty shot shortly after, this time against Salmon Arm for gloving the puck in the crease. Bryce Kakoske was unable to rip his shot by Ierfino.
Both teams started to open up in the third period, which resulted in numerous odd-man rushes each way. Salmon Arm had a chance to take their first lead when Travis Statchuk blocked a Vipers' point shot, which bounced straight out to Corey Chakeen, who was exiting penalty box for his third time on the night. Chakeen raced in on Gordon, who cut down the angle to swallow up his heavy shot.
Salmon Arm head coach Matt Hughes says it will be an adjustment for the fresh faces on the SilverBacks' blueline.
"We have five new guys on defence, and they got exposed a bit. It's difficult when you've got guys like the Jones boys (Connor and Kellen)... coming at you non-stop. There's no soft line to go against.
"I like our work ethic and our energy level, but there were some individual errors that cost us. You can't do that against the defending champs. I think we can learn to compete smarter."
No comments:
Post a Comment