Vipers bite back in Game 4 to even series
Saints looking for revenge after losing in seven games in 2010
By Mario Annicchiarico,
edmontonjournal.com April 20, 2011
SPRUCE GROVE — It’s down to a best of three.
The Vernon Vipers used a pair of power-play goals, including one on a five-on- three, and stellar netminding from Kirby Halcrow to topple the Spruce Grove Saints 3-1 Wednesday night at Grant Fuhr Arena. The win evened the best-of-seven Doyle Cup series between the BCHL and AJHL champions at two games apiece.
The victor heads to the Royal Bank Cup in Camrose as Pacific reps, starting April 30.
“I thought we were a little hesitant in the first period. We bent, but our goalie held us in the hockey game,” said Vipers head coach Mark Ferner, whose team was outshot 14-5 in the first period.
“He has that ability. I had a good talk with him today, kind of joked with him, stating ‘If you stop them all, we’ll win.’ They got one by him late.”
Mark Switzer snapped Halcrow’s shutout bid with 32 seconds left in the third on a Saints power play; otherwise there was little joy for the 1,500 nervous fans in attendance.
After losing two straight at home, the Vipers struck first on a two-man advantage with just 6.3 seconds remaining in the first period when Adam Thompson cashed in with Spruce Grove’s Matthew Benning and Dustin Fostvelt in the penalty box for boarding and high-sticking, respectively.
Trevor Fitzgerald made it 2-0 at 9:09 of the second as the hosts dug themselves a huge hole. Michael Zalewski then made it 3-0 at 9:12 of the third on a four- on-three advantage for the Vipers, who were outshot 22-20 overall.
It was a must-win scenario for the Vipers, who couldn’t afford to go down 3-1 with all remaining games slated for Spruce Grove.
“Absolutely,” said Ferner. “In previous games, you have to give Spruce Grove credit. We had some lulls there and they came pretty hard. We just couldn’t change momentum. We got through that first period (tonight) and that goal at the end of the first was a big one.”
Josh Koper of the Saints had a good chance just over a minute into the game, but fired it wide of Halcrow’s net. Meanwhile, Spruce Grove netminder Vincenzo Marozzi saw little action until the two-man advantage in the final minute.
The Saints enjoyed two power plays of their own in the first, but failed to produce and finished the night one-for-five on the man advantage.
“It was very similar to Game 1. We didn’t have enough guys willing to pay the price tonight,” said Saints head coach Jason McKee, who wouldn’t give all the credit to Halcrow. “Just not bearing down enough. He was good, don’t get me wrong, but our team approach was not good enough tonight.
“We haven’t won anything and we haven’t lost anything. It was one game. You have to have a short memory in the playoffs,” McKee said. “I expect we’ll be much better (Thursday) night in a compete level, that’s for sure.”
Game 5 goes Thursday night at
7 p.m. in Spruce Grove, where the remainder of the series will be played after the Saints managed to take two of the first three in B.C.
The Vipers beat Spruce Grove in seven games in 2010 before winning a second straight Royal Bank Cup.
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