This is in last weeks BC Hockey Now Newspaper:
BCHL Team-By-Team Reports
December 23, 2011
Posted in BC Edition, Junior A
COASTAL CONFERENCE
Alberni Valley Bulldogs
Paul Esdale was relieved as head coach Dec. 7 and a win for new head coach Kevin Willison against first-place Cowichan Valley on Dec. 9 was welcome but the ’Dogs were still 2-7-1-0 over a recent 10-game stretch. The loss of Yan Kalashnikov to a broken wrist is really hurting.
Coquitlam Express
John Siemer has supplemented the offence with nine goals in a recent seven-game span while the guys named Alex (that would be Petan and Kerfoot) continue to set the pace. Coquitlam is clinging to the final playoff position in what is shaping up to be an epic race to the top-four in the Coastal Conference.
Cowichan Valley Capitals
It’s been going on too long now to call it a flash in the pan. The Caps’ have gone 11-3-4 since the start of November and have zoomed to the top of the Coastal Conference. Goalie Derek Dun was a recent Player of the Week recipient but Brady Rouleau has been no slouch either with a 6-2 mark and 2.17 goals-against average.
Langley Rivermen
Probably no other team has made as many roster moves since the start of the season as owner Roy Henderson is tapped into a vast player network via his work with Global Sports Camps. Veteran Darnell Dyck continues to be the top point-getter while 1995-born blueliner Bo Pellah looks mature beyond his years.
Nanaimo Clippers
The Clips are part of the dogfight to remain in the top-four in the conference but are getting great production from all-star defenceman Graeme McCormack who leads the team in scoring. Up front, there’s a bit of a dropoff after Kyle Kramer, Andrew Gladiuk and Trevor Fitzgerald but rookie import David Iacono has chipped in nicely from the blueline.
Powell River Kings
Craig Dalrymple’s stellar production from the back end continues and on Dec. 2, the 6-foot-5 rearguard scored the only hat trick by a BCHL defenceman this season. Rookie netminder Jamie Phillips leads the league in shutouts (3) and goals-against average (1.97). The Kings are tough at Hap Parker Arena with an 11-2-1-1 mark but are just 6-8-1-1 on the road.
Surrey Eagles
Like the Kings, Surrey has a great home record at 11-2-1-2 but just 5-7-0-1 on the road. Currently in third, the Eagles don’t score a ton with Tyler and Brandon Morley the only point-a-game players. Recent acquisition Brayden Jaw should help in that regard and goalie Andrew Hunt gives the team a chance most nights.
Victoria Grizzlies
The league’s second-highest scoring team still hasn’t figured out how to stop the opposition from scoring but they do boast four of the league’s top-20 scorers in Wade Murphy, Mike Moran, Wesley Myron and Jarryd Ten Vaanholt. Victoria is 17-16, the only team in the BCHL without a tie or overtime loss.
INTERIOR CONFERENCE
Chilliwack Chiefs
Quietly, the former Quesnel Millionaires have snuck up to third place in the Interior on a formula of a gritty defensive game and solid goaltending. Tyler Miller, Shay Laurent, Alexandre Perron-Fontaine and Matt Hutchinson are rugged rearguards while Mitch Gillam has been good in net with a .916 save percentage.
Merritt Centennials
The Cents continue to plug away and sit second in the conference despite just one point-a-game scorer in Regan Soquila. Brandon Pfeil and Billy Marshall have contributed nicely from the blueline combining for 38 points. The goalie tandem of Lino Chimienti and Tyler Steel is one of the best in the league.
Penticton Vees
What more is there to say? The Vees are 28-3-0-2 and have scored 175 goals in 33 games (Victoria is next with 128 goals in 33 games). They have five scorers in the top seven with Connor Reilly and Mario Lucia tied for the lead with 56 points apiece. Oh, and they have last year’s Coastal Conference Top Goaltender Mike Garteig in net.
Prince George Spruce Kings
Paul De Jersey’s production has not slowed but the Spruce Kings have slipped to fifth place though they’re tied in points with Vernon. New addition Ty Swabb, despite just three games played, looks like a good pickup to share crease duties with Kirk Thompson. Defenceman Chase Golightly has been great with 19 point since rejoining from the USHL.
Salmon Arm SilverBacks
With Devin Muller trying out for Switzerland in advance of the World Junior Championships, the ’Backs are potentially without their top scorer for an extended period of time should he make the team. If he does, there will be a chance for Kody Dhaliwal and Mak Barden to get some more minutes in the top six forward group.
Trail Smoke Eaters
The Smokies find themselves looking up at the rest of the league but recent acquisition Lyndon Stanwood has won a couple of games in net since joining the team from the Junior B Kamloops Storm. If teams shut down Clayton Chessa and Erik Cooper, it’s real tough for Trail to muster much offence.
Vernon Vipers
It’s hard to remember the last time the Vipers found themselves lower than second in the standings but they’re gripping to the final playoff spot in fourth currently. Recent deals to acquire defenceman Sean Robertson and forward Ben Gamache add experience but they gave up Marcus Basara – who was just scooped up by rival Westside – in the Gamache deal.
Westside Warriors
Picking up Marcus Basara should help as there are just two players on the roster with double-digit goal totals in Connor Dempsey and Max French. Unfortunately, the Tribe had to deal Tyler Krause in order to acquire Basara. With Dwayne Rodrigue and James Leonard now the goalie tandem, Rylan Ferster finally seems satisfied with his crease duo.
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Vipers Turn Tables On Silverbacks:
This is posted on the Vipers website:
Vipers turn tables on Silverbacks
by Don Klepp | Added 2011-12-31
Darren Nowick's shorthanded goal proved to be the game winner.
Reversing the game story from the previous night in Salmon Arm, the Vipers rebounded from a 3-0 first period deficit to defeat the Silverbacks 6-4.
On Thursday, the Vipers had a 3-1 first period lead, but then the Silverbacks responded with six straight goals en route to a 7-4 win. On Friday, the Vipers scored five straight in front of 2153 fans.
The line of Adam Tambellini, Colton Sparrow, and Brendan Persley did much of the damage, registering three goals and five assists. Darren Nowick had another fine night scoring on the power play and short handed.
After Myles McCauley had rocketed two shots past Danny Todosychuk and 16-year-old Vernon product Alex Gillies had beaten Todosychuk with a rising shot from a tight angle, the young Viper goalie was replaced with Kirby Halcrow at 11:55.
The switch had the desired effect, as Halcrow was steady and the Vipers clawed their way back into the game. Colton Sparrow started the comeback with a spirited effort. He beat a defender to a puck behind the Salmon Arm net and flipped it in front for Adam Tambellini’s shot. Brendan Persley tucked in the rebound.
Sparrow was involved in the next Viper score, on a power play at 5:50 of the second period. He and Marc Hetnik set up Brett Corkey for a slap shot that went in off the inside of the post to the right of Kurt Williams.
The comeback gained momentum a minute later when Tambellini completed a play that was created by the forechecking of Sparrow and Persley. Vernon then went ahead for good on another power play goal, Darren Nowick’s deft deflection of Brett Corkey’s point shot at 17:02.
Nowick scored the eventual winner at 4:08 of the third. With Tambellini in the penalty box, Nowick intercepted a pass at the Viper blue line and created a breakaway that he finished with a backhand over Kurt Williams’s right shoulder.
Morgan Zulinick made things interesting at 8:57, as he finished a pretty three-way passing play with Myles McCauley and Sean Flanagan. However, the Vipers put the game out of reach with their third power play goal of the night, a hard shot by Tambellini.
In five games between the two teams this year, the Vipers have scored 11 times in 26 power plays. The “Backs have gone 5 for 31.
In an unusual move, newly acquired Taylor Love joined the Silverbacks halfway through the second period, after his flight was delayed leaving Vancouver. Ben Gamache no doubt wishes Love had been delayed longer because the big defenceman caught Gamache with a knee-on-knee hit and Gamache had to be taken to the hospital for X-rays.
Gamache thus joins Patrick McGillis, Luke Juha, Max Mowat, and John Knisley on the Viper injury list. All five will likely miss the Vipers’ next game, on January 4 in Penticton.
Vipers turn tables on Silverbacks
by Don Klepp | Added 2011-12-31
Darren Nowick's shorthanded goal proved to be the game winner.
Reversing the game story from the previous night in Salmon Arm, the Vipers rebounded from a 3-0 first period deficit to defeat the Silverbacks 6-4.
On Thursday, the Vipers had a 3-1 first period lead, but then the Silverbacks responded with six straight goals en route to a 7-4 win. On Friday, the Vipers scored five straight in front of 2153 fans.
The line of Adam Tambellini, Colton Sparrow, and Brendan Persley did much of the damage, registering three goals and five assists. Darren Nowick had another fine night scoring on the power play and short handed.
After Myles McCauley had rocketed two shots past Danny Todosychuk and 16-year-old Vernon product Alex Gillies had beaten Todosychuk with a rising shot from a tight angle, the young Viper goalie was replaced with Kirby Halcrow at 11:55.
The switch had the desired effect, as Halcrow was steady and the Vipers clawed their way back into the game. Colton Sparrow started the comeback with a spirited effort. He beat a defender to a puck behind the Salmon Arm net and flipped it in front for Adam Tambellini’s shot. Brendan Persley tucked in the rebound.
Sparrow was involved in the next Viper score, on a power play at 5:50 of the second period. He and Marc Hetnik set up Brett Corkey for a slap shot that went in off the inside of the post to the right of Kurt Williams.
The comeback gained momentum a minute later when Tambellini completed a play that was created by the forechecking of Sparrow and Persley. Vernon then went ahead for good on another power play goal, Darren Nowick’s deft deflection of Brett Corkey’s point shot at 17:02.
Nowick scored the eventual winner at 4:08 of the third. With Tambellini in the penalty box, Nowick intercepted a pass at the Viper blue line and created a breakaway that he finished with a backhand over Kurt Williams’s right shoulder.
Morgan Zulinick made things interesting at 8:57, as he finished a pretty three-way passing play with Myles McCauley and Sean Flanagan. However, the Vipers put the game out of reach with their third power play goal of the night, a hard shot by Tambellini.
In five games between the two teams this year, the Vipers have scored 11 times in 26 power plays. The “Backs have gone 5 for 31.
In an unusual move, newly acquired Taylor Love joined the Silverbacks halfway through the second period, after his flight was delayed leaving Vancouver. Ben Gamache no doubt wishes Love had been delayed longer because the big defenceman caught Gamache with a knee-on-knee hit and Gamache had to be taken to the hospital for X-rays.
Gamache thus joins Patrick McGillis, Luke Juha, Max Mowat, and John Knisley on the Viper injury list. All five will likely miss the Vipers’ next game, on January 4 in Penticton.
Friday, December 30, 2011
Vernon 6 Salmon Arm 4
I was at tonight's BCHL game as Vernon defeated Salmon Arm 6-4 in front of 2,153 fans at the Wesbild Centre.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon: Danny Todosychuk
Salmon Arm: Kurt Williams
1st Period: The Silverbacks got off to a quick start opening the scoring just 1:35 into the 1st period. Morgan Zulinick setup Myles McCauley who walked in over the circle and ripped a high shot just under the crossbar on the Backs first shot of the night, beating Vernon product, Danny Todosychuk who was deep in his crease. Zulinick and Garrett Hendrickson collected the assists. Salmon Arm come right back, Jeff Kennedy with a chance in close was stopped by Todosychuk. Ben Gamache would get Vernon's first scoring opportunity after getting off a backhand from in the slot but Kurt Williams was out to challenge making a nice chest save. Salmon Arm looked good in the opening period moving the puck well skating hard and generating some good chances. The Backs who carried the better of the play were the better of the two teams in the 1st period. The Vipers managed a few opportunities but had very little puck luck. Brendan Persley with a chance in the slot but couldnt connect on the pass after the puck bounced over his stick. Persley with two chances in the period couldnt find the back of the net. Just before the midway mark Salmon Arm would get the games first powerplay and capitalize. Devin Muller setup Myles McCauley for his second of the night giving the Silverbacks a 2-0 lead at 10:32 Muller and Breaden Pears picked up the helpers. Off the next shift Jeff Kennedy with another scoring chance in close just about put Salmon Arm up 3-0. On the next shift the Backs with some hard work to keep the play alive at the blueline moved the puck around setting up Vernon product, Alex Gillies who roofed his shot high and past Todosychuk giving the Backs a 3-0 lead at 11:55, Shane Hana and James Friedel picked up the assists. This was the end of the night for Danny Todosychuk who gave up three goals on just nine Salmon Arm shots. On all three goals Todosychuk was deep in his crease. Kirby Halcrow would replace Todosychuk. The Vipers who didnt look very good needed almost seven minutes to record a shot on goal as it was all Silverbacks in the opening period. Late in the period Adam Tambellini setup Brendan Persley who beat Kurt Williams at 17:59 getting Vernon on the board. Tambellini and Colton Sparrow with the assists. Not alot of scoring chances as Salmon Arm outplayed Vernon and were up 3-1 after 20 minutes of play. The Silverbacks outshot the Vipers 14-10.
2nd Period: A few good chances at both ends early to start the second period. Aaron Hadley in front had the puck just bounce over his stick in close and then Devin Muller with a nice move tried getting around Brett Corkey but was stopped by Kirby Halcrow. Jedd Soleway then with a chance in front couldnt connect on a pass in tight. Around the three minute mark Darren Nowick took a undetected high stick to the face with no call on the play, the play continued before Vipers head coach, Jason Williamson had to call over referee Ward Pateman. Pateman and the linesmen gathered giving the Backs a four minute high sticking penalty giving Vernon their first powerplay of the night. Nowick would get some repairs before returning to the bench later in the period. The Vipers couldnt get much going with the first two minutes before Brett Corkey's shot from the point hit post or crossbar beating Kurt Williams at 5:50 as Vernon was within a goal. Mike Zalewski and Colton Sparrow with the helpers. Zalewski and Sparrow moved the puck around down low before setting up Corkey's goal. This high sticking call-penalty was the turning point in the hockey game. Salmon Arm has a two goal lead, Nowick gets high sticked but no call on the play. It wasnt until the next whistle where Jason Williamson has to call over the official to get a four minute powerplay. The Silverbacks have to be very upset with this call. If the linesmen who Im assuming made the call, why didnt one of the two linesmen go over to the official in the first place on the first stopage in play if they saw the high stick? If it wasnt for Williamson getting the official over to the Vipers bench the Backs still have a two goal lead and Vernon dosnt score the powerplay goal. With no call this could be a different outcome. This goal really seemed to give the Vipers life as Vernon really come on and took over the play for most of the 2nd period. Off the next faceoff Mike Zalewski was stopped in the slot after Williams come up with a big glove save. On the next shift the line of Colton Sparrow, Adam Tambellini and Brendan Persley worked hard down low, Presley fed Tambellini in front who beat Williams to tie the game at 6:56 Persley and Sparrow with the assists. At the other end Kirby Halcrow still had to be sharp making a huge glove save keeping the game tied. Then Sean Flanagan's point shot was stopped by Halcrow but a quick whistle saved the Vipers as the puck somehow snuck past and through Halcrow before hitting the bottom of the post. Kurt Williams then made a nice save off Dylan Walchuk to keep the game tied. Just past the midway mark Salmon Arm would back to back powerplays, but a hard working Vipers penalty kill would kill off both minors. Brendan Persley, Ryan Renz and Colton Sparrow all with huge shot blocks. The Vipers then come back just after the penalty kills and had two or three flurries in close but couldnt get the puck to find its way into the back of the goal. Late in the 2nd former Vernon Vipers defenceman, Taylor Love went knee on knee with Ben Gamache as Gamache went down and was very slow to get up, needing up to get off the ice. Gamache who wasnt putting any pressure on his leg-knee left the game and didnt return. Love would get a penalty out of the hit as Vernon with its second powerplay of the contest. The Vipers moved the puck around well Brett Corkey's point shot was tipped in by Darren Nowick who gave Vernon a 4-3 lead and their first of the night at 17:42 Corkey and Dylan Walchuk with the assists. Vernon looked like a different team in the middle frame as the Vipers carried the better of the play and outscored Salmon Arm 3-0. In the final minute the Vipers with another goal crease scramble as a flurry of chances in and around the Backs goal but the Vipers couldnt jump ahead by two after a much improved period. Tempers heated up a little at the buzzer after both teams exchanged words while heading to the dressing rooms. Vernon was up 4-3 after 40 minutes of play. The Vipers outshot the Silverbacks 14-10.
3rd Period: Off the opening faceoff Dylan Walchuk would get a parcial breakaway but Williams come out to challenge and stayed with Walchuk making a nice pad save in close. Brendan Persley would then get a great chance at the side of the goal but couldnt beat Williams. The Backs would get an early powerplay after a small scrum former inbehind the Salmon Arm goal with some pushing and shoving, tempers heated up once again. With the Silverbacks on the man advantage it was Darren Nowick who used his speed to out hustle the Silverbacks d-man going in for the breakaway and the beating Kurt Williams shorthanded giving Vernon a two goal lead at 4:08 Nowick's goal was unassisted. Shortly after Peter McMullen with a odd man rush tried throwing the puck out front but Sean Flanagan come up with a huge defensive play to breakup McMullen's pass. The Vipers who for the second straight period looked and played very well. I thought Vernon's defensive game was much better tonight especially in the 3rd really limiting Salmon Arm's scoring chances. Kirby Halcrow also played and looked much better between the pipes. Halcrow made a few nice saves in the final frame. Just before the halfway mark some nice tic tac toe passing between Morgan Zulinick, Sean Flanagan and Myles McCauley got the Backs to within a goal. Flanagan with a nice move breaking into the Vipers blueline fed McCauley who then found Zulinick in front who beat Halcrow at 8:57 The Backs would then get caught with too many men just past the midway mark sending Vernon to the PP. The Vipers really moved the puck around, very patiently made some smart plays before Sean Robertson setup Adam Tambellini who beat Williams at 13:18 giving Vernon a 6-4 lead. Robertson and Ryan Renz with the helpers. In the second half Vernon's defence played very well not giving up alot of scoring opportunities. Once again the line of Colton Sparrow, Adam Tambellini and Brendan Persley created some open ice allowing Tambellini to walk in from the circle getting off a quick shot that was stopped by Kurt Williams. Salmon Arm just couldnt muster much offence late in the game as Vernon really shutdown the Backs. In the final two minutes Mike Zalewski and Aaron Hadley both killed a good solid minute off the clock by eating the puck up along the boards and end wall as Salmon Arm couldnt steal the puck away from Hadley or Zalewski. The Vipers with a ton of pressure kept the Backs pinned in their own end with a solid forecheck to kill off most of the remainder of the final minute as the Vipers would pick up a huge 6-4 victory in the second and final game of a home and home series. After the buzzer Brendan Persley went to grab the game puck before Kurt Williams come racing out of his crease to steal away the puck before Persley could grab it. Vernon outshot Salmon Arm 18-12.
Top Players: (Vernon)
Brett Corkey (1 goal & 1 assist) Really played well on the Vipers blueline.
Sean Robertson played his second straight good game for the Vipers. Robertson who also looked very good in last nights 7-4 loss was very solid defensively tonight.
For the second straight night the line of Adam Tambellini (2 goals & 1 assist), Colton Sparrow (3 assists) and Brendan Persley (1 goal and 1 assist) was the Vipers best unit tonight. This line really worked hard, created and opened up the ice, getting alot of good scoring chances. This line was very hard to play against last night and again tonight.
Darren Nowick (2 goals) Played and worked very hard tonight, was very good at both ends of the rink, and very good on specialty teams. Nowick who took the high stick that resulted in the Vipers four minute powerplay in the 2nd period got repaired and stayed in the hockey game. Nowick's shorthanded goal early in the 3rd was huge.
Ryan Renz (1 assist) For the second straight night played very well at both ends of the rink. Renz looked very confident tonight with and without the puck.
Kirby Halcrow (26 saves) Halcrow who didnt look very good in last nights 7-4 loss was given the night off tonight before having to replace Danny Todosychuk who gave up three goals on just nine shots. Halcrow allowed just one goal on 27 Salmon Arm shots made some key saves when needed and looked to have some confidence tonight. Halcrow who hasnt been the same goaltender from the past two seasons seemed to have much better control with his rebounds tonight.
Game Thoughts: (Vernon)
Tonight was almost a must win. After a very dissapointing 7-4 loss last night the Vipers found themselfs sitting two points out of a playoff spot and just five points up on 6th place Salmon Arm. Vernon who now has just five wins in their last sixteen games needs to start winning hockey games and in a hurry if they want to try and make the final playoff spot. The Vipers need to start piling up some wins and getting on a bit of a winning streak to stay in the race for the final playoff spot. After going down 3-0 in a shaky first period the Vipers really turned things around in the second and continued to play a pretty solid game for the 2nd and 3rd periods. The Vipers who were coming off a pretty dissapointing 7-4 loss last night in Salmon Arm didnt get off to the start they wanted before falling behind 3-0. A timely powerplay goal early to start the 2nd got the Vipers rolling and played very well for the remainder of the game. The Vipers looked like a completely different hockey club in the 2nd and 3rd, this is where I have to wonder why cant the Vipers play like this on a nightly basis. Vernon who has been very uncosistant all season is a very good hockey team at times, but also not a very good hockey team at times. I thought the Vipers defence really stepped up their play after a poor outing in last nights loss. Vernon who is without Max Mowat, Patrick McGillis, Luke Juha and John Knisley may lose Ben Gamache after taking a knee on knee tonight. Let's hope Ben is ok and makes a quick and healthy return to the Vipers lineup.
Top Players: (Salmon Arm)
The line of Myles McCauley (2 goals & 1 assist), Morgan Zulinick (1 goal & 1 assist) & Garrett Hendrickson (1 assist) was the Backs top line tonight. For the second straight game this line looked and played good and was really clicking together. McCauley who come over from Penticon earlier in the season in a trade with the Vees scored two real nice goals. This kid has a wicked shot. Zulinick who has some good speed is always dangerous with and without the puck and he showed that again this evening. Hendrickson also involved in that Salmon Arm-Penticton trade was good up front for the Silverbacks. Wasnt afraid to muck it up after the whistles on a few occasions.
Sean Flanagan (1 assist) Played very stead for the Silverbacks on the blueline. Made atleast two real nice defensive plays.
Devin Muller (1 assist) Played very well, was also a threat with and without the puck. Come up with a few good chances.
Kurt Williams (36 saves) Made some key saves through out tonights game. I dont think you could blame him on any of the goals.
Game Thoughts: (Salmon Arm)
The Backs now fall seven points back of the 5th place Vipers with the loss. Tonight was alot like last nights game but both teams reversed sides. Tonight it was the Backs who got off to a quick start jumping out to a 3-0 lead before allowing Vernon back in the game as the Vipers scored five straight goals. Last night it was the Vipers who got off to the quick start jumping out to the 3-1 lead before Salmon Arm rallied scoring six straight goals going onto the 7-4 win. The Silverbacks played and looked very good in the opening period before blowing the three goal lead. As I mentioned ealrier the turning point was the the four minute high sticking call early to start the 2nd period. The Backs have all rights to be very upset with this call. No call on the high stick until the Vipers pleaded with the referee. It wasnt until the referee and both linesmen got together to make the high sticking call wich was the right call. But why didnt either linesmen make the call on the next stopage of play? If it wasnt for the Vipers arguing over the high stick Salmon Arm still with a two goal lead dosnt give up the powerplay goal to get the Vipers back in the game. Maybe Salmon Arm scores the next goal to jump ahead by three, who really knows what would have happened. Specialty teams was a huge difference in the game as Vernon goes three for four with the man advantage as well as scoring shorthanded while Salmon Arm goes one for four giving up a shorthanded goal. The Backs with some chances just couldnt muster alot of offensive chances in the 3rd having troubles against a Vipers defence that played very well. Overall a very entertaining and exciting game.
Scratches:
Vernon:
Max Mowat (Injured)
Patrick McGillis (Injured)
Luke Juha (Injured)
John Knisley (Injured)
Salmon Arm:
Mak Barden
Joel Kipp
Brad Robinson
Vipers energy player of the game: Colton Sparrow (3 assists)
3 Stars:
1st Star: Darren Nowick (2 goals)
2nd Star: Myles McCauley (2 goals & 1 assist)
3rd Star: Brendan Persley (1 goal & 1 assist)
For more on tonight's game visit the boxscore,
http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=977671&link=bchl
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon: Danny Todosychuk
Salmon Arm: Kurt Williams
1st Period: The Silverbacks got off to a quick start opening the scoring just 1:35 into the 1st period. Morgan Zulinick setup Myles McCauley who walked in over the circle and ripped a high shot just under the crossbar on the Backs first shot of the night, beating Vernon product, Danny Todosychuk who was deep in his crease. Zulinick and Garrett Hendrickson collected the assists. Salmon Arm come right back, Jeff Kennedy with a chance in close was stopped by Todosychuk. Ben Gamache would get Vernon's first scoring opportunity after getting off a backhand from in the slot but Kurt Williams was out to challenge making a nice chest save. Salmon Arm looked good in the opening period moving the puck well skating hard and generating some good chances. The Backs who carried the better of the play were the better of the two teams in the 1st period. The Vipers managed a few opportunities but had very little puck luck. Brendan Persley with a chance in the slot but couldnt connect on the pass after the puck bounced over his stick. Persley with two chances in the period couldnt find the back of the net. Just before the midway mark Salmon Arm would get the games first powerplay and capitalize. Devin Muller setup Myles McCauley for his second of the night giving the Silverbacks a 2-0 lead at 10:32 Muller and Breaden Pears picked up the helpers. Off the next shift Jeff Kennedy with another scoring chance in close just about put Salmon Arm up 3-0. On the next shift the Backs with some hard work to keep the play alive at the blueline moved the puck around setting up Vernon product, Alex Gillies who roofed his shot high and past Todosychuk giving the Backs a 3-0 lead at 11:55, Shane Hana and James Friedel picked up the assists. This was the end of the night for Danny Todosychuk who gave up three goals on just nine Salmon Arm shots. On all three goals Todosychuk was deep in his crease. Kirby Halcrow would replace Todosychuk. The Vipers who didnt look very good needed almost seven minutes to record a shot on goal as it was all Silverbacks in the opening period. Late in the period Adam Tambellini setup Brendan Persley who beat Kurt Williams at 17:59 getting Vernon on the board. Tambellini and Colton Sparrow with the assists. Not alot of scoring chances as Salmon Arm outplayed Vernon and were up 3-1 after 20 minutes of play. The Silverbacks outshot the Vipers 14-10.
2nd Period: A few good chances at both ends early to start the second period. Aaron Hadley in front had the puck just bounce over his stick in close and then Devin Muller with a nice move tried getting around Brett Corkey but was stopped by Kirby Halcrow. Jedd Soleway then with a chance in front couldnt connect on a pass in tight. Around the three minute mark Darren Nowick took a undetected high stick to the face with no call on the play, the play continued before Vipers head coach, Jason Williamson had to call over referee Ward Pateman. Pateman and the linesmen gathered giving the Backs a four minute high sticking penalty giving Vernon their first powerplay of the night. Nowick would get some repairs before returning to the bench later in the period. The Vipers couldnt get much going with the first two minutes before Brett Corkey's shot from the point hit post or crossbar beating Kurt Williams at 5:50 as Vernon was within a goal. Mike Zalewski and Colton Sparrow with the helpers. Zalewski and Sparrow moved the puck around down low before setting up Corkey's goal. This high sticking call-penalty was the turning point in the hockey game. Salmon Arm has a two goal lead, Nowick gets high sticked but no call on the play. It wasnt until the next whistle where Jason Williamson has to call over the official to get a four minute powerplay. The Silverbacks have to be very upset with this call. If the linesmen who Im assuming made the call, why didnt one of the two linesmen go over to the official in the first place on the first stopage in play if they saw the high stick? If it wasnt for Williamson getting the official over to the Vipers bench the Backs still have a two goal lead and Vernon dosnt score the powerplay goal. With no call this could be a different outcome. This goal really seemed to give the Vipers life as Vernon really come on and took over the play for most of the 2nd period. Off the next faceoff Mike Zalewski was stopped in the slot after Williams come up with a big glove save. On the next shift the line of Colton Sparrow, Adam Tambellini and Brendan Persley worked hard down low, Presley fed Tambellini in front who beat Williams to tie the game at 6:56 Persley and Sparrow with the assists. At the other end Kirby Halcrow still had to be sharp making a huge glove save keeping the game tied. Then Sean Flanagan's point shot was stopped by Halcrow but a quick whistle saved the Vipers as the puck somehow snuck past and through Halcrow before hitting the bottom of the post. Kurt Williams then made a nice save off Dylan Walchuk to keep the game tied. Just past the midway mark Salmon Arm would back to back powerplays, but a hard working Vipers penalty kill would kill off both minors. Brendan Persley, Ryan Renz and Colton Sparrow all with huge shot blocks. The Vipers then come back just after the penalty kills and had two or three flurries in close but couldnt get the puck to find its way into the back of the goal. Late in the 2nd former Vernon Vipers defenceman, Taylor Love went knee on knee with Ben Gamache as Gamache went down and was very slow to get up, needing up to get off the ice. Gamache who wasnt putting any pressure on his leg-knee left the game and didnt return. Love would get a penalty out of the hit as Vernon with its second powerplay of the contest. The Vipers moved the puck around well Brett Corkey's point shot was tipped in by Darren Nowick who gave Vernon a 4-3 lead and their first of the night at 17:42 Corkey and Dylan Walchuk with the assists. Vernon looked like a different team in the middle frame as the Vipers carried the better of the play and outscored Salmon Arm 3-0. In the final minute the Vipers with another goal crease scramble as a flurry of chances in and around the Backs goal but the Vipers couldnt jump ahead by two after a much improved period. Tempers heated up a little at the buzzer after both teams exchanged words while heading to the dressing rooms. Vernon was up 4-3 after 40 minutes of play. The Vipers outshot the Silverbacks 14-10.
3rd Period: Off the opening faceoff Dylan Walchuk would get a parcial breakaway but Williams come out to challenge and stayed with Walchuk making a nice pad save in close. Brendan Persley would then get a great chance at the side of the goal but couldnt beat Williams. The Backs would get an early powerplay after a small scrum former inbehind the Salmon Arm goal with some pushing and shoving, tempers heated up once again. With the Silverbacks on the man advantage it was Darren Nowick who used his speed to out hustle the Silverbacks d-man going in for the breakaway and the beating Kurt Williams shorthanded giving Vernon a two goal lead at 4:08 Nowick's goal was unassisted. Shortly after Peter McMullen with a odd man rush tried throwing the puck out front but Sean Flanagan come up with a huge defensive play to breakup McMullen's pass. The Vipers who for the second straight period looked and played very well. I thought Vernon's defensive game was much better tonight especially in the 3rd really limiting Salmon Arm's scoring chances. Kirby Halcrow also played and looked much better between the pipes. Halcrow made a few nice saves in the final frame. Just before the halfway mark some nice tic tac toe passing between Morgan Zulinick, Sean Flanagan and Myles McCauley got the Backs to within a goal. Flanagan with a nice move breaking into the Vipers blueline fed McCauley who then found Zulinick in front who beat Halcrow at 8:57 The Backs would then get caught with too many men just past the midway mark sending Vernon to the PP. The Vipers really moved the puck around, very patiently made some smart plays before Sean Robertson setup Adam Tambellini who beat Williams at 13:18 giving Vernon a 6-4 lead. Robertson and Ryan Renz with the helpers. In the second half Vernon's defence played very well not giving up alot of scoring opportunities. Once again the line of Colton Sparrow, Adam Tambellini and Brendan Persley created some open ice allowing Tambellini to walk in from the circle getting off a quick shot that was stopped by Kurt Williams. Salmon Arm just couldnt muster much offence late in the game as Vernon really shutdown the Backs. In the final two minutes Mike Zalewski and Aaron Hadley both killed a good solid minute off the clock by eating the puck up along the boards and end wall as Salmon Arm couldnt steal the puck away from Hadley or Zalewski. The Vipers with a ton of pressure kept the Backs pinned in their own end with a solid forecheck to kill off most of the remainder of the final minute as the Vipers would pick up a huge 6-4 victory in the second and final game of a home and home series. After the buzzer Brendan Persley went to grab the game puck before Kurt Williams come racing out of his crease to steal away the puck before Persley could grab it. Vernon outshot Salmon Arm 18-12.
Top Players: (Vernon)
Brett Corkey (1 goal & 1 assist) Really played well on the Vipers blueline.
Sean Robertson played his second straight good game for the Vipers. Robertson who also looked very good in last nights 7-4 loss was very solid defensively tonight.
For the second straight night the line of Adam Tambellini (2 goals & 1 assist), Colton Sparrow (3 assists) and Brendan Persley (1 goal and 1 assist) was the Vipers best unit tonight. This line really worked hard, created and opened up the ice, getting alot of good scoring chances. This line was very hard to play against last night and again tonight.
Darren Nowick (2 goals) Played and worked very hard tonight, was very good at both ends of the rink, and very good on specialty teams. Nowick who took the high stick that resulted in the Vipers four minute powerplay in the 2nd period got repaired and stayed in the hockey game. Nowick's shorthanded goal early in the 3rd was huge.
Ryan Renz (1 assist) For the second straight night played very well at both ends of the rink. Renz looked very confident tonight with and without the puck.
Kirby Halcrow (26 saves) Halcrow who didnt look very good in last nights 7-4 loss was given the night off tonight before having to replace Danny Todosychuk who gave up three goals on just nine shots. Halcrow allowed just one goal on 27 Salmon Arm shots made some key saves when needed and looked to have some confidence tonight. Halcrow who hasnt been the same goaltender from the past two seasons seemed to have much better control with his rebounds tonight.
Game Thoughts: (Vernon)
Tonight was almost a must win. After a very dissapointing 7-4 loss last night the Vipers found themselfs sitting two points out of a playoff spot and just five points up on 6th place Salmon Arm. Vernon who now has just five wins in their last sixteen games needs to start winning hockey games and in a hurry if they want to try and make the final playoff spot. The Vipers need to start piling up some wins and getting on a bit of a winning streak to stay in the race for the final playoff spot. After going down 3-0 in a shaky first period the Vipers really turned things around in the second and continued to play a pretty solid game for the 2nd and 3rd periods. The Vipers who were coming off a pretty dissapointing 7-4 loss last night in Salmon Arm didnt get off to the start they wanted before falling behind 3-0. A timely powerplay goal early to start the 2nd got the Vipers rolling and played very well for the remainder of the game. The Vipers looked like a completely different hockey club in the 2nd and 3rd, this is where I have to wonder why cant the Vipers play like this on a nightly basis. Vernon who has been very uncosistant all season is a very good hockey team at times, but also not a very good hockey team at times. I thought the Vipers defence really stepped up their play after a poor outing in last nights loss. Vernon who is without Max Mowat, Patrick McGillis, Luke Juha and John Knisley may lose Ben Gamache after taking a knee on knee tonight. Let's hope Ben is ok and makes a quick and healthy return to the Vipers lineup.
Top Players: (Salmon Arm)
The line of Myles McCauley (2 goals & 1 assist), Morgan Zulinick (1 goal & 1 assist) & Garrett Hendrickson (1 assist) was the Backs top line tonight. For the second straight game this line looked and played good and was really clicking together. McCauley who come over from Penticon earlier in the season in a trade with the Vees scored two real nice goals. This kid has a wicked shot. Zulinick who has some good speed is always dangerous with and without the puck and he showed that again this evening. Hendrickson also involved in that Salmon Arm-Penticton trade was good up front for the Silverbacks. Wasnt afraid to muck it up after the whistles on a few occasions.
Sean Flanagan (1 assist) Played very stead for the Silverbacks on the blueline. Made atleast two real nice defensive plays.
Devin Muller (1 assist) Played very well, was also a threat with and without the puck. Come up with a few good chances.
Kurt Williams (36 saves) Made some key saves through out tonights game. I dont think you could blame him on any of the goals.
Game Thoughts: (Salmon Arm)
The Backs now fall seven points back of the 5th place Vipers with the loss. Tonight was alot like last nights game but both teams reversed sides. Tonight it was the Backs who got off to a quick start jumping out to a 3-0 lead before allowing Vernon back in the game as the Vipers scored five straight goals. Last night it was the Vipers who got off to the quick start jumping out to the 3-1 lead before Salmon Arm rallied scoring six straight goals going onto the 7-4 win. The Silverbacks played and looked very good in the opening period before blowing the three goal lead. As I mentioned ealrier the turning point was the the four minute high sticking call early to start the 2nd period. The Backs have all rights to be very upset with this call. No call on the high stick until the Vipers pleaded with the referee. It wasnt until the referee and both linesmen got together to make the high sticking call wich was the right call. But why didnt either linesmen make the call on the next stopage of play? If it wasnt for the Vipers arguing over the high stick Salmon Arm still with a two goal lead dosnt give up the powerplay goal to get the Vipers back in the game. Maybe Salmon Arm scores the next goal to jump ahead by three, who really knows what would have happened. Specialty teams was a huge difference in the game as Vernon goes three for four with the man advantage as well as scoring shorthanded while Salmon Arm goes one for four giving up a shorthanded goal. The Backs with some chances just couldnt muster alot of offensive chances in the 3rd having troubles against a Vipers defence that played very well. Overall a very entertaining and exciting game.
Scratches:
Vernon:
Max Mowat (Injured)
Patrick McGillis (Injured)
Luke Juha (Injured)
John Knisley (Injured)
Salmon Arm:
Mak Barden
Joel Kipp
Brad Robinson
Vipers energy player of the game: Colton Sparrow (3 assists)
3 Stars:
1st Star: Darren Nowick (2 goals)
2nd Star: Myles McCauley (2 goals & 1 assist)
3rd Star: Brendan Persley (1 goal & 1 assist)
For more on tonight's game visit the boxscore,
http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=977671&link=bchl
Former Vipers Defenceman Love Joins Silverbacks:
Victoria Grizzlies in early October due to the import rule. Love was then released by Victoria at last years BCHL trade deadline finishing the season with the KIJHL Beaver Valley Nighthawks. Love then committed to the Coquitlam Express on May 30th 2011 where in 20 regular season games with the Express he collected (1-7-8).
Taylor Love's Player Profile:
http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/rosters_profile.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&teamID=305114&playerID=695146
(Game Preview) Salmon Arm @ Vernon:
Tonight is the sixth of eight regular season meetings between these two teams.
Let's take a look at the regular season schedule between these two hockey clubs,
Friday, September 23rd Salmon Arm @ Vernon (Vipers win 5-1)
http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=977656
Saturday, September 24th Vernon @ Salmon Arm (Vipers win 5-4 in overtime)
http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=977746
Friday, November 25th Salmon Arm @ Vernon (Silverbacks win 3-2 in Overtime)
http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=977666&link=bchl
Saturday, November 26th Vernon @ Salmon Arm
http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=977758&link=bchl
Thursday, December 29th Vernon @ Salmon Arm
http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=977762&link=bchl
Friday, December 30th Salmon Arm @ Vernon
Friday, March 9th Salmon Arm @ Vernon
Saturday, March 10th Vernon @ Salmon Arm
Last Game Played:
Thursday, December 29th Salmon Arm defeated Vernon 7-4
Next Game:
Wednesday, January 4th Vernon @ Penticton
Wednesday, January 4th Salmon Arm @ Trail
Since the 2002-03 regular season Vernon is 37-25-3-6 vs. Salmon Arm
Since the 2002-03 regular season Vernon has outscored Salmon Arm 249-241
Since the 2003-04 regular season Vernon is 14-12-0-3 at home vs. Salmon Arm
Since the 2003-04 regular season Vernon is 17-10-2-4 in Salmon Arm
Vernon is 5-4-0-1 in its last 10 regular season visits at the Sunwave Centre
Vernon is 2-5-0-3 in its last 10 regular season games vs. Salmon Arm
The Vipers last regular season win vs Salmon Arm at the Wesbild Centre was a 5-1 victory on Friday, September 23rd 2011
The Vipers last regular season win at the Sunwave Centre was a 5-4 overtime victory on Saturday, September 24th 2011
The Vipers went 1-5-0-1 vs Salmon Arm last season
The Vernon Lakers changed their name to the Vernon Vipers to start the 1995-96 season. Here’s a look at the Vipers all-time regular season record
Games Played: 985
Wins: 629
Losses: 256
Ties: 16
Overtime Losses: 86
For more stats & former Vernon Junior Hockey Team rosters & lineups please visit Paul’s Vernon Junior Hockey History website,
http://members.shaw.ca/vernonfranchise/index.html
Tonight is the second game of a home and home series between these two teams. The Vipers are coming off a 7-4 loss last night in Salmon Arm where they have dropped eight straight games on the road. Vernon who has dropped to 5th place in the Interior Conference is just five points up on 6th place Salmon Arm. The Vipers who have struggled the last two months have just four wins in their last fifteen games.
Lets take a look at the Vernon Vipers:
Games Played: 32
Wins: 16
Losses: 13
Ties: 1
Overtime Losses: 2
Home Record: 10-3-1-1
Road Record: 6-10-0-1
Goals For: 113
Goals Against: 101
Streak: One game losing streak
Standings: 5th Place
Vernon Vipers Returning Players:
Dylan Walchuk (92)
Brett Corkey (92)
Aaron Hadley (93)
John Knisley (92)
Patrick McGillis (91)
Max Mowat (93)
Darren Nowick (91)
Ryan Renz (93)
Colton Sparrow (93)
Michael Zalewski (92)
Kirby Halcrow (91)
Vernon Vipers Departing & traded players from last years team:
Marcus Basara (93)
David Robinson (90)
Bryce Kakoske (90)
Malcolm Lyles (90)
Trevor Fitzgerald (92)
Adam Thompson (90)
Steven Weinstein (90)
Kyle Murphy (90)
Dane Muench (92)
Philip Patenaude (91)
Zach McPhee (93)
Blake Voth (91)
Vernon’s Home record vs. Salmon Arm:
1-0-0-1
Vernon’s Road record vs. Salmon Arm:
1-1-0-1
Vernon’s Powerplay vs. Salmon Arm:
8-22
Vernon’s scoring leaders vs. Salmon Arm:
Darren Nowick (5-3-8)
Michael Zalewski (4-4-8)
Adam Tambellini (3-1-4)
Brett Corkey (0-4-4)
Marcus Basara (0-3-3)
John Knisley (1-2-3)
Marc Hetnik (0-3-3)
Aaron Hadley (1-2-3)
Jedd Soleway (1-1-2)
Colton Sparrow (1-1-2)
Patrick McGillis (1-0-1)
Patrick McGillis (0-1-1)
Geoff Crisfield (0-1-1)
Ben Gamache (1-0-1)
Dylan Walchuk (0-1-1)
Kirby Halcrow (2-3 Record)
Key’s and Notes to tonight’s game:
-Vernon has the leagues 3rd best powerplay
-The Vipers have the BCHL's 9th best penalty kill
-Danny Todosychuk (4-1 Record, 2.44 GAA) is in the top ten goaltenders
For more on tonight's game and the Salmon Arm Silverbacks, please visit Scott Campbells Salmon Arm Silverbacks blog,
http://silverbacksmack.blogspot.com/
The Silverbacks make just their second visit of the season to the Wesbild Centre after coming off a huge 7-4 victory last night. Salmon Arm who has won three straight vs Vernon is just five points back of the Vipers. The Silverbacks with just two wins in their last six games play three of their next five games on home ice.
Lets take a look at the Salmon Arm Silverbacks:
Games Played: 34
Wins: 12
Losses: 16
Ties: 0
Overtime Losses: 6
Home Record: 6-8-0-5
Road Record: 6-8-0-1
Goals For: 108
Goals Against: 130
Streak: One game winning streak
Standings: 6th Place
Salmon Arm Silverbacks Returning Players:
James Friedel (91)
Brett Knowles (91)
Devin Muller (92)
Morgan Zulinick (94)
Kurt Williams (91)
Salmon Arm Silverbacks Departing & traded players from last years team:
Mike Hammond (90)
David Killip (91)
Brad Reid (90)
Devin Gannon (91)
Jarryd Ten Vaanholt (91)
Clinton Atkinson (91)
Josh Manson (91)
Cody Michelle (92)
Jayson Reardon (90)
Charlie Vasaturo (90)
Brandon Mistal (92)
Paul De Jersey (92)
Kevin Mills (90)
Josh McKissock (92)
Dustin Cave (94)
Justin Elliott (92)
Kris Moore (90)
Bryce Gervais (92)
Salmon Arm’s Home record vs. Vernon:
2-0-0-1
Salmon Arm’s Road record vs. Vernon:
1-1-0-0
Salmon Arms Powerplay vs. Vernon:
4-27
Salmon Arm’s scoring leaders vs. Vernon:
Morgan Zulinick (2-4-6)
Devin Muller (2-3-5)
Brendan Kennedy (1-4-5)
Sean Flanagan (3-2-5)
Kody Dhaliwal (1-4-5)
Shane Hanna (1-3-4)
Bennett Hambrook (1-1-2)
Jeff Kennedy (1-1-2)
Brett Knowles (1-1-2)
Alex Gillies (2-0-2)
Mak Barden (0-1-1)
Bradley Robinson (0-1-1)
Myles McCauley (0-1-1)
Garrett Hendrickson (0-1-1)
Kurt Williams (3-2 Record)
Key’s and Notes to tonight’s game:
-Salmon Arm has the BCHL's 11th best powerplay
-The Silverbacks have the league's 13th best penalty kill
Here's a look at both teams rosters:
Vernon Vipers:
http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/stats_1team.cfm?leagueID=2393&clientID=1413&teamid=224096
Salmon Arm Silverbacks:
http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/stats_1team.cfm?leagueID=2393&clientID=1413&teamid=224097
Silverbacks Accept Viper Gifts:
This is posted on the Vipers website:
Silverbacks accept Viper gifts
by Don Klepp | Added 2011-12-30
The Salmon Arm Silverbacks recovered from a pair of two-goal deficits in the first period to down the error-prone Vernon Vipers 7-4 on Thursday in Salmon Arm.
The Kennedy twins, Brendan and Jeff, led the charge for the Silverbacks, scoring once each and playing a physical game against a Viper team who played well for the first half of each of the first and third periods but who were lacklustre for the other 40 minutes.
After dominating the opening several shifts, Vernon took a 2-0 lead on goals by Ben Gamache and Mike Zalewski. At 2.37, Gamache popped in a rebound after shots by Dylan Walchuk and Jedd Soleway had goalie Kurt Williams scrambling.
Zalewski’s power play marker at 7:00 followed consistent Viper pressure. However, Bennett Hambrook’s innocent point shot eluded Kirby Halcrow 27 seconds later and the Silverbacks had some life.
A second Viper power play goal, Darren Nowick’s neat deflection of Brett Corkey’s slap pass at 10:07, restored the two-goal lead, but the ‘Backs answered with Brendan Kennedy’s long point shot at 12:24. Then, the Viper defence lost its bearings.
A series of Viper giveaways and missed defensive assignments left Kody Dhaliwal alone for an easy goal at 16:06 and the teams were knotted at 3-3.
The ‘Backs continued to press in the second period and the Vipers continued to play loose defence. The net result was a three-goal Silverback outburst in the middle frame.
Morgan Zulinick, Brett Knowles, and Alex Gillies made the Vipers rue their mistakes. Jeff Kennedy had a chance to add a fourth goal when he was awarded a dubious penalty shot by referee Mike Boisvert, but Kennedy lost control of the puck as he approached Halcrow.
Kennedy atoned for that miscue by scoring the lone Salmon Arm goal of the third period. It was the only shot to beat Danny Todosychuk, who played well after replacing Kirby Halcrow at the start of the period.
Adam Tambellini had brought the score to 6-4 at 2:32 of the third, but it was the only time the Vipers were able to beat Kurt Williams on 14 third-period shots, despite several close calls around the Salmon Arm net.
Vernon opened the season with two wins against Salmon Arm, but the Silverbacks have now defeated the Vipers in three straight games, including two 3-2 overtime decisions on November 25 and 26.
The teams resume their rivalry Friday night in Vernon.
Silverbacks accept Viper gifts
by Don Klepp | Added 2011-12-30
The Salmon Arm Silverbacks recovered from a pair of two-goal deficits in the first period to down the error-prone Vernon Vipers 7-4 on Thursday in Salmon Arm.
The Kennedy twins, Brendan and Jeff, led the charge for the Silverbacks, scoring once each and playing a physical game against a Viper team who played well for the first half of each of the first and third periods but who were lacklustre for the other 40 minutes.
After dominating the opening several shifts, Vernon took a 2-0 lead on goals by Ben Gamache and Mike Zalewski. At 2.37, Gamache popped in a rebound after shots by Dylan Walchuk and Jedd Soleway had goalie Kurt Williams scrambling.
Zalewski’s power play marker at 7:00 followed consistent Viper pressure. However, Bennett Hambrook’s innocent point shot eluded Kirby Halcrow 27 seconds later and the Silverbacks had some life.
A second Viper power play goal, Darren Nowick’s neat deflection of Brett Corkey’s slap pass at 10:07, restored the two-goal lead, but the ‘Backs answered with Brendan Kennedy’s long point shot at 12:24. Then, the Viper defence lost its bearings.
A series of Viper giveaways and missed defensive assignments left Kody Dhaliwal alone for an easy goal at 16:06 and the teams were knotted at 3-3.
The ‘Backs continued to press in the second period and the Vipers continued to play loose defence. The net result was a three-goal Silverback outburst in the middle frame.
Morgan Zulinick, Brett Knowles, and Alex Gillies made the Vipers rue their mistakes. Jeff Kennedy had a chance to add a fourth goal when he was awarded a dubious penalty shot by referee Mike Boisvert, but Kennedy lost control of the puck as he approached Halcrow.
Kennedy atoned for that miscue by scoring the lone Salmon Arm goal of the third period. It was the only shot to beat Danny Todosychuk, who played well after replacing Kirby Halcrow at the start of the period.
Adam Tambellini had brought the score to 6-4 at 2:32 of the third, but it was the only time the Vipers were able to beat Kurt Williams on 14 third-period shots, despite several close calls around the Salmon Arm net.
Vernon opened the season with two wins against Salmon Arm, but the Silverbacks have now defeated the Vipers in three straight games, including two 3-2 overtime decisions on November 25 and 26.
The teams resume their rivalry Friday night in Vernon.
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Salmon Arm 7 Vernon 4
I was at tonight's BCHL game as Salmon Arm defeated Vernon 7-4 in front of 1,425 fans at the Sunwave Centre.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon: Kirby Halcrow
Salmon Arm: Kurt Williams
1st Period: The Vipers got off to a quick start just 2:37 into the opening period, some nice puck movement down low opened up some ice for Dylan Walchuk who walked in from the circle taking a shot that was deflected in front by Ben Gamache giving Vernon a early 1-0 lead. Walchuk and Jedd Soleway collected the assists. The Vipers started with lots of jump and were the better of the two teams early. Brendan Persley was then stopped at the side of the goal after Kurt Williams made a nice save in close. Persley had two good scoring opportunities in the 1st period. The Silverbacks would get the games first powerplay just after the Vipers goal, with just one shot on the man advantage the Vipers would kill off the minor. The Vipers who carried the better of the play early would get their first powerplay just seconds after Salmon Arm's powerplay. Aaron Hadley went hard to the net, a Silverbacks d-man and Kurt Williams both tried shoving Hadley out of the crease before Williams landed ontop of Hadley in the meantime Mike Zalewski carried the puck from the corner and ripped his shot upstairs past Kurt Williams at 7:00 giving Vernon a 2-0 lead. Adam Tambellini and Aaron Hadley picked up the helpers. Im not sure what Williams and the Salmon Arm d-man were doing but both players got involved with Hadley as Zalewski beat Williams who was caught out of position. The Salmon Arm bench was upset after the goal (Im guessing they wanted goaltender interference) as Colin O'Hara tried talking with the referee after the goal. The goal stood as the Vipers were out to a quick 2-0 lead. Off the next faceoff the Backs won the draw former Vipers defenceman, Bennett Hambrook carried the play over the Vipers blueline and then took a harmless looking shot that somehow beat Kirby Halcrow just twenty seven seconds after the Vipers goal. Morgan Zulinick and Garrett Hendrickson picked up the assists. This was a goal that Halcrow would like to have back. Vernon would head right back to the powerplay and again capitalize. With some good puck movement the Vipers worked the puck around before Brett Corkey found Darren Nowick at the side of the net who beat Williams at 10:07 giving the Vipers a 3-1 lead. Corkey and Mike Zalewski picked up the helpers. Vernon who looked very good in the first half of the 1st was outshooting Salmon Arm 7-2 at this point. Then the wheels fell off and it was basically all Silverbacks for the remainder of the hockey game. Just over two minutes later Jedd Soleway turned over the puck in his own end, the Vipers couldnt clear the zone and were caught chasing the puck before Brendan Kennedy's point shot went through a crowd in front beat Halcrow at 12:24 cutting the Vipers lead to within a goal. Shane Hana and Kody Dhaliwal picked up the assists. Salmon Arm slowly started to take over the play and was the better team in the second half of the period. Just four minutes later Kirby Halcrow had a chance to freeze the play but shovelled the puck into the corner keeping the play alive the Backs with some nice passing setup Kody Dhaliwal who had Kirby Halcrow down and out hit the empty net at 16:06 tying the game. Devin Muller and Brett Knowles collected the assists. Just shortly after Marc Hetnik with a turnover in his own end gave former Penticton Vees forward Myles McCauley a breakaway but Kirby Halcrow made his biggest save of the night coming up with a huge glove save keeping this game tied. The Vipers who got off to a quick start blew a two goal lead as the Silverbacks come back with a hard fought second half tying the game. Vernon with several turnovers in their own end as well as several defensive mistakes had them tied heading into the 2nd. Vernon outshot Salmon Arm 9-7.
2nd Period: The Silverbacks got out to a quick start to the the middle frame grabbing their first lead of the night after Morgan Zulinick's goal just 1:40 into the 2nd. Myles McCauley and Garrett Hendrickson with the helpers. Vernon would then get into penalty trouble early. Salmon Arm with an early powerplay moved the puck around well setting up Myles McCauley at the side of the net, McCauley somehow missed the open net on a great scoring chance. A good powerplay by the Silverbacks but the Vipers would kill off the minor. Just seconds after killing off the penalty Vernon would head right back to the penalty box giving the Backs a two man advantage. Myles McCauley with another chance with the powerplay couldnt beat Halcrow who made a nice blocker save from in close. Just seconds into the two man advantage Brett Knowles beat Halcrow at 6:50 giving the Silverbacks a 5-3 lead, Sean Flanagan & Morgan Zulinick with the assists. The Vipers would kill off the remainder of the second powerplay. Shortly after Shane Hana's point shot hit Geoff Crisfield as the puck went off Crisfield's skate just about beat Kirby Halcrow who had to be sharp to make a tough save off a strange play. It took the Vipers almost eight minutes to record their first shot on goal and just seconds later Jedd Soleway in front had a great chance but couldnt beat Williams from in close on the Vipers best opportunity of the period. Just past the midway mark Jeff Kennedy was awarded a penalty shot on a very poor call after Brett Corkey made a solid defensive play stopping a Backs player from going in for the parcial breakaway. Kennedy wouldnt even hit the net missing on a chance to give Salmon Arm a three goal lead. Vernon who didnt look good at all this period would get a late powerplay but a strong penalty kill by Salmon Arm would kill off the minor. Just seconds after killing off the penalty Vernon Product, Alex Gillies put the Backs up by three at 18:38, Gillies goal was unassisted. Salmon Arm with a 6-3 lead after 40 minutes of play. It was all Silverbacks as Salmon Arm carried the better of the play for most of the 2nd period. The Silverbacks outshot the Vipers 13-5.
3rd Period: The Vipers started the 3rd with Danny Todosychuk between the pipes after Kirby Halcrow gave up six goals on twenty Salmon Arm shots after two periods of play. The Silverbacks with a three on two in the opening minute couldnt beat Todosychuk after a scramble in front of the Vipers crease. The Vipers who come out to start the 3rd fired up would get off to a quick start after Adam Tambellini beat Williams at 2:33 cutting the Salmon Arm lead to two goals, Colton Sparrow and Marc Hetnik picked up the helpers. The Vipers who were really skating moving the puck well come close to making this a one goal game after Aaron Hadley with some hard work down low beat Kurt Williams but hit the far post. Geoff Crisfield's point shot missed the net but come right back out front as the puck somehow got through Kurt Williams legs before laying in the crease as the Silverbacks were able to clear the crease and excape on a lucky bounce. Vernon who had some chances early looked good for the first six or seven minutes before the Silverbacks took advantage of some poor defence and several Viper turnovers. Salmon Arm with atleast three or four odd man rushes in the 3rd had some good chances. Myles McCauley and Morgan Zulinick with a two on one couldnt beat Todosychuk. Graham McBain carried the puck in over the Vipers blueline before ripped a quick low shot that Danny Todosychuk had to make a real nice toe-pad save keeping this a two goal game. Sean Robertson had to hustle back to break up a parcial breakaway as both Robertson and the Silverback player went crashing into the net. Jason Williamson shortened his bench to start the 3rd going down to three lines. Vernon who was running out of time down by two just couldnt really generate much offence in the second half of the period. Salmon Arm with another odd man rush just missed the net before getting the puck back and getting off a quick shot from in close as the puck took a funny bounce just missing the far corner. Late in the period before the Vipers could even think about maybe getting Danny Todosychuk to the bench for the extra attacker Jeff Kennedy put the Backs up 7-4 at 17:39, Brendan Kennedy with the lone assist. On the next play Kody Dhaliwal with a nice move in close couldnt beat Todosychuk on a great scoring chance. In the end Salmon Arm would defeat Vernon for the third straight game winning 7-4. The Vipers who got off to a good start, had some chances early couldnt mount a third period comeback. Vernon outshot Salmon Arm 14-11.
Top Players: (Vernon)
Sean Robertson I thought played a very steady game on the Vipers backend. Robertson a veteran 20 yr old d-man has looked good since coming over in a trade with the Victoria Grizzlies.
The line of Adam Tambellini (1 goal & 1 assist), Brendan Persley and Colton Sparrow (1 assist) was the Vipers best line tonight. This line generated most of Vernon's offence as well as offensive chances.
Riley Hunt who sat out most of the 3rd played with alot of hustle and jump in the first two periods.
Ryan Renz played one of his better games of the season. Played with alot of confidence, jumped up into the play on several occasions. Played steady most of the game.
Game Thoughts: (Vernon)
The Vipers who are now 2-3 against Salmon Arm this season got off to a quick start, Vernon looked very good in the opening period jumping out to 2-0 and 3-1 leads before the wheels fell off. I thought the Vipers were the better team in the first half of the 1st period as well as in the 3rd but otherwise didnt look very good. Kirby Halcrow who hasnt been the same goaltender Viper fans have witnessed the last two seasons struggled again tonight. Gave up atleast two soft goals and I thought should have been given the hook well before the start of the 3rd period. Whats wrong with Danny Todosychuk? The Vernon product has played in just eight games so far this season with a pretty good 4-1 record. I think starting tomorrow night I would give Todosychuk the start and see what he can, maybe let Halcrow sit on the bench for a few games. Halcrow who was again giving out some pretty rebounds, just dosnt have much confidence this season. The Vipers defence was also not very good this evening and your not going to win many hockey games with giving up the puck, way too many turnovers tonight, two wich cost the Vipers a goal. At times the Vipers looked to be standing around. The line of Dylan Walchuk, Ben Gamache and Jedd Soleway was -4 were on the ice for four Salmon Arm goals. A pretty disapointing loss, the Vipers need to start winning hockey games if they want to make the playoffs as well as beating teams that are below them in standings. With the loss the Vipers are now just five points up on the Silverbacks and have just four wins in their last fifteen games and have lost eight straight away from home.
Top Players: (Salmon Arm)
Brendan Kennedy (1 goal & 1 assist) I thought played very well on the Silverbacks blueline.
James Friedel was the Backs best d-man tonight. Played a very strong game on the Salmon Arm backend.
Morgan Zulinick (1 goal & 2 assists) Was very good for the Backs, was all over the ice tonight and very good with and without the puck.
Kody Dhaliwal (1 goal & 1 assist) This kid is very good and fun to watch. Really seems to read the play well, had several chances tonight.
Brett Knowles (1 goal & 1 assist) Played another strong games vs Vernon. Knowles a BCHL veteran always seems to play and do well vs the Vipers.
Myles McCauley (1 assist) I thought was very strong up front for Salmon Arm. Had lots of scoring opportunities, was stopped by Kirby Halcrow on a 1st period breakaway. Had several chances with the man advantage too.
Devin Muller (1 assist) Played a strong game for the Silverbacks.
Game Thoughts: (Salmon Arm)
The Silverbacks who were seven points back of the Vipers before tonights contest come up with a huge victory on home ice. Salmon Arm fell behind early 2-0 and 3-1 but didnt quit, battled back to tie the game before scoring five straight goals to come away with the 7-4 victory. The Backs played very well and looked very good for most of the game, easily the better team tonight. Salmon Arm who really moved the puck well, had several odd man rushes and capitalized on several Vernon turnovers-giveaways. A rematch tomorrow night in Vernon, a win by the Backs and they will be just three points back of the 5th place Vipers.
Scratches:
Vernon:
Max Mowat (Injured)
Patrick McGillis (Injured)
Luke Juha (Injured)
John Knisley (Injured)
Salmon Arm:
Matt Brown
Joel Kipp
Brad Robinson
Silverbacks energy player of the game: Graham McBain
3 Stars:
1st Star: Brendan Kennedy (1 goal & 1 assist)
2nd Star: Morgan Zulinick (1 goal & 2 assists)
3rd Star: Jeff Kennedy (1 goal)
For more on tonight's game please visit the boxscore,
http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=977762&link=bchl
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon: Kirby Halcrow
Salmon Arm: Kurt Williams
1st Period: The Vipers got off to a quick start just 2:37 into the opening period, some nice puck movement down low opened up some ice for Dylan Walchuk who walked in from the circle taking a shot that was deflected in front by Ben Gamache giving Vernon a early 1-0 lead. Walchuk and Jedd Soleway collected the assists. The Vipers started with lots of jump and were the better of the two teams early. Brendan Persley was then stopped at the side of the goal after Kurt Williams made a nice save in close. Persley had two good scoring opportunities in the 1st period. The Silverbacks would get the games first powerplay just after the Vipers goal, with just one shot on the man advantage the Vipers would kill off the minor. The Vipers who carried the better of the play early would get their first powerplay just seconds after Salmon Arm's powerplay. Aaron Hadley went hard to the net, a Silverbacks d-man and Kurt Williams both tried shoving Hadley out of the crease before Williams landed ontop of Hadley in the meantime Mike Zalewski carried the puck from the corner and ripped his shot upstairs past Kurt Williams at 7:00 giving Vernon a 2-0 lead. Adam Tambellini and Aaron Hadley picked up the helpers. Im not sure what Williams and the Salmon Arm d-man were doing but both players got involved with Hadley as Zalewski beat Williams who was caught out of position. The Salmon Arm bench was upset after the goal (Im guessing they wanted goaltender interference) as Colin O'Hara tried talking with the referee after the goal. The goal stood as the Vipers were out to a quick 2-0 lead. Off the next faceoff the Backs won the draw former Vipers defenceman, Bennett Hambrook carried the play over the Vipers blueline and then took a harmless looking shot that somehow beat Kirby Halcrow just twenty seven seconds after the Vipers goal. Morgan Zulinick and Garrett Hendrickson picked up the assists. This was a goal that Halcrow would like to have back. Vernon would head right back to the powerplay and again capitalize. With some good puck movement the Vipers worked the puck around before Brett Corkey found Darren Nowick at the side of the net who beat Williams at 10:07 giving the Vipers a 3-1 lead. Corkey and Mike Zalewski picked up the helpers. Vernon who looked very good in the first half of the 1st was outshooting Salmon Arm 7-2 at this point. Then the wheels fell off and it was basically all Silverbacks for the remainder of the hockey game. Just over two minutes later Jedd Soleway turned over the puck in his own end, the Vipers couldnt clear the zone and were caught chasing the puck before Brendan Kennedy's point shot went through a crowd in front beat Halcrow at 12:24 cutting the Vipers lead to within a goal. Shane Hana and Kody Dhaliwal picked up the assists. Salmon Arm slowly started to take over the play and was the better team in the second half of the period. Just four minutes later Kirby Halcrow had a chance to freeze the play but shovelled the puck into the corner keeping the play alive the Backs with some nice passing setup Kody Dhaliwal who had Kirby Halcrow down and out hit the empty net at 16:06 tying the game. Devin Muller and Brett Knowles collected the assists. Just shortly after Marc Hetnik with a turnover in his own end gave former Penticton Vees forward Myles McCauley a breakaway but Kirby Halcrow made his biggest save of the night coming up with a huge glove save keeping this game tied. The Vipers who got off to a quick start blew a two goal lead as the Silverbacks come back with a hard fought second half tying the game. Vernon with several turnovers in their own end as well as several defensive mistakes had them tied heading into the 2nd. Vernon outshot Salmon Arm 9-7.
2nd Period: The Silverbacks got out to a quick start to the the middle frame grabbing their first lead of the night after Morgan Zulinick's goal just 1:40 into the 2nd. Myles McCauley and Garrett Hendrickson with the helpers. Vernon would then get into penalty trouble early. Salmon Arm with an early powerplay moved the puck around well setting up Myles McCauley at the side of the net, McCauley somehow missed the open net on a great scoring chance. A good powerplay by the Silverbacks but the Vipers would kill off the minor. Just seconds after killing off the penalty Vernon would head right back to the penalty box giving the Backs a two man advantage. Myles McCauley with another chance with the powerplay couldnt beat Halcrow who made a nice blocker save from in close. Just seconds into the two man advantage Brett Knowles beat Halcrow at 6:50 giving the Silverbacks a 5-3 lead, Sean Flanagan & Morgan Zulinick with the assists. The Vipers would kill off the remainder of the second powerplay. Shortly after Shane Hana's point shot hit Geoff Crisfield as the puck went off Crisfield's skate just about beat Kirby Halcrow who had to be sharp to make a tough save off a strange play. It took the Vipers almost eight minutes to record their first shot on goal and just seconds later Jedd Soleway in front had a great chance but couldnt beat Williams from in close on the Vipers best opportunity of the period. Just past the midway mark Jeff Kennedy was awarded a penalty shot on a very poor call after Brett Corkey made a solid defensive play stopping a Backs player from going in for the parcial breakaway. Kennedy wouldnt even hit the net missing on a chance to give Salmon Arm a three goal lead. Vernon who didnt look good at all this period would get a late powerplay but a strong penalty kill by Salmon Arm would kill off the minor. Just seconds after killing off the penalty Vernon Product, Alex Gillies put the Backs up by three at 18:38, Gillies goal was unassisted. Salmon Arm with a 6-3 lead after 40 minutes of play. It was all Silverbacks as Salmon Arm carried the better of the play for most of the 2nd period. The Silverbacks outshot the Vipers 13-5.
3rd Period: The Vipers started the 3rd with Danny Todosychuk between the pipes after Kirby Halcrow gave up six goals on twenty Salmon Arm shots after two periods of play. The Silverbacks with a three on two in the opening minute couldnt beat Todosychuk after a scramble in front of the Vipers crease. The Vipers who come out to start the 3rd fired up would get off to a quick start after Adam Tambellini beat Williams at 2:33 cutting the Salmon Arm lead to two goals, Colton Sparrow and Marc Hetnik picked up the helpers. The Vipers who were really skating moving the puck well come close to making this a one goal game after Aaron Hadley with some hard work down low beat Kurt Williams but hit the far post. Geoff Crisfield's point shot missed the net but come right back out front as the puck somehow got through Kurt Williams legs before laying in the crease as the Silverbacks were able to clear the crease and excape on a lucky bounce. Vernon who had some chances early looked good for the first six or seven minutes before the Silverbacks took advantage of some poor defence and several Viper turnovers. Salmon Arm with atleast three or four odd man rushes in the 3rd had some good chances. Myles McCauley and Morgan Zulinick with a two on one couldnt beat Todosychuk. Graham McBain carried the puck in over the Vipers blueline before ripped a quick low shot that Danny Todosychuk had to make a real nice toe-pad save keeping this a two goal game. Sean Robertson had to hustle back to break up a parcial breakaway as both Robertson and the Silverback player went crashing into the net. Jason Williamson shortened his bench to start the 3rd going down to three lines. Vernon who was running out of time down by two just couldnt really generate much offence in the second half of the period. Salmon Arm with another odd man rush just missed the net before getting the puck back and getting off a quick shot from in close as the puck took a funny bounce just missing the far corner. Late in the period before the Vipers could even think about maybe getting Danny Todosychuk to the bench for the extra attacker Jeff Kennedy put the Backs up 7-4 at 17:39, Brendan Kennedy with the lone assist. On the next play Kody Dhaliwal with a nice move in close couldnt beat Todosychuk on a great scoring chance. In the end Salmon Arm would defeat Vernon for the third straight game winning 7-4. The Vipers who got off to a good start, had some chances early couldnt mount a third period comeback. Vernon outshot Salmon Arm 14-11.
Top Players: (Vernon)
Sean Robertson I thought played a very steady game on the Vipers backend. Robertson a veteran 20 yr old d-man has looked good since coming over in a trade with the Victoria Grizzlies.
The line of Adam Tambellini (1 goal & 1 assist), Brendan Persley and Colton Sparrow (1 assist) was the Vipers best line tonight. This line generated most of Vernon's offence as well as offensive chances.
Riley Hunt who sat out most of the 3rd played with alot of hustle and jump in the first two periods.
Ryan Renz played one of his better games of the season. Played with alot of confidence, jumped up into the play on several occasions. Played steady most of the game.
Game Thoughts: (Vernon)
The Vipers who are now 2-3 against Salmon Arm this season got off to a quick start, Vernon looked very good in the opening period jumping out to 2-0 and 3-1 leads before the wheels fell off. I thought the Vipers were the better team in the first half of the 1st period as well as in the 3rd but otherwise didnt look very good. Kirby Halcrow who hasnt been the same goaltender Viper fans have witnessed the last two seasons struggled again tonight. Gave up atleast two soft goals and I thought should have been given the hook well before the start of the 3rd period. Whats wrong with Danny Todosychuk? The Vernon product has played in just eight games so far this season with a pretty good 4-1 record. I think starting tomorrow night I would give Todosychuk the start and see what he can, maybe let Halcrow sit on the bench for a few games. Halcrow who was again giving out some pretty rebounds, just dosnt have much confidence this season. The Vipers defence was also not very good this evening and your not going to win many hockey games with giving up the puck, way too many turnovers tonight, two wich cost the Vipers a goal. At times the Vipers looked to be standing around. The line of Dylan Walchuk, Ben Gamache and Jedd Soleway was -4 were on the ice for four Salmon Arm goals. A pretty disapointing loss, the Vipers need to start winning hockey games if they want to make the playoffs as well as beating teams that are below them in standings. With the loss the Vipers are now just five points up on the Silverbacks and have just four wins in their last fifteen games and have lost eight straight away from home.
Top Players: (Salmon Arm)
Brendan Kennedy (1 goal & 1 assist) I thought played very well on the Silverbacks blueline.
James Friedel was the Backs best d-man tonight. Played a very strong game on the Salmon Arm backend.
Morgan Zulinick (1 goal & 2 assists) Was very good for the Backs, was all over the ice tonight and very good with and without the puck.
Kody Dhaliwal (1 goal & 1 assist) This kid is very good and fun to watch. Really seems to read the play well, had several chances tonight.
Brett Knowles (1 goal & 1 assist) Played another strong games vs Vernon. Knowles a BCHL veteran always seems to play and do well vs the Vipers.
Myles McCauley (1 assist) I thought was very strong up front for Salmon Arm. Had lots of scoring opportunities, was stopped by Kirby Halcrow on a 1st period breakaway. Had several chances with the man advantage too.
Devin Muller (1 assist) Played a strong game for the Silverbacks.
Game Thoughts: (Salmon Arm)
The Silverbacks who were seven points back of the Vipers before tonights contest come up with a huge victory on home ice. Salmon Arm fell behind early 2-0 and 3-1 but didnt quit, battled back to tie the game before scoring five straight goals to come away with the 7-4 victory. The Backs played very well and looked very good for most of the game, easily the better team tonight. Salmon Arm who really moved the puck well, had several odd man rushes and capitalized on several Vernon turnovers-giveaways. A rematch tomorrow night in Vernon, a win by the Backs and they will be just three points back of the 5th place Vipers.
Scratches:
Vernon:
Max Mowat (Injured)
Patrick McGillis (Injured)
Luke Juha (Injured)
John Knisley (Injured)
Salmon Arm:
Matt Brown
Joel Kipp
Brad Robinson
Silverbacks energy player of the game: Graham McBain
3 Stars:
1st Star: Brendan Kennedy (1 goal & 1 assist)
2nd Star: Morgan Zulinick (1 goal & 2 assists)
3rd Star: Jeff Kennedy (1 goal)
For more on tonight's game please visit the boxscore,
http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=977762&link=bchl
Former Vernon Laker Metropolit Goes Pointless As Canada Is Eliminated At Spengler Cup:
For more on todays game visit the boxscore,
http://www.hockeycanada.ca/index.php/ci_id/75138/la_id/1/game_id/177104/season_id/177056/ss_id/173157/
(Game Preview) Vernon @ Salmon Arm:
Tonight is the fifth of eight regular season meetings between these two teams.
Let's take a look at the regular season schedule between these two hockey clubs,
Friday, September 23rd Salmon Arm @ Vernon (Vipers win 5-1)
http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=977656
Saturday, September 24th Vernon @ Salmon Arm (Vipers win 5-4 in overtime)
http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=977746
Friday, November 25th Salmon Arm @ Vernon (Silverbacks win 3-2 in Overtime)
http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=977666&link=bchl
Saturday, November 26th Vernon @ Salmon Arm
http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=977758&link=bchl
Thursday, December 29th Vernon @ Salmon Arm
Friday, December 30th Salmon Arm @ Vernon
Friday, March 9th Salmon Arm @ Vernon
Saturday, March 10th Vernon @ Salmon Arm
Last Game Played:
Sunday, December 18th Vernon defeated Chilliwack 6-3
Sunday, December 18th Powell River defeated Salmon Arm 4-3 (Overtime)
Next Game:
Friday, December 30th Salmon Arm @ Vernon
Since the 2002-03 regular season Vernon is 37-24-3-6 vs. Salmon Arm
Since the 2002-03 regular season Vernon has outscored Salmon Arm 245-234
Since the 2003-04 regular season Vernon is 14-12-0-3 at home vs. Salmon Arm
Since the 2003-04 regular season Vernon is 17-9-2-4 in Salmon Arm
Vernon is 5-4-0-1 in its last 10 regular season visits at the Sunwave Centre
Vernon is 2-5-0-3 in its last 10 regular season games vs. Salmon Arm
The Vipers last regular season win vs Salmon Arm at the Wesbild Centre was a 5-1 victory on Friday, September 23rd 2011
The Vipers last regular season win at the Sunwave Centre was a 5-4 overtime victory on Saturday, September 24th 2011
The Vipers went 1-5-0-1 vs Salmon Arm last season
The Vernon Lakers changed their name to the Vernon Vipers to start the 1995-96 season. Here’s a look at the Vipers all-time regular season record
Games Played: 984
Wins: 629
Losses: 255
Ties: 16
Overtime Losses: 86
For more stats & former Vernon Junior Hockey Team rosters & lineups please visit Paul’s Vernon Junior Hockey History website,
http://members.shaw.ca/vernonfranchise/index.html
Tonight is the first game of a home and home series between these one time great rivals. The Vipers are riding a two game winning streak and wins in three out of their last four games. Vernon has lost two straight games vs Salmon Arm and seven straight away from home. The Vipers who are two points back for the 4th and final playoff spot of PG are five points back of the 3rd place Chilliwack Chiefs. Vipers captain Patrick McGillis may return to the lineup.
Lets take a look at the Vernon Vipers:
Games Played: 31
Wins: 16
Losses: 12
Ties: 1
Overtime Losses: 2
Home Record: 10-3-1-1
Road Record: 6-9-0-1
Goals For: 109
Goals Against: 94
Streak: Two game winning streak
Standings: 5th Place
Vernon Vipers Returning Players:
Dylan Walchuk (92)
Brett Corkey (92)
Aaron Hadley (93)
John Knisley (92)
Patrick McGillis (91)
Max Mowat (93)
Darren Nowick (91)
Ryan Renz (93)
Colton Sparrow (93)
Michael Zalewski (92)
Kirby Halcrow (91)
Vernon Vipers Departing & traded players from last years team:
Marcus Basara (93)
David Robinson (90)
Bryce Kakoske (90)
Malcolm Lyles (90)
Trevor Fitzgerald (92)
Adam Thompson (90)
Steven Weinstein (90)
Kyle Murphy (90)
Dane Muench (92)
Philip Patenaude (91)
Zach McPhee (93)
Blake Voth (91)
Vernon’s Home record vs. Salmon Arm:
1-0-0-1
Vernon’s Road record vs. Salmon Arm:
1-0-0-1
Vernon’s Powerplay vs. Salmon Arm:
6-18
Vernon’s scoring leaders vs. Salmon Arm:
Darren Nowick (4-3-7)
Michael Zalewski (3-3-6)
Marcus Basara (0-3-3)
John Knisley (1-2-3)
Brett Corkey (0-3-3)
Marc Hetnik (0-2-2)
Adam Tambellini (2-0-2)
Aaron Hadley (1-1-2)
Patrick McGillis (1-0-1)
Colton Sparrow (1-0-1)
Patrick McGillis (0-1-1)
Geoff Crisfield (0-1-1)
Jedd Soleway (1-0-1)
Kirby Halcrow (2-2 Record)
Key’s and Notes to tonight’s game:
-Vernon has the leagues 3rd best powerplay
-The Vipers have the BCHL's 9th best penalty kill
-Danny Todosychuk (4-1 Record, 2.41 GAA) is in the top ten goaltenders
For more on tonight's game and the Salmon Arm Silverbacks, please visit Scott Campbells Salmon Arm Silverbacks blog, http://silverbacksmack.blogspot.com/
The Silverbacks are seven points back of the 5th place Vernon Vipers. The Backs are riding a two game losing streak and have just one win in their last five games.
Lets take a look at the Salmon Arm Silverbacks:
Games Played: 33
Wins: 11
Losses: 16
Ties: 0
Overtime Losses: 6
Home Record: 5-8-0-5
Road Record: 6-8-0-1
Goals For: 101
Goals Against: 126
Streak: Two game losing streak
Standings: 5th Place
Salmon Arm Silverbacks Returning Players:
James Friedel (91)
Brett Knowles (91)
Devin Muller (92)
Morgan Zulinick (94)
Kurt Williams (91)
Salmon Arm Silverbacks Departing & traded players from last years team:
Mike Hammond (90)
David Killip (91)
Brad Reid (90)
Devin Gannon (91)
Jarryd Ten Vaanholt (91)
Clinton Atkinson (91)
Josh Manson (91)
Cody Michelle (92)
Jayson Reardon (90)
Charlie Vasaturo (90)
Brandon Mistal (92)
Paul De Jersey (92)
Kevin Mills (90)
Josh McKissock (92)
Dustin Cave (94)
Justin Elliott (92)
Kris Moore (90)
Bryce Gervais (92)
Salmon Arm’s Home record vs. Vernon:
1-0-0-1
Salmon Arm’s Road record vs. Vernon:
1-1-0-0
Salmon Arms Powerplay vs. Vernon:
3-23
Salmon Arm’s scoring leaders vs. Vernon:
Devin Muller (2-2-4)
Morgan Zulinick (1-2-3)
Brendan Kennedy (0-3-3)
Sean Flanagan (3-0-3)
Kody Dhaliwal (0-3-3)
Shane Hanna (1-2-3)
Bennett Hambrook (0-1-1)
Jeff Kennedy (0-1-1)
Mak Barden (0-1-1)
Alex Gillies (1-0-1)
Bradley Robinson (0-1-1)
Kurt Williams (2-2 Record)
Key’s and Notes to tonight’s game:
-Salmon Arm has the BCHL's 11th best powerplay
-The Silverbacks have the league's 13th best penalty kill
Here's a look at both teams rosters:
Vernon Vipers:
http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/stats_1team.cfm?leagueID=2393&clientID=1413&teamid=224096
Salmon Arm Silverbacks:
http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/stats_1team.cfm?leagueID=2393&clientID=1413&teamid=224097
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Former Vernon Laker Metropolit Goes Pointless In Canada's 8-1 Loss At Spengler Cup:
For more on todays game visit the boxscore,
http://www.hockeycanada.ca/index.php/ci_id/75138/la_id/1/game_id/177098/season_id/177056/ss_id/173157/
Short Loving Louisiana Lifestyle:
Short loving Louisiana lifestyle
Published: December 28, 2011 1:00 AM
Graeme Corbett
Morning Star Staff
A fraction lower and Robbie Short’s pro hockey career would likely be over.
Four games into his second season in the Southern Professional Hockey League, the former Vernon Viper took a skate in the face in an accidental collision with Louisiana Ice Gators teammate Clark Byczynski during an Oct. 28 game against the Augusta Riverhawks. The resulting gash bisected his eyebrow and eyelid, requiring 52 stitches.
“He (Byczynski) tried to make a move to his right... and he took a knee-on-knee and his leg spun around... and came right up and cut me across the eye,” said Short, 22. “When I closed my eyelid I could see out my eyebrow. It was as close as I could get it to my eyeball.”
Worried that his parents, John and Susan, might be watching the game back home in Lavington, Short called to assure them he would be OK.
“I called them right after. I figured they’d be watching and I was bleeding on the ice, a lot. I myself didn’t know how bad it was until I got to hospital.
“It healed up pretty good. I actually got lucky I did it in Augusta, Georgia because they’ve got a really good facial plastic surgery unit there. It was five minutes away from the rink and they got me in and got me a good plastic surgeon. They sewed it up and it’s all straight, but I’ve got a huge scar across my eye. I’m getting a lot uglier down there.”
Despite his brush with danger, Short missed just two games, returning two weeks later, albeit wearing a full face shield.
Near-blinding experience aside, Short is loving his time in the south, on and off the ice. On it, the athletic 6-foot, 200-pounder has nine goals, eight assists and 18 penalty minutes in 17 games with the Lafayette-based Gators, who are in fourth place at 10-7-2 in the nine-team SPHL loop.
“It’s been up and down because we probably have the youngest team. We could be really good, it’s just kind of a learning curve for the rookies,” said Short. “It’s (SPHL) been a lot stronger this year. There are some teams dropping out of the Central and East Coast that are joining this league.
“It’s pretty much the style of the B.C. Hockey League. It is mostly a Canadian league. There are a few Swedish kids, but most have played in the BCHL or AJHL, so it’s kind of the same style.”
Among his teammates are August Aiken, a former Salmon Arm SilverBack, and David Simoes, who won the 2005 RBC Cup with Kyle Turris and the Burnaby Express.
“They used to call Vernon the evil empire,” grinned Short, unaware of the Vipers’ dubious nickname among the rest of the BCHL. “We got a good chuckle out of that.”
Short was called up to the Central Hockey League’s Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees (coached by ex-NHLer Terry Ruskowski) of Hidalgo, Tex. on Dec. 21. He registered five shots and was a minus-1 in a 6-1 loss to Allen Americans, also of Texas and was plus-1 with two shots in a 7-3 loss to the Americans Dec. 23.
Guiding the Ice Gators is former NHLer Kevin (Killer) Kaminski, a scrappy centreman who posted 13 points and 528 penalty minutes in 139 career NHL games.
“He’s pretty intense, but he’s a real good coach. He knows what he’s talking about,” said Short.
Kaminski sees potential in Short for a pro career and is helping him round out his game.
“He’s a great kid on and off the ice. He’s a quiet leader with a great work ethic,” said Kaminski, who was happy to see him get called up.
And just like he did with the Vipers, Short is still making his trademark bursts up the wing and torching goalies with his quick release.
“When he hits the blueline, I’m trying to teach him to see what his options are coming in late,” said Kaminski. “Whether it’s the guy driving up centre or going wide, or even the defencemen coming in on the play.”
Away from the ice, Short pretty much lives the college campus life as the Ice Gators have taken up residence at University of Louisiana-Lafayette.
“We’re done practice at 11 a.m. and we’ve got the rest of the day to do what we want,” said Short, who has been to a few tailgate parties for college football games.
“I get to travel around and see different places and just keep playing. Obviously I’d like to move up, but it’s the experience that I’m after.”
He added Louisiana’s college gridiron teams – LSU Tigers and Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns – aren’t helping hockey’s exposure in the south. Louisiana-Lafayette recently rallied to upend San Diego State 32-30 in the New Orleans Bowl, and LSU is preparing to battle Alabama in the BCS National Championship Game, Jan. 9 at the Superdome.
“People are pretty crazy about football right now and not really thinking about hockey,” said Short. “It’s hit and miss with the football season. Obviously, this year is worse because you’ve got LSU playing in the BCS championship game in New Orleans.
“But it’s not too bad here. They had the East Coast team here for a lot of years and they did real well. They were packing their rink, which was about 12,000 (fans).”
Short came to Lafayette in February last season after he was dealt from the SPHL Pensacola Ice Flyers. He started that year in the CHL’s Texas Brahmas.
“Moving from Vernon to Dallas is quite the culture shock. Coming down south, it’s such a different world down here. To see the history and culture down here is a lot of fun.”
Since then, he has settled in and has even tried some of the local delicacies – gumbo, crawfish and even alligator.
“The gator is really good. It tastes just like chicken,” laughed Short. “They cook it any way they can. They cook anything any way they can down here. Mostly barbecued or roasted though.”
Ferner Finds Big Hockey Test In Everett:
Ferner finds big hockey test in Everett
Published: December 28, 2011 1:00 AM
Graeme Corbett
Morning Star Staff
His star defenceman has missed most of the season with a high-ankle sprain. His franchise scoring leader asked to be traded to a contender last month. And the Everett Silvertips are dead last.
In spite of it all, Mark Ferner is thrilled to be back as a head coach in the Western Hockey League.
The Silvertips limped into the Christmas break at 6-21-1-5, unfamiliar territory for a coach who amassed a sparkling 165-51-7-14 record (.741 win percentage) and two national Junior A titles in four seasons behind the bench of the BCHL Vernon Vipers.
“It’s a tremendous challenge. I knew what I was getting myself into,” said Ferner, 46, who is working with Silvertips’ general manager Doug Soetaert, owner Bill Yuill and the coaching staff to reestablish a winning culture.
Everett’s rebuild might be a few years away from completion, but just like he did in Vernon, Ferner demands his players’ best effort, at practice and in game situations.
“I don’t think anything changes – the expectation is to win every time. It has to be, and the players have to know that. You don’t win without developing, and you don’t develop without winning. The two go hand in hand,” said Ferner.
“We’re still searching for our identity, but our cupboards are full with good, young prospects.
“As far as the frustration’s concerned, our group has been good about it. We’ve made that commitment that we are going to be young and we’re going to lick our wounds.”
Ferner spent three years as an associate coach, and one as head coach, of the Kamloops Blazers (2002-06), so he is familiar with the Bantam draft process and how it differs from BCHL recruiting.
“You’ve got your 50-man (protected player) list and you have to look after it. You really have to manage your list well and you have to have it in the right age groups.”
Ferner, who played 15 years of pro, including 91 NHL games (with Buffalo, Washington, Anaheim and Detroit), is impressed by the top-end talent in the WHL, but noted there are BCHLers that would hold their own in the league.
“That’s the difference from the Western league to Junior A...you look at a team like Portland (Winterhawks) and they can throw five first-rounders on the powerplay,” he said.
The Silvertips gave their fans (and themselves) something to cheer about heading into the holidays when they snapped a 10-game winless streak by grounding the Spokane Chiefs 6-2 in their final game before Christmas. Down 2-1, the ‘Tips fired five unanswered goals in the last two periods to secure the much-needed win. They further entertained 5,800 raucous fans at Comcast Arena with a four-fight night.
“It was a nice way to end, but at the same time they know they have a lot of work to do,” he said.
Dealing Everett’s all-time leading scorer, Tyler Maxwell (195 points in 216 games), to the Edmonton Oil Kings was a blow, added Ferner, but getting injured franchise defenceman Ryan Murray back in the lineup more than makes up for it. The 18-year-old from White City, Sask. is one of two undrafted players with Team Canada at the World Junior Championships in Edmonton and Calgary, and that’s because he isn’t old enough yet.
“I haven’t had the opportunity to coach a kid like that in Junior hockey,” said Ferner. “A great kid that will have a great future in the NHL. We don’t really expect him to be back next year. He’ll probably be a top-five pick (in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft) for sure.”
Vernon-born Ryan Harrison, a fourth-year forward and first cousin to former Viper captain David Robinson, likes Ferner’s cool demeanour.
“He’s a really good teacher of the game. Even though we’ve been losing, he and our assistant coach (ex-Tip Mitch Love) have improved my defensive play. I know where to be on the ice. They’ve even taught me how to block shots.”
Harrison is trying to play an all-round game and has eight goals and 16 points, and is only a minus two.
“I’ve played with every person on the team,” he laughed. Lately, we’ve started to play some very good hockey.”
He said Ferner has remained mostly positive through all the carnage.
“From time to time he’s lost his cool, and Dave said he had never seen him do that, but for the most part, he’s been cool and calm and he’s still teaching us a lot.”
Vernon’s Zach McPhee is familiar with Ferner’s style, having played with the Vipers last season. In 12 games with Everett, the towering forward has two goals and two assists, and has a plus-3 rating. However, he will be on the shelf for the foreseeable future after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery in early December.
Ferner chose the Silvertip gig partly because of the west coast location, and partly because of his connection with Soetaert and the hockey staff. He rents a place in Everett, but still calls Vernon home. Wife Jody and son Mac, a d-man with the Major Midget Okanagan Rockets, still live in town.
“I don’t have any regrets by any means, other than our record, but we’re going to get there too,” he said. “All I expect is for our kids to work and that has to be non-negotiable.”
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
IceGators Loan Former Viper Short To Killer Bees:
Rob Short's Player Profile:
http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=102383
Wings Loan Former Vernon Viper Dean Strong To AHL:
Dean Strong's Player Profile:
http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=83858
This is posted on the Wings website:
K-WINGS TOP SCORES HEAD TO THE AHL
Forwards Dean Strong and Brandon Svendsen are Loaned to AHL Teams
December 15, 2011 - Mike Modugno
Director of Public Relations and Broadcaster
Kalamazoo, MI- The Kalamazoo Wings, proud member of the ECHL, two-time defending North Division Champions, reigning Eastern Conference Champions and National Hockey League affiliate to the Vancouver Canucks and New Jersey Devils and American Hockey League’s Albany Devils, announce that two members of the team have been loaned to AHL clubs.
Forward Dean Strong has been loaned the Lake Erie Monsters. By heading to Lake Erie, Strong becomes the seventh member of the K-Wings to be either reassigned or loaned to an AHL club.
Strong, who leads the K-Wings in goals scored with 11, started the season in the AHL, playing five games with the Chicago Wolves. In 21 games, Strong has recorded 23 points (11 goals, 12 assists), which ranks second on the team.
Besides the K-Wings second leading scorer, the team’s top offensive producer, Brandon Svendsen has also been loaned to the Binghamton Senators. During the 2009-10 season, Svednsen played in 71 games for the Senators.
In 24 games this season, Svendsen leads the K-Wings with 27 points (10 goals, 11 assists). By heading to Binghamton, Svendsen becomes the eighth member of the K-Wings to be either reassigned or loaned to an AHL club.
The K-Wings will return to Wings Stadium on tomorrow, Friday, December 16th with a 7:30 p.m. face-off versus the Cincinnati Cyclones on a Frugal Fan Friday, featuring $1 Beer, $1 Hot Dogs and $1 Pepsi. Friday night will also be the K-Wings’ annual “Ugliest Holiday” Sweater Contest, where the winner will receive $100. Friday night will also feature the second-ever performance of the Option Energy Dance Team.
Saturday, December 17th the Elmira Jackals will make their lone regular season appearance of the season during the 12th Annual WKFR Teddy Bear Toss Night, as well as a Saturday “Celebrity” Series game featuring Flippenout. When the K-Wings score their first goal, fans are encouraged to throw their stuffed animals onto the ice. The stuffed animals collected will go the Salvation Army and to the K-Wings’ annual visit to the Bronson Children’s Hospital.
Single-game tickets for the upcoming 2011-2012 season are on sale at the Wings Stadium Ticket Office. Ticket Office hours are Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m.-2 p.m. For more information, please call Wings Stadium Ticket Office during regular business hours at (269) 345-5101.
Tickets for all K-Wings home games are $12.90 and $16.90 for adults, $11.90 for seniors (62 years and older) and military (with proper ID) and only $6.90 for kids ages 12 and under. The price for all K-Wings premium night games (all colored ice games and New Year’s Eve game) are just $1 more. Fans can save money by purchasing K-Wings single game tickets in advance because tickets purchased on the day of a game increase by $1.
For more information about Dean Strong and Brandon Svendsen being loaned to AHL clubs, please contact Mike Modugno, director of public relations and broadcaster at (269) 349-9772, extension 220.
http://www.kwings.com/
Monday, December 26, 2011
Former Vernon Laker Metropolit Goes Pointless In Canada's 7-1 Victory At Spengler Cup:
For more on today's game visit the boxscore,
http://www.hockeycanada.ca/index.php/ci_id/75138/la_id/1/game_id/177086/season_id/177056/ss_id/173157/
One On One With Former Vipers Forward Sahir Gill:
Sahir Gill's Player Profile:
http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=119313
This is posted on the Bay State Sports Blog:
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Posted by George Washington
Interview with BU's Sahir Gill
We'd like to thank Sahir for taking the time to sit down with us and answer our questions. A great interview, and a great guy.
What was your favorite NHL team growing up?
SG - Calgary Flames, actually.
Even being from British Columbia?
SG - Yeah, I hate Vancouver. Tough to root for [the Flames], but I always liked them.
What’s it like where you grew up? It’s pretty far north right? We googled it and its right near a grizzly bear park, which we thought was funny.
SG - We’re famous for the Kermode bear, which is a white black bear, like albino black. I mean, Northern B.C. is like 16 hours north of Vancouver so there’s not much to do there besides play hockey on the ponds or lakes.
Big cultural difference from Canada to Boston/USA?
SG - Yeah, especially in Boston. I’m from a town of like 9,000 people so it’s a little different. I’m more of a country kid, and there’s a lot going on here, people are always in a hurry and don’t have as much time.
Favorite moment as a hockey player thus far in your career?
SG - I won two national championships with Vernon, so those two for sure.
Speaking of - what was it like winning back to back RBC cups with Vernon?
SG - That first year we didn’t really expect it, it was a lot different the second year. We kind of rolled through each series in the first year, just kind of wondering what was gonna happen. Eventually we got to the tournament there and won it. Best time of my life there. The second year we had more of a target on our backs, expected to win. Two different teams, a lot of similar players but it was unreal.
Did you have a “Welcome to College Hockey” moment?
SG - Yeah, probably that first Icebreaker tournament we had, not much of a crowd but a big venue. Being out there [in college], it was a lot different, not really as comfortable. In juniors you kind of get more comfortable being in the same spot. Playing against guys like Connolly that are a lot older, you know you play teams like Holy Cross and Merrimack that have a lot of kids that are 25. But yeah probably playing in that first Icebreaker tournament was my welcome to college hockey moment.
Do you give Connolly a hard time for being older?
SG - No, I mean he knows. It’s not that it’s a sensitive subject but you don’t want to rag on him too much. Being the captain he can tell you to shut up pretty quickly.
You spent half a season with the Chicago Steel in the USHL in between time with the Vernon Vipers in the BCHL – can you compare the two leagues/the style of play/talk about your time in both places?
SG - USHL was not different but a lot younger, a lot of younger kids in that league. BCHL was more up and down the ice than the USHL. And travel in the USHL was longer, traveling at least 4 hours for each game. And in the BCHL, unless you’re going out of conference, most of the stuff is pretty close. A lot bigger crowds in the USHL for the most part. But I like the BCHL better.
There are a number of Vernon alums in Hockey East – Braden Pimm (Northeastern), Mike Collins (Merrimack), Kyle Bigos (Merrimack), etc. What’s it like competing against those guys after having been teammates in juniors?
SG - It’s fun, especially with Biggie (Bigos) because everyone sees him as one of the dirtiest players in Hockey East but he’s pretty gentle off the ice. Him and Collins are both hilarious kids and we talk a lot in warm-ups before the games. All those guys are really good players and it’s nice to see a familiar face, especially for me because I’m not from around here.
So no bad blood between any of you guys?
SG - Maybe with Biggie a little bit, he gets a little ruthless out there. He competes hard and anything goes with him on the ice. So you know when he’s out there and you wanna give him a little lick if you can.
So you spent a year with Noonan in Vernon and now you’re in year 2 with him here - How do you feel about 5 years of your life being around him?
SG - He’s my best friend and he’s a riot. Not really off-the-walls but he’s got something to say all the time and he’s usually pretty funny when he does. But he’s a great guy and him and his family have been really good to me as far as taking care of me being out here. I met him when I first got to Vernon and he’s maybe a little quieter there than he is here but he’s a great guy and I’m looking forward to our next few years here.
How did you and Noonan come up with your center ice handshake? When did it start?
SG - We wanted to do the bang-bang dance that Stastny and Duchene do (video here) but last year coach wasn’t too happy down the stretch so we didn’t have the balls to pull that one off. So this year, we stole it off Subban and Price (video here). We’re just trying to get something going and we’ve been lucky to win a few games. It’s fun, we look for each other after a win and try and do it.
It’s funny because we’ve noticed it up in the stands and tried to figure out what it was.
SG - We never really know if people see it. We try and do it right in the middle of the ice but we never really know.
Noonan said Nicastro was the best with the ladies and that Hohmann was the worst. Do you agree? Disagree?
SG - Probably Max as the best, but I’d maybe add Wade Megan as a dark horse, he’s pretty good. He’s got game. I’d probably say Hohmann as the worst as well. With the freshman, you never really know what’s going on with them. But yeah I’ll go with Hohmann, he’s a little off sometimes.
Not to cross any boundaries here, but do you actually have a girlfriend? MacGregor is claiming you do on twitter.
SG - It’s not official. MacGregor’s an idiot, he’s trying to tell anyone he can that I have a girlfriend.
We were kind of confused because he had Noonan and Nieto backing him up.
SG - It was honestly a hectic day that day. Every one was jumping on my back – Boston Hockey blog, all the boys were giving me a hard time. But nothing official.
Have you thought about your future as a hockey player, such as going the free agent route to the NHL?
SG - You see a lot of guys go as free agents so you never know. I think this year is my last draft year so hopefully I’ll go this year but you can’t really jump ahead. Especially this year, we’ve got a really good thing going right now so if the team does well, everybody looks good. Hopefully I can benefit off of that and get a few looks.
I think I saw last year that you talked with a few teams before the draft.
SG - Yeah I had a few talks. It came down to draft day and it was funny, me and Noons were watching the draft together and I was right there when he got the call. So it was pretty cool to see him go.
Favorite off-ice activity/down time activity?
SG - A lot of shows, watch a lot of shows on the computer and TV. Definitely Xbox too, I’m not too good at Call of Duty but NHL I think I’d put my title up with anyone. I know Noons talks a lot of game but we go toe to toe pretty often.
Anything particular for shows?
SG - Yeah, How I Met your Mother is big, and the classics like Seinfeld and Friends.
Anything good on your recently played on your Ipod?
SG - I love Katy Perry, I’m not ashamed of that at all. Noons is all about Lady Gaga but I love Katy Perry. “Teenage Dream” is my favorite song. Just throwing that out there.
If you could play on a line with any other 2 forwards in the history of the game, who would you choose and why?
SG - I’m more of a passer, so maybe [Mario] Lemieux. He seemed to put the puck in the net a fair bit. And maybe [Wayne] Gretzky, hopefully he can get me a few goals. I’m having a little trouble scoring right now.
Do you have any nicknames amongst the team? Who has the best nickname on the team?
SG - For me, it’s pretty simple. Just “Giller” or “Gillsy”. MacGregor has “Truck” going on right now, he’s a big kid. “MacGruber” too, I think I started that one. I’d probably say those two. Ronan’s got “BOD” going on right now – Best Offensive Defenseman – he’s been switching back and forth between offense and defense in practice a lot.
Alright, so we have a few questions from Twitter for you now. Do you have any pre/game post game rituals?
SG - Pregame, just a lot of time in the stands, hanging with the boys mostly. Talking about the game, nothing too serious. Nothing that I have to do. I nap before every game, and play a game of NHL too. Post game, they make us stretch which I don’t really like to do. But that’s it for post game.
Why BU? Why college hockey compared to Canadian major junior? Any other schools in the running?
SG - I came to BU when I was 14 with my midget team. That was the first college campus I’d seen, or whatever you would call it here. So I liked it a lot, always pictured coming here if I could. I wasn’t really intent on coming to college but my 16 year old year I decided I would stay eligible for college and got a few offers there so I decided to can major junior. As far as other schools, BC was one of them. So if anyone is out there reading this, I chose BU over BC. Northeastern a little as well, and a couple schools out west too like North Dakota.
Were you tempted to stay on the west coast at all?
SG - I wasn’t really concerned with location, I didn’t really care about that. Nothings really too close to home for me. I just liked BU, knew they had a good program here, seemed to be a good place to go.
Who’s the team clown?
SG - Escobedo for sure. Noons for our class for sure. But Scoobs, there’s always something going on with him.
Does he ever mess with Coach Parker or is that off limits?
SG - Yeah you’ve got the New York – Boston thing going on there. Scoobs will throw on the accent and start rapping in Coach’s face or something. He’s always pretty funny. Especially in baseball season they are always going at it. Coach is pretty smart with the chirps too, he comes back pretty good. It’s fun to watch.
Who’s the best trash talker or chirper on the team? Best chirp you’ve heard at BU?
SG - Escobedo’s pretty funny, he’s got a lot to say a lot of the time. As far as chirps, nothing really stands out right now. Megan’s pretty funny in the game sometimes. If he gets mad at someone, he’ll get pretty loud. He was on [Tommy] Cross (from BC) last time, because Cross was saying he wanted to go home (since they were up 6-1) or something. So Cross was sitting on the bench for a long time and Megs was like “You gonna go out there? Gonna see any time?” And he kept pointing at his wrist out on the ice and Cross was looking at him like “What are you talking about?” He had no idea. I thought it was pretty funny.
This is another one we asked Noonan - who thinks he has swag but actually doesn’t? He said Millan.
SG - I could see Millan. He thinks he’s the best guy in the world sometimes. He’s from Edmonton, those Alberta kids over there – you guys wouldn’t know it – but they think they’re great. I think Rodrigues has a pretty terrible style too. He’s always wearing Hollister and stuff, he’s stuck in middle school.
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