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
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