Smith Backstops Viper Win:

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Smith Backstops Viper Win
 
Saturday, September 15, 2012 - Submitted by Don Klepp

Austin Smith made 20 saves and Adam Tambellini set up a goal in each period as the Vipers beat the home town Salmon Arm Silverbacks 3-0 on Friday.

The Silverbacks displayed some intensity early on but were unable to translate their hard work into scoring chances. They managed just three shots on net in the first period while the Vipers registered 10.

Despite generating 9 scoring chances, the Vipers scored just once on the veteran goalie Colin Dzijacky. At 17:39, Pierce Eviston combined with Adam Tambellini on a rush that started in the Viper end. Eviston lost the puck when checked by a trio of defenders, but regained it in the right faceoff circle and fired a low wrister in the far corner.

One of the highlights of the opening 20 minutes was a spirited scrap between veteran Jeff Kennedy and Viper rookie Michael Statchuk. Kennedy took exception to a hard hit by Statchuk on Carter Lukenda and went after Statchuk. Kennedy drew an instigator penalty and a 10-minute misconduct for his actions.

In the second period, Tambellini set up Aaron Hadley for a power play marker at 1:36. The Vipers’ first two power plays had been disjointed but they zipped the puck around on their third attempt. Hadley, who has been a force early this season, was parked to the right of Dzijacky.

Later in the period, the Silverbacks redoubled their efforts and they generated four scoring chances, mostly through scrambles around the Viper crease. However, Austin Smith was a model of composure.

That trend continued in the third period as the Silverbacks played hard for the 1128 fans in attendance. Once again, however, the Vipers notched the lone goal.  Adam Tambellini won a faceoff back to Geoff Crisfield who ripped a slap shot over Dzijacky’s shoulder.

Pierce Eviston nearly made the score 4-0, but his wicked wrist shot went off the cross bar behind Dzijacky.

The physical play continued right through the game, with the Vipers registering 41 hits to the Silverbacks’ 32. One of those hits, a blow from behind, knocked defenceman Kevin Guiltinan out of the game in the third period. Guiltinan joins Braedan Russell, Marc Hetnik, and Mitch McAllister on the growing Viper injury list.

Viper Bytes

The Viper first line of Adam Tambellini, Aaron Hadley, and Pierce Eviston handled all the game’s scoring.

Jason Trott, a 20-year-old who has played the last two years for the Portland Winterhawks, joined the Silverbacks for the game. Trott was very active and physical in the game.

The two teams resume their rivalry in Vernon on Saturday.