Aside from a sluggish first period the Grizzlies oozed confidence and really took it to the Silverbacks in the last two periods. Credit to Rob Doyle and Len Barrie Senior, who where behind the black and gold bench tonight. Mike Collins would make his debut tonight. Two points doesn't propel the Grizzlies up into first place,but, it does allow them to keep pace with the top 4 teams.
1st Period: The Silverbacks get the nod in the first period, as they came out of the gate flying. The Grizzlies had some issue's keep up in the first 15 minutes and would be punished when ex Langley Chief, Kody Dhaliwal netted a goal from dangermen Knowles and Muller. Salmon Arm, wouldn't allow the Grizzlies to catch there breath, when recent pick up from the Vees, Myles MacCauley would catch Rockafellow flatfooted, to make it 2-0 unassisted. Despite that 2-0 early lead, Rockafellow, would settle down a bit and make a couple of nice saves in the first to keep the Backs from doing anymore damage. Gonzales and De Jong looked good at the back when together and the Victoria defence had their hands full with Muller, Knowles and the high energy 17 year old Morgan Zulinick.
The Grizzlies first line of the three M's (trademark by Mike Mellings) ,Myron, Murphy and Moran would start to get going. In the last minute of the first Murphy would get the Grizzlies on the board after some hard work from Moran and Pernerowski
2nd Period: The team talk must have worked a treat and the Grizzlies forwards, the top two lines especially, would show the Silverbacks little mercy when they stepped it up a gear. In the first minute, Wes Myron would fire a laser of a shot passed the helpless S'backs goalie Kurt Williams to tie it up at two a piece. The top line would really take flight and had Salmon Arm chasing them for the rest of the 2nd. Moran and Pernerowski, would again become the helpers as Wes Myron who skated hard and positioned himself superbly tonight, would grab his 2nd and the Grizzlies 3rd to make it a 3-2 lead. Murphy, would add his 2nd of the night and at times was skating rings around the S'backs defence. His goal would come from a rush up ice and Murph would score from some nice work via Myron and Gonzales.
Rockafellow, would stand firm pulling off a few nice gloves saves. It would be 4-2 Grizzlies at the end of the 2nd.
3rd Period: Saw special teams seal the deal tonight as the Silverbacks started to get into some penalty trouble. On the five minute mark, the nicest of the three powerplay goals came courtesy of newcomer Myles Powell; who after a beauty of a pass from Jarryd Ten Vaanholt, would make it 5-2 after a perfectly placed shot would beat Williams. Ten Vaanholt, although not on the topline tonight was as impressive as he has been since his arrival on the Westshore and formed a nice 2nd line tonight along with Kaiser and Powell/Holland at times. Ten Vaanholt, would score a nice backhanded goal on the PP from Bilious and Robertson, putting the contest to rest at a 6-2 scoreline. To pad the lead a little in the last minute, Ursic would score his first of the season as a Grizzlie, after a slight deflection from a S'backs defender to finish the scoring at 7-2 Grizzlies. Rockafellow, would stand on his head in the 3rd with some stellar goaltending.
* Player Quotes of the Game* - Mike Mellings chatting with two of the players after the game
Garrett Rockafellow - "My start was a little shaky, I hadn't played in a while but once I settled down I started making the saves I should make" "It's tough getting in a rhythm as a backup but Tucker has stood on his head the last few games. As long as he's playing well it means we're winning and that's all I could ask for."
Wade Murphy - "Mike Moran was good tonight, a big power forward who can get the puck to me and Wes, it was good tonight". " Wes and I played together growing up, we have really good chemistry and think the same way on the ice"
Game Thoughts Victoria: The Grizzlies got back to wining ways and with Myron, Murphy, Moran and Ten Vaanholt keeping there dominating season form going, has to give this team confidence.
Rockafellow, looked good tonight and made some tough saves. Pernerowski, has continued his good form as of late and always chip in with a few points. Lawson was gritty and his usually hard working self tonight.
Game Thoughts Salmon Arm: Looked lively and outplayed the Grizzlies in the first period. Muller, Knowles and young 17 yr old Zulinick looked like one of the better toplines we've seen at Bear Mtn this year. However, the S'backs couldn't keep up with the potent Victoria attack and where well beaten in the end. With a team that has seen so many comings and goings, Salmon Arm maybe hard pressed to make the playoffs in the Interior this year.
Attendance: 985 Shots on Goal: Victoria 38 and Salmon Arm 26 (Inside joke for Silverbacks fans, there was no fudging of the shots on goal tally tonight) Powerplays: Victoria 3 for 2 (nice) and Salmon Arm 0 for 2
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