The Vees took game one of the Interior Division Semi-Final last night with a 4-2 win over the Salmon Arm Silverbacks and will look to hold serve on home-ice with a victory in game two.
Louie Nanne, John Siemer, Travis Blanleil and James de Haas scored for the Vees who had leads of 2-0 and 4-0 after the first and second period respectively. Nanne, Siemer and de Haas all scored their first goals against Salmon Arm this season while Blanleil picked up his second. The Vees got scoring from everywhere, as they had a goal from their top-line, power-play, checking-line and the blue-line.
The Vees know last night’s victory won’t mean as much if they can’t get the job done in game two, because a Salmon Arm win tonight means home-ice advantage shifts to the Gorillas. Friday’s was the fourth win in five games at the SOEC this season against the ‘Backs for the Vees outscoring Salmon Arm 13-7; the ‘Backs have yet to score more than two goals at the SOEC this season.
Louie Nanne and Sam Mellor are tied for the early lead in Vees playoff scoring, as the two have two points each; Nanne with a goal and an assist. Ten players picked up at least a single point in the win. Chad Katunar’s career playoff record improved to 13-3 with last night’s win and his goals-against average is a stingy 1.75 and his save-percentage checks-in at .937
If Salmon Arm is going to even the series they will need their top-line to contribute. Steven Iacobellis, Alex Gillies and Brandon Mistal were held of the score-sheet last night and between the three of them, they only have one goal against the Vees (1-4-5). Salmon Arm’s best chances Friday seemed to come from the shifty Brayden Sherbinin, a defenseman who has no qualms about leading the rush.
Adam Clark had a rough go in his playoff debut allowing four goals on twelve shots and was lifted after the second period in favour of Angus Redmond. In his relief appearance, Redmond stopped all 10 shots he faced and with that maybe created some talk on who will start game two.
Don’t forget, tonight the Vees will be auctioning off their Save-on-Foods Third jersey in both the first and second intermission. Okanagan Auctions will be at the game to help auction off the jerseys, as partial proceeds go the BC Children’s Hospital.
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