Recap: Silverbacks win Game Four in OT, series tied 2-2
[Photo Credit: Chris Fowler]
Post-Game: Assistant Coach Matt Vanden Berg
SALMON ARM B.C. – The Penticton Vees and Salmon Arm Silverbacks are all even after four games. The Silverbacks tied the best-of-seven Interior Conference Final 2-2, with their 2-1 overtime win in Game Four, at the Shaw Centre on Wednesday night.
Salmon Arm’s Ryan Gillespie was the overtime hero, as he scored late in the extra frame. Gillespie scored his second of the series with two and a half minutes left in the overtime period.
“It was an opportunity missed. We had our chances tonight, especially in overtime. We had three cracks at our power play, but we had a goose egg. We got to dial that in going forward, because we can’t waste those opportunities,” said Assistant Coach Matthew Vanden Berg post-game.
Penticton had three power plays in regulation, including a four-minute man-advantage in the second, but couldn’t capitalize. Their power play hasn’t scored a goal in the first four games of the series and is 0-14 dating back to Round Two.
“Neither team was giving up whole lot offensively and that’s a testament to how good these two teams are structurally. It has been a game of inches in this series and it’s not going to change now that it’s a best-of-three,” stated Vanden Berg.
Larry Keenan ties it up with 80 seconds remaining to force OT for the Vees!!
@Fraser_Vees #BCHLPlayoffs | @PentictonVees pic.twitter.com/hhW1CGb1S6
— BCHL (@BCHockeyLeague) May 9, 2024
Larry Keenan scored the Vees only goal, that coming with the goalie pulled and with just 80 seconds left in regulation. Keenan’s second of the playoffs at 18:40 forced the extra frame. Booth of Keenan’s playoff goals have come when the Vees have had their goalie pulled
Will Ingemann was excellent in defeat. The rookie goaltender suffered his first loss of the BCHL Playoffs after he stopped 33 shots and was named the thirds star. Prior Wednesday’ game, Ingemann had won all his previous seven starts.
Salmon Arm’s Eli Pulver was sharp too, as he turned aside 39 of 40 shots, including all 15 he faced in overtime. Pulver was the second star Wednesday.
Silverbacks’ captain Nathan Mackie opened the scoring eight minutes into the second period, as he broke the scoreless deadlock. Mackie stole the puck from the Vees’ defenceman in front of the net, then put his backhand past Ingemann’s blocker at 8:06.
The game-winner came inside the final three minutes of the first overtime. During a four-on-four sequence, Gillespie was set up on a cross-ice pass from Marcus Broberg at the back post.
Salmon Arm improved their overtime record to 2-2 in the BCHL Playoffs. The Vees are now 3-2 in the extra frame.
The series is now a best-of-three, with Game Five in Penticton on May 10th, and Game Six back in Salmon Arm on Saturday, May 11th. If necessary, Game Seven is Tuesday, May 14th.
GAME STATS
Shots: 40-35 Vees
Vees Scoring: L. Keenan (2)
Vees Goaltending: Will Ingemann 78:56 33/25 (L)
Power-Plays:
Vees: 0/3
Silverbacks: 0/0
Three Stars:
1) Ryan Gillespie (SA)
2) Eli Pulver (SA)
3) Will Ingemann
Next Game: Game 5: Friday, May 10th, 7:00 pm, South Okanagan Events Centre. Tickets $20 for adults, $18 for seniors, and free for Youth 18 and under, courtesy of Peters Bros. Construction. Tickets available at Valley First box office, or online at www.valleyfirsttix.com.