Sports
A20 Sunday, August 25, 2013 - The Morning Star
Editor: KEvin MitchEll
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Vipers bow to ‘Backs in exhibition Morning Star Staff
Evan Anderson pocketed a pair of goals as the host Salmon Arm SilverBacks bounced the Vernon Vipers 5-1 in B.C. Hockey League exhibition play Friday night at the Shaw Centre. The ‘Backs, who fell 2-1 to the host Merritt Centennials a night earlier, scored in the opening minute. Vernon’s Craig Martin replied for the Snakes shortly after on a onetimer from the slot, assisted by fellow Kootenay product Dallas Calvin. “Marty (Martin) was terrific,” said Vipers’ head coach Jason Williamson, who dressed only a handful of veterans for the game. “He skated well and had several good scoring chances.” Williamson went with a young goalie tandem, with Gunnar Neilson and Harrison Whitlock sharing crease duties. Incumbents Austin Smith and Danny Todosychuk both sat out with minor injuries, and were also likely to miss Saturday night’s rematch at Kal Tire Place. Scoring for the SilverBacks were Evan Anderson, with a pair, Thomas Plese, Jeff Kennedy and Josh Bowes. Aside from some soft goals, Williamson was pleased with Vernon’s defensive game as the
Vipers outshot Salmon Arm 28-20. “There’s some things that we’ll have to shore up, but overall the effort was there,” he said. Williamson made two more cuts following Friday’s game – forwards Matt Hill and Kai Cathers – leaving him with 17 forwards, nine dee and four goalies. The Vipers will meet the Prince George Spruce Kings for a Wednesday-nighter in 100 Mile House, and will conclude the preseason with a home-and-home series with the West Kelowna Warriors starting Friday (7 p.m.) in Vernon. After one full year at the helm of the SilverBacks, head coach/GM Troy Mick has a much better understanding of what his team can do. “We have a lot better idea of what are roster is and where we’re coming from,” said Mick, who has had two stints as head coach with the Vipers. “We were always OK with our size, but this year we’re faster and more skilled. Last year, we had to grind out wins. “The culture has officially changed in Salmon Arm.” Vernon minor hockey products Harlan Orr, Alex Gillies, Alex Jewell and Colton Thibault are all with the SilverBacks.
James murray/Black Press
The Vernon Vipers’ Mike Iovanna (right) clears a loose puck while TJ Dumonceaux attempts to clear the Salmon Arm SilverBacks’ Colton Thibault from netminder Gunnar Neilson’s doorstep in B.C. Hockey League exhibition play Friday night at the Shaw Centre.
Sunterra Sistas swerve over Centreline to cap season The Sunterra Custom Home Sistas signed off on a stellar North Okanagan Women’s Soccer Association Division 2 season with a 9-2 win over Centerline Attack Thursday night at Marshall Field #4. Playing in their new light-weight jerseys from Okanagan T-Shirt Co., the Sistas had several players return from injury, while Jen Currie rejoined the team after playing at the recent World Masters Games in Torino, Italy. Deanna Baker and Nicole Williamsn each collected a hat trick, with assists by Kim Sylvester (2), Cassandra Otto, Tania Wirachowsky, Baker and Becky Birbilis. Wirachowsky had a pair of beautiful goals, one started with some fancy footwork by Otto. Amy Fitchett set up Birbilis for the other Sunterra strike. Steady goaltending by Suzyn August, and lots of hustle and solid passing from Sarah Ehman, Carmen Kinniburgh and Amanda Gaythorpe contributed to the win. Emily Sapsford and Shyla Ladd handled the Centreline attack, while keepers Kris Ponto and Azra Cawley anchored the defence.
Centreline thanked coach Greg for his commitment all season. Meanwhile, both Okanagan (Zone 5) entries in men’s soccer were shooting for a bronze medal Saturday at the 26th B.C. Senior Games in Kamloops. The 60s went up against North Island, and the 55+ crew took on Vancouver Columbus in the medal round at gorgeous McArthur Island Sports Park. The unbeaten 60s just missed making the gold-medal match after grounding Richmond 4-0 Friday morning and shutting down South Central (Kamloops) 3-0 Thursday afternoon. Denis Chabot, with the winner, Boris Pasieka, with a top-shelf toe poke with just minutes remaining, and Dave Duncan, with the winner, were Vernon products finding the net for the Okanagan against Richmond. Dwight Folk of Kelowna had the other Okanagan goal in support of Tim Brent (Penticton). Chabot was the Royal Canadian Legion Man of the Match. Folk, Tim Penaluna of Vernon and Kurt Schadels of Creston supplied goals as the 60s stuffed South Kamloops.
ATTENTION SENIORS HERE’S A GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY
Central defender Rob Parkin, of Vernon, was the Zone 5’s Black Press Man of the Match. Chabot and Dave Hampton (Vernon) were stellar in the midfield. There were six teams in the field. Okanagan held on for a 2-1 win over North Island in their Wednesday opener. The 55+ squad finished at 2-1-1 after brushing off North Island 3-0 and clipping Columbus 1-0 in Friday action. Striker Matt McGraw (Kelowna) buried a low 20-yard shot after a sweet feed by defender Andy Miller (Kelowna) as Okanagan stopped Columbus early Friday morning. Keeper Chris Burkitt (Kelowna) was rock-solid earning the clean sheet. McGraw, on a penalty kick, Joe Jamison (Kelowna) and Peter Toth (Penticton) with a 25-yard corker, top cheese, provided the Okanagan goals versus North Island in front of Burkitt. Midfielder Mahmoud Abdel-Kader and defenders Ted Sheehan and Kevin Mitchell, all of Vernon, had firm showings. There were 3,800 athletes from 13 zones at the Games, open to anyone aged 55 and older. There were 25 sports offered, from hockey and golf to archery and swimming.
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Morning Star Staff