Last weekend saw the opening of the BCHL Playoffs, and, your Crusaders’ first-round series against the Salmon Arm Silverbacks. It was a stellar start to the postseason for your Crusaders, picking up a pair of back-to-back wins in the Silverbacks home arena. Get your full recap of this weekend’s action!
Game 1: Crusaders @ Silverbacks
Your Crusaders were in tough last Friday night as the Silverbacks and their faithful packed their building. “The atmosphere in the building was electric and something our team has been preparing for all season long,” said Jude Bray. The 2008-born d-man for the Crusaders tallied his first-ever playoff goal/point the following night.
Salmon Arm used the energy from the crowd and came out on fire in the first. James Venne stood tall early but the Silverbacks were able to sneak one by to take a 1-0 lead. Later in the first period, Masun Fleece was able to tie it up with an assist from your newest Crusader, Bode Sampair. Sampair has provided the Crusaders with some versatility throughout the lineup. A skilled, smart player capable of playing on any line.
After a tight-checking first period, more of the same continued into the second period. Your Crusaders were able to break through early with the best line in the BCHL stepping up. Poul Andersen got his first of the playoffs to give the Crusaders a 2-1 lead less than a minute into the 2nd. With time and ice hard to come by, the game was back and forth for a good chunk of the period.
With around 7 minutes left in the second period, your Crusaders were given a nasty blow to their chances. Heart & soul Assistant Captain, Tait Ross, got tied up near the boards in a collision and went down hard. After a lengthy delay, the BCHL made the decision to stop the 2nd period and move the remaining time left in the 2nd to the final frame. With roughly 7 minutes being carried over to finish the 2nd period after a flood.
A lot of teams, without blame, would have struggled to come out and put their best foot forward after watching their Assistant Captain struggle with a tough injury. Not your Crusaders though. “We knew in our room that we would come out and play our best hockey for Tait. We were going to win that game because we knew that’s what Tait wanted from us.” – Kale Dach.
After the flood, the teams had 7 minutes left in the second period. Both teams trying to gather their muster for a 27-minute sprint for the win. From then on, the Silverbacks pressed with everything had. Your Crusaders continued to fight including goaltender James Venne, who saved his best performances for the playoffs. Venne was rock solid all night including some huge saves in the 3rd. The Silverbacks tied it up with 15 minutes left to play in the game. With chances at both ends, no one was able to break the deadlock.
There is nothing better than playoff overtime and that’s what we got in game 1. Only a few minutes into OT and Silverbacks made the mistake of putting the Cru on the PP. By far and away the best PP in the league, the Crusaders had a great opportunity to jump out to an early 1-0 series lead. That’s exactly what they did. Just like the coach wrote it up. Off a face-off in Silverbacks zone, Loranger snapped the draw back to Banks. Banks dragged his defender to open up some space and the boys went to work. Tic, Tac, Snipe. Loranger with his first of the playoffs, blew a one-timer past the Silverbacks netminder. 3-2 Crusaders WIN!!
A huge shoutout to the Salmon Arm fans, players, and coaches as the injury to Tait Ross was felt throughout the building. Support from everyone at that game reminds you how great the hockey community is.
Game 2: Crusaders @ Silverbacks
Tait Ross suffered a broken femur during game 1. Although a massive blow to the team, most importantly Tait was taken by medical professionals to the hospital where he had successful surgery and is already on his healing journey. Life has weird ways of reminding you what’s important and we’re all thankful that Tait will be alright. A long recovery journey ahead but knowing Tait, he will recover and he’ll be stronger than ever. This is the hockey way.
Getting a split on the road is the goal but when you get the first game, you want more.
Game 2 was going to be a challenge. Without Ross who plays 20+ minutes/game and would willingly put his face in front of the puck to stop a goal, the Crusaders needed to dig deep. It was another rowdy crowd and an extremely motivated Silverbacks team.
As expected, the Silverbacks came out like a man on fire. Venne, again, dug deep and stood tall to keep it close early. Salmon Arm was able to poke one past Venne 5 minutes into the first to give them a 1-0 lead. Still pushing, Venne ate everything that came his way leaving no second chances around the crease for the Silverbacks to pounce on. As the Crusaders started to catch their footing, another penalty against the Silverbacks. It’s almost expected at this point… the PP did their thing. Banks was able to snap his first home on a nice play from Andersen and Loranger. Tied again at 1’s. It would stay this way until a few minutes into the 2nd period when Kale Dach made it 2-1 Crusaders on another PP. Late in the 2nd period, 2008-born Jude Bray got his first ever BCHL playoff goal assisted by – who else? – Dach & Loranger.
Holding a 3-1 lead heading into the 3rd period and the potential to take a 2-0 series lead home to Sherwood Park, the third period turned out to be James Venne’s for the taking. Venne shut the door, with multiple five-star saves, including a penalty shot in the 3rd. One snuck past late but it wasn’t enough and the Crusaders left game 2 with a 3-2 victory.
Look for the Crusaders to build momentum after their 2-0 road trip and look to take a stranglehold on the series Tuesday night at the Randy Rosen arena. This will likely be the hardest game most of these young men have played in their hockey careers to date. I would expect your Crusaders to step up to the challenge.
Come Pack #thePARK and help cheer on your Crusaders!
