20 games, hours of sweat, hundreds of meals and miles. It all came down to Black vs Grey.
Sunday's much anticipated late-game was one worth waiting for as both teams came out with the quick, physical tempo that should be expected from a group of players looking to make an impression.
It didn't take long for someone to tickle the twine, either; Taylor Jordan opened the scoring for Team Black just :50 into the 1st period with a wrister; top shelf, off the tape of Josh Ellis.
Fans didn't have to wait for long after that for the next piece of Spring Camp entertainment as Team Grey's Brett Leidl dropped the gloves with Salmon Arm native T.J Christensen.
- A forward by trade, T.J Christensen didn't look out of place playing D on Sunday
Leidl landed the opening blow but it was the bigger Christensen with the eventual take-down in a great bout. As proclaimed by Christensen in the penalty box "Good fight, eh?" yes, yes it was.
The pace of the period continued to favour Team Black as they found themselves on two consecutive power-plays within minutes but were thwarted by a strong penalty kill.
Team Grey goaltender Aaron Brandoli was key in killing off a third consecutive penalty as Black pressed for what could have been a very important marker.
While the Black sweaters finished with four opportunities with the extra man in the 1st, it remained only a 1-0 Team Black lead after twenty minutes of play.
2nd frame
Team Black opened the period with a 5on3 but didn't double the score until skaters were even. It was Taylor Jordan with the face-off win to allow Josh Ellis to snap home a quick shot for a 2-0 lead.
Kyle Star had a great chance to make it 3-0 Team Black on a breakaway but was stifled by Spencer Huff in goal.
- That's not Kyle Star but that is Spencer Huff with the save
A few minutes of back and forth before the iron began ringing at the Shaw. Team Grey's Felix Larouche hit the cross-bar before Team Black's Chad Butcher put one off the post on the following rush up ice.
The push from Team Grey came late and Team Black's Brett Huber was needed to make a couple of dandy saves including one on Jordan Boultbee that looked like a sure thing.
Team Grey finally solved the puzzle and made it a 2-1 game with less than five minutes to go in the 2nd period as Colton Mccarthy followed up on a rebound with a nice wrap-around.
-Brett Leidl shows off his physical presence along the boards
3rd round
It was a hot start to the 3rd for a trailing Team Grey, who, all of a sudden, weren't trailing anymore. Jordan Boultbee scored only :07 into the frame to make it 2-2 and swing momentum to the side of his squad.
Team Grey then built on the goal with a PP marker off the stick of defender Jordan Burns, taking a 3-2 lead mid-way through the frame.
Once down, Team Black began to use its speed to once again create scoring chances and were able to tie the contest thanks a very busy Chad Butcher.
Butcher who took the penalty that allowed the Burns go-ahead-goal, had his own goal dis-allowed before scoring again less than a minute later on a goal that would count, tying the game at 3-3.
- One of many effective fore-checks for Team Black
Even with a late flurry of activity it was off to OT to settle the Top Prospects game of Spring Camp.
Patrick O'Neil had the best chance for Team Grey as he beat two defenders and fired a shot off the shoulder of Dustin Nikkel.
It wasn't long after that before the game of the weekend was decided, T.J Christensen drove the net and created a loose puck for Taylor Jordan who jammed home the OT winner for Team Black, capping off a great weekend at the Shaw Centre.
The Silverbacks would like to thank all players, parents, coaches, fans and volunteers who came out this weekend to enjoy some grade 'A' hockey.
