The Silverbacks (22-24-1-3) will visit the Coquitlam Express (14-32-3-1) tonight (Wednesday) at 7pm.
Salmon Arm has officially clinched a playoff spot but lost 5-1 at home to the Penticton Vees this past Saturday, February 3rd which ended the Silverbacks win streak at seven games.
The visitors opened the scoring at 2:38 of the first period, but just 25 seconds later Rhett Kingston’s 22nd of the season tied game 1-1 at 3:13. Trey Thomas was called for holding at 6:27 and the Vees had the first power-play. Sol Seibel then took back-to-back penalties, for hooking at 11:45 and for cross-checking 14:21. The Silverbacks finished the period with their first man-advantage at 15:58.
Penticton lead 10-6 on the shot clock in the opening period.
Seibel began the second with his third consecutive penalty, for tripping at 8:13. And the Vees went ahead 2-1 on the power-play at 9:26. Just 14 seconds later, Penticton lead 3-1 at 9:40. And the Vees went up 4-1 at 10:28, scoring three goals in 62 seconds. Thomas was penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct at 18:15. Penticton then potted it’s second power-play goal of the game and lead 5-1 at 18:56. Tanner Campbell finished the second with a high-sticking penalty at 19:30.
The Vees lead 18-9 on the shot clock in the second and 28-15 overall.
Former Silverback Marcus Mitchell returned to the Shaw Centre on Friday and took Penticton’s first penalty of the third, for slashing at 3:20. Max Wutzke was called for cross-checking at 8:22. The Vees then gave the Silverbacks three straight power-plays at 9:18, 13:46 and at 18:08 after Kingston was sent crashing into Vees goalie Adam Scheel. Scheel had to be helped off of the ice and was relieved by Nolan Hildebrand. Demetri Kambeitz then dropped the gloves with the Vees Kenny Johnson at 18:46, Johnson was also called for high-sticking.
The Silverbacks outshot Penticton 12-11 in the third but 39-27 Vees total. Reid Cooper made 34 saves and took the loss in goal.
Salmon Arm finished 0-for-6 on the power-play and 5-for-7 on the PK on Saturday.
Austin Chorney remained out of action with an illness and former Vee Joe Leahy sat out again with injury.
The Express have lost their last two games, including 5-4 at the Trail Smoke Eaters (30-14-1-4) on Saturday. The Silverbacks won 5-3 at home over Coquitlam on Friday, September 29th.
Home game tickets are $14, (Srs $12, Under 12 – $7). A $25 family pack includes includes 2 Adults and 2 Children’s tickets, along with 4 complimentary Silverbacks hats.
Silverbacks season tickets for the 2018-2019 season are available now at the Backs Box office which is open Monday thru Friday 9-4 PM.
Each game is webcast PPV at hockeytv.com Road games are broadcast via voiceoftheshuswap.caCKVS 93.7 FM and Home games are available, audio only at mixlr.com/salmon-arm-silverbacks
