The Silverbacks (18-7-2-1) scored 3 goals in 2 minutes and 40 seconds in the third period last night, but fell 5-3 at home to the Langley Rivermen (18-12-0-0) on Saturday night at the Shaw Centre in Salmon Arm. The ‘Backs will host the Cowichan Valley Capitals (15-11-1-3) this afternoon at 3p.m.
The Rivermen opened the scoring in the opening period, and on the power-play at 13:34 with Marcus Mitchell penalized for roughing. Langley went ahead 2-0 at 14:50 and took that lead into the second period. The Silverbacks outshot the Rivermen 11-9 in the first.
The Rivermen went ahead 4-0 in the middle frame at 5:22 and 7:38 before the ‘Backs used their timeout. The Silverbacks lead 12-8 on the shot clock and 23-17 after 40 minutes.
Ross Heidt was assessed 5 minutes for boarding and a game misconduct just 2:05 into the third period. The home team killed off the major penalty and then scored 3 of the 4 goals in the final frame.
Kodi Schwarz brought the Teddy Bears onto the ice with his third of the season at 13:07. Just 42 seconds after the first goal, Taro Hirose then potted his seventh at 13:49. And Josh Blanchard scored his 10th of the season at 15:47 as the Silverbacks trailed 4-3 with 4:13 remaining. But with starting goalie Angus Redmond on the bench for the extra attacker, the Rivermen went ahead 5-3 into the empty net. The ‘Backs outshot Langley 15-4, and 38-21 overall on the shot clock.
The Silverbacks finished 0-for-3 with the man-advantage and 3-for-4 on the penalty-kill.
The ‘Backs are now 9-3-2-1 on home ice and 3-5-2-0 versus the Mainland Division. The Capitals are 3-3-0-1 versus the Interior Division, and 5-10-1-2 on the road after a 3-1 loss to the Vernon Vipers (14-17-0-0) on Saturday night. Cowichan Valley began it’s Interior Division trip with a 6-4 win on Friday over the West Kelowna Warriors (17-12-0-2).
The Warriors lost 8-6 on the road to the Merritt Centennials (10-20-0-2) on Saturday night, as well as the Penticton Vees (28-2-1-0) tied 4-4 at home with the Alberni Valley Bulldogs (10-16-2-1).
The Silverbacks still sit second in the Interior, while the Capitals are third in the Island Division. The ‘Backs will visit the Capitals on Friday, January 22nd.
Ryan Burton (12-8) and Kade Kehoe (11-19) each lead the Capitals in scoring with 30 points.
The ‘Backs are now 7-3-0-0 on Saturday’s this season and 1-2-1-0 on Sunday’s. The Silverbacks tied 4-4 at home with the Chilliwack Chiefs (19-6-1-3) back on September 20th, lost 4-3 at home to the Prince George Spruce Kings (8-22-0-2) on October 11th, as well as won 5-4 win in the Nicola Valley on October 25th. The lone Sunday game in November ended in a 4-1 loss in Chilliwack.
The Silverbacks will play their third of five games in eight days on Wednesday, December 9th in Vernon at 7p.m.
Each Silverbacks and BCHL game is webcast live, PPV http://bchl.fasthockey.com as well as each ‘Backs road game is broadcast live at CKVS 93.7 FM http://voiceoftheshuswap.ca Each home game is broadcast at http://bit.ly/1s0deO7 Tune into CKVS each Monday night throughout the season beginning at 7p.m. for 30 minutes or more of Silverbacks talk, including interviews and news from around the BCHL.
