The Silverbacks (19-8-2-1) won their fourth meeting of the season with the Vernon Vipers (14-18-0-2) on Wednesday night in Vernon, and are now 4-and-0 in the first four of seven regular season meetings with the Vipers.
Carson Bolduc opened the scoring in the first period, his ninth of the season at 8:50. Ross Heidt increased the lead to 2-0 with his 20th with under 57 seconds remaining in period one. The ‘Backs outshot the Vipers 19-10 after 20 minutes in Brandon Kelger’s ninth game in goal.
Elijiah Barriga made the score 3-0, 8:54 into the middle frame with his fifth.
The Vipers got onto the board within 63 seconds with Jagger Williamson’s third and unassisted.
Chase Zieky put the Silverbacks ahead 4-1 with his 13th at 13:28 and on the power-play as Vipers captain Colton McCarthy was penalized for goaltender interference.
The Vipers outshot the ‘Backs 13-12 in the second period and the Silverbacks took a 4-1 lead into the final frame.
Vernon cut the lead in half 3:39 into the 3rd as Odeen Tufto scored his 12th, 4-2 ‘Backs.
And Barriga potted the final goal of the game, 5-2 with his second of the night and sixth of the season at 11:42.
The Silverbacks finished 1-for-6 with the man-advantage, including an 85 second 5-on-3. The ‘Backs penalty-kill was 4-for-4.
The ‘Backs will host the Vipers next in 2016, on Friday January 15th at 7p.m.
The Silverbacks are now 10-4-0-0 on the road and 9-4-2-1 at the Shaw Centre. The ‘Backs are 13-2-0-1 in the Interior, 3-5-2-0 versus the Mainland Division and 4-1-0-0 versus the Island Division.
Salmon Arm is still second in the Interior Division standings, with 41 points and 16 back of the first place Vees. The ‘Backs are five points up on the West Kelowna Warriors (17-12-0-2) and have one games in hand. The Vipers sit fourth, six behind the Warriors and 11 points back of the Silverbacks. The Trail Smoke Eaters (13-17-0-0) are in the fifth spot and trail Vernon by four, while the Merritt Centennials (10-20-0-2) sit at the bottom of the Interior but four points behind the Smoke Eaters.
