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SilverBacks Conclude Pre-Season Saturday

Who: Salmon Arm SilverBacks @ Penticton Vees
When: Saturday, Aug. 31, 6:00 pm
Where: South Okanagan Events Centre, Penticton

Pay-Per-View: none.
Radio: Mixlr

The SilverBacks wind down the 2013 pre-season this evening in Penticton after the two sides skated to a 1-1 saw-off last night at the Shaw Centre. 20 year-old goaltenders Olivier Mantha and Adam Clark combined for 61 saves in an evening that left shooters frustrated but fans entertained.

Tonight, the scene shifts to the SOEC as both sets of coaches get a final look at how their final rosters might shake down ahead of the Bauer BCHL Showcase next weekend in Chilliwack.

The 'Backs again started well last night, and to close out the pre-season on a winning note the same will need to occur this evening. The SilverBacks have opened the scoring in 3 of the first 4 exhibition contests so far this season.

Special teams have also been on point for Salmon Arm early. Typically the power-play and penalty-kill can be two of the last things to click into gear at the start of the season, but the 'Backs have found their groove, especially while a man up. Salmon Arm has scored a power-play goal in every pre-season game so far this season, including Alex Gillies' backhand beauty in last night's first period.

Adam Clark provided the SilverBacks with the type of goaltending performance last night that they will need all season. Not only did the 6'5" puck-stopper make 31 saves, but he let out few rebounds and was quick to cover loose pucks in the blue paint.

Last Meeting: Brett Beauvais' goal early in the second period cancelled out Gillies' first-period marker in last night's 1-1 draw. Tonight marks Salmon Arm's last visit to the SOEC in 2013; an odd scheduling quirk means the 'Backs don't visit Penticton in the regular season until January 18th.

Our Opponent: Fans at last night's game saw that this year's iteration of the Vees will certainly have size, and will be physical too. The back end is especially large, capped by 6'6" blueliner Blake Butzow who joins the Vees from the NAHL's Wenatchee Wild. Goaltender Olivier Mantha committed to Alaska-Anchorage earlier this week, and showed why last night making several breakaway saves (2 alone off the stick of SilverBacks forward Landon Smith). And while the Vees don't have many returning faces among their forward ranks, the likes of captain Brad McClure, Cody DePourcq, Ryan Gropp and Travis Blanleil will certainly be counted on to provide plenty of offense this season.