Two tough road losses for Salmon Arm have lead to a much needed weekend at home. Losing 5-0 last Saturday night to the Prince George Spruce Kings, the score would be repeated in Merritt Wednesday night.
Salmon Arm has played and defeated the Alberni Valley Bulldogs once this season already. In Game 2 of their BCHL showcase, the Silverbacks held off an early onslaught of shots to come out as 4-1 victors. Logan Shaw and Jonathan Krahn both scored their first BCHL goals against the Bulldogs, and playing in his second game, Devin Chapman secured his first BCHL victory.
Alberni was having difficulties scoring at that time, finding the back of the net just three time in the span of four games. They have picked it up as of late though, scoring 13 goals in the last four games, though they were held to just one goal on Saturday in a 2-1 loss against Victoria. That defeat ended a two game winning streak for the Bulldogs.
Despite having the fewest goals scored in the BCHL, the Bulldogs are right in the middle of the Island Division sitting third with 11 points. They are nine points behind the Grizzlies who lead the Island and five points up on the league low Cowichan Valley Capitals.
At home, only Merritt in the Interior has more points than the Silverbacks, but Salmon Arm has the best points percentage based on games played. In the Shaw Centre, Salmon Arm is 4-1-1 outscoring opponents 20-15.
Players to Watch:
Silverbacks: The offence as a whole needs to step up tonight. The Prince George Spruce Kings are a stingy team who doesn’t allow many opportunities, but the Merritt Centennials had allowed 56 goals (2nd most in the BCHL) heading into Wednesday’s tilt. Salmon Arm had back to back five-on-threes, but were unable to score.
Bulldogs: In 11 games this season, Austin Spiridakis has one goal to his game. That came in the form of a shorthanded breakaway against the Silverbacks at the BCHL Showcase. The young forward committed to Quinnipiac has great speed at his disposable and showed off his nice hands on his lone goal.
TUNE IN
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