SALMON ARM, BC- The Silverbacks return home to the Shaw Centre for the first of four home games in a row. They have been on the road for four of their first five games. They are fresh off sweeping their pair of games at the BCHL Showcase in Chilliwack, downing the Coquitlam Express 5-2 and the Nanaimo Clippers 4-1. Tonight they will welcome the Wenatchee Wild to town. The two teams haven’t met since the 2019-20 season due to COVID-19. The Silverbacks have yet to lose in regulation, bringing a 4-0-1 record into tonight’s contest, their only blunder, a 4-3 overtime road loss in Vernon. The powerplay broke out during the Showcase finding the back of the net four times, raising their percentage to 25%, good for 5th in the league. While their powerplay is getting going, the Backs penalty kill continues to stay red hot, killing off 18/19 to begin the season. Their 94.7% on the PK is tops in the BCHL. Captain Daniel Panetta finally got his monkey off his back, recording his first of the season. Goaltender Liam Vanderkooi started his first game since October, 2nd, stopping 20/22 against Coquitlam, earning his first win of the season.
Players to Watch:
Ethan Ullrick- Was one of the Silverback’s best players at the Showcase. He was elevated into a top six role, with a chance to play with two veterans in Brandon Santa Juana and captain Daniel Panetta, and he took advantage right away. He scored his first BCHL goal against the Express and followed it up with two goals against the Clippers. He plays a role on the penalty kill and may play himself on to the powerplay if his strong play continues.
Mathieu Cobetto-Roy- Scored his first two BCHL goals at the Showcase. Both identical one-timer bombs on the powerplay over the glove. Suddenly Cobetto-Roy is a weapon on the powerplay with that lethal shot. Up until the Showcase, he struggled to adjust to the BCHL but seems to be turning the corner with three points in the last two games.
Lucas Matta- His minutes have been elevated with the absence of Kieran Rushcheinski. Matta is in his second season in the Backs’ uniform and is off to a good start offensively, picking up goals in two of the last three games. Look for Matta to continue his strong play and more elevated minutes.
A Look At The Opposition
The Wild are coming into tonight’s game for the first of five games in three different cities. They will leave Salmon Arm, head to Trail tomorrow, and finish their road trip next weekend in Vernon. The Wild have a unique schedule as they are across the Canadian Border. So often, their road trips are longer. They are not set to play in front of home fans until November 11th against the West Kelowna Warriors, a stretch of eight road games in a row. The Wild come into tonight’s contest with a 0-1-3 record, but it’s not for the lack of effort, as three of the four have gone into either overtime or a shootout. Their lone regulation loss came at the hands of the Prince George Spruce Kings at the Showcase. Cade Littler leads the way for the Wild with a point in each game. Landon Parker has chipped in with three points. All three goaltenders have got into action so far this season. Tyler Shea has started two games, carrying a 0-1-1 record with a .887 SV% and a 2.88 GAA. Hank Levy and Andy Vlaha each have a game played, both dropping their starts in overtime.
Tickets are still available for tonight’s game; head to the Box Office to pick up your tickets! The Box Office will be open from 10 until gametime. ALL fans 12 and older must be FULLY vaccinated and show proof before entering the Shaw Centre.
