PRINCE GEORGE, BC: Austin Fraser’s second-period powerplay goal stood as the eventual game-winner as the Prince George Spruce Kings defeated the Salmon Arm Silverbacks 4-1.
In the first period, it was a similar start to last night. Fast-paced with not many whistles early on. The Spruce Kings, like a night ago, opened the scoring, as Simon Labelle was the benefactor of a bounce in front that went right on his tape, as he beat Silverbacks goaltender blocker side for his 11th of the season. Then moments later, a fight broke out. Brandon Santa Juana and Amran Bhabra were mixing it up behind the play, and they decided to dance. Both Santa Juana and Bhabra landed some rights in the fight, with Bhabra eventually getting the takedown. The Silverbacks then got a powerplay opportunity as Nick Rheaume slew footed Kieran Ruscheinski. The Silverbacks couldn’t get set up on the man advantage. Noah Serdachny was called for hooking, taking the Silverbacks off the powerplay. So we went to 4 on 4 hockey. Just 21 seconds after the Serdachny penalty, Rowan Miller high-sticked Silverbacks Defenceman Mike Ladyman resulting in a rare 4 on 3 powerplay chance. The Backs had some good looks but couldn’t convert. The Spruce Kings got a powerplay of their own and made the Silverbacks pay. Captain Kolten Cousins made a cross-seam pass to a streaking Austin Fraser, and he beat Say for his 13th of the year, extending the lead to 2-0. The Backs were outshot 12-4 in the opening twenty minutes
Unlike a night ago, the second period was the best period of the night for the Salmon Arm Silverbacks. Most of the period was spent in the attacking zone, as the line of Mathieu Cobetto-Roy, Simon Tassy, and Noah Serdachny had multiple shifts with extended zone time. It was that line getting the Silverbacks on the board. Defenceman Mike Ladyman created himself some space at the top of the point with a nice spin move, and he moved to the left point, and Serdachny tipped his point shot home. The goal was his 26th of the campaign. The Silverbacks nearly tied it shortly after as Zack Smith had a chance at the side of the goal but was stopped by the glove of Aaron Trotter. The Backs outshot the Spruce Kings 14-12 in the middle frame.
In the third period, the game was there for the taking, as the Silverbacks only trailed by a goal heading into it. The period began with the Spruce Kings doubling the lead, as Kolton Cousins tipped home a Dylan Schives point shot extending the lead to 3-1. The Spruce Kings added to their lead 2:04 later as Simon Labelle entered the offensive zone and was able to put it past Say low blocker side giving the home team a 4-1 lead. Tonight, there would be no miracle comeback for the Silverbacks as they dropped this one 4-1. They will return home and play their season finale on March 26th against the Trail Smoke Eaters.
