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‘Backs fall 5-1 to the Bucks

Cranbrook, BC – For the third time this season it was the Salmon Arm Silverbacks (14-10-2-1) and the Cranbrook Bucks (17-8-1-0) squaring off. The Bucks came into the the Friday night clash winners of five straight games, with their last loss all the way back at the end of November when the Silverbacks took them down 1-0. While Salmon Arm is coming off a heartbreaking 4-3 overtime loss to the hands of the Vernon Vipers on Saturday night. The game in Cranbrook was the first of a three game road swing for Salmon Arm.

Matthew Tovell (10-9-1-1, 2.98 GAA, .915 S%) got the start for the Silverbacks, while Nathan Airey (13-6-1-0, 2.40 GAA, .930  S%) got the nod for Cranbrook.

The first period of play was an intense battle between the ‘Backs and Bucks as the two teams played a similar period to which we had saw in the first two meetings which just saw four goals combined over the two games played. The best of chance of the period came midway through the period when Matthew Tovell was able to turn aside a glorious opportunity following a turnover in their own end. The Bucks also had the lone powerplay of the period, but the Silverbacks penalty kill was resilient to turn limit their chances. Shots in the opening frame were 13-7 in favor of Cranbrook.

Period two started off in a very similar fashion to which we saw the first frame start. But midway through the period, the Bucks were able to take advantage of a delayed penalty to the Silverbacks, as Rhys Bentham (9) was able to beat Tovell up high to open the scoring. The Silverbacks got their first man advantage of the game just a few moments after the opening goal, but the Bucks were able to kill it off. Late in the period, it was Jack Silich (17) finding the far bottom corner as he extended the Bucks lead to two goals. Shots in the period were 10-9 in favor of Salmon Arm.

Salmon Arm came out in the third period looking to get things within one as they applied all sorts of pressure to open the period, but Nathan Airey was once again up to the challenge. Cranbrook was able to extend their lead to three goals as Donovan Frias (12) got on the board. The Silverbacks had a glorious opportunity late in the period as they went to a five-on-three advantage. They were not able to capitalize on the powerplay, but shortly after, it was Raoul Boilard (7) getting his first as a ‘Back in just his first game. That was as close they got as the Bucks added two late goals to help earn the Bucks a 5-1 victory.

Next up for the Silverbacks will see them travel into Trail to take on the Smoke Eaters for the final game before the Christmas Break. Puck drop will be at 7:00PM from Cominco Arena.

Photo courtesy of Martin Ross