The SilverBacks have points in 6 of their last 7 games, despite surrendering a 4-1 lead to Merritt on Sunday, as the Centennials came back to take a 5-4 victory in double over-time.
In the opening period of play, it didn’t take long for Landon Smith to jump on a break-away opportunity, utilizing his amazing speed and showcasing his tremendous accuracy while roofing his league leading 30th goal of the year; short-handed. 15 seconds later, at 14:14 the Cents got on the board on the powerplay when Sam Johnson buried a one-timer feed from Rhett Wilcox past goaltender Angus Redmond.
The SilverBacks were definitely not phased by that, as they kept up the pressure in the offensive zone, Nick Fadanza who was called up for the game; jumped on a re-bound and buried it past Devin Kero, the assists went to Alex Jewell and Mitch Ferguson. Just minutes later Mitch Ferguson came in and buried his 4th of the year. Then less than a minute later, Captain Blake Box let a snap shot go from the slot and buried his 2nd of the year from Jeff Kennedy and Alex Jewell for a 4-1 lead.
In the middle frame, the 'Backs were out-shot 16-6 as Goaltender Angus Redmond had to be terrific stopping nearly everything thrown at him.
Merritt did get on the scoreboard late when Rhett Wilcox picked up his 2nd point of the game when assisting on a goal from Zach Hartley, who buried his 5th of the season. The score was 4-2 'Backs heading into another close 3rd period of play.
In the final period of regulation, with a 4-2 lead Salmon Arm, gave up another marker to Shane Poulsen, before Merritt's Payton Schaefer scored to tie the game 4-4 and force OT.
Nothing was solved in the first overtime period at 4 on 4, despite the SilverBacks having some power-play time to begin the period. Angus Redmond and Devin Kero battled hard; and for the second straight time from this venue between the two clubs, they’d need double overtime.
At 3 on 3 in double OT, both teams exchanged chances, but at 3:43, Diego Cuglietta got a re-bound from Jeff Wight and it just trickled in past Goaltender Angus Redmond for the winning goal.
The 'Backs now have 42 points in the Interior Division and trail Vernon by just 3 points for 2nd place.
Salmon Arm returns to Merritt on Friday.
