The Silverbacks (14-5-2-1) host the West Kelowna Warriors (12-7-0-2) tonight (Saturday) at 7p.m. and continue parents weekend in Salmon Arm. The ‘Backs came back last night (Friday) and beat the Merritt Centennials 5-2 at the Shaw Centre.
The Cents opened the scoring with two goals in the opening period, at 9:40 and 17:40 with the 2-0 goal on the power-play as Damian Chrcek was off for cross-checking. Each team had 11 shots in the first period and the visitors took a 2-0 lead into period two.
Chase Zieky got the Silverbacks on the board with his ninth of the season and fourth goal in three games at 9:23. The ‘Backs lead 17-12 on the shot clock in the middle frame but trailed 2-1 into the third.
Taro Hirose tied the game 2-2 at 2:30 of period three, his third and a short-handed goal as starter Angus Redmond was penalized for tripping. Hirose then potted his second of the game and fourth of the season at 9:16 and with the man-advantage as the ‘Backs took their first lead, 3-2.
Nick Hutchison scored his 11th at 14:22 and Ross Heidt’s 14th into an empty net at 19:40 gave the home team a three goal victory.
Each team had 12 shots on goal in the third, and the Silverbacks outshot the Centennials 40-35 total. Angus Redmond stopped 33 of 35 shots and is now 11-4-2 in 19 games, with a 2.74 goals-against-average.
The ‘Backs finished one-for-three on the power-play, and four-for-five on the penalty-kill.
The Warriors lost 3-1 at home to the Penticton Vees last night.
West Kelowna came into Salmon Arm and got by the Silverbacks 5-4 in overtime on Friday, October 30th and won 3-1 at home over the ‘Backs on Saturday, October 31st in West Kelowna. The Silverbacks began the season series with a 4-3 victory over the Warriors in West Kelowna on Friday, October 16th.
The Silverbacks are now 6-2-2-1 at the Shaw Centre and 8-1-0-1 versus the Interior Division, while West Kelowna is 5-7-0-1 in the Interior and 4-3-0-1 on the road.
The ‘Backs power-play is ranked sixth in the BCHL at 20.51% with 24 goals, while the Warriors sit second at 25.56% and 23 power-play goals.
The Silverbacks penalty-kill is ranked fourth in the league at 85%, allowing 18 goals and leading the BCHL with seven short-handed markers. The Warriors penalty-kill sits in ninth at 80.87%, with 22 goals-against and three scored short-handed.
Nick Hutchison leads the Silverbacks in scoring and is ninth in the BCHL with 11 goals, 16 assists in 22 games. Liam Blackburn leads the Warriors and is tied with Hutchison after 10 goals and 17 helpers in 21 games.
The Penticton Vees (21-1) remain atop the Interior Division and BCHL. The Silverbacks sit in second and 11 points back of the Vees, and five points in front of the Warriors who have one game in hand. The Vernon Vipers (10-12-0-1) are fourth, five behind West Kelowna. The Centennials sit fifth and four behind the Vipers, just one up on the Trail Smoke Eaters (8-13-0-0).
The ‘Backs will be in action next weekend and at home on Friday, November 20th versus the Alberni Valley Bulldogs (9-10-1-1) at 7p.m. before travelling to take on the Prince George Spruce Kings (5-15-0-2) on Saturday, November 21st at 7p.m.
Each Silverbacks and BCHL game is webcast live, PPV http://bchl.fasthockey.com as well as each ‘Backs road game is broadcast live at CKVS 93.7 FM http://voiceoftheshuswap.ca Each home game is broadcast at http://bit.ly/1s0deO7 Tune into CKVS each Monday night throughout the season beginning at 7p.m. for 30 minutes or more of Silverbacks talk, including interviews and news from around the BCHL.
