Salmon Arm beat the Powell River Kings earlier this season, but technically they’re not actually on the Island. With a 2-0 loss to Victoria back in December, and a 6-3 loss last night in Port Alberni, the Silverbacks are still in search of their first win on Vancouver Island this season.
It was a back and forth game for the Silverbacks last night, but a tough break on the eventual game winner did them in. Matthew Verboon scored an added and assist while John Little and Hudson Schandor had the other tallies for the Silverbacks. Ethan Langenegger stopped 28 of 33 shots for the Backs.
Over in Duncan, the Clippers allowed three power play goals from the Capitals, and lost 4-2 while being outshot 41-22. After winning 10 games in a row, Nanaimo has now lost three straight.
There were a number of positives to take from the game last night for Salmon Arm. They outshot the Bulldogs, and certainly outchanced them. The problem was execution, as the Backs would apply great pressure, but were unable to score and Alberni would go back the other way to find the back of the net. Special Teams were also in favour of the visiting side with Salmon Arm going one for three on the power play and four for four on the penalty kill.
These two teams met just last week, with Salmon Arm coming out on top 6-3. The Silverbacks were three for six on the power play, and were nearly perfect on the penalty kill but a late goal had them at six for seven when down a man. Justin Wilson led the team in scoring with one goal and three assists while Matthew Verboon had one goal and two helpers.
One key tonight will be playing right to the final buzzer. In the last three games, each of the last five minutes have been a frenzy. Friday night they allowed three goals in the final five minutes to the Bulldogs, while the two games last weekend on Sunday and Saturday the other team each scored twice in the final three minutes.
In the Standings:
A Vernon win last night moved the Vipers one point ahead of the Silverbacks in the Interior Standings. Fortunately for Salmon Arm the win was against West Kelowna, so the Warriors remain four points ahead but with two extra games played. West Kelowna has the night off while the Vipers take on a Prince George squad that lost last night in a shootout to the Penticton Vees.
Their 10 game winning streak gave the Clippers some breathing room for third place in the Island Division sitting comfortably 11 points ahead of the Alberni Valley Bulldogs. That will likely be where they finish as the Powell River Kings are another nine points ahead of the Clippers.
Players to Watch:
Silverbacks: Making his Silverbacks debut last night, Jack Sampson fit in quickly playing on a line with Trevor Adams and Aiden Jenner. The line didn’t have any points five-on-five, but were able to generate a number of opportunities. Sampson himself nearly scored on a few occasions while playing setup man for Andy Stevens in the second but the pinching defenceman couldn’t beat the Bulldogs goalie. This season Justin Wilson has had a few big nights, and last Sunday was his second best point performance of the season. His five point game at the Showcase against Victoria topped the chart, but the goal and three assists against Nanaimo was his first ever four point game. Salmon Arm needs to find some depth scoring, but it helps when the leading point per game player on the team is clicking as well.
Clippers: Held without a point in the last meeting, Marcus Mitchell looked very good against his old team. The Clippers captain led a pair of two-on-ones in the first period, but neither were successful. His shot on the first one was saved, and on the second try he passed but Matthew Armitage was able to come across for the stop. One of the hottest players on the team’s 10 game run was Tyler Williams. He’s still keeping his scoring touch going though with 16 points in the last 13 games. Last week against Salmon Arm he scored the first goal for his team on a nice individual effort, and also added an assist on the last goal of the game.
TUNE IN
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