The Silverbacks (9-3-2-0) make their second visit of the season to the Nicola Valley Memorial Arena in Merritt today, to take on the Centennials (6-10-0-1) at 2 p.m.
The ‘Backs have won their last three games, outscoring their opponents 15-7 and 61-37 in their first 14 games. The Silverbacks are 5-2-1-0 in the month of October, while winning four of their first five road games.
Brandon Kegler stopped 37 of 38 shots on Friday and earned his first win as a Silverback, as the ‘Backs won 5-1 at home over the Victoria Grizzlies (3-10-0-2) at the Shaw Centre in Salmon Arm.
The Centennials have lost their last four games and have won just two of nine in October. The Cents gave up a 4-1 lead in the third period on Friday night in Trail and lost 5-4 in overtime to the Smoke Eaters (6-9) on October 23rd.
The Silverbacks gave up 1-0 lead in the third period and fell 2-1 at home to the Centennials earlier this month on Wednesday, October 7th at the Shaw Centre in Salmon Arm. And the ‘Backs opened the season series with a 7-5 win in Merritt on Tuesday, September 15th.
The Silverbacks have scored the second most goals in the BCHL with 61 in 14 games, six goals back of the Vees 67 in 16. The ‘Backs have allowed the third fewest goals against at 37, also six behind the Vees. The Centennials have scored 57 goals in 17 games and have allowed 75, for the highest goals against in the BCHL.
Nick Hutchison leads the Silverbacks with seven goals and 12 assists for 19 in points in 12 games. Zak Bowles leads the Cents in scoring with nine goals and nine assists for 18 points in 16 games.
The Silverbacks remain atop the Interior Divison with 20 points and second to the Penticton Vees (15-1) with 30 points. The Vees won their 15th consecutive game last night (Saturday), 5-3 over the Cowichan Valley Capitals (8-4-1-2) in Cowichan. The West Kelowna Warriors (8-5-0-2) are two points behind the ‘Backs, while the Vernon Vipers (8-8-0-1) are three points behind the Silverbacks. The Cents are fifth with 13 points, one up on the Trail Smoke Eaters in sixth.
The Silverbacks final four games of October will be with Interior Division rivals. The ‘Backs visit Vernon on Wednesday, September 28th for their first regular season meeting with the Vipers. The Silverbacks will host the Warriors on Friday, October 30th at 7p.m. at the Shaw Centre in the first of a home-and-home set as the Warriors host on Saturday, October 31st at 7p.m. in West Kelowna.
The ‘Backs and Cents will meet again on Friday, November 13th at 7p.m. at the Shaw Centre in Salmon Arm.
The only other game involving an Interior Division team today, has the West Kelowna Warriors hosting the Victoria Grizzlies at 2:30p.m. The Grizzles shutout the Vipers last night (Saturday) 2-0 in Vernon.
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.
