The Silverbacks (6-3-2-0) travel into the Okanagan today for the first meeting of the season with the West Kelowna Warriors (6-3-0-2) tonight at 7p.m.
The ‘Backs are into the third week of October tied in second place atop the BCHL’s Interior Division. The Silverbacks and Warriors each have 14 points in their first 11 games. The Penticton Vees (10-1) still lead the division with 10 consecutive wins after losing 4-2 in Salmon Arm on Friday, September 11th.
Tonight is the first of back-to-back road games, as the Silverbacks will make their first trip of the season to the West Kootenay tomorrow, October 17th to take on the Trail Smoke Eaters (4-7) with the Smokies at the bottom of the Interior. The opening face-off from the Cominco Arena in downtown Trail is set for 7:30p.m.
The Silverbacks wrapped up their five game home-stand this past Sunday, October 11th with a 4-3 loss to the Prince George Spruce Kings (3-7-0-1) at the Shaw Centre in Salmon Arm.
19-year-old forward Chase Zieky finished the weekend with three goals and two assists, while 20-year-old defenceman Mike Winnitoy earned three assists as each made their debut with the Silverbacks.
The Silverbacks earned five out of a possible 10 points in two weeks at home. The ‘Backs are now 4-2-2-0 in eight games at the Shaw Centre, outscoring their opponents 34-22.
The ‘Backs road record is 2-1, outscoring the opposition 12-8 while West Kelowna is 4-1-0-1 in the Okanagan.
Jonathan Desbiens leads the Warriors in scoring and is ranked 16th in the BCHL, with six goals and seven assists in 11 games. Nick Hutchison is 11th in the league with seven goals and nine assists in the Silverbacks first 11 games.
The Warriors have scored 38 goals and allowed 36, while the Silverbacks have 46 goals for and 30 against.
The Silverbacks next home ice action will be versus the Victoria Cougars on Friday, October 23rd at 7p.m.
Each Silverbacks and BCHL game is webcast live, PPV http://bchl.fasthockey.com as well as audio only http://bit.ly/1s0deO7 and, each ‘Backs road game is live at CKVS 93.7 FM http://voiceoftheshuswap.ca
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.
