The Silverbacks (13-5-2-1) are back on the ice at the Shaw Centre in Salmon Arm tonight (Friday). The ‘Backs are set for back-to-back games at home, following their busiest weekend of the season to date.
The Silverbacks will host the Merritt Centennials (8-14-0-1) tonight (Friday), November 13th at 7p.m., and the West Kelowna Warriors (12-6-0-2) tomorrow (Saturday), November 14th at 7p.m. during Silverbacks parents weekend at the Shaw Centre in Salmon Arm.
The ‘Backs are 6-3-1-1 in their first 11 home games of the 58 game regular season schedule, and have outscored their opponents 43-28 at the Shaw Centre.
The Silverbacks are 7-2-0-1 versus the Interior Division, and 2-1-0-0 versus the Centennials. The ‘Backs began the season series with a 7-5 victory in Merritt on Tuesday, September 15th. The Centennials then came from behind to win 2-1 in Salmon Arm on Wednesday, October 7th. The Silverbacks got by the Cents 2-1 in Merritt on Sunday, October 25th.
The Cents are 3-10-0-1 in the Interior and 3-7-0-0 on the road.
The Silverbacks still sit second in the Interior Division with 29 points in 21 games, and second overall in the BCHL with the Wenatchee Wild (13-5-2-1). The Penticton Vees (20-1) still lead the division and BCHL overall with 40 points in 21 games, and now 20 consecutive victories.
The ‘Backs earned four of six possible points after three consecutive games in the Lower Mainland this past weekend. After 3-2 victories in both Surrey and Langley, the Silverbacks fell 4-1 to the Chilliwack Chiefs (12-5-1-2) in the Fraser Valley on Sunday, November 8th.
The Silverbacks power-play is ranked sixth in the BCHL at 20.18%. The ‘Backs have scored 23 power-play markers but have allowed five short-handed goals against, the second most in the BCHL. The Centennials power-play is in fifth at 20.37% with 22 goals and three short-handed goals against.
The ‘Backs penalty-kill is ranked fourth at 85.22%, while the Cents PK is at 61.76% and at the bottom of the 17 team league.
Chase Zieky earned an honourable mention for the player of the week in the BCHL. The 19-year-old of Avon, Connecticut scored a natural hat-trick on Saturday in Langley. Zieky has eight goals and six assists in 18 games.
The ‘Backs have scored 84 goals in 21 games, the most in the BCHL behind only the Vees with 94 in 21 games. The Silverbacks have allowed the fifth fewest goals, with 59. The Cents have scored 75 goals but have allowed 96, the second most behind the Eagles.
The Silverbacks took part in the Remberance Day ceremonies on Wednesday, including marching through downtown Salmon Arm.
The ‘Backs will be in action next weekend and at home on Friday, November 20thversus the Alberni Valley Bulldogs (8-10-1-1) at 7p.m. before travelling to take on the Prince George Spruce Kings (5-14-0-2) on Saturday, November 21st at 7p.m.
