The Silverbacks have won their first 3 games early in this BCHL season, after scoring 6 goals last night and shutout the Coquitlam Express 6-0 in Salmon Arm. The ‘Backs will play their second game of the weekend this afternoon and versus another Mainland opponent as they host the Chilliwack Chiefs at 3p.m. at the Shaw Centre. The Chiefs are 1-2 after losing 8-3 last night to the Vipers in Vernon.
The ‘Backs got out to a 3-0 lead in the opening period last night. Carson Bolduc potted his third goal in two games, a power-play goal from Ross Heidt and Taro Hirose at 4:37. Josh Blanchard, celebrating his 19th birthday found the back of the net for his second of the season and on the ‘Backs second man-advantage, Elijiah Barriga assisted at 16:20. And just 16 seconds later, Matty Saharchuk scored his first of the season and first as a Silverback from Colton Thibault and Damian Chreck at 16:36. The ‘Backs outshot the Express 22-7 in the first frame.
Heidt scored the only goals in the middle period, his fourth and fifth of the season and each on the power-play. The ‘Backs lead 4-0 at 9:47 with Hirose and Cameron Trott assisting and 5-0 at 14:53 from Bolduc and Hirose. The Silverbacks outshot Coquitlam 18-2 in the second period and lead 40-9 on the shot clock after 40 minutes.
Nick Hutchison potted the only goal of the final frame, his second of the season and unassisted at 2:06 and 5-on-5. The ‘Backs outshot the Express 22-8 in the third and the Silverbacks finished ahead 62-17 overall on the shot clock.
The ‘Backs power-play finished 4-for-7, while the penalty-kill was 8-for-8.
Angus Redmond earned his first shutout of the season, stopping 17 Express shots.
The Silverbacks are atop the Interior Division with 6 points in 3 games, along side the Penticton Vees who are 3-1 in their first 4 after losing 4-2 in the opener last weekend in Salmon Arm. The Vernon Vipers are off to a 2-2-0-1 start, while the Merritt Centennials, West Kelowna Warriors and Trail Smoke Eaters all have four points.
The Silverbacks will finish September at the BCHL Showcase in Chilliwack, the ‘Backs take on the Langley Rivermen on Thursday, September 24th at 1p.m. and meet the Alberni Valley Bulldogs on Friday, September 25th at 10a.m.
