The Silverbacks have now started this BCHL season with back-to-back wins, after outscoring the Centennials 7-5 last night (Tuesday) at Merritt.
The Cents scored the first goal, 4:52 into the first period. With Phil Middleton penalized for roughing, Ross Heidt opened the scoring for the ‘Backs at 8:56 short-handed. Taro Hirose assisted on the 1-1 goal. The home team restored it’s lead just over two minutes later, before Nick Hutchison tied the game 2-2 from Josh Blanchard at 13:34.
Merritt then potted a pair of goals and just 10 seconds apart, with the first on the power-play as Aidan Salerno was off for slashing. The Centennials went ahead 4-2 into the final three minutes of the opening frame, before Brett Stewart found the back of the net from Hirose with the man-advantage at 17:26. But the Cents weren’t finished, Merritt took it’s second two goal lead of the period in the final two minutes. The ‘Backs outshot the Cents 16-13 in the first but, Merritt lead 5-3 after 20 minutes.
The Silverbacks scored the only two goals in period 2, and Salmon Arm’s Carson Bolduc scored both goals to tie the game 5-5 after 40 minutes. The visitors outshot the Cents 19-9 in period 2.
The ‘Backs picked up where Bolduc left off in the second period, as Heidt gave the Silverbacks their first lead of the game at 7:31. Hirose assisted on the 6-5 go ahead goal.
Marcus Mitchell potted his first BCHL goal and finished the scoring at 17:48 from Elijiah Barriga.
The ‘Backs scored the final four goals of the game and earned their second consectuive victory.
The Silverbacks outshot the Centennials 8-6 in the third, and 48-28 the ‘Backs lead overall on the shot clock.
With the power-play, the Silverbacks finished 1-for-6 and on the penalty-kill the ‘Backs ended 6-for-7 including a short-handed marker.
Elsewhere on Tuesday, the West Kelowna Warriors put together an 8-3 victory at home over the Trail Smoke Eaters in the only other game on the BCHL schedule.
Salmon Arm is at the top of the Interior Division standings with four points in two games during the first five days of the BCHL regular season. The West Kelowna Warriors also have two wins and four points, but the Warriors split their home-and-home set with the Centennials this past weekend.
The second of six regular season meetings in the Interior division between the Silverbacks and Centennials is set for Wednesday, October 7th at 7p.m. at Salmon Arm. The ‘Backs will be back in the Nicola Valley on Sunday afternoon, October 26th for 2p.m. start.
The Silverbacks will be back in game action this weekend on Saturday night, September 19th at the Shaw Centre in Salmon Arm versus the Coquitlam Express in a 7p.m. start. As well as, the ‘Backs will host the Chilliwack Chiefs on Sunday afternoon, September 20th beginning at 3p.m.
Each Silverbacks and BCHL game is webcast live, PPV at www.fasthockey.com along with audio only at http://bit.ly/1s0deO7 each ‘Backs away game is also broadcast live at CKVS 93.7 FM www.voiceoftheshuswap.ca Listen to CKVS each Monday night throughout the season beginning at 7p.m. for 30 minutes or more of Silverbacks talk and interviews, as well as news from around the BCHL.
