Three players stepped up big offensively for the Salmon Arm Silverbacks to begin the BCHL Bauer Showcase against the Victoria Grizzlies. Matthew Verboon, Olson Werenka, and Justin Wilson combined for 10 points in the 6-3 win.
Despite driving over on game day, the bus legs wouldn’t affect Salmon Arm as they scored less than a minute into the game. Olson Werenka got the puck out of the zone to Justin Wilson on the right wing. Going one-on-one against a defender, the big power forward was able to tuck a shot past Keenan Rancier for the 1-0 lead.
Victoria would be quick to reply as Marty Westhaver picked up his first goal for the Grizzlies four minutes into the game.
Salmon Arm retook the lead ten minutes later as Olson Werenka banged in his first goal in the BCHL. Noah Wakeford and Matthew Verboon picked up the helpers on the rebound goal. The Grizzlies would come right back with a goal of their own capitalizing on a Silverbacks turnover behind the net and Edward Yan finding net to even the game 2-2.
Late in the first the Silverbacks were shorthanded, but Carter Berger from the Grizzlies took a spearing penalty to even the odds. Nine seconds into four-on-four action, Verboon scored his team leading third goal of the season making it 3-2.
Starting the 2nd on the power play, Salmon Arm would extend their lead to two on another goal from Matthew Verboon. Werenka brought the puck into the zone, and dished it off to Justin Wilson on the left wing. A shot from the left faceoff circle rebounded right out to the slot, and Verboon was there to score his second of the night.
Victoria would grind out a goal two minutes later as Charlie Campbell was able to squeak in past Ethan Langenegger making the game 4-3 with 16:56 to go. The Island side would earn a power play midway through the period, but a big penalty kill kept the Backs ahead by one.
With four minutes left on the clock, Justin Wilson would bang in a rebound off an Olson Werenka point shot to restore the Salmon Arm lead at 5-3.
In the third, the Grizzlies would push and push, but no luck. They would pull their goalie, but Trevor Adams scored into the empty net for the 6-3 final.
Tomorrow the Silverbacks will play in the main rink of the Prospera Centre when they take on the 2-3 Alberni Valley Bulldogs. AV is coming off a 5-1 defeat Friday against the Wenatchee Wild. With the game in the main rink, HockeyTV will be broadcasting once again. 91.5 EZ Rock will pickup the game on Sunday when the Silverbacks are in Coquitlam.
