Just two points separate fourth from sixth in the Interior Division. A 5-1 win last night over West Kelowna moved Salmon Arm within two points, while the Vernon Vipers beating the Trail Smoke Eaters are within one point of the Warriors.
Salmon Arm had four different goal scorers last night in the win with Nick Unruh picking up a pair while Aiden Jenner, Matthew Verboon, and Jarrod Semchuk added singles. The goal for Semchuk was his first in the BCHL. It was into an empty net with fellow 2002 forward John Little picking up the assist.
The Silverbacks scored on their first power play of the night, but were unable to capitalize on the next fives chances. The second best unit in the BCHL belonging to the Warriors was zero for three, and is now one for seventeen this season against Salmon Arm.
Ethan Langenengger was stellar for the Silverbacks last night stopping four grade A chances in the first period alone. With Matthew Armitage out of the lineup, there is more pressure put on the young netminder’s pressure. Prior to Armitage’s arrival with the team though, Langenegger had the majority of starts and was an early MVP for the team keeping Salmon Arm in a every game they played.
In the Shaw Centre, the Silverbacks are a perfect 3-0 but in Royal LePAge Place are 0-2. The Warriors will be playing their first home game of the season with Brandon West as Head Coach.
With an assist last night, Olson Werenka now leads the team in points against the Warriors with one goal and four assists through five games. Willie Reim and Max Bulawka were both held off the scoresheet last night but still lead their team with five points each against Salmon Arm.
Players to Watch:
Silverbacks: Two goals for Nick Unruh continued his hot play and now has four goals in the last three games. He has been juggling linemates as of late with Hudson Schandor and Noah Wakeford missing from the lineup since the game in Duncan against the Cowichan Valley Capitals two weeks ago. No points last night ended a three game streak for Akito Hirose, but the defender still controlled play for Salmon Arm. From breakouts rushes to passes, the third year defenceman is counted on in all situations and has 23 points through 42 games this season.
Warriors: The former Silverback Austin Chorney scored the lone Warriors goal last night, marking his first point this season against his former team coming in the fourth game. The point ended a four game point drought and six game goal drought. It was Chorney’s second goal since joining the Warriors. Brock Baier had a rocky start last night, but was able to settle in later in the game. Connor Hopkins has been very strong in goal this season for the Warriors, and boasts the better Goals Against Average and Save %. Look for Hopkins to get the nod in net tonight.
TUNE IN
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