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Cowichan Valley Last Visit on Roadtrip

Salmon Arm looks to end their roadtrip with four out of six points this afternoon taking on the Cowichan Valley Capitals.

Last night in Nanaimo, Salmon Arm picked up their first win on the Island this season shuting out the Clippers 4-0. Matthew Armitage made 28 saves for this second goose egg off the season. In the first period alone there were four Grade-A scoring chances, but Army was able to stop them all and give his team to eventually which they eventually did and wouldn’t look back.

Cowichan had a four game losing streak going into Friday’s tilt with the Clippers, but with a 4-2 were able to get two points. They didn’t just win, but did so in convincing fashion. The Capitals outshot the Clippers 41-22 and won the special teams battle going three for five on the power play. Cowichan Valley has now won their last two games in the Island Savings Centre.

This is the second and final meeting between the two teams this season. On the Silverbacks Teddy Bear toss night, Cowichan came in to spoil the party winning 6-3. It was a penalty war in that game with Cowichan taking 10 penalties and the Silverbacks taking seven. Cowichan was one for seven on the man advantage while Salmon Arm had a pair of goals while up  player. The game was tied 3-3 late in the third, but the Capitals were able to score a trip in the final 2:35 (including an empty netter) for the two points.

A key to today’s game will be the Silverbacks conditioning. This is this third game in two and a half days. The opponent isn’t ideal, as Cowichan is by far the highest penalized team in the BCHL so expect the home side to come out aggressive and wear down a road weary team.

 

In the Standings: 

Two points last night for Salmon Arm was key. Vernon lost, which led to Salmon Arm retaking fifth place in the Interior and are now just two points back of West Kelowna. The Warriors are in action this afternoon with a noon matchup with Prince George. A West Kelowna loss and Silverbacks win would move Salmon Arm to fourth  in the division.

Over in the Island Division, Cowichan is trying to stay ahead of the Surrey Eagles to keep the final BCHL playoff spot. They are currently seven points, but the Eagles have played one fewer game. The Alberni Valley Bulldogs are also only four points ahead for the fourth spot on the Island.

 

Players to Watch: 

Silverbacks: Assisting on Tyson Gayfer’s goal last night, Trevor Adams now has at least one assist in the last six games which is the longest run in the BCHL. Paired on a lineup with Bantam teammate Jack Sampson, the two have generated a number of opportunities in the last two games. Another streak that was continued last night was John Little‘s point streak. He had the second assist on Gayfer’s goal which gives him a point in seven straight games.

Capitals: In the Shaw Centre, Brady Lynn had three goals to pace his team. In his other 27 games this season, the third year forward has five goals. Lynn missed a month from the team shortly after that game, and Friday night he returned to the lineup scoring once and adding an assist. The other three point player in that game for the Capitals was Paul Selleck who had one goal and two assists. He is currently on a four game point drought which matches a season high. He missed the game on Friday against the Clippers.

TUNE IN

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