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Game Preview: Top Teams in Interior Meet as Backs Host Vees

Salmon Arm, B.C. — The Salmon Arm Silverbacks (17-5-1) look to hop the Penticton Vees (18-4-1) for first place in the Interior Division on Wednesday night when they host them at the Shaw Centre.

It’s the second of six head-to-head meetings. Salmon Arm took the first meeting on Oct. 16 by a 5-2 score on home ice. The Backs head to Penticton on Friday for a rematch. The Interior Division rivals also go toe to toe on Jan. 3 and 18, and Feb. 7.

Tonight’s game has the usual 7 p.m. puck drop.

3 Storylines

1) Backs Power Play/Discipline

The Silverbacks power play needs to get back on track, as it’s gone 0-for-21 in the team’s last four games. Previous to this drought, the Back hadn’t gone longer than one game without a power play marker.

Salmon Arm has also been shorthanded 44 times over the last seven games (6.29 times per game). Overall this season, the Backs have been shorthanded an average of 5.6 times per game, the second-highest rate in the BCHL.

2) Goaltending

Silverbacks starter Ethan Langenegger out-duelled Vees goaltender Yaniv Perets in the first matchup when he made 41 saves in a 5-2 win on Oct. 16. Perets was in the net for all five goals allowed.

Langenegger is coming off a 37-save performance in last Friday’s overtime win over Merritt, while Perets made 29 saves in a 5-3 win over Wenatchee on Saturday. Langenegger is 14-2 this season and Perets is 10-3-1.

3) Limit Odd-Man Rushes

The Silverbacks scored a ton against Merritt in last weekend’s home and home, but they also gave up nine in the two games. Some of those goals came off of or immediately following odd-man rushes and if not for their goaltending, it could have been even worse.

One way to limit those opportunities for the opposition is to work on their back check, which was inconsistent last weekend.

 

Players to Watch

SILVERBACKS: DANIEL RYBARIK

Rybarik scored yet again on Saturday, giving him 14 goals on the season, tied for the second most in the BCHL. Twelve of those 14 have come at even-strength. While he didn’t score on Friday, he had 10 shots on goal and 14 shot attempts.

The Calgary native has eight goals in his last 10 games.

CENTENNIALS: DAVID SILYE 

The Vees captain has been very consistent as of late, with points in eight of his last nine games (12 points in those games).

The veteran of nearly 200 career BCHL games is tied for third overall on his team in scoring this season with 24 points.

Upcoming Milestones

Akito Hirose: Will be playing in his 175th career BCHL game tonight.

Nick Unruh: 3 assists from 50 career BCHL assists.

Current Point Streaks

Akito Hirose: 11 games (2G, 14A)

Tune In

Tonight’s game will be on EZ Rock as usual and will also be streamed live on HockeyTV.