Penticton, BC – It was the second game in as many nights for the Salmon Arm Silverbacks and the Penticton Vees as the two teams went to battle at the South Okanagan Events Centre on Saturday night. The Vees took game one of the best-of-seven series on Friday night as they gave Salmon Arm their first regulation loss of the postseason with a 5-1 victory in front of 3,000+ fans at the SOEC. Game two provided the ‘Backs with a chance to walk out of Penticton with a split and re-take home ice advantage with the series switching over to Salmon Arm for game three on Tuesday night.
Matthew Tovell (8-1-1, 2.33 GAA, .920 S%, 0SO) got the start once again for the ‘Backs, while Luca Di Pasquo (9-0-0, 1.45 GAA, .942 S%, 1SO) got the nod for Penticton.
It was once again a great start in the opening frame for the Vees as they were able to open the scoring just 42 seconds in. It was Brett Moravec (7) showing pateince as he recieved a backdoor pass from Aydar Suniev on a two-on-nothing break before he slide one by Tovell. Just minutes later, it was Josh Nadeau (8) getting his second in as many nights as he recieved a slick pass from brother Bradly before he slotted one by Tovell to extend the Vees lead to two goals. Josh Nadeau (9) was not done there as just two minutes later, he got his second of the period with a one-timer chance. The Vees notched three goals in the first five and a half minutes of the game. The Silverbacks were able to respond moments later as Hayden Stavroff (6) showed off his hard shot as he whistled one by Di Pasquo to get the Silverbacks on the board. Penticton earned the only two powerplays of the period as Hayden Stavroff and Nic Leggett both sat for two minutes, but the ‘Backs penalty kill was battling in the period to keep the Vees off the board. Penticton was able to restore their three goal lead when Bradly Nadeau (13) got one by Tovell to get tie him for the playoff lead in goals. Shots in the period were 9-5 in favour of Penticton.
The midde frame was the best of the series to this point for the Silverbacks as they came out looking like a team poised to get back into the game in the early stages of the period. Nathan Mackie (7) was able to get the ‘Backs on the board in the middle frame as he pulled the Silverbacks within two goals as he lifted one from in tight over the shoulder of Di Pasquo to restore his team lead in goals during the postseason. The Vees were able to respond quickly after the second ‘Backs goal as Bradly Nadeau (14) ripped home a powerplay marker to give Penticton their three goal lead back. The rest of the period proved to be a penalty frenzy as the parade to the penalty box began. The Silverbacks went to the shorthanded unit four seperate times in the period, while Penticton took one penalty. The teams combined for 12 penalty minutes in the period. Shots in the middle frame were 12-9 in favour of Penticton.
The final frame started off in a similar fashion to the first period as the Vees were able to add to their lead just 29 seconds into the period. It was Dovar Tinling (6) getting his second of the series with a powerplay marker as he tapped one by Tovell. That was the end of the night for the Silverbacks ace, as Carter Richardson came in for relief for the remainder of the game. Richardson was tested early and often by Penticton, but he looked sharp as he steered aside all 12 shots that he faced during the remainder of the game. The parade to the box stopped after two periods as neither side took a penalty in the final period of play which gave fans 20 straight minutes of five-on-five time. The Vees were able to steer home the victory as they took down the ‘Backs 6-2.
Next up for the Silverbacks will be game three on Tuesay night back in Salmon Arm. Puck drops at 6:00PM from the Shaw Centre. and you can catch all of the action on Hockey TV!
Photo by CHERIE MORGAN – Recap Courtesy of TONY TROZZO
