Serpents generally like the heat, but Salmon Arm is hoping their hot streak will keep the Vipers glum tonight in the Shaw Centre. No one has been better at home this season, and Salmon Arm has points in their last eight games in the Shaw Centre.
The last time they played at home was agaisnt the Prince George Spruce Kings two weeks ago. Both teams were tired playing their third games in as many days, but a late tally from Trevor Adams put the home side ahead 2-1 and Salmon Arm held on for the victory.
The previous meeting between these two sides in the Shaw Centre ended in a thrilling 4-3 overtime win for Salmon Arm with Hudson Schandor scoring the winner. Halloween marked the first visit for the Silverbacks to Vernon, and the game took a bit longer but Salmon Arm still came away with two points. That time it was Nick Unruh and Matthew Verboon scoring in the shootout while Matthew Armitage making his second BCHL start stopped both shooters he faced.
Salmon Arm had a strong first period last night outshooting the Penticton Vees 12-3, but were unable to score and get some early momentum. The Vees would score two third period goals and add an empty netter enroute to a 4-2 win in the South Okanagan Events Centre. Nick Unruh and Aiden Jenner had the two goals for the Salmon Arm Silverbacks.
Tonight will be the third game in four nights for Vernon, so Salmon Arm will be looking to take advantage of some tired legs. Wednesday the Vipers were home playing the Vees, and last night they were in Merritt losing 4-3.
Players to Watch:
Silverbacks: Salmon Arm’s special teams have been up and down lately leading to some up and down play. Look for veteran Andy Stevens to settle things down tonight for his side. All season he has looked confident carrying the puck, and last night was no different. He generally plays the top of the power play unit, and after a lull of six games without a point he now has four in the last seven. On home ice no one has a better power play than the Silverbacks, who are operating at a league high 28.6%. Look for Trevor Adams on the PP tonight as the Silverbacks aim to hit the win column again. He was ejected early from last night’s game, which should give him some added motivation tonight.
Vipers: He doesn’t have a point in two games this season against Salmon Arm, but Teddy Wooding has looked very dangerous in both games. In the loss last night to Merritt he had a goal and assist. He got off to a slow start with just three points in his first ten games, but now has five points in his last three games and seven in the past six. He scores in bunches, appearing on the scoresheet eight times and having multi-point nights five of those times. Recently selected to Team Germany for the upcoming World Juniors, Sebastian Streu is a goal scorer. In the last meeting with the Silverbacks on the power play he was setup in the slot, and buried a one timer into the top corner.
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