Salmon Arm was the better team Friday night, but it was the Alberni Valley Bulldogs who capitalized on their chances in a 6-3 win in Port Alberni.
Outshooting the Bulldogs 37-33, the visitors were stopped on a number of good chances by misses, blocks, or John Hawthorne back in goal.
In his first shift as a Silverback, Jack Sampson nearly scored but was turned away by the Bulldogs netminder. Overall in his first game, Sampson looked very strong playing on a line with Aiden Jenner and Trevor Adams. With a bit more puck luck on the night, Sampson easily could have had at least two goals.
The Bulldogs would score the opening goal prior to the nine minute mark of the period as Aaron Bohlinger sent a pass across the ice, and Keaton Mastrodonato to the left of the net was able to flick the puck over the right pad of Ethan Langenegger. A late power play for the Backs nearly resulted in a goal, but a goal line scramble somehow stayed out of the goal.
With just one goal combined in the first period, both teams had a pair in the second. Salmon Arm tied the score less than three minutes in, with Matthew Verboon continuing his hot play, and scoring his fourth goal in four games since returning from the World Juniors. Three minutes later and a tic-tac-toe play started by Trevor Adams, went to Jack Sampson, who dropped it back for Andy Stevens in the slot, but the former Island Division player was stopped. 30 ticks on the clock later and Olson Werenka nearly made it 2-1 Salmon Arm but was unable to find the back of the net.
Turning play the other way, Alberni Valley had a point shot from Sam Pouliot deflect in front of the goal by Mitch Deelstra and in for the 2-1 lead. On their second power play of the game, Salmon Arm was again able to even the score. John Little continued his scoring streak with a goal that made it six straight games with a point. Trevor Adams faked going behind the goal, and popped the puck back out front for Little to tap through Hawthorne. The assist for Adams continued his assist streak making it five straight games he has had an assist. The Silverbacks applied late pressure, but again the Bulldogs got a late chance and were able to find twine. Ryan Miotto was sprung on a two-on-one, and took the shot squeaking it inside the left post for the 3-2 lead with 41 seconds remaining.
Continuing to push play in the third, Salmon Arm would tie things up just before the halfway mark of the final frame. Nick Unruh passed the puck up to Noah Wakeford who fed it through the middle and Hudson Schandor driving the goal was able to tip the puck in before crashing into the net. The puck crossed the goal line before the net was knocked off making it a good goal. The Silverbacks Captain nearly made it 4-3 with eight minutes left, but Sol Seibel dragging the puck into the slot sent a wrister that was snagged by the glove of Hawthorne.
Again going against the play, a long shot from the right wall by Mastrodonato clanged off the left post and in for a 4-3 Bulldogs advantage with just under five minutes left. Alberni Valley would go on to score twice more including one empty netter.
Salmon Arm continues their island roadtrip tomorrow in Nanaimo where they will take on the Nanaimo Clippers who they beat 6-3 last Sunday in the Shaw Centre.
KEY PERFORMER:
With two points on the night, Matthew Verboon continued his hot play since returning from the World Juniors. He is now over a point per game player with 36 points in 35 games. In his four games back, he has four goals and three assists. In his Backs debut, Jack Sampson looked very good as mentionned earlier. A big body up front, he was able to generate a number of scoring chances for both himself and teammates.
