Salmon Arm, B.C. — The Salmon Arm Silverbacks (23-19-2) make the short trip down the highway to Vernon to take on the Vipers (23-18-3) on Sunday afternoon at Kal Tire Place.
This is the sixth and final head-to-head meeting of the season. The Vipers lead the season series 4-1. The Backs’ lone victory came on Dec. 28 by a 5-2 score. Vernon has won each of the others by two goals or less: 2-1 in a shootout on Nov. 22, 2-0 on Nov. 30, 4-2 on Dec. 29 and 5-3 on Jan. 12.
Just one point separates these two teams in the standings, with the Vipers currently in third (49 points) and the Backs in fourth (48 points).
Today’s game has a 2 p.m. puck drop.
Last Time Out
The Backs are coming off a 2-1 loss to the Penticton Vees on Saturday night.
The lone Silverback goal came courtesy of Nick Unruh — his 10th of the season — on a first period power play. Akito Hirose and Hunter Sansbury picked up the assists.
Goaltender Ethan Langenegger made 23 saves on the evening, including this huge one in the first period on Tristan Amonte when the game was 1-0 for Penticton.
A Closer Look
The Silverbacks’ out-shot the Vees 30-25 on Saturday, making it the eighth time in the last nine games they have out-shot their opponent. They are 4-5 in those nine games.
The next four games for Salmon Arm will be on the road: today in Vernon and then three games in three days next weekend against Powell River, Victoria and Surrey.
The Backs are 7-10-2 on the road this season, but 1-8-1 in their last 10 away from home.
Leading Scorers
Akito Hirose (9-35-44)
Noah Wakeford (16-27-43)
Daniel Rybarik (24-13-37)
William Poirier (12-17-29)
Nick Unruh (10-18-28)
The Opposition
The Vipers had Saturday off but lost 5-1 to Trail on Friday. Keegan Karki allowed five goals on 27 shots in his first start in goal for Vernon. Landon Fuller had the lone goal.
Vernon is 3-2-1 since losing goaltender James Porter. Jr. to the WHL’s Spokane Chiefs. They are 4-4-1 since the Christmas Break.
The Vipers are 10-9-1 on home ice this season.
Leading Scorers
Matt Kowalski (23-23-46)
Dawson Holt (17-17-34)
Connor Marritt (12-22-34)
Max Bulawka (17-9-26)
Jo-Jo Tanaka-Campbell (5-18-23)
Notable Versus Vernon
Ethan Langenegger has a 1.98 G.A.A. and .939 SV% in four games against the Vipers, despite a 1-2-1 record. Lucas Breault and Hirose each have five points head-to-head against them this season.
Holt leads all scorers head-to-head with seven points.
Upcoming Milestones
Akito Hirose: 4 assists from 100 career BCHL assists.
Noah Wakeford: 5 assists from 75 career BCHL assists.
Tune In
Pre-game coverage on EZ Rock starts at 1:30 p.m. with puck drop scheduled for 2 p.m. The game will also be streamed live on HockeyTV.
