It had nearly been two months since Justin Wilson suited up for the Salmon Arm Silverbacks. In nine games prior to receiving an upper boddy injury, the 20 year old forward led the team in scoring with 12 points in nine games. Even after missing nearly two months, he came back sitting eighth in team scoring.
For the second year in a row the Silverbacks and Langley Rivermen collided for a midweek game in the Shaw Centre. Last season it was Nick Unruh scoring his third goal of the night in overtime to give the Silverbacks a 7-6 victory, but this time Langley able to score the OT winner with Ethan Leyh collecting his second of the game.
Langley opened the scoring courtesy of a Leyh power play goal. With space in the left faceoff circle he walked in and was able to beat Matthew Armitage whose last appearance was a 2-0 shutout over the Vernon Vipers.
1:19 later it was Justin Wilson hitting the scoresheet for Salmon Arm. Taking a pass from his billet brother Akito Hirose, he snapped in his sixth goal of the season. Less than a minute after, Wilson fed the puck ahead for Trevor Adams to head down on a 2-on-0 joined with Matthew Verboon. Adams elected the pass, and Verboon made no mistake lifting the puck over the sprawling right pad of Shayne Battler making his second start with the Rivermen.
Salmon Arm would start the second period with a full 2:00 power play, but couldn’t extend their lead, and shortly after killing off the penalty Langley would make them pay. A point shot from Garrett Daly was tipped in front of the goal by Daneel Lategan to tie the game 2-2.
In the final minute, Salmon Arm would retake the lead with Wilson scoring his second of the night. This time is was a give and go with Matthew Verboon to give Salmon Arm the 3-2 lead. Nick Unruh nearly scored in the dying seconds of the period off a great takeaway from linemate Noah Wakeford, but Battler made a great stop denying Unruh who was riding a two game scoring streak.
When trailing after two periods, Langley was 1-12 coming into the game, but would tie the game with 5:34 in the third period. A point shot from Brian Scoville was tipped in front by CJ Walker, and Trevor Ayre was there to pickup the rebound and even things up in the Shaw Centre.
In overtime, it was the young forward Leyh closing out the scoring after he had started things in the first. Taking a feed up the left wall, he was able to go down on a two-on-one. Holding the puck, he elected to shoot and found the back of the net.
FAST FACTS:
- Justin Wilson wasn’t the only player to return with a big night on Wednesday. Auston Matthews of the Toronto Maple Leafs returned after being out a month and had two goals along with an assist to give him the same stat line as Wilson
- This was the first game Matthew Armitage allowed more than one even strength goal.
- The single point moves Salmon Arm within two points of West Kelowna. The Silverbacks do have two games in hand
Key Performers:
It was a big return for Justin Wilson who had missed nearly two months with an injury. He looked good right through the night which was good news for Salmon Arm. The Silverbacks haven’t been a big scoring team this season, and will need him to help their attack. Fuelled by the return of his billet brother, Akito Hirose was another player that stood out for Salmon Arm. His assist on Wilson’s first goal was a great rush where Hirose started from behind his own net. Skating up the ice he got it inside the Rivermen blue line before dishing the puck off.
