(Photo courtesy: Garrett James
Chilliwack, BC – The Salmon Arm Silverbacks (4-4-0-0) opened up the 2022 BCHL Showcase on Wednesday morning with a matchup against the Powell River Kings (2-5-1-0). It was the first of two meetings on the season with the Kings, as game two is set for November 11th back in Salmon Arm. It was the first of three games in three days for the ‘Backs, as they continue on their mainland tour. Matthew Tovell (4-3-0, 2.80 GAA, .921 S %) got his eighth start of the season for the Silverbacks. While it was a familiar face on the other side of the ice, as former Silverback, Liam Vanderkooi (2-2-0-0, 4.87 GAA, .884 S %) got the start for the Kings.
The opening frame started as many would expect for a 10AM start. Things started to pick up as the period moved on as both teams had opportunities on the man advantage. The Kings had two powerplay looks to open the scoring but it was Matthew Tovell standing tall for the ‘Backs. With just a few minutes to go in the opening period it was Brandon Santa Juana (2) getting his second goal in as many games when he found a way to bury one over the glove of Vanderkooi. That was the lone goal up the period, as Salmon Arm took a one goal lead into the intermission. The Silverbacks outshot the Kings 13-5 in the opening frame’.
It was a similar pace to open the middle frame, as neither team was able to find the back of the net. Both teams had opportunities once again on the man advantage, but couldn’t find the back of the net. Liam Vanderkooi continued to look solid for the Kings, as he faced his former team for the first time. The shots were 13-7 in the period in favor of the Silverbacks, and brought the total to 26-12 after two periods.
Things started to open up in the third period as both teams upped the intensity in the final frame. Just over six minutes into the period, it was Ryan Gillespie (1) getting his first goal as a Silverback to extend the ‘Backs lead to two. Just over five minutes later, the Kings were able to get on the board. It was a powerplay marker from Jack Blanchett (2) just over midway through the period to get the Kings within one. A late push from Powell River fell just short. Nathan Mackie (7) was able to seal the deal with an empty netter late in the third to regain the ‘Backs two goal lead.
Salmon Arm ended up taking down the Kings by a final score of 3-1, while outshooting them 37-21.
Next up for the Silverbacks will be game two of their Showcase tour. They will meet up with the Coquitlam Express tomorrow night at 7:00PM. You can catch all the action on Hockey TV!
