The Silverbacks (24-14-4-3) dropped their second consecutive game to the Vernon Vipers (21-23-0-3) last night (Friday), 3-2 in Vernon. The ‘Backs and Vipers meet again tonight (Saturday) at 7p.m. at the Shaw Centre in Salmon Arm, during ‘Hockey Day in Salmon Arm’.
‘Hockey Day in Salmon Arm’ will see minor hockey games all day at the Shaw Centre, and the Silverbacks will honour the Shuswap Totems with replica jersey’s which the ‘Backs will wear at home to the Vipers. The Totems were the first Junior ‘A’ hockey team in Salmon Arm, beginning in 1982 till 1985 in the B.C. Hockey League. The replica Totems jersey’s can be purchased via a live and online auction at http://www.sasilverbacks.com/jersey-auction
The Silverbacks opened the scoring in Friday night with two goals less than four minutes into the opening period. AP Josh Latta scored his first BCHL goal in his first BCHL game with the Silverbacks at 2:17. The 17-year-old of the Vancouver North West Giants in the BC Major Midget League, has committed to the ‘Backs for next season. Latta came to Salmon Arm this week tied for the lead in BCMML scoring with 13 goals and 40 assists for 53 points in 28 games.
Kodi Schwarz put the visitors ahead 2-0 with his fourth of the season at 3:39, as Jared Turcotte earned back-to-back assists.
Cameron Trott gave the Vipers their first power-play, when the Silverbacks defenceman was penalized two minutes for a ‘Blow to the Head’ and a 10 minute misconduct at 4:53. The Vipers Mitchell Oliver beat Angus Redmond in the dying seconds of the man-advantage and his third of the season cut the ‘Backs lead in half.
The Silverbacks lead 2-1 after 20 minutes but the Vipers lead 10-8 on the shot clock.
Vernon tied the game 2-2 at 14:24 of the middle frame with Ben Butcher’s eighth. The ‘Backs outshot the Vipers 14-11 in the second frame.
And Joe Sacco potted the game winner at 3:31 of the third, Sacco’s eighth of the season.
The Silverbacks outshot Vernon 11-7 in the third and 33-28 total as the ‘Backs finished ahead on the shot clock.
The Silverbacks power-play was 0-for-2, while the penalty-kill was 2-for-3.
Nick Hutchison returned the lineup last night for the 20-year-old’s first game in 2016. But Carson Bolduc, Ryley Booth and Cam Coutre remain out.
The Silverbacks are now winless in seven consecutive games, dating back to January 15th when the ‘Backs lead 5-1 at home over the Vipers after 20 minutes before allowing nine straight in a 10-5 loss.
The West Kelowna Warriors (28-16-1-2) won 7-1 on the road versus the Cowichan Valley Capitals (22-18-3-3) on Friday. The Warriors sit second in the Interior, with a four point but the Silverbacks have two games in hand. West Kelowna is at the Powell River Kings (27-18-0-2) tonight, before finishing their road trip on Sunday with the Chilliwack Chiefs (28-10-2-4).
The Silverbacks still lead the season series with Vipers after taking the first four meetings; a 5-2 victory in Vernon on December 9th, a 4-3 win in Vernon on November 28th, a 5-1 win in Salmon Arm on November 27th, and a 6-2 win in Vernon on October 28th.
The Silverbacks have a record of 12-5-3-2 at the Shaw Centre, while the Vipers are 10-12-0-1 on the road. The ‘Backs are 14-6-1-3 versus the Interior, and the Vipers are 11-15-0-2 in the division.
Each Silverbacks and BCHL game is webcast live, PPV http://bchl.fasthockey.com as well as each ‘Backs road game is broadcast live at CKVS 93.7 FM http://voiceoftheshuswap.ca Each home game is broadcast at http://bit.ly/1s0deO7 Tune into CKVS each Monday night throughout the season beginning at 7p.m. for 30 minutes or more of Silverbacks talk, including interviews and news from around the BCHL.
