Salmon Arm, B.C. – The Salmon Arm Silverbacks welcomed in the Coastal Conference leading Surrey Eagles to the Shaw Centre for a rematch of the BCHL showcase.
Coming off the bus, the Eagles started hot. Within the first minute and a half, Savek Brar put home a rebound to give the Eagles an early lead. There were no penalties for either team in the back-and-forth first period.
The second period was much of the same, but with the Silverbacks finding the back of the net. At the 7:23 mark, a shot from Cole Longacre at the point led to a scramble which Nick Wellenreiter was able to tap in for his third of the season. Once again the referees stayed quiet in the frame, with no penalties being handed out.
The final frame started with action fast and furious on both sides. Off the opening faceoff, 22 seconds in, the Eagles went on the attack and scored another rebound goal, this time off the tape of Zach Wagnon. Isaac Lambert was having none of it and took over the third period. Just 17 seconds later, Lambert rocketed home a one-timer to once again tie up the game. The referees would then make their presence known and have an impact on the game. Eight minutes in, JJ Monteiro would take the games first penalty for high-sticking, which was successfully killed off. With under four minutes to go, Nathan Oickle was sent to the box for holding, giving the Silverbacks their only powerplay of the game. Lambert took the puck with the man-advantage, drove the net, and backhanded the puck top corner for his second goal of the game, making it 3-2. Lambert would then complete the hat-trick with an empty net goal in the final 15 seconds to finish off the game.
Eli Pulver got the win against his former team, making 38/40 saves.
