Salmon Arm, B.C. – The Salmon Arm Silverbacks finished off the weekend at home against the Trail Smoke Eaters, playing them for the second time this season.
A scoreless first period sees both teams have a chance with the man advantage. In the first four and a half minutes, Aidan Willis gets sent to the box for high-sticking. The Silverbacks are able to kill of the penalty. In the final two minutes, Lucas Lemieux takes a tripping penalty, but Salmon Arm was not able to take advantage.
Trail jumps out to a lead in the second period with two goals. Near the halfway mark of the period, Jack Ziliotto forces a turnover at the red line and heads in on a breakaway where he snaps it five-hole for the 1-0 Smoke Eaters lead. After the BCHL media timeout, the Silverbacks have a golden opportunity with a four minute powerplay when Cash Carter gets a a double minor for high sticking. Nine seconds into the man advantage, it is the Smoke Eaters capitalizing, getting an early short-handed breakaway where Ridge Dawson scores to make it 2-0.
Salmon Arm was able to find the back of the net in the third period, but the Smoke Eaters still pile on the offence for the win. In the first six minutes, Kaycee Coyle takes a drop pass entering into the offensive zone and snaps home his first career BCHL goal, to cut into the lead, 2-1. The momentum didn’t last long as Gryphon Bucci finishes off a two-on-one rush to make it back a two goal lead, 3-1. The Silverbacks pull their goalie in the final three minutes looking to have a comeback but Bucci gets his second of the game on the empty net to complete the game, 4-1.
Despite the loss, Ryan Grout makes 20/23 saves.
(Photo credit: Kristal Burgess)
