Salmon Arm, BC – Matthew Tovell made 37 saves on route to his third shutout of the season as the Silverbacks blanked the Vipers 3-0.
For the sixth time this season it was the Salmon Arm Silverbacks (15-12-2-1) and the Vernon Vipers (14-13-0-4) renewing their Highway 97 rivalry. The Silverbacks took the first two meetings on the season, while the Vipers bounced back to win the last three games between the two sides. Salmon Arm is coming off a 5-1 victory over the Merritt Centennials on Saturday afternoon, while the Vipers fell to the Penticton Vees on New Year’s Day by a 6-3 final.
Matthew Tovell (11-10-1-0, 2.95 GAA, .917 S%, 2 SO) got the start for the Silverbacks, while Ethan David (7-5-0-2, 2.84 GAA, .911 S%,) got the nod for the Vipers.
The ‘Backs were able to feed off the sold out home crowd early from the Shaw Centre as just one minute in, it was Brandon Santa Juana (8) finishing off a brilliant passing play with his linemates, Nathan Mackie, and Hayden Stavroff to open the scoring. The momentum didn’t stop there as Owen Beckner (12) was able to double up the Silverbacks lead to two goals as he took a shot from just inside the blueline to beat David. Late in the period it was a solo effort from Ryan Gillespie (4) which might go down as the Silverbacks goal of the year as he dragged the puck around the defender through the neutral zone and slipped one by David to give the ‘Backs a three goal lead. Shots in the first frame were 11-9 in favor of Salmon Arm.
The middle frame didn’t provide the same style of hockey as both teams seemed to slow things down and played a more physical style of hockey. The Silverbacks went to the man advantage on two separate occasions as Dylan Compton, and former Silverback, Connor Welsh took minor penalties. The leagues top ranked penalty kill was able to kill off both penalties to keep it at a three goal Silverback lead. Shots in the middle frame were 12-11 in favor of Salmon Arm.
Period three went in a similar fashion as to the middle frame. The Silverbacks seemed content with keeping the flow of the game moving as they looked to steer home their second win in a row. Midway through the final frame the Silverbacks went to the penalty kill as Owen Beckner went off for a double-minor high-sticking call. The Silverbacks didn’t seem fazed as they were able to kill off the entire four minute sequence. Matthew Tovell was able to close things out for the Silverbacks as they held on for a 3-0 victory.
Next up for the Silverbacks will be a Sunday afternoon matchup in West Kelowna. Puck drop will be at 2:30PM from Royal LePage Place.
Photo Courtesy of Chris Fowler
