Salmon Arm, B.C. – The Salmon Arm Silverbacks started the new year on the road against the Nanaimo Clippers.
The number one scoring team in the league, the Clippers, showed why in the first period. Just under five minutes into the game, Luke Buss collected a loose puck in the crease and flipped it into the back of the net for the early 1-0 lead. Just after the BCHL media timeout, Marcus Broberg was called for boarding, sending the Silverbacks to their first penalty kill of the game. With the man advantage, Mike Murtagh sniped one home to extend the lead, 2-0.
The second period saw the start of the comeback for the Silverbacks. At the 13:00 mark, Noah Alvarez was sent to the box for a hook, giving the Silverbacks a much needed powerplay, which they were unable to capitalize on. With less than two minutes left in the frame, another golden opportunity came the Silverbacks way when Mike Murtagh was given a roughing penalty. The chance did not last long as eight seconds later, Nathan Mackie was called for interference, making it a four-on-four to end the period. While even at four-on-four, Jacob Bonkowski entered the offensive zone and sent a centering pass across that hit off a defenders stick and in to cut the lead 2-1.
With the offensive intensity ramping up in the third, time became the enemy for the Silverbacks. JJ Monteiro was called for a trip a couple minutes into the period, which the Silverbacks were able to successfully kill off. Pulling the goalie with a minute and a half left, the chances came fast and furious but no one was able to pot the tying goal.
Eli Pulver made 21/23 saves in the losing effort.
