Following a 4-2 win at home last weekend, the Silverbacks were unable to repeat Saturday night losing 5-2 at the hands of the same Merritt Centennials.
Merritt would open the scoring just as their first power play expired in the first period. Rylan Van Unen took a shot off the right wall, and a rebound wound up in front of the crease where Mathieu Gosselin knocked it in for the 1-0 lead. The night before in Trail, it took the Silverbacks 34 seconds to respond after allowing the goal, and against Merritt it took them just 15 seconds.
In the second period Mathieu Gosselin would score his second goal of the game shortly after he stepped out of the box. The Centennials had a 4-on-3, and when the Quebec City native stepped out they had a two man advantage. Joining the play he received a pass at the top of the left circle and was able to fire in a one timer to restore the Cents lead. The visitors added to that with six minutes left as a point shot by Talon Zakall found the top left corner weaving through a mass of bodies in front of the goal.
Salmon Arm had an early chance in the third period to get within one goal. Making his season debut, Johnathan Krahn was hauled down on a breakaway, and awarded a penalty shot. The young forward swung down the right side, and cutting to the middle tried to go five hold but Austin Roden was able to shut the door keeping it a 3-1 game. Eight minutes into the period Merritt would make it a three goal game with their second power play goal of the night. A stroke of good luck played into effect as Matthew Kopperud was on the right side and tried to pass the puck across the ice. It was blocked by a Silverbacks stick, but wound up going straight back to Kopperud. With Langenegger following the original pass, Kopperud was able to score making it 4-1.
Leading the team in points heading into the game, Bradley Cocca would score his first goal of the season to wrap up Merritt’s scoring. The Ontario forward had seven assists in four games coming in, and was setup in the slot to wire home a one timer for the 5-1 Cents lead. Salmon Arm would reply with a late goal of their own on a great effort from Matthew Verboon. Taking a hit around centre ice, he was able to pass the puck off to Wakeford on the right wing. Getting right back into the play, Verboon took the pass on a 3-on-1 and bringing the puck to his backhand was able to lift the puck over a sprawled Roden.
Falling 5-2, it was a busy night in net for Langenegger who stopped 44 of 49 shots. Roden on the other side stopped 25 of 27. Both teams will get a few days off before heading to the BCHL Bauer Showcase next weekend. Salmon Arm will play Victoria on Friday and Alberni Valley Saturday in Chilliwack before heading to Coquitlam on Sunday afternoon for a matchup with the Express.
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