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Silverbacks Edge Wild 3-2 At Showcase

Salmon Arm B.C. — The Salmon Arm Silverbacks edged the Wenatchee Wild 3-2 on Friday afternoon in their first BCHL Showcase Festival game to improve to 8-1-1 this season. The Backs held the Wild to 15 shots on goal in the first of seven meetings between the two clubs this season.

GAME SUMMARY

This one started rather slowly, with both teams coming out tentative.

Following the expiration of a Silverbacks power play six minutes in, Noah Lugli appeared to open the scoring, but after a discussion between the officials, the goal was taken back because of a clear kicking motion.

Other than Lugli’s disallowed goal, the only noteworthy development from the opening 20 minutes was when Wild winger Dallas Farrell hit the post off an odd-man rush. At the end of the first, the score was 0-0 and the shots on goal just 6-3 for Salmon Arm.

The Silverbacks turned their game around in the second period, first drawing a penalty right off the bat and then scoring the game’s first goal not long after. Captain Akito Hirose fed a cross-ice pass to Will Poirier in the offensive zone, who quickly one-timed a low shot on goal that created a rebound off the pad of goaltender Daniel Chenard. Rookie Aidan Curran made no mistake by tapping home the rebound for his career BCHL goal.

Salmon Arm kept up the pressure for most of the second period, getting an insurance marker with 3:40 to go in the frame courtesy of Nick Unruh. He fired a one-timer from a similar position as Poirier on the first goal, but this time it squeaked under the arm of Chenard and just passed the goal line, giving Unruh his third goal of the season. After 40 minutes, the Silverbacks led the Wild 2-0 and held a 17-9 lead in shots on goal.

The Backs started the third period well again, but a lucky bounce for the Wild led to a breakaway for new addition Luke Ormsby, who slid the puck between the legs of Ethan Langenegger to make it a one-goal game. Three minutes later, Salmon Arm responded courtesy a Will Poirier power play goal, his eighth goal of the season and 15th point.

The Wild scored a late power play marker with the extra attacker to make it 3-2 with 6.9 seconds left, but that was as close as they would come, with Salmon Arm taking the first head-to-head matchup by a single goal.

Langenegger picked up his sixth win of the season and 25th of his career, while Noah Wakeford recorded his 75th career BCHL assist.

STANDOUT PERFORMANCES

Aidan Curran, Salmon Arm SilverbacksCurran played his best game of the season thus far, not only scoring his first career goal, but also assisting on Poirier’s power play goal. The New Hampshire commits’ patience and puck skills were on full display in this one.

Will Poirier, Salmon Arm Silverbacks: Also recording a goal and an assist was Poirier, who now sits second in the league in scoring with 15 points, trailing only his teammate Wakeford (17). The veteran also displayed his physical edge in this one, yet again.

Matt Dorsey, Wenatchee Wild: Dorsey was one of the few bright spots for the Wild, who had trouble generating offence all night long with just 15 shots on goal. The veteran winger didn’t register a point, but did well to try to create opportunities and had lots of touches on the puck.

For the full boxscore, click here.

STAT OF THE GAME

36 Combined Shots on Gaol: The first period was sleepish for sure, but even by the end, 36 combined shots on goal was abnormally low. The second period had

WHAT’S NEXT

The Silverbacks take on the Coquitlam Express tomorrow morning at 10 a.m. in their second and final BCHL Showcase game.

Unfortunately, it will not be broadcast on 91.5 EZ Rock, but fans can still stream the game on HockeyTV.

The next home game is Friday, Oct. 11 when the Chilliwack Chiefs come to town. For tickets to the game, click here.