Salmon Arm, B.C. – The Salmon Arm Silverbacks hold a 1-0 series lead heading into game two on the road against the Trail Smoke Eaters.
Coming out to a hot start in the first period, the Silverbacks take the lead. Halfway through, Luca DeCubellis jumps up on the rush and gets a back door feed which he hammers home for his first career BCHL goal, 1-0. Each team had a powerplay look in the opening frame but can not take advantage.
Both teams score in the second for a tie game. In the opening minute, Keifer Miller is aggressive on the puck in the crease and finds the loose rebound for his first of the playoffs, extending the lead, 2-0. Answering quickly, a minute later, Gabriel Bugeaud finishes off an odd man rush to cut into the lead, giving the Smoke Eaters their first goal of the series, 2-1. At the 12 minute mark, Christian Kim would snipe the top corner and tie up the game, 2-2. The rest of the frame got physical with four separate off setting penalties called for roughing or unsportsmanlike conduct.
There is no scoring in a back-and-forth third period. No powerplays awarded to either team despite Trail goalie, Cooper Michaluk getting a 10 minute misconduct called against him. This game needs overtime.
It only takes four minutes of extra hockey before Keifer Miller again crashes the net hard, scoops up a rebound, and throws it top corner for the game winner, 3-2.
The Silverbacks take the 2-0 series lead.
Daniel Dirracolo gets the win stopping 19/21 shots faced.
(Photo credit: Kristal Burgess)
