Salmon Arm, B.C. – The Salmon Arm Silverbacks hosted the Merritt Centennials in game two of the first round at the Shaw Centre.
The Centennials came flying out of the gate in the first period. Right off the opening draw, 10 seconds in, the Centennials rushed down the ice with Jaxson Murray tapping one in beside the post for the early, 1-0 lead. The hot start continued for Merritt as five minutes later, Charles-Thomas Larochelle got the puck at the side of the net and snuck one past the glove side and the post to extend the lead, 2-0. Despite having a late period powerplay, the Silverbacks were unable to get on the board in the opening frame.
Both teams traded goals in the second period. It was another quick start for the Centennials as a minute and a half in, CT Larochelle threw the puck towards the net at a weird angle and it snuck through the legs of Eli Pulver, to make it a 3-0 game. The Silverbacks got the answer they were looking for when less than a minute later, a scramble broke out in the crease with Patrick Raftery tapping home the lose puck to make it a 3-1 game.
The Silverbacks third period comeback effort fell just short. Coming out of the BCHL media timeout, Isaac Lambert snuck back door and hammered home the rebound to cut the deficit, making it 3-2. Despite the empty net attempt and outshooting the Centennials 12-6 in the final frame, the Silverbacks were unable to score the tying goal.
Eli Pulver made 32/35 saves as the series was tied up 1-1.
