Salmon Arm, B.C. – The Salmon Arm Silverbacks wrapped up their island trip with a matchup against the Alberni Valley Bulldogs.
Neither team was able to find the back of the net in the first in an even period. The Silverbacks has two powerplay opportunities in the first period along with going a perfect three for three on the penalty kill. Shots on goal after the first was a slight advantage to Salmon Arm, 11-10.
Both teams were able to find the back of the net to get the game started in the second period. Halfway through it was Wyatt Blace that snuck one by to give the Bulldogs the lead. It took the Silverbacks less than a minute to answer when Payton Nelson snipped home his first career BCHL goal in his first BCHL game. To end the frame, Salmon Arm had another powerplay chance but to no avail.
Once again, each side found twine to keep this game tied in the third. Five minutes in, Aidan Willis gets sent to the box for a holding call while defending the rush, giving Alberni Valley a powerplay. With a man advantage, Grayson Badger wiggled himself to the high slot and unleashed a powerful on-timer to give his team the lead. Not allowing this game to get away from them, the Silverbacks answered quickly yet again. On the powerplay, Ryan Philbrick takes the puck at the blueline and sends one on net that sneaks through everyone for his first career BCHL goal.
This game needs overtime, where the home team would get the win. At the five minute mark of a ten minute overtime frame, the Bulldogs set a give and go to the side of the net which Caden Tremblay is able to chip over the shoulder of Ryan Grout for the Alberni Valley win.
Despite the loss, Grout made 19/22 saves in his 2024/25 season debut. The Silverbacks outshot the Bulldogs 43-22.
(Photo credit: Kristal Burgess)