Merritt, B.C. — The Salmon Arm Silverbacks lost 6-5 to the Merritt Centennials on Saturday night at Nicola Valley Memorial Arena, dropping their record to 17-5-1 on the season, still good for second in the Interior Division.
GAME SUMMARY
Unlike Friday’s game, Saturday’s contest got out to a rocketing start, with both teams firing everything they had at the net.
At the 4:50 mark, Backs forward Nick Martino come down the right wing on a 2-on-1 rush and fed a perfect pass across to Daniel Rybarik that he tapped in for his 14th goal of the season.
Merritt would respond just 32 seconds later, after former Silverback Wyatt Marlow redirected in a Talon Zakall point shot.
Because the Backs failed to capitalize on a 5-on-3, the score remained 1-1 through 20 minutes of play.
Just 3:29 into the second period, the Cents took their first lead of the game off an odd-man rush, as forward Brett Roloson batted the puck out of the air on a 2-on-1. At the 11:58 mark of the period, the Cents would score the lone power play goal of the game off the stick of Thomas Manty.
This time the Backs responded quickly, thanks to Nick Unruh, who netted his seventh of the season 1:57 after Merritt had scored, making it a 3-2 game.
Salmon Arm entered the third period down a goal but up a man, after Daniel Rybarik drew a hooking call in the dying seconds of the middle frame. Unfortunately, they couldn’t capitalize, and mere moments after going back to 5-on-5, Merritt would extend their lead thanks to Joey Berkopec, who tallied his third of the season to make it 4-2.
Halfway through the third, Drew Bennett got the Backs to within a goal, ripping a wrist shot blocker side past goaltender Tanner Marshall after taking a pass from Noah Lugli.
This time, the Centennials only need 1:06 to respond, restoring their two-goal lead on Roloson’s second goal of the game.
But the Backs would not go down without a fight.
Tony Andreozzi stole a puck in the offensive zone with just under five minutes to go in the game and beat Marshall with a quick release to make the score 5-4.
With just 1:33 to go in the game and Backs pressing, Cents forward Payton Matsui hopped on a loose puck in the corner and was able to cut to the net, where he beat Dylan Kruss on the backhand to make it a 6-4 Merritt lead.
Although Akito Hirose made it a one-goal game with 42 seconds left, that was as close as the Backs would come, falling 6-5 in regulation. The final shots on goal in the game were 53-32 for Salmon Arm and the Backs power play went 0-for-6.
STANDOUT PERFORMANCES
Daniel Tkac, Merritt Centennials: Tkac was using his speed to create havoc in this one, pressuring the puck all night long. He finished with three assists, giving him 15 points on the season in 19 games.
Sam Schofield, Salmon Arm Silverbacks: Schofield was motoring all night and although he only finished with one assist, he was a factor almost every time he was out on the ice. He also stepped up on the PK, which went 7-for-8 on the night.
Drew Bennett, Salmon Arm Silverbacks: Bennett was his usual self on the PK but also scored a big goal for the Backs in the third to make it a 4-3 game. He now has five points in his last four games.
For the full boxscore, click here.
STAT OF THE GAME
Silverbacks 0-for-6 on the PP: The Backs desperately needed a power play goal in this one and just couldn’t get it. They are now 0-for-21 in their last four games on the man advantage.
WHAT’S NEXT
The Silverbacks’ next game will be Wednesday, Nov. 13 when they host the Penticton Vees for a big matchup at the Shaw Centre.
The game can once again be heard on 91.5 EZ Rock with the pre-game show starting at 6:30 p.m.. Fans can also stream the game on HockeyTV.
