Salmon Arm, B.C. – The Salmon Arm Silverbacks hosted the Spruce Grove Saints.
The Saints jump out to a big lead after the first period. Instantly going on the penalty kill, Jack Toogood takes a tripping penalty in the first 28 seconds. 11 seconds into the powerplay, Junior Podein finds the back of the net for the early lead, 1-0. Staying onto the attack, still within the opening three minutes, Max Holland crashes down into the slot and fires one home, 2-0. At the 6:46 mark, the Silverbacks push to get back into the game as Scott Miner grabs the loose puck and hammers home his 3rd of the season, 2-1. Regaining their two goal lead, Brandon Funk pokes the puck in a scramble to make it 3-1.
No team finds the back of the net in the third as the Saints hold onto their lead. Salmon Arm had two powerplay opportunities in the second period but could not convert on either one.
Fighting back in the third period, the Silverbacks make it close but ultimately fall. Five minutes in, Anthony Cardilli goes coast-to-cast, drives down the left wing, and snaps the puck by for his 14th of the season, 3-2. 41 seconds later, the Silverbacks tie the game when Keifer Miller sits back post and takes a beautiful pass for the easy tap in goal, 3-3. Shortly after the Silverbacks go on their third powerplay of the night with a chance to take the lead but can not take advantage. In the final four minutes, Max Holland sends a shot on that deflects off a body in front and in for his second of the game and retakes the lead, 4-3.
In the loss, Daniel Dirracolo stops 21/25 shots faced.
(Photo credit: Kristal Burgess)
