Salmon Arm, B.C. – The Salmon Arm Silverbacks wrapped up the 2025/26 regular season looking for revenge against the Brooks Bandits.
The Silverbacks come storming out of the gate hot. Six and a half minutes in, Aidan Shirey picks up the loose puck at the blue line and drives down an open right side of the offensive zone before snapping one by for his 4th of the year, 3rd goal against the Bandits, 1-0. Shortly after, the Silverbacks get their first powerplay of the game and take advantage. Less than 20 seconds into the powerplay, Landon Mackie sees a shooting lane from distance and fires it threw traffic into the top corner, his 24th of the season, 2-0. In the final minute of the opening frame, Tanner Walos collects the puck in a scramble in front and throws it into the net for his 7th of the year, pushing the lead to 3-0.
Roaring back, the Bandits tie up the game in the second. Near the halfway mark, Luke Melnik takes a heavy shot which gets Brooks on the board, 3-1. Four minutes later, Isaac Johnson pick the top corner to cut into the lead, 3-2. The Silverbacks were given golden opportunities in the middle frame with four separate powerplay looks but can not capitalize on any of them, with the Bandits even taking control of one. Liam Fitzpatrick, while shorthanded, gets a step around the defence and buries the breakaway goal, tying up the game, 3-3.
Despite an incredible opportunity in the third period, this game stays tied and needs overtime. At the 9:18 mark, Rylan Hue throws a dangerous looking hit that results in a 5-minute major and a game misconduct for kneeing, but the Silverbacks can not take advantage of the extended powerplay.
The Silverbacks end the season with a bang in overtime. After eight and a half minutes of back-and-forth action, both teams having solid chances, the Silverbacks put the game away. During a scramble in front, the Bandits goalie, Lincoln Molind, finds himself out of position as Landon Mackie rifles a one-timer into the open net for his second of the game, 25th of the season, 4-3 win.
Daniel Dirracolo finishes the year with his 15th win, stopping 27/30.
With the win, the Silverbacks clinch third place in the Interior West Division and lock up a first round playoff match-up against the Trail Smoke Eaters.
(Photo credit: Kristal Burgess)
