Salmon Arm, B.C. — The Salmon Arm Silverbacks fell 3-1 to the Wenatchee Wild on Thursday night at the Shaw Centre, dropping their record to 19-7-1 this season.
They were outshot for just the sixth time this season, mustering only 24 shots on goal in the game, including four in the third period.
GAME SUMMARY
The Silverbacks were not able to replicate the strong start that they had on Sunday, falling behind 6:43 into the game on a power play goal from defenceman Luke Gallagher. The former WHLer fired a seeing-eye wrist shot from the point that beat a screened Ethan Langenegger to the blocker side.
The Backs would have a few more chances on two power play opportunities in the rest of the period, but were not able to capitalize and entered the first period down 1-0. The shots on goal through 20 minutes were 8-8.
Salmon Arm surrendered a 3-on-1 odd-man rush to start the second period, a rush that allowed the Wild to add to their lead. Nicholas Chmelevski carried the puck down the left side and fed a pass to the middle to Nick Cafarelli, who returned the favour to Chmelevski, allowing the 17-year-old to bury his first career BCHL goal just 49 seconds into the frame.
After going down 2-0, the Backs had renewed energy, dominating the next 10 minutes. Just 1:21 after Wenatchee doubled their lead, the Backs converted on a power play, as new addition Luke Mylymok fired a shot from the right face-off dot that hit goaltender Daniel Chenard and squeaked by him.
Despite out-shooting the Wild 12-5 in the period, the Backs still entered the third period down a goal.
The Wild did a good job of shutting things down in the third period, being content with chipping pucks out and keeping the puck below the goal line and along the outside in the offensive zone. Although the Silverbacks drew two penalties in the third period, the closest they would come to scoring was a redirection that hit the cross-bar off the stick of Daniel Rybarik.
In the end, the Backs were outshot 26-24 and fell in regulation 3-1.
STANDOUT PERFORMANCES
Luke Mylymok, Salmon Arm Silverbacks: Not only did Mylymok register his first career goal in just his second game, but he easily could have two or three in this one. Many of his chances came on the power play, where he and Hirose worked the puck back and forth up high in the zone.
Nicholas Chmelevski, Wenatchee Wild: The rookie notched his first career BCHL goal and added an assist on the insurance marker in the third period. Four of his nine points this season have come against the Backs.
Tyler Young, Wenatchee Wild: Young was carrying the puck with confidence and speed all night long and registered an assist in this one, his 19th of the season. The Providence College commit now has 23 points on the season.
For the full boxscore, click here.
STAT OF THE GAME
Backs 24 SOG: The Silverbacks failed to register at least 25 shots on goal for just the second time on home ice this season. Their four shots in the third period (when trailing) were simply not going to cut it.
WHAT’S NEXT
The Silverbacks travel to Vernon for the first matchup with the Vipers this season and then on Saturday they are in West Kelowna for a game against the Warriors at 6 p.m.
All games can be heard on 91.5 EZ Rock with the pre-game show starting half an hour before puck drop. Fans can also stream the games on HockeyTV.
