Salmon Arm, B.C. – The Salmon Arm Silverbacks were on the road for their final game before Christmas break, against the Cranbrook Bucks.
On home ice, the Bucks came out hot to start the game. Within the first two minutes, Julian Frias collected a rebound in the slot and snapped it for the early 1-0 lead. The Silverbacks ran into penalty trouble for the rest of the frame. Killing off a four-minute high stick penalty against Riley Ashe, followed by a successful penalty kill on a Ty Paisley hooking call.
Another period was filled with penalties until the Silverbacks were able to tie it up late. It started with Bryce Sookro giving the Silverbacks their first powerplay by taking a cross-checking penalty, but Salmon Arm was unable to capitalize. Shortly after, Sam Belanger and Jonah Aegerter were handed two minutes each for roughing, with Aegerter picking up an extra ten-minute misconduct. With five minutes left in the middle frame, Maddux Martin drove around the defenders, making moves towards the crease and sent a back-hander towards the net which JJ Monteiro got his stick on to tie up the game 1-1. It is Monteiro’s 10th goal of the season. To end the period, the Silverbacks killed off a holding call against Martin.
The Silverbacks took the lead early in the third. A minute and a half in, JJ Monteiro was able to get his stick on another puck, this time a point shot from Tristan Allen. A couple of more opportunities came the Silverbacks way with some powerplays but unable to connect.
Eli Pulver got the win to close out the first half of the BCHL season, stopping 29/30.
