The Silverbacks (7-7-0-1) will host the West Kelowna Warriors (11-4-0-0) this afternoon (Sunday) at 3pm at the Shaw Centre. Salmon Arm fell 5-4 in double overtime last night (Saturday) at home to the Merritt Centennials (5-9-0-2). The Silverbacks began the weekend with a 6-1 loss on Friday night at the Chilliwack Chiefs (7-7-1-1).
Josh Latta opened the scoring on Saturday with his fifth of the season and on the power-play at 9:49 of the first period, 1-0 Salmon Arm. The Centennials tied the game 1-1 at 13:28, as the Silverbacks allowed heir fourth short-handed goal-against of the weekend. Latta restored the lead with his second of the game and sixth of the season at 14:18, also with the man-advantage. Latta returned the line-up on Friday in Chilliwack after missing six games with an ailment. Salmon Arm lead 2-1 after 20 minutes and outshot the Cents 16-6.
Merritt scored the only goals of the second period, 2-2 at 6:48 and on the power-play with Mitch Stapley off for tripping. And the Centennials took their first lead of the night at 17:15, 3-2 and 4-on-4. Merritt lead 19-8 on the shot clock in the second and 25-24 overall.
The home team received the first two power-plays in the third and Nick Unruh deposited his fifth of the season and with the man-advantage, 3-3 at 8:20. The Cents went ahead 4-3 at 17:31. But Trevor Adams forced overtime with his fifth of the season and on the power-play, 4-4 at 18:23. Salmon Arm lead 11-8 on the shot clock in the third and 35-33 Silverbacks after regulation.
Neither team found the back of the net in the first five minute OT period, Salmon Arm outshot Merritt 5-2 and 40-35 overall. But the Centennials picked up the extra point at 2:47 of 3-on-3 OT. The Cents lead 2-1 on the shot clock, but the Silverbacks outshot Merritt 41-37 total. Bo Didur suffered his seventh loss in 13 games this season.
Salmon Arm finished 4-for-11 on the power-play and 4-for-6 on the PK. The Silverbacks power-play is still ranked first in the BCHL at 25-percent, with 21 goals which is the second highest total in the league and six short-handed goals-against which is also the most in the BCHL. West-K’s man-advantage is at 19-percent, with 15 goals and two short-handed goals-against. The Warriors PK leads the league at 91-percent, with one short-handed marker and just six power-play goals-against. Salmon Arm’s penalty-kill is at 75-percent, without a short-handed goal and with 19 power-play goals-against which is the second highest total behind Nanaimo and Cowichan Valley. The Silverbacks have 218 penalty minutes, while West Kelowna has 188.
The Warriors won 3-2 at home versus the Cowichan Valley Capitals (1–11-0-2) on Saturday. West-K is 5-2-0-0 on the road, 6-1-0-0 in October and 3-3-0-0 in the Interior Division. The Silverbacks are 4-2-0-1 in the second month of the regular season, 2-6-0-1 in the Interior, and 5-4-0-1 on home ice.
Salmon Arm has been outscored 63-53 and 43-40 at home, West Kelowna has outscored it’s opponent 51-34 and 24-19 on the road. The Warriors opened the season series with 4-1 victory at home over the Silverbacks on Saturday, October 3rd.
Salmon Arm captain Grayson Constable was scratched on Saturday with an injury, along with Justin Wilson. Riley Hayles, Tanner Campbell and Trey Thomas were also scratched again and each injured. Timber Lewis was called up on defense, the 16-year-old is with the Thompson Blazers in Kamloops in the BCMML.
Today is also the first of three SASCU Skate with the ‘Backs following each Sunday home game this season.
Silverbacks home game tickets are available at the Box Office at the Shaw Centre. Adults $14, Seniors $12, $7 for Children under 12-years-old. Also, a family pack for $25 includes 2 Adult tickets, 2 Children’s tickets, along with 4 complimentary Silverbacks hats. Contact the Silverbacks at (250) 832-3856 and www.sasilverbacks.com
