Salmon Arm, B.C. – In a rematch of last year’s Interior Conference Finals, the Salmon Arm Silverbacks hit the road to take on the Penticton Vees for game 1.
The Silverbacks were able to jump out to a much-needed lead in the first period. Seven minutes in, Cole Longacre takes a drop pass and makes no mistake, sniping it glove-hand side for the 1-0 lead. Both teams would kill off a penalty to end the opening frame.
Adding an insurance goal is the Silverbacks in the second period. Four minutes in, Marcus Broberg and Zack Stringer would head to the box to make it four-on-four action. With open ice to work with, Ryan Gillespie picks up the puck in front of his own net, go coast-to-coast, and snap one under the blocker arm of Vees netminder, Andrew Ness, to make it a 2-0 game. Another four-on-four opportunity for both teams at the end of the middle frame as Ryan Gillespie and Cade Littler were handed roughing calls.
Despite a desperation comeback effort, the Silverbacks would hold on to the lead in the third period. There was no penalties or goals for either side in the final frame. The Vees had the net empty for the final four minutes of the games but to no avail. The Silverbacks got outshot in the third period, 13-1.
Eli Pulver notched his third shutout of the playoffs, stopping 37/37, to lead the Silverbacks to the 1-0 Conference Finals lead.
(Photo credit: Cherie Morgan)
