This afternoon the Silverbacks are in Chilliwack to kick off the BCHL Bauer Showcase. In the secondary rink they will take on the Victoria Grizzlies who played last night against the Merritt Centennials losing 2-1.
Last season nearly 200 scouts attended the league wide event, so this is a glorious opportunity for players to make a case towards an NCAA scholarship. With nearly every NHL team being represented, this is also an opportunity to show the pros what the team has available.
The Silverbacks will need to focus on who’s on the ice though and not who is in the stands as they aim to end a two game losing streak. Opening night was good for the team with a 4-2 win over the Merritt Centennials, but last weekend they dropped games to Trail and Merritt 6-3 and 5-2. Both games Salmon Arm had opportunities to lead or get back into the game, but couldn’t capitalize on potential turning points.
During the third period in Trail, the team had a five-on-three power play. They scored to make it 4-3, but then surrendered a shorthanded goal to widen the gap to two goals. Against Merritt on Saturday, they had another five-on-three power play in the second period when the score was 1-1, but couldn’t score. Merritt would go on to score on a power play of their own and added an even strength goal to make it 3-1 heading to the third.
Salmon Arm has been one of the best teams in the Showcase recently with a current winning streak of five games. They are 5-1 in the last three years outscoring opponents 23-15.
Against the Grizzlies, the main focus will be shutting down young superstar Alex Newhook. Coming off a season where he was 2nd in BCHL scoring, first in points per game, and winner of the CJHL Rookie of the Year, the Newfoundland product has four assists in his first four games this season. He can relax a little this Showcase as he is already committed to Boston College. In TSN Craig Button’s September Draft Rankings, Newhook was ranked as the 28th prospect.
In the game agaisnt Merritt last night, the Grizzlies surrendered a pair of goals in the first, and wouldn’t be able to overcome the deficit. NHL draft pick Riley Hughes scored in the third for the Grizzlies on an unassisted effort.
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Silverbacks: In his sophomore season, Hudson Schandor has been a steady contributor. He has points in all three games, and leads the team in power play goals with two. Last year it took him nine games to hit the four point marker, and he has already done that in three games. His four points lead the Silverbacks. Saturday against the Centennials, he assisted on Trevor Adam’s goal in the first period, but not scoring ended his two game streak he had to start the season.
Grizzlies: Speaking of draft eligible players for the Grizzlies, Alexander Campbell from Quebec is tied for the team lead in points with Newhook at four. He leads the team in goals with four. Committed to Clarkson, Campbell is another player that doesn’t need to worry about playing for a scholarship this weekend. He opened the season with a hat-trick against the Alberni Valley Bulldogs, and followed that up with one assist against the Penticton Vees.
TUNE IN:
Due to league limitations, the game will not be broadcast on HockeyTV, and with it being an early Friday start, the game will not be carried on 91.5 EZ Rock.
You can tune in to the Grizzlies Mixlr stream to listen to the game. Click Here
Tomorrow’s game will be available on HockeyTV, and Sunday against Coquitlam things will resume with the EZ Rock feed available once again.
