Salmon Arm, B.C. – The Salmon Arm Silverbacks took on the Merritt Centennials in game four of the series, with the Silverbacks leading 2-1.
Both offenses came to play in the first period. For the fourth game in a row, the Centennials struck first, for their first powerplay goal of the series. With Nathan Mackie in the box for cross-checking, Jaxson Murray snaps the puck home in the high slot for the early 1-0 lead. A quick answer sees JJ Monteiro strip the puck and go for a breakaway, just 20 seconds later, and snipe it bar-down to tie up the game, 1-1. Four minutes later, the Centennials regained the lead. During a scramble in front, Eli Pulver hits the ice protecting the goal line which allows Sam Grabner to handle the loose puck and find the open net. Not allowing any wiggle room, the Silverbacks tie up the game within the minute when Maddux Martin pots the rebound right off the draw, 2-2. As the period was winding down, Zach Losier would give Merritt the lead for the third time in the opening frame when he bangs home a rebound on the doorstep.
The Centennials would solidify their lead in the second period. Less than five minutes in, Luke Pfoh would redirect a shot onto the net to give his team the two goal lead, 4-2. Merritt wasn’t done there as at the half-way mark of the frame, Maks Percic would get a feed sneaking towards the net and rifle one short side for the 5-2 lead. The comebacks effort would get underway for the Silverbacks on the powerplay as Dylan Lariviere takes an interference penalty. On the man advantage, Cole Cooksey pick up the puck in his own zone, goes end-to-end, and pops the puck over the shoulder on the breakaway to cut the lead back down to two.
Continuing the desperation comeback effort, the Silverbacks would fall just short in the third period. With six minutes to go, and the clock ticking away, Ryan Gillespie would pull the team to within one when he is perfect positioning to hammer home the rebound. Salmon Arm could not tie up the game despite pulling the goalie and outshooting Merritt in the final frame, 16-12.
Eli Pulver made 29/34 saves as the Centennials tie up the series, 2-2.
