Salmon Arm, B.C. – The Salmon Arm Silverbacks returned to Rogers Rink for the first time since December 29th, welcoming in the Blackfalds Bulldogs.
Both teams found the back of the net in a tied first period. Nine minutes into the game, the Silverbacks were pushing offensively when the puck finds the tape of Dakota MacIntosh and he fires home his first goal as a Silverback, 14th of the season, to make it 1-0. Four minutes later, Austin Borggaard leads a rush up for the Bulldogs and snaps one glove side to tie the game up, 1-1. The Silverbacks had a golden opportunity to close the period with a couple of powerplays. First was Lucas McDonald going to the box for high-sticking, then only a minute later it was a five-minute major and a game misconduct called to Jason Davenport for spearing. Salmon Arm could not capitalize on the extended man advantage.
A high-scoring second period sees the Bulldogs take the lead. A quick start in the period as MacIntosh finds himself in a perfect position backdoor for the wide open rebound for his second of the game, 15th total on the season, 2-1 Silverbacks. Extending the lead two minutes later, keeping the foot on the gas, Donovan Hamilton launches one from the blueline that hits off the shoulder of the goalie and trickles into the net for Hamilton’s first career BCHL goal, 3-1 Silverbacks. Answering right back, 20 seconds later, Thomas Neu gets a slot pass off a defensive zone turnover and he pots it, cutting into the lead, 3-2. Before the halfway mark of the period, Noah Mertz sends a laser to the top corner to tie up the game, 3-3. Starting goalie, Daniel Dirracolo would get the hook, stopping 7/10 shots faced before getting pulled with Andrew Ballantyne coming in relief. The goalie change proved unsuccessful for the Silverbacks as before the period ends, Luke Dahlen grabs a loose puck in the crease and backhands it into the net for the 4-3 lead.
Blackfalds adds an empty net goal in the third period for good measures. A final frame that saw no penalties and no scoring until the final minute when Borggaard gets an empty net goal for his second of the game.
Andrew Ballantyne takes the loss, only stopping 5/6 shots faced. The Silverbacks outshot the Bulldogs, 47-17 in this game.
(Photo credit: Kristal Burgess)