Salmon Arm, BC – For the fifth and final time this season, it was the Salmon Arm Silverbacks (22-16-4-1) and the Merritt Centennials (11-27-3-2) going to battle. With a win, the Silverbacks would clinch a playoff spot. The two teams had split the first four games of the season set, with the Silverbacks holding the edge in goal difference 17-10. The ‘Backs were coming off their trip to Burns Lake last weekend, where they split the weekend set, while the Centennials were looking to bounce back following their 9-1 loss to West Kelowna on Monday.
Matthew Tovell (18-14-3-1, 2.60 GAA, .924 S%, 4 SO) got the start for the Silverbacks, while Connor Sullivan (2-11-0-0, 5.66 GAA, .868 S%, 0 S0) got the nod for the Centennials.
The Centennials and Silverbacks jumped out to a quick start as the first half of the period saw back and forth play with very few stoppages. The Centennials had a power play opportunity in the first sequence as Nic Leggett went to the box for a two minute hooking call. The Silverbacks were able to kill off the first penalty of the game thanks in big part to multiple big block shots from multiple different ‘Backs, and a couple big saves from Matthew Tovell. Salmon Arm was able to pick up the momentum moving into the later stages of the period, as they went to the man advantage on two separate occasions. Centennials netminder, Connor Sullivan was able to make countless big saves to keep the game scoreless late into the period. With just 26 seconds left in the period, it was the Silverbacks powerplay coming to life as Brandon Santa Juana (14) was able to bat home a rebound to give the ‘Backs a one goal lead heading into the intermission. Shots in the period were 15-6 in favour of Salmon Arm.
The middle frame kicked off with a slow pace as there was multiple stoppages in play in the first few minutes. The Silverbacks were looking to extend their lead in the early stages forward following their late power play marker in the opening period, but Connor Sullivan continued his fine form. Midway through the period it was a a Dylan Emerson hooking penalty that put the Silverbacks back to the man advantage. On the ensuing powerplay, it was a display of patience and poise by Ethan Ullrick (18) as he was able to fire a shot over the glove of Sullivan to extend the ‘Backs lead to two goals. Quickly after the Silverbacks got on the board, they went to the penalty kill as Tristan Allen went to the box. The Centennials were able to take advantage in the dying seconds of the power play as Diego Johnson (9) was able to lift a shot from the face-off circle over the glove of Tovell to get Merritt on the board. Shots in the middle frame were 15-8 for Salmon Arm.
Period number three was a favourable one for the home crowd in Salmon Arm as the ‘Backs exploded for three more goals in the first seven minutes of play, including another powerplay marker. Casy Laylin (2), Nathan Mackie (23) and Hayden Stavroff (10) added the goals in the final frame which helped propel the ‘Backs to the big 5-1 victory over the Centennials. The win helped clinch a playoff berth for the ‘Backs, and give them the season series with their third win on the season over the Centennials.
Next up for the Silverbacks will a Saturday night meeting with the Bucks in Cranbrook! Puck drops at 7:00PM (MST) from Western Financial Place.
Photo by CHRIS FOWLER – Recap Courtesy of TONY TROZZO
