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Silverbacks Stay Undefeated With 4-2 Win Over Smoke Eaters

Salmon Arm B.C. — The Salmon Arm Silverbacks defeated the Trail Smoke Eaters 4-2 on Friday night in their first road game of the season. They now have a 2-0-0 record on the season.

GAME SUMMARY

This game was a tight one right from the get go, with the Backs opening the scoring five minutes in thanks to Noah Wakeford. The veteran beat goaltender Donovan Buskey blocker side with a wrist shot right from the slot after Daniel Rybarik’s back pressure created a turnover inside the Smoke Eater’s blue line.

Roughly six minutes after Wakeford gave the visitor’s the edge, Liam Freeborn slide home a puck past Ethan Langenegger to tie the game 1-1. This was only moments after the Silverback’s killed off a penalty.

After one period, the game was tied and the shots were tied as well, 10-10.

Just over six minutes into the middle frame, Will Poirier stuffed home a rebound on the club’s first power play opportunity of the evening to restore Salmon Arm’s lead. Langenegger would then make several key stops before the period ended to keep his team up 2-1 after 40 minutes.

The teams went back and forth to begin the third, but it was forward Michael Colella who would tied things up, this time 2-2 with 10:29 to go in the third period. Less than three minutes after the Smokies evened the score, Daniel Rybarik and Noah Wakeford worked some more magic, with Rybarik finishing it off this time by sneaking one under the arm of Buskey from in tight.

Poirier would add an empty-net goal with under a minute left to secure the 4-2 victory.

STANDOUT PERFORMANCES

Noah Wakeford, SA Silverbacks:  Poirier had the two-goal performance and Rybarik had the game-winning-goal, but Wakeford also had a tremendous game. Although he was incorrectly credited with Poirier’s first goal, he deserves to be mentioned here. The chemistry he has developed with Rybarik in such a short amount of time is impressive.

Ethan Langenegger, Salmon Arm Silverbacks: Langenegger’s biggest stops came at the tail end of the second period, when Trail was pushing for the tying goal. He also made some key stops in the third, including stopping Connor Sweeney on a partial breakaway.

Hunter Sansbury, Salmon Arm Silverbacks: Perhaps the best Silverback defender tonight, Sansbury not only was steady in his own zone, but also threw his weight around, including delivering a huge hit in the neutral zone. He may have gone pointless, but he was noticeable for the second straight game.

STAT OF THE GAME

Rybarik — GWG + 1A: Rybarik now has four points in his first two games of the season and consistently is an offensive threat because of his speed. Additionally, his back pressure has been phenomenal, as he always seems to cause turnovers right when the other team thinks they’re about to exit their own zone.

WHAT’S NEXT

The Silverbacks have a rematch with Trail tomorrow night. Puck drop is once again set for 7 p.m. with another pre-game show on 91.5 EZ Rock getting under way at 6:30 p.m. Fans can also stream the game on HockeyTV.

The next Backs home game is Friday, Sept. 20 when the Powell River Kings come to town. For tickets, click here.