Salmon Arm, B.C. – The Salmon Arm Silverbacks head into game four at home with a 3-0 series lead against the Trail Smoke Eaters.
A tight, scoreless first period. The Silverbacks kill off two penalties in the opening period to remain perfect shorthanded in the series. After the first, the Smokies led the shots on goal, 10-7.
Still no scoring from either side in the second period. A third penalty kill for the Silverbacks to keep it scoreless. The first and only powerplay opportunity for the Silverbacks goes by the wayside despite lots of good scoring looks. Storming back with the shots on goal, the Silverbacks out shoot the Smokies 15-5 in the second period.
A intense third period sees this game need more hockey. In the opening three minutes, the Silverbacks lead a rush into the offensive zone where Cole Longacre gets a back door pass and makes no mistake, getting onto the board for the late lead, 1-0. Killing off another penalty, the Silverbacks remain perfect and in the lead. Pulling the goalie in the final two minutes, pushing for the tying goal, Erik Pastro parks himself in front of the net and tips in a point shot to tie the game up, 1-1 and this game needs overtime.
A wild end to this game has the Silverbacks pull out the victory and the sweep. At the 8:34 mark, Luca DeCubellis collects the puck at the red line and goes to dump it down behind the net but it hits a stantion and ricochets into a wide open net. From the red line, Luca DeCubellis scores the overtime winner with his second of the playoffs.
The Silverbacks sweep the Trail Smoke Eaters 4-0 and advance to the second round of the playoffs for the first time since the 2023/24 season.
Daniel Dirracolo gets his fourth win of the playoffs, stopping 27/28 shots.
(Photo credit: Kristal Burgess)
