The Silverbacks (29-16-4-4) earned four of six points on the road this past weekend, after falling 5-4 to the Powell River Kings (31-18-1-3) on Sunday, February 14th on the Sunshine Coast. The Kings opened the scoring in the opening period, a power-play goal at 16:38 with Josh Laframboise off for roughing. The home team took a 1-0 lead into the second period and outshot the Silverbacks 14-8 in the first frame.
The Silverbacks received their first man-advantage just six seconds into the middle period, but the ‘Backs gave up a short-handed marker 23 seconds into the power-play and trailed 2-0. Josh Blanchard got the visitors on the board with his 16th, 53 seconds into the second and cut the Kings lead to 2-1. Carson Bolduc tied the game 2-2 with his 21st at 3:06. And the Silverbacks took their first lead of the game, 3-2 after Marcus Mitchell’s third goal of the weekend and eighth of the season at 7:39. Ross Heidt put the ‘Backs ahead 4-2 with his 33rd at 10:00.
The Kings scored the final goal of the second period to get within one, 4-3 at 12:35.
The ‘Backs lead 4-3 after 40 minutes, while Powell River lead 15-14 on the shot clock and 29-22 Kings overall. The Kings scored the final two goals of the game, 4-4 at 2:20. And the Silverbacks allowed another short-handed goal, giving the Kings the lead back 5-4 at 6:18.
Powell River lead 13-12 on the shot clock in the third and Kings finished ahead 42-34 total. Brandon Kegler took the loss in goal, one day after earning his first shutout of the season in Port Alberni. Angus Redmond left Friday’s game in Coquitlam after the first period. Ryley Booth didn’t make the trip as he recovers from an upper body injury.
The Silverbacks power-play was 1-for-4 while allowing two short-handed goals, and the penalty-kill was 2-for-3.
The ‘Backs finish the regular season with a record of 6-4-1-0 versus the Island Division and are now 15-11-1-1 on the road. The Silverbacks are 5-3-1-1 in their last 10 games and 4-2-0-1 in February.
The ‘Backs begin this week still third in the Interior Division, five points behind the second place West Kelowna Warriors (34-17-1-2). The Warriors and Vernon Vipers (22-26-0-3) meet on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week in a back-to-back, home-and-home set which will begin at 11a.m. each morning starting in Vernon. The Vipers have a two point lead over the Merritt Centennials (20-29-1-4) for the fourth and final playoff spot in the Interior. The Vipers have three games in hand on both the Cents and Trail Smoke Eaters (22-26-0-3). Trail is five points behind Vernon. The Silverbacks have only five regular season games remaining, with the post-season set to begin on Friday, March 4th.
The ‘Backs next game action will be on Friday, February 19th at home to the Penticton Vees (46-6-1-0). And the Silverbacks will host the Trail Smoke Eaters (22-26-0-3) on Saturday, February 20th. Both games will begin at 7p.m. at the Shaw Centre in Salmon Arm. Playoff tickets are available at the Silverbacks ticket office at the Shaw Centre in Salmon Arm.
Each Silverbacks and BCHL game is webcast live, PPV http://bchl.fasthockey.com as well as each ‘Backs road game is broadcast live at CKVS 93.7 FM http://voiceoftheshuswap.caEach home game is broadcast at http://bit.ly/1s0deO7 Tune into CKVS each Monday night throughout the season beginning at 7p.m. for 30 minutes or more of Silverbacks talk, including interviews and news from around the BCHL.
