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Silverbacks Take Down League-Leading Kings to Stay Undefeated

Salmon Arm B.C. — The Salmon Arm Silverbacks improved to 4-0-0 on the season after a 5-2 come-from-behind win on Friday night at the Shaw Centre over the Powell River Kings. This is the first time since 2010-11 that the Backs have started a season with at least four straight wins (they did start 2015-16 without a loss through four games, going 3-0-1 with one tie).

GAME SUMMARY

The Silverbacks started out well, controlling the play in the opening period for the most part, which led to the game’s first goal six and a half minutes in. Jayden Price set up in his usual spot on the left side on the power play and fed a pass cross-ice to Nick Unruh, who quickly fired one to the net. Kings goaltender Matteo Paler-Chow gave up a rebound to Noah Wakeford, who cleaned up the loose puck for his third goal in his last three games.

Towards the end of the period, the Silverbacks game began to sink a bit and with 1:50 left in the frame, defenceman P.J. Garrett threw a puck towards the net that changed direction and beat Ethan Langenegger to tie the contest 1-1.

After one period of play, the Silverbacks had a 12-5 edge in shots on goal,  but the score was all square.

The second period of the game started much like most second periods this season: not very well. Eventually, with just under six minutes remaining, the red-hot Kings power play converted to give the visitors their first lead of the game, as Jack Brackett potted home a rebound.

Just as it seemed the life had been sucked out of the Shaw Centre, Wakeford picked up his second tally of the game on yet another rebound, this time at even strength. A mere 13 seconds after Wakeford’s fourth of the season, Daniel Rybarik intercepted a pass at centre ice, went blazing down the wing, cut into the middle and ripped a shot over the glove of Paler-Chow to restore the Silverbacks one-goal lead. Just like that, Salmon Arm had a 3-2 lead and all the momentum heading into the final period.

Once there, the Silverbacks didn’t disappoint, playing a textbook third. They got an insurance marker from Unruh just over two minutes into the third, after he wired a clapper from the point that seemed like it went right through Paler-Chow. Several minutes later, Coalson Wolford showed off his vision by finding Simon Tassy heading towards the slot and hitting him with a perfect pass. Tassy then went high glove past the helpless Kings goaltender for his first career BCHL goal.

In the end, the Silverbacks took the game by a 5-2 score and had a 31-26 edge in shots, while their PK was impressive again, going 6-for-7 on the evening. Ethan Langenegger meanwhile made 24 saves on 26 shots to improve to 3-0. He made some key saves late in the second period when the Silverbacks were down 2-1, including stopping a 2-on-0.

STANDOUT PERFORMANCES

Noah Wakeford, SA Silverbacks: Wakeford has been a machine early on this season, halving his goal total from last year (8) through just four games. On both his goals, he was johnny on the spot, which shows he’s always in the right place at the right time. The undersized forward now has seven points in his first four games of the season, including three with the man advantage. Last week, he was an honourable mention for BCHL player of the week, and he could get another nod after the weekend if he keeps playing this well.

Daniel Rybarik, Salmon Arm SilverbacksSomehow Rybarik wasn’t named a star on the official game sheet, but boy was he good yet again. The talented winger was buzzing all evening and his goal was his second game-winner of the young season. With his speed and awareness, he’s pretty much a guarantee for three or four good scoring chances every single game. The only question is: how many goals can he score this year? 25? 30? We’ll take the latter.

Simon Tassy, Simon Arm Silverbacks: We’ve got to give a nod to the young Montreal native for scoring his first career BCHL goal. Tassy was getting chances in the first three games, but just couldn’t capitalize and now he has. It’s the first of what could be many this season.

STAT OF THE GAME

2 Backs’ goals in 13 seconds: The second period was unquestionably the Silverbacks’ worst on Friday, but it’s also when the game turned for the better. Wakeford lit the spark by tying the game and Rybarik kept things going with an even timelier go-ahead goal.

These two quick tallies meant the Silverbacks didn’t have to play catch-up in the third period.

WHAT’S NEXT

The Silverbacks host the Victoria Grizzlies tomorrow night at the Shaw Centre, with puck drop set for 6 p.m. All Saturday night home games this season will begin at 6 p.m. As always, the pre-game show on 91.5 EZ Rock will kick off 30 minutes before puck drop. Next week, Salmon Arm will travel to West Kelowna to take on the Warriors on Tuesday, Sept. 24. Fans can stream all games on HockeyTV.

For tickets to Saturday’s game, click here.