Salmon Arm, BC – For the first time this season, the Prince George Spruce Kings (6-1-0-0) came into town for a meeting with the Silverbacks (3-4-0-0). The Silverbacks were coming off a 4-3 loss to the Smoke Eaters on Friday night, while the Spruce Kings took down the Vipers 2-1 in a shootout. The two teams will meet seven times this season, including the BCHL Road Show in February. Matthew Tovell got the nod once again for the ‘Backs as he suited up for his seventh game of the season. While on the other end it was Aidan Feddema getting his second start of the season for the Spruce Kings.
It was a penalty filled first period as the two teams combined for 5 minor penalties in the frame. The Silverbacks had a lengthy five on three midway through the period but Aidan Feddema stood tall and kept it scoreless. Later on the Silverbacks third powerplay it was Reid Varkonyi (1) getting his first BCHL goal as he found a way to beat Feddema high over the glove. Just a few moments later it was Killian McGregor-Bennett (1) getting things tied up as a ricochet found a way to beat Tovell. Late in the period Owen Beckner (6) continued his strong play as he regained the lead for the ‘Backs. Salmon Arm outshot the Spruce Kings 13-6 in the period.
The second period continued to be in the same style as both teams continued the parade to the penalty box. Early in the frame it was Nathan Mackie (6) getting on the scoreboard as he finished off a great pass from Owen Beckner to extend the Silverbacks lead to two goals. Midway through the middle frame it was the Spruce Kings getting a powerplay marker of their own when Austin Fraser (2) was able to get one by Tovell. The Spruce Kings applied all kinds of pressure in the later stages of the period as the outshot the ‘Backs 18-8 in the period.
The pace of the game continued in the third period as the penalties continued to come. It was Brandon Santa Juana (1) getting his first of the season on a superb individual effort. He finished it off on a wrap around play to beat Aidan Feddema. That was the lone goal in the third period, as the Silverbacks took down the Spruce Kings by a score of 4-2. The shots ended up finishing at 31-31.
Next up for the ‘Backs will be the BCHL Showcase. The Silverbacks will play two games in Chilliwack next week. A 10AM meeting with the Powell River Kings on Wednesday, and a 7PM meeting with the Coquitlam Express on Thursday night.
