Salmon Arm, BC – The Silverbacks welcomed in October with their first matchup of the season against the Wenatchee Wild. It was the first of five meetings of the season for the two teams. It was also the last game at the Shaw Centre for two weeks as the team is set to go on a three game road trip. Both teams are coming off losses on Friday night, as the Silverbacks dropped their first of the season, 6-1, to the Vees. While the Wild fell 7-4 to the West Kelowna Warriors.
Matthew Tovell got his fourth start of the season for the Silverbacks, while Owen Millward got the nod for the Wild. The game opened up with a couple changes for the Silverbacks, as Jayden Grier, and Hayden Stavroff got their first look in a ‘Backs jersey. Midway through the opening frame, David Hejduk (1) opened the scoring on a shot from the blue line that bounced right over the glove of Tovell. Just a few moments later, it was Maddux Martin (1) tying things up with his first BCHL goal. Shots ended up 10-8 in favor of the Silverbacks after the first.
The Wild came out flying in the middle frame, as they got two quick ones. Jason Stefanek (1), and Gabe Dombrowski (3) got the Wild the two goal lead as they burst into action. Late in the middle frame it was Connor Welsh (1) pulling the ‘Backs within one, late in the period.
The third period opened up with excitement as both teams got early penalties. Nathan Mackie (3) got the ‘Backs evened up as he got his second short-handed marker of the season. It was just minutes later when Jonathan Horn (3) got the lead right back for the Wild. The Silverbacks stayed resilient as Owen Beckner (2) tied things up midway through the third. Salmon Arm went to the powerplay late in the frame, when Nathan Mackie (4) got his second of the night to take the lead. William Lavigne (1) added an empty netter as the Silverbacks took this one by a score of 6-4.
Next up for the ‘Backs is a road meeting with the Vernon Vipers on Friday, October 7th. Puck drop is at 7:00PM, and you can catch all the action on Hockey TV.
