Salmon Arm, B.C. – The Salmon Arm Silverbacks kicked off the 2025/26 at Rogers Rink against the Cranbrook Bucks.
The offence started the season red hot. Within the first 10 minutes of the season, the Silverbacks were handed an amazing opportunity when Cranbrook took two back-to-back penalties resulting in a 5-on-3 powerplay. With the man-advantage, Brady Logue is the recipient of a back door pass to find the back of the net. His first of his BCHL career and the first goal of the 2025/26 season for the Silverbacks. A minute later, still with a powerplay, Koen Senft screens the goalie in front and gets his stick on the puck for a tip-in goal, making it 2-0 with 2 powerplay goals.
Each team finds the back of the net in the second period. Getting on the board for the Bucks was Hugo Daniel, a shot from the slot, the makes it a 2-1 game. Shortly after its a tripping penalty to the Bucks, sending Salmon Arm to the powerplay for the third time in the game. On the advantage, Jaden Johnson unleashes a perfectly placed snipe from the half boards to regain the two goal lead, 3-1.
The comeback effort begins for Cranbrook in the third period. Adding to the tally, at the 7:35 mark, Jared Rothman takes a slick feed from the end boards and rips one home, glove side, to make it a 4-1 game and a much needed insurance goal. That’s when the wheels began to shake. Just past the halfway point in the period, Adam Csabi finds the back of the net to cut into the lead, 4-2. A minute later, with momentum on their side, Nikolaj Rupi comes in two-on-one and finishes the rush off himself to make it a one goal game, 4-3. In the final two minutes, with the net empty and an extra skater onto the ice, Csabi again snaps one home, to tie the game up at 4-4 and this game needs overtime.
Salmon Arm starts off overtime with the biggest opportunity in long time, a 5-on-3 powerplay. Right off the opening face off, Jack McMinn gets called for tripping and then 40 seconds later it’s Leyton Stewart called for tripping as well. The Silverbacks could not capitalize on the chance and then that’s when the Bucks grabbed the momentum. Peppering shots and forcing offensive pressure, Daniel Dirracolo comes up huge with six saves in overtime. In the final minute and a half, Brady Logue picks up the puck and goes coast-to-coast, making all three Bucks defenders miss before dekeing out the goalie for a highlight reel game winner.
Dirracolo gets the season opening win, stopping 31/35 shots faced.
(Photo credit: Kristal Burgess)
