Friday night marks the first night the Salmon Arm Silverbacks take on the West Kelowna Warriors this regular season. The two sides faced off in the pre-season with the Warriors icing a veteran lineup and winning both matchups against Salmon Arm.
At home the Warriors won 8-2 before coming to Salmon Arm the next night and winning 3-2 in overtime.
Both sides are coming off strong weekends at the BCHL Bauer Showcase. The Silverbacks won games against Victoria and Alberni Valley to extend their Showcase winning streak to seven games. That active streak is second best in the league, behind only the Warriors who have won 10 straight with wins last weekend against Prince George and Nanaimo.
Salmon Arm had one player receive an honourable mention for BCHL Player of the Week as Justin Wilson had three goals and one assist in three games. West Kelowna had one honourable mention in Mike Hardman who had three goals (including two games winners) and the winner of Player of the Week in netminder Connor Hopkins who stopped 55 of 57 shots over the weekend for a 1.00 GAA and 0.965 SV%.
Salmon Arm was good in the Showcase at staying disciplined, but against the Express they got in penalty trouble again taking six penalties. The team’s penalty kill is right in the middle of the league at 82.9%, but on the other side, West Kelowna has the top best power play sitting at 55.6%. On 18 power plays this season, the team has scored ten goals. Salmon Arm’s power play is 6th in the league scoring six goals on 27 chances. One area of concern is that they have allowed a league high three shorthanded goals.
Standings wise, these two teams are neck and neck. Salmon Arm is 3-3 and West Kelowna is 4-3. With a win tonight, Salmon Arm would have the tiebreaker going ahead as West Kelowna has one OT win while the Backs have won all their games in regulation. The Warriors have scored 26 goals and allowed 21 while the Silverbacks are even at 20 goals for and against. Salmon Arm won the season series last season 4-2 outscoring the Warriors 22-19. In West Kelowna, they had one win in three games and were 3-0 at home.
Players to Watch
Silverbacks: In search of his first goal this season, Nick Unruh is a player the Silverbacks would love to see start rolling. He has been a potent threat this season with a quick release on his shot, but hasn’t had much puck luck go his way. He has played six games this season with one assist. Last season it was his seventh game where he scored his first goal.
Warriors: In the pre-season, Matt Kowalski lit it up against Salmon Arm with a hat-trick at home followed up by the OT winner the next night. He was held off the scoresheet in the first three games of the season, but Wednesday against Wenatchee burst out with a goal and assist. The 19 year old had 14 points in 24 games last season for the Warriors.
TUNE IN
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