Salmon Arm, B.C. – The Salmon Arm Silverbacks returned to the Shaw Centre for game 3 of the Conference Finals against the Penticton Vees.
Both teams would strike early in the first period. At the six-and-a-half-minute mark, Cole Cooksey picked off a pass at the offensive blueline and went in on a breakaway, putting on a beautiful move and waiting out the outstretched pad for the 1-0 lead. Less than two minutes later, Cade Littler finds himself in the crease alone to hammer home the rebound and tie up the game, 1-1. There were no penalties called in the opening frame.
The second period saw an even deadlock. For the second frame in a row there were no penalties called. It stayed a 1-1 tie as both teams were unable to find the twine. In the second period, shots on goal were tied 10-10.
Penticton took control of the goal scoring in the third period. In the first couple of minutes, the first and only penalty of the game was called against Larry Keenan for holding, giving the Silverbacks a golden opportunity on the powerplay. Despite having time on attack nearly the entire two minutes straight, the Silverbacks could not capitalize on the man-advantage. Halfway through the period, Callum Arnott sneaks behind the defensemen in the front of the net and pots home a feed from the end boards to give the Vees the 2-1 lead. Back-to-back goals sees Connor MacPherson deflect a point shot that sneaks into the back of the net to expand the lead, 3-1. Salmon Arm pulled the goalie with 3 minutes left trying to spur a comeback but Billy Renfrew scores the empty net goal to make it 4-1.
Eli Pulver made 34/37 saves as the Vees take the 2-1 series lead.
