The Silverbacks (21-9-2-2) begin the final two months of this BCHL regular season today at 5p.m. at the Shaw Centre in Salmon Arm as they host the Surrey Eagles (5-28-1-0).
The ‘Backs come out of the holiday break still second in the Interior Division, 17 points back of the first place overall Penticton Vees (31-4-1-0). The Eagles are at the bottom of the BCHL standings, sixth in the Mainland Division and nine points back of the Prince George Spruce Kings (9-26-0-2).
The Silverbacks have had 12 days between games and will visit the Vees tomorrow on Saturday, January 2nd at 6p.m. The ‘Backs have scored 142 goals in their 34 regular season games, while allowing 97.
Carson Bolduc and Taro Hirose lead the team and are ranked 15th, 16th overall in BCHL scoring. Bolduc has 12 goals, 30 assists for 42 points in 34 games. Hirose has just seven goals with 35 helpers for 42 in 34. The Eagles have scored 84 goals and have allowed 175 in 34 games. Kurt Black leads the Eagles with 13 goals and 13 assists for 26 points in 31 games.
Brett Stewart will make his return to the Shaw Centre after being traded for Kodi Schwarz early in November. Stewart has one goal and two assists along with 29 penalty-minutes in 14 games with the Eagles. The defenceman now has four goals, four assists and 52 penalty minutes in 30 games this season. The 20-year-old Schwarz has three goals and seven assists in 16 games with the ‘Backs, and now three goals and 20 assists total with four penalty-minutes in 34 games. The Silverbacks skated to a 5-2 win over the Powell River Kings (19-14-0-2) on Saturday, December 19th at the Shaw Centre in Salmon Arm.
20-year-old defenceman Aryton Nikkel made his home ice debut on the 19th and dropped the gloves in the third period with the Kings Nick Halagian. The Silverbacks finished December with a record of 3-3-0-1, now 11-4-2-1 at home and 5-1-0-0 versus the Island Division. The ‘Backs will make their lone regular season visit to Powell River on Sunday, February 14th at 3p.m.
The Eagles are 2-13-0-0 in 15 road games this season, and finished December with a record of 0-6-1-0. The Silverbacks got back onto the ice on Monday to begin the week of practice at the Shaw Centre in Salmon Arm.
The Penticton Vees (31-4-1-0) still lead the Interior Division and BCHL. The ‘Backs still sit second in the Division, now just two points ahead of the West Kelowna Warriors (21-14-0-2). The Warriors won 4-1 on the road versus the Trail Smoke Eaters (17-20-0-0) on Wednesday, December 30th. The Silverbacks have three games in hand on the Warriors.
The ‘Backs will play 12 games in January, including five home games. The Silverbacks won 3-1 in Surrey on Friday, November 6th in the first of the two regular season meetings.
Each Silverbacks and BCHL game is webcast live, PPV as well as each ‘Backs road game is broadcast live at CKVS 93.7 FM. Each home game is broadcast HERE. Tune into CKVS each Monday night throughout the season beginning at 7p.m. for 30 minutes or more of Silverbacks talk, including interviews and news from around the BCHL.
