Salmon Arm, B.C. – The Salmon Arm Silverbacks started their weekend at home with an inter-conference matchup against the Victoria Grizzlies.
Coming off the bus at the Shaw Centre, the Grizzlies got onto the board early. Five minutes into the period, Anthony Carone took the puck short side and snuck it off the shoulder of Eli Pulver and into the net. But answering quickly was the Silverbacks when less than a minute later, Casy Laylin tipped in a shot from the point to tie up the game. Ten minutes went by before more action on the scoreboard when Luc Pelletier was sent to the penalty box for high-sticking. On the man advantage, the Silverbacks would capitalize, when JJ Monteiro swooped in to finish off the loose puck in the crease, to give the Silverbacks a 2-1 lead heading into the second.
It was a quick start again for the second period, this time in the Silverbacks favour. Reid Varkonyi would drive the net on his backhand and roof it top corner, giving the Silverbacks the 3-1 lead just three minutes into the middle frame. Halfway through the period, Salmon Arm would have another opportunity to add to their lead when Oliver Genest would get called for holding the stick. It was the Grizzlies who would jump on the shorthanded attack when Ryan Watt would force the offensive zone turnover and beat Pulver to cut into the lead, 3-2.
Hot starts were a theme this game as the Silverbacks found the net once again coming out of the gate in the third. The Captain, Nathan Mackie would finish off a beautiful passing play, burying his second of the season just a minute into the final frame. Both teams traded penalties at the six minutes mark before the Grizzlies made it a brand new hockey game, trying to claw back. With 11 minutes left, Chase Pirtle pushed the rebound through the legs of Pulver to cut into the lead, making it 4-3. The Grizzlies pulled their goalie with a minute and a half left but to no avail as the Silverbacks defended every chance to sneak away with the 4-3 win.
Eli Pulver stopped 21/24 in the win.
