Salmon Arm, B.C. – The Salmon Arm Silverbacks started off the 2024/25 exhibition at home against the Trail Smoke Eaters.
The first period was full of penalties until the Silverbacks grabbed a late lead. There was 5 powerplays total in the opening frame with the Silverbacks killing off 4 of 4. With just over a minute left, Aaron VanWie finishes off a rush in the offensive zone for the Silverbacks first goal of the exhibition. Even though Salmon Arm took the lead after the first, the Smoke Eaters outshot them 10-5.
The Silverbacks add a couple for a much needed lead in the second period. Three minutes in, Cooper Moore of the Smoke Eaters takes a kneeing penalty, sending the Silverbacks to the powerplay for the second time in the game. This time they take advantage with Ty Paisley sending a point shot on net, the puck gets lost in the shoulder of goalie Ryan Parker, where Liam Beamish is able to swoop in and tap the puck in for a 2-0 lead. Five minutes later, Aaron VanWie strikes again when he picks up a stretch pass entering the offensive zone, makes a cut towards the slot and snipes one past the glove hand side to extend the lead to 3-0. The middle frame continued on the trend of physical play with both teams taking a number of penalties. Riley Ashe and Isaac Fecteau dropped the gloves near the end of the period.
The comeback began for the Smokies in the third period. Within the first minute and a half, Ben MacBeath was sent to the box for a holding call. Trail would get their first of the game on the man advantage when Dylan Lariviere finishes off a scramble in front of the net to cut into the lead, 3-1. A minute later, the Smoke Eaters make it a one goal game as Callas Pierce grabs the puck and finds the corner perfectly, 3-2. That’s where the comeback effort was put to a halt as the rest of the frame was filled with more rough stuff and penalties. This game saw its second fight as it was Tanner Walo’s and Ridge Dawson’s turn to drop the gloves.
Andrew Ballantyne played a great game, stopping 32/34 in his Silverbacks exhibition debut.
(Photo credit: Kristal Burgess)
