Salmon Arm B.C. — The Salmon Arm Silverbacks edged the Trail Smoke Eaters 3-2 in overtime on Saturday night to keep their perfect record in tact. They are now 3-0-0 on the season.
GAME SUMMARY
This game was a barn burner.
The Silverbacks dominated the first period, out-shooting the home side 21-4, but they only held a 1-0 lead after 20 minutes thanks to the play of rookie goaltender Logan Terness. Salmon Arm’s lone goal of the opening frame came on a power play, after Jayden Price fed a perfect cross ice pass to the slot for Will Poirier, who banged it into the yawning cage. It was his third goal of the weekend and represented the third straight game the Silverbacks have scored at least one power play goal.
As good as they were to start, the Backs looked sluggish to begin the second period, surrendering an early period goal while on a power play. Kent Johnson stole the puck in the offensive zone and beat Dylan Kruss to even the score 1-1 just 1:14 into the second. Several minutes later, Holden Knights was handed a match penalty, but the Silverbacks stole back momentum by killing off the entire five minutes. Unfortunately, right before the intermission, Colby Elmer would get a breakaway and beat Kruss over the blocker to give the Smoke Eaters their first lead of the weekend.
The third period started out fairly slow for both sides, but late in the period, the duo of Daniel Rybarik and Noah Wakeford struck again. Rybarik led a 2-on-1 and passed it across to Wakeford, who made no mistake by putting it top cheddar past Terness to tie the game 2-2. The Silverbacks drew a penalty in the final minute of play but couldn’t convert before the final buzzer, which meant overtime was on the way.
In the extra frame, Kruss made two phenomenal saves — first a glove stop on a breakaway and then a post-to-post dazzler to keep the game going. The Backs would reward their rookie goaltender not long after (and just in time), as captain Akito Hirose potted the game-winner on an odd-man rush with just 5.8 seconds to go in overtime.
STANDOUT PERFORMANCES
Noah Wakeford, SA Silverbacks: Wakeford tied the game with just over four minutes to go in the game, giving him two goals on the weekend. Just like Friday, he, Rybarik and Bennett were dynamite. Wakeford’s two-point performance tonight gives him five total on the season.
Dylan Kruss, Salmon Arm Silverbacks: In his first career BCHL game, Kruss was lights out. He saved his best work for when it mattered most, in the third period and especially in overtime. The Thornhill, Ont. native finished with 25 saves on 27 shots to grab his first Junior A win.
Logan Terness, Trail Smoke Eaters: Manning the other crease was another rookie, and Logan Terness was also fabulous. He had a heavier workload than Kruss, especially in the first period when he made 20 saves on 21 shots. Terness doesn’t even turn 17 until next week, so his performance was certainly noteworthy.
STAT OF THE GAME
Silverbacks PK 100% on the season: Tonight, the penalty kill went a perfect 5-for-5, including killing off a five-minute penalty. More impressive is the fact that it is still flawless on the season as a whole — currently at 15-for-15.
WHAT’S NEXT
The Silverbacks have two homes games next weekend, as they host the Power River Kings on Friday and then the Victoria Grizzlies on Saturday. Puck drop for Friday is once again set for 7 p.m., while Saturday’s game will get underway at 6 p.m. All pre-game shows on 91.5 EZ Rock begin 30 minutes before puck drop. Fans can also stream both games on HockeyTV.
For tickets to either game, click here.
