A game tying goal with 53 seconds forced overtime for Salmon Arm, and they earned the extra point 1:02 into the extra frame against the Trail Smoke Eaters.
Both teams had a quiet first period each firing seven shots on goal. Hayden Rowan had the best chance on a late power play, but with an empty net he missed to the left with his shot.
Salmon Arm would finally score the opening goal 13:20 into the second period. Off a faceoff win, Matthew Verboon spun and fired a shot that went through traffic and past Adam Marcoux. It was Verboon’s 40th point of the season and 18th goal of the year. The goal right came right after a passing play that ended in Justin Wilson getting stopped with a windmill glove save from Marcoux.
The Smokies nearly tied the game three minutes into the third, but leading scorer Chase Stevenson was robbed with a shot from the slot that was gloved by Ethan Langenegger. A frustrating cross checking call right before the midway mark of the period went against Salmon Arm with Olson Werenka heading to the box for two minutes. A combined five for 14 in their first two games against the Silverbacks, Trail would get their first goal of the game on their third power play. Making up for his missed opportunity in the first period, Rowan scooped a loose puck past Langenegger to tie the game at one.
1:02 after that goal, the Smoke Eaters took their first lead of the game. Chase Stevenson drove down the right wing, and a sharp angled shot squeaked into the goal putting some tension in the Shaw Centre.
A missed high sticking call against their Captain Sol Seibel would fuel the Silverbacks though, and with the goalie pulled, Nick Unruh scored his 15th of the season to tie the game 2-2.
One minute into overtime, Ethan Langenegger was able to rob Trevor Zins who had pinched up on the left side. The loose puck would squirt free for Justin Wilson to skate ahead on a two-on-one with his billet brother Akito Hirose. Wilson held onto the puck, and patiently from behind the goal line was able to bring the puck back and tuck it in for the game winner. It was Wilson’s 20th goal of the season coming in his 29th game.
KEY PERFORMERS:
Playing with some aggression Friday night, Justin Wilson had a fire burning that burst in overtime for the game winner. He won the faceoff for the opening goal of the game, and in a high pressure situation was able to calmly score the game winner in electric fashion. A tough minute span for Ethan Langenegger was forgotten in overtime when he made a game saving stop that turned play the other way for the game winner. It was a similar play to earlier this season stopping Alex Swetlikoff from Vernon on a breakaway in OT before Salmon Arm went the other way to win the game.
