The long drive home from Wenatchee last night has Salmon Arm taking on the Cowichan Valley Capitals for the first time this season.
Last season the two teams each won on home ice against one another, and the Silverbacks took the 2-1 season series thanks to a close 3-2 win at the Showcase.
Salmon Arm played in Wenatchee last night falling 4-3 in overtime. Cowichan Valley took on the Vernon Vipers in Kal Tire Place beating a banged up Vipers team in a 3-1 victory.
This season Salmon Arm is 4-1-1 against Island teams while the Capitals are 4-5 against Interior squads. Cowichan is 16th place in the BCHL this season, and by far the most penalized with 568 compared to Surrey is second with 482. The Capitals have the worst road record in the league with just three wins away from from Island Savings Centre.
Since starting December with a win against the West Kelowna Warriors, Cowichan is 1-3. This month Salmon Arm is an even 2-2-1
To Watch:
Silverbacks: It was an impressive BCHL debut for Aidan Sutter last night. The Thompson Blazers callup was paired up with the veteran Sam MacBean and didn’t look a spot out of place. He took one penalty in Wenatchee, but overall played a great game and didn’t seem to panic in a very loud Town Toyota Center. A goal last night snapped a 10 game point drought for John Little. His line with Logan Shaw and Yewta Plamondon received more playing time last night thanks to their solid work on the ice. We will see what the lineup can do against a weaker Capitals team.
Capitals: Leading the team in points this season is defenceman David Melaragni who has 25 points in just 33 games. In December though the second year player has just one assist. Leading the team in goals with 12 and forwards with 21 points is Niko Esposito-Selivanov. The rookie forward committed to Lake Superior State has five power play goals this season.
