They say it’s tough to beat the same team twice in a row, and Salmon Arm showed why. Saturday night against the West Kelowna Warriors the Silverbacks bounced back with a 4-1 win after falling 5-3 the night before.
Things didn’t get off to a great start, as Wyatt Head scored for West Kelowna nine minutes into the hockey game. Taking a pass in the right faceoff circle, the defenceman ripped in his fourth goal this season. Shortly after, the number one power play in the league went to work with the Warriors looking to make it 2-0. Instead it was a short handed goal by the home side evening the score. Tyson Gafyer who was scratched in the team’s 5-3 loss burst up the right wing, and cutting to the net buried a shot into the top left corner.
Period two saw goal number two from the former Thompson Blazer as Gayfer again showed off his nice release beating former Windsor Spitfire Brock Baier up high for the 2-1 Backs lead. After the second, the teams had combined for just 29 shots; Salmon Arm had 16 and West Kelowna had 13.
West Kelowna started the third period with a minute of power play time, but were unable to capitalize. That would prove costly with Noah Wakeford scoring his second goal in as many games for Salmon Arm three minutes in. Friday he was setup by Justin Wilson, and Saturday was no different with Wilson spotting Wakeford above the crease, and snapping over a pass that Wakeford was able to lift in for the 3-1 lead. Salmon Arm would have to kill two more West Kelowna power plays, but the work paid off, and a late goal sealed the game for the team. Hudson Schandor chipped the puck down the right glass, and a fortunate bounce had the puck rolling in the right faceoff circle. Trevor Adams was able to catch up, and back handed the puck in for his fourth goal of the season.
While the Silverbacks were unable to score on three power plays of their own, the biggest factor for them Saturday was their penalty kill. They opened the scoring shorthanded courtesy of Tyson Gafyer, and wound up killing off all six Warrior power plays who came in with the top power play in the BCHL.
The two points for Salmon Arm gives them eight on the season. In a VERY close Interior Division, just two points separate first (10 points) from the three way tie for fifth (eight points).
The Warriors are back in the Shaw Centre next weekend to take on the Silverbacks Friday night to kick off Salmon Arm’s breast cancer awareness weekend. Saturday night the team will also be hosting the Victoria Grizzlies.
Key Performers:
Tyson Gayfer – A scratch last night, Gayfer showed why he deserves to stay in the lineup with two goals. He opened the scoring, and had the game winner in his fifth game this season. He well deservedly was awarded the first star of the game.
Sol Seibel – The captain had a strong night Saturday being named the second star of the game. He assisted on the final goal of the game, and maybe most importantly didn’t spend any time in the box. He had a combined 10 PIMs in the last two games, but didn’t take a single penalty Saturday. Seibel looked good operating the point on one of the power play units.
