Photo Courtesy of Owen Stanley
Cowichan, BC – It was a Sunday afternoon matchup in Cowichan as the Salmon Arm Silverbacks (13-9-1-1) met up with the Cowichan Valley Capitals (6-15-1-1) to conclude a busy three in three set for the ‘Backs. It was one of two games on tap across the BCHL as the first Sunday in December rolled through. Both teams were coming off losses on Saturday night, as Salmon Arm fell 3-0 to the Victoria Grizzlies, while the Capitals are coming off an 8-2 loss to the Powell River Kings. The Sunday matchup was the lone meeting on the season between the two squads.
It was Carter Richardson (3-1-1-0, 3.10 GAA, .897 S%) getting the start for the Silverbacks. While McCoy Bidewell (4-9-1-0, 4.26 GAA, .893 S %) getting the nod for Cowichan.
The Silverbacks came into the game with some high intensity as they brought the physicality early against the Capitals. Following a couple good shifts from the ‘Backs, it was Ethan Ullrick (11) getting the Silverbacks on the board as he was able to beat Bidewell through the five-hole to open the scoring at the midway point of the opening frame. The physicality continued to ramp up as the period moved along, but both teams stayed disciplined. Late in the frame it was once again Ethan Ullrick (12) getting on the board to extend the Silverbacks lead to two goals. The lone penalty of the period came late in the frame as Ryan Buckley went to the box for a two minute roughing call. Shots were deadlocked at 13 a piece in the opening twenty.
The Capitals continued their man advantage into the second period, and they were able to capitalize on the first man advantage of the game as Cole Melady (6) got on the board to cut the Silverbacks lead in half early in the middle frame. There was also some rough stuff after the goal as Lynden Hanvold and Luke Strickland went to the box for matching roughing calls. The pace of play seemed to slow down as the period moved along as both teams continued to amp up the physicality. Late in the period it was once again the Silverbacks heading to the box as William Lavigne went to the box for a four minute double minor call as he got his stick up high. Shots in the middle frame were 17-11 in favor of Salmon Arm.
Cowichan opened up the third period once again on the man advantage, and were able to apply some intense pressure in the Silverbacks end. Just following the conclusion of the Capitals powerplay it was Massimo Lombardi (8) getting things tied up as he was able to beat Carter Richardson. Salmon Arm stayed resilient on their efforts as it was Ryan Gillespie (2) beating Bidewill to restore the Silverbacks lead. Just a few moments later it was Aidan Lindblad (4) batting home a rebound to get the ‘Backs up by two. Salmon Arm added an empty netter as Nathan Mackie (14) finished things off for Salmon Arm as they took down Cowichan 5-2.
Next up for the Silverbacks will be a home and home series with the Vernon Vipers. They travel into Vernon to take on the Vipers on Friday night. Puck drop will be at 7:00PM from Kal Tire Place.
