PHOTO: LISA MAZUREK PHOTOGRAPHY
Vernon, B.C. — The Salmon Arm Silverbacks fired 38 shots on goal on Friday night, but were stymied for the most part by James Porter Jr. in a 3-1 defeat to the Vernon Vipers.
Salmon Arm’s record drops to 9-7-3 with one game remaining, while the Vipers clinch first place in the pod and improve to 12-5-2.
GAME SUMMARY
For the second consecutive game, Silverbacks forward Logan Shaw opened the scoring, this time putting home a rebound just over 12 minutes into the game after Sullivan Mack was stopped coming out from behind the net.
A few minutes later, the Backs drew two penalties in a row and had a 5-on-3 power play for 1:09. Despite several quality looks, they weren’t able to beat James Porter Jr. to extend the lead.
With just 15 seconds to go in the period, Seth Bafaro let a shot go from the right point that was deflected just past Owen Say by Tyler Carpendale, sending the game into the intermission all tied 1-1.
On the second shift of the second period, Reagan Milburn gave the Vipers a 2-1 lead on an odd-man rush.
The Backs got their fourth power play of the game midway through the second period, but were once again unable to convert, and so the game entered the third period with a 2-1 Vernon advantage.
The Backs fired 13 shots on goal in the third period, but many were from the outside and in the end Vernon kept eating away the clock and not allowing Salmon Arm to get much inside ice. Ryan Shostak added an empty-net goal from his own zone with 1:32 remaining to seal the deal and make it a 3-1 final.
For the full boxscore from Friday, click here.
SASCU 3 STARS
- James Porter Jr. – VER – 37/38
- Reagan Milburn – VER – 1G
- Owen Say – SA – 28/30
FORTIS BC ENERGY PLAYER OF THE GAME
Zack Tonelli – VER – 1G
WHAT’S NEXT
The Silverbacks wrap up their 2020-21 pod season on Saturday evening with a game against the West Kelowna Warriors at 6 p.m..
Fans can stream all games on BCHL TV!
