It’s about time.
Over a month into the season, the Salmon Arm Silverbacks will finally face the Vernon Vipers. This will be the first time the two teams meet in a meaningful game since last year’s playoffs where Vernon swept the Silverbacks. In the pre-season the sides split a home and home series, with both sides winning at home in shootouts.
Finishing 29 points behind Vernon last season, the two sides are tied heading into Sunday’s tilt with 15 points each. Penticton also has 15 points, but is technically ahead having played one fewer game.
Salmon Arm is coming off a vital 5-3 win over the Alberni Valley Bulldogs on Friday night. After being shutout in two games straight, the Backs offence came alive being led by Nick Unruh. Scoring his second career hat-trick, the Fort Mac product has six points in the last five games after registering one in the first eight games of the season. The coaches have said all season he is playing the right way, and it is great to see him getting rewarded for it.
Saturday night the Vipers played the same Bulldogs, and were able to come out with a 5-1 win. They’ve been dominant in the last two games outscoring their opponents 9-1. The was proceeded by a two game losing streak though losing to the Chilliwack Chiefs and Surrey Eagles.
Home advantage continues to be a factor for Salmon Arm. In the Shaw Centre they are 5-1-1, and 6-1-1 including their “home game” at the Bauer Showcase. That record is the best in the Interior Division, and second in the entire BCHL.
Players to Watch:
Silverbacks: Since we already mentionned Nick Unruh, let’s take a look at Noah Wakeford. In the post game show of Friday night’s win, Assistant Coach Tanner Cochrane had nothing but good things to say about the forward. The last two games where the team was shutout ended Wakeford’s five game point streak. A pair of assists Friday had him back on the scoresheet though. With 12 points through 14 games, he is tied for 2nd on the team in points just one behind Matthew Verboon.
Vipers: A slow start to the season had just one point for fifth year forward Jagger Williamson in the first seven games. The last two games he has exploded for six points with three goals and three assists. The Michigan Tech commit had eight points in six games against Salmon Arm last season.
TUNE IN
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