(Photo courtesy: Tami Quan Photography)
West Kelowna, BC – For the first time this season, the Salmon Arm Silverbacks (7-4-0-1) took on their Interior division opponent, the West Kelowna Warriors (8-2-2-0). It was the first meeting of five on the season between the two squads since the Warriors took down the Silverbacks in the Interior Semi Finals in last years playoffs. The ‘Backs came into tonight’s came with points in five straight games, and looking to continue the momentum following their 2-1 over the Cranbrook Bucks on Friday night. The Warriors had their five game win streak snapped on Friday, as they fell 4-1 to the Penticton Vees on Friday night.
Matthew Tovell (5-3-0-1, 2.54 GAA, .925 S%) got his eleventh start of the season following his 42 save performance against the Bucks on Friday evening. While on the other end, it was Justin Katz (7-1-1-0, 2.86 GAA, .909 S%) getting the start for the Warriors.
The rivalry was renewed early on between the Silverbacks and Warriors as they continued the physicality from last seasons playoff matchup. The Warriors came out of the gates flying as they outshot the ‘Backs 7-1 in the first six minutes. At the end of their frenzy, it was Michael Salandra (5) opening the scoring on the man advantage with a nice individual effort as he buried one over the shoulder of Tovell. The ice started to tilt back in the other direction as the period unfolded, as the Silverbacks went to the man advantage twice. But it was Justin Katz standing tall for the Warriors, as he slowed down the onslaught of pressure from the Silverbacks. The shots ended up 13-11 in favor of the Silverbacks after one period of play.
The Warriors continued to apply the pressure into the middle frame as Jaidan Moriello (7) got things going just over two minutes into the period as he was able to beat Matthew Tovell to extend the Warriors lead to two goals. Just over five minutes later it was Aiden Reeves (1) getting on the board with a shot from the slot to bring the Warriors lead to three. It was a penalty filled period as there was 16 penalty minutes combined between the two sides. Late in the period, it was Maddux Martin (3) pulling the Silverbacks within two goals as he scored an unassisted goal. The Silverbacks outshot the Warriors 17-10 in the middle frame.
The third period was all West Kelowna. The Warriors scored four goals in the first six and a half minutes of the third period. Brennan Nelson (4), Rylee Hlusiak (2), Ben MacDonald (4) and Jake Bernadet (4) got the goals for the Warriors as they extended their lead to six goals. The Silverbacks were unable to pick up the momentum throughout the rest of the game, and the Warriors were able to cruise though the rest of the contest. The Warriors ended up taking this one by a final of 7-1.
Next up for the Silverbacks will be a three game home stand! They will start off the stretch next Friday night when the welcome the Chilliwack Chiefs into town.
