Wenatchee, WA – The Wenatchee Wild took down the Silverbacks 3-1 following For the first time since the 2021/22 BCHL playoffs the Salmon Arm Silverbacks (11-5-0-1) travelled south of the border to take on the Wenatchee Wild (5-10-0-1). The two teams met in Salmon Arm back at the beginning of October where the Silverbacks took down the Wild 6-4. Both team came into the game on a run as Wild were coming off a perfect weekend as they took down the Victoria Grizzlies and the West Kelowna Warriors. While the Silverbacks came into the game riding a four game winning streak.
In between the pipes it was Matthew Tovell (8-4-0-1, 2.60 GAA, .925 S%) getting his second straight start for the Silverbacks. While it was Owen Millward (3-5-1-0, 3.97 GAA, .870 S%) getting the nod for the Wild.
The Wild came out flying in front of their home fans as they carried in the momentum that they built from their two win weekend. Just under three minutes into the period it was Luke Weilandt (7) deflecting one home from the high slot to open the scoring. Just a few minutes later ‘Backs captain Nathan Mackie went to the box for holding the stick penalty and the Wild were able to capitalize. It was Micah Berger (3) getting the powerplay marker for the Wild to extend their lead to two goals. Late in the period the Wild were able to extend their lead to three goals as Weilandt (8) was able to get his second of the game. The Silverbacks had their first powerplay late in the period but weren’t able to beat Owen Millward. The Wild outshot the ‘Backs 16-10 in the first frame.
The Silverbacks came out in the middle frame looking like a different team as they turned the tides on the shot clock. The line of Lian Gayfer, Jayden Grier, and Reid Varkonyi had back-to-back great tenacious shifts for the Silverbacks. They were rewarded just over five minutes into the period when Reid Varkonyi (2) was able to bat home a rebound following a Grier wraparound. That was the lone goal in the middle frame, as both Matthew Tovell and Owen Millward looked sharp throughout the rest of the period. The Silverbacks outshot the Wild 16-10 in the second period.
The final frame opened up in a similar fashion to the middle frame as the Silverbacks continued to apply the pressure as they looked to cut the Wild lead in half. The story of the night continued to be Owen Millward as he stopped the Silverbacks from pulling any closer in the contest. The shots in the final frame were 15-6 in favor of the Silverbacks in the final frame, and 42-32 at the end. But it was the Wenatchee Wild taking down the Silverbacks 3-1.
Next up for the Silverbacks will be a meeting with the Alberni Valley Bulldogs on Friday night. Puck drop will be at 7:00PM from the Shaw Centre.
