The Salmon Arm Silverbacks are riding high into the playoffs following a pair of weekend wins, including a 5-1 decision versus the Interior Conference-leading Penticton Vees.
More than 1,700 people were in the stands at Rogers Rink on Friday night, March 28, for the Silverbacks' final pre-playoff home game.
Guests the West Kelowna Warriors were first to light the scoreboard with a power-play conversion early in the first frame. Minutes later, a penalty shot by the Warriors' Elias Callgren was denied by Daniel Dirracolo in net for Salmon Arm. At 15:53, Silverback Riley Ashe rippled the mesh with a goal assisted by Maddux Martin and Roenick Jodoin.
The next goal was scored one minute into the third frame by Ben MacBeath, off of Dakota MacIntosh and Martin. At 15:54, teammate Tucker Shedd added an insurance goal – a power-play marker off of Ryan Philbrick, which led to a 3-1 win for Salmon Arm.
Dirracolo stopped 22 shots on net, while the Warriors' Bor Glavič denied 24.
The following night (March 29), the Silverbacks were at the South Okanagan Events Centre for their game against the Vees. More than 3,000 people were in attendance for this match-up that did not go well for the home team.
Salmon Arm had a goal in net eight minutes into the first frame by Donovan Hamilton, assisted by Easton Walos and MacIntosh. At 15:14, Patrick Raftery potted a single-handed marker that gave Salmon Arm a 2-1 lead going into the second period.
A minute into the second frame, Liam Bursaw added to Salmon Arm's lead with a goal assisted by Walos and Aidan Willis. Salmon Arm followed Penticton's sole goal of the night, scored by Eli McKamey at 14:20, with back-to-back goals in the last two minutes of the frame, the first by Dillard, off of MacIntosh and Scott Miner, and the second by Cole Cooksey, assisted by Keifer Miller and MacBeath.
Neither team found the back of the net in the third frame, which ended with Andrew Ballantyne having stopped 17 shots on the Salmon Arm net, and Sharkey Nowek blocking 20 shots on Penticton's end.
The Silverbacks are now focused on a first-round playoff match-up that has them taking on the Sherwood Park Crusaders. With their 3-1 over the Warriors, the 'Backs will be hosting Games 1 and 2 this weekend at Rogers Rink.
“For the third year in a row we couldn’t be happier to be starting round one with home ice advantage in front of our great fans,” said Silverbacks general manager and head coach, Tyler Shattock in a media release. “The environment in Rogers Rink has brought an energy to our team that can’t be matched. Let’s do it again this Friday and Saturday. Can’t wait to see everyone there.”
Game times are 7 p.m. on April 4 and 6 p.m. on April 5. The series then shifts to Alberta for Games 3 and 4 on April 8 and 9. If necessary, Game 5 will be held in Sherwood Park on April 11, and Game 6 will be back in Salmon Arm on at 4 p.m. on April 13. Game 7 would take place in Salmon Arm at 6 p.m. on April 15.
“We are excited to continue our Kids Get In Free program through the playoffs,” said Alexandra Miege, the Silverbacks' director of business operations.
For tickets, visit sasilverbacks.com.
