January has not been a friendly month for the Silverbacks.
Salmon Arm just wrapped up a three-game Island road trip, returning with a single point from a tie on Sunday.
“It was disappointing to only get one out of a possible six points; that being said we did take some positive steps forward against a great team in Nanaimo,” said Silverbacks head coach Brandon West.
Over the weekend, Cowichan and Victoria both got the better of the ’Backs.
This month, the Silverbacks have three wins from 10 games, and have two more games remaining in January, a home-and-home with Vernon.
On Friday evening, Kade Kehoe provided the winner as the Cowichan Valley Capitals defeated the Silverbacks 6-4.
Ayden MacDonald’s second goal of the game made it 4-2 for the Caps after the first period, with Chase Zieky and Ross Heidt scoring for the ’Backs.
Elijiah Barriga got the ’Backs within one in the second but Kehoe’s goal early in the second clinched it for the Capitals.
Taro Hirose scored his second of the night for Salmon Arm after that, but Mitch Meek iced it late with an empty-netter.
In Victoria the following night, PJ Conlon scored twice, sealing the game with an empty-net goal, to lead the Victoria Grizzlies to a 4-1 win over Salmon Arm.
Heidt scored his second in as many days, opening the scoring in the first for the Silverbacks. But it was the only puck to get past the Grizzlies’ Matthew Galajda as he made 37 saves for the win.
Conlon, Mitch Barker and Brayden Gelsinger scored in the second for Victoria to put them in command.
The Silverbacks took the ice for the third game in as many days against Nanaimo and held the league’s top scorer Sheldon Rempal at bay, coming away with a 2-2 draw.
A mere 22 seconds into the game Corey Renwick gave the hosts the early lead and Matthew Hoover added his 33rd goal of the season, giving Nanaimo a 2-0 lead after the opening period.
Josh Blanchard scored midway through the second period and Hirose netted his 12th of the season in the third, forcing overtime.
After two five minute overtime periods, the two sides settled for a point each.
“We played really well in the second half of the game. We had plenty of chances, but couldn’t capitalize on those chances we were given,” said West.
The last time Vernon and Salmon Arm met, the Vipers turned a 5-1 defect into a 10-5 win, a game that West calls irrelevant at this point.
“It’s in the past; we’re not going to reflect or rely on the past to dictate our play in the present.”
The ’Backs open up their home-and-home series with Vernon on the road, Friday evening, before returning to the Shaw Centre on Saturday.
The game will be the marquee event during the fourth annual Hockey Day in Salmon Arm and puck drop is at 7 p.m.
“The guys are well aware of the streak we are on right now (winless in six games) but there is still a good attitude in the dressing room. There is an understanding around everyone that we know we have to start winning games. We just have to polish a few parts of our game,” said West.
