The Silverbacks picked up three important points during their three-game home stand, which was billed as Parents Weekend.
On Friday night, the ’Backs hosted the Island Division’s bottom dwellers, Cowichan Valley Capitals.
Salmon Arm’s Josh Blanchard scored on a short-handed penalty shot, which opened up a flurry of scoring midway through the first frame.
Only 13 seconds later, Logan Mick doubled the lead for the Silverbacks, and Colton Thibault added another only 67 seconds after Mick’s marker.
The Capitals fought back in the second period when Cowichan’s leading goal scorer Kyle Horsman and Adam Osczevski cut Salmon Arm’s lead to just one in the second period.
Eight minutes into the third period Blanchard scored his second of the game, while on the man advantage.
“It was good to finally put a couple in, and also to get a win too,” said the Silverbacks’ Blanchard.
Both teams went 25 per cent on the power play.
Carson Bolduc put the game out of reach for Cowichan when he scored his ninth goal of the season, finding the empty net.
“I thought we had a really good start, obviously we got out to that three-to- nothing lead, then we decided to have a nap in the second,” said ‘Backs assistant coach Misko Antisin.
“In the third we came back strong and absolutely dominated.”
Before Friday’s game, the Silverbacks acquired Josh Laframboise from the Penticton Vees in exchange for BCHL-CHL list rights to Connor Chartier.
“With us having four forwards out with injuries right now we needed to add a skilled forward. Josh already has a NCAA commitment with the University of Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs for two years out and this helps us for this year and next,” said Silverbacks general manager Troy Mick.
“My job now is to find out what my role is with the Silverbacks, and hopefully keep doing what I’ve been doing so far this year,” said Laframboise.
The Regina native, Laframboise made his debut for the gorillas on Saturday night against the visiting Interior Division rivals, Merritt Centennials.
“We didn’t get enough accomplished in the offensive zone to take over the game,” said Silverbacks head coach Brandon West.
The ’Backs started the second period up by a goal, but gave up four goals in the frame.
“We definitely came out in the second period flat, and that was the story of the game,” West said.
Shane Danyluk would add a consolation goal with two minutes remaining in the game, the final score was 4-3 for Merritt.
Sunday’s matinee saw the Coquitlam Express pay a visit to the Shaw Centre.
Karl El-Mir, Carson Bolduc and Phil Middleton each scored in Sunday’s 3-3 draw.
Zach Dyment was in goal earning his sixth start of the season.
The Silverbacks start a three-game road swing this Friday in Powell River, then head to Cowichan Valley and Chilliwack on Saturday and Sunday.
Powell River has two players in the BCHL’s top five scoring – Jarid Lukosevicius and Kurt Keats.
Salmon Arm’s next home game is Friday, Nov. 28 at 7 p.m., when they play host to Vernon.
