A 4-3 win in the Nicola Valley Friday evening, secured Misko Antisin’s first career win as a head coach in the BCHL.
The Silverbacks carried a one-goal lead into the middle frame courtesy of Jared Turcotte’s seventh of the season.
With a man advantage, Merritt equalized the game at one a piece just over a minute into the second with Carson Bolduc in the box for the ’Backs.
Bolduc redeemed himself eight minutes later as he would put the ’Backs up by one, for his 10 marker of the year.
A pair of unanswered goals by the Cents would give the home side their only advantage of the evening, but the ’Backs’ talisman Elijiah Barriga knotted the game at three before the end of the second.
Turcotte would go on to score the final and decisive goal for the Silverbacks’ 11th win of the year.
Trevin Kozlowski started his sixth game in a row as Brandon Kegler recovers from an injury he suffered on Nov. 11. Kozlowski turned away 32 of the 35 shots he faced on Friday as he earned his sixth win of the season.
Making his Silverbacks debut was defenceman Carter Stephenson, who was acquired earlier in the week in exchange for Cameron Trott and futures.
Prince George opened the scoring just over a minute into the game on Saturday and never relinquished its lead.
The ’Backs had to wait until the 45-second mark of second to beat Spruce Kings goaltender Tavin Grant.
Bolduc’s marker was followed up by Josh Latta’s third of the year, cutting Prince George’s lead to one.
The Spruce Kings regained a two-goal lead before the end of the second, but their lead was once again reduced to one by Barriga.
In the final minute, the game was put out of reach for the ’Backs as Prince George scored a pair of empty net goals with Kozlowski pulled.
In addition to Kegler, Grayson Constable, Akito Hirose and Julian Timba were also recovering from injuries and did not make the trip.
The Silverbacks will look to move past a tumultuous November and turn their focus towards their upcoming games this weekend. On Friday they will face off against Penticton in the South Okanagan before hosting the Smokies on Saturday.
