This past weekend the Silverbacks and Warriors split their home and home series, each winning games on the road.
The weekend series opened up in West Kelowna on Friday evening at Royal LePage Place.
The in-form Joshua Laframboise scored his third goal in as many games, opening the scoring in the game on the man advantage.
Andrew Farny and Taro Hirose assisted on the play.
Only 37 seconds into the middle frame, the Pembroke Pines, Fla. native, Chase Priskie scored his fourth goal of the season on a shot from the point.
The ’Backs and Warriors traded power plays in the second period, but failed to take advantage with the extra man, giving Salmon Arm a 2-0 lead into the third period.
Karl El-Mir scored an empty-net goal putting the game to bed with two minutes left.
Angus Redmond made 34 saves for his first shutout and eighth win of the season.
“We were the aggressors on Friday night, we took their time and space away and we were awarded with the three-to-nothing win,” said Brandon West, Silverbacks head coach.
Before the return game at the Shaw Centre, the Silverbacks honoured the late Larry Black, who served as the club’s assistant GM and head scout.
“Both teams came out flat, and it was difficult to get into the game,” said West.
Damian Chrcek brought the ’Backs to within one goal after the Warriors took a two-goal lead, but that was as close as the ’Backs would get.
The Warriors went on to score five unanswered goals to win 7-1.
Discipline was a problem for the Silverbacks and their frustration was easy to see, and exploited by West Kelowna, who went three for three on the power play.
The ’Backs took two unnecessary and careless penalties, an unsportsmanlike conduct and a five-minute major for cross checking, which resulted in a game misconduct.
“Emotion got the best of us, it’s fortunate that no one got hurt,” West said.
“We won’t win games if we continue to take needless penalties.”
As the Silverbacks approach the Christmas break they will play five crucial games.
It won’t be an easy final two weeks as they will face the leaders of the Mainland and Interior divisions, and the Centennials and Smoke Eaters.
“We have to get back to executing the little things right and we will have a depleted lineup as well,” said West.
Taro Hirsoe left last Sunday to attend the Team Canada West selection camp roster for the 2014 World Junior A Challenge.
If Hirose makes the team, he would not return to Salmon Arm until the new year, something West and the rest of the Silverbacks are fully aware of.
“You can’t just fill the hole left by Taro; we will need our guys to step up and fill the void,” West said.
“We are desperate for points and now is the time to string together some wins.”
The Mainland Division leaders, Chilliwack Chiefs, visit the Shaw Centre tonight at 7 p.m., then the Silverbacks host Penticton on Friday Dec. 12.
