Most other seasons, the Salmon Arm SilverBacks would still be in playoff position and would have plenty of reason for staying motivated.
But with just four teams making the playoffs from each conference this season, the ’Backs are on the outside looking in. For the first time in club history, the team won’t be playing in the postseason. The discouragement was never more evident than last week during losses of 7-2 to Westside, 10-1 to Penticton and 8-2 to Prince George.
“I think that’s a huge factor,” said head coach Colin O’Hara of the fact the club is in seventh place. “Guys know there’s no chance of them being in it (the playoffs). Some guys, I think, have checked out but they’re not the type of guys we’re going to accept having here next year.”
In the road loss to Westside Feb. 8, there was little willingness to battle from the Gorillas. Myles McCauley’s goal made it 1-1 after one but it was downhill from there.
“It was just a lack of compete,” said O’Hara. “We question whether guys want to play right now or not.”
The result was worse in Penticton two nights later. If it’s any consolation, Salmon Arm isn’t the only team that’s been run over by the Vees, now winners of 32 straight. Jeff Kennedy scored Salmon Arm’s goal against the Vees but it came in the third period when the game was out of hand.
“We asked our guys to play a 200-foot game… but then we started trying to beat guys at the blueline,” said O’Hara. “Penticton, with their skill and transition game, you can’t play that way. The only way you’re going to beat them is when the puck is in their end.
Returning to Shaw Centre for Sunday’s game against the Spruce Kings, a decent start gave way to another onslaught as former SilverBack Jarryd Ten Vaanholt had a field day with a hat trick and an assist in taking the first star honours.
“We got out of the gate OK, we scored first but then gave one up right away,” said O’Hara of Mak Barden’s exchange of tallies with Jujhar Khaira within 16 seconds.
Prince George added seven more in a row after tying it.
“When we start crumbling, we crumble real hard. Not just the wheels come off but the doors fall off and the roof caves in,” O’Hara summarized.
What players have remained committed to a consistent effort?
“(Defencemen) Sean Flanagan and Shane Hanna… and Jeff Kennedy up front has been our best forward,” said O’Hara. “It’s the guys we think should be our difference makers. The Morgan Zulinicks, Devin Mullers, Travis Stephens’, Myles McCauleys – guys that get the bulk of the ice time aren’t doing enough with it in a positive way.”
It’s hoped a team meeting held Monday can salvage what’s left of the schedule.
“We want the players to dig deep and find out why they’re quitting and then take that excuse away from them,” said O’Hara. “We came away with some good ideas and knowledge of what it’s going to take to get them to compete.”
Salmon Arm will put their resolve to the test Friday in Trail before returning to host Penticton Saturday at 7 p.m.
