Two back-to-back losses in a home-and-home series with the West Kelowna Warriors has not dampened the spirits in the Silverbacks’ locker room.
One week ago the Silverbacks capped off their fifth straight win in a row with a dominant 6-2 win against bitter rivals Vernon.
This season, the Silverbacks have become accustomed to finding the game’s first goal early on, and Wednesday night was no exception.
Just 92 seconds into the game, Nick Hutchison converted a nice feed from Carson Bolduc on the power play.
“Nick has been in incredible form so far this season, and he will be the first to tell you that it’s not all about the goals and assists for him,” said Silverbacks head coach Brandon West.
Two more special teams goals rounded out the scoring in the first frame.
Josh Blanchard made the most of his short-handed opportunity, before Colton McCarthy scored for the Vipers with the man advantage.
The Silverbacks top goal scorer, Ross Heidt scored the only goal in the middle frame, and Marcus Mitchell, Colton Thibault and Chase Zieky rounded out the scoring in the third period for the ’Backs.
On Friday night, the Silverbacks’ Mitch Newsome and Hutchison gave Salmon Arm’s 2-1 lead heading into the second period.
West Kelowna struck three times in the middle frame, two of their goals coming while short handed.
Hutchison scored his second of the game and Thibault added his ninth goal of the season, tying the game at four with eight minutes to play.
Angus Redmond made a number of timely saves down the stretch to force overtime.
With time winding down in the first overtime period defenceman Jonathan Desbiens secured the two point for the Warriors, handing the Silverbacks their fourth loss of the season.
In West Kelowna on Saturday, the Warriors held the high scoring Silverbacks to just one goal, defeating the ’Backs 3-1.
Salmon Arm’s lone goal came on a power play from Thibault, stretching his point streak to seven games.
The Silverbacks will look to shake off their back-to-back losses this weekend as they open up a three-game road trip in the Lower Mainland on Friday night against Surrey.
Salmon Arm will also face off against Langley and Chilliwack.
The Silverbacks will return home to open up a three-game home stand against Merritt on Friday, Nov. 13.
