For a stretch of about five games, the Salmon Arm SilverBacks had been making some real strides with their defensive game and had limited their opposition’s shots, chances and therefore goals.
That type of play is a big reason they defeated the Merritt Centennials 2-1 in overtime last Tuesday, but somehow it didn’t carry over to Friday as they welcomed Mike Hammond into their lineup and travelled to play the Westside Warriors.
The ’Backs absorbed a 6-1 drubbing with Hammond, acquired at the trade deadline for Matt Cassidy, providing the only goal on a shorthanded effort in the first.
“There was nothing happening for us,” said coach Tim Kehler. “It was a disaster from start to finish. We were poor in execution, we got outworked and out-coached.”
Penalty killing, a strength for the Gorillas this year and still ranked second in the BCHL, didn’t come through Friday. Westside went 3-4 and took capitalized on a 5-on-3 situation after Bryce Gervais was ejected for a check from behind. He’ll now serve a two-game suspension.
“They scored on the 5-on-3 and we ended up giving up a (power- play) goal later in that period, but it’s mostly to Westside’s credit,” said Kehler. “They played well and were opportunistic with their chances.”
Salmon Arm still managed 30 shots on net but the Warriors blocked numerous shots and netminder Kevin Boyle was on top of his game. Kehler said Hammond’s showing really was the only positive part of the game for Salmon Arm.
“Mike was probably the lone bright spot for us; I’m sure he expected something different but I’m sure he won’t be dissuaded.
“To his credit, I though he came out and generated some chances and could have had three or four assists with some of the plays he created. Mike has come as advertised… I think we’ve got a real, real nice hockey player in him and someone our fans will be excited to see.”
Hammond has taken Cassidy’s old number 94 jersey and will likely play on a line with Brad Reid. With Gervais out for a couple of games, Kehler says he’ll have to do some lineup tinkering but is confident he’ll be able to concoct a winning formula as Hammond, third in BCHL scoring, can play centre or wing.
Because the Cassidy-Hammond trade happened last Monday, Salmon Arm didn’t have the benefit of either player’s services against Merritt. The ’Backs outshot the Cents 13-5 in the first period but were only able to beat Lino Chimieni once, on Morgan Zulinick’s power-play tally. The Cents tied it in the second on a power-play goal by Steve Tresierra and a scoreless third sent it to overtime where Brett Knowles scored the winner 33 seconds in, set up by David Killip and goalie Kris Moore.
Salmon Arm hosts Quesnel tonight and Westside Friday. Both games start at 7 p.m. The ’Backs travel to Trail Saturday for a 7:30 start.
