The Silverbacks showed off their true calibre over the weekend as they claimed back-to-back road wins in Wenatchee and Penticton, arguably the two toughest teams on home ice.
“The guys played excellent this weekend. We were very tactically sound, we capitalized on the chances we had and we were tough on defence,” said Silverbacks’ head coach Brandon West.
On Friday evening in front of more than 3,700 fans in Wenatchee, goaltender Angus Redmond stopped all 51 shots, claiming his third shutout of the season and was named the game’s first star in a 4-0 victory for the Silverbacks over the Wenatchee Wild.
Carson Bolduc opened the scoring just over five minutes into the game, and reserve player Aaron Aragon’s goal three minutes later, bounced the Wild’s goaltender Chase Perry from between the pipes. Following a scoreless middle frame, Bolduc would add his second of the night and 16th goal of the season, followed by Cameron Trott’s blast from the point.
The following night, in Penticton, Redmond continued to stymie the opposition’s offence, as he earned his second first-star award in as many nights, with a 39-save performance over the Vees.
Ross Heidt’s game winner, his team-leading sixth of the season, helped the Silverbacks become the first team this season to win a game in Penticton.
Both teams started the second period the way the started the game, a scoreless tie. Chase Zieky opened the scoring for the ‘Backs but power-play responses from Vees’ sniper Scott Conway and rookie Nick Jones put the Vees up by a single goal. Bolduc tied the game with a power-play goal of his own three and a half minutes after Jones’ goal, for his third goal of the weekend.
“We had opportunities to blow the game open, their goaltender (Redmond) played much better than he did a week ago,” said Vees head coach Fred Harbinson.
In recognition of his stellar play over the weekend, Redmond was named the BCHL player of the week.
“Angus was sensational, he is a major reason the team did so well this weekend,” said West.
In the third, Heidt’s decisive goal was followed by a Kodi Schwarz empty-netter.
The trade window in the BCHL came to a close Sunday evening, but not before the ‘Backs made some last minute changes. Silverbacks’ general manager Troy Mick announced the team traded Mitch Newsome to the Coquitlam Express for future considerations, while also acquiring Mitch Skapski from the Chilliwack Chiefs for future considerations. Skapski, a 5’10 180 pound forward, will bring WHL experience to the lineup.
“We wanted to address our grit factor up front going into the second half and feel we have done so by this trade,” said Mick.
The Silverbacks also dealt defenceman Michael Winnitoy to the Steinbach Pistons of the MJHL for futures.
The ’Backs return to the Shaw Centre for a three game home-stand against Vernon on Friday, West Kelowna on Saturday and Merritt on Tuesday.
