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Pro-Am game excites fans

The 500 plus fans took in the annual Salmon Arm Hockey School’s Pro-Am game on Wednesday night.
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The Carolina Hurricanes’ goaltender Eddie Lack makes a blocker save during the Salmon Arm Hockey School’s Pro-Am game at the Shaw Centre last Wednesday.

The 500 plus fans that took in the annual Salmon Arm Hockey School’s Pro-Am game on Wednesday night at the Shaw Centre were treated to a fast-paced, skilled affair and were left astonished by the end.

Team Blue ended up beating Team Red 8-5 but it was not the score that mattered at all.

Former Vancouver Canuck and current Carolina Hurricanes goalie Eddie Lack traded his blocker and catching mitt for a player’s stick and gloves and, after a faceoff win by Team Red, he found himself all alone in the slot and sniped it top shelf on his Team Blue counterpart Leland Irving, which got the crowd hopping.

“I’ve been practicing a lot by myself and it really came in handy today,” said Lack.

“It’s a fun game and I feel like the fans had fun as well. I’d like to come back if it’s the same thing next year.”

He mentioned that it was surreal to him to be at the game and to see the young hockey fans here looking up to him.

The transition from being traded to Carolina from Vancouver this past season was tough at first but once he found his groove, he became effective between the pipes.

“I’m really looking forward to upcoming season and I feel we got a good young group that’s ready to take the next step,” said Lack.

Former Silverbacks forward Riley Nash said Salmon Arm is where his career took off and to be back on Shaw Centre ice was memorable for him.

“The fans were awesome here,” said the newly signed Boston Bruin.

“My billet family was here again tonight. They’re like an extended family of mine. It’s just awesome to get back here and play on this ice.”

He hopes the transition from Carolina to Boston will be smooth and to step in right away and fill some roles.

Ottawa Senators forward Curtis Lazar said putting on a show for the fans was what mattered because they were having as much fun as the players.

“I would like to personally thank all the players, fans, volunteers and our sponsors for making this happen,” stated Silverbacks GM Troy Mick.

“We are looking forward already to making this bigger and better next year for all involved.”

The Silverbacks main camp starts Aug. 22 at the Shaw Centre.