Skip to content

SilverBacks keep believing

The road back starts with one win and, as of Tuesday, the Salmon Arm SilverBacks hadn’t been able to get one against the Penticton Vees.
21795salmonarmCFSASilverBacks10319col
Focused forward: ’Backs forward Josh Brown makes his way through a Penticton Vees defence during Interior Division semifinal action Monday night at the Sunwave Centre.

The road back starts with one win and, as of Tuesday, the Salmon Arm SilverBacks hadn’t been able to get one against the defending national champion Penticton Vees in their best-of-seven Interior Division semifinal.

Down three games to none, the ’Backs tried to stave off elimination Tuesday night at Shaw Centre (past Observer deadline). Adam Clark was to start Game 4 in net after Angus Redmond started Games 2 and 3.

The series has been closer than the series record would indicate so there is still belief in the Salmon Arm dressing room.

“Our first game, we weren’t ourselves; I think they (Vees) were ripe for the picking that day,” said SilverBacks head coach Scott Robinson of the 4-2 loss in Game 1. “We were bound up with nerves. The last two games, we’ve been ourselves, we had the lead in Game 2 as well.”

That lead didn’t hold up as Sam Mellor scored twice including an empty-net goal and Thomas Nitsche scored the winner in another 4-2 win.

In Monday’s Game 3, Penticton was leading 2-1 late in the third and got the insurance marker after a scrum in front of the ’Backs net as Jedd Soleway shovelled in a rebound. There was confusion on the play as one official appeared to wave it off but it was eventually ruled a good goal.

“The explanation they said was that he wasn’t waving it off,” said Robinson, adding he was told the official used an arm gesture to signal a stoppage in play, rather than his whistle. “I think it was more of the procedure of how it was handled; you blow the whistle and make a decision.

“We had people (team officials) sitting around that area that said it was in; it was just the procedure.”

Through three games, Salmon Arm has been held to just five goals. Penticton’s reputation as a team that simply outscores its mistakes isn’t really accurate, says Robinson.

“They’re deep, they’re rolling four lines and they’ve really bought into defensive hockey,” he said. “Really, the strength of their game right now is prevention.”

Salmon Arm will have to figure out a way around that. Their playoff lives depend on it.

“We’ve tried to get some things, little adjustments that help us generate more and we started to see a bit of that last night,” said Robinson. “The difference is they’ve had a couple of high-quality chances and made great shots. We need a little puck luck around the net and swat a few in.”

Robinson has liked what he’s seen from Redmond, who hasn’t made a misstep all year when given a chance in net, but also likes what Salmon Arm native Bryden Marsh is providing. Despite not having any points, Marsh’s energy has led to Vees turnovers and some chances going the other way.

Josh Bowes leads the team with a goal and two assists so far while Shane Hanna has a goal and an assist. Salmon Arm’s power play is 1-for-12, last in the playoffs.

Should there be a Game 5, it goes Thursday at 7 p.m. in Penticton.