BCHL

Silverbacks’ forward Aiden Jenner and Vipers’ forward Lane Zablocki grapple for possession during the March 6 playoff game in Salmon Arm. (Jodi Brak/Salmon Arm Observer)

Silverbacks need win to keep playoff hopes alive

Shuswap skaters looking for an upset on Vernon Vipers’ home ice

Silverbacks’ forward Aiden Jenner and Vipers’ forward Lane Zablocki grapple for possession during the March 6 playoff game in Salmon Arm. (Jodi Brak/Salmon Arm Observer)
Vipers hang on to early lead to make playoff series 3-1 against Silverbacks

Vipers hang on to early lead to make playoff series 3-1 against Silverbacks

Defensive play, steady goaltending keeps Vernon ahead of Salmon Arm

Vipers hang on to early lead to make playoff series 3-1 against Silverbacks
Vernon’s Ben Sanderson faces down Silverbacks’ goalie Ethan Langenegger during game 2 of the playoff series in Vernon. (Vernon Morning Star photo)

Silverbacks down 2-1 in playoff series versus Vipers

Fierce competition pushes two games in a row to extra time

Vernon’s Ben Sanderson faces down Silverbacks’ goalie Ethan Langenegger during game 2 of the playoff series in Vernon. (Vernon Morning Star photo)
Silverbacks’ forward Justin Wilson keeps his eyes up for a passing lane as he skates the puck into the Cowichan Valley Capitals’ zone during their Dec. 15 game. (Jodi Brak/Salmon Arm Observer)

Silverbacks ready to get in Vipers’ face in playoffs

Salmon Arm coach, forward talk round one of BCHL playoffs against Vernon

Silverbacks’ forward Justin Wilson keeps his eyes up for a passing lane as he skates the puck into the Cowichan Valley Capitals’ zone during their Dec. 15 game. (Jodi Brak/Salmon Arm Observer)
Silverbacks defenceman Andy Stevens moves the puck up the ice during the Feb. 22 game against Penticton, keeping an eye up for a good pass. (Jodi Brak/Salmon Arm Observer)

Silverbacks finish regular season with loss to Penticton

First round of playoffs pits ‘Backs against Vernon Vipers once again

Silverbacks defenceman Andy Stevens moves the puck up the ice during the Feb. 22 game against Penticton, keeping an eye up for a good pass. (Jodi Brak/Salmon Arm Observer)
Silverbacks defenceman Andy Stevens moves the puck up the ice during the Feb. 22 game against Penticton, keeping an eye up for a good pass. (Jodi Brak/Salmon Arm Observer)

Salmon Arm Silverbacks fall to Penticton Vees in third-period upset

Early lead disintegrates into 5-2 finish for Penticton

Silverbacks defenceman Andy Stevens moves the puck up the ice during the Feb. 22 game against Penticton, keeping an eye up for a good pass. (Jodi Brak/Salmon Arm Observer)
Silverbacks’ forward Trevor Adams grapples for possession with Wenatchee’s Chad Sasaki. (Jodi Brak/Salmon Arm Observer)

Silverbacks win one in three-game stretch versus Wenatchee

The Salmon Arm Silverbacks got a little taste of redemption Feb. 15,…

Silverbacks’ forward Trevor Adams grapples for possession with Wenatchee’s Chad Sasaki. (Jodi Brak/Salmon Arm Observer)
Defenceman Olson Werenka celebrates his goal in the first period against the Wenatchee Wild, the Silverbacks’ only goal of the game and Werenka’s fifth of the season. (Jodi Brak/Salmon Arm Observer)

Salmon Arm Silverbacks tame Wenatchee Wild in 3-1 victory

Win over the Washington squad provides a taste of redemption

Defenceman Olson Werenka celebrates his goal in the first period against the Wenatchee Wild, the Silverbacks’ only goal of the game and Werenka’s fifth of the season. (Jodi Brak/Salmon Arm Observer)
Salmon Arm Silverbacks’ defenceman Andy Stevens moves up the boards, looking for a passing lane as he charges into the Chiefs’ zone during their Feb. 13 game. (Jodi Brak/Salmon Arm Observer)

Silverbacks’ fall to league-leading Chilliwack Chiefs

Fragile lead couldn’t hold through the second period, ending in 5-2 loss

Salmon Arm Silverbacks’ defenceman Andy Stevens moves up the boards, looking for a passing lane as he charges into the Chiefs’ zone during their Feb. 13 game. (Jodi Brak/Salmon Arm Observer)
Silverbacks’ Hudson Schandor hunkers down for the faceoff against Carter Jones of the Trail Smoke Eaters during their Oct. 27 game at the Shaw Centre. (Jodi Brak/Salmon Arm Observer)

Silverbacks break even in double-header against Trail Smoke Eaters

Affiliate players shine in game one, rematch goes south in first period

Silverbacks’ Hudson Schandor hunkers down for the faceoff against Carter Jones of the Trail Smoke Eaters during their Oct. 27 game at the Shaw Centre. (Jodi Brak/Salmon Arm Observer)
Silverbacks forward Aiden Jenner squares off with Coquitlam forward Danny Pearson during their Feb. 5 game. (Jodi Brak/Salmon Arm Observer)

Salmon Arm Silverbacks defeat Coquitlam Express in shootout victory

Tense midweek game comes down to a stalemate in third period

Silverbacks forward Aiden Jenner squares off with Coquitlam forward Danny Pearson during their Feb. 5 game. (Jodi Brak/Salmon Arm Observer)
Silverbacks’ forward Matthew Verboon moves to snake around West Kelowna’s Anthony Bishop during the Feb. 1 game in Salmon Arm. (Jodi Brak/Salmon Arm Observer)

Salmon Arm Silverbacks make back-to-back wins over Warriors

Victory in double-header games pushes ‘Backs up the rankings

Silverbacks’ forward Matthew Verboon moves to snake around West Kelowna’s Anthony Bishop during the Feb. 1 game in Salmon Arm. (Jodi Brak/Salmon Arm Observer)
Silverbacks’ captain Sol Seibel eyes up a way to finesse around the Langley Rivermen’s Ethan Leyh during their Nov. 28 game in Salmon Arm. (Jodi Brak/Salmon Arm Observer)

Silverbacks’ captain, coach talk about the pre-playoff push

Salmon Arm Junior A squad aims to go deep through discipline and hustle

Silverbacks’ captain Sol Seibel eyes up a way to finesse around the Langley Rivermen’s Ethan Leyh during their Nov. 28 game in Salmon Arm. (Jodi Brak/Salmon Arm Observer)
Silverbacks’ forward Jack Sampson skids to a stop, coming face-to-face with Smoke Eaters’ defenceman Kyle Budvarson during the Jan. 26 game at the Shaw Centre. (Jodi Brak/Salmon Arm Observer)

Salmon Arm Silverbacks host two tight games against Trail Smoke Eaters

One overtime win, one close loss in weekend games

Silverbacks’ forward Jack Sampson skids to a stop, coming face-to-face with Smoke Eaters’ defenceman Kyle Budvarson during the Jan. 26 game at the Shaw Centre. (Jodi Brak/Salmon Arm Observer)
Silverbacks’ forward Justin Wilson keeps his eyes up for a passing lane as he skates the puck into the Cowichan Valley Capitals’ zone during their Dec. 15 game. (Jodi Brak/Salmon Arm Observer)

Salmon Arm Silverbacks’ forward Justin Wilson makes NCAA commitment

‘Backs leading scorer to join American International College varsity team

Silverbacks’ forward Justin Wilson keeps his eyes up for a passing lane as he skates the puck into the Cowichan Valley Capitals’ zone during their Dec. 15 game. (Jodi Brak/Salmon Arm Observer)
Silverbacks’ Hudson Schandor hunkers down for the faceoff against Carter Jones of the Trail Smoke Eaters during their Oct. 27 game at the Shaw Centre. (Jodi Brak/Salmon Arm Observer)

Salmon Arm Silverbacks lock down OT victory against Trail

Smoke Eaters return to the Shaw Centre tonight for a rematch

Silverbacks’ Hudson Schandor hunkers down for the faceoff against Carter Jones of the Trail Smoke Eaters during their Oct. 27 game at the Shaw Centre. (Jodi Brak/Salmon Arm Observer)
Salmon Arm Silverbacks’ defenceman Akito Hirose hauls down Alberni Valley Bulldogs’ Stephen Castagna on a breakaway with 7 seconds left in the third period. Castagna was awarded a goal because the Silverbacks’ net was empty when he went down. (Susan Quinn photo)

Salmon Arm Silverbacks go one for two in weekend games

‘Backs shut out Nanaimo, take losses to Cowichan and Alberni Valley

Salmon Arm Silverbacks’ defenceman Akito Hirose hauls down Alberni Valley Bulldogs’ Stephen Castagna on a breakaway with 7 seconds left in the third period. Castagna was awarded a goal because the Silverbacks’ net was empty when he went down. (Susan Quinn photo)
Silverbacks’ forwards receive college offer, player of the week mention

Silverbacks’ forwards receive college offer, player of the week mention

Nick Unruh commits to Dartmouth College, Matthew Verboon gets POTW nod

Silverbacks’ forwards receive college offer, player of the week mention
Silverbacks’ forward Jonathan Krahn moves to get ahead of Powell River defenders on a breakaway attempt during the Jan. 12 game in Salmon Arm. (Jodi Brak/Salmon Arm Observer)

Silverbacks take a win, loss and falter in shootout during weekend games

Perfect regular season streak against Vernon, Powell River ended

Silverbacks’ forward Jonathan Krahn moves to get ahead of Powell River defenders on a breakaway attempt during the Jan. 12 game in Salmon Arm. (Jodi Brak/Salmon Arm Observer)
Darren Rizzolo, formerly of the Alberni Valley Bulldogs, is the newest addition to the Salmon Arm Silverbacks’ defensive line, coming ot the team after a trade for rookie defenceman Ethan McLaughlin. (Damon James photo)

Salmon Arm Silverbacks acquire veteran defenceman Darren Rizzolo

Ethan McLaughlin traded to Alberni Valley Bulldogs in return

Darren Rizzolo, formerly of the Alberni Valley Bulldogs, is the newest addition to the Salmon Arm Silverbacks’ defensive line, coming ot the team after a trade for rookie defenceman Ethan McLaughlin. (Damon James photo)