GAME DAY: Salmon Arm Silverbacks (26-15-0-3) @ Merritt Centennials (18-22-3-1)

Salmon Arm Silverbacks – (26-15-0-3) 

6 losses in 8 games and just two goals in their last two games almost getting shut out both games. The Silverbacks are like wounded Gorillas right now. I am sure Tyler Shattock was livid with his team, working them like dogs in practice all week. The vibes around Salmon Arm are low while the vibes around Merritt are high. It’s strange how a team can be so strong against Penticton yet can’t seem to figure out the Cents. Their 7-1 win over Merritt came against a depleted line up that had two AP’s and a couple of players either traded or healthy scratched of late.

Merritt Centennials – (18-22-3-1) 

What can you say about the red hot Merritt Centennials? 8-4-1 in their last 13 games at the NVMA after losing their first 5 of 8 games in their own barn. This has become a hard place to play with the Cents sounding the siren a lot of late averaging four goals per game in their last seven games here. The Cents are rolling at the right time and are looking to send a message to the BCHL by sweeping the three game set over the Silverbacks. A win would push them further up on Cranbrook and possibly set up a potential race for 5th place with Trail who sit 8 points up on Merritt. The Cents would have to stay red hot in the final 10 games of the season to pull off the steal. 

Gillard celebrates first BCHL Goal | Flohockey

Previous Meetings;

After a 7-1 loss in Salmon Arm the Cents have reeled off a 3-2 shootout win at the Shaw Centre and most recently a 4-0 win here to lead the season series 2-1. The Cents won the six game season matchup with Trail 4 games to 2, if they win today they will win the Salmon Arm series with just one game left in Salmon Arm on Sunday March 24th. The Silverbacks would have to win the final two games in this matchup to win the series. Very interesting matchup in what would be a round one playoff matchup if the standings stick through the final ten games. Unless Cranbrook or Vernon heat up or West Kelowna really drops the ball.

The Cents celebrate their fourth straight goal in Trail putting them up 4-3 | BCHL TV

Special Teams Comparison;

Cents PP: 31/146 (21.23%) +2 (+5) (9th)     PK: 31/157 (80.25%) +1 (4th)

Backs  PP: 29/130 (22.31%) -1 (6th) PK: 25/124 (79.84%) -2 (5th)

Players to Watch:

Obviously Andrew Ballantyne has been the hero of the series, with the Silverbacks getting just two past him in two games and being shut out last Saturday at the NVMA. His save percentage has gone from under 88 percent to 912 percent, a massive increase as he has gone from third string goalie to one of the best in the BCHL fast. He is now 9th in the BCHL for save percentage.

For the Silverbacks Eli Pulver remains the player to watch with nobody stepping up offensively for Salmon Arm. He is 4th in the league in save percentage and 4th in GAA. His first trip to the NVMA saw him lit up for 4 goals so we’ll see if he can handle the large ice here in Merritt tonight and a Cents team that has averaged 4 per game in their last seven home games.

Keys to Victory:

Key number 1 – Keep the good times rollin’ The team is feeling it right now. It felt like the team was “waiting to lose” according to Brian Passmore during the recent three game slide, this time around it almost feels like the team is waiting for the game to go their way, and it has been.

Key Number 2 –  Keep up the defensive performance. Despite giving up a lot of shots last night the Cents have now given up only nine goals in their past four games with one being an empty netter. Averaging near two goals against is a recipe for success as we’ve seen more patience from the defensive breakouts leading to less turnovers and more forechecking. 

Key number 3 – Sound the Siren. The Cents are scoring in bunches at the NVMA in the second half of the season. Even with the shutout loss to the Vees Merritt has averaged 4 goals a game in their last 6 games in Merritt. The new look Cents are lighting it up in front of the home side of late. The Cents have won 4 of their last 6 home games heading into the four game home stand and could really go on a push here with no travel for the next two weeks.