GAME DAY: Salmon Arm Silverbacks (26-14-0-3) at Merritt Centennials (17-22-3-1)

Salmon Arm Silverbacks – (26-14-0-3) 

The Silverbacks are going to be looking for revenge after losing a thrilling 11 round shootout last night and not being able to close out a late 2-1 lead. Salmon Arm hasn’t been themselves lately losing 5 of their last 7 games. It doesn’t get any easier as they have struggled on the road with a 10 and 11 record compared to their 16-3-2 record at home. A tale of two teams. Salmon Arm has lost three straight road games.

Merritt Centennials – (17-22-3-1) 

After what was the most exciting game of the season the Cents topped it off with an even more epic victory in Salmon Arm. The 4-3 win in Trail where Merritt came back from a 3-0 deficit was a thriller but last night’s game took the cake. The Cents 1-0 lead with 9 minutes left vanished in 40 seconds as the Silverbacks took a 2-1 lead quickly. But a lifeline for the Cents gave the boys in red and white a late powerplay and Jaxson Murray made no mistake putting the game tying goal top cheddar and forcing overtime. The Cents would kill off a late powerplay and both teams would resolve nothing in the extra frame. The shootout would go a whopping 11 rounds with Jack Ziliotto finally getting the only goal for either team, and blowing a kiss to the always rowdy Salmon Arm crowd. Ballantyne would stop 49 of 51 shots and all 11 in the shootout in what will go down as one of the best Centennial goaltending performances, possibly of all time??? Pull out the history books. The Cents seek a season high 4 straight wins today.

Cents Win | Zach Amin Photography

Previous Meetings;

After a 7-1 loss in Salmon Arm the Cents tied the season series last night to extend the winning streak to three games. The Cents have won 5 of their last 8 games and start a four game home stand tonight with their first game of the season at home against the Silverbacks. The teams close out three games in a row against each other next Friday, in what could be a playoff preview at this point if the Cents can catch Cranbrook and the Silverbacks finish in third where they currently sit. The Cents visit Salmon Arm once more in the third last game of the season on March 24th to close out the five games against each other in the regular season.

Special Teams Comparison;

Cents PP: 30/144 (20.83%) +2 (11th)     PK: 31/150 (79.61%) +1 (6th)

Backs  PP: 29/125 (23.2%) -1 (5th) PK: 24/122 (80.3%) -2 (3rd)

Cents Bench | Madeline Baker Photography

Players to Watch:

Jack Ziliotto has had a resurgence under Brian Passmore. With the Bulldogs he had just 1 goal and 5 points in 23 games. On the Cents he looks like a new player. 1 goal and 7 assists for 8 points in 12 games and a cheeky celebration after the shootout winning goal. Jaxson Murray and Michael Felsing also seem to thrive here at the NVMA as well. And don’t forget about Andrew Ballantyne after a legendary performance last night. 

For the Silverbacks Tristan Allen could be a force with his knowledge and experience of the NVMA ice after playing multiple seasons here with the Centennials. 

Patrick Raftery was a menace last night and has 2 goals and 3 points in 4 games since joining the BCHL. He came close to getting his second straight overtime winning goal last night.

Cents Bench | Joey Jones Photography

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.