Game Recap: Silverbacks edge Vees in OT, force Game Five Friday

SALMON ARM, B.C.- The Salmon Arm Silverbacks staved off elimination on Wednesday, beating the Penticton Vees 3-2 in overtime in Game Four at the Shaw Centre in the North Okanagan.

The Vees still lead the best-of-seven Interior Conference Final 3-1, with Game Five at for Friday night at the SOEC.

Isaac Lambert was the overtime hero for Salmon Arm, as he scored 3:36 into the extra frame to send the series back to Penticton. Salmon Arm’s Ethan Ullrick scored both of their goals in regulation, as the Silverbacks came back from two, one-goal deficits to pick up their first win of the series.

Cal Arnott and Aydar Suniev scored for the Vees, who had their 26-game win streak come to an end in the overtime setback. Before Wednesday, Penticton had not lost a game since February 4^th.

It was the second-straight night the two teams had to go beyond regulation to decide a winner. Half of Salmon Arm’s 12 playoff games have been decided in overtime. Wednesday was their fourth OT win in the BCHL Playoffs. The last two nights were the Vees’ first two overtime games in the postseason.

It was a good start for the visitors, as Arnott opened the scoring just 2:17 into the first period to put Penticton up 1-0. Arnott’s centering pass on an odd-man rush went off the Silverbacks defenceman’s skate and past Matthew Tovell. Arnott credited with his second of the playoffs and first goal since April 1^st.

Ullrick tied it for the Silverbacks late in the second period after he jammed in the puck from the top of the crease. His first of two on the night made it 1-1 at 14:56.

Early in the third period the Vees retook the lead, as Suniev scored on the power play just 48 seconds into the frame to put Penticton up 2-1. His howitzer from the right wing beat the goaltender over the shoulder for his fifth of the playoffs.

Salmon Arm answered back with another tying goal midway through the third. Once again it was Ullrick, who buried a pass out from behind the net that tied it 2-2.

In overtime, Penticton had a great chance to win the game seconds before Salmon Arm scored. Josh Nadeau had a breakaway from just inside the Silverbacks’ blue line but his deke was denied by a sliding pad stop by Tovell. Seconds later, Salmon Arm won it.

GAME STATS

Final Score: 3-2, Silverbacks (OT)

Shots: 36-35, Silverbacks

Vees Scoring: Arnott, Suniev (PP)

Vees PP: 1/2

Vees PK: 2/2

Three Stars:

1. Isaac Lambert (SA)
2. Ethan Ullrick (SA)
3. Matthew Tovell (SA)

Next Game: Round 3, Game 5, Friday, May 5, 7:00 pm vs. Salmon Arm