Silverbacks @ Centennials

22-8-2-2 (2nd in Interior Conference).......7-20-1-5 (8th in Interior Conference)

4-4-2-1 in Last 11 Games.........................................2-3-1-0 in Last 6 Games

4.8 Goals For Avg (1st in BCHL)......................3.0 Goals For Avg (15th in BCHL)

3.3 Goals Against Avg (T-4th in BCHL).........5.1 Goals Against Avg (16th in BCHL)

22.32% Powerplay (4th in BCHL)......................12.63% Powerplay (16th in BCHL)

81.31% Penalty Kill (8th in BCHL).................. 75.11% Penalty Kill (16th in BCHL)

Derek Lee (47 - 8th in BCHL)............................Erik Ruud (42 - 16th in BCHL)

Graeme Gordon (.889 - 20th in BCHL)........Shane Mainprize (.888 - 21st in BCHL)

Previous Games: 7-1 Salmon Arm road win on September 15th, 5-4 Salmon Arm overtime home win on October 30th, 6-3 Salmon Arm home win on November 20th.

Other than the first meeting the Silverbacks have had to come back twice at home against the Centennials. Salmon Arm was down 4-1 in the third period in October and down 2-0 in the second period in November.

It will be interesting to see how the team comes out as three of their top players have missed the entire week of practice. Damon Kipp (fly down), Derek Lee (prospects game), and Kelly Zajac (fly down) will all have to quickly gel their way back into form.

It is an important two points for the 'Backs to grab tonight with a first place showdown tomorrow night against the Vees. However any complacently with players thinking about either tomorrow night or the Christmas break and Merritt will walk away victorious.