The Salmon Arm Silverbacks went 6-0 against the Merritt Centennials this season and recorded all 12 points possible whereas the Cents picked up a couple points going 0-4-0-2.
The two teams played three home-and-home series' on September 17th (2-1), September 18th (8-4), October 8th (4-2), October 9th (5-4 OT), January 8th (3-1), and January 11th (2-1 OT). Overall the 'Backs outscored Merritt 24-13 with four of the six contests coming in each team's first 12 games of the season.
Salmon Arm scored first in all six games and thus led in 3:01:53 of the 6:06:13 time played whereas the Centennials led for only 0:13:52 and the two teams where tied for 2:50:28. The Apes outscored Merritt 9-3 in the first period.
The Silverbacks held the very slight lead in special teams going 24.24% on the powerplay compared to the 19.33% for the Cents with Salmon Arm also registering a shorthanded tally. The Shots on Goal were also very even with 34.5 for the 'Backs and 32.17 for Merritt.
Kamloops resident Morgan Zulinick led the Silverbacks against the Centennials in the season series with six points in four games. Fellow Kamloops native Devin Gannon also had six points in five games while Clinton Atkinson and Brett Knowles both had six points in six games. Cody Michelle had four points in his three games against Merritt. For the Cents Steve Tresierra had six points in six games.
In goal Salmon Arm's Kris Moore led the way going 3-0 with a 1.33 goals against average and a .960 save percentage. Merritt's Lino Chimienti played in only one game and took the loss with a 1.98 GAA and .938 save percentage. Meanwhile Kurt Williams picked up a win with a 3.06 GAA and .896% and Tyler Steel went 0-2 with a 3.73 and .889.
Prior to Kris Moore's fight with Tyler Steel the Silverbacks' goals against average was at 2.73, during his time out of the lineup Salmon Arm posted a 3.88, and since his return the goals against has been at 3.42. Meanwhile for the Cents prior to Lino's arrival their goals against was at 5.08 and that has dropped to 3.23 with him on the squad.
Recently Salmon Arm's powerplay has been operating at 17.1% in their last seven games meanwhile their penalty kill is at 74.2% in their last eight games. Merritt's powerplay is a 6.8% in their last 17 games while their penalty kill is at 66.7% in their last five games.
Jasyson Reardon finished the season red hot for the Silverbacks with 22 points in his last 26 games after only five points in his first 21 games of the year. Likewise Josh Manson finished with 41 points in 45 games as a d-man after six points in his first 12 games as a forward. Brett Knowles and Dave Killip finished the year on four-game point streaks while Zulinick, Brad Reid, Gannon, and Mike Hammond finished on three-game streaks.
For Merritt Evan Stack finished with 28 points in his last 31 games after only four points in his first 21 contests while Blaine Bokenfohr finished on a three-game point streak. Brent Fletcher scored twice in his first game as a Centennial against Salmon Arm and hasn't scored in the 46 games since.
Merritt has not played against the Silverbacks with Hammond in their lineup while the Silverbacks have not played against J.P. Witkop and won't until Game 3 with a two game suspension to be served.
In Salmon Arm's ten years they have played the Cents once in the playoffs back in 2004/2005 with the Silverbacks victorious in five games.
Salmon Arm Silverbacks' forward Jarryd Ten Vaanholt discusses a key goal, credit to Merritt, a 66.6% powerplay, and expecting more physical play.
Salmon Arm Silverbacks' General Manager & Head Coach Tim Kehler discusses a win while not at their best, a more physical game 2, needing to stay out of the box, and bumper pool on ice.
Merritt Centennials' General Manager & Head Coach Luke Pierce discusses deserving a better fate, a surprising second slow start, controlling rebounds on the penalty kill, playing physical while discipline, and the return of J.P. Witkop.
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