Night 119

In Langley at the Events Centre the Salmon Arm Silverbacks (37-18-2-1) kept pace in the race for second place with a 7-6 overtime loss against the Chiefs (31-21-1-7). Down 5-3 to start the third period Salmon Arm scored twice in the first ten minutes to tie the game. Langley quickly called a timeout and 66 seconds later took their third separate lead of the game (1-0,3-2,6-5). However only 24 ticks later Morgan Zulinick scored his second goal of the game to tie the contest up for a fifth time (0-0,1-1,2-2,5-5,6-6). After a late penalty to the Apes the Chiefs carried a powerplay over to overtime where seven seconds after it had expired the game ended.

Langley finished two-for-five on the man-advantage and also scored twice shortly after powerplays had expired (seven and 17 seconds).

After one of the worst first periods of the season, by both sides, the game took life early in the second frame as the Silverbacks scored twice to erase a 1-0 lead. The Chiefs though responded half way through the middle stanza with three unanswered goals in five minutes to reclaim the advantage. With 45 seconds left in the frame the 'Backs got back within one only to have Langley tally 36 ticks later with 10 seconds left on the clock.

Salmon Arm were lead by rookies Morgan Zulinick (two goals), Devin Muller (one assist), and Jarryd Ten Vaanholt (one of each) while veterans Devin Gannon, Dave Killip, and Brett Knowles were instrumental in the comeback with a goal and an assist each. Mike Hammond also had two apples and is one point behind Jordan Grant and tied with Bradley McGowan in the Brett Hull Trophy race. Hammond has two games left while Grant's season is over and McGowan has one contest left which will be against Hammond and the 'Backs on Saturday night.

With the win Langley clinches the third seed in the Coastal Conference and will face the Alberni Valley Bulldogs in the first round of the playoffs. The Silverbacks meanwhile can guarantee a second place finish with wins in their last two games against Surrey and Coquitlam who will meet in the playoffs as well. Only two of the six first round matchups are left to be decided with Salmon Arm, Penticton, Merritt, and Quesnel/Prince George still awaiting to see who they will play.

With the loss the Apes become the final time in the 16 team league to loss a game in overtime (6-0-2-1).