Game Preview: Vees vs. Salmon Arm Silverbacks (Game Five)

BROADCAST INFORMATION

Game Time: 7:00 pm PST

Location: SOEC, Penticton

Radio: Bounce 800 AM

Webcast: Flo Hockey 

Penticton Vees

President, GM & Head Coach: Fred Harbinson

Regular Season Record: GP 54 38-10-3-3, 1^st in the Interior Conference

Playoff Record: 10-3

Last Game: 2-1OT loss at Salmon Arm (May 8)

Home: 6-1

Away: 4-2

GF: 36

GA: 18

Power Play: (4/28) 14.3%

Penalty Kill: (2/24) 91.7%

Scoring Leader: Callum Arnott (6-5-11)

It’s now a best-of-three. The Vees had an opportunity to take a 3-1 series lead on Wednesday but fell 2-1 in overtime to Salmon Arm and now the Interior Conference Final is down to a best-of-three finish.

Larry Keenan dramatically tied the game late in the third period, as he scored his second of the playoffs with just 80 seconds left in regulation. That was the second time Keenan has scored during a six-on-five situation in the postseason.

The story Wednesday was the Vees’ power play, as it went 0-3, including not capitalizing on a four-minute power play in the second period. Penticton’s man advantage has hit a dry spell, as it’s 0-12 dating back to Game Four of their second round series against Vernon. There hasn’t been a ton of opportunities, as the Vees have had just five power plays in four games against Salmon Arm, but they will need to find a way to produce on the power play. In a series as close as this one, the power play can be the difference maker.

Penticton also needs more offence from their forward group. That is easier said than done, as defenceman Brock Reinhart said it perfectly in a recent interview, “It’s hard to score in May.” There are a few players that the Vees need more from offensively. Only five forwards have scored in this series.

Will Ingemann is once again the projected starting goaltender for the Vees. Ingemann suffered just his first loss of the playoffs on Wednesday, as he was 7-0 in his previous eight games. He’s been excellent in this series, posting a 2-0-1 record, 1.06 goals-against average and .958 save percentage. He’s allowed just four goals on 92 shots.

The Vees are back home, and they should feel quite confident. Penticton is 6-1 at home in the BCHL Playoffs and have won 22 of their last 23 home playoff games dating back to April 1, 2022.

Salmon Arm Silverbacks

General Manager: Brooks Christensen

Head Coach: Tyler Shattock

Regular Season Record: GP 54 34-17-0-3, 3^rd in the Interior Conference

Playoff Record: 10-5

Last Game: 4-1 loss vs. Penticton (May 6)

Home: 5-2

Away: 5-3

GF: 45

GA: 30

Power Play: (6/38) 15.8%

Penalty Kill: (4/37) 88.9%

Scoring Leader: Cole Cooksey (8-6-14)

Salmon Arm arguably played their best game of the series in Game Four. They never trailed in Wednesday’s game, as captain Nathan Mackie scored in the second period to give them a 1-0 lead, then Ryan Gillespie scored the game-winner in overtime.

The Silverbacks penalty kill came up clutch in Game Four. Salmon Arm killed off eight minutes in penalties, including a double minor high sticking penalty, seconds after they had taken the lead in the second period.

Massive win for Salmon Arm, as they pulled even in the series and now look for their second series lea tonight. A loss Wednesday, and they would have been looking at a 3-1 series deficit and trying to keep their season alive on the road. Now, if they can get a win tonight, they set themselves up for a chance to win the series on home ice tomorrow.

Four-on-four hockey has been advantageous to the Silverbacks. They have scored twice in this series during four-on-four situations, including the overtime winner by Gillespie in Game Four. The extra room seems to benefit the ‘Backs.

Salmon Arm has also had good starts in this series, as they have scored first in three of the first four games. They’re 8-2 in the playoffs when scoring first.