SALMON ARM 5
VICTORIA 3
The Victoria Grizzlies were red hot going into Saturday night’s game at the Shaw Centre in Salmon Arm. The only problem is, the Silverbacks were even hotter.
The host Silverbacks pushed their early-season record to 5-0, thanks to a 5-3 victory over the visiting Grizzlies, who had racked up three straight B.C. Hockey League victories after starting the season with two losses.
The Grizzlies, playing their sixth straight road game to start the season, have given up the first goal of the game in every contest now after William Poirier beat Joe Howe six minutes into the opening frame on Saturday. The Silverbacks never trailed in the game.
Grizzlies winger Darwin Lakoduc gave Victoria some life late in the third period when the Edmonton native blasted one past Silverbacks netminder Dylan Kruss to cut Salmon Arm’s lead to 4-3 with four minutes remaining. But 14 seconds later, Daniel Rybarik split the defence and fired one past Howe to put the game on ice for the Silverbacks.
Rybarik finished with two goals, while Nick Unruh and Simon Tassy had the other Salmon Arm goals.
Henri Schreifels had other two goals for the Grizzlies, while defenceman Nico Somerville chipped in two assists.
Howe made 37 saves in the Grizzlies’ net, while Kruss turned aside 29 Victoria shots.
The Grizzlies now head to Trail where they’ll take on the Smoke Eaters today to wrap up seven straight road games.
Victoria’s home opener goes next Saturday when the Powell River Kings pay a visit to The Q Centre.
