Game Preview: GM 7 Vees vs. Salmon Arm Silverbacks
BROADCAST INFORMATION
Game Time: 7:00 pm PDT
Location: South Okanagan Events Centre
Radio: Bounce 800 AM
Webcast: Flo Hockey
Season Series
October 11th, Salmon Arm at Penticton
November 9th, Penticton at Salmon Arm
November 22nd, Penticton at Salmon Arm
January 10th, Salmon Arm at Penticton
February 21st, Penticton at Salmon Arm
March 29th, Salmon Arm at Penticton
Penticton Vees
President, General Manager & Head Coach: Fred Harbinson
2024-25 Record: GP 6, 5-1-0-0, 10 PTS (2nd, Interior Conference)
Last Game: 4-3 win at Vernon, October 5th
Home: 1-0-0-0
Away: 4-1-0-0
GF: 23
GA: 14
Power Play: 5 / 22 (22.7%, 10th in BCHL)
Penalty Kill: 12/ 16 (75.0%, 13th in BCHL)
Scoring Leader: Anselmo Rego (3-5-8)
The Vees return to the ice at the SOEC on Friday night after a successful home opener last week, winning 5-1 over the visiting Okotoks Oilers. They followed that up with come from behind 4-3 road win over the Vernon Vipers Saturday night, scoring three times in 2:03 early in the third period.
The offensive outburst in the third began with a Max Heise powerplay goal 2:07 into the frame, two very welcome signs for the Vees. Heise was expected to be a big piece as a returning player for Penticton and has been a big key to the powerplay jumpstart in the last three games for the Vees. Heise’s fourth goal of the season on Saturday night was his third powerplay goal in two nights, vaulting the Vees powerplay from the league’s basement to the middle of the pack through six games.
They’ll look to stretch a winning streak to four on Friday night in their lone game of the weekend as they host the Salmon Arm Silverbacks for the first time since the Interior Conference Final last season that saw them win 4-3 in dramatic fashion.
Will Ingemann has seen the bulk of action for Penticton between the pipes to start the season and figures to be the team’s starting goaltender Friday night at the SOEC after picking up back-to-back wins last weekend.
Forward Caton Ryan, who was has missed the six first games of the season due to injury, is a game-time decision tonight. The 18-year-old was injured in the Vees’ exhibition game against the Vernon Vipers on September 6th. The Kanata, Ontario, product will be a welcome addition down the middle and on the power play.
Salmon Arm Silverbacks
Head Coach & General Manager: Tyler Shattock
2024-25: GP 6 4-1-1-0, 9 PTS (3rd, Interior Conference)
Last Game: 4-0 loss at Salmon Arm, October 4th
Home: 2-0-0-0
Away: 2-1-1-0
GF: 23
GA: 13
Power Play: 4/22 (19.00%, 12th in BCHL)
Penalty Kill: 13/16 (81.3%, 10th in BCHL)
Scoring Leader: Patrick Raftery (2-7-9)
The Silverbacks find themselves off to a hot start and will ride into the SOEC Friday night for the first of six meetings on the season. With nine returnees from a very strong 2023-24 team, it’s no surprise the ‘Backs are 4-1-1 through their first six games.
Similar to Penticton, Salmon Arm has had to endure some of the toughest travel possible to start the season. After a pair of games on Vancouver Island on the season’s opening weekend, the Silverbacks made the trek to Central Alberta to play Sherwood Park and Spruce Grove. They split results in both sets including an 8-2 drubbing of the Spruce Grove Saints on September 28th.
They found traction this past weekend, shutting out the Vernon Vipers on Friday before dispatching the Okotoks Oilers on Saturday night in their first weekend set at home this season. At 4-1-1-0 through six games, Salmon Arm sits just a point behind Penticton and Brooks at the top of the Interior Conference standings.
They’ve been paced to start the season by veteran forward Patrick Raftery, who arrived last February and helped the Silverbacks immensely throughout a lengthy playoff run. The 20-year-old future Maine Black Bear, who will be a teammate of former Vees’ Captain Thomas Pichette next season, leads the team in points with nine (2-7-9) in six games.
Ryan Grout figures to be the starting goaltender for the Silverbacks on Friday as he’s earned starts in four of Salmon Arm’s six games so far this season. The young goaltender carries a 3-0 record into action on Friday with a 1.72 goals against average and .929% save percentage through his four appearances.
Puck drop is set for 7:00pm PDT from the South Okanagan Events Centre. You can follow all the action live on FloHockey or locally on radio thanks to the official broadcast partners of the Penticton Vees, Bounce 800AM.