The Warriors were simply dominant in the final two periods on Wednesday in Salmon Arm.
Unfortunately for them, a 3-1 deficit after 20 minutes was too much, and Salmon Arm hung on for a 5-2 victory.
Trailing 2-0 just 3 ½ minutes into the game, Garrett Skrbich got the Tribe on the board when he beat Kurt Williams for his 7th of the season. But Salmon Arm would regain the two-goal cushion late in the first period – a pivotal lead as it would turn out.
“As a team, we weren’t quite ready to play tonight” says Skrbich of his team’s slow start. “They came out fast and got a couple on us right away, and it hurt us in the end.”
Over the course of the final two periods, the Warriors threw everything they had at the Silverbacks, with a hit-post from Shawn Hochhausen the best chance of the second period.
Midway through the third, defenceman Josh Monk converted a scramble in the Salmon Arm crease to get Westside back within one. However, despite continued pressure, the Tribe could not find the equalizer. A late 5-on-5 goal from James Friedel (his first of the season) and a subsequent empty-netter from Jeff Kennedy would then seal victory for the hosts.
Netminder Kurt Williams was named the first star of the game, stopping 42 shots, including 30 in the final two periods. A remarkable blocker save on Reid Simmonds late in the game was his best, and preserved Salmon Arm’s then 3-2 lead. Dwayne Rodrigue suffered the loss for Westside, stopping 24 of the 28 shots he faced.
Jeff Kennedy led Salmon Arm’s offence with two goals and an assist. Morgan Zulinick chipped in a short-handed goal to go along with his two helpers. James Friedel and Sean Flanagan also score for the Apes.
“It’s a tough loss, and everyone’s pretty disappointed” says Garrett Skrbich of Westside’s defeat. “But we’re going to come back and get at it this weekend, and try to make that playoff spot.
With the loss, Westside remains 15 points out of a playoff berth with 14 games remaining.
The Warriors return home this weekend for contests against Alberni Valley (Fri) and Merritt (Sat).
Visit The General’s Report for dedicated coverage of the Westside Warriors.
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