The Salmon Arm Silverbacks won their second consecutive game in overtime on Saturday night, April 10, edging the Vernon Vipers 2-1 in the extra frame, thanks to a fantastic goal from Sullivan Mack, in B.C. Hockey League pod play at Vernon’s Kal Tire Place.
The Backs’ record improves to 2-2-1 with the victory, while the Vipers are now 3-1-1.
It was the second straight overtime game between the two rivals. Vernon won 6-5 Wednesday, April 10.
Silverbacks goalie Owen Say made what turned out to be a game-changing save on Tyler Carpendale Saturday in the first minute of extra time. Joaquin Lemay picked up the rebound and quickly fired a breakaway stretch pass to Mack, who made a fantastic deke on Vernon netminder James Porter Jr. and ended the game by sliding the puck through Porter Jr.’s legs.
Another game, another OT win!
— Salmon Arm Silverbacks (@SASilverbacks) April 11, 2021
Tonight's @Talkingrockgolf Play of the Game is Sullivan Mack's dirty game-winning-goal!#GoBacksGo pic.twitter.com/AredIBdVBN
“Little bit of a bold play there,” said Salmon Arm assistant coach Carter Cochrane of Mack’s game-winner. “He’s an unbelievable player. He’s got so much talent.”
The game was scoreless through 40 minutes, but that quickly changed in the third period when Simon Tassy and Mack converted on a two-on-one rush 32 seconds into the final frame. Tassy’s pass found Mack, whose initial shot was blocked, but he stuck with it, found the loose puck and put it home to open the scoring.
The Vipers didn’t take long to respond, evening the game on their second powerplay of the contest just 2:55 later, courtesy of Ryan Shostak.
Vernon has now dropped two in a row after starting pod play with three straight wins.
Vernon will play West Kelowna (2-1-1-0) Monday afternoon at 1 p.m. The Warriors handed the Vipers their first loss Friday, April 9, with a 4-2 win.
Salmon Arm and West Kelowna meet Sunday afternoon.
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