The Cranbrook Bucks appeared to have all the answers Saturday night, but Salmon Arm Silverbacks goalie Matthew Tovell was changing all the questions – and a 37-save performance for a 1-0 Silverbacks win was proof to that pudding.
The Silverbacks got on the scoreboard early. A goal from Nathan Mackie gave them a 1-0 lead just 1:14 into the first period. Cranbrook fired 13 shots in the opening frame, but they trailed 1-0 at intermission.
Second and third period action saw more of the same. The Bucks continued to press throughout the game, but Tovell was the definitive X-factor in Salmon Arm’s 1-0 victory.
Saturday’s loss drops Cranbrook’s record to 12-8-1. Cranbrook outshot the Silverbacks 37-30. On special teams, the Bucks went 0/6 on the power play while their penalty-kill finished 4/4.
The Bucks return home Wednesday to face the Wenatchee Wild.
Buck Tracks:
- Nathan Airey stops 29 of 30 Salmon Arm shots.
- Donovan Frias point streak ends at 7 games (6g,3a)
