EXPRESS CAN'T RECOVER FROM QUICK START FROM SILVERBACKS

Troy Robillard - Photo courtesy of Damon James

Salmon Arm struck three times in the first 12 minutes of the game and never looked back en route to a 5-2 win over the Express. Click here for boxscore


The key deciding moment of this game came just 1:55 into the contest. Lucas Wong hit Salmon Arm's Max Wutzke from behind sending the defenseman crashing into the boards spreading his legs on contact. Wutzke was shaken up on the play and didn't return.

Right upon the start of the power play the Silverbacks started generating quality chances.

They capitalized on the powerplay just 22 seconds into it on a goal from Tanner Campbell who found a loose puck at the side of the Express net.

Justin Wilson scored Salmon Arm's second power play goal on the Wong major penalty taking a cross ice feed and snapping a shot past the stick of Brock Hamm for a 2-0 Silverbacks lead.

By this point the Silverbacks had opened up a 10-0 advantage in shots.

The Express didn't register their first shot until the 8 mark of the first period against former teammate Reid Cooper. The Silverbacks goaltender faced his former mates for the first time since he was traded by the Express to Salmon Arm in November in exchange for future considerations. Since that trade Cooper has secured himself a commitment to Robert Morris University.

Haydn Delorme - Photo courtesy of Damon James

The early 2-0 lead gave Salmon Arm a boost that allowed them to play a quick game when the play returned to 5 on 5.

Grayson Constable wired a slap shot from the right wing for a 3-0 Silverbacks lead at 12:43.

The fortunes for the Express didn't change much in the second period. Riley Hayles beat Brock Hamm with a slap shot that pinged in off the goal post for a 4-0 lead at 7:03. That goal chased Brock Hamm after 4 goals on 19 shots.

Clay Stevenson was welcomed to the game by the first shot he faced finding the back of the net. Hudson Schandor snapped a shot from the boards for his 9th of the season.

The Express needed a Miracle on Manchester type comeback entering the 3rd period. The Express were only able to complete 40% of the comeback.

They got a pair of power play goals to cut the lead down to 5-2. Jordan Schulting buried a rebound for his 7th of the season at 7:44. Then Eric Linell rounded out the scoring re-directing a Troy Robillard point shot for his 28th of the season at 12:00.

The Express finished with 28 shots sent towards their former teammate Reid Cooper who posted his 7th win in 13 games with the Silverbacks.

This weekend the Express visit Prince George for a pair of games Friday and Saturday.