Silverbacks take game 1

Photo: Wayne Moore - Castanet

Brett Mennear is pinned to the ice by Elijiah Barriga during the third peeriod of Friday's BCHL playoff game.

A classic, it wasn't - but exciting, it was that.

Chase Zieky scored nearly 11 minutes into sudden death overtime, as the Salmon Arm Silverbacks drew first blood in their best-of-seven Interior Division semi-final, beating the West Kelowna Warriors 6-5.

Zieky was unchecked in front of the Warriors net when he redirected a centering pass toward the top portion of the net. There was a moment delay before the Silverbacks began celebrating and the referee signaled the puck was in.

Warriors goaltender Matthew Greenfield and several players in the vicinity argued the puck never entered the net, but to no avail.

Head coach Rylan Ferster put to rest any controversy following the game.

"I just watched it on tape and it was in," said Ferster.

As for the game itself.

"One shot. It came down to one shot. Last shot. They got it and we didn't."

The Warriors were on their heels early and Salmon Arm took advantage.

Ross Heidt on a bad giveaway and Marcus Mitchell from in tight game the Silverbacks a 2-0 lead with the game just four minutes old.

The Warriors chipped away and eventually got on the board when Connor Sodergren banged home his own rebound with three minutes to go in the first. They had a chance to pull even seconds later with a two-man advantage for 65 seconds, but were unable to capitalize.

"We had an opportunity with a five-on-three and we don't score. Sometimes that can be a difference in a game when you don't score on those opportunities," said Ferster.

The Warriors took their only lead of the game early in the second when Liam Blackburn and Bryan Basillico scored nearly three minutes apart to give West Kelowna a 3-2 lead.

Greenfield got back on his game and it looked as if the Warriors would be able to take control of the game.

Not so fast.

Two strange goals a minute apart put Salmon Arm back on top.

Nick Hutchison tied it on a harmless looking shot that went in, and out of Greenfield's glove, popped in the air, lover his head and in. Moments later Kodi Schwarz was given credit for a goal that went off a couple of sticks and found it's way into the net.

Kyler Hope tied it then  moments later Joshua Laframboise again put Salmon Arm up by one.

This goal came just three seconds after Greenfield had stopped Zieky on a penalty shot.

The weird goals didn't end there. Quin Foreman was given credit for the game tying goal. His shot was stopped by Angus Redmond, but the rebound hit Schwarz and went in.

Neither goaltender allowed anything until Zieky ended it in the extra period.

"It seemed like a strange game. 6-5 and two pretty goalies," said Ferster.

"I don't know if it was jitters. For us I think we did have some jitters when we came out but, full marks to them. I thought they came out hard."

The Warriors lost the services of defenceman Tyler Anderson for most of the second period and part of the third after he was hit in the mouth with the puck.

He was able to return to the ice in the third period sporting a different number and a full cage to protect the injury.

Jake Harrison was also forced to get a new jersey because blood got on the original.

With the win Friday, the Silverbacks also wrestle home ice advantage away from the Warriors.

"We have to win a game in their building now," said Ferster

"I think we played well in their building and they've obviously played well in ours. They came in here and were full marks for their win."

Despite the loss, Ferster said he doesn't expect to make any lineup changes, meaning Matthew Greenfield returns between the pipes and Lane Gilliss watches as a  healthy scratch.

Game two is Saturday back at Royal LePage Place with games three and four up in Salmon Arm Monday and Tuesday night.