Weekend What's-Up: New year, same goal

What a way to begin 2013 for Salmon Arm, against their perennial rivals from Vernon.

After thirteen days away from Salmon Arm and the Shaw Centre, your Salmon Arm SilverBacks have returned to the Shuswap with a keen eye on continuing their solid play that rounded out 2012.

The 'Backs went 5-2 in December and begin the new year with two very important games against teams that arguably have more to lose than Salmon Arm. Both Vernon and Cowichan are in dire need of early second-half victories if they want to have a chance at earning a playoff spot.

It won’t be easy for Salmon Arm; turkey legs don't fade quickly, but, hopefully after being put through the paces by Scott Robinson and Troy Mick (filling in for Brando West on the bench this weekend) on Wednesday and Thursday, this group will be ready for its opportunity to open the New Year in fine fashion.

The Who: 

• The Salmon Arm SilverBacks  (15-15-1-3 ) (4th in Interior Div) (26 for 132 PP - 19.70%) (81.76% PK)
• Leading Scorer:  Shane Hanna (Salmon Arm) 6G, 24A
• Likely starter: Adam Clark has been dynamite against Vernon this season, I can't see any reason he doesn't start on Friday. Expect to see new goaltender Angus Redmond on Saturday, after signing with the 'Backs before Christmas, the 17 year old is still awaiting his first BCHL start.
• Last week: Holidays! Your 'Backs haven't played since December 22nd. (A 4-2 win over West Kelowna)
• Who's Hot: Ryan Schwalbe was great in the 'Backs win on the 21st while Mitch Ferguson gets the nod for his effort on the 22nd, they both had two points weekends.

• The Vernon Vipers  (11-16-0-7) (6th in Interior Div) (20 for 127 PP - 15.75%) (77.99% PK)
• Leading Scorer: Adam Tambellini (Edmonton) 21G,17A
• Likely Starter: 19 year old Calgary product Austin Smith will get the call, his 1-3 record against Salmon Arm this season hasn't matched his play, he's been pretty darn good against the Vipers Highway 97 rivals.
• Last week: Vernon has also been off since December 22nd, they lost back-to-back games against Merritt that weekend by a combined score of 11-1.
• Who's Hot: New acquisition Dexter Dancs had the lone Viper goal of the weekend against Merritt before the break.

• The Cowichan Valley Capitals (9-19-0-2) (5th in Island Div) (24 for 123 PP - 19.51%) (81.29% PK)
• Leading Scorer: Steen Cooper (Duncan) 10G, 13A
• Likely Starter: The Capitals have traded (among others) starting goaltender Derek Dun to Nanaimo, leaving them with the tandem of Connor LaCouvee and Patrick Spano. Considering Spano has resume in the USHL and a scholarship to Yale, I think we might see what he can do.
• Last week: The Capitals have already played twice since Christmas, beating Alberni Valley and Victoria.
• Who's Hot: Everybody! The Caps have goals from five different players in those two victories since their break ended, Connor LaCouvee has two victories.

The What:

• Your SilverBacks have controlled the season series against Vernon so far this year, with three victories in a row against the Vipers, all in overtime.
• Adam Clark has all three Salmon Arm victories against Vernon, allowing only five goals over those nine periods of hockey.
• Shane Hanna has been the best offensively, with five points against the Snakes, while five current SilverBacks have goals against the Vipers this season.
• Maybe I'm looking too deep into the stats, but there's been only one fight between Salmon Arm and Vernon this year, Jeff Kennedy took on Michael Statchuk in the first game of the year between the two Interior rivals.
• Predictably, Adam Tambellini has been one of the best Vipers against Salmon Arm, although in the past three games he has only one point against the black and white.
• Looking ahead to Saturday, the 'Backs and Caps' have only played once this season, Jason Trott had two goals in a 4-2 Salmon Arm win on the Island in October.
• The Capitals actually won their last game in Salmon Arm, on October 21st of 2011, they took a 4-3 overtime decision thanks to a Troy Paterson goal. Steven Iacobellis had a point in that game for the Caps while Brandon Mistal was held of the scoreboard.
• Head Coach Scott Robinson, Brayden Sherbinin and Brandon Mistal will all be playing their second game against their old club, while Steven Iacobellis has yet too see the Caps since he was dealt away in September.

The Where:

• 7pm Friday and Saturday at the Shaw Centre in Salmon Arm
• LISTEN LIVE on the SilverBacks Ustream Channel, here.
• For the Vernon fans, you can catch Todd Miller's broadcast, here