Defence and goaltending was the name of the game in Salmon Arm on Saturday night, as the SilverBacks and Bulldogs combined for just 44 shots and Travis Statchuk scored the winner for the home side in a 3-1 victory.
Corey Chakeen put Salmon Arm ahead at the 13:36 mark of the first period on a goal assisted by Tyler Gubb and Mark Zengerle. Statchuk's game winner came on a second period power-play, while David Killip put his team up by three early in the final period.
Trent Dorais scored the lone Bulldogs' marker with five minutes remaining in regulation, but Alberni Valley could not claw closer despite outshooting their hosts by a 13-5 margin in the third period.
Tony Ierfino made 21 saves in net for Salmon Arm and picked up the win, while Frank Slubowski turned aside 19 SilverBacks' shots in a losing effort.
The Bulldogs close out their four-game Interior Conference road swing with a meeting against the defending RBC Cup champions in Vernon on Sunday afternoon, while the SilverBacks remain at home for a matinee visit from the Prince George Spruce Kings.
