What started as a “here goes nothing” kind of project has turned into much more for a group of 25 hockey players in Penticton.
From March 3 to 5, the Penticton Silver Bullets will look to deliver — in front of who they believe are the greatest hockey fans in the province — its first playoff series at Memorial Arena since 1994.
The senior men’s AA team wrapped up the 2022-2023 regular season with a 10-2 record last weekend, after capturing two wins in as many nights in the West Kootenays against the Rossland Warriors.
After a 28-year hiatus, the Silver Bullets returned to the ice last October in pursuit of playing for BC Hockey’s Coy Cup. Since then, the team has battled the Powell River Regals and Rossland Warriors with former professional and collegiate players.
VIDEO: Inside the Penticton Silver Bullets’ triumphant return after 28 years
On Friday night, Jan. 27, a pair of goals from the team’s leading scorer Jagger Dirk lifted Penticton to a 4-2 victory. Goaltender Pierce Diamond was credited with keeping his team ahead on the scoresheet all night long.
Less than 24 hours later, the Silver Bullets doubled down and defeated the Warriors again by a margin of 9-5.
Archie Mackinnon found the back of the net in both games, with defenceman Alex McFayden, forward Marcel Fuchs and goaltender Connor Potter listed as among the game’s top stars on Saturday, Jan. 28.
Two weeks ago, the Silver Bullets clinched first place in the independent division. The team will now battle either the Powell River Regals or the aforementioned Warriors in a best-of-three playoff series in early March.
“The hockey fans of Penticton are what makes this special,” said Matthew Fraser, the Silver Bullets’ captain. “In the playoffs, everything gets turned up a notch, so our focus is delivering for our fans.”
The winner of the Memorial Arena-hosted series will play for BC Hockey’s Coy Cup in Quesnel during the last week of March.
“We’re a team that loves challenges and one that wants to be part of something special,” Fraser added.
The team will be on the ice practicing regularly ahead of its anticipated playoff series and even partake in an exhibition showdown with the Penticton UpperDek Vees at Memorial Arena on Feb. 26.
All Silver Bullets games are free to attend.
READ MORE: NHL talent on Penticton Silver Bullets roster
@lgllockhart
logan.lockhart@pentictonwesternnews.com
