Nathan Mackie was in the stands when he saw the Prince George Spruce Kings become one of the elite powerhouses in Canadian Junior A hockey for a two-year period.
Now he has a chance to eliminate them from the 2023 BCHL Playoffs.
The 18-year-old local product delivered a sterling performance for the Salmon Arm Silverbacks on Tuesday notching two goals and three assists en route to a 6-2 thrashing over the Spruce Kings in front of 862 fans at the Kopar Memorial Arena.
“I think over the last few games leading up to playoff we have been playing a good style of hockey and I think sticking to the plan and what is working for us is helping but we still have to close it out tomorrow (Wednesday),” said Mackie post game to MyPGNow.com.
After an early PG push, Salmon Arm struck twice in a five minute span jumping out to a 2-0 lead. A misplay at the Silverbacks line led Mackie to lead a 2-on-1 rush with Hayden Syavrov who directed the puck past Spruce Kings goaltender Aiden Feddema. Owen Beckner then lit the lamp for the first time in the playoffs, tipping a point blast from Tristen Allen that tickled the twine.
The only blemish in the opening period for Salmon Arm was an Isaac Lambert double-minor for high-sticking that shook up Spruce Kings forward Jack Stockfish. In the dying seconds, John Herrington cleaned up a loose puck in front of the Silverbacks crease, shovelling it past a yawning cage trimming the deficit to 2-1 after 20 minutes.
Not the prettiest but we’ll take it!! https://t.co/JptqbPwveB pic.twitter.com/HYcVSiEyHU
— Prince George Spruce Kings (@SpruceKings) April 5, 2023
However, much like Game 2, the roof caved in for Prince George in the middle frame.
Salmon Arm struck three times in 61 seconds delivering an early knockout blow.
Mackie’s offensive prowess was once again on full display as he beat Feddema on a three-way scoring play that included Beckner and Brandon Santa Juana.
Nathan Mackie with the powerplay marker to give the ‘Backs the 3-1 lead! pic.twitter.com/UGHA32MGh3
— Salmon Arm Silverbacks (@SASilverbacks) April 5, 2023
Twenty seconds later, Stavroff collected his second of the game courtesy of a Mackie feed on a 2-on-3 transition rush, extending the lead to 4-1, ending Feddema’s night between the pipes.
Mackie, who moved to Kelowna with his family to play for the Okanagan Hockey Academy and the U18 Rockets program, stated the quick strike offense has been key.
“We got a couple power-play goals tonight so it’s nice to see it clicking and we got a few goals off the rush. We were able to take advantage of them coming out of our zone.”
Hayden Stavroff with his second of the game and third of the series! pic.twitter.com/ulOmGFvykT
— Salmon Arm Silverbacks (@SASilverbacks) April 5, 2023
To add insult to injury, Maddux Martin joined the goal parade deflecting a feathered pass from Casy Laylin, giving Salmon Arm a commanding advantage.
Charlie Banquier added a single late for the Spruce Kings, cutting the deficit to 5-2 as his point shot tipped off a Silverbacks defender and past goaltender Matthew Tovell.
Mackie added his second goal of the contest on the man advantage, sliding home a slick feed from Santa Juana past an outstretched Jordan Fairlie.
“I was able to be here on all the runs the Spruce Kings made so it was pretty cool to see that but I still have family here – it’s nice to be able to come back and see them. Playing against the Spruce Kings is cool but it’s even better to see family.”
Nathan Mackie gets his second of the game, and fifth point of the night as the ‘Backs lead 6-2! pic.twitter.com/XgRZtZGpEW
— Salmon Arm Silverbacks (@SASilverbacks) April 5, 2023
The 18-year-old who is committed to Michigan State University stated the scholarship opportunity down in Lansing seemed like a perfect fit.
“It’s pretty cool to go through that process and I was lucky enough to get an offer from them and they were just a spot I had my eye on and once they came calling it checked all the boxes for school, hockey and family. It seemed like a great spot to go,” added Mackie.
When the final buzzer sounded, Mackie along with Stavroff combined for eight points.
PG outshot the Silverbacks 30-25. Salmon Arm went 2-for-3 on the power-play while the Spruce Kings tallied just once on four opportunities.
The Silverbacks lead the best-of-seven quarter finals 3-0 with Game 4 set for tonight (Wednesday) at 7pm from the Kopar Memorial Arena.