Home fans were tricked rather than treated last weekend during a home-and-home series between the Salmon Arm SilverBacks and the Westside Warriors.

The visiting team won both games in the Friday-Saturday set with Salmon Arm taking a 5-2 decision on Friday and Westside responding with a 5-1 win Saturday.

In the meeting at Westside’s Royal Le- Page Place, Rick Soo staked the ’Backs to an early lead on a play set up by David Killip and junior B call-up Brandon Mistal. Max French tied the game after taking a feed from Trevor Bailey, but the game was knotted for all of 26 seconds though, as Mark Zengerle, Matt Cassidy and Bobby Lipsett responded to make it 4-1 heading into the third.

The Warriors got within two when Cole Wilson scored early in the final frame but Zengerle found an empty net to seal the deal late with a minute to go.

“I thought we played a real disciplined game,” said Salmon Arm coach Matt Hughes. “We made things simple and made things easy on ourselves. We didn’t give them a whole lot of chances.”

Zengerle was named the game’s first star and currently leads the BCHL in scoring with 45 points including 31 assists.

Westside turned the tables on Salmon Arm at Sunwave Centre on Halloween night despite the SilverBacks opening the scoring again on a marker from Travis Statchuk. It was the only goal the home team would get.

The Warriors rattled off five unanswered including two from Kyle Singleton, whose performance was surpassed only by goaltender Kevin Jebson. The netminder made 33 saves, several of the highlight reel variety, on the way to the win and first-star nod.

“He was real good,” said Hughes. “There was no reason we couldn’t have been up by three after one period. We had 20 to 25 good scoring chances.”

Shaky special teams play swung the tide in Westside’s favour in the second period. They scored on the power play in the opening minute and added a shorthanded tally after a Salmon Arm shot missed the net and caromed around the boards, springing Singleton the other way.

Hughes was frustrated by the hot-and-cold showing of his young blueliners on the weekend, saying their play has directly correlated to the success of the team.

“We’re battling the consistency bug. If our back end moves pucks up the ice, we’re very good. If they don’t, we’re very average.”

The coach has found some positives in his team’s improved puck possession, which has cut down the number of hooking and holding penalties being taken in response.

“(The penalty problem has) been reigned in through less turnovers. Guys are getting used to the speed of the game and how quick you have to make decisions at this level.”

He’s also been impressed with the play of Mistal, who was called up from the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League’s Chase Chiefs. The 5-foot-9, 177-pound Kamloops native has now suited up three times with the ’Backs.

“He’s played well. He’s shown he’s going to be able to play at this level.” said Hughes. The bench boss said Monday he’d pencilled Mistal’s name in the lineup for last night’s game at Sunwave Centre against the Vernon Vipers.

Salmon Arm now hits the road for a rare two-game set in Trail Friday and Saturday at Cominco Arena. Next home game is Nov. 10 with the Nanaimo Clippers in town for a 7 p.m. faceoff.