Feb. 24 / 2008

By Guy Bertrand
Times Sports Editor

They say it's not how you start but how you finish.

If that's the case, the Trail Smoke Eaters couldn't have finished the BCHL regular season any better after a 6-1 win over the Salmon Arm Silverbacks on Sunday afternoon at the Cominco Arena.

Coupled with Friday's 5-2 win over the Merritt Centennials, the Smokies closed out their season with four straight wins and now wait to find out who they play in the first round of the playoffs.

The team sits three points ahead of Prince George for fifth in the Interior Division and a matchup with Vernon in the first round. However, Prince George has two games left on its plate with a home-and-home series against Quesnel on Tuesday and Wednesday.

"We have no idea (who Trail will face) and to be honest it doesn't really matter," said head coach Jim Ingram. "We looked after what we could control and that's what I'm happiest about."

The Smokies took care of business from their end winning their last four games, the team's longest winning streak of the season.

They capped it off with two convincing weekend wins.

Friday night, Kevin Koopman and Kevin Limbert each scored twice and Brett Corcoran added the fifth goal in a relatively easy win over Merritt.

Sunday afternoon, goaltender Grant Rollheiser made 44 saves and the Smokies got goals from Dylan Herold, Scott Warner, Paul Mailey, Casey Shade, Limbert and Corcoran.

The Smokies led 3-0 after the first period and never let Salmon Arm get in the game.

"In the last two and half weeks we've played like we never played before," said Ingram. "Right now we have a work ethic and a commitment around us.

"The guys know what they want to do, what they need to do and they're executing.

"I don't know where this is going but I do know this is how I envisioned this team playing."

The Smokies played a flawless game against the Silverbacks, who could potentially be a first-round opponent.

It began with a dominating first period, which could have yielded even more goals except for a couple of hit posts.

The second period was highlighted by Braden Kinnebrew's long pinpoint pass to Limbert who broke in behind the Salmon Arm defence to make it 4-0.

The Smokies flashed their defensive success as well killing off a five-minute boarding major to Koopman.

Corcoran completed a nifty three-way passing play with Kinnebrew and Stefan Decosse to put Tail ahead 5-0 after 40 minutes.

Rollheiser carried his shutout into the final five minutes before Kelly Zajac broke the goose egg.

Friday night, after a scoreless first period, the Smokies scored three times in the middle frame enroute to handing Merritt its seventh straight loss.

Meanwhile, most of the playoff picture was clarified on Saturday. Penticton's 6-3 win over Vernon clinched first place in the division while Westside locked up second with its 3-2 overtime loss against Salmon Arm.

Salmon Arm's win coupled with Vernon's loss also gave the Silverbacks third in the division.

In the Coastal Conference, Langley's 7-4 win over Burnaby on Friday gave them the edge on the Express for second place and the first round bye.

Nanaimo locked up the league's overall title with its win over Quesnel on Saturday.

Surrey still has a chance to over take Burnaby for third in the division. The Eagles will need a win over Langley on Wednesday.

STAR STOPPER: Trail goaltender Grant Roliheiser made 44 saves Sunday afternoon as the Smokies wrapped up their regular season with a 5-1 win over the Salmon Arm Silverbacks.