Despite being shorthanded and down 3-1 at the mid-point of the game the Smokies ramped up their game and dominated the rest of the way defeating the Express 6-3.
The Express opened the scoring at 6:27 of the first period on a goal by Blake Hayward. Â The Smokie’s, Kale Howarth, tied the game with his 26th of the season at 13:43 with a power play goal. Â Assisting on the goal was Carter Cochrane and Luke Santerno. Â Coquitlam, again took the lead at 16:27 on a goal by Troy Robillard.
In the second Coquitlam took a 3-1 lead at 10:34 of the period on a power play goal by Mitch Newsome. Â This proved to be the turning point of the game. Â Zach Dyment was replaced in Trail’s net by Linden Marshall, the Smokies picked up their play and scored two goals just 47 seconds apart at 16:55 and 17:42 to tie the game at 3. Â Ryan Moon scored his 6th of the season at 16:55 with assists going to Braeden Tuck. Â Josh Laframboise potted his 21st of the year at 17:42. Â Assisting on the marker was Kale Howarth and Carter Cochrane. Â They never looked back and scored three unanswered goals in the third for the win.
Trail opened the scoring in the third at 2:41 on a goal by Ethan Martini, his first goal as a Smoke Eater and first in the BCHL. Â Troy Ring scored his 6th of the season when he broke in from the point and cut in on goal for the marker. Â Jeremy Lucchinin and Mitchell Barker assisted on the goal. Â Smokie’s, Korbyn Chabot, rounded out the scoring for the Smoke Eaters at 16:41 with his third of the season to make it 6-3. Â Mitchell Barker assisted on the goal.
Kale Howarth was named first star of the game, Troy Robillard of the Express second star and Josh Laframboise of the Smokies was named third star. Â Fortis Energy Player of the Game was the Express’s Blake Hayward.
Not in the lineup for the Smokies in the Coquitlam game was Connor Brown Maloski, sitting out a suspension and Ross Armour. Â As of this posting there was no information on the absence of Armour.
The Smokies next game is on Wednesday when they travel to Merritt. Â Merritt currently sits in third place in the Interior Division with 46 points the same as the Smokies but have played one less game. Â The Smokies are in fourth place just one point ahead of West Kelowna who have 45 points. Â West Kelowna has three games in hand.
Next home game for the Smokies is on Saturday, January 28 when they host the Penticton Vees. Â Game time is 7:00 PM.
