JUST ONE OF 19 CELEBRATIONS ON THE NIGHT
To this point in the season, a problem that has plagued the Smokie’s, has been a slow start in their games. This definitely was not the case at the Cominco Arena last night as they carried the third period momentum they built up against Langley on Friday night into the game against Surrey on Saturday. It took just 12 seconds for the Smokies to score their first goal against the Eagles when Blaine Caton scored on a feed from Spencer McLean and Andre Ghantous to put Trail up 1-0. Just 39 seconds later Josh Laframboise scored a short-handed goal for a 2-0 lead. Surrey’s Darius Davis scored a power play marker at 1:51 to make it 2-1 but this was as close as the Eagles would get for the rest of the evening. Trail took a first period 7-2 lead into the dressing room and were never in trouble for the rest of the night.
The 1350 fans attending the game were hoping for a Trail win but they certainly got more than they bargained for as they watched the Orange & Black score 19 goals against Surrey, leading 12-3 after two periods and adding 7 unanswered goals in the third for the 19-3 victory. Adding to Trail’s dedicated fan base was a group of Washington State University skiers that enthusiastically and loudly cheered on the Smokies earning them a salute from the team at games end. The Smokies skated past their seats and tapped the glass in appreciation of that support after saluting all the fans at centre ice.
THANKS WASHINGTON STATE
Two Trail players, fighting through a bit of a scoring slump, broke out in the game. Josh Laframboise had 4 goals and 2 assists on the night while Luke Santerno had 3 goals and 1 assist. The Smokies, Ross Armour, finished the night with 2 goals and captain, Connor Brown Maloski, had 2 goals and 4 assists. Other goal scorers for the Smokies were Mitchell Barker with 2 goals and 1 assist, Korbyn Chabot with 2 goals and 1 assist, Troy Ring with 1 goal and 3 assists. Blaine Caton, Andre Ghantous and Kale Howarth rounded out the scoring for Trail. Of note, it was Korbyn Chabots first and second goals of the season.
Josh Laframboise was named first star of the game with his 4 goals and 2 assists. Luke Santerno was named second star with 3 goals an 1 assist while Connor Brown Maloski was named third star for his 2 goals and 4 assists. Smokie’s Troy Ring was named the Fortis Energy Player of the Game with 1 goal and 4 assists.
In an ever tightening playoff race in the Interior Division the Smokies now go on the road for four very important games. What should be an interesting re-match they play the Surrey Eagles on Thursday, Chilliwack Chiefs on Friday night and Coquitlam Express on Saturday. They face the Merritt Centennials on Wednesday, January 15 befor returning home for a game against the Penticton Vees on Saturday, January 28. Game time is 7:00 PM at the Cominco Arena.
