PHOTO: Mike Hockley
The Trail Smoke Eaters open their Bauer BCHL Showcase schedule searching for their fourth win in a row as they take on the Langley Rivermen on Thursday afternoon at Prospera Centre in Chilliwack.
Smoke Eaters vs. Rivermen 2018/19 Schedule:
Thursday, September 20th @ Prospera Centre (1:00 PM)
Saturday, December 8th @ George Preston Arena (7:15 PM)
Friday, February 15th @ Trail Memorial Centre (7:00 PM)
The Smoke Eaters come into the Showcase having won their last three games with the most recent victory being a 3-1 win in Vernon against the Vipers on Saturday. Adam Marcoux turned aside 37 of the 38 shots he faced while Jeremy Smith and Levi Glasman scored power play goals before Tyler Ghirardosi capped off a three-goal 2nd period to help the Smoke Eaters to their first win in Vernon since October 26th, 2016.
Trail had the upper hand in the season series a year ago, defeating the Rivermen in both of their meeting during the 2017/18 schedule. The Smokies open the season set with a 5-2 victory in Langley in December before a victory in February over the Rivermen by an 8-1 score. It wasn’t a friendly affair at the Trail Memorial Centre, totalling 63 penalty minutes and three fights between the non-divisional rivals.
Smoke Eaters Leading Scorers:
Braeden Tuck (2-4-6)
Levi Glasman (3-2-5)
Jeremy Smith (2-3-5)
Trevor Zins (2-3-5)
Michael Hodge (1-4-5)
One of the biggest keys to the Smoke Eaters success in the opening four games has been the special teams play, in particular the power play. Trail is tied for the league lead in goals scored on the man advantage with 9 goals on 25 attempts, placing them in a tie with the Wenatchee Wild for top spot. The Smoke Eaters also hold the BCHL lead in shorthanded goals with Braeden Tuck and Levi Glasman giving Trail a pair of shorties on the young season.
This year marks the 6th Bauer BCHL Showcase in Chilliwack where the Smoke Eaters hold a 6-4-0-0 record in 10 previous matchups at the annual event. Dating back to 2016, Trail has won their last three Showcase games, including both of their contests a year ago in the way of a 4-2 victory over the Powell River Kings before closing out their event with a 7-2 win over the Surrey Eagles.
For the second straight week, the Smoke Eaters had an honourable mention for the BCHL’s Player of the Week as goaltender Adam Marcoux received the honours. The 20-year-old posted back-to-back wins over the weekend, posting a 2.00 GAA and a .940 SV% in the two games, including a 37-save performance in Vernon against the Vipers on Saturday night.
The Langley Rivermen enter Thursday afternoon’s game with a 2-2-0-0 record on the season but have dropped back-to-back games in a weekend home-and-home set against the Chilliwack Chiefs. Daneel Lategan and Chase Pletzke scored in a 5-2 setback to close the weekend for the ‘Riv against the Chiefs. Rookie netminder Alex Rolfe turned aside 41 of the 45 shots he faced in his first start for Langley.
Rivermen Leading Scorers:
Mark Gallant (3-0-3)
Daneel Lategan (1-2-3)
Ethan Leyh (1-2-3)
Trevor Ayre (1-1-2)
Devin Leduc (1-1-2)
Langley brings nine players back on their roster from a season ago, including captain Alec Capstick as well as forwards Tanner Versluis, Ethan Leyh, Daneel Lategan and Devin Leduc. Colten Kovich, Carter Stephenson and Jake Livingstone return on the back end while goaltender Braedon Fleming returns in between the pipes. The Rivermen made some moves to bring in experience including the acquisition of forward Keyvan Mokhtari and Trevor Ayre, who returns to Langley for his second stint in a Rivermen jersey.
One of the Rivermen’s returnees is a familiar face in the BC Hockey League, back for his third tour of duty in Langley. Trevor Ayre has played in 120 BCHL games between the Cowichan Valley Capitals, Salmon Arm Silverbacks and Rivermen, getting off to a strong start this season with a goal and an assist in four games.
Another member of the ‘Riv who has been in Langley for the last three seasons is goaltender Braedon Fleming, who is expected to start against the Smokies. Fleming has posted a 2.00 GAA and a .923 SV% in three starts this season, including a 31-save shutout against the Coquitlam Express two weeks ago.
The Smoke Eaters and Rivermen get their Showcase underway at 1:00 PM from Prospera Centre in Chilliwack with the game being broadcasted on mixlr.com/trail-smoke-eaters and HockeyTV.com with the Voice of the Smoke Eaters Trevor Miller beginning at 12:50 PM. Trail concludes their Showcase schedule Friday morning at 10:00 AM against the Powell River Kings.
