It’s the dawning of a new era for the Trail Smoke Eaters.
They open their first Alberta road trip in their long history in the BCHL tonight (Fri) in Spruce Grove.
The game also marks the return home for Evan Sundar, who was acquired this past summer from the Saints for former Smoke Eaters defenseman Brody Juck.
Sundar had two goals and two assists in his two preseason games after returning from an injury and has a goal and an assist in two regular season tilts in Trail.
It’s also the homecoming’s for veteran goalie Teagan Kendrick (St. Albert) and defenseman Lucas Lemieux (Edmonton), who was first star and the overtime hero in last Saturday’s 4-3 thriller over West Kelowna. Kendrick has also been solid in two victory’s between the pipes.
There is also excitement for the Carter cousins.
Cash comes from just down the road in Drayton Valley and Cohen hails from the St. Albert area.
Both signed with the Smoke Eaters last season before it was known that five Alberta teams would be joining the BCHL.
The Smokies are 2-and-0 having beaten Vernon 5-3 on opening night at Cominco Arena with a pair of veteran forwards lighting the lamp in both games.
Jason Stefanek had three goals and missed some prime opportunities against the Warriors, while former Merritt Centennial Jack Ziliotto scored in both games and was denied a third tally on a great glove save in overtime against West Kelowna.
The Saints split their opening weekend games, responding to a 3-2 loss at home against Penticton on opening night, with a 7-2 victory in Blackfalds last Saturday.
Josh Polak led their offensive attack with two goals and three assists last weekend. He has already surpassed last season’s totals, having scoring once with two assists in just seven games.
It is a 6 p.m. (Pacific Time) start, with all the action available on Mixlr and FloHockey.