The intense rivalry between the Trail Smoke Eaters and the Penticton Vees heats up again tonight at Cominco Arena.
Their first clash of the regular season comes a week after Trail’s first home ice loss of the campaign.
The Smokies hope to atone for last Friday’s 4-3 setback against Cranbrook, which ended a run of five games in eight nights, including travel to Vancouver Island and Abbotsford.
Trail’s record during that gruelling stretch was 2-2-0-1.
The Smokies head into the game four points back of the Interior West Division leading Vees, who spilt their two games in Alberta last weekend.
The Trail troupe will have to prevent taking any unnecessary penalties.
Penticton’s power play is at 32.4% overall and has scored on 28% of their opportunities through eight road games.
Meanwhile, Trail’s penalty kill ranks second in the BCHL with four shorthanded goals.
The Vees have a balanced offensive attack, including Anselmo Rego’s team leading 11 points, while Landon Wright leads Penticton with six goals.
Jason Stefanek has scored in all five of Trail’s home games and has a team-leading nine tallies through 12 contests. The 20-year-old is also tied atop the Smokies points parade with Evan Sundar at 13.
Former Vee and Stefanek’s line mate Attila Lippai has been red hot with three goals and three assists over the last four games and was first star in Trail’s 7-4 preseason victory over Penticton at Cominco Arena.
Smoke Eaters 19-year-old Lucas Lemieux remains among the top scoring defensemen in the BCHL with 11 points and ranks second among league rearguards with 6 goals, including three game winners.
The Smokies have had an entire week to prepare for the Penticton challenge, while the Vees haven’t played since Sunday’s 3-1 win in Spruce Grove, so it’s shaping up to be a fast-paced and emotional contest.
The Smokies will also be wearing retro jerseys that date back to the 1960-61 season, designed by World Championship winning goaltender Seth Martin.
Doors open at 6 p.m. and puck drop is 7 p.m. Great seats are still available at Tickets.TrailSmokeEaters.com.
