The Trail Smoke Eaters look to end a three game slide at home tonight against Cranbrook.
The preceding franchise record 14-game win streak leaves Trail a solid third in the Interior Conference and clinched a playoff spot, while the Bucks, who have won four of their last five games, sit in sixth place, but well within striking distance of fourth and home ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs.
It’s been a road-warriors season series.
The Bucks won the opener 4-3 in Trail on October 18, while the Smokies have secured three victories in the East Kootenay.
They followed up on the 4-3 November 23 victory, with a 6-4 decision on New Year’s Eve and 6-3 verdict on January 31.
Smokies goalie Teagan Kendrick picked up all three wins, stopping a total of 120 shots.
Tonight’s tilt could be a goaltenders duel.
Kendrick, a 20-year-old veteran has a league-high 22 wins, a goals against average of 2.72 and save percentage of .916.
Bucks rookie netminder Jaden Cholette has 15 wins, a goals against average of 2.72 and save percentage of .915.
Offensively, Jason Stefanek has put up two goals and three assists against the Bucks, with line mate Christian Kim totalling four points and the third member of that line, Zach Coutu opened the scoring in the game at the end of last month with a sensational goal; his first as a Smokie.
Brayden Sinclair sniped a key shorthanded goal in the third period on January 31. It was also his first tally in a Trail uniform.
Cranbrook import Rasmus Svartstrom leads the season series with seven points on five goals and two assists, while Blake Cotton scored three of his five goals against Trail on December 31.
Both teams boast outstanding offensive defenseman.
Trail’s Lucas Lemieux leads all BCHL rearguards with 12 goals, including four game winners.
Nelson native Bryce Sookro of the Bucks is one goal behind Lemieux and second overall in the points race for BCHL defensemen with 43 in 41 games.
The game will also be another return to Cominco Arena for Rosslander Nathan Simm, who broke into the Cranbrook lineup after a strong training camp.
Opening face-off is set for 7 p.m. Great seats are still available. Fans are encouraged to skip the line and purchase online at Tickets.TrailSmokeEaters.com.
