Let the excitement begin!
Playoff hockey is here as the Smokies host their BCHL Kootenay rival, the Cranbrook Bucks tonight in game one.
Although Trail took the regular season series 4-2, the Bucks won both of their games in Trail; in fact the Smokies posted the only home ice victory in the six-game showdown in early March with a 6-3 decision after firing the final four goals in that contest.
The Smokies will face the BCHL’s leading goal scorer, Rasmus Svartstrom, who had 46 goals, including seven head-to-head against the Smokies. The 6’5″ import was also fifth in the league points race with 69.
The Bucks also boast the BCHL’s leading point producer on the blueline. Nelson’s Bryce Sookro had 56 points and was among the league-leading defensemen in power play points.
Trail’s Lucas Lemieux was also among the BCHL’s best point producing rearguards with a total of 41. He matched Sookro’s 13 goals and had a league-leading four game winning goals from the back line.
The Smoke Eaters top line of Jason Stefanek, Christian Kim and Zach Coutu was also Trail’s prime point-producing trio against the Bucks, totaling 16. Coutu also scored his first goal as a Smokie in Cranbrook.
Stefanek’s 32 goals ranked him fourth among BCHL snipers and he finished 10th in the points race with 63.
The Smokies have two of the hottest goaltenders heading into the post season.
Teagan Kendrick finished the regular season with a league-leading save percentage of .915, a third-best goals against average of 2.69 and was second in wins with 23.
Ryan Parker was outstanding in the second half, posting his first BCHL shutout last Friday night in Vernon and has seen both his goals against average and save percentage plunge to 2.78 and .910 respectively.
Rookie Jaden Cholette leads the Bucks goaltending contingent with 2.95 goals against average and save percentage of .908.
All six games between the Smokies and Bucks this season have been intense and physical with the outcome in doubt in each case until late in the third period and there is no reason to believe it will be any different in the playoffs.
Games one and two, tonight and Saturday in Trail get underway at 7 p.m. with the series shifting to Cranbrook next Tuesday and Wednesday.
Opening face off is at 7 p.m. You can listen to the game on Mixlr or watch on FloHockey. Good seats are still available at Tickets.TrailSmokeEaters.com.
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