Another night and another comeback win for the Smoke Eaters.
Erik Pastro pumped in three goals and added an assist leading the tenacious Trailites to a 5-3 conquest in Chilliwack.
The 20-year-old acquired from Vernon just before the regular season opener got things going at 3:26 of the first period, converting a precision three-way power play passing play with Cash Carter and Zach Coutu, firing a fancy flip into the top corner while cruising through the crease.
Pastro also went top shelf just as the Chiefs came back to full strength just over two minutes later finishing another nifty three-way passing play with Carter and Christian Kim.
Trail went on the man advantage just 34 seconds into the game when Owen McCarthy was drilled into the boards at the Smoke Eaters bench from behind by Chilliwack’s Easton Schlender who was making his Chiefs debut. He was given a five-minute checking from behind penalty and a game misconduct.
McCarthy played a couple more shifts before being shut down for the rest of the game.
Drew Anastasio was also the victim of a hit from behind, but didn’t miss any playing time and impressive rookie defenseman Gairin Michalski absorbed a hit to the head late in the second period and although he stayed on the bench, didn’t see any further action.
The Smokies were dominant in the opening frame and had a couple of near misses, including a Christian Kim blast off the post.
The Chiefs replied late in the first period when Maximilian Bruner finished a near end-to-end rush with a sharp angle shot off the far post.
After a strong start to the second period, Chilliwack got on the board again.
Moments after Dylan Lariviere was robbed by Chiefs goalie David Di Girolamo of what looked like a sure goal, Chilliwack tied the game.
Nico Grabas stole the puck after a face-off in the Smokies zone and delivered on a deke of Smokies goalie Connor Michaluk.
The Chiefs grabbed the lead just past the 16-minute mark when four players collided at centre ice, allowing Dustin Renas to break in alone and his shot went in off the skate of Michaluk.
The Chiefs led 3-2 after 40 minutes despite being outshot 28-11.
The Smokies onslaught continued in the third period and paid dividends at 5:42 with Kim’s wrap around goal.
Brayden Sinclair restored the lead three minutes later with a pass from the corner banked in off a Chiefs defenseman and Pastro put the game away with just over five-and-a-half minutes left on the power play, deflecting a one-timer from Coutu.
The biggest of Michaluk’s 15 saves came just after Trail regained the lead, with a cross-crease slide and a point-blank stop on a shot from just outside the crease.
The Smokies outshot the Chiefs 43-18, went 2-for-6 on the power play and did not have to kill any penalties.
The Trail troupe takes a 4-0 road record into next Friday night’s game in Spruce Grove and then make a close to 500km trek to Brooks for a Saturday night special, before playing their home opener Friday, October 10 against West Kelowna. Tickets are available in the Smokies Store or online at Tickets.TrailSmokeEaters.com.
