Grit and Determination Define Smokies Performance in Loss

The Vees vaulted to victory with a pair of unanswered third period goals as the Smokies continued to search for their first win of this 2023 BCHL preseason.

Parker Murray provided the winner 3:22 into the final frame with a snapshot into the top corner from the slot.

Trail had chances to tie the game late in the third period on back-to-back power plays, but were unable to bury some good looks from close range.

Vees forward Attila Lippai, who served both penalties, took advantage of a bouncing puck out of the Penticton zone just as he was stepping out of the penalty box.

He broke in alone and beat Smokies goalie Teagan Kendrick with a shot low to the stick side at 15:12 for the insurance goal.

The Smokies had a sensational stretch in the second period which accounted for all of their goals.

Adam Parsons converted a three-way passing play with Ethan Mann and Ethan Warrener at 3:23, potting a power play goal to cut the hosts lead to 2-1.

 

 

Less than four minutes later, Gryphon Bucci stole the puck in the Penticton zone and fed fellow recruit Michael Risteau in close who sniped his second goal of the preseason.

 

 

Warrener gave Trail the lead at 10:56, pinching down from the point and converting a hard working play orchestrated by Bucci and Judah Makway.

 

 

The Vees responded less than a minute later when James Fisher weaved his way out of the left wing corner to the right wing circle and fired a high-riser into the top corner to tie the game 3-3 heading to the third period.

The home-side outshot the Smoke Eaters 35-22 and was 1-3 on the power play, as the Smokies killed off a second period double-minor to Josh Schenk.

The goal by Parsons was the lone man-power-advantage marker for Trail, who had five power plays.

Kendrick stopped 30-of-35 shots, while Vees netminder Will Ingemann made 19 saves.

Trail will host Powell River on Thurs Sept 14 and Prince George on Fri Sept 15 with both games at Cominco Arena starting at 7:30.  The Smokies have a preseason record of 0-2-1.

They close out the preseason Sun Sept 16 in Cranbrook.

 

The Spruce Kings, Bucks and Kings will remain in Trail for a mini-tournament.

Prince George meets Cranbrook Thurs at 4 p.m.

Cranbrook takes on Powell River Fri at 4 p.m.

Powell River is up against Prince George at 2 p.m. Sat.

All games are at Cominco Arena.