Coming off Saturday’s 6-3 win over the Spruce Kings the Smoke Eaters kick off a home and home series with the East Kootenay rivals, the Cranbrook Bucks in the final two games of the season series.
Season Series Against Cranbrook
Sep. 30 Cranbrook 3 at Trail 1 Final
Oct. 1 Trail 0 at Cranbrook 6 Final
Oct. 15 Cranbrook 4 at Trail 3 Final OT
Dec. 30 Cranbrook 3 at Trail 0 Final
Dec. 31 Trail 2 at Cranbrook 5 Final
Feb. 10 Cranbrook at Trail 7:00 pm PST
Feb. 11 Trail at Cranbrook 7:00 pm MST
Riddled with Injuries the Smoke Eaters gutted out a 6-3 win last Saturday, finishing the game with 7 rostered forwards and one AP in Cale Colwell. Colwell, along with two more affiliate players, will suit up for the Smoke Eaters for another weekend of action as the Smoke Eaters try and fill the hole up front for another week, as they await some of their players to return from injury. The Smoke Eaters will need another gutsy performance against the Bucks who come in second in the Interior Conference and seem to have Trails number as of late. Despite close games, the Bucks have been able to pull out results including the two back to back wins after the Christmas break. Playing with the lead will be key on both sides, with both teams losing just one game in regulation when leading after the first period. On home ice against the Bucks this year, each of the previous games have bee decided by two goals or less, with one being in OT.
Smoke Eaters leading scorers:
Hunter (11-25-36)
Cobetto-Roy (10-23-33)
Bushy (5-23-28)
Remissong (15-12-27)
Mann (9-15-24)
The Bucks continue to secure their spot atop the Interior conference standings, now comfortably in second place with an eight point gab between them and the West Kelowna Warriors. The Bucks are 5-0-0-1 in their last six games, losing just the lone game in a shootout, 2-1 to the Penticton Vees. Jack Silich continues to lead the way this season for the Bucks as does Rhys Bentham from the blueline. While the Smoke Eater have been picking up injuries the Bucks have been getting key guys back, including netminder Nathan Airey who recently returned and signed his commitment papers to the University of Minnesota. Airey currently holds the second best save percentage in the BCHL. With a playoff spot already confirmed for Cranbrook, now it’s about holding their position.
Bucks leading scorers:
Silich (18-16-34)
Bentham (11-23-34)
Frias (18-12-30)
Peluso (13-16-29)
Quinn (15-12-27)
Catch all the action tonight at Cominco as the Smoke Eaters host the Bucks for the final time on the regular season schedule. Skip the lines and buy your tickets ahead of time at tickets.trailsmokeeaters.com or catch the game on HockeyTV, Shaw Community Spotlight or listen free on Mixlr, with the pregame show starting at 6:50pm.
