The Vipers make their first of two trips to Cominco in the month of February, riding a six game win streak, while the Smoke Eaters look to bounce back from Saturday’s loss.
Season series versus Vernon:
Dec. 3 Trail 3 at Vernon 5 Final
Dec. 10 Vernon 2 at Trail 3 Final SL OT
Jan. 19 Trail 1 at Vernon 2 Final SL OT
Feb. 2 Vernon at Trail 7:00 pm PST
Feb. 25 Vernon at Trail 7:00 pm PST
Mar. 23 Trail at Vernon 7:00 pm PDT
The Smoke Eaters will be eager to right the ship on Wednesday night following a third period they’d rather not relive. For 40 minutes it was a back and fourth game that was there for the taking. But a few errors and improved play by the Warriors netminder Johnny Derrick helped West Kelowna see out the game. The Smoke Eaters will now look to set themselves up for what is a big weekend ahead. The Vipers have been a tough opponent, with two of the three games needing a shootout to be decided. When the Smoke Eaters last saw the Vipers two weeks ago at Kal Tire Place, it was the Smoke Eaters who were the dominant team, but the Vipers stayed compact, pushed the game to a shootout and on the back of Roan Clarke took the extra point. If the Smoke Eaters can keep their scoring touch that they’ve found this past weekend, scoring 13 goals, They’ll be just fine against the Vipers. Also mix in the fact that the Smoke Eaters powerplay has gone 10/18 (56%) over the last five games.
Smoke Eaters leading scorers:
Hunter (16-25-41)
Michaelis (21-14-35)
Lagerback (16-15-31)
Disher (9-17-26)
Cunningham (6-19-25)
The Vipers come to Trail winners of their last six games and all five of their previous wins have needed overtime or a shootout. Their last regulation win came against Merritt on January 14th when they won 9-1. Since then they’ve all been one goal game wins against Trail, Prince George, Salmon Arm and Merritt, bringing the Vipers up to 32 points, just two back of the Smoke Eaters. Like the Smoke Eaters the Vipers have been benefiting from close one goal games. The Vipers are 8-2-3-3 in games decided by one goal while the Smoke Eaters are 8-4-1-1. The Vipers have won three of their last five in a shootout and the other two in overtime. The Vipers penalty kill came through in the last game shutting the Smoke Eaters out. However statistically this year the Vipers penalty kill is only at 66.7% when they are on the road, versus Trails powerplay that is 29.2% on home ice. The Vipers will head to Cranbrook after the game for two against the Smoke Eaters.
Vipers leading Scorers:
MacDonald (10-15-25)
Buss (11-13-24)
Shostak (10-13-23))
Milburn (10-11-21)
Tanaka-Campbell (3-14-17)
Puck drop at the Trail Memorial Centre is 7pm as the Smoke Eaters welcome in the Vipers for the second time this season, looking to give themselves a bit of breathing room with the Vipers right on their tail in the Interior Conference standings. Catch the game on Shaw Community Spotlight, BCHLTV and on the Smoke Eaters Mixlr.
