As the Smoke Eaters continue to get set for the first round against Prince George, two games remain on the regular season schedule with tonight’s match up on home ice against the Salmon Arm Silverbacks.
Regular season series vs Salmon Arm Silverbacks
September 13th @ Trail Memorial Centre 4-2 L (BOXSCORE)
September 14th @ Trail Memorial Centre 3-2 OTL(BOXSCORE)
November 1st @ Shaw Centre 5-4 W (BOXSCORE)
November 2nd @ Shaw Centre 2-1 SOL (BOXSCORE)
December 15th @ Shaw Centre 7-4 L (BOXSCORE)
February 21st @ Trail Memorial Centre (7pm)
It’s been one of the most entertaining and evenly played season series of the year for the Smoke Eaters, as the Silverbacks and Smokies have traded punches all year long. While the season series wraps up tonight in Trail, one can’t help but wonder what a seven game series between these two teams would look like. The Backs haven’t been to Cominco since the opening month of the season where they won two very close games, one 4-2 in regulation as the Backs got an empty netter to seal the victory, and a last second overtime winner the following night. The Smoke Eaters returned the favour with a 5-4 win on November 1st in what might have been the game of the year. Of course it wouldn’t have been without a save of the year candidate from Logan Terness in the final minute. The Smoke Eaters have gone 1-2-1-1 against Salmon Arm this year and will look to finish the series off by adding one to the win column. Both teams are in fine form heading into this one, with the Smokies winning seven of their last ten games. The Smoke Eaters went 2-1 last weekend and are looking to end the regular season with two more wins. In doing so the Smoke Eaters would tie the franchise record for points in a season at 79, set in 1996-97.
Last ten games: 7-2-0-1
Smoke Eaters leading scorers
Johnson (41-60-101)
Colella (26-39-65)
Ozar (24-39-63)
Lapointe (20-34-54)
DiMurro (6-32-38)
NEWS: KENT JOHNSON AND LOGAN TERNESS NAMED AS FINALIST IN BCHL AWARDS
The Silverbacks have plenty to play for as their regular season schedule comes to a close. Currently sitting fifth in the interior, tied for fourth and one point back of third the Backs are in a dogfight to get home ice in the first round. 3rd would mean playing Victoria in the first round while anything less than that sees them play Wenatchee or Vernon depending on this weekend’s results. The Backs are coming off a thrilling and crucial win over the Chilliwack Chiefs on Wednesday night where Daniel Rybarik scored twice in the third, and eight seconds after the Chiefs had tied it, to win the game for the Backs. The Backs are lead points wise by their captain and league leading scorer among defenceman Akito Hirose who has 50 points in 55 games for the Backs. Noah Wakeford also has 50 points on the year as he drives the play up front for Salmon Arm. Like the Smoke Eaters the Backs finish the regular season against the Merritt Centennials, as they’ll face the Cents on home ice on Sunday afternoon where they will find out who their first round opponent will be.
Last ten games: 6-3-1
Silverbacks leading scorers:
Wakeford (18-32-50)
Hirose (9-41-50)
Rybarik (30-18-48)
Poirier (22-17-39)
Unruh (11-27-38)
It’s the final regular season home game for the Smoke Eaters. Make sure to stay behind for the season awards and the picture on the ice with the players following the conclusion of tonight’s game. If you can’t make it catch the game on HockeyTV or Mixlr with Ben Phillips and Rob Squires starting at 6:50pm with puck drop just after 7pm.
