The Trail Smoke Eaters make their final trip through the Island division as they start a 3-in-3 Friday night in Powell River.
Regular Season vs Powell River
September 15th @ Trail Memorial Centre 5-2L (BOXSCORE)
November 18th @ Hap Parker Arena @ 7pm
The Smoke Eaters (16-6-2-1) begin another island trip looking to extend their win streak to four games and extend their point streak as well. The Smokies come in with points in the last 8 consecutive games and have made their way up the national CJHL rankings thanks to a 16-1-1-1 run. The Smoke Eaters will be out for a bit of revenge against the Powell River Kings who were the last team to beat the Smoke Eaters on home ice. But for the second best road team in the BCHL (9-2-1-1) they’ll look forward to a bit a payback against the Kings. Kent Johnson continues to lead the league in points while he rides at 9 game point streak, Owen Ozar has beaten his personal best from earlier in the season, as he has points in his last ten games. Smoke Eaters captain Phillipe Lapointe is also on a 6 game point streak coming into the weekend. The power play continues to create offence consistently for the Smoke Eaters who’s power play operates at 30% on the road, going 20/67.
Smoke Eaters leading scorers
Johnson (19-28-47)
Colella (13-24-37)
Ozar (11-20-31)
DiMurro (5-16-21)
Ghirardosi (9-9-18)
The Powell River Kings ( 11-13-0) have had an up and down season thus far. After starting the year 5-0 they began to falter and dropped seven games in a row. The Kings however have made some moves to bolster their side since the Smoke Eaters last saw them. With the addition on Derek Krall from Penticton and Thomas Wardle from Coquitlam they have a solid goaltending duo. They’re also coming off two strong performances last weekend, where they shutout the 1st placed Coquiltam Express 2-0. A perfomance that earned Krall BCHL Player off the Week. There will be a few familiar faces on either side tonight with Matteo Paler-Chow now playing with the Smoke Eaters after being acquired earlier this year, and Jordan Hendry who went the other way now playing with the Kings. Powell River holds the edge over the last 5 seasons with a 3W-2L record against the Smokies on home ice.
Powell River Kings leading scorers:
Glasman (11-10-21)
Moran (9-5-14)
Buono (1-13-14)
McCoy (6-7-13)
Wozney (2-11-13)
Puck drop is at 7pm in Powell River, as the Smoke Eaters look to keep pace in the Interior division. Catch the game on HockeyTV or Mixlr starting at 6:50pm with Ben Phillips as the Smoke Eaters take in the Kings for the final time this season.
