Coming off Friday night’s electrifying performance on home ice the Smoke Eaters head to Cranbrook looking to get the last laugh in what is scheduled to be the final meeting of the season between the Smoke Eaters and the Bucks.
Season series
Oct. 8 Trail 3 at Cranbrook 5 Final
Oct. 9 Cranbrook 1 at Trail 3 Final
Nov. 20 Trail 4 at Cranbrook 3 Final OT
Dec. 1 Trail 7 at Cranbrook 4 Final
Dec. 17 Cranbrook 5 at Trail 3 Final
Dec. 18 Trail 3 at Cranbrook 4 Final
Dec. 31 Trail 0 at Cranbrook 4 Final
Jan. 1 Cranbrook 4 at Trail 3 Final
Jan. 15 Trail at Cranbrook 7:00 pm MST
The Smoke Eaters looked like a new team Friday night and as the game went on the weight of the last five games slowly lifted off their shoulders as they knocked off the West Kelowna Warriors 4-0. Now the task is at hand to make sure that Friday’s win on home ice wasn’t just a one off and that this, as Coalson Wolford said pre game, is a re-energized and reinvigorated team. To accomplish that they’ll have to beat the Bucks who have beaten the Smoke Eaters in all four of their last meetings. For Tim Fragle and company it will come down to what they’ve been talking about all season, a full 60 minute effort and a complete team buy in both offensively and defensively. The goals came quick last night for the Smoke Eaters who took a 2-0 lead in the span of 22 seconds and then sealed it in the third with another two goals just 35 seconds apart. The partnership of Dunn and Willoughby were tasked with stopping a highly offensive Warriors team last night and succeeded. Now they’ll once again have to try and shut down Tyson Dyck, Noah Quinn and company on the road.
Smoke Eaters Leading scorers:
Hunter (10-21-31)
Michaelis (18-12-30)
Lagerback (15-11-26)
Disher (7-15-22)
Cunningham (6-16-22)
After completing their fifth straight win, setting a franchise record, when they beat the Smoke Eaters on New Year’s Day, the Bucks would suffer an overtime loss the next day in Merritt to the Centennials. The Bucks bounced back a week later on home ice with a 1-0 overtime win over Prince George. The Spruce Kings then hit back the following night, snapping a run of 7 games unbeaten in regulation for Cranbrook, winning 5-0. The Bucks had a strong month of December that saw them push up to fifth in the Interior Conference with a 16-11-2-0 record. The chance is there for the Bucks to finish the season series against the Smoke Eaters with five consecutive wins and secure more breathing room above their West Kootenay rivals.
Bucks leading scorers:
Dyck (17-20-37)
Quinn (13-13-26)
Hjartarson (10-10-20)
Pfoh (6-13-19)
Johnson (11-6-17)
It’s the 9th and final meeting between the Smoke Eaters and the Bucks as Trail heads to Western Financial place, looking to build of their strong performance on Friday night. Puck drop is at 6pm on BCHLTV with the pregame show starting at 5:50pm. Fans can also listen for free on Mixlr.com
