The Smoke Eaters return home after falling by just one goal against Salmon Arm on Friday to take on the Merritt Centennials for the final time this season.
Season Series versus Merritt:
Nov. 10 Merritt 1 at Trail 2 Final
Dec. 4 Trail 9 at Merritt 2 Final
Jan. 28 Trail 8 at Merritt 0 Final
Feb. 19 Trail 3 at Merritt 5 Final
Mar. 12 Merritt at Trail 7:00 pm PST
With 7 games remaining and just one more on home ice after tonight before the post season begins the Smoke Eaters find themselves in a battle with the Wenatchee Wild as to who will finish 7th and who will finish 8th. The Smoke Eaters, despite missing four of their regulars up front on Friday played one heck of a game as they went toe to toe with the Silverbacks, who if they finish 7th, will play in the first round. The Smoke Eaters will need something similar against the Centennials, who despite their record have been giving teams nothing but problems over the back half of the season. That includes a win over the Smoke Eaters last month. The games continue to come fast for the Smoke Eaters as after tonight they’ll finish the regular season playing 6 games in 10 days.
Smoke Eaters leading scorers:
Hunter (21-35-56)
Michaelis (24-21-45)
Lagerback (23-21-44)
Disher (12-23-35)
Wolford (10-19-29)
The Centennials come into to Trail as they finish up a three in three after playing Thursday and Friday in Cranbrook. The Cents lost both games to the Bucks losing 6-1 on Thursday and 6-3 on Friday, whoever the Cents went into the third period down 3-2 on Friday and had their chances. That’s been a constant theme of late for the Centennials who have been in a lot more games since the coaching change prior to the trade deadline, while they haven’t necessarily come out on the winning side of those games it’s the process they are going through, and with the right pieces and additions, could have them in the playoff mix for next season. The Cents since beating the Smoke Eaters in mid February have lost six in a row as they come to Cominco for the final time this season.
Centennials leading scorers:
Ward (13-10-23)
Patella (11-11-22)
Allen (1-19-20)
Carter (4-14-18)
Orchard (8-7-15)
Puck drop from the Trail Memorial Centre is set for just after 7pm with the Smoke Eaters and the City of Trail recognizing the 61st anniversary of the 1961 World Champion Smoke Eaters team. Don’t miss any of the action, get your tickets at tickets.trailsmokeeaters.com or as always catch the game on BCHLTV or listen free on Mixlr.
