The Smoke Eaters return to the Trail Memorial Centre looking to get back in the win column after back to back losses last weekend, losses that came against the two teams that they will host this weekend.
Season series versus Salmon Arm
Feb. 4 Trail 1 at Salmon Arm 2 Final
Feb. 11 Salmon Arm at Trail 7:00 pm PST
Mar. 2 Salmon Arm at Trail 7:00 pm PST
Mar. 11 Trail at Salmon Arm 7:00 pm PST
Mar. 26 Trail at Salmon Arm 6:00 pm PDT
Coming off a disappointing 8-2 loss on Saturday to Penticton, the Smoke Eaters got back to work this week in preparation for two big games at home. Riddled with injuries the Smoke Eaters will have to play with a next man up mentality against the Silverbacks tonight. The Smoke Eaters played a very good game against the Backs last Friday in Salmon Arm, a game that had a playoff feel to it finishing 2-1 for the Backs. If the Smoke Eaters can replicate that kind of performance on home ice tonight, plus get a few bounces to go their way, we’ll be in for another tightly played game. With the Smoke Eaters injury list growing it’s expected that Mason Dunsford will make his Smoke Eater debut in net with both Evan Fradette and Cole Tisdale unavailable. Up front the Smoke Eaters are also going to be shorthanded with Ridge Dawson, Coalson Wolford and now Quinn Disher out of the line up. The Smoke Eaters lost the special team battle last Friday as the one powerplay goal the Backs did score proved to be the game winner. They’ll look to make sure they take their chances tonight.
Smoke Eaters leading scorers
Hunter (18-26-44)
Michaelis (22-15-37)
Lagerback (16-17-33)
Disher (9-20-29)
Cunningham (7-19-26)
With the league’s best powerplay, penalty kill and leading scorer, the Silverbacks will prove to be another tough test for the Smoke Eaters. The Backs however are coming off a loss on Wednesday night on home ice to the Prince George Spruce Kings, losing 4-2 on home ice. Now the backs hit the road for two with a stop tonight in Trail before heading to Merritt on Saturday night. As mentioned, the game last Friday had a playoff feel to it. Hard hits, desperate defending, countless blocked shots and low scoring. The Backs came at the Smoke Eaters with speed, they’re bound to do that again as they try and take advantage of a shorthanded Trail roster. The last time the Silverbacks were in Trail was in February of 2020, when they lost 5-1 to the Smoke Eaters.
Silverbacks leading scorers:
Tassy (32-30-62)
Serdachny (23-27-50)
Santa Juana (12-25-37)
Panetta (16-17-33)
Ladyman (4-26-30)
Don’t miss any of the action as the Smoke Eaters and Silverbacks take to the ice for the second time this season. Make sure to be in your seats early or tuned into the broadcast early as we honour the lives of two past World Champions, Cal Hockley and Don Fletcher, prior to puck drop. Catche the game on BCHLTV or on the Smoke Eaters mixlr starting at 6;50pm.
