The Smoke Eaters kick off the month of December against the Wenatchee Wild as they wrap up this four game mini series, looking to stay atop the Wild in the Interior Conference standings.
Season Series against the Wild:
Oct. 7 Wenatchee 5 at Trail 7 Final
Nov. 23 Wenatchee 3 at Trail 2 Final
Nov. 25 Trail 4 at Wenatchee 5 Final SL OT
Nov. 26 Trail 3 at Wenatchee 2 Final SL OT
Dec. 2 Wenatchee at Trail 7:00 pm PST
Mar. 24 Trail at Wenatchee 7:05 pm PDT
Mar. 25 Trail at Wenatchee 6:05 pm PDT
It’s the final time these teams will see each other for the 2022 calendar year and the last time till the final weekend of the season, and with Smoke Eaters and Wild separated by just one point this game could be pivotal for either side come March. The Smoke Eaters left Wenathcee on Saturday night with three of four points and another comeback performance as they beat out the Wild 3-2 in a shootout. It was the second multi goal comeback for the Smoke Eaters of the weekend to earn themselves at least a point after turning over a 3-0 deficit on Friday, and a 2-0 deficit on Saturday. Teagan Kendrick was key in Saturday’s win, stopping 48 of 50 shots including both in the shootout. Now coming into Friday’s game, for the Smoke Eaters it’s their lone game on the weekend as they look to defend home ice against the Wild. It’s also a debut night as Ethan Mann, acquired from the Vees this week is expected to make his Smoke Eaters debut.
Smoke Eaters leading scores:
Hunter (7-13-20)
Fechko (7-11-18)
Bushy (3-15-18)
Cobetto-Roy (7-10-17)
Remissong (8-8-16)
After winning six in a row the Wild have lost in a shootout and in regulation in their last two games as they played in Cranbrook on Wednesday night. The Wild and Cranbrook Bucks went back and fourth with the Bucks holding on for a 3-2 win, with Nathan Airey making 48 saves in the Cranbrook net. The Wild are in the midst of a three game road trip that will see them head to Vernon after tonight’s game to take on the Vipers on Saturday night. For the Wild it will be another opportunity to pick up points against a team that is just ahead of them in the standings, with the Vipers also currently just one point up on the Wild with 21 points in a tie for sixth place with the Smoke Eaters. The Wild made a move of their own this week, moving forward Jonathan Horn for defenceman Dane Westen.
Wild leading scorers:
Somoza (8-19-27)
Weilandt (10-13-23)
Littler (10-10-20)
Hejduk (5-13-18)
Murray (8-9-17)
It’s the Smoke Eaters and Wild for the final time at Cominco this season, as the Smoke Eaters wrap up their fourth straight game against the Wild. Puck drop is 7pm, make sure to buy your tickets ahead of time and skip the lines at tickets.trailsmokeeaters.com. If you can’t make it to the arena, catch all the action with Smoke Eaters broadcaster Ben Phillips and colour commentator Rob Squires on HockeyTV and on Mixlr!
