The Smoke Eaters are back after a week away as they host the West Kelowna Warriors on Friday night at Cominco, a team they are 4-0 against this season.
Season Series vs. West Kelowna
September 21st @ Royal LePage Place 5-1 W (BOXSCORE)
October 25th @ Royal LePage Place 4-3 SOW (BOXSCORE)
October 26th @ Cominco Arena 8-2W (BOXSCORE)
December 13th @ Cominco Arena 4-3W (BOXSCORE)
February 7th @ Cominco Arena 7pm
February 17th @ Royal LePage Place 2:30pm
The Smoke Eaters host the Warriors for the final time this season, with seven games remaining the Smoke Eaters are focused on themselves and finishing strong. With a 7 game point streak on their hands the Smoke Eaters have also found themselves on a run that mirrors the one they had through October and November. The Smoke Eaters are 13-2-1 over the last 16 games as they pick up steam before the postseason. It was Mike Colella who played hero in the Smokies last game, a 3-2 win over the Wenatchee Wild last Friday. Kent Johnson continues to push for 100 points on the season as the 17-year-old 2021 draft prospect is just 11 points away from the century mark. Johnson has also enjoyed playing the Warriors this season with 15 points in four games this season. His line of Colella and Carson Briere aren’t the only line clicking for the Smokies right now with Owen Ozar, Philippe Lapointe and Matt Osadick consistently producing as well. Osadick is riding an eight game point streak for the Smoke Eaters. Osadick has nine points in nine games since being acquired from the Merritt Centennials. Tonight is another opportunity for the Smoke Eaters to prove their home ice dominance against a team they could see in round one of the playoffs.
Last ten games: 8-1-0-1
Smoke Eaters leading scorers:
Johnson (36-53-89)
Ozar (22-37-59)
Colella (22-37-59)
Lapointe (18-31-49)
DiMurro (6-27-33)
ICYMI : SMOKE EATERS COMMIT TO MAJOR MIDGET TRIO FOR 2020/21 SEASON
The West Kelowna Warriors come to Trail trying to avoid the daunting task of playing Penticton in the first round of the playoffs. The postseason is all but assured for the Warriors, their placement however, is still to be determined. The Warriors sit on 36 points, four behind Prince George and five behind Victoria, both teams the Warriors have dropped points against in the last two weeks. Dropped points has been a theme of the Warriors this season with 20 one goal games, the most in the league, with a record of 4-8-5-3 in those games. Compare that to their opponents tonight in the Smoke Eaters who are 11-1-2-2 in games decided by just one goal. The Warriors are coming off a 3-1 loss to Prince George last Saturday on home ice following their mid week trip to the island. The Warriors are a completely different team when they play with the lead than trailing a game. With a 12-1-2-1 record when leading after two periods and a record of 1-23-2-2 when trailing gives a clear picture of what the Warriors need to do tonight if they want to catch Victoria or Prince George before the season ends.
Last ten games: 5-4-0-1
West Kelowna leading scorers:
Evans (18-23-41)
Cristall (14-22-36)
Ardanaz (3-27-30)
Wilkie (10-18-28)
Cullen (8-16-24)
The drive to the playoffs continues tonight as the Smoke Eaters battle the Warriors at 7pm looking to protect home ice once again. If you aren’t able to make it to the game join Ben Phillips and Rob Squires on the broadcast at 6:50pm on HockeyTV and Mixlr.
