The Smoke Eaters (4-5-0) renew their rivalry with the Cranbrook Bucks (1-8-0) on Monday night looking to get back in the win column, with both teams coming off losses to Penticton.
Season schedule vs the Bucks
Apr. 4 Trail @ Cranbrook 5-3 L
Apr. 7 Cranbrook @ Trail 8-3 W
Apr. 10 Trail @ Cranbrook 4-2 W
Apr. 16 Trail @ Cranbrook 4-3 W
Apr. 19 Cranbrook @ Trail 7:00 pm PDT
Apr. 25 Trail @ Cranbrook 4:00 pm PDT
Apr. 28 Cranbrook @ Trail 7:00 pm PDT
May. 1 Cranbrook @ Trail 6:00 pm PDT
May. 5 Cranbrook @ Trail 7:00 pm PDT
May. 7 Trail @ Cranbrook 7:00 pm PDT
The Smoke Eaters are looking to end what’s been a busy week of games on a high note, as they try and go for their third win in four games before a few much needed days off. The Smoke Eaters won’t play again till Friday when they take on the Vees, but looking back the team has won two of their last three games and whould like to add one more before their break. They may be without two of their defenceman with both Jordan Hendry and Cameron Moger leaving the game against the Vees on Saturday early. The depth of the squad will now be challenged if both are out an extended period of time and weren’t just precautionary exits. The scoring hit a bump in the road on Saturday, as the Smoke Eaters failed to beat the Vees netminder, not for a lack of chances though, which despite the 3-0 score line was still a game the Smoke Eaters can learn from and build off of going forward. The Smoke Eaters have won three straight against the Bucks and Cayden Hamming will want to get his second BCHL win should he be called on tonight. With Logan Terness playing so well its hard to not play the young netminder, but while this is game ten for the Smoke Eaters, the last ten of the season comes much quicker and slightly more compact. The Smoke Eaters will try to get back to .500 hockey as they take on the Bucks tonight.
Smoke Eaters leading scores
Disher (4-4-8)
Wakeford (3-5-8)
Helliwell (2-4-6)
Hunter (3-2-5)
Hendry (2-3-5)
The Bucks find themselves in a midst of a seven game losing streak. and while they came back from an early 3-0 deficit on Friday night against the Smoke Eaters, they still fell short falling 4-3. The signs though are encouraging for this Bucks team, their never quit attitude has made them hard to play against and has meant no lead is safe against the Bucks. Cranbrook will be looking to get their second win of the year, with their lone BCHL win coming against the Smoke Eaters on opening weekend. Things also got heated in theses teams last meeting with two Bucks players getting misconducts and sent out of the game early on Friday. They also lost Cole Assaily in the last outing due and awkward fall following the hit from Justin Ross. With both teams slightly shorthanded, they players that get their opportunities will be looking to step up in a big way.
Bucks leading scorers
Kindrachuk (3-5-8)
Gelbard (2-6-8)
Dyck (3-2-5)
Bentham (2-2-4)
Quinn (1-3-4)
Tonight’s game is available on BCHLTV, Shaw Spotlight or on Mixlr where you can hear Ben Phillips and Rob Squires with the Teck Trail pre game report starting at 6:50pm. Puck drop against the Bucks is at 7pm.
