It’s a quick turn around for the Smoke Eaters, who after lighting the lamp eight times against the Bucks, have to turn their focus to the Penticton Vees. The Vees who have been off since Saturday are 2-0 to start the pod season and will be looking to add another one to the win column tonight. Catch the game on BCHLTV, Shaw Spotlight or listen for free on Mixlr.
Season series verse the Vees
Apr. 2 Penticton @ Trail 4-1 L
Apr. 8 Trail @ Penticton 7:00 pm PDT
Apr. 11 Penticton @ Trail 4:00 pm PDT
Apr. 14 Trail @ Penticton 7:00 pm PDT
Apr. 17 Penticton @ Trail 6:00 pm PDT
Apr. 23 Trail @ Penticton 7:00 pm PDT
Apr. 26 Trail @ Penticton 7:00 pm PDT
Apr. 29 Trail @ Penticton 7:00 pm PDT
May. 2 Penticton @ Trail 4:00 pm PDT
May. 8 Penticton @ Trail 6:00 pm PDT
The Smoke Eaters will be riding a high following a dominant 8-3 performance over the Bucks. But the test tonight is not going to be an easy one as they face a well rested Penticton Vees side. The rest could be just what the Smoke Eaters need to catch the Vees early. as the Smoke Eaters did against the Bucks by scoring early and then scoring often. While we wouldn’t expect to see a similar score line against Penticton, the confidence that players like Quinn Disher, Coalson Wolford and Chase Dafoe picked up last night will go a long way in this compressed season. 12 different players found the scoresheet for the Smoke Eaters last night in a full team effort. Disher said post game that the key was playing a full 60 minutes, something they were only able to do in parts over the first two games. The message, that game plan from the coaching staff will be echoed tonight as everyone in that locker room is aware of what happened last time they let their guard down against the Vees. Continue to expect five players swap in and out tonight as the Smoke Eaters battle a busy four games in five days. However Tim Fragle said prior to Thursday’s game it’s getting harder to pick who comes in and out given the strong performance of many of his youngest players. Cayden Hamming should see the net tonight, looking for his first BCHL win.
Smoke Eaters leading Scorers:
Wakeford (3-2-5)
Disher (1-3-4)
Helliwell (0-3-3)
Wolford (2-0-2)
Park (1-1-2)
The Vees will be looking to make it 3-0 to start the season. The Vees lost just once in 14 games during the exhibition schedule, a stat line the Fred Harbinson would love to repeat in this shortened 20 game season. However his team will have to shake off the rust after sitting for the last five days since their opening two games of the year. After beating the Smoke Eaters on opening night 4-1, the Vees knocked of the Bucks 6-3 on Saturday night. Since then they’ve had to sit back and watch the Smoke Eaters and Bucks battle it out for two games over the last few days. They’ll begin a busy weekend as well playing four games in five nights, with games tonight, Friday, Sunday and Monday. So far the Vees have only played Kaeden Lane, who’s backstopped them in both wins, but the schedule won’t make it easy for Harbinson to continue playing his number one guy through the weekend as both McEachern and Garnett are nocking on the door, itching to play.
Vees leading scorers
Amonte (2-1-3)
Quillan (1-2-3)
Wilson (1-2-3)
Djurasevic (1-1-2)
Wozney (1-1-2)
Tonight’s game goes at 7pm from the South Okanagan Event Centre with the Smoke Eaters taking on the Vees, looking to make it two in a row while the Vees try and stay undefeated. Catch the game on BCHLTV, Shaw Spotlight or listen for free on Mixlr.
