While coming home with a 2-0 series lead would have been a dream come true for the Smoke Eaters, the split they got was a mission accomplished. Now as the series switched back to Cominco for games three and four, it’s game on to see who can come out of Trail with an advantage.
Playoff series
Game 1 – Mar 31 Trail 5 at Penticton 3 Series 1-0 Trail
Game 2 – Apr 1 Trail 1 at Penticton 5 Series Tied 1-1
Game 3 – Apr 4 Penticton at Trail 7:00 PM PDT
Game 4 – Apr 5 Penticton at Trail 7:00 PM PDT
Game 5 – Apr 7 Trail at Penticton 7:00 PM PDT
* Game 6 – Apr 9 Penticton at Trail 7:00 PM PDT
* Game 7 – Apr 11 Trail at Penticton 7:00 PM PDT
The Smoke Eaters will know that coming into games three and four, the first step in getting a result starts with staying out of the penalty box. Take away the powerplay goals on Friday night and its a 1-0 game. The Smoke Eaters lone goal came just as a powerplay began for them, even though the faceoff was taken in a 4-on-4 situation in the Vees zone. The Vees however were deadly on the man advantage going 4/8 and deciding the game with the powerplay. The Vees have kept with the status quo in terms of their special team statistics from the regular season as being one of the best powerplay and penalty killing combinations.
The game is bound to get a little tighter as we switch to Cominco. The Vees this year have had to comeback from early deficits in both their games in Trail, winning 6-3 with a third period surge and another in overtime 5-4. Cole Tisdale who has been outstanding in the first two games for the Smoke Eaters will be relied on once again in games three and four, facing 74 shots in the first two games. If the Smoke Eaters can get off to another early start, not only will that get the hometown crowd into the game but put the Vees on their heels early.
| Smoke Eaters – 1-1
Michaelis (1-1-2) Powerplay – 1/9 Penalty Kill – 7/12 |
Vees – 1-1
Wilson (0-4-4) Powerplay – 5/12 Penalty Kill – 8/9 |
Puck drop for game three of the Interior Conference Quarter-Finals goes tonight at 7pm as the Smoke Eaters look to take back the series lead on home ice. Get your tickets at Tickets.trailsmokeeaters.com. As always catch all the action on BCHLTV, Shaw and on the Smoke Eaters Mixlr starting at 6:50pm.
