The Trail Smoke Eaters were able to grind out a result and pick up two big points against their interior division rivals from south of the border.
The Smoke Eaters, with a few days off between games, was just what the doctor ordered as the team came out with another strong effort and this time made good on their chances. Jameson Murray opened the scoring after the Smokies had sustained pressure through a power play. The first unit almost scored but it came to the second crew in Murray who’s shot from the point made it past Daniel Chenard for his first BCHL goal. The Smokies would take a 1-0 lead to the first intermission.
In the second it was more back and forth this time with the Wild making good on their chances. After a goal was disallowed for goaltender interference for the Wild, they were able to get one past Matteo Paler-Chow as Harrison Scott got a back hander under the arm and in. The Smoke Eaters almost added one late themselves on another great looking power play but couldn’t convert. The teams went to the break tied 1-1.
In the third it was exactly the guy you’d expect to step up when the team needed it most as acting captain Tyler Ghirardosi put two past Chenard for the win. His first was after the power play had expired but Carson Briere made the play, as he skated from the left corner to the point and around the the right circle. From there he went cross ice for Ghirardosi on the one timer to beat Chenard on the eventual game winner. The Smoke Eaters closed the game out with style, as with just over two minutes left in the third Connor Sweeney flipped a puck from inside his own blue line to Mike Colella at centre ice, caught up and created a 2-on-1 for the Smoke Eaters but it was Colella who waited then dropped a pass for Ghirardosi who faked left, and slid the puck past Chenard making it 3-1.
The Smoke Eaters will look to build off this performance as the host the West Kelowna Warriors on Friday in the teams Teddy Bear/touque/sock toss night.
