The Smoke Eaters hit back on Saturday night to get back in the win column as they pick up a 6-3 win over the Spruce Kings.
The Smoke Eaters and Spruce Kings shared the goals in the first period while the Smoke Eaters outshot them 15-12. As was the case up in Prince George the Spruce Kings would open the scoring as Ty Gagno was given a lane to the net and picked the blocker side corner just past the halfway mark of the first period. What was also a theme from the games up in Prince George was the Smoke Eaters ability to respond quickly after goals. Just over a minute later from Gagno’s opening goal Ethan Mann would knock home the rebound as he would combine with Cobetto-Roy and Marshall to tie the game at 1.
Heading to the second period tied at 1, the Smoke Eaters would explode offensively inside the opening 2:19 of the second period, chasing Aidan Feddema from the Spruce Kings net. It started on the powerplay just 49 seconds into the period as Ethan Mann picked up his second goal of the night.
The Smoke Eaters wouldn’t stop there. 53 seconds later Connor Seeley would tally his fifth of the year, redirecting Hendry’s point shot, down past Feddema to give the Smoke Eaters a two goal lead 1:42 into the second period.
The onslaught continued as again Cobetto-Roy and Mann would connect with Marshall 37 seconds later as the Wyzata, Minnesota native scored his tenth goal of the year, leading to a Spruce Kings goaltender change.
Remissong would add his team leading 15th goal four minutes later to cap of a four goal second period and five straight goals for the Smoke Eaters, as he would connect with Hunter and Schenk to give the Smokies a 5-1 lead. The Spruce Kings would answer with a powerplay goal of their own as Killian McGregor-Bennett beat Kendrick off the rush to bring the game back within three. The Smoke Eaters though would have to play smart as the game went on, losing Makway in the second and then Mann in the third due to injuries.
In the third period Prince George would again close the gap as a point shot from Amran Bhabra, likely headed just over the net, took an unfortunate deflection as Kendrick tried to streak the puck up and out of play, instead caught the bottom of his blocker and deflected into the net. However the two goal advantage wouldn’t last long as Brady Hunter, on 99 career BCHL points, in his 100th career game, would hit the century mark with his 11th goal of the year.
The Smoke Eaters would hold on for a much needed 6-3 win and picked up two points to stay within reach of teams like Vernon and Salmon Arm in the Interior Conference. While it looks like they’ll be shorthanded, the Smoke Eaters now prepare for a home and home series with the Cranbrook Bucks next weekend.
