The Smoke Eater got their revenge on Friday night in one of the most entertaining games of the season that needed a shootout to decide the points, with the Smoke Eaters coming out on top with a 3-2 win.
After a scoreless first period that saw the Smoke Eaters open the game with seven straight shots, then having to kill back to back penalties, one of which was a five minute major, and allow the next 13 unanswered, the teams traded goals in the second period. The Vipers would strike first as they did last week scoring four minutes into the period as Matt Culling scored his first of two on the night. Culling was able find the puck at the left circle after the original shot pinballed around and put it through Fradette, who was spectacular for the Smoke Eaters all night. The Smoke Eaters would answer three minutes later and get that coveted Sock, Gloves and Toque toss goal and came from Smoke Eater leading scorer Zach Michaelis who buried the rebound on the shot from Brady Hunter.
Michaelis would score his 16th of the year seven minutes later to give the Smoke Eaters their first lead of the night. The Smoke Eaters who were finally awarded with a power play made the Vipers pay as Hunter passed through the top of the slot, his pass initially intended for Teddy Lagerback who missed the one timer, as the puck went off Lagerback to Michaelis who saw a lane and went post and in on Roan Clarke to make it 2-1 Smoke Eaters.
The Vipers would answer late in the second period while the teams were playing four-on-four due to off setting minors, Culling would also score his second of the game as he went post and in on Fradette with a shot from the right circle.
After an entertaining third period that had a little bit of everything including a goal line save by Jordan Hendry to keep the game tied at 2, we headed to overtime and then the shootout. The Smoke Eaters almost won it on two occasions in OT but Clarke refused to be beat. The Smoke Eaters elected to shoot first as Lagerback stepped onto the ice and made no mistake with a nifty forehand backhand move to fool the goaltender and give Trail the advantage. Culling shot next for the Vipers and was denied by Fradette. Michaelis would step onto the ice next and would also score to give the Smoke Eaters a 2 goal cushion and a chance to win should Fradette make the next save. And that’s exactly what he did.
Fradette stayed unbeaten in the shootout the give the Smoke Eaters the 3-2 win over the Vipers. They’ll now refocus for Saturday night’s game as the Penticton Vees, who had their 11 game win streak snapped Friday night come to town!
