The Smoke Eaters made their case in the third period, but a rough start and untimely goals against cost them the game in West Kelowna on Sunday.
Like the previous games the Smoke Eaters have played well enough to win. Despite being winless now in their last eight games the Smoke Eaters have outshot their opponents in six of those games, Sunday being another example of that. More than just the shots the Smoke Eaters have played some good hockey of late but the injuries are starting to take it’s toll. Trail opened the scoring in this one as Charlie Strobel finished off a nice passing play on the Smoke Eaters break out. Teddy Lagerback was initially denied on his move to the back hand but Strobel followed up to push in the loose puck and get the Smoke Eaters on the board.
The Warriors would then go on a run of six unanswered goals with three in the first and three more in the second. The Smoke Eaters easily could have been tied had some of their chances found the net in the second period, but Justin Katz made three game defining saves that helped keep the game in West Kelowna’s control.
Despite being down 6-1 to start the third the Smoke Eaters had a couple bounces go their way that all of a sudden had the game turned on it’s head. Firstly Teddy Lagerback scored his 17th of the year as again the Smoke Eaters won the puck battle in front of the net and put home a loose puck.
Less than a minute later Christian Lowe would score shorthanded for the Smoke Eaters as the initial shot from Adam Parson’s was blocked, and the puck dropped perfectly for Lowe who wasted no time releasing his shot to beat Katz.
The Warriors then answered a minute and a half later to restore the four goal lead for West Kelowna as Tyson Jugnauth scored his 7th of the year and third in the last two games against the Smoke Eaters. Brady Hunter got the game back within three with his 21st goal and 48th point of the season.
The Warriors would again score one more with under four minutes to go to officially put the game out of reach at 8-4. Trail now returns home for a four game homestand that kicks off on Friday night with a huge game against the Vernon Vipers who have over the last month jumped the Smoke Eaters in the standings.
