The Smoke Eaters get back in the win column with a strong performance all around as they knock off the Wenatchee Wild 6-3 with multiple players having multi point nights.
The game started fast as the Smoke Eaters looked to take advantage off the possible bus legs of the Wild, as they were credited with eight shots inside the opening minutes, all before the Wild got their first. Special teams played a part in this one as the Wild and Smoke Eaters were both paraded to to box with the Smoke Eaters taking six penalties to the Wild seven, with 13 penalties being handed out during the game. The Wild would open the scoring on the powerplay as Wenatchee captain Quinn Emerson got the final touch on the puck as Cade Littler made his move from the goal line towards the Smoke Eater net and got the bounce he was looking for. Trail would respond shortly after and it was a BCHL first for Ethan Warrener, who jumped up in the rush to finish off the play from Brady Hunter and Zach Michaelis, to tie the game at 1.
It didn’t stop there as the Smoke Eaters would go on a run over the next few minutes. With the teams four on four Connor Michaud played the puck ahead for Quinn Disher who wouldn’t be denied on the partial break, unleashing a rocket to give the Smoke Eaters the lead.
The Smoke Eaters then doubled up their lead as the 4-on-4 expired, leading to a Smoke Eater powerplay, that despite not scoring with the man advantage they kept the puck in thanks to Brady Hunter, who would somehow find Michaelis at the right circle. Michaelis then settled down the puck and found Lagerback on the doorstep for a 3-1 Smokies lead.
Now with a 3-1 lead in the second period another bunch of penalties and icings killed the rhythm and fast flowing pace that set the tone through the first period. The Smoke Eaters rattled one off the post on the man advantage but couldn’t expand upon their lead. On the other end of the Ice Evan Fradette dropped what will be a Save of the Year candidate as he robbed Owen Bohn of a sure goal.
Jumping ahead to the third the Smoke Eaters still controlled a 3-1 lead and would quickly add some insurance as the powerplay was finally credited with a goal. Starting the third on the powerplay the Smoke Eaters set up shop quickly and were rewarded prior to the penalty expiring as Lagerback would score his second of the night and 20th of the season to make it 4-1. Lagerback’s goal would also be the eventual game winner.
The Wild and Smoke Eaters would then trade goals in the closing half of the third with the Wild scoring of the stick of Ean Somoza, again on the powerplay to make it a 4-2 game. Trail answered back with a powerplay goal of their own as Kabore Dunn sprung Disher on a breakaway while both teams were changing, as Disher also scored his second of the night to restore the three goal advantage. That lead was short lived by 16 seconds as Ben Ivey would score at the back post on the cross crease pass from Anthony Caferelli to again bring the game within two. Dunn would close out the game with a empty net goal as he finally collects his first goal as a Smoke Eater and a first BCHL goal.
The Smoke Eaters end their eight game slide with a much deserved 6-3 win over the Wenatchee Wild, setting themselves up for a huge week ahead. with games against Salmon Arm, West Kelowna and Penticton this week.
