The Smoke Eaters came back once against the Clippers but couldn’t dig themselves out a second time as Nanaimo beat the Smoke Eaters 7-3 on Wednesday afternoon.
It wasn’t the start the Smoke Eaters had wanted at all, as the Smoke Eaters we’re looking forward to the test with the Clippers winners of five in a row and the Smoke Eaters winning four of their last five. However two turnovers under pressure from the Clippers ended up in the Smoke Eaters net as Brody Waters scored two goals inside the opening four minutes had the Smoke Eaters down early. However they worked themselves back into the game and showed a strong resilience despite a tough start. Evan Bushy helped get the team back on track with a powerplay goal from the point that went clean through the screen and past Aidan Campbell.
Trailing by a goal to start the second the Clippers would temporarily restore their two goal lead as Kai Daniels gave his side some breathing room. The Smoke Eaters would use the powerplay twice more in the second, and while their third goal won’t count as a powerplay marker as time has just expired, it was the special teams unit that created the goal. Firstly it was Quinn Disher who won the battle for position in front of the net allowing him to redirect the pass from Nicholas Remissong into the net.
Shortly after the Smoke Eaters got back within one they would tie the game on Adam Marshall’s second of the year as he finished off the net front scramble just as the powerplay expired.
The Clippers however would respond with two goals two minutes apart the seemed to take the wind out of the Smoke Eaters sail. After coming back and tying the game Trail would go to the third period down 5-3 to Nanaimo.
The Smoke Eaters struggled to create offence in the third and not for a lack of effort but due to the Clippers shutting the door defensively. The Smoke Eaters only mustered four shots while the Clippers had six as they neutral zone became clogged up. Nanaimo would add two in the final few minutes to ensure their victory while Cole Tisdale, who came in for relief of Kendrick in the second would leave the game early with an injury after a late collision with a Nanaimo forward.
The Smoke Eaters now return home and prepare for a Saturday night game against the Powell River Kings at Cominco.
