With a potential first round match up in the back of their minds, the Smoke Eaters came out with a statement win, knocking off the Spruce Kings 9-2.
The Smoke Eaters opened the scoring in this one with a tremendous goal from Owen Ozar at 3:40 of the first period. A goal that was made possible by Matt Osadick and Philippe Lapointe, who’s chemistry continues to grow each game making them a dangerous trio. Osadick was able to spin and find Ozar with a no look pass, allowing Ozar to pull one around the outstretched leg of Jett Alexander.
The Smoke Eaters then made it 2-0 on Cody Schiavon’s ninth goal of the year as Carson Briere and Kent Johnson won the puck at the right boards, played it to Schiavon who beat Alexander from the left point. Johnson would round out the first period with a goal of his own making to 3-0 Smoke Eaters.
Goals came in bunches on the second period as the Smoke Eaters added another 4 to their tally. The Spruce Kings would score their first of the night just 40 seconds in to the period. Corey Cunningham finished off a scramble in front of the Smoke Eaters goal to get the Spruce Kings into the game. Their momentum would be short lived as the Smokies would score three goals in two minutes. Jaden Senkoe scored first with his third of the year going five whole on Alexander. Max Kryski added his name to the score sheet 47 seconds later with his sixth of the year as he put home a rebound. Johnson rounded out the flurry of goals with a simple tap in from Mike Colella moments later making it 6-1 just 5:22 into the second period. The Spruce Kings scored another courtesy of Cunningham at 8:14 to once again cut into the Smoke Eaters lead but 3:29 later Senkoe scored his second of the night.
In the third Kyle Budvarson got his second of the year on a perfect shot top corner to make it 8-2 and the Walker Erickson got his fifth as he tipped home the shot from Trevor Isaksson to make it 9-2 for the Smoke Eaters.
The Smoke Eaters matched their largest win and goal tally with the win tonight, matching the 9-2 performance against Merritt on November 27th. Logan Terness picked up win #23 stopping 33 of 35 shots including two huge saves in the third period.
Braden Costello had four assists tonight earning him the first star, Johnson had two goals, including the game winner and an assist for the second star, while Senkoe picked up the third star with his two goals.
The Smoke Eaters are back in action on Friday night when they host the Wenatchee Wild for the final time this season.
