The Trail Smoke Eaters sweep the weekend as they hold on for a 3-1 victory Saturday night in West Kelowna.
In a game that had all the emotion of a regular season interior division matchup, the Warriors and Smoke Eaters took to the ice in the final preseason game for both teams. The Warriors made plenty of lineup changes from their Friday night roster in Trail. Brock Baier got the start in net and was under siege from the get go. Facing 37 shots by nights end Baier came up with some big saves to keep his team in it early on. He couldn’t do anything however about the opening goal as Kent Johnson put his skill on display. Ghirardosi hopped on a lose puck behind the net, found Johnson at the top of the slot who then made the magic happen.
The Smoke Eaters continued to poor on the pressure through the second and would extend the lead with a power play goal that also deserves to be on the highlight reel. Freeborn who had a very good weekend rushed to the right point to keep the puck in and then beat the charging Warriors defender. He then passed off for Ozar who rifled it short side top corner for the eventual game winner.
The Warriors got back in the game late after another pileup earned them the man advantage. But Johnson would add an empty netter in the final minute to seal the 3-1 win and the weekend sweep over the Warriors.
Smoke Eaters our shot the Warriors 37-21 on the night and would go 1/6 on the poweplay. And killed 3/4 on the penalty kill.
They Smoke Eaters finish with a 3-1 record for the preseason and now get set for opening weekend vs the Penticton Vees at home September 6th & 7th
