It was one of the better games the Smoke Eaters have played over the last week against another tough opponent, while being shorthanded, Smoke Eaters earn a point against the Vees in a 5-4 loss in overtime.
The Smoke Eaters, tasked by the coaching staff to play a more complete 60 minutes game, got off to a great start against the Vees with Brady Hunter opening the scoring just two minutes in. Hunter, who won the draw back to Cam Moger at the left point, went to the net as Moger skated down the wall and put the puck on net leading to a rebound and an opening goal for the Smoke Eaters.
The Vees responded however, as they did all night, this time just 33 seconds later as Bradly Nadeau took the pass off the end wall from Adam Eisele and shot it past Mason Dunsford for the tying goal. The Vees then spent the next eight minutes it seemed entirely in the Smoke Eaters zone lookin for the go ahead goal. Multiple blocked shots and solid goaltending by Dunsford allowed the Smoke Eaters to end but not break. Then the Smoke Eaters caught the Vees on a bad change and Brady Hunter got a breakaway.
The Smoke Eaters wasted no time building on their lead as just 21 seconds later, Charlie Strobel found the back of the net and gave the Smoke Eaters a 2 goal advantage.
The Vees would cut the Smoke Eaters lead in half before the first period was out as Ethan Mann beat Dunsford on a reverse back door pass from Luc Wilson to make it 3-2 Smoke Eaters after 20 minutes.
In the Second the Vees struck first, as Wilson tied the game at 3 on a deflected shot for the blueline that changed directions multiple times before it found its way past Dunsford and into the Smoke Eaters net. The tie was shot lived as Nic Remissong who assisted on Strobel’s goal got his second as a Smoke Eater to restore the Smoke Eater lead.
The Vees would again tie the game up as this time Josh Nadeau would get on the scoresheet to tie the game at four all.
The Vees and Smoke Eaters would play to a scoreless third period, with the Smoke Eaters outshooting the Vees 10-7. They even had a powerplay late and failed to capitalize on the the opportunity, leading to this game going to overtime. The Smoke Eaters had the first chance in overtime with Hunter and Michaelis but were unable to beat Carter Serhyanko, who replaced Kaeden Lane after the fourth Smoke Eater goal. The Vees would then take advantage of a a breakaway in overtime as Eisele went glove side on Dunsford for the game winner, extending the Vees win streak to nine games and the Smoke Eaters winless streak to six games. The Smoke Eaters next game will see them head to Merritt next Saturday night to take on the Centennials.
