“Off days are earned, not given.” That was the statement from Smoke Eaters captain Chase Dafoe post game as the Smoke Eaters get rewarded for their hard work in a 3-2 victory over the Penticton Vees, handing them their first loss of the year.
The Smoke Eaters came in well rested and determined after a few days of practice and it showed early. In a game where the Smoke Eaters put one of their best foots forward, it was Quinn Disher who got it all started at 1:28 of the first period. Disher who leads the team in points with his third goal and seventh point opened the scoring. Jackson Krill passed to Disher as the Smoke Eaters came the other way with a 3-on-2 advantage as Disher’s shot went under the glove over the bad on Kaeden Lane.
The Smoke Eaters didn’t slow down after that either with multiple chances through the opening 20 minutes. But the advantage was finally doubled by Ryan Helliwell who gets a goal that was long overdue given his play since joining the Smoke Eaters and it was a highlight reel goal at that.
The Smoke Eaters took a massive 2-0 lead to the intermission, a lead that would hold all the way to the third period despite being under siege in the middle frame. Logan Terness who was named first star was unbeaten through 40 minutes as the Vees poured on the pressure in the second period, outshooting the Smoke Eaters 18-5. It was the penalty trouble that the Smoke Eaters found themselves in at the end of the second, start of the third that opened the door for the Vees. Both Cam Moger and Ryan Helliwell received penalties in the final 15 seconds of the second period that game the Vees a 5-on-3 powerplay. At the start of the third the Vees made the Smoke Eaters pay on the man advantage as Liam Malmquist finally beat Terness on the 30th shot of the game to get the Vees within one. The Smoke Eaters would then hold firm for the next 18 minutes adding an empty net goal from Brady Hunter that proved to the game winner. Following the empty net goal the Vees snuck one more past Terness but were never able to find the equalizer.
VH Sport Three Stars
1st: Logan Terness 40/42 Saves (TRA)
2nd: Liam Malmquist 1G (PEN)
3rd: Justin Ross 2A (TRA)
Able Plastics Powerplay 0/2
Flying Steam Shovel Penalty Kill 5/6
The Smoke Eaters now have a night off before another back to back set this weekend which start on Friday night against the Cranbrook Bucks.
