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Smoke Eaters Battle the Bucks, Looking To Take Kootenay Cup Series Lead

The Smoke Eaters will host the Cranbrook Bucks for the final time this pre-season in game three of the Kootenay Cup, looking to take a 2-1 series lead to Cranbrook next weekend.

KOOTENAY CUP SCHEDULE

Oct. 16 Cranbrook @ Trail – 3-0 L
Oct. 17 Cranbrook @ Trail – 3-1 W
Oct. 24 Cranbrook @ Trail 7:00 pm @ Trail Memorial Centre
Oct. 30 at Cranbrook 6:00 pm @ Western Financial Place
Nov. 7 at Cranbrook 6:00 pm @ Western Financial Place
Nov. 21 at Cranbrook 6:00 pm @ Western Financial Place
Nov. 27 at Cranbrook 6:00 pm @ Western Financial Place

The Smoke Eaters will look to build off last weekends 3-1 over the Bucks as they bounced back in game two of the Kootenay Cup. Cayden Hamming was a force to be reckoned with last weekend allowing just one goal on 26 shots. While he may not get the start tonight as the Smoke Eaters continue to rotate the goaltenders, it’s another positive for HC Tim Fragle in this young BCHL season. The Smoke Eaters created multiple opportunities using their speed down the wings, as Connor Sweeney set up Connor Michaud for the opener and then helped out again on the game winning goal by Zack Feaver on the powerplay. Speaking of the powerplay, the Smoke Eaters will be hoping that the goal last weekend can spark their special teams unit to take more of their opportunities, as they’ve gone just 1/15 so far. That being said the penalty kill has been dialed in, going 16/18 and killing their last 15 straight. Newcomer Justin Ross could also make his Smoke Eaters debut tonight after joining the team earlier this week.

It’s now the Bucks turn to show if the can bounce back in this Kootenay Cup series following a 3-1 loss. The Bucks will feel pretty happy about their game despite the loss. As was the case for the Smoke Eaters in game one, the pucks just weren’t bouncing their way in game two. The Bucks have also shown their ability to shut games down and limit the opportunities the Smoke Eaters are getting through their aggressive forecheck. A forecheck that created their lone goal by Nathan Fox shorthanded in game two. Expect more changes lineup wise for the Bucks who made 7 changes from games one-to-two. Jacob Zacharewicz will also looking to get back between the pipes and build off his shutout performance.

Tonight’s game will be available to watch in multiple ways, as always you can tune in on HockeyTV and Mixlr. You can also catch the game on Shaw Spotlight, local channel 10 or if you have Shaw Blue Curve TV channel 105. Join Ben Phillips and Rob Squires with the call of game 3 starting at 6:50pm with the pre game show, with puck drop just after 7pm.