From the outset of the game played last night in Trail it was obvious that the Salmon Arm Silverbacks were going to try to run the Smoke Eaters out of the rink with a physical game. Despite this, the Smokies never backed down and won a hard fought battle coming away with a 5-3 decision. “It was an honest, hardworking win,” said Smokie Coach/GM Nick Deschenes. “It showed the character of our team.” As in many of the Smokies home ice victories it was a character building win resulting in a very entertaining game. Fans attending home games this season have not been dissapointed in the play of the Smokies and certainly worth the price of admission.
The Smokies opened the scoring in the first period at 10:57 on a goal by Jake Kauppila, assisted on by Harlan Orr and Spencer McLean. Chase Zieky of Salmon Arm tied the game at 15:38 and made it 2-1 at 16:47 on a goal by Ross Heidt. Trail knotted the game at 2 with a goal late in the period when Kale Howarth scored his 11 of the season with assists going to Ross Armour and captain Evan MacEachern.
In the second, Kyle Star potted his 12th of the season at 11:22 assisted on by Max Newton and Nolan Redler. Trail made it 4-2 at 18:35 when Max Newton scored his 12th of the season with assists going to Kienan Scott and Evan MacEachern. Unfortunately, Salmon Arm scored a power play goal at 19:55 of the period to make it a 4-3 game going into the third period.
The score remained 4-3 until 17:43 of the third when Blain Caton scored his first goal of the season on a feed from Ross Armour and Spencer McLean. The goal, pictured above, sealed the win for the Smokies.
The Silverbacks, continuing their physical play were assessed a boarding penalty at 14:32 of the period which, in the view of this writer, should have been a checking from behind infraction. The hit has been sent into the league for further review.
Kyle Star, who shook off an early hit in the first period, was named Fortis Energy Player of the Game and first star. Bailey MacBurnie, of the Smokies, who faced 36 shots and recorded 33 saves, was named second star of the game. Cooper Sande of the Smokies was named third star.
The Smokies find themselves still in fifth place, three points behind fourth place Vernon Vipers. The Vipers also have two games in hand. The Vipers have 45 points, to Trail’s 42 points. The Merritt Centennials are right on the heels of the Smokies with 39 points and also have 2 games in hand.
The Smoke Eaters play two games on home ice this weekend against West Kelowna. Games are on Friday and Saturday evening at the Cominco Arena, with both games going at 7:30 PM.
