TROY RING – FIRST GOAL OF THE PLAYOFFS – FORTIS ENERGY PLAYER OF THE GAME
After a 7-1 loss on home ice on Monday night the Smokies find themselves down 3 games to none in their best of seven series with the Vernon Vipers. With injuries to key players in their lineup the Smokies struggled in the game to mount a sustained attack against the Vipers. Out of the lineup were Ryan Moon, Josh Laframboise and Tyson Slater as well as other players playing at less than 100% due to various injuries.
The Vipers got on the board early with a goals at 1:20 and 2:50 of the first period. They went on to score two more goals by the end of the period to take a commanding 4-0 lead and proved to be insurmountable for the Smokies.
The Smokies fought back in the second period out-shooting the Vipers 19-13 and scoring the only goal in the period at 9:52. Troy Ring scored his first of the playoffs assisted on by Luke Santerno.
THE RETURN OF KORBYN CHABOT ADDED MUCH NEEDED PHYSICALITY
That would be as close as the Smokies would get as Vernon scored the only two goals of the third period to take the 7-1 win.
ETHAN MARTINI IN A SKIRMISH TRYING TO SPUR HIS TEAM ON IN THE THIRD
Linden Marshall and Zach Dyment shared the goaltending duties for the Smokies. Marshall started the game but was pulled after the Viper’s third goal. Marshall has been the key to the Smokie’s success in the playoffs up to this point but had an off night in Trail on Monday night.
The Vipers swept all three stars in the game with Niko Karamanis taking first star, netminder, Darion Hanson second star and Connor Clouston third star. Trail’s Troy Ring was named Fortis Energy Player of the Game.
Game four goes tonight in Trail at the Cominco Arena. Game time is 7:00 pm. The Smokies are hoping for the same fan support that has been instrumental in their playoff success to date. They are very thankful for the boisterous support of their fans and definitely need that support to prolong the series.
