BLAINE CATON SCORES TRAIL’S TYING MARKER
With a 2-1 win over the Smokies in Trail on Friday night the Penticton Vees won the season series between the two teams, 4 games to 3. As with all games between the Vees and the Smokies this year it was a hard fought battle to the end. The Vees scored the winning goal with just over 5 minutes to go in the game and despite several chances by the home team in those final minutes they could not come up with the tying marker.
Penticton opened the scoring at 4:27 of the first period on a goal by Chris Klack, assisted on by Duncan Campbell. The teams played through a scoreless second period.
The Smokies tied the game at 1 at 8:45 of the third on a power play goal by Blaine Caton, his 13th of the season. Andre Ghantous and Carter Cochrane assisted on the goal. It was Andres’ 32nd assist of the season and Cochranes’ 16th. Looking like it may head into another overtime game between the two teams the Smokies got hemmed in their own end, not being able to clear the puck, and Pentictons’ Matt Gosiewski scored the winning goal for the Vees at 14:40.
ANOTHER STELLAR PERFORMANCE BY LINDEN MARSHALL
Netminder for the Vees, Nolan Hildeband was named first star of the game, Smokies’ Blaine Caton was named second star and Chris Klack of the Vees was named third star. Linden Marshall of the Smokies had another stellar performance in the Trail net and deserves an honorable mention. Fortis Energy Player of the Game was Smokies’ Tyler Ghirardosi and affiliate from the Beaver Valley Nitehawks.
Trail’s next home game is on Sunday afternoon at 3:00 pm when they host the Wenatchee Wild. It will be the one and only visit to Trail for the Wild this year.
