The Smokies are currently sitting in 5th place, 8 points behind 4th place Vernon Vipers. The Smokies have 3 games in hand over the Vipers. Friday evening the Orange & Black travel to Wenatchee, who sit in 2nd place in the Mainland Division just one point behind first place Chilliwack. The Smoke Eaters faced Wenatchee in the Chilliwack Showcase in September and skated with Wenatchee outshooting them 31-25 in the game. The teams were tied after two periods. Wenatchee scored mid-way through the third to take a 2-1 lead and then added an empty net goal at 19:31 of the third. Bailey MacBurnie played a major role in that game being named 2nd star and may have to provide more heroics on Friday night in Wenatchee.
On Saturday, Trail faces the high flying Penticton Vees who have lost only two games on the season. They sit comfortably in first place in the Interior Division with 50 points, 30 more points than the Smokies. Penticton boasts three players in the top 10 scoring. Tyson Jost leads the league with 23 goals and 33 assists for 56 points. Scott Conway is third in league scoring with 21 goals and 29 assists for 50 points. Dante Fabbro is in ninth place with 34 points on 7 goals and 27 assists. Jost and Fabbro are expected to be drafted in the first round of the NHL draft.
For the Smokies it is hopeful that Kienan Scott will continue his scoring ways. He leads the team with 11 goals and is coming off a four goal weeekend. Halloran, Kauppila and Newton are 1, 2, and 3 respectively in points for the Smokies and will need to have a strong weekend for the Smokies. In order for the Smokies to be successful the goaltending duo of MacBurnie and Marshall will have to bring their “A” games to the rink.
