Marshall backstops Smokies to third straight win over Victoria Grizzlies
The Smokies knew that it was going to be a tough weekend on the Island and after losing their first two games on Friday and Saturday the Orange & Black went into Victoria on Sunday afternoon and defeated the Island Division leading Victoria Grizzlies 2-1. The win was their third straight over the Grizzlies this season as they defeated them at the BCHL showcase, at home in Trail and now in Victoria to round out their season meetings. The win salvaged what might have been a dismal outing for the Smokies on their three game weekend. The win over Victoria helped them to keep pace with interior division teams and they remain tied for second place with the Vernon Vipers at 27 points. Merritt is in third place with 26 points followed by West Kelowna at 23 points.
In Victoria on Sunday afternoon the Grizzlies took a 1-0 lead at 8:56 of the first period on a goal by Drayson Pears. Luke Santerno scored his third goal of the weekend and 20th on the season at 19:29 of the period to tie the score at 1. Braeden Tuck assisted on the marker.
The second period was scoreless and at 14:48 of the third period Spencer McLean scored his 5th goal of the season to put Trail up 2-1. Assisting on the goal was Braeden Tuck. The goal proved to be the winning goal of the game as the Smokies went on to win 2-1.
The Smokies may not have been in a position to take the win if it had not been for the goaltending heroics of Linden Marshall. Marshall faced 33 shots in the game making 32 saves. His performance earned him first star of the game honors. Tyler Welsh of Victoria was named second star and Timothy Fridman of the Grizzlies was named third star.
The Smokies started the weekend in Powell River on Friday night and dropped a 2-1 decision to the Kings.
The Kings led 1-0 after one period on a goal by Cam Donaldson.
The Kings went up 2-0 at 12:31 of the second on Donaldson’s second goal of the game. Trail’s Luke Santerno pulled the Smokies to within one when he scored his 18th of the sesaon at 19:33. Tyson Slater and Josh Laframboise assisted on the goal.
The teams played to a scoreless third period as Powell River went on to win 2-1. The Smokies were putting pressure on the Kings late in the third period but an untimely penalty by the Smokies at 18:18 cooled the Smokies attack.
Cam Donaldson with two goals on the night for the Kings was named first star of the game. Brian Wilson of the Kings was named second star and the Smokies Linden Marshall was named third star making 36 saves on 38 shots.
On Saturday night, in a game the Smokies would like to have back, they dropped a 4-1 decision to Alberni Valley. Special teams played an integral roll in the Smokies defeat as they went 0 for 5 on the power play and gave up 2 goals on 4 power play chances by Alberni. Alberni led 1-0 after the first period and 4-0 after the second. Trail got on the scoreboard at 13:38 of the third when Luke Santerno tallied his 19th of the season with assists going to Braeden Tuck and Spencer McLean.
Of note the Smokies lost both Kale Howarth and Josh Lamframboise to injuries in the Alberni game. Neither player were in the lineup on Sunday afternoon against Victoria.
Trail’s next home game is on Friday November 25 against the Chilliwack Chiefs and then on Saturday against the Merritt Centennials. Game time on Friday is 7:30 PM and on Saturday is 7:00 PM.
