Action was hot and heavy all night in exciting game.
Smoke Eater players treated their parents to an exciting win on home ice Friday night with a 4-2 victory over the Salmon Arm Silverbacks. With the win the Smokies took over sole possession of fourth place and are one point behind third place Vernon Vipers and two points behind second place Merritt Centennials.
Spencer McLean of the Smokies, first star of the game, scored the winning goal at 15:33 of the third period on a feed from Andre Ghantous. After a scoreless first period, Trail opened the scoring at 6:51 of the second when Blaine Caton scored to make it 1-0. Braeden Tuck assisted on the marker. Riley Hales of Salmon Arm scored at 13:08 of the period to tie the game 1-1.
Ryan Murphy scored his third goal of the season to put the Smokies ahead 2-1 with Ross Armour assisting on the play. In the see-saw battle Salmon Arm’s Carson Bolduc knotted the game at two. Spencer McLean then scored to put Trail ahead for good. Ross Armour sealed the win for the orange & black when he scored his sixth goal of the season into an empty net at 19:43. Salmon Arm had pulled their goaltender for the extra attacker. Kale Howarth and Ryan Murphy assisted on the goal.
On the night the Smokies outshot the Silverbacks 31 – 25. The Smokies, Blaine Caton, was named Fortis Energy Player of the Game. Spencer McLean was name first star, Brandon Kregler of the Backs was named second star and Ryan Murphy of the Smokies was named third star. Zach Dyment was again strong in the Trail net making 29 saves facing 31 shots.
Curtis Toneff, Assistant Coach/GM of the Smokies, commented, “It’s nice to bounce back at home after not being satisfied with our effort last weekend.” “We got some secondary scoring and goaltending was strong, which is what you need to be successful in this league.” “It’s nice for the players to perform in front of there parents like that as well.” “We’ll look for the same effort Sunday.”
The Smokies cap off their parents weekend on Sunday afternoon when they host the Island Division leading Victoria Grizzlies. It is “Hockey Haunted” game day with many Halloween specials for the kids. Free candy for the kids, special prices at the Spud Shack and Sud Shack and a best costume contest for our youth fans. Game time is 3:00 PM with the doors opening at 2:15 PM. The first 200 kids will receive free candy.
