Smokies moved within striking distance of the fourth place Vernon Vipers over the weekend with wins over the Nanaimo Clippers and Merritt Centennials.
On Friday evening at the Cominco Arena the Trail Smoke Eaters skated to a 6-1 win over the second place Nanaimo Clippers of the BCHL Island division. The game was a complete reversal of the previous game against the Penticton Vees when the Smokies outshot the Vees by a 49-30 margin but, came out on the wrong end of a 6-1 loss. On Friday the Smokies were outshot by Nanaimo 48-35 but, according to Coach/GM of the Smokies, Nick Deshcenes, “we didn’t do anything different other then capitalize on our chances.” Deshenes further commented, “I would have liked to see us manage the game better in the second half, but this was a much needed offensive outbutst.” “Goaltending was also a key factor over the weekend as Bailey MacBurnie allowed only 3 goals on 86 shots.”
Ross Armour, first star of the game on Friday led the Smokies with two goals. Nick Halloran, named third star, had a strong game for the Orange & Black scoring one goal and adding an assist. Other goal scorers for the Smokies were Jake Kauppila, with a goal and an assist, Nii Noi Tetteh, with a goal and Harlan Orr, with a goal and an assist. Jeremy Lucchini of the Smokies also had a strong game adding two assists. Sam Swanson, called up from the Beaver Valley Nitehawks, had a strong game for the Smokies adding an assist. Bailey MacBurnie was named second star of the game making 48 saves on the night. Trail went 2 for 4 on the power play while Nanaimo was 1 for 5. Trail held period leads of 2-0 and 6-1 with the third period scoreless.
It was a chippy contest from the start on the part of the Clippers but Trail didn’t back down while skating to the win. The Smokies lost two players on the night due to injuries, Kale Howarth and Kienan Scott. Both sat out the game in Merritt on Saturday. Kale Howarth was speared at center ice during the game that went undected by all officials.
On Saturday night Trail travelled to Merritt and came away with a 3-2 road win. For the second night in a row the Smokies were outshot 36-26. Bailey MacBurnie earned first star on the night as he backstopped the Smokies to the win with the 36 saves. Second star of the game was Tyler Ward of Merritt with two goals on the night. Harlan Orr who had a strong weekend for the Smokies was named third star and scored one of Trail’s goals. Spencer McLean, and Nick Halloran rounded out the scoring for Trail with a goal each. McLean’s goal came in the second period when he stole the puck in the Merritt end to make it 2-0 for the Smokies. Merritt tied the game before the second period ended to set the stage for the winning goal scored by Nick Halloran early in the third period on a feed from Connor Brown Maloski and Ross Armour. Coach/GM, Nick Deschenes, said “it is difficult playing Merritt at home.” “I think scoring chances were even but they definitely carried the play.” “Halloran’s goal in the third was a nice goal.”
The game saw Trai’s newest addition to the lineup. Kyle Star was acquired from the Surrey Eagles for Kurt Black. Deshcenes indicated that he is a player we inquired about last season. ” He started the year in Surrey as their captain and has had a strong year offensively.” ” We were looking to add more offense to our line up and he brings a level of experience thatt will help our group.” ” We know he’ll compliment our group and look forward to helping him achieve his goals.” Kyle Star is a 6′, 170 lb. forward from Langley, BC. He is 20 years old. In 13 games with Surrey this year he had 5 goals and 5 assists. He added one more assist in the game against Merritt on Saturday.
Deschenes wants to thank Kurt Black for his commitment and effort in the time he was here in Trail and wishes him all the best moving forward with his career.
Smokies next home game is on Tuesday night in Trail against the Penticton Vees. Game time is 7:30 PM. If the last game against the same Penticton Vees played in Trail last Sunday was any indication it should prove to be a very exciting game.
