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BCHL: Smokies pair net PoW consideration

A pair of wins on the weekend and some great play garnered two Trail Smoke Eaters consideration for the BCHL Player of the Week selection.

A pair of wins on the weekend and some great play garnered two Trail Smoke Eaters consideration for  the BCHL Player of the Week selection.

Forward Luke Sandler and defenceman Braden Pears received honourable mention for their performances in winning two of three games on the weekend.

Sandler scored four times including the game winner in Nanaimo on Friday, while Pears counted two goals including the game clincher against Langley Sunday.

“It feels really good, it’s a big honour, and hey I was really happy with it,” said Pears, who was given honourable mention for the second time this season. “I don’t know if I’ll ever get it, but maybe one day.”

The smooth-skating Pears says more ice time and confidence had helped his offensive output, making him the Smokies leading defenceman in points with six goals and 20 assists, by far his best production in three years in the league.

“Everyone is working together really well and helping me get better, individually too, so it’s really good,” said Pears.

Sandler meanwhile counted his 20th goal of the season, second most on the Smokies, in what was his first honourable mention despite some big games for the orange and black.

“I was pretty happy, it was nice to finally get one,” said Sandler.

Pears and Sandler go through a ritual of tapping their sticks together, which seems to generate some tangible offensive power.

“We get our sticks together and we start getting points, it’s just been working – it’s nice,” said Sandler.

The Chicago native’s strengh and play-making ability have certainly helped the team offensively this season, giving the team depth and a measure of consistency through the lineup.

“I try to do whatever I can to help the team win,” said Sandler. “I feel like if I can contribute scoring goals, whatever I can do, I just got to do it every night.”

Merrit’s Sylvan Harper won Player of the Week for three multipoint games last week.

The Smokies next game goes Tuesday against Salmon Arm at 7:30 p.m. at the Cominco Arena.