Skip to content

BCHL: Trail Smoke Eaters host Gorillas

Dubbed Wacky Wednesday, it will be a festive atmosphere at the Trail Memorial Centre’s Cominco Arena tonight.

Dubbed Wacky Wednesday, it will be a festive atmosphere at the Trail Memorial Centre’s Cominco Arena tonight as the Trail Smoke Eaters face off against division rivals the Salmon Arm Silverbacks.

Not only will there be Smoke Eaters and Gorillas on the ice, but the team will be raffling off a car courtesy of AM Ford, and offering special prices at the Spud and Suds Shacks, as well as $5 admission to all adults, and free entry to children 12 and under.

As for the game, the two teams are tied for fourth place in the Interior-divison standings with 12 points, however, Trail has two games in hand on all their division opponents, and a victory tonight would put them into a tie with second-place Merritt. Penticton continues to lead the division with 20 points and a 10-1-0-0 record.

The 5-4-0-2 Silverbacks are coming off a split on the weekend with a 5-2 victory over Langley Sunday, and a 3-2 loss to Victoria Friday night, while Trail eked out a 3-2 overtime win in their lone game against the Rivermen on Saturday.

In the Smokies-Silverbacks first match up on Sept. 27, Salmon Arm came away with a 4-2 win in a close game that saw Nick Hutchinson net the winner late in the second period, while Taro Hirose scored twice for the ‘Backs. Michigan Tech commit Angus Redmond stopped 25 shots in net for the Silverbacks, and is 4-4 on the season with a 2.77 GAA and a .900 save percentage.

Defenceman and Air Force committ Andrew Farny tops Salmon Arm in scoring with five goals and seven assists while Carson Bolduc leads all forwards, 5-5-10, after a two goal and one-assist performance against Langley.

The Smoke Eaters managed the win over the Rivermen despite being outshot, 38-27, on Saturday. On the positive side, the team picked up two points in a game that could have easily gone awry early. Smokie special teams were clutch killing a five-minute major in the first period and one late in regulation, and also scoring once on the power play. Adam Todd was great in net for Trail, making several excellent saves, and was likely the difference on the night. The offence had flashes of brilliance, but finish and flow was lacking, and will look to simplify their game against the Silverbacks.

The doors open at 6:45 p.m. so fans can get their car raffle tickets early as only 1,500 are available, and you must be at the game and present for the draw to claim it.

The puck drops at 7:30 p.m.

Smoke Signals: The Trail Smoke Eaters Booster Club initiated a “Smokie Hotline” to further help out the community. For residents that need help around the house or in the yard, call 231-9949 and a team of Smoke Eaters will get the job done. Donations are gratefully accepted.



Jim Bailey

About the Author: Jim Bailey

Read more