Greater Trail hockey teams are playing for a playoff berth in their respective provincial championships this week.
The Tier 2 Midget Smoke Eaters began their provincial run on a high- note on Sunday with an 8-3 rout of host Penticton. Eight different players scored for the AA Smokies in its first win of the tournament. However, in its second matchup on Monday the Trail squad lost to Vancouver 3-1.
Vancouver jumped out to a 3-0 lead, and Trail tried to battle back when Chris Colquhoun sniped his first marker to make it 3-1 in the third period but that was a close as they would get.
Trail played Smithers Tuesday in its final match of the round robin, but the final score was unavailable at press time.
If Trail wins, it will play in the semifinal game this morning for a chance at the provincial final that goes tonight at 8 p.m.
The Greater Trail AA Bantams also won their first match with a 6-2 drubbing of Saanich on Sunday.
However, after a 6-0 loss to Penticton they followed it up with an exciting 3-3 tie with the always tough North Shore Winter Club.
The Trail AA Bantams played Cranbrook Tuesday but scores were unavailable at press time. A win could also put the AA Smokies in a possible playoff berth. The semifinals go today, with the final match up scheduled for Thursday at 11 a.m.
Amazingly the Pee Wee AA Smoke Eaters also started their provincial tournament with a split, dropping a 7-4 decision to Penticton in Game 1 before beating host Juan de Fuca 6-1. Greater Trail was tied with the Pee Wee Vees until late when three goals in the final 1:38 put the game away. Trail is down to its final game against an undefeated Williams Lake team today but scores were unavailable.
If Trail wins they will play in the semifinal today, with a shot at the final at 8 p.m. tonight.