The Trail Smoke Eaters hit the road for this season’s final road trip to the Lower Mainland this morning hungry for wins.
The Smokies embark on a three-game swing starting with the Surrey Eagles on Friday, the Langley Rivermen Saturday, and a tilt against the Coquitlam Express Sunday.
Trail is coming off an impressive effort in a 3-2 loss to Penticton Saturday. With a variety of fresh new talent in the line up and the trade deadline come and gone, the team has had a full week of practice to prepare and focus on the Mainland division foes.
Surrey is coming off a 7-3 loss to Coquitlam and currently holds down the fourth and final playoff spot with a 17-24-1-1 record. The Smokies will face former Beaver Valley Nitehawk Danny Vlanich who plays defence for last season’s Fred Page Cup winners.
Trail’s most difficult task will come on Saturday against Langley who share the BCHL league lead with Penticton and Victoria all with 59 points.
The Rivermen defeated Trail in two close previous games, a 3-2 loss at home on Dec. 6 and a 4-3 overtime setback in the opening game of the season. Trail could face former Smoke Eater Lyndon Stanwood between the pipes. The Vancouver native stopped 30 shots in a 5-2 win over Chilliwack Chiefs Saturday. Since being traded from the Chiefs to Langley last month, Stanwood has a 3-1 record and an impressive 2.78 goals against average.
The Smokies will then face Coquitlam and another former Smoke Eater in Braden Lamont. The Express hold down third spot in the Mainland division with 42 points, 10 back of second place Prince George.
The Smokies next home game goes Jan. 24 when they host Surrey.