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Trail Smoke Eaters come up empty on Island swing

The Trail Smoke Eaters’ troubles continue to mount as the team failed to register a point on the weekend.

The Trail Smoke Eaters’ troubles continue to mount as the team failed to register a point on the weekend suffering losses to three Island division teams.

The Smoke Eaters wound up the Vancouver Island road trip with a 5-0 loss to the Nanaimo Clippers Sunday, after dropping a 3-2 match to Alberni Bulldogs Saturday, and a 6-1 drubbing to first-place Powell River Kings Friday.

A short-handed marker and two power play goals in the third period by the Clippers only served to salt the wound of a frustrated Smokies team.

Trail forwards could not get a puck past Nanaimo goalie Jason Argue, who registered the 29 save shutout and was named the games’ second star.

Meanwhile, five different scorers beat Riley Corbin who stopped 39 shots in his second consecutive appearance for the Smokies.

Corbin also got the nod in Alberni Valley the night before and was impressive in net, stopping 33 shots and garnering second-star honours despite a heart-wrenching 3-2 loss to the Bulldogs.

Alberni’s Justin Georgeson scored with 50 seconds left in regulation to give the home team its third win of the season.

Tyson Witala opened the scoring for Trail in the first but Tryg Strand replied for the ‘Dogs and Scott Clark put the home side ahead in the second period.

Travis Stephens tied the game with a power play goal at 10:44 of the third and it looked like the game was headed for OT before Georgeson potted the winner.

Unfortunately for Trail, the Powell River Kings were out in full force as the league-leading team trounced the Smokies 6-1 Friday. Ryan Scarfo and Jarryd Leung each had three-point nights, as the Kings dressed all six of their Team Canada West invitees to the World Junior challenge training camp that commenced on Saturday.

The Kings have the most wins in the BCHL and lead the league with a 16-2-0-1 record after defeating Victoria 3-2 on overtime on Saturday.

Stephens scored the only goal for Trail, his sixth of the season, in the second period.

Trail’s next home game goes Friday when they face off against the Victoria Grizzlies at 7:30 p.m. at the Cominco Arena.



Jim Bailey

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