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Trail Smoke Eaters return energized from Christmas break

The Trail Smoke Eaters skated to a well-earned 7-3 victory over the West Kelowna Warriors on Sunday at the Cominco Arena.
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Charle Zuccarini scored twice for the Trail Smoke Eaters as they decisively beat the West Kelowna Warriors at the Cominco Arena Sunday 7-3

The Trail Smoke Eaters ended a nine game losing streak in decisive fashion with a 7-3 victory over the West Kelowna Warriors on Sunday at the Cominco Arena.

Smokie captain Scott Davidson scored twice, including the winning goal, and added an assist to lead Trail to their first win in December. Davidson benefitted off a fortuitous bounce and wired it by West Kelowna goalie Michael Lenko to give the Smokies a 4-2 lead with five minutes remaining in the middle frame. A Warrior defenceman tried to clear it off the glass but the puck hit the stanchion bouncing to Harlan Orr who delivered it to Davidson in the slot.

West Kelowna took the lead at 17:31 of the first period when Kyle Marino beat Smokies goalie Brett Clark for the only goal of the first period. Charlie Zuccarini would tie it lifting a back hand top shelf on a pretty pass from Jake Lucchini.

Forty-five seconds later Connor Browne-Maloski batted in a bouncing puck to make it 2-1, but the Warriors would tie it when Kylar Hope deflected a perfect slap pass from Liam Blackburn to even it a minute later.

Scott Davidson would score his 10th of the season on power play set up from Kienan Scott and Bryan Basilico at 14:56 to give the Smokies the lead before netting the winner.

The Warriors would make it 4-3 on a power play 35 seconds into the third period on a Jason Cotton marker but the Smoke Eaters would put the game away scoring three straight goals for their 13th win of the seasn.

Max Newton scored on a Spencer McLean pass to make it 5-3, and Zuccarini teamed up with Lucchini to beat Lenko with a great move to backhand to make it 6-3.

Orr capped off the scoring on a shorthanded goal on a great effort, reaching as he was falling down to knock in his own rebound from Davidson and Brian Gerstenfeld.

Trail travels to West Kelowna tonight for a rematch at 7 p.m. with the Warriors.