Unlucky 13.

By the time 10PM rolled around Monday night, there weren't many smiles leaving Cominco Arena.

Just moments before, the Silver City faithful believed they were going to see their Smokies snap a 12 game losing skid and ring in 2014 with a clean slate.

The West Kelowna Warriors had different plans.

With one minute and 23 seconds left in regulation, Trail leading 3-1, the Warriors fired one by Smokies' puck stopper Adam Todd.

3-2.

Not even half a minute later, they did it again.

3-3.

The game needed overtime after West K out shot Trail 22-7 in the third period.

It would in fact end in tragedy for the orange and black when Warriors forward Liam Blackburn netted his eighth goal of the year and completed the stunning comeback.

"I pretty much felt the worst for the players," said Trail head coach Nick Deschenes. "We've been trying to push for a win now for awhile. We had it in our grasps and we let it go."

For a dressing room that has been constantly changing since Deschenes arrival at the beginning of November, consistently can be a tricky thing.

It hasn't stopped - Deschenes added two more names to his roster this week.

He has gone back to the VIJHL for talent, picking up two 17 year olds: forward Braeden Cross and defenseman Taylor Armbruster from the Kerry Park Islanders.

Cross had 11 goals and 40 points in 32 games for the Islanders this season.

"He's one of their top scorers. Where looking to him for some offensive contributions."

Deschenes expects a role to be filled by the 6'3" blueliner as well.

"[Armbruster's] got good size. [He was] pursued by other Junior A teams at the start of the season [but] was injured," explains the Smokies bench boss. "For where we are as a group, he's going to be a welcome edition. He's another piece of the puzzle to get us moving ahead for next year."

They'll both be in the lineup when Trail faces Vernon Friday night.

"We're sticking to the plan. We are getting younger. The learning curve is hopefully going to be as steap as possible. We're just asking for the effort and the commitment. It will take time but things are moving in a positive direction for sure."

The Vipers come into the match having not played since December 21st - a 7-2 loss to the Powell River Kings.

The Vipers are 10-7-0-1 on the road, a slight contrast to their 10-3-3-3 resume at Kal Tire Place.

If the Smokies would have held on Monday, it would have been only their fourth win at Cominco Arena this season.

Trail has not only struggled in their own building so far this season, they've struggled against Vernon.

Trail has played Vernon four times this season, and the Vipers have won every match. (With three out of the four meeting ending in a 6-3 decision oddly enough.)

"I think we have to outwork and outplay [Vernon] and attack them," explained Deschenes who believes they have to take away their opponents' space and then win the little battles. "They've got a bigger group [who are] more experienced. There's no secret we are the underdogs and we have to play like it."

The two teams are on much different paths right now.

Trail has already shifted their focus to building for the 2014-2015 season.

Vernon is not only chasing Penticton for first in the BCHL's Interior Division (sitting five points back heading into Friday) but in the back of their mind they know they host the RBC Cup this year - a tournament to determine Canada's best Junior A team.

Nick Deschenes would like his Smokies to be heading in that direction. To do that, they have to learn from the experiences like Monday's loss.

"We're looking forward. We're not looking backwards. That's been the mantra here...that we are going to maximize the night eight weeks here, and [Friday] is another opportunity for us," Deschenes declared.

Puck drop is 7:30 at Cominco arena.

Broadcast starts at 7:20 which you can watch live at www.fasthockey.com or listen for free at www.mixlr.com/smokeeaters