Once again, fans of the Trail Smoke Eaters saw a different team than the one that took the ice the weekend prior.
Trail was outscored 8-2 in a pair of weekend outings, moving their losing streak two four.
The Smokies welcomed the defending BCHL champion Surrey Eagles Friday, seven days after beating them in their barn.
It would be a much different story however, as the Smoke Eaters couldn't muster much offense and were shutout 3-0.
The orange and black were out shot 38-31 in another stellar performance by Adam Todd between the pipes.
However, the Smokies couldn't give Todd any support on the score clock.
The club had many opportunities in the first period that they just couldn't bury and if they had the aforementioned great play of their puck-stopper could have stolen them a win had they established a lead at some point.
Trail would try to change their luck on the road Saturday but things went from bad to worse against the powerful Penticton Vees.
It was just two weeks ago that these two sides met in the Silver City, to which at one point the Smokies held a 2-0 lead, but would eventually fall 3-2 to Penticton.
However this time, would never hold an advantage on the scoreboard and allowed their opponents to score four unanswered goals, for a final of 5-2.
The Vees almost doubled the Smoke Eaters in shots, 43-22.
Trail will look to at least find some positives again when they visit the Merritt Centennials Tuesday night before the weekend sees them in Vernon Saturday and returning home to face Merritt again on Saturday.
They last time the orange and black faced off against Vernon, the earned a 4-1 win over the Vipers - a team that will host the RBC Cup this spring.
However, the Centennials have owned the Smokies this season, winning four of five meetings so far and outscoring Trail 22-10.
The next broadcast will be for the second game against Merritt, Saturday February 1st. Puck drop is 7:30.
Monday, 27 January 2014
Friday, 24 January 2014
Formulating.
"You can see the team is really starting to formulate, I'm pretty happy." - Trail Smoke Eaters head coach Nick Deschenes on Monday January 21st 2014.
Formulate
1. to express in precise form; state definitely or systematically: He finds it extremely difficult to formulate his new theory.
2. to devise or develop, as a method, system, etc.
3. to reduce to or express in a formula.
Just like he did for the KIJHL's Grand Forks Border Bruins, Deschenes has implemented a system, a method, for this Smoke Eaters club.
He is developing these players to compete in the British Columbia Hockey Leauge - as a team.
The Smokies are coming off a weekend where they earned three points in three road games against three tough opponents.
Last Friday, they topped the defending BCHL champion Surrey Eagles, that was followed by an impressive OT loss to the Mainland division's first place Langley Riverman.Unfortunately, they ran out of gas Sunday - due to illness and injury - and were steamrolled 7-2 by the Coquitlam Express.
This follow recent impressive outings against top teams like Penticton (they lead the Vees 2-0 earlier this month but fell 3-2), West Kelowna (a club they were about 90 seconds away from beating) and Vernon (who they did beat and is hosting the RBC Cup this year).
Deschenes' first weekend behind the bench saw the club snap a10 losing skid. Even at that time he said the team still had a lot of adversity infront of them.
And with a lot of players being moved out and brought in by Deschenes, creating traction can be even harder. (Only 10 players remain from the roster that started the season.)
Anyway, the Smokies will continue to try to right the ship by earning their second win against Surrey in seven days.
The Eagles comes in with a road record of 7-14-0-1 and fresh off their first win in six games.
Trail has only one four of their 20 appearances at Cominco Arena this season, something they will look to improve with only five home games left after Friday.
Join us for a 7:30PM puck drop at Cominco Arena or watch live at www.fasthockey.com or listen for free at mixlr.com/smokeeaters
Formulate
forr·mu·late [fawr-myuh-leyt] verb (used with object), for·mu·lat·ed, for·mu·lat·ing.
2. to devise or develop, as a method, system, etc.
Just like he did for the KIJHL's Grand Forks Border Bruins, Deschenes has implemented a system, a method, for this Smoke Eaters club.
He is developing these players to compete in the British Columbia Hockey Leauge - as a team.
The Smokies are coming off a weekend where they earned three points in three road games against three tough opponents.
Last Friday, they topped the defending BCHL champion Surrey Eagles, that was followed by an impressive OT loss to the Mainland division's first place Langley Riverman.Unfortunately, they ran out of gas Sunday - due to illness and injury - and were steamrolled 7-2 by the Coquitlam Express.
This follow recent impressive outings against top teams like Penticton (they lead the Vees 2-0 earlier this month but fell 3-2), West Kelowna (a club they were about 90 seconds away from beating) and Vernon (who they did beat and is hosting the RBC Cup this year).
Deschenes' first weekend behind the bench saw the club snap a10 losing skid. Even at that time he said the team still had a lot of adversity infront of them.
And with a lot of players being moved out and brought in by Deschenes, creating traction can be even harder. (Only 10 players remain from the roster that started the season.)
Anyway, the Smokies will continue to try to right the ship by earning their second win against Surrey in seven days.
The Eagles comes in with a road record of 7-14-0-1 and fresh off their first win in six games.
Trail has only one four of their 20 appearances at Cominco Arena this season, something they will look to improve with only five home games left after Friday.
Join us for a 7:30PM puck drop at Cominco Arena or watch live at www.fasthockey.com or listen for free at mixlr.com/smokeeaters
Wednesday, 15 January 2014
Tough loss lends small victories
The Trail Smoke Eaters were up 2-0 at one point Saturday night against one of the league's top teams - the Penticton Vees. However, they would not be able to hold on and had the unfortunate fate of a 3-2 loss on home ice.
"You know, we're happy [with the effort], we want guys who want to play in Trail. [Guys] who are going to play with pride and passion, [guys] who are going to bring some energy and I think that's what we saw," said Assistant Coach Craig Clare as the team's overhauled roster tries to create some chemistry.
Only 10 players remain from the original 22 that dawned the orange and black at the beginning of the season.
Ironically, AP foward Riley Brandt would act as a spark plug for the Trail Smoke Eaters, opening the scoring with three minutes left in the first frame.
Brandt started the season with the team but was released last month and rejoined the 2011-2012 KIJHL champion Beaver Valley Nite Hawks. Upon his return, B.V lost the first game with Brandt back in the lineup, but then won 10 straight. A stretch where the feisty forward had 12 points.
"[Riley] had a heck of a game, really good game!" claimed Clare. "He's been in B.V [and has been playing] really well."
We'll get back to Riley in a second, unfortunately.
The only thing Trail did wrong in the second period was give a good team, too many good opportunities. The Vees showered Smokies netminder Adam Todd with 20 shots in the second, getting three past him.
The rest would seem like it didn't matter, but it did.
For a young team with very little identity and a last place record to stay even and compete with the division top squad who is looking to make a run at their third straight BCHL championship final is nothing to ignore.
Ultimately however, and it might be odd to say, one of the best signs for this club during Saturday's defeat was when Head Coach Nick Deschenes was ejected in the dying moments of the third period.
Deschenes was very vocal when referee Mike Boisvert made no call after forward Riley Brandt's head was drilled into the glass by 6'3" Penticton blueliner Christopher Rygus, leaving Brandt laying on the ice and bleeding from the forehead.
Boisvert didn't skate to the Smokies' bench when Deschenes demanded an answer to why no penalty was called.
But it didn't matter. No matter what answer the Smoke Eaters bench boss was given it wasn't going to matter.
Deschenes was making a point. He hadn't given up on the game. With 40 seconds left in the third period, down a goal to the Interior's best team and robbed of a penalty, he wanted to show to his players, that now matter what the circumstances - he will not give up.
It wouldn't be surprising if that idea crossed the mind of many people in and around that dressing room this season - giving up.
And even with a 4-15-2-1 record at Cominco Arena and just eight wins in 42 outings this season, Deschenes heart is very much in it and wearing it on his sleeve isn't necessarily a bad thing right now, as it shows his players, during this tough time, he cares.
Rygus was suspended for two games by the BCHL for his hit on Brandt.
The Smokies kick off a three game road trip Friday when they visit the defending league champion Surrey Eagles, followed by stops in Langley and Coquitlam.
They return back to Cominco Arena Friday January 24th to, once again, face Surrey.
"You know, we're happy [with the effort], we want guys who want to play in Trail. [Guys] who are going to play with pride and passion, [guys] who are going to bring some energy and I think that's what we saw," said Assistant Coach Craig Clare as the team's overhauled roster tries to create some chemistry.
Only 10 players remain from the original 22 that dawned the orange and black at the beginning of the season.
Ironically, AP foward Riley Brandt would act as a spark plug for the Trail Smoke Eaters, opening the scoring with three minutes left in the first frame.
Brandt started the season with the team but was released last month and rejoined the 2011-2012 KIJHL champion Beaver Valley Nite Hawks. Upon his return, B.V lost the first game with Brandt back in the lineup, but then won 10 straight. A stretch where the feisty forward had 12 points.
"[Riley] had a heck of a game, really good game!" claimed Clare. "He's been in B.V [and has been playing] really well."
We'll get back to Riley in a second, unfortunately.
The only thing Trail did wrong in the second period was give a good team, too many good opportunities. The Vees showered Smokies netminder Adam Todd with 20 shots in the second, getting three past him.
The rest would seem like it didn't matter, but it did.
For a young team with very little identity and a last place record to stay even and compete with the division top squad who is looking to make a run at their third straight BCHL championship final is nothing to ignore.
Ultimately however, and it might be odd to say, one of the best signs for this club during Saturday's defeat was when Head Coach Nick Deschenes was ejected in the dying moments of the third period.
Deschenes was very vocal when referee Mike Boisvert made no call after forward Riley Brandt's head was drilled into the glass by 6'3" Penticton blueliner Christopher Rygus, leaving Brandt laying on the ice and bleeding from the forehead.
Boisvert didn't skate to the Smokies' bench when Deschenes demanded an answer to why no penalty was called.
But it didn't matter. No matter what answer the Smoke Eaters bench boss was given it wasn't going to matter.
Deschenes was making a point. He hadn't given up on the game. With 40 seconds left in the third period, down a goal to the Interior's best team and robbed of a penalty, he wanted to show to his players, that now matter what the circumstances - he will not give up.
It wouldn't be surprising if that idea crossed the mind of many people in and around that dressing room this season - giving up.
And even with a 4-15-2-1 record at Cominco Arena and just eight wins in 42 outings this season, Deschenes heart is very much in it and wearing it on his sleeve isn't necessarily a bad thing right now, as it shows his players, during this tough time, he cares.
Rygus was suspended for two games by the BCHL for his hit on Brandt.
The Smokies kick off a three game road trip Friday when they visit the defending league champion Surrey Eagles, followed by stops in Langley and Coquitlam.
They return back to Cominco Arena Friday January 24th to, once again, face Surrey.
Friday, 3 January 2014
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
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
Monday, 30 December 2013
Looking to finish 2013 on a high note.
That is what Trail Smoke Eaters head coach Nick Deschenes hopes will happen Monday night when they host the West Kelowna Warriors.
In their final contest of the calendar year, and returning from the nine day Christmas break, his club will look to do something they haven't done since November 16th...win.
Trail has dropped 12 straight games (the second time this season they've lost 10 or more consecutive outings) and sit 26 points back of a playoff spot.
Deschenes has admitted the focus has now shifted to next season, "We're getting close to the end of the year here, we have a two month segment [left], so we're trying to position our older players for opportunities [next year], as well as our younger players [who we want to] kind of put into roles where we can hopefully see them long term."
Deschenes explains they are looking to identify what players will be wearing the orange and black next season.
"The sooner we can start keying in on some players [and] establishing a relationship, it is just going to contribute to a quicker transition into next year."
Trail and West Kelowna have met twice this season, splitting the two previous matches.
The Smokies took the most recent contest, a 5-1 win in West Kelowna on November 2nd - Deschenes second game behind the bench for Trail.
"We need to come out of our shell," said Deschenes after I asked him what his team needs to do to be successful against West Kelowna again. "We need to play more aggressively, with more of an 'attack mentality'. At home or away, we are here now to maximize the next two months and we are here to give a maximum effort."
So the Smokies are not necessarily looking to finish 2013 with a bang, as much as steer the ship in the right direction for 2014(2015).
Coming into Monday's match the Warriors are 20-12-1-2 and with a road record of 10-4-1-2.
They sit one point back the third place Salmon Arm Silverbacks, and nine points behind the division leading Penticton Vees.
Meanwhile, the Smokies are 7-28-2-1 with just 3 wins at Cominco arena this season.
Watch the live broadcast at www.fasthockey.com or listen for free at www.mixlr.com/smokeeaters
In their final contest of the calendar year, and returning from the nine day Christmas break, his club will look to do something they haven't done since November 16th...win.
Trail has dropped 12 straight games (the second time this season they've lost 10 or more consecutive outings) and sit 26 points back of a playoff spot.
Deschenes has admitted the focus has now shifted to next season, "We're getting close to the end of the year here, we have a two month segment [left], so we're trying to position our older players for opportunities [next year], as well as our younger players [who we want to] kind of put into roles where we can hopefully see them long term."
Deschenes explains they are looking to identify what players will be wearing the orange and black next season.
"The sooner we can start keying in on some players [and] establishing a relationship, it is just going to contribute to a quicker transition into next year."
Trail and West Kelowna have met twice this season, splitting the two previous matches.
The Smokies took the most recent contest, a 5-1 win in West Kelowna on November 2nd - Deschenes second game behind the bench for Trail.
"We need to come out of our shell," said Deschenes after I asked him what his team needs to do to be successful against West Kelowna again. "We need to play more aggressively, with more of an 'attack mentality'. At home or away, we are here now to maximize the next two months and we are here to give a maximum effort."
So the Smokies are not necessarily looking to finish 2013 with a bang, as much as steer the ship in the right direction for 2014(2015).
Coming into Monday's match the Warriors are 20-12-1-2 and with a road record of 10-4-1-2.
They sit one point back the third place Salmon Arm Silverbacks, and nine points behind the division leading Penticton Vees.
Meanwhile, the Smokies are 7-28-2-1 with just 3 wins at Cominco arena this season.
Watch the live broadcast at www.fasthockey.com or listen for free at www.mixlr.com/smokeeaters
Friday, 13 December 2013
A call out from the coach.
Head Coach Nick Deschenes is calling out his veterans.
"We have our youngest players being our best players. [Guys] that haven't even played in the BCHL before are out playing [others] that have been here for three years. Chances of success are not very good when that happens."
This as the orange and black have dropped eight straight games and continue a five game road trip in Vernon Friday night.
Five of those eight contests have finished by one or two goal decisions and Deschenes admits those close outcomes are starting to weigh on their psyche.
"We're trying to do our best to shift our focus a little bit, the past is the past, but with the same token...you have to learn from the past."
In this losing stretch the Smokies were unsuccessful through a three game home stand.
In the case of all three of those games (and like most of the season) Trail just could not string together a full 60 minute effort.
It was the same case Wednesaday night when Trail kicked off their road trip in Penticton against the Vees.
The Smoke Eaters found themselves up 2-0 over the Interior Division's top team, but couldn't hold on and would allow the Vees to score three straight to steal the win.
Deschenes does admit there's a lot of new bodies in the dressing room and there isn't necessarily a lot of chemistry there right now.
"You can't really expect a team gelling [in that short of time], but the compete level, it's kind of scary if its not there. For players, where they wnat to be [and] where they are trying to be...the response is kind of disappointing."
Trail will wrap up the final four games of this road trip in Chilliwack on Saturday December 21st.
Then they will be off for the holiday break until the 30th when they host divisional rivals West Kelowna.
That will be my next broadcast and until then you can the games via the visitor's feed.
"We have our youngest players being our best players. [Guys] that haven't even played in the BCHL before are out playing [others] that have been here for three years. Chances of success are not very good when that happens."
This as the orange and black have dropped eight straight games and continue a five game road trip in Vernon Friday night.
Five of those eight contests have finished by one or two goal decisions and Deschenes admits those close outcomes are starting to weigh on their psyche.
"We're trying to do our best to shift our focus a little bit, the past is the past, but with the same token...you have to learn from the past."
In this losing stretch the Smokies were unsuccessful through a three game home stand.
In the case of all three of those games (and like most of the season) Trail just could not string together a full 60 minute effort.
It was the same case Wednesaday night when Trail kicked off their road trip in Penticton against the Vees.
The Smoke Eaters found themselves up 2-0 over the Interior Division's top team, but couldn't hold on and would allow the Vees to score three straight to steal the win.
Deschenes does admit there's a lot of new bodies in the dressing room and there isn't necessarily a lot of chemistry there right now.
"You can't really expect a team gelling [in that short of time], but the compete level, it's kind of scary if its not there. For players, where they wnat to be [and] where they are trying to be...the response is kind of disappointing."
Trail will wrap up the final four games of this road trip in Chilliwack on Saturday December 21st.
Then they will be off for the holiday break until the 30th when they host divisional rivals West Kelowna.
That will be my next broadcast and until then you can the games via the visitor's feed.
Tuesday, 10 December 2013
So we meet again...
The Trail Smoke Eaters and the Salmon Arm Silverbacks clash for the sixth time this season Tuesday night.
Trail was only victorious in one of those previous meetings however, and if their luck wasn't hard enough, they are also trying to snap a sixth game losing streak.
Two of the losses in that stretch were at the hands of the Silverbacks, who have been defeated in regulation just three times in their last ten outings.
The'Backs are smack down in the middle of the Interior Division race with 37 points - tied with Merritt - that is only two more than fifth place West Kelowna and six back of second place Vernon.
Yet, S.A is still looking to rebound after losing in to the West K on Sunday.
The Smokies on the other hand are looking to finish a three game home stand with a win.
The two previous matches were one goal decisions that, in all respect, could have gone either way but didn't go Trail's.
Friday saw the Langely Rivermen visit the Silver City - a team that came in having won five of their last six.
Besides the first 30 seconds (that saw a sloppy play in the defensive end somehow get behind Dustin Nikkel) the orange and black competed with the Mainland Division's top team.
Saturday had the Merritt Centennials come into town - a team that has owned Trail at Cominco arena this season.
Through two previous meetings in that building, the Cents outscored the Smokies 11-1.
However, this time around Trail would strike first opening the scoring just over three and half minutes into the game.
They would hold the lead going into the third period but Merritt scored two unanswered in the final frame to steal the win.
"We're working hard but we got to watch out for the mental mistakes, " claimed forward Travis Stephens who had goals in both weekend outings and thinks the team is starting to turn a page, "We're improving as a team. We just need to keep battling in practice and getting better during the week."
Stephens also seems pretty positive about their chances against the 'Backs, "[We just have to] keep working hard [and] play as a team. I think that's a game we can win, they're coming into our barn, and I think it would be a good team game to win."
The club will also be holding their "Toonie Tuesday" promotion when they host the Silverbacks. Kids and students only pay $2 for admission while adults pay $5.
Game time is 7:30, the broadcast will start at 7:20. Watch the game live on www.fasthockey.com or listen for free at www.mixlr.com/smokeeaters.
Trail was only victorious in one of those previous meetings however, and if their luck wasn't hard enough, they are also trying to snap a sixth game losing streak.
Two of the losses in that stretch were at the hands of the Silverbacks, who have been defeated in regulation just three times in their last ten outings.
The'Backs are smack down in the middle of the Interior Division race with 37 points - tied with Merritt - that is only two more than fifth place West Kelowna and six back of second place Vernon.
Yet, S.A is still looking to rebound after losing in to the West K on Sunday.
The Smokies on the other hand are looking to finish a three game home stand with a win.
The two previous matches were one goal decisions that, in all respect, could have gone either way but didn't go Trail's.
Friday saw the Langely Rivermen visit the Silver City - a team that came in having won five of their last six.
Besides the first 30 seconds (that saw a sloppy play in the defensive end somehow get behind Dustin Nikkel) the orange and black competed with the Mainland Division's top team.
Saturday had the Merritt Centennials come into town - a team that has owned Trail at Cominco arena this season.
Through two previous meetings in that building, the Cents outscored the Smokies 11-1.
However, this time around Trail would strike first opening the scoring just over three and half minutes into the game.
They would hold the lead going into the third period but Merritt scored two unanswered in the final frame to steal the win.
"We're working hard but we got to watch out for the mental mistakes, " claimed forward Travis Stephens who had goals in both weekend outings and thinks the team is starting to turn a page, "We're improving as a team. We just need to keep battling in practice and getting better during the week."
Stephens also seems pretty positive about their chances against the 'Backs, "[We just have to] keep working hard [and] play as a team. I think that's a game we can win, they're coming into our barn, and I think it would be a good team game to win."
The club will also be holding their "Toonie Tuesday" promotion when they host the Silverbacks. Kids and students only pay $2 for admission while adults pay $5.
Game time is 7:30, the broadcast will start at 7:20. Watch the game live on www.fasthockey.com or listen for free at www.mixlr.com/smokeeaters.
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