Game Preview: GM #20 Vees at Trail Smoke Eaters
Photo: Cherie Morgan
BROADCAST INFORMATION
Game Time: 7:00 pm PST
Location: Cominco Arena, Trail, B.C.
Radio: Bounce 800 AM
Webcast: Flo Hockey
Season Series
October 25, Penticton 1 at Trail 4
November 11, Trail 3 at Penticton 7
November 16, Penticton at Trail, 7:00 pm
January 4, Trail at Penticton, 6:00 pm
February 8, Penticton at Trail, 7:00 pm
February 14, Trail at Penticton , 7:00 pm
Penticton Vees
President, General Manager & Head Coach: Fred Harbinson
2024-25 Record: GP 19, 14-5-0-0, 28 PTS (2nd , Interior Conference)
Last Game: 4-3 win at Cranbrook, Nov. 15
Home: 6-1-0-0
Away: 8-4-0-0
GF: 74
GA: 55
Power Play: 16/69 (23.2%, 9th in BCHL)
Penalty Kill: 12/54 (77.8%, 12th in BCHL)
Scoring Leader: Ryden Evers (8-10-18)
The Vees look for their fourth-straight win, as they wrap up their weekend in Trail against the Smoke Eaters at Cominco Arena. Last night, the Vees picked up a 4-3 win over the Cranbrook Bucks at Western Financial Place.
Penticton trailed 1-0 after 20 minutes, but scored three unanswered goals in the second period, as they led 3-1 after two periods. The two teams traded goals in the third period.
Conyr Hellyer scored twice in Friday’s win, marking his return to the lineup with a two point night and was named the first star. Casey Brown and Landon Wright also scored in the victory. Callum Stone had two assists.
Last night was the Vees’ eighth road win in 12 games, as they are tied for the most road wins in the BCHL. The Brooks Bandits are the only other team with eight road wins.
Wright’s goal last night was his first since October 15th, as he snapped a 10-game goalless drought. Stone by the way now has six points (1G, 5A) in his last three games.
Goaltender Ethan Buenaventura will make his first start tonight. The 20-year-old’s playing rights were acquired Thursday in a trade with the Cowichan Valley Capitals. Buenaventura spent the past four seasons in the WHL with the Calgary Hitmen.
Tonight is the second meeting in six days between the two teams. The Vees beat Trail 7-3 on Remembrance Day Monday back in Penticton.
Trail Smoke Eaters
General Manager & Head Coach: Tim Fragle
2024-25: GP 19 11-6-1-1, 24 PTS (4th, Interior Conference)
Last Game: 4-1 win vs. West Kelowna, November 15
Home: 7-2-0-0
Away: 4-4-1-1
GF: 76
GA: 63
Power Play: 14/72 (19.4%, 15th in BCHL)
Penalty Kill: 13/66 (80.3%, 5th in BCHL)
Scoring Leader: Lucas Lemieux (7-12-19)
The Trail Smoke Eaters started their weekend off with a 4-1 win over the West Kelowna Warriors at home on Friday. The Smokies led 2-0 after the first period on goals from Josh Evaschesen and Dylan Larivière. Jack Ziliotto and Callas Pierce scored in the third period.
The Smoke Eaters have been excellent at home this season, winning six of eight games at Cominco Arena. Trail looked good in their previous home game against the Vees back on October 25th, when they won 4-1. The Smoke Eaters jumped out to a 2-0 first period lead in that game, then scored twice more in the third period.
Trail’s Lucas Lemieux sits third in the BCHL in scoring by defencemen with 19 points. He also has three game-winning goals, which is most out of any defencemen in the league.
The Smokies are a good first period team, having scored 26 goals in the opening frame. 34 percent of Trail’s total offence this season has come in the first period.