Game Day | VER at TRA

The Trail Smoke Eaters winning streak is “ten-tastic”.

They set a new franchise record with a tenth straight win, beating the Bucks 6-3 Friday night in Cranbrook.

The line of Jason Stefanek, Christian Kim and Zach Coutu set the table, combining for ten points.

Coutu scored his first goal as a Smokie just before the five minute mark, converting a high speed three-way passing play with Stefanek and Kim, by going forehand-backhand-five hole on Bucks goalie Jaden Cholette.

That also meant Stefanek extended his consecutive games points streak to 10 and Kim upped his to eight.

Just 16-seconds later, Stefanek scored his 20th of the season on a strikingly similar play with Kim and Coutu assisting.

The Smokies made it 3-0 just over a minute later when Judah Makway snapped in his 19th of a season on the power play.

The 20-year-old from Trail finished a three way pin-point passing play with Stefanek and Kim.
But the Bucks replied on a Magnus Svartstrom power play goal just over three minutes later and the crowd was brought to its feet three minutes after that.

Makway and Cranbrook defenseman Leyton Stewart went-toe-to-toe in a long, bare-knuckled bout that the linesmen let go until neither had the energy to throw another punch.

The second period opened with a power play goal by Bucks defenseman Bryce Sookro just 22-seconds after the opening face off and it was game-on with the deficit down to one.

Cade De St. Hubert restored Trail’s two-goal lead with a skilled conversion of a great cross-seam pass from Cash Carter.

The Minnesota product, expecting the pass on his off-wing, got himself into a prime shooting position, pivoting with one knee on the ice and swept a forehand finisher into the open net.

But again, the Bucks replied 36-seconds later when Svartstrom battled through a check to send a shot into the top corner and the second period ended 4-3 in favour of Trail.

Another of many turning points came about six minutes into the final frame.

With Cranbrook on the power play, Brayden Sinclair in his first game as a Smoke Eater since last weekend’s trade with Cowichan Valley, stole the puck at the Bucks blue line, and banked a shot in off the post to make it 5-3 Trail.

It was also Trail’s 15th shorthanded goal of the season, tying a franchise record.

Kim sealed the deal, winning a race for the puck in the neutral zone and despite being slashed twice, slid it into an empty net in the final minute to complete his four point evening.

Teagan Kendrick picked up his league leading 20th win of the season, making many difficult saves look routine, during a 43 save performance.

Trail went 1-for-4 on the power play and killed off 2-of-6 Cranbrook advantages.

Not only have the Smoke Eaters won 10 in a row, they are 15-and-1 in their last 16 games and have scored 25 goals in the last four contests.

The Smoke Eaters go for an 11th straight win tonight at Cominco Arena against Vernon.

The Vipers have been off since last Saturday’s tilt with Trail on a night the Smokies erased a 4-2 deficit after 40 minutes to score a 5-4 overtime victory and have a 3-0 lead in the season series.

Opening face-off is set for 7 p.m. and good seats are available at Tickets.TrailSmokeEaters.com.