Game Report | TRA at BRK

The Smoke Eaters proved why they have one of the best penalty kills in the BCHL, while goalie Ryan Parker was their best penalty killer and best player on the ice.

However, the home town Bandits scored the game’s lone goal for the 1-0 win in front of just over 1,800 fans in Brooks.

Parker was perfection personified during a scoreless first period.

The 19-year-old from Sooke, B.C. made 15 saves, including a few that would make any highlight reel.

The Smokies had already killed three straight Bandits power plays by the time the second period reached the six-second mark.

Early in the middle frame, Smokies winger Dylan Lariviere absorbed a heavy hit at the Trail blue line that knocked his helmet off and play carried on. Lariviere got up after a few seconds.

Shortly after that, Smokies defenseman Carter Matthews threw a monster hit deep in Trail territory and play carried on.

The Bandits forward on the receiving end needed attention from their athletic therapist and when play stopped, he made it to the bench with some assistance, but did return to the game.

In the meantime, after a long video review, the referees gave Matthews a five minute penalty and ejected him from the game.

The Bandits scored just over two minutes later when Parker Lalonde jammed in a cross-crease pass from Nick Peluso.

The plethoric parade to the penalty box continued and by the time the buzzer went to end the second period, the Smokies had spent over 15 minutes shorthanded, including two brief periods at 5-on-3.

The Smokies got their only full power play opportunity early in the third period, but were unable to convert.

Trail’s best opportunity was a Gryphon Bucci shot off the crossbar.

Brooks outshot Trail 31-13 with the Smokies killing off 6-of-7 power plays. The scoresheet indicated the Smokies were 0-for-3 with the man advantage as the other two were brief encounters due to overlapping second period penalty calls against both teams.

Parker’s prolific 30-save performance earned him third star honours.

The Smokies now get ready to host Salmon Arm in a rare and key two-game doubleheader Friday and Saturday with the fourth place Silverbacks, who are four points behind Trail. Both teams have four games remaining.

Saturday is both the last regular season home game and Team Awards Night, when player awards will be presented at the conclusion of the game, followed by the annual Fan Photo when fans can take a group photo with the team down at centre ice and then mingle, take selfies and get autographs! Great seats for this weekend are still available. You can snap yours up at Tickets.TrailSmokeEaters.com.

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