Game Day | WK at TRA
It’s opening night at Cominco Arena!
The game is not only the Trail Smoke Eaters home opener after completion of $2.5-million worth of renovations, it’s a clash between the top two teams in the BCHL’s Interior West Division as West Kelowna comes in with a 4-1-1 record.
The Smokies are riding a 6-0 road record into the contest, including last Saturday’s dramatic 4-3 overtime win in Brooks against the defending league champion.
California’s Christian Kim fired the winner to pick up his fourth goal and ninth point of the season. He has scored in three straight and is riding a six game point streak.
Linemates Erik Pastro and Zach Coutu also have nine points. Coutu has already matched last season’s goal total. The 20-year-old had four in 23 games after joining the Smokies in mid season. He scored twice during the third period of last Friday’s 7-4 win in Spruce Grove — his third and fourth goals of this season.
Erik Pastro’s nine points include a team leading five goals.
Defenseman Carter Matthews stepped up last weekend with four assists, including three in Spruce Grove.
The 19-year-old saw his minutes increase significantly with the injury to Drew Anastasio, who essentially missed both games after absorbing a hit during Friday night’s opening shift against the Saints.
Anastasio and Matthias Pape who sat out Saturday night in Brooks with injuries will both return tonight.
However, promising rookie defenseman Gairin Michalski, who had two goals and two assists through six games, has left the team to join Tri City of the USHL.
Tonight’s game is also the Cominco Arena debut for rookie power forward Louis Jonerheim.
The 6’4″ left winger from Sweden has put up five points on a productive line with Cade De St. Hubert and Cash Carter, while goaltender Cooper Michaluk who turned in a terrific 42-save performance in Brooks, has a league-leading six wins.
The Warriors balanced offensive attack is led by import Ruslan Jamaldinov. The 20-year-old Swede has five goals and seven points.
Olivier Chan and Dylan Krayer also have seven points, one more than Carter Oakenfold and Ian Alonso.
20-year-old goaltender, Angelo Zol is 4-0 with a 2.00 GAA and .923 SP.
The evening kicks off at 5 p.m. with the tailgate party in the Victoria Room. There is also face painting and poster making in the kids zone and non-perishable food donations can be made for the Trail United Food Bank.
Opening face-off is set for 7 o’clock and great seats are still available at Tickets.TrailSmokeEaters.com.