Game Day | TRA at PR

The cardiac Kootenay kids pulled another one out of the fire.

Louis Jonerheim extended his consecutive game point streak to five with a power play goal about two-and-a-half minutes into overtime to give the Smokies a stunning 3-2 decision over Alberni Valley at the BCHL Showcase Thursday morning in Abbotsford.

Adversity struck early in the second period when Patrick Vogl banked a pass from behind the Smokies net in off the skate of defenseman Max Hense, who was covering a Bulldogs forward in front of the net.

Trail equalized with about three minutes left in the middle frame when Cash Carter sniped a shot into the top of the net from the slot, but the Bulldogs regained the lead on Sam Leonard’s flip during a mad goalmouth scramble just over a minute later, spoiling the two stupendous stops by Smokies goalie Cooper Michaluk.

Trail turned it up a notch in the third period and it paid off just past the two minute mark.

A doggedly determined Cash Carter stole the puck and fed Cooper Struckel, who’s rising wrister from close range went in off the shoulder of Bulldogs goalie Mitchell Kathler.

Both goalies closed the door through the rest of the third period, including Michaluk’s magnificent save late in regulation on another goalmouth gathering.

The game turned on Kye Benoch’s four minute high-sticking penalty with just eight seconds left in regulation as he clipped Smokies captain Isaac Fecteau during a furious puck battle.

That set the stage for the 6’4″ Swede, Louis Jonerheim’s third goal of Showcase and fourth of the season.

He cruised in on the short side and snapped a sneaky wrister between Kathler’s arm and torso to capture Trail’s third victory of the season when trailing after two periods.

Michaluk’s sensational 30 save effort included foiling Grayson Salmon on a penalty shot late in the second period with the game tied at 1-1.

Trail fired 37 shots on Kathler, went 1-for-5 on the power play and killed off the lone Bulldogs advantage early in the first period.

The 8-1 Smokies close out this road trip with a Friday night foray in Powell River, looking to extend their team record road winning streak to eight games.

The Kings are coming off BCHL showcase losses of 4-3 to Salmon Arm and 5-3 to Brooks, following their lone win in eight starts, an 8-5 victory over Victoria and have been resting since Tuesday, while the Smokies play their third game since Tuesday morning.

The Trail troupe pulled into Powell River Thursday night after about eight hours of travel, including two ferries.

The puck drops at 7 p.m. with all the action on Mixlr and FloHockey.

The next Smoke Eaters home games are Friday, October 24 and Wednesday, October 29. Good seats are still available at Tickets.TrailSmokeEaters.com.