Game Report | BRK at TRA

The Smokies rode a pair of late period surges to a 5-2 win over Brooks, much to the delight of the Cominco Arena crowd of 1,724.

The highlight of a tightly played first period was Trail goalie Lyam Leblanc’s gargantuan glove save off Dimitris Dilevka. The 20-year-old puck stopper turned in a superlative 30 save performance.

The game’s first goal didn’t come until early in the second period.

A centreing pass deflected off the skate of Smokies rookie Ryan Oothoudt and the stick of a Brooks defenseman and into the net, sending the shower of teddy bears and toques onto the ice. Referees Grant Tyson and Ryan Blake confirmed the goal via video replay while the merchandise was being picked up.

The Smokies got pinned down in the Trail zone a few times throughout the game, resulting in both Brooks goals.

The Bandits tied the game about five playing minutes after Trail took the lead when Dilevka drilled a low shot from the slot past Leblanc, who had already made three super stops on that shift.

Just when it looked as if the teams would head to their dressing rooms tied after 40 minutes, the Smokies struck with just over 10-seconds left on the clock.

Zach Coutu won the race to Oothoudt’s stretch pass, streaked in on the breakaway and deposited a sizzling snap shot into the far corner of the net to give the Smokies a lead they wouldn’t relinquish. Leblanc also earned an assist on the goal, starting the play from behind the Smokies net.

Trail made it 3-1 about four minutes into the third period when newcomer Matthew Keller crushed a clapper from the left-wing boards into the far corner of the net. It stood up as the winner.
But the Bandits made it a one-goal game just over four minutes later when Dilevka jammed in a Jack Good pass from close range.

Two determined defensive plays prevented Brooks from burying the tying goal.

Trail’s Colton Whitfield tipped two potentially dangerous passes and blocked a shot with his ankle before the Smokies cleared the puck out on one precarious shift. The defensive play of the night came moments later.

After Leblanc’s great save on a two-on-one rush, Carter Matthews checked Bandits forward Connor Paronuzzi from behind before he could rip the rebound into a wide open net.

Trail regained a two-goal lead just past the 16-minute mark when Erik Pastro powered the puck past Brooks goalie Zach Zahara from the left-wing circle, finishing a three-way passing play with line mates Cash Carter and Christian Kim.

Kim then scored on a breakaway just eight seconds later to put the game away. The California kid who finished with a goal and two assists was named first star.

Pastro, Oothoudt and Coutu had a goal and an assist each.

Brooks outshot the Smokies 32-29 in a game that had no penalties.

The Smokies (19-6) go for their sixth straight win at home Saturday, December 20 against the Okotoks Oilers. Tickets are available in the Smokies Store or online at Tickets.TrailSmokeEaters.com.