Game Report

The Smokies fell behind less than a minute after the opening face off, but recovered to tie the game on a Cash Carter deflection just past the nine minute mark.

The Smokies took charge in the second half of the second period and the goal post was all that stood in the way of taking the lead. They created several other good chances in the final moments of the middle frame.

That momentum ended in the fateful first ninety seconds of the third period.

The Crusaders took the lead on a goalmouth scramble after a fantastic point blank save by goalie Cooper Michaluk and added the insurance goal just five seconds later on a horrendous piece of bad puck luck.

The puck, which appeared destined to go behind the Trail net, bounced right out into the crease with Michaluk behind the cage expecting to make a routine play and Crusaders forward Mile Bergin shot it into the wide open net.

The Smokies battled through a tight defensive shell the rest of the period and got several quality shots through, but couldn’t find the back of the net.

The Crusaders outshot Trail 34-28, with both teams going 0-for-2 on the power play. The Smokies also generated a pair of prime opportunities with 2-on-1 breaks during their first penalty kill.

The team pulled into Calgary at about 2:10 a.m. and will make the approximate four-hour trip to Cranbrook after breakfast to battle a bunch of Bucks who had last night off.

It’s game seven of the 2025-26 Kootenay clash, with both teams having won three games.

The Bucks prevailed 6-3 in Cranbrook in their last meeting on Friday, February 13. They broke the game open with four third period goals, including a pair just 17-seconds apart in the final minute, while the Smokies won 2-1 at Cominco Arena nine days earlier.

The Smokies hope to retain or build on its seven point lead on the third place Salmon Arm Silverbacks, while the Bucks have a five point edge on Vernon for the fourth and final playoff spot in the Interior West Division.

Game time is 6 p.m. Pacific, can be heard on Mixlr and seen on FloHockey.

Next home games are set for Friday, March 6 vs the Spruce Grove Saints and Saturday, March 7 vs the Salmon Arm Silverbacks. Good seats are still available at Tickets.TrailSmokeEaters.com.