Showcase Game Day | TRA vs PR

The Smokies had their chances, but despite outshooting Cowichan Valley 33-25, suffered a 4-2 setback in their BCHL Showcase opener.

After falling behind early, Smokies netminder Teagan Kendrick stopped a series of six shots on one shift, including a couple of great saves to keep his mates within a goal. The Capitals then took a penalty deep in the Trail zone and the Smokies made them pay.

Jason Stefanek ripped in his 7th goal of the season to even the game just past the seven-minute mark and that’s how the first period ended.

Trail had several early opportunities to start the second period and when there weren’t near misses, Capitals goalie Alexei Noskov was there to shut the door.

Cowichan Valley regained the lead about 13 minutes into the second period.

Kendrick got caught out of the net trying to play a bouncing puck, scrambled back to make the original save, but the puck found its way into the back of the net on a crazy play.

Noskov kept his team in the lead with a couple more big saves including one on a point-blank shot by Smokies rookie Josh Evaschesen.

Trail would tie the game early in the third period on another power play.

Jack Ziliotto’s seeing-eye snapper from the right point found its way through traffic and into the far corner of the net at 1:20.

Seconds after the ensuing face-off Noskov robbed Trail Captain Ridge Dawson on a breakaway with a glove save on a shot headed for the top corner.

Trail had another glorious opportunity to take the lead during a 5-non-3 power play for 1:16.
They called a time out to set the plan for the two-man advantage, but the Smokies were unable to score.

A couple minutes after coming back to full strength the Capitals went on the power play.
After winning the face-off, the Capitals worked the puck around to Darius Bachler who wired a wrist shot from the right-wing circle into the top corner, for his second goal of the game.
Then with the Smoke Eaters pressing for the tying goal, Trace Frieden scored on a rebound with 4:23 remaining.

The Smokies continued to create chances with Kendrick on the bench for a sixth attacker, but couldn’t put another puck past Noskov.

Trail was 2-for-7 on the power play and killed 3-of-4 Capitals advantages.

The Smokies (5-3-1-1) are 1-1-0-1 on this four game in five day road trip which wraps up Tuesday afternoon at the BCHL Showcase in Abbotsford against the Powell River Kings (1-4-2) who haven’t played since Saturday night’s 5-2 loss to Cranbrook.

Opening face-off is set for 1 p.m. (PT) with all the action on Mixlr and FloHockey.