Two goals from Corey Cunningham was not enough as the Trail Smoke Eaters exploded for nine goals and defeated the Prince George Spruce Kings by a 9-2 score on a Wednesday night at the Trail Memorial Centre.
“Definitely was not our night tonightm,” said Spruce Kings Associate Coach Colin Minardi. “I thought we got exposed in areas of the game and we definitely need to be sharper going into Vernon on Friday”
First Period:
TRA: At 4:30 of the opening frame, it was a nice setup from both Phil Lapointe and Matt Osadick to find Owen Ozar in front of the goal and shovelled it by Jett Alexander to give the Smoke Eaters an early lead.
TRA: At 8:24 the puck came to defenceman Cody Schiavon who wristed a shot at the blue line through traffic and found its way through Alexander to make it a 2-0 Trail lead. Carson Briere and Kent Johnson were credited with the helpers on the Schiavon marker.
TRA: At 18:40, Kent Johnson got the puck at the circle and the shot squeaked through Alexander to make it 3-0. Briere got the lone helper and second point of the night.
Shots: 15-11 Prince George
Second Period:
PG: Forty seconds into the frame after a mad scramble in front of the goal, Corey Cunningham wrapped the puck around and slid it by goaltender Logan Terness to get the Spruce Kings on the board. The Cunningham tally was unassisted.
TRA: At 3:22, Jaden Senkoe put the puck by Alexander for his third of the season. Walker Erickson and Braden Costello were credited with the two helpers.
TRA: At 4:09, former Western Leaguer Max Kryski was able to net home his sixth of the season. Cody Schiavon and Braden Costello had the two helpers on Kryski’s sixth of the season
TRA: At 5:22, Kent Johnson got a back door feed from Michael Collela and was able to tap it in past Alexander to make it 5-1 Smoke Eaters. That ended Jett Alexander’s night, as Carter Woodside came in relief for the remainder of the game.
PG: At 8:14 of the second, it was again Cunningham who ripped the shot in the high slot over the glove and top corner past Terness to put the Spruce Kings within three. Nick Bochen had the lone helper on Cunningham’s second of the night and team leading 20th goal of the year.
TRA: The Smokies continued to pour it on and Jaden Senkoe scored his second of the game and fourth of the season. Braden Costello and Powell Connor had the two assists on the Senkoe tally.
SHOTS: 19-15 Trail
Third Period:
TRA: A wrist shot from the blue line off the stick of Kyle Budvarson made its way past Woodside to add to the Trail lead. Costello and Kryski were credited with the two helpers. The Budvarson marker came at 9:26.
TRA: Walker Erickson scored his fifth of the year at 13:27 of the frame. The assists came from Trevor Isaksson and Connor Sweeney.
Shots: 10-10
Final Shots: 40-37 Trail
Jett Alexander: 13/19 saves for Prince George (12-19-4)
Carter Woodside: 18/21 saves for Prince George (5-6-0)
Logan Terness: 36/37 saves for Trail
Prince George Power-Play: 0/1
Trail: 0/3
Three Stars:
- Braden Costello (TRA 0 G 4 A)
- Kent Johnson (TRA 2 G 1 A)
- Jaden Senkoe (TRA 2 G)
Fortis BC Energy Player of The Game:
Cody Schiavon (TRA 1 G 1 A)
Next Spruce Kings Game: On the road Friday Night at Kal Tire Place against the Vernon Vipers.