Game 41: Trail at Alberni Valley

Don't forget you can listen to this game live on Mountain FM in the Kootenay Boundary region. If you don't get Mountain FM it should be available on the BCHL website. We've apparently had some audio trouble the last couple of games and I'll try to make sure it's working well tomorrow.

It's the final game of a three game road trip this weekend. The Smokies started with a 5-4 come back win in Overtime against Merritt. They followed up a day off with a 6-3 loss to Powell River. Neither game was a complete domination by either side in my opinion. I think the effort level for the Smokies has been more consistent ever since their northern trip. However, so far the results since returning from Christmas break have been right at .500. That should be good enough to hold on to a playoff spot, but it won't be good enough to climb at all in the standings. Regardless, it's really nice to see more consistency from the boys and hopefully that will lead to a winning streak on one of these weekends.

Sunday, January 6th, 2008: Trail Smoke Eaters (17-18-1-4) at Alberni Valley Bulldogs (8-24-1-7)

(Click here for box score)

This afternoon's game is an opportunity to get 4 out of 6 points on this road trip. Alberni Valley has played better hockey lately, but they are the kind of team Trail needs to get wins against if they want to improve their position. The Smokies are 7-2 against Coastal Conference teams, but this is only their second road game on the coast so that number may be a bit inflated.

Looking forward to seeing the Island for the first time since I moved to BC.

GAME UPDATES

...The first time I ever step foot on Vancouver Island it snows. Is someone sending me a message? It's gorgeous though, and what a wonderful place to watch a game. The Bulldogs fans are just terrific.

...Trail got off to a good start thanks to Limbert, Shade and Corcoran. Randy Emery and I thought it was Shade who tapped the puck in, but Limbert got credit for it. Would have to take another look to be sure. They let up and gave the Bulldogs chance after chance for the second half of the first and first half of the second. Paul Barclay was really solid for Trail in those first two periods. The only shot that got past him tipped off his own defenceman's stick on a one timer. Barclay's pads were lightning quick in this game. Smokies got a 2-1 lead off a great re-direction by Paul Mailey. Bulach set him up with a heads up play and Mailey put the puck in the perfect place.

...Decosse took two minors at the end of the second period. One for boarding and one for roughing after the original incident. It cost the Smokies big time as the Bulldogs scored two power play goals in 21 seconds to open the third. A shorthanded goal on a later power play gave Alberni Valley a 4-2 lead. Aime looked terrific as he stopped 21 shots in the third period to deny the Smokies any kind of come back. Trail's effort level never dipped even when things didn't go their way this weekend. Hard to be happy with the results, but at least we know there is no quit in this group. Special teams was the obvious difference in this game. The Bulldogs got 3 power play goals and one shorthanded while Trail's power play was completely ineffective.

...Kevin Limbert crushed Moriarty with a hit that knocked the helmet off the Bulldogs' captain. With only a few seconds left in the game Adam Baldassarre jumped Limbert off the draw. Limbert held his own, but it was an obvious instigator and Baldassarre will be suspended. Same for Trail's Brad Davis who responded to the incident by jumping Pineiro on the next play. Great job by referee Ryan Benbow in controlling the situation at the end of the game before it got any further out of hand. He stepped right in and forced the rest of the players to separate before further fights broke out.

...The Bulldogs came out for a curtain call after their fans gave them a post-game standing ovation. Great to watch even if I'd have preferred to see a Trail win.

This is going to be a long month and perhaps these games were their best chance to get some points. Merritt and Alberni Valley are both last place teams and the Smokies barely got two points out of those games. Credit to the Bulldogs for playing a strong game and continuing their improvement over the past few games. However, the Smokies continue to shoot themselves in the foot against teams under them in the standings. Too many times this weekend they gave the other teams goals. Those mental mistakes take away from the much improved work ethic over the past month.

On a positive note I liked the look of the forward lines at even strength. With Ourosov back we saw:

Shade Limbert Corcoran
Decosse Bulach Mailey
Aiken Santiago Ourosov
Davis Herold Martin

I think those units have a lot of potential. We all know what the top line can do together. Santiago/Aiken/Ourosov is a line with a ton of speed and skill that could be a lot of fun to watch. Decosse/Bulach/Mailey were probably the most effective line in terms of goal production over the road trip and seemed to find some chemistry. Davis/Herold/Martin is a line with a lot of jam who are going to be hard to score against and bring a strong forecheck. Those lines should be able to produce.

Even strength hasn't really been the problem though, it was the special teams this weekend. Three shorthanded goals against in three games. Only two power play goals on the trip. If you get outscored on your own man advantage it's going to be hard to win games.

Thanks to Randy Emery for helping out on colour commentary this weekend. He really knows his Smokies hockey and it's a pleasure to work with him.

Next up the Salmon Arm Silverbacks on Wednesday night. Then another home and home with Vernon starting in Vernon Friday and back in Trail on Saturday night. Would love to see a great crowd as the Smokies will only be home 3 times this month and could use a boost from the local fans.

All road games can be heard on Mountain FM.