Game 42: Trail at Salmon Arm

Tune in to AM Ford Trail Smoke Eaters hockey on Mountain FM tonight with a pre-game show at 7:15pm and the puck drop at around 7:30pm.

A couple of roster moves today for the Smoke Eaters. The picture on defence gets a little cloudier as Paul Levarsky departs Trail for a Slovakian league. I don't know the whole story on this yet other than that Levarsky had constantly told me he was happy in Trail and that this was not related to any unhappiness with the team. Just an opportunity for Levarsky that he decided to take. It's too bad because I thought he was really starting to fit in well as a strong, defensive and physical player in this league.

On the positive side, the Smokies have made a deal with Merritt for former Beaver Valley Nitehawks star Kevin Koopman. He's a 6'3, 205lbs defenceman who plays a strong all around game and will be a big part of both special teams units. The Smokies really need a calming presence on the power play and that's what Brian Youngson says Koopman can provide. He should also fill some of the void left by Cam Brodie's injury. Koopman can play a physical and responsible game in his own zone. He's a leader who wore the C in Merrit. It's a big move for the Smokies and a much needed one.

However, that still leaves Trail at 5 defenceman with only one card left. Coach and GM Jim Ingram has been on the phone all day trying to make something happen. I imagine we'll see someone else in the orange and black before the deadline tomorrow at 6pm. I'll keep you updated as well as I can from our hotel in Kelowna.

Koopman will no be in the line-up for Trail tonight. They've got AP Sam Corcoran in the line-up this evening wearing #21. Brett Corcoran's brother has played before with the Smokies this year and held his own. He's primarily a defensive guy who takes care of his own zone while playing for the Beaver Valley Nitehawks. Corcoran also showed a bit of a sniper side over the weekend when he tied the game with Castlegar late in the third period on his first goal of the year. Oh, and he followed that up by notching the winner in overtime. I guess Sam saw Brett score the overtime winner in Trail's game against Merritt and figured anything his brother can do...

Wednesday, January 9th, 2008: Trail Smoke Eaters (17-19-1-4) at Salmon Arm Silverbacks (25-11-2-3)

(Click here for the boxscore)

We've seen a lot of entertaining games between these two teams this year. The lats one was just a couple of weeks ago when the Silverbacks beat Trail 4-2 at Cominco Arena. I'd say the Smokies actually outplayed the 'backs in that game. They've shown time and time again this year that they can up their game when playing tough opposition.

Salmon Arm has a couple of new players in their line-up tonight. Goaltender Brian Gillis joins the Silverbacks from Antigonish, Nova Scotia. If that name sounds familiar it's because he was the starting goaltender for Team Canada East at the World Junior A Hockey Challenge. Gillis was the top goaltender in that tournament (in my view) and should be an upgrade on the two rookies who have been manning the nets in Salmon Arm.

The Silverbacks also acquired Luke Betts from Spokane in the Western Hockey League. He also played a couple of seasons for Red Deer. Betts is apparently a very tough, gritty player who should be one of those guys that helps you win games when it counts. Visit http://www.sasilverbacks.com/ for more information on both players. The Silverbacks have fallen a bit from their pace at the start of the season. They were right with Penticton for first place in the Interior throughout most of the season, and now are sitting in third. They are still a very dangerous team and these upgrades will help them make a push for first. They may not be done either. There's still a full day left before the trade deadline. Should be exciting to watch for moves all around the BCHL. There are lots of big named and talented players who could be on the move.

Big game for both teams tonight. Hopefully Trail can bounce back from their two losses at the end of the recent road trip. Going to be a big game for the defensive core who will be a bit short handed. Trail is also down to 11 forwards with the suspension of Brad Davis. He's out for one game after getting an instigator at the end of Sunday's game with the Bulldogs. Never like to see a guy get suspended, but Davis got into that fight in order to send a message that no one is going to take liberties with his Captain. I'm sure the coaching staff appreciates his efforts even if means he's got to sit out one contest.

Remember as always you can hear tonight's game live on Mountain FM with AM Ford Trail Smoke Eaters Hockey. It'll also be available on the BCHL Fanzone if you aren't in our broadcast area. Friday the Smokies visit Vernon and Saturday the Vipers come to Trail. Hope to see a big crowd out there. You could win a round trip flight for two from Pacific Coastal Airlines. That's enough reason to come to the game without even talking about how good the games have been between Trail and Vernon this year.

OK, we're minutes away from the game tonight. I have a good feeling it's going to at least be an entertaining one. Stay tuned!

GAME UPDATE

...Not exactly what I expected. Kind of a dull game from both sides to be honest. I don't think either Trail or Salmon Arm looked particularely sharp. Credit to the Silverbacks as they took advantage of the opportunities they had while Trail wasn't able to beat Gillis more than once on 35 shots. Looking forward to seeing Koopman make his Smokies debut on Friday night against Vernon. Tomorrow should be exciting for BCHL fans. Trade deadlines always are.