Suspensions

Not as bad as expected. The ruling from the league is that the Corcoran/Crowell and Kinnebrew/Bigos fights were more "wrestling matches" than fights. As a result all four of those players will be allowed to play tonight.

However, Kevin Koopman and Braden Pimm each received two games for being involved in the second fight after the whistle. I am a bit confused about all of this because I could've sworn that it was originally Mailey and Crowell who were set to go toe to toe before the pairings changed. If Palazzo came in on Mailey after the start, isn't he kind of late to the dance? Especially considering he then threw about 20 punches on a guy 8 inches shorter than him.

Barry Zanier received a three game suspension for his gross misconduct during the game, but both head coaches will be on the bench tonight.

The league also reviewed the Chris Crowell hit that likely ended Stefan Decosse's season and ruled that there was nothing there to suspend him for. I still haven't seen a replay. I've heard conflicting sides. Some say it was from behind, some say it was boarding, some say it was a good clean hockey play. It's not for me to decide. I will say that Crowell has hurt two guys on this team is a relatively short span. It's good to play with an edge, but how about some respect for the other guys on the ice?

So Trail loses one of their top offensive players in Decosse to injury and one of their top D to suspension. Vernon loses a third liner. Tough trade off for the Smokies.

They'll be running with 10 forwards and 5 back on D. It's a shorthanded group with nothing to lose. A lot of guys fighting for their junior careers. People may be ready to write these boys off, but back someone up against a wall and see what happens.

They may come out swinging.

Game time is 7:30, lets get as many people into that great old rink as we can.