Exhibition Game 2: Powell River 4 Smokies 2

Trail's goals were scored by Riley Loyst and Andrew Pickering. Local defenceman Steven Koshey got the assist on both of them. I've liked what I've seen from both Loyst and Pickering in camp. They seem to have a nose for the net. When I noticed them it was usually somewhere around that crease area. The Smokies need that. So there were four different goal scorers in the Princeton games. Splitting two games with a tough Powell River team certainly isn't a bad result. Lets see how they do against a physically imposing Merritt squad.

I talked to Coach Jim Ingram after the game tonight. He says the Smokies really didn't wake up until the final 15 minutes of the game. It's possible we'll see some efforts like this as the very young team adjusts to each other and the BCHL. That being said, the coaches also tell me that this group is showing the kind of passion, work effort and desire they were hoping for. Assistant Brian Youngson told me before the game that the players are doing little things even now that they couldn't get last year's team to do.

Ingram says Rusty Abbott played a nice game in net for Trail. The young goaltender's story is an interesting one. He impressed everyone at the spring camp despite being at his linebacker weight after the football season. The coaches asked him to drop the weight and Abbott was able to knock off 40 pounds before reporting to Trail. He has been very good in camp. Rusty had a shut out during the scrimmages, he let in the fewest goals during the inter squad game, and he's impressing people with his commitment. Paul Barclay's return and strong performance makes it hard to imagine that Abbott would make the team, but he is certainly making an impression. If he doesn't make the team I could certainly imagine him playing for a local KIJHL with the Smokies keeping a very close eye on him.

While the forward group on the ice tonight was largely the same as last night, it was a very different group on the back end. 92 forward Travis St. Denis made his exhibition debut tonight, but that was the only change up front. However, only Eric Gethers played both games on the blue line. That must mean they've giving the former Beaver Valley Nitehawk (who played some Junior A hockey in Ontario) a long look. I guess Tuesday night's group had a better time out there. In talking to the coaching staff and others close to the team it's obvious the Smokies are facing some seriously tough choices with their defencemen. You would think the injuries to Jimmy Geerin and Shane Oatway would make it tough for the Smoke Eaters to fill their defensive depth chart. Instead they are still having a hard time cutting enough guy to fit under the roster rules. A couple of guys who end up cut by Trail will still be Junior A level players. It's a tough situation but a great problem to have.

It's also interesting to note that Wade Waters got the win for Powell River. He had a very strong showing at the Smokies camp last year. I'm glad to see him catching on with the Kings. Waters had an excellent year for Creston in the KIJHL and he deserves the chance.

Goal scoring is still a concern for Trail. Four goals in two games is not a disaster, but it would be nice to see a little more of an offensive output for the Smokies on Friday and Saturday against Merritt. That being said, championships are built from the net out. Strong veteran goaltending and a deep, creative and poised blue line is something any team in this league would love to have. The Smokies just need to put the right guys in the right situations to get that production they need from their forwards.

After a couple more cuts tomorrow Trail will be much closer to their opening day roster when they play Merritt this weekend. Welcome your new Smoke Eaters to Trail this Friday and Saturday. Welcome Cam Brodie, Brad Davis and Dylan Herold back to Trail this weekend. Welcome hockey back to our lives! I know I can't wait. Remember the start times are 7pm on Friday and 2pm on Saturday. Hope to see you there.

Tomorrow I should have some audio up from Brian Youngson and Jim Ingram sometime in the early evening. I like what I'm hearing from the coach so far this year. I sense optimism in his voice. This will be an exciting, hard working, passionate, young hockey team. Bring your Orange and Black this Friday. Lets drop that puck.