First Place!

Post game audio from Mountain FM's Overtime:

• Coach Jim Ingram Part 1, Part 2, Part 3
• Captain Ryan Bulach
• Forward Travis St. Denis
• Forward Jadon Porterfield
• Forward Sean Nugent
• Trainer Kevin McCallum
• Nitehwaks forward Josh Wiest

(Travis St. Denis scores his first BCHL goal - Photo Randy Emery)

St. Denis, Porterfield and Legassic all got their first goals last night. The 8-2 victory puts Trail two points ahead of Prince George for top spot in the Interior Conference. They've also scored ten more goals than any other Interior team so far this season. The Smokies have 51 goals and Vernon is second with 41. I have to admit that as much as I liked the talent on this team, I never saw them having this much success so soon. Obviously it's very early. There are still 48 games on the schedule so there's no reason to get too excited. However, getting to first place at this stage of the season is a great sign. It also sets the bar for a young team that now believes they deserve to be on top and are going to fight to stay there.

(Bulach scores the second short handed goal on the same PK - Photo Randy Emery)

First place! That just sounds awesome doesn't it? Ryan Bulach was gigantic in last night's game. He had a Gordie Howe hat trick plus one. Two goals, an assist and a fight. Nugent, Porterfield and Bulach all stood up for their guys when they thought a Merritt player was taking liberties. That kind of thing just shows how these guys are all willing to go to war for each other.

The next action for Trail is Saturday night in Prince George. The Spruce Kings could take back first place tonight with a win over Quesnel. If they do, Trail will be looking to snatch it right back tomorrow. The City of Trail pre-game show starts at 6:45 for our broadcast of AM Ford Trail Smoke Eaters hockey. On Sunday afternoon we'll give thanks for BCHL hockey on Thanskgiving when Trail visits Quesnel. The pre-game gets started at 1:45pm Sunday.

First place!

(Jadon Porterfield snipes his first BCHL goal - Photo Randy Emery)