Game 2 Game Day

Game one was more of the same. The Smokies had their chances and couldn't convert. Westside opportunistically took advantage of Trail mistakes and walked away with the 5-1 win. Was it a 5-1 game? I don't think so. Westside Coach Mark Howell said it himself when I talked to him this evening. Trail out shot the Warriors 33-27. The actual flow of the play was very even. However, Westside's game breakers got the job done and Trail's didn't. Doesn't matter how close the score is or how close the shots are. There's no more time to build on the things they're doing right. Now is the time to actually just plain do it.

Boisvert and Koshey come out of the line-up tonight. Reardon and AP Sam Olson come in. Olson scored 48 points in 41 games for a Grand Forks team that really struggled this year in the KIJHL. He's an 18 year old with a lot of skill. However, he's coming into the line-up for a 19 year old forward in Boisvert who put up 45 points in the BCHL this season. That's big shoes to fill. Other players on the Smokies depth chart are going to have to step up.

Gagne for Westside is going to take the warm up tonight as is a game time decision.

Here's how the season series breaks down...

Sept 13: Westside 4 at Trail 2
Oct 25: Trail 3 at Westside 5
Nov 22: Westside 4 at Trail 6
Nov 23: Westside 3 at Trail 2
Dec 14: Trail 4 at Westside 5
Feb 5: Trail 3 at Westside 4
Feb 14: Westside 4 at Trail 2
Feb 17: Trail 1 at Westside 4
Feb 28: Trail 1 at Westside 5 (Game 1)

TOP SCORERS

TRAIL

Ryan Bulach (2-8-10)
Danny DeKeyser (3-4-7)
JF Boisvert (3-2-5)
Brandon Clark (2-3-5)
Travis St. Denis (3-1-4)
Paul Mailey (2-2-4)
Patirck Raley (0-4-4)
Nick Sandor (2-1-3)
Brett Corcoran (0-3-3)
Justin Brown (2-0-2)
Sean Nugent (1-1-2)
Patrik Martin (0-2-2)
Adam Gummer (0-2-2)
Riley Loyst (1-0-1)
Scott Jacklin (0-1-1)
Jadon Porterfield (0-1-1)
Graeme Strukoff (0-1-1)
Jayson Reardon (0-1-1)

WESTSIDE

Ron Kelly (4-9-13)
Ron Bailey (7-5-12)
Corey Pritz (4-6-10)
Chad Gehon (2-7-9)
Jordan Gange (5-2-7)
Vince Mihalek (3-4-7)
Kyle Singleton (3-4-7)
Garrett Watson (2-5-7)
Alex Grieve (3-3-6)
Justin Schultz (2-4-6)
Brad Plumton (1-4-5)
Cam Reid (2-2-4)
Joel Woznikozki (0-4-4)
Brendan Ellis (0-3-3)
Craig Eisenhut (0-3-3)
Grayson Downing (1-1-2)
Tyler Krause (1-0-1)
Michael Quinn (0-1-1)
Jordan Gidaro (0-1-1)

GOALTENDERS

Paul Barclay (TRA) 0-6, 4.00GAA, 0.876%
Marco Raimondo (TRA) 1-2, 3.82GAA, 0.882%
Kevin Jebson (WES) 4-1, 2.85GAA, 0.903%
Devon Murtagh (WES) 2-0, 2.50GAA, 0.898%

LINE UP

TRAIL

Sandor-Bulach-Martin
Corcoran-Jacklin-Porterfield
Nugent-St. Denis-Mailey
Olson (AP)-Loyst-Brown

Strukoff-Raley
DeKeyser-Clark
Reardon-Zmurchyz

Barclay
Ross (AP)

Scratches: Boisvert, Koshey, Gummer, Legassic, Raimondo

Affiliate Players: Sam Olson from the Grand Forks Border Bruins, Alex Ross from Kootenay Major Midget

WESTSIDE

Downing-Bailey-Mihalek
Watson-Kelly-Grieve
Krause-Gidaro-Eisenhut
Singleton-Reid-Gehon

Woznikoski-Quinn
Prtiz-Ellis
Schultz-Plumton

Jebson
Murtagh

Scratches: Gould, Miller, Gagne (taking warm up)

BROADCAST

You can hear the broadcast on Mountain FM with AM Ford Trail Smoke Eaters Hockey at 6:45pm. We're available on FM at 104.1 in Trail, 99.3 in Castlegar, 103.5 in Nelson and 96.7 in Grand Forks. The game is also available on BCHL PPV with the Westside broadcast and in the BCHL Fanzone with both home and road feeds.

2008-09 Smokies Regular Season Highlights

Hope you enjoy the video. I made it to help pump the guys up before game one of the playoffs tonight against the Westside Warriors. The graphics early there are not done by me but by Trail video guru Daryl Taylor.

Scroll down the page to check out my Westside/Trail Preview and my BCHL First Round Preview.

Trail vs. Westside Playoff Preview

For an extensive audio preview of the other three BCHL first round series check out my earlier post. Now to get you pumped up for Friday night's first game between Trail and Westside here's the audio montage I'll play to open tonight's broadcast:

AM Ford Trail Smoke Eaters Hockey Playoff Intro 2009

Click here to download

I've got a Smokies highlights video built and ready to upload, but that will get on the site later in the weekend.



The Smoke Eaters had a great first half of the season. They were in first place for a time, they were ranked nationally (as high as 11th) and they were winning in exciting, entertaining fashion. They played a hard working, physical, never give up style that caught some teams off guard and impressed fans and foes alike.

That was then, this is now.

The Smokies only have three wins since new year's eve. They lost ten straight games to close out the regular season. Scoring has dried up, the young defensemen are making mistakes now they didn't make in October, and the swagger that helped defined this awesome group of kids took a pretty big hit. Losing breeds losing. The longer you go on a bad streak the harder it is to break out of it. You see that a team loses ten straight games and you'd think they were getting worked over. That's not the case. Trail has been in most if not all of the games they've lost over this streak. They're just finding ways to lose instead of finding ways to win.

But the regular season is over. The slate is clean. It doesn't matter if you have 50 wins or 10 as long as you're in the dance. How many people expected the Edmonton Oilers to beat the Detroit Red Wings in 2006? Who thought the Carolina Hurricanes would win the Stanley Cup that season? How many times were the Ottawa Senators poised for glory after a great regular season only to fall flat on their faces? The playoffs are a whole new ball game. It's a cliche, but it's the truth.

If the Trail Smoke Eaters can use this new season as a new beginning we could be in for something special. There isn't a single team in the Interior Conference Trail doesn't have a convincing win over. There's nobody in this conference they can't beat. I know it, the coaches know it, the fans know it... do the players believe it? If they do and they can get their swagger back, watch out! This team could surprise you.

However, one coach who wouldn't be surprised is apparently Mark Howell. I had a chance to chat with the Warriors bench boss on Overtime and he knows they are in for a fight. I also talked with Jim Ingram of the Smokies and Westside's broadcaster Kevin Parnell. Here's the audio from Mountain FM's Overtime:

Trail Smoke Eaters Coach Jim Ingram

Click here to download

Westside Warriors Coach Mark Howell

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Westside Warriors Broadcaster Kevin Parnell

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Here's how the season series breaks down...

Sept 13: Westside 4 at Trail 2
Oct 25: Trail 3 at Westside 5
Nov 22: Westside 4 at Trail 6
Nov 23: Westside 3 at Trail 2
Dec 14: Trail 4 at Westside 5
Feb 5: Trail 3 at Westside 4
Feb 14: Westside 4 at Trail 2
Feb 17: Trail 1 at Westside 4

The Warriors have a 7-1 record against Trail and have outscored the Smokies 33-23 in those games. However, only one of the games was decided by more than 2 goals. In my view the Smokies actually outplayed Westside on the 5th and 17th. Westside certainly earned their victory in the season series, but it was closer than it looks. Every game was a battle. They were all very entertaining and hard fought. Don't expect this to be a walk. Even if one team earns a sweep it won't be an easy one.

TOP SCORERS

TRAIL

Ryan Bulach (2-7-9)
Danny DeKeyser (3-4-7)
JF Boisvert (3-2-5)
Travis St. Denis (3-1-4)
Paul Mailey (2-2-4)
Brandon Clark (2-2-4)
Patirck Raley (0-4-4)
Brett Corcoran (0-3-3)
Justin Brown (2-0-2)
Sean Nugent (1-1-2)
Nick Sandor (1-1-2)
Patrik Martin (0-2-2)
Adam Gummer (0-2-2)
Riley Loyst (1-0-1)
Scott Jacklin (0-1-1)
Jadon Porterfield (0-1-1)
Graeme Strukoff (0-1-1)
Jayson Reardon (0-1-1)

WESTSIDE

Ron Kelly (4-8-12)
Ron Bailey (6-5-11)
Corey Pritz (3-6-9)
Jordan Gange (5-2-7)
Vince Mihalek (3-4-7)
Chad Gehon (2-5-7)
Kyle Singleton (3-3-6)
Garrett Watson (2-4-6)
Justin Schultz (2-3-5)
Brad Plumton (1-4-5)
Alex Grieve (2-2-4)
Joel Woznikozki (0-4-4)
Brendan Ellis (0-3-3)
Craig Eisenhut (0-3-3)
Grayson Downing (1-1-2)
Cam Reid (0-2-2)
Tyler Krause (1-0-1)

GOALTENDERS

Paul Barclay (TRA) 0-5, 3.80GAA, 0.886%
Marco Raimondo (TRA) 1-2, 3.82GAA, 0.882%
Kevin Jebson (WES) 4-1, 3.22GAA, 0.887%
Devon Murtagh (WES) 2-0, 2.50GAA, 0.898%

LINE UP

TRAIL

Brown-St. Denis-Boisvert
Sandor-Bulach-Mailey
Nugent-Loyst-Porterfield
Martin-Jacklin-Corcoran

Koshey-Strukoff
DeKeyser-Clark
Zmurchyk-Raley

Barclay
Ross (AP)

Scratches: Olson (AP), Reardon, Gummer, Legassic, Raimondo (all injured)

Affiliate Players: Sam Olson from the Grand Forks Border Bruins, Alex Ross from Kootenay Major Midget

WESTSIDE

Downing-Bailey-Mihalek
Watson-Kelly-Grieve
Gould-Gidaro-Eisenhut
Singleton-Reid-Gehon

Woznikoski-Quinn
Pritz-Ellis
Schultz-Plumton

Jebson
Murtagh

Scratches: Gagne, Miller, Krause

BROADCAST

You can hear the broadcast on Mountain FM with AM Ford Trail Smoke Eaters Hockey at 6:45pm. We're available on FM at 104.1 in Trail, 99.3 in Castlegar, 103.5 in Nelson and 96.7 in Grand Forks. The game is also available on BCHL PPV with the Westside broadcast and in the BCHL Fanzone with both home and road feeds.

Audio Playoff Preview

I've done "hot stove" interview segments for Overtime with broadcasters involved in all four BCHL first round playoff series. In this post I'll examine the three Smokies-less best of fives.

INTERIOR CONFERENCE



The fourth place Vees take on the fifth place Spruce Kings in an Interior Conference battle. Penticton is red hot right now despite losing their best player (Denver Manderson) to injury. Prince George finished the season at a better pace than they'd been playing at mid-season, but not up to their first place start in September. I had broadcasters Ron Gallo and Ryan Pinder break the series down on Mountain FM's Overtime:

Penticton's Ryan Pinder and Prince George's Ron Gallo

Click here to download

They have way more insight into this series than I could have so listen in for the inside scoops. Now let's check out the season series:

Sept 20: Penticton 7 at Prince George 3
Nov 16: Prince George 2 at Penticton 6
Dec 13: Penticton 3 at Prince George 0
Jan 3: Prince George 4 at Penticton 5 (OT)
Feb 6: Penticton 2 at Prince George 1
Feb 11: Prince George 3 at Penticton 6

PREDICTON: Penticton has yet to lose a single game to Prince George this season. I think that will change in the playoffs. However, I don't think it'll change significantly. I see the Vees getting up 2-0 after their home games, dropping game 3 in PG and finishing the series off up north. Vees in 4.

MAINLAND DIVISION



The second place Langley Chiefs take on the the third place Surreay Eagles. Teams that played each other basically a hundred times this season only separated by 2 points at the end of the regular season. You have to think this is going to be close. I had broadcaster Colin Tiggelaar and marketing man Jared Harman break the series down on Mountain FM's Overtime:

Surrey's Colin Tiggelaar and Langley's Jared Harman

Click here to download

Now let's check out the season series:

Sept 5: Langley 1 at Surrey 3
Sept 6: Surrey 3 at Langley 7
Dec 5: Langley 1 at Surrey 3
Dec 6: Surrey 2 at Langley 4
Dec 19: Langley 4 at Surrey 3 (OT)
Dec 20: Surrey 4 at Langley 5 (OT)
Jan 2: Langley 9 at Surrey 5
Jan 9: Langley 2 at Surrey 5
Jan 10: Surrey 3 at Langley 8
Feb 6: Surrey 4 at Langley 3 (OT)
Feb 13: Langley 2 at Surrey 1 (OT)
Feb 14: Surrey 3 at Langley 3 (OT)

PREDICTON: Langley went 7-3-1-1 against Surrey, but 5 of those games went to overtime so Surrey's record is 4-4-1-3. There have been a few lopsided games in Langley's favour, but it seems like Surrey has been the better team in the second half. I think if it were a full series I'd pick Langley, but since it's only five games I'm going with the Eagles in 5. I like Tartaglione to be a game stealer in a couple of those contests. My opinion doesn't mean much (...ever) when it comes coastal teams though.

ISLAND DIVISION



The second place Cowichan Valley Capitals take on the third place Nanaimo Clippers. The defending Coastal Conference champions have slipped a little this season and have a lot of injuries to deal with as they head into this first round. I had broadcasters Dan Marshall and Hammer (though he's not involved in the series I had to have the BCHL broadcaster of the year in the preview) break the series down on Mountain FM's Overtime:

Nanaimo's Dan Marshall and Alberni Valley's Hammer

Click here to download

Now let's check out the season series:

Sept 12: Cowichan 4 at Nanaimo 3 (OT)
Sept 13: Nanaimo 4 at Cowichan 3
Oct 24: Cowichan 3 at Nanaimo 1
Oct 25: Nanaimo 4 at Cowichan 3 (OT)
Nov 1: Nanaimo 5 at Cowichan 2
Dec 3: Cowichan 6 at Nanaimo 1
Dec 13: Nanaimo 0 at Cowichan 2
Dec 20: Nanaimo 1 at Cowichan 3
Dec 31: Cowichan 4 at Nanaimo 3
Jan 9: Cowichan 2 at Nanaimo 3 (OT)
Jan 31: Nanaimo 1 at Cowichan 1 (OT)
Feb 13: Cowichan 2 at Nanaimo 1

PREDICTON: Cowichan Valley went 7-2-1-2 against Nanaimo, but the Clippers' record of 4-6-1-2 makes the series look closer. I agree with those who say never count out Nanaimo in the first round, but with the injuries they have to deal with I think it'll be tough to get more than a single game. Caps in 4.

Hopefully I'll get the chance to chat with the guys in Salmon Arm, Vernon, Powell River and Victoria before the second round gets started. Thanks to everyone that replied to my e-mail invitations. I appreciate your time and thoughtful responses.

Thoughts, predictions, analysis? Have at it in the comments section...

SilverBacks Bus Driver Dies

I just wanted to send out my condolences to the Salmon Arm Silverbacks and the family of drive Tony Mortimer after his death yesterday. Details found here at the team website. A very classy move by the team to honour Mortimer on their helmets throughout the playoffs. Where we would be without the bus drives who work so hard to get us around this vast province on its treacherous roads? I'm very sorry to hear about Mr. Mortimer's passing

Awards Night Audio

(Loyst, DeKeyser, St. Denis, Nugent, Martin, Bulach, Mailey and Porterfield - Photo Randy Emery)

Most Valuable Player Ryan Bulach

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Most Improved and Fan Favourite Jadon Porterfield

Click here to download

Rookie of the Year Travis St. Denis

Click here to download

Smokies Coach Jim Ingram on Awards

Click here to download

(The 20 Year Olds - Bulach, Clark, Martin, Porterfield Corcoran and missing Raimondo - Photo by Randy Emery)

Just want to say thanks to all the kind words from people that night. It was a great evening. Thanks to the Smokies organization and fans who have always been very supportive of our coverage. Also a big thanks to Randy Emery for putting together those pictures! Glad he got recognized for all his hard work at the event.

Quick Smokies Awards

More details and audio to come on the blog and on Overtime. It was a great night with a lot of positive vibes and optimism.

MVP: Ryan Bulach

Leading Scorer: Ryan Bulach

Top Defenseman: Danny DeKeyser

Rookie of the Year: Travis St. Denis

Fan Favourite: Jadon Porterfield

Most Improved: Jadon Porterfield

Inspirational: Riley Loyst

Most Dedicated: Patrik Martin and Sean Nugent

Sportsmanship and Hard Work: Paul Mailey

Thanks to all the fans, volunteers, staff, players and everyone who makes Smokies hockey possible. I hope you all had a good time tonight. I also want to say how much I appreciate the kind words. I know for me it makes the time and work I put in worth it to know that it matters to some of you.

Again, more details tomorrow.

Weekend Audio, Awards Tonight

Tonight is the annual Smokies award banquet. It's really just a nice get together to pay tribute to the performances of the young athletes and the hard work of the team's great volunteer base. Hope to see you tonight! If you won't be there you can catch me just after 6:30pm on the BCHL website's weekly talk show.

For now here's a look back at the final weekend of the regular season:

Smokies Coach Jim Ingram

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AM Ford Trail Smoke Eaters Hockey Feb 21: Trail 3 at Merritt 4

Click here to download

AM Ford Trail Smoke Eaters Hockey Feb 22: Trail 0 at Vernon 4

Click here to download

Castlegar Retires Travis Green's Number, KIJHL Playoffs

(Travis Green in an Anaheim jersey that is very similar to Castlegar's new look)

In a classy move, the KIJHL's Castlegar Rebels retired former NHL star and local boy Travis Green's number before their 6-5 shoot out loss to Beaver Valley. Green has raised over $250,000 for local charities through his decade long run with a local golf tournament. Green had a long and successful pro career including stops in Long Island, Toronto, Anaheim and Phoenix. He is now the Assistant GM and Assistant Coach for Portland in the WHL. I had the chance to talk to Travis before last Friday's retirement ceremony.

Travis Green on Mountain FM's Overtime

Click here to download

Now that the regular season is over in the KIJHL they are getting set for the start of their playoffs. In the local Neil Murdoch Division the old Castlegar/Beaver Valley match up is back again. The Nitehawks knocked off Castlegar in each of the last two seasons. Will it be different this time? I know a number of Smoke Eaters like Patrik Martin, Justin Brown and Steve Koshey will be cheering on their former team from BV. The top ranked powerhouse from Nelson has to battle Brandon Clark's old Spokane Braves. Nelson (featuring Smokies APs like Dylan Walchuk, Michael Spring, Jacob Perich, Tommy Rizzardo and Peter Alexander) looks like a lock to win that series, but Spokane is a very tough place to play. If they can steal a win in Nelson that could make things interesting.

If you want to check out some great local playoff hockey you can see Castlegar hosting BV on Tuesday and Wednesday. Nelson hosts Spokane on Wednesday and Thursday.

Renney: "We have a short shelf life..."

(Tom Renney from the Rangers website)

They say coaches are hired to be fired. Unfortunately that old expression caught up to former Trail Smoke Eaters coach Tom Renney today as the New York Rangers handed him his walking papers. Renney went 164-121-42 and guided them back to the playoffs for three straight years after New York had missed the post season dance for seven years. How quickly they forget, eh?

Coaches so often get the blame when things go sour, but is Renney really at fault here? The Rangers lost the likes of Jagr and Shanahan this summer and instead added players like Naslund and Redden who are in no way capable of replacing those hall of famers. They gave massive contracts to Scott Gomez and Chris Drury that neither of them are capable of living up to. Even with those limited horses Renney has the Rangers in a playoff spot. They're 2-5-3 in their last 10 games, but are we so quick to be reactionary and not look at the big picture?

Renney was aware of the nature of his job when I spoke to him last summer on Mountain FM's Overtime. It's a sad reality all coaches face. We don't have to look any further than here in the BCHL to see it play out. For example, check out Hammer's Bulldogs Blog for coverage of the latest BCHL coaching change. Bryant Perrier is out after one year in charge in Port Alberni. Did the team have a good season? Absolutely not, but when you get named GM mid-way through the year I would say it's pretty hard to judge what you can do in that position. Perrier never really got the chance to recruit his own team. I'm not in Port Alberni and rarely see the 'dogs so I can't judge the situation too much. That being said, you always hate to see anyone losing their job. I hope the next coach there can give those fans the success they deserve.

As for Renney, I know he'll get another chance if he wants it. He's a great coach and a class act who always gives his time to come back and help raise funds for the Smoke Eaters and other worthy causes in the Trail area. He doesn't forget where he comes from and he deserves all the success he's had. Hopefully there's a Stanley Cup in his future.

This is what Renney had to say about the Rangers and coaching last summer...

Tom Renney on Mountain FM's Overtime in June 2008

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Game Day Trail at Merritt

A quote from last night's game day post...

"However, if they take Merritt lightly or start pressing too hard and making mistakes, this game could turn into a disaster."

Interesting to note that since the new year Trail is 3-14-0-1 and Merritt is 5-14-0-1.

The other big story tonight? This could very well be the final game in Merritt Centennials history. I know I got myself a program thinking this could be a part of BCHL history. That's another extra reason for the Cents to be motivated to put up a good fight tonight. The Smoke Eaters are in for a battle and in desperate need of a victory.

Here's how the season series breaks down...

Sept 12: Trail 4 at Merritt 3
Sept 21: Trail 8 at Merritt 2
Oct 8: Merritt 4 at Trail 5
Oct 9: Merritt 2 at Trail 8
Nov 18: Merritt 2 at Trail 7
Jan 4: Trail 9 at Merritt 1
Feb 20: Merritt 3 at Trail 2

POWER PLAY

Trail: 11/31 (35.48%)
Merritt: 1/21 (4.76%)

TOP SCORERS

1. F Ryan Bulach (TRA) 7-7-14
1. F JF Boisvert (TRA) 6-8-14
3. D Steve Koshey (TRA) 2-9-11
4. Nick Sandor (TRA) 4-4-8
5. F Paul Mailey (TRA) 3-4-7
6. D Danny DeKeyser (TRA) 2-4-6
6. F Colton Sobchak (MER) 2-4-6
6. F Travis St. Denis (TRA) 2-4-6
9. F Paul Forster (MER) 3-2-5
9. F Jadon Porterfield (TRA) 1-4-5

GOALTENDERS

1. Marco Raimondo (TRA) 3-0, 2.00GAA, 0. 948%
2. Paul Barclay (TRA) 3-0, 2.67GAA, 0.873%
3. Peter Alexander (TRA) 0-1, 3.08GAA, 0.900%
3. Harrison May (MER) 1-4, 5.46GAA, 0.857%
4. Kyle Nielsen (MER) 0-1, 8.23GAA, 0.771%

LINE UP

TRAIL

Brown-St. Denis-Boisvert
Sandor-Bulach-Martin
Zmurchyk-Loyst-Porterfield
Nugent-Jacklin-Corcoran

Koshey-Strukoff
DeKeyser-Clark
Reardon-Raley

Alexander
Barclay

Scratches: Mailey, Legassic, Gummer, Raimondo (all injured)

MERRITT

Forster-Tomassetti-Fratkin
Soquila-Rai-Johnson
Nardi-Sobchak-Stone
Waldrop-Mazzorole

Tresierra-Baker
Bourke-Kightley
Macdonald

Nielsen
May

Scratches:

BROADCAST

You can listen to the game on Mountain FM with AM Ford Trail Smoke Eaters Hockey at 104.1 in Trail, 103.5 in Nelson, 99.3 in Castegar. The game is available on BCHL PPV with the home broadcast (although I hear their camera isn't working) and in the BCHL Fanzone with both home and road feeds.

Merritt at Trail Game Day

It's Fan Appreciation Night at the Cominco Arena. $3 tickets and drinks, lots of prizes and a whole lot of stuff happening. We'll conclude the Ferraro Foods $25,000 Shoot Out and one fan will have a chance at all that money. Ultimately what really matters is that the Smoke Eaters need a victory tonight. After seven straight losses this game gives Trail an opportunity to get out of their funk and start getting their confidence back. However, if they take Merritt lightly or start pressing too hard and making mistakes, this game could turn into a disaster.

It's easy to look at the season series and the overall records and think Trail will destroy Merritt. However, since the new year their records are actually quite similar. Trail is 3-13-0-1 Merritt actually has more wins at 4-14-0-1. I should note that the Cents have had a much easier schedule with all four of those wins against one of Prince George or Merritt. That being said, Merritt has been tougher to play against after the trade deadilne. Their roster is full of guys who are fighting for their place in the league, work hard and have absolutely nothing to lose.

By the way if you want some more information on Merrit check out Brian's Making Cents blog for a summary of their year end awards.

Here's how the season series breaks down...

Sept 12: Trail 4 at Merritt 3
Sept 21: Trail 8 at Merritt 2
Oct 8: Merritt 4 at Trail 5
Oct 9: Merritt 2 at Trail 8
Nov 18: Merritt 2 at Trail 7
Jan 4: Trail 9 at Merritt 1

Trail has dominated this series. There have been a couple of close games, but for the most part the Smoke Eaters have had their way with the Cents. The times that Merritt has had some success against Trail are when the Smokies get impatient and try to press for goals. The Cents generally have played a simple defensive game to try and keep the score down and capitalize on mistakes. Whenever Trail has matched that with their own smart, simple play they have used what is honestly superior talent to take over the games. However, there is a risk that a team in the midst of a long losing streak could get caught pressing for goals and start making mistakes. That would play right into Merritt's hands and put Trail in a potentially dangerous situation.

Play their game and the Smokies should get the W.

POWER PLAY

Trail: 10/27 (37.04%)
Merritt: 1/21 (4.76%)

TOP SCORERS

1. F Ryan Bulach (TRA) 7-6-13
1. F JF Boisvert (TRA) 5-8-13
3. D Steve Koshey (TRA) 2-8-10
4. F Paul Mailey (TRA) 3-4-7
4. F Nick Sandor (TRA) 3-4-7
6. D Danny DeKeyser (TRA) 2-4-6
7. F Paul Forster (MER) 3-2-5
7. F Colton Sobchak (MER) 2-3-5
7. F Travis St. Denis (TRA) 2-3-5
7. F Jadon Porterfield (TRA) 1-4-5

GOALTENDERS

1. Marco Raimondo (TRA) 3-0, 2.00GAA, 0. 948%
2. Paul Barclay (TRA) 3-0, 2.67GAA, 0.873%
3. Harrison May (MER) 0-4, 6.34GAA, 0.841%
4. Kyle Nielsen (MER) 0-1, 8.23GAA, 0.771%

LINE UP

TRAIL

Scratches:

MERRITT

Scratches:

BROADCAST

Thre is no home radio broadcast, but the game is available on BCHL PPV with the my broadcast and in the BCHL Fanzone with both home and road feeds.

Youngson Game Day Audio

(Brian Youngson)

It's a huge game tonight for the Trail Smoke Eaters. In the middle of a seven game losing streak but coming off a very good effort against Westside, the Smokies absolutely must have these games against Merritt. Their playoff lives are not on the line, but their confidence and any momentum they could get are. Two wins against Merritt and a strong effort against Vernon puts them in a much better position heading into the start of the playoffs. Three more losses and their confidence may completely evaporate. Hockey is such a mental game that while these games are relatively meaningless in the standings (If PG wins twice against Quesnel or if they win once and Trail loses just once in the next three the Spruce Kings finish 5th), they are as big as any that Trail has played all year.

Here's the view from the bench...

Smokies Assistant Coach Brian Youngson

Click here to download

KIJHL Expands to Armstrong

(Lovely Armstrong)

After considerable debate the Junior B KIJHL has approved an expansion franchise for Armstrong that will start play in the 2009-2010 season. BC Hockey still has to give it the go ahead, but this is pretty much official. The final vote was 13-3 in favour of the expansion. Nelson, Grand Forks and Spokane were the only teams to oppose adding the new North Okanagan Knights.

The league is also considering an application from Osoyoos to rejoin the league in 2010-2011. That would bring the number of Okaganan teams up to 8. The long term plan appears to be setting up the league in a similar way to the BCHL with two conferences. In this case instead of the Coast and the Interior, we'd have the Okaganan and the Kootenays.

When you look at the size of some other Junior B leagues like the VIJHL, I think it's fair to speculate about the idea that the Okanagan teams might someday split from the KIJHL to form their own league. I think this move, the Osoyoos team and limiting travel between the two regions with a new schedule might be the league's way to make those teams happy enough to stay put. That's just speculation on my part.

The KIJHL is a great league and I hope another team or two doesn't dilute the talent pool too much that it really hurts the product. Terry Jones of the Beaver Valley Nitehawks (father of Vernon's Jones Twins) mentioned to me that he'd like to see the BCHL move to 21 man rosters so that those extra guys get to play instead of sitting in the stands. What do you think? It would limit billet costs a little more, but I think it's good to have those extra guys for in house competition and when injuries come up. Look at Trail the last two seasons! Those extra guys get plenty of time.

Here are a couple of interviews on the expansion:

KIJHL President Bill Ohlhausen

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Beaver Valley Nitehawks President Terry Jones

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$3 Tickets!

(Tom from his RE/MAX website)

The Trail Smoke Eaters are having a Fan Appreciation Night against Merritt on Friday. What does that mean? Tickets are only $3 each. The kind of prices we have not seen since the days of the old '61 Smokies. If you have any hockey fans among your friends and family who don't come out to the games or who just haven't made it yet this year now is the time to get them to the rink. Who can turn down ticket prices that low? We're basically talking about a hockey game for the price of a hot dog.

On top of that, there will be $3 drinks, free Pepsi products with a purchase at the Spud Shack, additional program prizes and the conclusion of the Ferraro Foods $25,000 Shoot Out. One lucky fan will emerge from the qualification round in the first intermission and take a shot at 25 grand in the second intermission! We're talking about a possible life changing shot.

The only possible excuse I'll accept for any of you missing this game is if you're in Castlegar watching the Rebels retire Travis Green's jersey. Otherwise, I expect to see you at the rink tomorrow night!

Smokies President Tom Gawryletz

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Post-Westside Audio

(Corcoran and Gehon battle while Strukoff looks for the puck - Photo Randy Emery)

The Trail Smoke Eaters gave one of their most complete efforts since the Christmas break in a 4-1 loss to Westside on Tuesday. I know a lot of fans might see that and roll their eyes. Here's the announcer kissing ass and covering for the team after another loss, right? Well I don't think anyone can say over my two years here that I have refused to criticize the team when they've deserved it. On Tuesday they played hard, smart and consistent hockey. They out shot and out chanced Westside without five regulars in their line-up.

So why did they lose? Kevin Jebson was outstanding for the Warriors. He made some spectacular saves and he got a little bit of help from the posts. Ryan Bulach (who was an absolute force in the game and should have NCAA schools all over him in my opinion) hit two different posts in ten seconds. It's like they're cursed right now.

They also gave Watson too much room to work in front of the Trail net in the second period. He massive frame shadowed Paul Barclay on a tip in goal to make it 2-1 and he was able to walk in for a loose puck during a scramble on the 3-1 goal. Even so, in most games Trail would've at least tied it at 3 with all the great chances they had. Jebson was the difference maker. The folks up in the press box even admitted they should have given him a star but had sent in their selections early in the third period.

Losing streaks and slumps are hard to snap out of it. Even when most things are going right, enough things go wrong so that you don't get that W. Trail badly needs these two games against Merritt to get their confidence back. If they do that and put up a real good fight (and perhaps get a win) in Vernon on Sunday, watch out come playoff time.

Smokies Coach Jim Ingram on Mountain FM Mornings with Rudy and Johnson

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AM Ford Trail Smoke Eaters Hockey Highlights: Feb 17 Trail 1 at Westside 4

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Brodie to Colgate

I've got some audio and analysis coming from the game last night, word on some great deals for Friday's game, the alumni update, my thoughts on next year's schedule and a whole lot more. For now I just wanted to get a post up congratulating former Smoke Eater Cam Brodie for locking down a scholarship to Colgate. The big man was in my view one of the more underrated players in the league last season. His injury was a massive blow to Trail. I would have to think that his two seasons with the Smokies were a big part of Cam turning into the kind of player that got this opportunity. He worked damn hard to get here and it's awesome to see that hard work pay off. Brodie deserves this opportunity and I'm sure everyone in Trail is thrilled to see him get it. Of course now that he's a Viper they'll also be happy to see him get the hell out of the BCHL when the season is over!

Good luck to one of the good ones. For more information check out vipersdiehardfan's blog. There's some stuff on the BCHL and Vernon websites as well.

Again more on last night's game coming up tonight or tomorrow. Trail really did play a very good game and ran into a hot goalie. Hopefully that kind of hard work will pay off soon.

Trail at Westside Game Day

The Smoke Eaters losing streak is now at 6 games with 2 of them against this Westside team. In one of those games Trail has three leads but couldn't put the Warriors away. In the other, some major blunders allowed Westside get ahead 4-0 and Trail's third period come back was too little too late. The Smokies played well for most of each of those games. However, when you make the kind of mistakes Trail has been making they are going to end up in your net nine times out of ten. They're the kind of mistakes that players should not be making at this level and I think the guys know it. Confidence is obviously so shaky and Trail needs to get theirs back. There are only four games left before playoffs.

More bad news for the Smokies heading into tonight's game. Add Adam Gummer's name to the list of players (Legassic and Raimondon as well) who are likely done for the rest of the season. Gummer has been working hard in rounding out his game and I think has been coming along very well. He's got a wicked shot, just needed a few to go in and he'd have been rolling. Unfortunately it looks like that won't happen. Paul Mailey is also out with an injury although in his case they are saying he should be back for the playoffs. When it rains... that's five regulars all out with injuries and three of them likely done for the season. One or two players can make a big impact. Five players? It's painful.

2009 has sent these teams in opposite directions. Since the clock struck 12 on New Year's Even the Smoke Eaters are 3-13-0-1 while Westside is 10-5-1-1.

Here's how the season series breaks down...

Sept 13: Westside 4 at Trail 2
Oct 25: Trail 3 at Westside 5
Nov 22: Westside 4 at Trail 6
Nov 23: Westside 3 at Trail 2
Dec 14: Trail 4 at Westside 5
Feb 5: Trail 3 at Westside 4
Feb 14: Westside 4 at Trail 2

The Warriors have a 6-1 record against Trail and have outscored the Smokies 29-22 in those games. Every game has ended up being tight as the Warriors have never won by more than two goals. That being said, Trail's confidence could really get a boost heading into a potential playoff series by showing Westside that they can beat them in their own building.

TOP SCORERS

1. F Ron Kelly (WES) 4-6-10
2. D Cory Pritz (WES) 3-6-9
3. F Trevor Bailey (WES) 5-3-8
4. F Jordan Gagne (WES) 5-2-7
4. D Danny DeKeyser (TRA) 3-4-7
4. F Chad Gehon (TRA/WES) 2-5-7
4. F Ryan Bulach (TRA) 1-6-7
8. F Kyle Singleton (WES) 3-3-6
9. D Brad Pumton (WES) 1-4-5
9. F JF Boisvert (TRA) 3-2-5

GOALTENDERS

(I don't have the original numbers for the rest of the games in front of me or the time to do the math, so here are the goaltender statistics as of the first six games of the series with stats for game 7 included separately)

1. Devon Murtagh (WES) 2-0, 2.50GAA, 0.898%
2. Marco Raimondo (TRA) 1-2, 3.82GAA, 0.882%
3. Paul Barclay (TRA) 0-3, 3.95GAA, 0.887% (Feb 14: 0-1, 4.05GAA, 0.879%)
4. Kevin Jebson (WES) 2-1, 4.38GAA, 0.838% (Feb 14: 1-0, 2.00GAA, 0.92%)

LINE UP

TRAIL

Brown-St.Denis-Boisvert
Sandor-Bulach-Martin
Zmurchyk-Loyst-Porterfield
Nugent-Jacklin-Corcoran

Koshey-Strukoff
DeKeyser-Rizzardo (AP)
Reardon-Raley

Barclay
Wall (AP)

Scratches: Mailey, Clark, Gummer, Legassic, Raimondo (all injured)

WESTSIDE

Gagne-Bailey-Mihalek
Watson-Kelly-Eisenhut
Grieve-Gidaro-Gould
Singleton-Reid-Gehon

Woznikoski-Quinn
Pritz-Ellis
Schultz-Miller

Jebson
Murtagh

Scratches: Plumton, Krause, Downing

BROADCAST

You can hear the broadcast on Mountain FM with AM Ford Trail Smoke Eaters Hockey at 6:45pm. We're available on FM at 104.1 in Trail, 99.3 in Castlegar, 103.5 in Nelson and 96.7 in Grand Forks. The game is also available on BCHL PPV with the Westside broadcast and in the BCHL Fanzone with both home and road feeds. You should be able to hear all my interviews now.

These boys need some confidence, lets hope they find it tonight.