Post Game: Salmon Arm 6 at Trail 2

Trail, BC – Tyler Gubb scored twice while Mark Zengerle and Greg Noyes had 3 points each in a 6-2 Salmon Arm (13-8-1-1) victory over the Trail Smoke Eaters (6-15-1-1). The game was a mirror image of the Smokies 7-1 victory over the Silverbacks on October 23rd. Just as in that game the shots were relatively even while the score wasn't. This time Trail actually out shot Salmon Arm 36-35, but couldn't get out of the 5-0 hole they dug for themselves.

The Smoke Eaters got off to a decent start with a couple of strong penalty kills and a great shorthanded chance by Captain Paul Mailey. However, the Silverbacks answered with 3 goals on 12 first period shots.

Trail again came out strong to start the second period with several good chances. The momentum turned when Salmon Arm drew back to back penalties and burned Trail while on a 5 on 3 power play. The goal from Noyes was seemingly the dagger that put the game out of reach.

The Smokies were able to find the twine twice on the man advantage. Nick Sandor broke Tony Ierfino's shut out by knocking in a Ben Matthews shot that bounced off the back boards to the front of the net. Scott Jacklin scored Trail's other goal with a beautiful tip off of a Tommy Rizzardo one timer.

Devin Gannon and Travis Statchuck also had multiple point nights for the Silverbacks.

The two teams will do it all over again Saturday night at the Cominco Arena.

ON THE TRAIL: Steve Koshey and Marc-Antoine Chaput missed the game with bouts of the flu. Matt Wilkins is still out for another week or two with an injury ... Graeme Strukoff and Justin Brown returned to the line-up for Trail after a couple of weeks on the shelf. Strukoff received a minor penalty for interference only 40 seconds into the game after a big hit behind the Trail net. Brown played effectively on a line with Paul Mailey and Wade Bennett ... Bennett's 4 game point scoring streak came to an end during tonight's loss ... Garrett Beckwith made 29 saves on 35 shots against in the Trail net ... The season series is now even at 1-1-1-0 as they played to a 5-5 tie in Salmon Arm back in September ... Tune in to Shaw TV in the Kootenays over the weekend to catch a profile of Smokies Captain Paul Mailey.

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