Game Day: Quesnel at Trail

"It's easy to have faith in yourself and have discipline when you're a winner,
when you're number one. What you got to have is faith and discipline when you're
not a winner."

Vince Lombardi

Tonight starts a big weekend for this year's edition of the Trail Smoke Eaters. Obviously game 6 of the season isn't "do or die" but it's important. Win or lose tonight the Smoke Eaters have to show they have the right attitude to win. Now I say that, but a win this weekend is absolutely vital. Frankly they really could use two of them. As Vince Lombardi said, "confidence is contagious, so is lack of confidence."

The Smoke Eaters need to remind themselves that they are good hockey players and have what it takes to win. They've all done it at one time or another... at one level of hockey or another. There's a reason they're here. There's a reason the coaching staff got several calls this week telling them to keep their chins up and this talented group will come around. This is not a basement team. These guys have a lot of pride and a lot of skill. They just need to remind themselves of that and have some fun again.

Quesnel is not a "weaker sister" team this season. If you look over their schedule so far you won't find any blow outs. This is a team that fights, scratches claws and battles for everything. They won't give you an inch out there. They've also got a very dangerous top line and some solid young players. Don't expect two points because they're wearing the powder blue. They'll make Trail earn that first victory. Now these boys in the orange and black have to show that they can do just that. Hopefully we'll see a big crowd out tonight and tomorrow afternoon (against Williams Lake) to help them right the ship. It should be a good one.

Here's Coach Ingram on the roster changes yesterday and righting their attitude...

Smokies Coach and GM Jim Ingram

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Smiley to Trail, Murtagh and Malenstyn Released

(Kiefer Smiley)

Late breaking news tonight that the Trail Smoke Eaters have made a change in goal. Devon Murtagh and the Smoke Eaters parted ways today as the veteran 20 year old goaltender just could not get his career in Trail off the ground. Everyone I talk to about Murtagh stresses how classy and mature he is. I know Jim Ingram told me today that Devon will succeed at whatever goals he decides to pursue in life, and they're very disappointed that it didn't work out in Trail. That being said, the goaltending tandem will now change as the Smoke Eateres have acquired Kiefer Smiley from the Cowichan Valley Capitals for future considerations.

Smiley went into this season as the starter for the Capitals but seems to have been supplanted by the arrival of 16 year old Laurent Brossoit from the WHL. Kiefer is a goaltender Coach Ingram knows well as he coached him as a 16 year old in the VIJHL. Smiley had a very successful season under Ingram with the Kerry Park Islanders and I know Jim has been following his career ever since. For Kerry Park, Smiley had a 2.86 GAA and 89.31 save percentage in 32 games as a 16 year old. Smiley spent last season bouncing between Cowichan Valley and Quesnel as the Capitals loaned him to the Millionaires when that northern squad ran into some serious injury troubles between the pipes. Perhaps this move will give Kiefer a positive change of scenery and a chance to establish himself in one place.

Two seasons ago as a 17 year old Smiley had a save percentage over 90% in over 30 games. He can play at this level. Ingram expects him and Garrett Beckwith to form a very solid tandem for the Smokies that will give his skaters a chance to win every night. He also mentioned to me that he's very happy with the way Beckwith has played while under siege every night recently in the Trail net. The compete level is something Ingram stresses when discussing both of these goaltenders. He says Smiley is excited to come to Trail and may even get into one of this weekend's games.

There was also another move today as the Smoke Eaters sent Matt Malenstyn home. Malenstyn gamely converted to forward this season after playing his entire career on the blue line. He worked his butt off to try to make it work, but it appears the experiment in Trail at least is over. I hope that this hard working and classy young man gets another opportunity to take his career to the next level. There should be plenty of chances for a 6'7 monster who has the right attitude.

I know I personally hate to see anyone go and can't imagine how hard a GM's job is at this level. I wish both Malenstyn and Murtagh the absolute best of luck in whatever they end up doing next. As for the Smoke Eaters, they need to put a smile (Smiley?) on their faces and force themselves to enjoy the game again this weekend. Suck it up and get that losing vibe out of their system. We'll see if these guys have the character to fight out of this hole and play the hockey they are capable of this weekend at home.

I'll see you at the rink tomorrow night against Quesnel and Sunday afternoon when Williams Lake is in town. Tune in to Mountain FM just after 8pm tonight for an interview with Coach Ingram on tonight's changes. It'll be up on the blog later.

Murtagh, Dyck and Ingram Talk

(Murtagh stops Justin Brown - Photo Randy Emery)

After the two trades that brought Devon Murtagh and Darnell Dyck to Trail I had the chance to catch up with the two new Smokies and Coach Ingram to discuss the moves on Mountain FM's Overtime. As always you heard it first if you listened to the show weeknights from 6pm to 10pm on Mountain FM.

Devon Murtagh

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Darnell Dyck

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Jim Ingram on the trades

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Don't forget to get your tickets for the banquet on Friday. Tom McVie, Ray Ferraro, Cesare Maniago and Bobby Kromm headline what should be a terrific time. We're raising money for the club and for ALS research as well. Get your tickets at Re-Max All Pro Realty in Trail.

Barclay Traded

(Barclay and Dyck)

In a move that became almost obvious after Trail acquired Devon Murtagh from Westside, the Smokies have dealt goaltender Paul Barclay to Surrey for forward Darnell Dyck. Both Barclay and Murtagh will take up 20 year old spots next season while Dyck is a 1991 born forward. While Dyck only had 11 points in 53 games as a rookie, he showed his scoring touch with 41 points in 40 games for Fraser Valley in Major Midget as a 16 year old. He's also listed at 6'2 and 180lbs. Good luck to Barclay who gets to return close to home. I'll have more on this deal later as I'm pressed for time.

Warriors Announce Trade with Smokies

The Westside Warriors have announced that they've traded goaltender Devon Murtagh to Trail for future considerations:

The Westside Warriors continue to make off season moves, trading 20 year goaltender Devon Murtagh to the Trail Smoke Eaters for future considerations. Murtagh, a Kelowna resident, played in 13 games, recording 8 wins, 2.80 goals against and save percentage of 0.894.

"Devon is a great teammate, works very hard and as a 20 year deserves a chance to play. With Kevin Jebson retuning we felt it was important to trade Devon before the start of the season. The entire organization thanks Devon for his contribution and commitment and wish him the very best in Trail,” stated GM Gary Gelinas.

That again is from Westside's website. There's no official word from the Smoke Eaters on this deal. I expect to talk to Jim Ingram about it later this afternoon. Murtagh is another former Nelson Leafs goaltender along with new recruit Garrett Beckwith and former Smokie Grant Rollheiser. Obviously the Smokies have a lot of confidence in the way they develop goalies in Nelson!