The Smokies return to Cominco Arena tonight, determined to delete a four game losing streak in a showdown against the Sherwood Park Crusaders.
The Trail troupe battled hard on Monday afternoon against the first place Bulldogs in Blackfalds, but fell 5-2 in a game that wasn’t put away until an empty net goal with about a minute left in regulation, on a shot from inside the Blackfalds blueline.
It was also the Smokies third game in less than four nights and came after an 11-hour trip during the one-game trek to Central Alberta, while the Bulldogs had been resting after hosting a game Friday night.
Max Hense blasted in his first goal of the season on an early third-period power play with a slapshot from the point that found the top of the net. That reduced the Blackfalds lead to 3-2, but Trail could get no closer. Otto Hanson also scored for the Smokies, while Dylan Lariviere and Matthias Pape picked up two assists each.
The trip home wasn’t completed until Tuesday because of a snow storm. The team finally pulled into Cominco Arena at about 3 p.m. after an eight hour bus ride from Okotoks, where they stayed overnight.
The Smokies have only played the Crusaders once this season, scoring a dramatic 3-2 overtime victory on Nov. 8 in Sherwood Park.
The Crusaders tied the game with just two seconds left in regulation, but Cash Carter culminated an end-to-end rush seven minutes into the tie-breaking period with a sizzling snap shot that found the bottom right corner of the net.
Carter and Lariviere head into tonight’s tilt tied for Trail’s goal scoring lead with 18 each, while Christian Kim leads the points parade with 46.
Joseph Sinclair leads Sherwood Park in goals and points with 21 and 50 respectively.
The Smokies will also have to pay particular attention to a pair of Crusaders defensemen. Eric Kald and Stevie Grumley have 15 goals each. Kald has 38 points and Grumley 36.
Grumley is also a potent power play producer with seven goals, which is the most of any BCHL rearguard.
It’s also a game of importance for both teams in their respective playoff races.
The Smokies lead third-place Salmon Arm in the Interior West Division by three points with Trail holding a game in hand, while the fourth-place Crusaders are one point back of red-hot Spruce Grove in the Interior East, with Sherwood Park holding a game in hand.
Game time is 7 p.m.
