BCHL Playoffs Game Day | TRA at CRA
It’s time to become road warriors again.
The Smoke Eaters face elimination in Cranbrook this afternoon, a rink where they have won four out of five games, including regular season and playoffs.
The lone loss came during Wednesday’s triple-overtime marathon and if this series has proven anything, it’s that anything can happen.
The Bucks 4-2 Friday night victory at Cominco Arena was their fourth win in six visits to Trail, so home ice has not been an advantage in this year’s clash of the BCHL’s Kootenay kids.
Christian Kim continues to be Trail’s top point producer in the series with two goals and four assists, the exact same stats as Bucks defenseman Bryce Sookro, who leads the Cranbrook points parade.
Cranbrook’s Rasmus Svartstrom leads all goal scorers with four, while Smokies forwards Jason Stefanek and Dylan Lariviere are the top Trail marksmen with three each. Lariviere has been excellent throughout the hard fought, close series.
Smokies defenseman Jack Kennedy, who didn’t score his first BCHL goal until earlier this season, has chipped in two goals and two assists.
Bucks blue liner Sam Belanger’s two goals were the difference on Friday. He had three goals during the entire regular season.
The goaltending duel has been just as compelling.
Trail’s Teagan Kendrick, who faced a 73 shot barrage on Wednesday, heads into game six with a goals against average of 2.58 and a save percentage of .915.
Cranbrook’s Jaden Cholette has a 2.76 goals against average and .908 save percentage.
The teams have battled through five physical and intense contests, with constant shifts in momentum.
Chapter six in this pounding playoff pairing will soon be written.
A Smokies win would mean a seventh and deciding game Tuesday night at Cominco Arena.
Game time is 3 p.m. Pacific, with all the action on Mixlr and FloHockey.
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