Game: Trail Smoke Eaters vs Powell River Kings
Arena: Hap Parker Arena
Puck Drop: 7:15pm
Broadcast: Starts at 6:55pm
95.7 Coast FM in Powell River
Kings Broadcast Network
FastHockey PPV Video
Kings Record: 17-11-0-1 (3rd Mainland)
Opposition Record: 13-17-0-0 (5th Mainland)
The Kings had a 5-game win streak snapped on Sunday against the Victoria Grizzlies, a 4-1 score. The Kings also had a 7-game streak of earning at least a point on Sunday, that one dating back to November 10th also against Victoria.
Trail are starting a 3-in-3 through the Island Division. They’ll hit Alberni and Cowichan tomorrow and Sunday before a long trek back home overnight on Sunday and into Monday. The team is coming off back to back wins at home last weekend, shutting out Alberni 1-0, then beating Wenatchee 4-2 at Cominco Arena.
- Again no Betts or Turnbull this weekend for the Kings, and next as well. The pair made Team Canada West, which means they’ll be out of the Kings lineup until after the Christmas break, missing a total of 7 games including the pair last weekend. Expect re-inforcements from the Island and the Kings network of affiliates which they take great pride in maintaining and using at various points throughout the season.
- Certainly Sunday’s loss still stings, especially against a team that the Kings blew out of the water the night prior. The excuse will certainly not be used that the Grizzlies had travel legs on Saturday and were fresh Sunday (although that arguement’s already been made), quite simply the Kings slipped back into some bad habits after apparently kicking them after the November 10th loss to Victoria.
- It’s been a big week in practice as this team wants hit the Christmas break on a high note, instead of limping in like can so often be the case (not just with the Kings, but league wide). It’s a big distraction as players who haven’t been home or seen family in months can sneak their minds ahead 2 weeks and an 8-day break. There’s 5 games to go first, and 10 points on the line that the Kings quite honestly need if they stand a realistic chance of finishing the Division on top come March 1st. While no-one expects Nanaimo to run the table, despite being on an impressive 9-game win streak, the Kings need to keep touch and lost their grip on 1st by 2 points with Sunday’s result. With 3 games in hand (6 potential points), the Kings are currently 8 back of the Clippers who they will see a lot of in 2016.
- In net, it’s hard to ask for much more than what Jeff Smith is giving. He’s been a routine topic of conversation in the post-game show and even joined us upstairs a couple of weeks ago. Stefan Wornig is back from Team Canada West camp and will be looking to stake his claim for ice time. He hasn’t played in Kings colours since November 1st with Smith’s hot play keeping him sidelined. Do we see him this weekend?
- Trail travelled down yesterday as it’s nearly impossible to do a game day trip to Powell River from Cranbrook. That means the Smokies slept in their beds at the hotel last night, had an early game day skate today and will be 100% into tonight’s game. In net, Bailie MacBurnie will likely get the start in leg 1 of a road trip. He’s a former BCHL Player of the Week from earlier this season and has the bulk of Trail’s starts this year, posting a 9-3 record in 24 appearances.
- Up front, all the big guns are here and healthy. Much like the Kings, the Smokies don’t boast that high scoring sniper in the same manner of a Brayden Gelsinger (Victoria) who is alone and away in point production. Nick Halloran (25) and Jake Kauppila (20) lead the way, with former Eagles captain Kyle Star (17) and 4th year BCHL’er Harlan Orr (18) also up there. Also watch for Connor Brown-Maloski, who has been impressive with both Salmon Arm and Trail when the Kings have played either club. Plus big defenceman Cooper Leitch, who is a former Prince George Spruce King.
- What this Smokies lineup lacks in potent scoring, they make up for in experience. 7 rookies skate with the club, not including both netminders.
The broadcast goes live on 95.7 Coast FM in Powell River at 6:55pm. It will also be online on the Kings Broadcast Network and FastHockey PPV. In our pre-game show we’ll talk with Kent Lewis about the news that Betts and Turnbull will be missing until after Christmas, plus what the week in practice has been following Sunday’s loss to Victoria. We’ll also talk with Smokies Head Coach Nick Deschenes about his team’s first half, and where they need to improve to get past Vernon and into the playoffs. In the 1st intermission, we’ll have chats with Mitchell Hawes and Rylan Ball. In the 2nd break, we’ll air John Grisdale’s appearence on TSN Radio earlier this week. Brock Sawyer will join us after 60 in the post-game show.
