A powerplay goal 58 seconds from the end of the 3rd period broke a 1-1 deadlock in Trail as the Smoke Eaters defeated the Kings 2-1 on Sunday afternoon at Cominco Arena in Trail.
A scoreless opening period was a tight checking affair with shots on goal favouring the Kings by a 6-4 margin. Into the second and the Kings began to open up a little offensively but couldn’t beat Trail goaltender Tanner Marshall. Mitch Williams was the pick of the bunch in terms of offensive zone chances as he was denied point blank by a highlight reel Marshall glove save. The other way, the Kings gave up a few odd man rushes including a 2-0 break down the ice that was negated by a hurridly backchecking Stevens who stopped two attempted cross ice passes to break up the attack. Shots on goal 15-7 Kings through 40.
Into the third and emotion began to creep in from both sides. It was Trail to first break the deadlock after a pair of chances on net that triggered the goal song and celebration, it was third times the charm for Daine Dubois to score his first in the BCHL and a 1-0 Smokies lead. The lead was shortlived as Kevin Obssuth stripped the puck in the corner and found Hunter Findlater in the slot for his 4th of the season and 2nd of the weekend at 10:25.
Late in the period, Carter Turnbull took a blow to the head penalty in the corner at the same time as Jonny Evans found himself engaged in a pushing match in front of the Kings bench. The referee took both and the Kings went down a man for the final 1:30 with Blaine Caton scoring with 58 seconds left to win the game.
Matteo Paler-Chow’s record moves to 2-2 with a 24 save performance in net and third star honours.
The Kings return home to Powell River this weekend to host the Prince George Spruce Kings and the Coquitlam Express on Friday night and Sunday afternoon at the Hap Parker Arena, opening up a four game home stand at the Hap.
