It's a good thing the Kings don't meet one of the bottom Interior teams in the playoffs because they just can't seem to deliver against them.
Losses against Quesnel, Williams Lake, Merritt and now Trail have the coaches scratching their heads.
Kings lost 5-4 in overtime on Wednesday and probably deserved the result.
Probably only because they had so many chances to win the game but didn't get it done and paid the price.
Things started out okay when Garbowsky scored an easy goal along the ice at 2:07 of the opening period.
Trail got back into it on a 5 on 3 powerplay to end the first tied 1-1.
Both teams got a couple of goals in the second to make it 3-3 after a couple of periods.
Garbowsky got his second on a nice deke and a backhand and Grant slapped in the Kings' third goal on a 5 on 3 powerplay.
The ugliest goal of the night was Trail's fourth where they had two men unchecked right in the slot. Mellor received a pass that turned into a goal and had 500 fans with their palms up.
Teagan Waugh was hustling all night and it paid off when he pounced on a rebound on the powerplay and tied it 4-4.
Kings had the better chances in overtime and Grant in particular was totally frustrated when he beat the goalie but not the post on a breakaway.
Reid Campbell, who gives it his all every night, wore the horns on this one when he lost an edge and fell deep in his end of the rink. Mailey picked up the loose puck and all Campbell could do was watch as he fired it high into the net past Garteig.
As the Smokies hooting and hollering by the Kings bench on the way to congratulate Mailey, words were exchanged and Garteig two handed back up goalie Smiley. The referee caught it and gave the match to Garteig. Cooler heads prevailed and it's a given that the emotion from this game will carry over to Trail at the end of the month.
Before that they host salmon Arm Silverbacks on Friday, January 22.
Armitage Mens Wear Three Stars:
1. Sam Mellor
2. Matt Garbowsky
3. Teagan Waugh
