By Andrew Chernoff, CanucksBanter

September 30, 2022

The Trail Smoke Eaters and Cranbrook Bucks came into the Smokies season home opener with identical 1-1 records, after each team opened the BCHL 2022-23 season on the road last weekend.

Cranbrook opened the scoring in the opening frame with a goal from Jarrod Smith (2), assists to Kellan Hjartarson and Carsyn Good with less than four minutes left in the period.

Prior to the goal, players Judah Makway of Trail and Jack Henry of Cranbrook, collided hard in the Cranbrook end, resulting in Henry falling to the ice hard. The trainers from both teams responded, ambulance was called and he was put on stretcher and taken to Trail hospital to be checked over.

Trail received their lone goal from Nic Remissong (3) to tie the game late in the second period on the powerplay, assisted by Trey Fechko and Quinn Disher to even the game at 1-1.

In the 3rd period, the Bucks scored two goals in 17 seconds early in the final half of the period to pull away from the Smoke Eaters at 3-1.

Trail was unable to create sustained pressure in the Cranbrook end to be able to make a comeback, as Bucks goalie Carter Capton denied all attempts.

Cranbrook outshot Trail 30-27 (8-8, 14-10, 8-9). Smokies were 1 for 3 on the powerplay and a perfect 3 for 3 on the penalty kill.

Trail and Cranbrook will be at each other again Saturday night for Cranbrook’s home opener, with the Smokies looking to even up the weekend series.

GAME NOTES

Source: BCHL