Game Day | TRA at CRA

The Smoke Eaters hope this will be a historic night.

The Trail troupe goes for a franchise record 10th straight win in Cranbrook, against a bunch of Bucks boasting a three game win streak.

The Smokies have ridden the nine game points streak of centreman Jason Stefanek to their nine game run, making them the hottest team in the BCHL.

Stefanek led last week’s victories at home against Sherwood Park and on the road in Vernon with five points, including an assist on Judah Makway’s overtime winner against the Vipers which erased a two goal deficit heading into the third period.

Jason’s linemate is on a seven game heater.

Christian Kim, the other half of the ‘California Connection’, collected the tying goal in Vernon.

The Bucks are coming off wins earlier this week in Spruce Grove and Blackfalds.

Swedish import, Rasmus Svartstrom scored twice on Tuesday against the Saints to increase his BCHL-leading total to 27.

Nelson’s Bryce Sookro had a goal and an assist the next evening to lead the Bucks to victory against the Bulldogs.

Trail has taken the last two head-to-head matchups against the Bucks in Cranbrook and lead the season series 2-1.

The Bucks prevailed 4-3 in an October 18th game at Cominco Arena.

In addition to Svartstrom, the Smokies will have to watch out for Blake Cotton.

Cotton has cashed in four times against Trail this season, including a hat trick during their December 31st showdown in the East Kootenay.

Cade De St. Hubert and Judah Makway had a goal and an assist each for the Smoke Eaters that evening.

Makway is coming off a colossal weekend, scoring the insurance goal last Friday at home against Sherwood Park, as well as a shorthanded goal and the overtime winner on a power play the next night in Vernon.

The Trail-Cranbrook collision features two of the top scoring defensemen in the BCHL, including Sookro, the league leader in points with 38 and Lucas Lemieux of the Smokies who leads all BCHL rearguards in goals with 11.

It’s also shaping up as a potential goaltenders duel.

Trail’s Teagan Kendrick leads the league with 19 wins and at .920, has the best save percentage among active netminders in the BCHL.

Cranbrook’s Jaden Cholette is right behind Kendrick at .919, while both have outstanding goals against averages of 2.55.

Game time is 6 p.m. Pacific and can be heard on Mixlr and watched on FloHockey.