Gameday: Smoke Eaters @ Silverbacks

Apologies for the late entry, but the team is rolling thru Vernon as I write.

Who: Trail Smoke Eaters at Salmon Arm Silverbacks
When: Oct. 8, 7:00 pm
Where: Sunwave Centre, Salmon Arm

The Smokies are en route to the Shuswap for the back end of this weekend home-and-home series with the Silverbacks, hoping to earn a split after suffering a 6-4 loss last night at home.

Salmon Arm rode the strength of five second-period goals, including a pair from Swiss import Devin Muller to earn their first victory of the season.

Trail (1-4-1) and Salmon Arm (1-4-0-1) hold almost identical records: the Smokies have a point by virtue of a tie while the Silverbacks' first point this season came as the result of an overtime loss.

To a man, the Smokies understand the importance of gaining momentum both this weekend and next, we'll see whether the strong finish last night carries over into this evening's game.

Newcomer Adam Fares used his size and strength to his advantage last night, scoring on a pretty third-period deflection and scrapping with Silverbacks d-man James Friedel in the first period. I was also impressed by overager Clayton McEwan on the back end; he logged a lot of minutes and didn't miss a shift after a shoulder to the head from Salmon Arm forward Brett Knowles that left a nasty gash on his cheek.

Our Opponent: With last night's victory, the Silverbacks have a huge monkey off their back, so to speak. What impressed me the most about this Salmon Arm club was all four lines' ability to generate offense. The top unit of Knowles, Muller and Morgan Zulinick was dangerous every shift, and the 'Backs have a very capable puck-mover on the back end in Sean Flanagan, who chipped in last night with two assists.

In the Press Box: Both Kyle Horsman and Adam Wheeldon made the trip though neither are expected to dress tonight. The Smokies have brought along affiliate Jesse Collins, who plays for Creston Valley in the KIJHL. The Silverbacks remain without rookie Joel Kipp, who was injured on opening weekend.

Broadcast Info: Catch my call here beginning at 7. Scott Campbell will have the pay-per-view.

Out of Town: The Castlegar Rebels are hoping for redemption after suffering a 4-3 overtime loss at home to Spokane last night. The two sides meet at Eagles Ice-A-Rena. The Border Bruins play their third home game in as many nights against Creston (7:30, GF Arena), while Beaver Valley searches for win #2 in as many weeks against Osoyoos in the South Okanagan. The major midget Kootenay Ice play their home opener tonight against the Okanagan Rockets (6:30, NDCC Arena). The Ice are 0-2 after a pair of losses two weeks ago at North Island.

Sent wirelessly from my BlackBerry device on the Bell network.