Gameday: Smoke Eaters @ SilverBacks

Who: Trail Smoke Eaters @ Salmon Arm SilverBacks
When: Nov. 24, 7:00 pm
Where: Shaw Centre, Salmon Arm

Trail goes in search of the weekend split, and redemption tonight in the Shuswap against a SilverBacks team that is coming along nicely after a bevy of changes.

Salmon Arm frustrated an ineffective Trail squad, winning 4-0 at Cominco last night thanks to a two-goal effort from Alex Gillies. The Smokies struggled to gain any momentum in the offensive zone, as chances both ways were few and far between.

Tonight, the message is simple. Win, and you avoid falling into the Interior conference basement. Lose, and all of a sudden, the Smokies will be looking up at each of their divisional rivals despite a November that has delivered excitement, and results.

Last Meeting: Not much more needs to be said about SA's win last night. The season series is tied 1-1.

Our Opponent: The SilverBacks, along with Merritt are to me the most physical teams in this division, and that, combined with an effective neutral-zone trap, is what gave them success last night. Adam Clark takes up a lot of space between the pipes and should be brimming with confidence after his first career BCHL shutout. Three of Salmon Arm's goals last night were scored on special teams (2 PP, 1 SH).

In the Press Box: Trail remains without Braeden Jones and Bryce Knapp. The SilverBacks scratched Riley Hunt, Josh Bowes, Troy Petrick as well as newly-signed D Brett Fagerheim last night. Fagerheim, who started the year in the AJHL, could draw in.

Broadcast Info: Tonight's game is available on Fast Hockey PPV. Barring any further technical squabbles, there will be an audio feed on Ustream but I have set up a backup channel if that service is still down. Watch this space for links closer to gametime.

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