Gameday: Smoke Eaters @ Vipers

Who: Trail Smoke Eaters @ Vernon Vipers
When: Nov. 9, 7:00 pm
Where: Wesbild Centre, Vernon

Greetings from the Smokies bus as we rumble on toward the North Okanagan for a rematch with the Vernon Vipers. It's already the fourth meeting of the season between these two clubs with Vernon holding a 2-1 season series edge.

Tonight's game marks the beginning of an 11-game stretch that will see Trail play on the road 8 times. And with only two wins away from home to date, it's imperative that this club pick up where they left off in their last away fixture, a 5-2 win in Salmon Arm two Saturdays ago.

Both teams will be minus regulars tonight (more on the Vipers scratches below). Power forward Luke Sandler will miss both weekend games after being assessed a 2-game suspension for a checking from behind major in last Saturday's home loss to Vernon. He will be replaced by Jesse Knowler, who makes his return to the lineup tonight after missing the last six games with an upper-body injury.

Last Meeting: Vernon won 9-2 on the strength of a 4-point night from captain Brett Corkey November 3rd in Trail. Neither team has played since that game.

Our Opponent: The Vipers, already without forwards Aaron Hadley (World Jr. A Challenge), Colton Sparrow and Brendan Persley (injured), are minus BCHL Player of the Week Adam Tambellini this weekend. He's off to Nova Scotia to compete in the CJHL Top Prospects game along with 6 other BCHLers (EDIT: Tambellini did not make the trip East and is IN the lineup tonight). Vernon though, is on a roll having won their last three games. Trail will need to work for quality chances against the likes of Corkey and Ryan Renz, both of whom were strong in last weekend's game. Watch out for Jedd Soleway tonight too, the forward has 8 career goals against the Smokies, 4 this season.

In the Press Box: Trail is without forwards Sandler, Bryce Knapp and blueliner Braeden Jones. AP defenseman Matthew Carr has been recalled from Fernie of the KIJHL. In addition to the already-mentioned injuries, the Vipers could be without D Michael Statchuk, who left Saturday's game in the second period and did not return.

Broadcast Info: Tonight's game is available on FAST Hockey, with an audio feed also at Smokies Ustream.

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