Gameday: Smoke Eaters @ Rivermen

Who: Trail Smoke Eaters @ Langley Rivermen
When: Jan. 27, 2:00 pm
Where: Langley Events Centre, Langley

The third and final game of Trail's Coastal swing sees the Smokies land in Langley in search of a third season-series sweep against Mainland division opposition. The Smokies won both games against both Chilliwack and Prince George, and fashioned a fashionable comeback last month to nip the Rivermen in Trail.

Last night's loss in Port Alberni was a tough pill to swallow, with the Smokies holding a wide shot advantage and coming ever so close to finding a third-period equalizer, but today brings a chance to make amends. I'd expect Lyndon Stanwood to start this afternoon after he came on in relief of Adam Todd in last night's third period.

Today also marks a return to the Langley Events Centre for defenseman Valik Chichkin, who spent over a year in Rivermen silks before being acquired by Trail in late October.

Last Meeting: Trail fell behind early, but won 6-5 in extra time thanks to an OT winner from Braden Pears.

Our Opponent: Langley is on a tear, despite a 3-1 loss in Surrey last night, and have moved into a playoff berth after a January that has been well above average. The Rivermen are also playing their third game in three days after beating Salmon Arm at home Friday. The line of Mario Puskarich, Evan Campbell and James Robinson was a handful for the Smokies defense during the last meeting in Trail, Puskarich is a 30-goal man while his linemates both show plenty of offensive flair. Langley has been one of the more physical teams to visit Trail this season, remember it was d-man Turner Popoff who put Trail sniper Brent Baltus on the sidelines during the first period of the game on December 7th.

In the Press Box: for Trail, Bryce Knapp is out. Jesse Knowler is questionable after taking a hit to the jaw from Bulldogs blueliner Jared Wilson last night.

Broadcast Info: today's game will be on the usual channels with pre-game coverage beginning at 1:50. Watch this space for links closer to game time (I'm unable to post them from my phone).

Sent wirelessly from my BlackBerry device on the Bell network.
Envoyé sans fil par mon terminal mobile BlackBerry sur le réseau de Bell.