Trail Smoke Eaters winger Michael Colella must be looking forward to February 1st, the next time he’ll get to play the Prince George Spruce Kings.
He’s been pure kryptonite lately to the Spruce Kings and his three-goal, two-assist outing Saturday afternoon at the BCHL Showcase in Penticton caused the Kings to wilt considerably in a 7-4 loss to the Smokies.
Following on the heels of a one-goal, one-assist night a week earlier in what ended up a 3-0 Trail win over the Kings in Prince George, Colella is enjoying the feast which has moved him to the hed of the table in the BCHL scoring race. Through eight games, the 20-year-old Colorado College recruit had eight goals and 18 points, which left him tied with teammate Kent Johnson in the point parade.
The Smoke Eaters outshot the Kings 11-1 in the first period and built a 3-0 lead by the 2:43 mark of the second period on goals from Kyle Budvarson, Colella and Colby Elmer before Preston Brodziak kickstarted the Kings’offence with his fifth of the season. Corey Cunningham also got in on the action a couple minutes later, but it was all Trail after that. Colella completed his hat trick and Owen Ozar also scored to put the Smokes ahead 6-2 after two periods.
Cunningham and Fin Williams, with an assist from Cunningham, scored for the Kings in the third period and Johnson replied for Trail before the shelling stopped.
Jack McGovern and Jett Alexander combined to make 23 saves as the Kings were outshot 30-26. Donovan Buskey picked up the win in goal for Trail.
Trail has been one of the hottest teams in the BCHL lately. After losing their first six games to start the season, the Smoke Eaters (5-5-1-0) have now won five straight. They started at the Showcase Friday with a 7-1 win over the Merritt Centennials.
The Spruce Kings (4-5-2-0), still missing three of their regular defencemen due to injuries, have won just three of their last seven games.
The Kings play their next two at home at Rolling Mix Concrete Arena. They host the Nanaimo Clippers on Friday, followed by a Saturday date with the Salmon Arm Silverbacks.
