The Prince George Spruce Kings’ injury woes were the perfect tonic for the Trail Smoke Eaters.
They took advantage of a beat-up Kings team that dressed three affiliated midget-aged players Saturday and waltzed out of Rolling Mix Concrete Arena with a 3-0 victory.
It was the third straight win for the Smokies, who improved their B.C. Hockey League record to 3-5-1.
Michael Colella, Colby Elmer and Liam Freeborn were the Trail marksmen.
Donovan Buskey had a relatively easy night, blocking all 12 shots he faced for his first BCHL shutout as his team outshot the Kings 26-12.
The Smokies struck first late in the first period. Colella connected on the power play with a wrister from the right side, not long after he nailed one off the post high behind goalie Jett Alexander.
The Spruce Kings had plenty of chances in the second period but could only manage four shots on Buskey. The Smokies took advantage of string of Prince George penalties and outshot them 8-4. They doubled their lead with about four minutes left in the period. Elmer caught Alexander not hugging the post and scored on a wraparound.
Freeborn capped the scoring 5:52 into the third period, finishing off a 2-on-1 break by snapping in a goalmouth feed from with Colella.
The Kings started the weekend with an 8-2 win over the Alberni Valley Bulldogs Friday night. They’ll resume their schedule Thursday in Penticton at the BCHL Showcase against the West Kelowna Warriors, followed on Friday by a rematch with Trail. The Kings and Smokies will meet again in January in Trail.
Saturday’s BCHL summary
First Period
Smoke Eaters 3 at Spruce Kings 0
1. Trail, Colella 3 (DiMurro, Johnson) 15:09 (pp)
Penalties – Murray Tr (tripping) 1:23, Pfoh PG (holding) 13:24, Cousins PG (high-sticking) 19:03.
Second Period
2. Trail, Elmer 2, 16:04
Penalties – McAllister PG (holding) 5:44, Williams PG (checking from behind, game misconduct) 7:06, Murray Tr (cross-checking), Cousins PG (unsportsmanlike conduct) 15:07, Ghiardosi Tr (interference) 18:06.
Third Period
3. Trail, Freeborn 2 (Colella, Ozar) 5:52
Penalties – Budarson Tr (cross-checking) 8:07, McAllister PG (tripping) 19:01.
Shots on goal by
Trail 8 8 10 -26
Prince George5 4 5 -14
Goal – Trail, Buskey (W,2-4-0-0); Prince George, Alexander (L,3-4-0-0).
Power plays – Tr: 1-5; PG: 0-3.
Referees – Graedy Hamilton, Cory Coop; Linesmen – Tyler Garden, Rob Connelly.
Attendance – 804.
Scratches – Trail – F Philippe Lapointe (lower body), D Trevor Isaksson (lower body), F Walter Erickson (healthy), D Core McCann (healthy), F Corey Clifton (healthy); Prince George: D Evan Orr (shoulder), D Cole Leal (ankle), F Andrew Seaman (shoulder), C Nolan Welsh (hip flexor), D Nick Bochen (ankle), D Colton Cameron (upper body).
