The Vernon Vipers were humbled by an inspired Trail Smoke Eaters team, as they dropped a 6-2 decision on Saturday, March 9 to finish up their mini road trip at a .500 level.
After defeating the Merritt Centennials 5-4 on Friday, the Vipers headed to Trail to battle the Smoke Eaters.
Trail got on the board first, with Mathieu Cobetto-Roy’s 24th of the year. In the second, Vernon’s Hank Cleaves tied the game up on the power play, rifling home his 12th of the season.
The Smoke Eaters then exploded for three goals in the span of seven minutes. Jason Stefanek, Christian Kim on the power play and Judah Makway stretched Trail’s lead to 4-1 before Luke Pakulak would slice into the lead with another Vipers power play marker.
Trail would put the game away early into the third with Cobetto-Roy’s second of the night followed by Adam Marshall’s 16th.
Ethan David was busy all night, fending off 42 of 48 shots for his 15th loss of the year. Teagan Kendrick made 24 saves to collect his 11th victory of the season.
The Smoke Eaters (25-17-6), at 56 points, are just one point back of Vernon for fourth in the Interior Conference.
The Vipers (28-19-1) have just six more games left in the regular season, four at home. They will welcome the Island teams, Alberni Valley and Nanaimo on Friday and Saturday, March 15 and 16 to town. It’s unknown yet where the games will take place as the main Kal Tire Place is under repair.
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