The Trail Smoke Eaters continue their preseason Thursday night at Cominco Arena against the Powell River Kings.
The Smokies are still looking for their first win of this exhibition season after Friday’s 5-3 setback in Penticton.
After falling behind 2-0 early in the second period, the Smoke Eaters caught fire with three answered goals.
Adams Parsons potted a power play goal, converting a three-way passing play, Michael Risteau tied the game after a cross-hash-marks feed from Gryphon Bucci and Ethan Warrener converted a cross-crease pass with Bucci picking up one of the assists.
But that lead lasted just 47-seconds as James Fisher scored his second of the game to tie the contest heading to the third period.
Penticton put the game away with a pair of goals in the final frame.
The insurance marker came on a breakaway as Attila Lippai stepped out of the penalty box just as the puck bounced out of the Vees zone and fired a low shot into the stick-side corner past Smokies goalie Teagan Kendrick with less than five minutes remaining.
The Smoke Eaters power play had several good looks during back-to-back manpower advantages, but couldn’t convert.
Bucci was named third star for his two-point performance.
Trail’s Owen McCarthy also made his Smoke Eaters debut. The young defenseman showed no fear competing against much older and bigger opponents after being named to BC’s U16 team for the WHL Cup tournament earlier in the week.
Trail takes on a Powell River team who has one win and an overtime loss on this preseason journey. They followed up last Saturday’s 3-2 overtime loss in Coquitlam with Sunday’s 4-1 victory in Langley.
The Kings are in Trail for the BCHL preseason showcase also involving the Prince George Spruce Kings and Cranbrook Bucks.
The Smokies host Prince George on Friday, with the opening face-off both nights set for 7:30.
They wrap up the preseason Saturday night in Cranbrook with game time set for 6 o’clock locally.
All three games can be seen on FloHockey and heard on Mixlr.
