Teagan Kendrick didn’t score, nor pick up an assist, but his heroics, especially in the second period, is largely responsible for the Smoke Eaters picking up a point Friday night in Okotoks in a 3-2 overtime loss to the Oilers.
The 20-year-old netminder only had to make ten saves during his sensational second period soliloquy, but three were on cross-crease feeds to the far post. His most eye-popping stop was on Hunter Sawka whom he robbed on what looked like a certain goal that would have given the Oilers a 2-0 lead in a tightly fought contest.
Brock Souch of the Oilers scored on a similar play early in the first period. Kendrick made other key saves in the middle frame to keep Trail within a goal.
The Smokies tied the game less than two minutes into the third period when Calgary native Carter Matthews who played many times in the Viking Rentals Centre throughout his minor hockey days, dashed end-to-end and lifted a sharp angle backhander that handcuffed Oilers goalie Olivier Ciarlo and dropped into the net.
The two teams continued to play tight through the neutral zone, but both found ways to create scoring opportunities.
Ciarlo made his biggest save on a breakaway by Smokies newcomer Aidan Castle. He also stopped the 20-year-old acquired Thursday from Blackfalds on a contested breakaway in overtime. Castle battled his way to the net while being checked by Oilers defenseman Ryder de Nuys and was unable to beat Ciarlo on a one-handed backhand attempt.
Unfortunately for the Smokies, the Oilers would score shortly after the first chance.
Spencer Rheaume deflected a pass from Otto Hanson into the top corner about 12 minutes into the third period, but just over a minute and a half later the Smokies replied.
Jack Kennedy’s rising writer from the point brushed off Cade De St. Hubert and into the top corner past a screened Ciarlo, as the hard working rookie from Minnesota registered his first BCHL goal.
Both teams had chances to win in overtime, but in addition to a point-blank save in the final minute, Kendrick flashed the trapper to snag a shot from de Nuys that appeared destined for the far corner of the net.
At the other end, Ciarlo stretched his pads from post to post to stop Jason Stefanek on a back-door feed through the crease.
Oiler winger Jamie Hikida ended the game 4:35 into overtime.
He broke down the right wing after an unsuccessful 3-on-2 break for the Smokies and snapped a low shot just inside the far post.
The Oilers outshot Trail 29-28 and were 0-for-2 on the power play. The Smokies were 0-for-3 with the man advantage, but only had one full two-minute power play as subsequent penalty calls shorted the others, including one that lasted just four seconds.
Tonight, the Smokies invade Cranbrook for the first time this season.
The Bucks are coming off a 6-2 Friday night home ice victory over Sherwood Park. The Bucks put the game away with four unanswered third period goals, including two from Swedish import Rasmus Svartstrom who has 13 tallies this season.
He also scored in the only other meeting against the Smoke Eaters in Trail. Svartstrom’s goal sparked a three goal third period comeback in the Bucks 4-3 victory on Oct 18 in Trail.
Opening face off is set for 6 p.m. Pacific Time, with all the action on Mixlr and FloHockey.
