The Smoke Eaters needed extra time again on Saturday night to decide the result against the Wenatchee Wild, as Evan Bushy scored his first BCHL goal to give the Smoke Eaters the win.
The Wild went ahead early in this one, just 54 seconds in Cade Littler batted the puck out of the air, after the initial shot had hit the post and then hit Evan Fradette in the back, where Littler was able to find it for his second BCHL goal. It took 18 minutes before the Smoke Eaters responded and it was newcomer Charlie Strobel who was on the door step to make it 1-1, scoring his first BCHL game on his debut!
Jump ahead to what was another wild second period for the Smoke Eaters as the visitors would score two unanswered to take a 3-1 lead over the Smokies. But again they battled back. First on the board was Corey Cunningham as he put home the lose puck in front of Andy Vlaha on the shot from Zach Michaelis, who saw his goal streak come to an end but continued his point streak to five consecutive games.
Six minutes later the Smoke Eaters would score goals just 17 seconds apart to get Cominco on it’s feet. The first, wiht 2:03 left in the second saw Brady Hunter open his 2021 goals scoring account as Teddy Lagerback made a incredible back door pass for Hunter to put home.
Then just 17 seconds later it was the American trio combining as Lagerback forced a turnover, passed off to Strobel he passed to his left. finding Smoke Eaters captain Coalson Wolford to give the Smoke Eaters their first lead of the night.
The Smoke Eater lead was short lived however as the Wild answered 13 seconds later to tie the game at 4 as we headed to the third period.
The Smoke Eaters once again took the lead in the third, as Adam Parsons scored his first BCHL goal with a nifty wrap around to make it 5-4 Smokies!
The Smoke Eaters lead would last a little longer before the Wild once again tied the game up, with Landon Parker also scoring his first BCHL goal to make it 5-5.
In overtime it was all Smoke Eaters, and just a minute ten into the extra frame it was again a BCHL first, this time for Evan Bushy to give the Smoke Eaters 3/4 points on the weekend.
Evan Bushy was named Fortis Energy Player of the game while Charlie Strobel was named third star and Teddy Lagerback was named first star. The Smoke Eaters now have the week off to prepare for the BCHL Showcase, where they’ll play Saturday and Sunday
