Smokies take overtime win in Sherwood Park
By Trail Smoke Eaters
The Smokies went “all in” on a sensational Saturday night in Sherwood Park and “Cashed” in, coming home with a 3-2 win in overtime.
Cash Carter’s prime time shot went post and in about seven minutes into the tie-breaking period to give Trail its fifth overtime victory and 13th win of the season.
Although Carter provided the capper, the night belonged to Trail goalie Chayse Johnson.
The 18-year-old home brew rookie turned in a tantalizing 37 save performance, including 19 third period stops.
His best highlight reel sequence came in the second period, when Johnson made his first save on a desperate dive across the net and followed it up with three key stops.
Johnson was also sharp early in the third period and looked supremely confident while the Smokies killed off back to back Crusader power plays with the game tied 1-1.
The Crusaders opened the scoring midway through the first on an odd man rush, but Carter’s first goal of the night late in the opening frame on a rebound put the Trail troupe back on even terms.
It stayed that way through a scoreless second period despite chances at both ends. The Smokies poor puck luck over the weekend continued when Max Hense’s seeing-eye wrister from the point changed direction and hit the post behind Crusaders goalie Jack Scali.
After thwarting Sherwood Park’s two early power plays in the third period, the two teams traded chances, including Carter’s speed-induced breakaway after coming out of the penalty box, but Scali stopped the five-hole attempt.
Brayden Sinclair poked home the rebound of a high rising Colton Whitfield blast from the point with about two and a half minutes to go to give the Smokies their first lead of the game.
It looked as if Trail would skate away with the regulation win when Erik Kald’s shot with six attackers from the deep slot slithered through the traffic and past a screened Johnson with 2.6 seconds remaining.
Both teams were cautious during the 3-on-3 session until Carter took matters into his own hands, finishing a fast-paced rush with his popper off the post past Scali. It was the Smokies only shot in overtime and 32nd of the game. They also allowed only one shot in the fourth period.
The Smokies defense turned in an inspired performance in the absence of captain Isaac Fecteau who suffered an upper body injury Friday night in Okotoks.
Trail was 0-for-2 on the power play while killing off all four Crusader advantages against a power play that came into the game at 24.2%.
The split during the Alberta trek gives Trail a 10-1 road record heading into next weekend’s doubleheader in Salmon Arm.
The 13-3 Smokies are second in the Interior West Division two points behind West Kelowna, who is tied for the overall lead in the BCHL with Blackfalds.
Trail returns home November 21 and 22 to host Brooks and Okotoks.
Tickets are available in the Smokies Store or online at Tickets.TrailSmokeEaters.com.
